 From Jim Jacek
Every week we will feature a candidate running for city council in Allen Park. This week’s candidate is Steve Gary. Here is his story: Hello, I am Steve Gary, and I am currently running for a position on the Allen Park City Council. I am 36 years young, a single dad, with one son Dakota. My son and I also have two cats, Pounce, and Starfire. I have been a part of Allen Park, and the downriver area for my entire life. I am a third-generation Allen Parker. I come from a family that has vast roots in public service including Firefighters, Police Officers, and Public Service (DPS) workers. (None of which who have been employed or are employed in Allen Park.) One of the major strengths that I bring to the table as a potential Allen Park Councilman is the ability to manage multi-million dollar public sector budgets, particularly in the areas of facilities services and infrastructure. Additionally, I have a plethora of experience in public and private sector buildings and infrastructure. This experience is key as buildings and infrastructure are the “framework, and the nuts and bolts” that our city is built upon, and what holds it together. In addition to living and breathing it, I love math, science, engineering, budgets, buildings, and infrastructure. I currently hold two Associate Degrees from Henry Ford College. My first is an Associate of General Studies (AGS), and my second is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in the areas of Engineering (buildings), and Energy Technology. Along the way of achieving both of my Associate Degrees, I also studied Computer Information Systems (CIS), Human Resources, Management, and Labor Negations. I am currently completing my Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) majoring in Engineering and Energy Technology from Siena Heights University. I will be completed with my undergraduate studies and my BAS at the end of this month (August 2019). In the near future, I will begin my graduate studies in obtaining a Master’s Degree, placing me on the path to my ultimate goal of attending law school to obtain a Juris Doctorate. I am a member of The Knights of Columbus, The fraternal Order of Eagles, The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, The American Society of Power Engineers, and The Southeastern Michigan Powerplant Engineers Society. My current and past union affiliations include the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) Local 71 AFL-CIO, Dearborn Schools Operating Engineers Association (DSOEA), Dearborn Federation of School Employees (DFSE) Local 4750 AFL-CIO, Dearborn School Employees Independent Union (DSEIU), and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876 AFL-CIO. Over the past 10 years or so our city has definitely been through some turbulent times financially. Thankfully with hard work from our citizens and stakeholders, we have bounced back to more stable grounds. With that said one major project that I hope to begin since property values have risen and stabilized is to look into lowering taxes returning hard-earned dollars to those who earned them our Allen Park taxpayers. The first part of this project will begin as soon as I am elected and assume office by investigating the city’s feasibility to lower millages and rollback our current tax rates. Allen Park was once a city with high property values and low tax rates. If feasible it would be great to return to those times. Back in 2011 Allen Park taxpayers were gracious enough to approve millages to assist our beautiful city during quite possibly the most financially turbulent times Allen Park has ever seen since we became a city in 1957. It is important we work on this to instill trust in our citizens, taxpayers and stakeholders who I believe will be more than willing to assist us again in the future if the need arises. This is my second time on the campaign trail here in Allen Park. The first time was when I was 28 back in 2011 when I first ran for Allen Park City Council. I was unable to run in the last election cycle as work commitments did not permit me to do so as I was on the second shift in 2015. In closing, I do not have any agendas or connections to any special interests. The only agenda if you will that I have is ensuring that our city remains the GEM of downriver, and now we must begin in polishing our beautiful GEM. We must ensure that our city operates in a fiscally responsible manner, and hopefully, we can work together to lower taxes and reduce regulations so that our city prospers for many years to come. When I speak of lower taxes, we must do it in a manner as property values rise so we do not cut any existing services or the benefits and pay of those who work hard to provide those services. In November please remember me “The Man With Two First Names, STEVE GARY for Allen Park City Council.” Phone: (313) 458-9141 Email: [email protected] Website (coming soon) www.stevegaryforcouncil.com
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