A complete guide to Kalamazoo-area races in the 2019 election
Sign points voters to where they can fill out their ballots, at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church polling location in Kalamazoo, Nov. 6, 2018. (Daniel Vasta | MLive.com)Daniel Vasta
By Kayla Miller | kmille17@mlive.com
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Issues and races ranging from city commission and mayoral races in Kalamazoo to a marijuana proposal in South Haven will be decided by voters during the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 5, election.
Before the polls open Tuesday, take a moment to learn more about the major races and tax proposals appearing on ballots in the Kalamazoo area.
Full coverage: Kalamazoo-area election stories
Scroll down for a comprehensive list of key contested races in Kalamazoo County and neighboring communities. Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center online to see your own sample ballot and find your polling place.
Pictured, left to right, Corey Smith, David Benac, David Anderson and Esteven Juarez are running for mayor in the 2019 election. (File | MLive.com)
Kalamazoo Mayor
Corey Smith, David Anderson, David Benac and Esteven Juarez are running for mayor in the 2019 election. Longtime Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell will not seek reelection after leading the city for more than a decade.
Candidates for the office submitted responses to an MLive questionnaire. Click on each candidate's name below to see their full response, and find more information about the local mayoral race here.
Anderson, 68, is the director of housing and facilities at Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and chairman of the Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission.
Benac, 45, who ran for Congress in 2018, is an associate professor of history at Western Michigan University.
Juarez, 33, is director of outreach at Urban Alliance.
Smith, 42, said he is a family man and a football and basketball coach.
Serving on the city commission since 2003, Hopewell was first elected mayor in 2007 and has served in the position ever since.
Four seek Kalamazoo mayoral seat as longtime mayor serves final term
David Anderson, David Benac, Esteven Juarez and Corey Smith are running for mayor of Kalamazoo.
In 2014, Kalamazoo voters approved a new system for elections that took effect in 2015, allowing voters to elect the mayor to a two-year term separately from the city commission. Additionally, commissioner terms were changed from 2-year terms to staggered, 4-year terms.
Eight candidates are running for Kalamazoo City Commission in 2019. Pictured (top row, l-r) Benjamin Hayden Stanley, Patrese Griffin, Pete Kushner, Chris Praedel; (bottom row, l-r) are Emily Demorest, Andrew Argo, Jeanne Hess and Jacob Andrews.
Kalamazoo City Commission
Eight candidates are seeking three open seats on the Kalamazoo City Commission.
Andrew Argo, Jacob Andrews, Emily Demorest, Patrese Griffin, Jeanne Hess, Pete Kushner, Chris Praedel and Benjamin Hayden Stanley are all running for election to the Kalamazoo City Commission.
Commissioner David Anderson is instead running for mayor this year, leaving his seat open. Longtime Commissioner Don Cooney is not seeking reelection, which left a second seat seat open. The third open seat was vacated when Shannon Sykes-Nehring resigned early from the commission. Griffin was later appointed to temporarily fill the vacant seat.
City commission candidates also submitted responses to an MLive questionnaire. Click on each candidate's name below to see their full response, and read more about the city commission race here.
Argo, 32, said he is chairman of the Socialist Party of Kalamazoo, a role that has included organizing community teach-ins, direct action, mutual aid and solidarity efforts with other anti-capitalist, anti-racist groups in the city. His occupation is personal support staff at Community Living Option, he said.
Andrews, 24, is the chairman of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, and served on the city of Kalamazoo's Citizens Public Safety Review and Advisory Board, he said. He is executive assistant at The Arc of Calhoun County.
Demorest, 32, is the neighborhood network center coordinator at Interfaith Homes, a subsidized housing complex in Kalamazoo's Northside neighborhood, she said, where she oversees community partnerships and supportive family services. She served as the Communities In Schools site coordinator at Maple Street Magnet School for six years, she said.
Griffin, 38, is employed as a housing consultant and said she is self-employed. Among experience, she lists that she is a volunteer with Michigan United and board vice-chair of the Fair Housing Center SWMI.
Hess, 61, is retired from Kalamazoo College, as of Aug. 31, 2019, where she was a professor and chair of the Department of Physical Education and head volleyball coach, she said. Among experience she listed for the commission race, Hess said she has worked as a Green Dot Trainer at Kalamazoo College, to address issues of interpersonal violence, relationship violence and sexual assault.
Kushner, 60, said he has worked as a business and marketing consultant at Kushner Consulting, LLC since 2001. He is president of the Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association.
Praedel, 34, is director of events at Western Michigan University. He was appointed to the city of Kalamazoo's Blue Ribbon Panel on Revenue, a committee tasked with examining ways to increase the city's revenue.
Stanley, 31, is a student, pursuing a bachelor's degree in public relations from Western Michigan University, and is taking classes through Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He lists experience at the 60th District service office summer organizing institute.
Eight candidates competing for three seats on Kalamazoo City Commission
The Nov. 5 election will bring a new mayor and fill three open seats on the city commission.
A student from Climax-Scotts etches her name during the 8th Grade Girls Nontraditional Career Expo hosted by KRESA's Education For Employment program in 2012. (MLive file photo)Kal
KRESA 1-mill tax increase for career, technical education
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency is asking voters consider a 1-mill property tax for a period of 20 years to help fund efforts to centralize career and technical education for Kalamazoo County students. If approved by voters in November, the tax is expected to raise about $8.3 million per year for the agency. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $150,000 about $75 per year.
The estimated total 2020 taxable value in the nine public school districts that make up KRESA is nearly $8.3 billion, according to KRESA. If approved, a 1-mill tax on those properties is expected to raise $8,264,827 in the first year. Though values fluctuate, rough estimates place the total amount of money raised by the millage over a 20-year period at about $165 million.
If approved by voters, the proposed property tax would fund operating costs, including transportation, equipment, programs and staff. A portion of the proceeds from the new tax may also be used to fund construction of a new central career center, but only if efforts to seek private funding for such a facility prove unsuccessful.
Created in 1985, the program provides high school students with job training and technical knowledge for careers in skilled trades after graduation. Programs include training in business management, marketing, engineering, manufacturing and health sciences.
The agency's service area covers nine public school districts: Climax-Scotts Community Schools, Comstock Public Schools, Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, Gull Lake Community Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, the Parchment School District, Portage Public Schools, Schoolcraft Community Schools and Vicksburg Community Schools.
Tax proposal on Kalamazoo County ballots would fund career, technical education
Though property values fluctuate, rough estimates place the total amount of money raised by the millage in 20 years at about $165 million.
Portage Public Schools Administration Building in Portage, Michigan.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Portage Public Schools 0.5-mill sinking fund tax renewal
Voters living in the district will vote on the school's building and site sinking fund tax at the polls.
If approved, the 0.5-mill levy, or $0.50 on every $1,000 of taxable value, will be renewed for five years. The tax, which would run from 2020 to 2024, can be used for the purchase of real estate and construction of school buildings and can't be used for employee salaries or other operating costs.
District spokesperson Michelle Karpinski said though law allows districts to use sinking funds for new construction, Portage has historically used those funds for repairs and continual work on buildings, roofs and parking lots.
Since 1966, the district has levied between a 0.5- and 1.5-mill rate for its sinking fund. This millage rate is a part of the previously approved 2019-20 budget. The budget was passed unanimously by the board during a June meeting, and was balanced at $96,794,055.
Portage Public Schools to ask voters to renew building tax
If approved, the 0.5-mill levy, or $0.50 on every $1,000 of taxable value, will be renewed for five years.
From left, Holly Evans, Mike Conner and Robin Madaras are all running for the Parchment City Commission. Not pictured is Doug Fooy, who did not respond to MLive's candidate questionnaire. (Courtesy Images)
Parchment City Commission
Two newcomers and two incumbents are vying for three seats on the seven-member Parchment City Commission.
Robin Madaras, 53, and Mike Conner, 74, join incumbents Doug Fooy, 58, and Holly Evans, 37, in seeking one of three four-year terms up for grabs in the Nov. 5 municipal election.
To read questionnaire responses from three of the four candidates, read more about the Parchment City Commission race here. Fooy did not respond to MLive's candidate questionnaire.
Conner, a member of the Parchment Action Group, has been married to his wife Cheryl for 53 years. He has two children; Karen, a resident of Parchment, and Steve, a Comstock resident. Conner is a graduate of Parchment High School and attended Western Michigan University.
He served 37 years in the Michigan Air National Guard at the Battle Creek base and is a retired civilian egress supervisor with the Michigan Air National Guard as well.
Madaras is a former board member on the Kindleberger Arts Commission, former treasurer of the Parchment Grad Bash and former treasurer of Parchment North Elementary PTO. She is married and has two adult daughters.
Madaras has a bachelor of business administration in accounting from Davenport College and works for the State of Michigan in the Department of Treasury.
Evans has served on the Parchment City Commission for the past three years. She was appointed in August 2016 to temporarily replace David Kinsey for an eight-month period, before being elected in a special election in May 2017 to serve out his term. She also serves on the Kindleberger Festival Committee and the Parchment Wassailing Committee.
Evans has a bachelors in human resources from Western Michigan University and works as a kindergarten ParaPro at Parchment Central Elementary School. She is married and his two kids, ages seven and 10.
Four candidates vying for three seats on Parchment City Commission
Two incumbents and two challengers face off in Nov. 5 municipal election.
Portage District Library is asking for a 0.5 millage increase on the November 2019 ballot.
Portage District Library 0.5-mill tax increase
The library is seeking voter approval of a 0.5-mill property tax increase for 10 years.
For the first time in 27 years, the library is asking the public for extra funds to update the building's infrastructure such as the HVAC system, boilers and carpet. If voters approve the millage increase, the library would also like to expand meeting space within the existing structure and incorporate more programs centered around technology.
For Portage residents with an average home value of $175,000 the millage would translate to a $3.66 increase per month, or $43.75 per year. The library district already levies 1.5 mills, which amounts to $10.94 per month for the owner of a $175,000 home.
Portage District Library asks for tax increase for the first time in 27 years
A library millage increase of 0.5 for 10 years will be on the November 2019 ballot.
The Schoolcraft Elementary would be replaced if the voters approve a $40 million bond in the November election. (Tom Haroldson | MLive.com)Tom Haroldson
Schoolcraft $40M bond for facility construction/upgrades
Schoolcraft Community Schools would like to borrow nearly $40 million to build a new elementary school, add on to the district's high school and to fund other school building renovations.
Voters in the district will decide Tuesday, Nov. 5, whether to issue $39.9 million in bonds and levy an additional 3-mill property tax, equal to $3 on every $1,000 of taxable value, according to the district's website.
The district's current millage rate is 4 mills. If approved by voters, the increase would increase the overall rate to 7 mills. The tax would equate to an increase of $150 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
Plans for using the funds call for a new building to house pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students, and construction of an addition to the high school to accommodate seventh and eighth grade students. The bond would also fund security enhancements, including a security entrance at the high school and improvements to athletics facilities, including tennis courts, restrooms, the track and bleachers.
Schoolcraft schools request $40M for new elementary school, addition to high school
"Our current elementary and middle schools and some athletic facilities are old and failing," the district website said. "We've maintained them for as long as possible."
Firefighters battle a house fire near South Haven in Van Buren County that killed a family dog.
Wakeshma Township 1-mill fire protection millage
Voters in Wakeshma Township will decide whether to renew a property tax that funds fire protection in the community. The previous three-year millage expires this year. The current tax rate, approved by voters at 1 mill, was reduced to .9810 mills by required millage rollbacks, according to ballot language.
The ballot proposal appearing on the ballot seeks approval for a 1-mill tax to be levied for a 10-year period, starting in 2020. If passed, the millage is expected to raise $69,195 in its first year.
Funding would continue to pay for fire department operations and first-responder services through South County Fire Department, the township's current service provider, or whatever fire department the township board contracts with, according to ballot language.
Kalamazoo County township seeks renewal of for fire protection tax
The tax would fund fire department operations and first responder services and paid to the South County Fire Department.
Lockers line the hallways at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.Emil Lippe | MLive.com
St. Joseph County Intermediate School District 1-mill tax increase for career, technical education
The St. Joseph County Intermediate School District is asking voters in November to consider a new tax to expand the county's career and technical education program.
If approved by voters Tuesday, Nov. 5, the 10-year, 1-mill tax would generate about $2.4 million in the first year. The tax would fund more career and technical education classes and choices, expand career planning programs, expand on-the-job learning opportunities and upgrade equipment and technology, according to the St. Joseph County ISD.
The money would be disbursed to the following school districts: Burr Oak Community Schools, Centreville Public Schools, Colon Community Schools, Constantine Public Schools, Mendon Community Schools, Nottawa Community School, The Sturgis Public School District, Three Rivers Community Schools, White Pigeon Community Schools and St. Joseph County Intermediate School District.
For the owner of home valued at $100,000, the tax would cost about $50 per year, or $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.
The millage proposal will not fund a career and technical education center, but will provide funding to enhance and restore programs like Career Prep and Work-Based Learning (Co-op) and to add more class options, the ISD said.
St. Joseph County voters asked to approve tax for career, technical education program
The millage proposal will not fund a career and technical education center but will provide funding to enhance and restore programs like Career Prep and Work-Based Learning (Co-op) and add more class options, the ISD said.
When voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will decide whether Plainwell Community Schools can borrow $48,655,000 for upgrades to facilities across the district. (MLive file photo)Alex Mitchell
Plainwell Community Schools $48.6M facility upgrades bond
Voters living in the Plainwell school district will decide whether to fund over $48 million in planned improvements at Plainwell Community Schools.
The district is asking to borrow up to $48,655,000 for upgrades to facilities across the district, according to district leaders. Improvements are planned at Cooper Elementary School, Gilkey Elementary School, Starr Elementary School, Plainwell Middle School, Plainwell High School and the Community Center.
If the bond is approved, the district's tax rate would increase by 3.27 mills, from 7.28 mills to 10.55 mills. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the proposed increase equates to an estimated increase in property tax payments of $163.50 per year.
The project would include roofing improvements throughout the district as needed, updates to district safety including video surveillance, educational technology upgrades and a new community pool.
Plainwell schools place $48M bond for facility upgrades on November ballot
When voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will decide whether the Plainwell district can borrow $48,655,000 for upgrades to facilities across the district.
Voters in South Haven will decide on recreational marijuana. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Recreational marijuana in South Haven
South Haven will ask city voters Tuesday whether recreational marijuana businesses should be allowed in the community.
The proposal involves five different types of recreational marijuana facilities: facilities for growing, processing, safety compliance, transporters and provisioning centers. The proposal would not affect any medical marijuana provisional centers or grow facilities, which are regulated separately.
The city was one of 600 communities that opted out of having recreational marijuana businesses. South Haven directed the city's planning commission to study the issue and make recommendations of where such businesses might be located if the city were to change its position. The commission decided to instead ask voters about the choice of whether to allow recreational marijuana businesses.
South Haven voters will decide recreational marijuana question on November ballot
The group Concerned Citizens of South Haven presented the council with a petition to ban future recreational marijuana business.
More election coverage
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, in many communities across the state to decide city races and local proposals. As Election Day nears, here are more stories from MLive on Kalamazoo-area issues related to the November 2019 election:
Local billionaire, marijuana sellers among contributors to Kalamazoo mayoral campaigns
The donations are public in the weeks before the Nov. 5 election.
Kalamazoo city commission campaigns net more than $63K in contributions
The reports were filed on Oct. 25.
Kalamazoo community weighs $165M tax to fund career, tech education
While most area school districts are in favor of the 1-mill request on the Nov. 5 ballot, one county commissioner is raising concerns about the tax.
Kalamazoo candidates discuss personal marijuana use, its future in the city
One of the candidates said he grown marijuana in his basement.
Kalamazoo candidates field questions about police, campaign promises
This is the first of several forums planned in the city.
Kalamazoo mayoral candidates talk Foundation donations, jobs, ward system
The forum was held at Western Michigan University on Oct. 22.
Kalamazoo candidates address climate change, economic issues at forum
The latest candidate forum was held on Oct. 2.
Southwest Michigan First PAC spends to advocate 'yes' vote on KRESA tax proposal
The proposed 1-mill tax would fund plans to centralize and expand career and technical education offerings for K-12 students.