Meet the Candidates: Candidate for mayor Gail McLeod

​For the past four years, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the Mayor Pro Tem of Allen Park.  In the Mayor's absence, I preside as Mayor and facilitate City Council Meetings and represent the Mayor and Allen Park as a voting member at Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Downriver Community Conference (DCC)/Downriver Mutual Aid (DMA), and Downriver Utility and Wastewater Authority (DUWA) meetings.  DUWA is comprised of 13 downriver cities which own and operate the Wyandotte wastewater treatment facility, oversees all aspects of operations, rate adjustments, and capital investments.  My participation has given me the opportunity to interact with other members of these organizations and create working relationships, both internal and external to the city.
 
I am a founding member and Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Allen Park Citizens Civic Fund (APCCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing support to our community.  As part of the APCCF leadership team, I am proud of the support we are providing to our Parks & Recreation Department and Historic Home, particularly the placement of libraries in all of our parks and play equipment in the Pocket Park.
 
An Allen Park resident for over 40 years, I have three children and two grandchildren.  My children, graduates of Allen Park High School, benefited from the education they received from Allen Park public schools.  I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Personnel.  After 30 years, I retired from General Motors where I served as the Human Resources Manager for Corporate Staffs and HR Manager of the GM Legal Staff.  During my tenure, I was trained and experienced in supervision, benefits, compensation and performance reviews, and assisted in a major organizational restructuring.
 
I am Chair of the City Council Human Resources Committee which reviews and discusses staffing and compensation proposals, participates in interviews related to key positions, and developed a performance review process to be implemented for all non-union employees.  I am a member of the Council Legal Affairs Committee whose goal is to provide our citizens with a safe and well-run community.  Ordinances passed ensure compliance with State law and address departmental and community needs such as the noxious odors issue. 
 
Serving as Mayor Pro Tem has also prepared me for the time commitment required of the Mayor, based on the many boards, organizations and other functions which require attendance and participation.  I also understand the importance of developing liaisons with others at all levels of government, including at the county, state, and federal levels.  To that end, I have established a working relationship with our County representative, Sam Baydoun, and am a known commodity to our State Representative, Frank Liberati, and our U.S. Representative, Debbie Dingell, with whom I had the privilege of working with at General Motors.  
 
As Mayor, my goal is to serve the citizens of Allen Park and ensure continued progress toward financial stability and economic growth. My background and experience enable me to provide the leadership which encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration and I will engage our citizens, break down silos, and involve all entities which have an impact on the future of Allen Park.  
 

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