Council incumbents face challenge
Mayor running unopposed
Five candidates are contending for three seats on the New Baltimore City Council.
Three incumbents — Jacob Dittrich, Florence M. Hayman and Laura Szymanski — will seek reelection to new four-year terms on Nov. 7. They will be challenged by candidates Karen Gharbie and Jason Harvey.
City council members earn $165.56 per meeting.
Meet the candidates
The Voice sent questionnaires to all five candidates, asking them to provide biographical information about themselves and answer three questions. Each response was limited to 50 words. Some responses have been edited for length. . Please provide information about yourself, including your age, education, occupation and any previous political experience.
I currently sit on city council. I was born
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Dittrich:
in 1980 and grew up in the small city of Fraser. I graduated from Fraser High School in 1998 and attended class at Macomb Community College. I moved to New Baltimore in 2007 with my wife Tammy and started our family.
Gharbie: I am Karen Gharbie, a 37-year-old mother of four amazing children who attend Anchor Bay Schools. I’ve worked locally for 18years, the last 9 1/2 working in local government. I’m a Certified Public Manager through SVSU, hold several management leadership certificates and sit on the New Baltimore DDA.
Harvey:
My name is Jason Harvey. I’m 36 years old, married with two children. Currently
I am a law enforcement officer, and former police cadet for New Baltimore. I have an associate’s degree, and have been through FEMA and governmental training to assist with public safety in disaster situations. Hayman: I have a BA from the University of Detroit and a MA from Wayne State University. I’m a retired teacher and former New Baltimore business owner. My late husband, Jack, and I have five children and eight grandchildren, including a Marching Tar. I am currently on New Baltimore City Council.
Dittrich: I believe I am most qualified to be on our city council, because of my over 20 years experience in the financial field, my ability to work well with others, and the experience the past eight years of being involved in our city has brought me.
Gharbie: In addition to a career that’s provided a deep knowledge of the functions within municipalities, I have
Szymanski: acquired over $9 million in It’s been grant funding. While serving my honor on the DDA, we’ve implemented to serve as popular additions, councilwoman including the upcoming for $20,000 placemaking grant four years. awarded for new, exciting Previously improvements at Walter and I served as Mary Burke Park. a planning Harvey: I am the most commissioner qualified candidate because for 17 years. I’m a proud I understand the importance mother of four and a grandmother of working together to help to two beautiful find common ground to girls. I’ve worked in health move items forward for the care for 40 years, including best interests of the public. as a COVID front line hospital
Hayman: I serve with worker. integrity, read information, attend committee assignments and work for balanced budgets without cuts to city services. I am the delegate to SEMCOG. Elected by my peers at SEMCOG to serve on the Transportation Committee and Regional Clearing House, I can bring information back for our use.
Szymanski: My dedication to residents and years of experience. I have engaged with many citizens over the years in my volunteer work. Currently I serve as the New Baltimore Lions first vice president and Winterfest chair, Civic Club and Goodfellows member, AMVETS Post 52treasurer and Corewell
Health Integration team member.
. What are three of the most immediate issues that need action for the city to become a more prosperous, vibrant place to live and visit?
Dittrich: The three immediate issues for our city: our infrastructure, connectivity and the continued growth of our public safety (police and fire departments).
Gharbie: Issues I believe that need immediate attention are: city streets need repair, community blight, and our firefighters need an improved building. I pride myself on being able to find creative solutions to complex problems and look forward to resolving these issues and serving the city of New Baltimore.
Harvey: The infrastructure needs to be upgraded to keep up with growth in the community, through investment and maintenance. I also want to work on long-term financial plans to fund major projects such as road improvements, while preventing a tax increase. Lastly, I would like to decrease blight throughout the city.
Hayman: Decreased funding from Act 51 affects our roads and public safety.
I’ve met with elected state officials about increasing our revenue sharing.
1. We need to hire more police officers and more firefighters.
2. Full-time firefighters hired from the millage require sleeping facilities.
3. Our roads require maintenance and repair.
Szymanski: New Baltimore has 300 acres of undeveloped property that could be reviewed for growth. There are opportunities along Green Street to create traffic lighting and painted crosswalks. Waterfront parks will be improved.
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Public safety is my priority. I’ve requested to help review potentially expanding the fire department to include transport.
. What is your plan for maintaining the city budget while continuing to provide essential services to residents?
Dittrich: Over the past four years, I’ve worked with current/previous councils to maintain a balanced budget while maintaining high-quality city services. I continue to search for new ways to add more services that will enable us to maintain our budget for the future, while not costing citizens more. Go to jacobdittrich.com.
Gharbie: Maintaining a healthy budget is all about prioritizing and strategically planning for what is important to our residents. I will never sacrifice our core services and responsibilities of keeping our residents safe and investing in our infrastructure and community.
Harvey: The community is growing with new homes being built, and businesses investing in the city. I will make sure tax dollars are spent accordingly to have a balanced budget. I will look at other avenues to assist with taxpayers’ money, such as public/private partnerships.
Hayman: I plan to continue working with our grant writer through SEMCOG and to apply for grants from the state and from the county. The development of downtown property, addressing parking shortages, expansion of recreation programs based on demographics and Habitat Harbor completion are some priorities for New Baltimore.
Szymanski: Council and administration have worked diligently to ensure a balanced budget. The DPS provides outstanding services. As