Last month, Leah Groves announced she would be resigning from Lowell City Council. The city requested that eligible residents interested in completing her term submit letters of interest. Four did so, and the following people were interviewed on Monday:
- Mark Ritzema
- Kayla Perkins
- Tyler Kent
- Beryl Bartkus
Mayor Mike DeVore, Councilmember Marty Chambers and Councilmember Jim Salzwedel conducted the interviews. Councilmember Eric Bartkus was also present, but since his wife was applying for the spot, he abstained from the interviews, discussion and vote. City Manager Mike Burns also sat in on the interviews.
Candidates were asked more than a dozen questions that covered their background, ability to attend meetings and vision for the city. Questions also covered what applicants would do if a decision they made was not popular with residents and how they would handle situations in which they had a different opinion than other councilmembers.
Applicants were also asked about their understanding of the city’s council-manager form of government and what they would do if a resident came to them unhappy with a decision of the city manager.
Here’s a brief overview of each candidate’s interview.
Mark Ritzema
Mark Ritzema has lived in Lowell most of his 70 years. He previously ran for Lowell City Council in 2017 but had to drop out of that race because of a health issue.
“I just feel we need more citizen input,” Ritzema said when explaining why he wanted to be involved with the council.
Now retired, Ritzema has a master’s degree in public administration and sees the 425 agreement with Lowell Township, roadwork and traffic concerns as top issues facing the city. His priorities include streets, utilities and ensuring the city has its finances in order so there are no future surprise expenses.
As for resident concerns, he would encourage residents to work directly with the city manager. When it comes to making decisions, Ritzema says he will be looking for what’s best for the community.
“I think you guys are doing a good job, and I want to be part of the team,” Ritzema said.
Kayla Perkins
A two-year resident of Lowell, Kayla Perkins said she applied for the position because she wants to get involved in the community.
“I rather enjoy this town very much,” she said. “It’s quiet. It’s safe.”
As a scheduler for a health care clinic, Perkins says she has had experience being firm but professional. When there may be differences of opinion between councilmembers, Perkins said she would be able to listen with an open mind to understand where others are coming from.
“I’m very good at seeing things from a different perspective,” she said, while adding that she can be “firm without being rude or demanding.” While she has not served on any commissions in Lowell, she has been boards for other organizations.
Perkins said she sees the top three priorities for Lowell as its water, power and roads.
Tyler Kent
Tyler Kent is another applicant who has spent most of his life in Lowell. The 36-year-old said that with the exception of a few years, he has always lived in Lowell and recently purchased a home here.
When asked about his vision for the city, Kent noted he is just one of 3,000 people in the city. However, his vision would include affordability in housing and utilities and a master plan that would reflect those needs. He also mentioned the Covenant Business Park in Lowell Township – and the 425 agreement needed to make it possible – as a pressing issue.
Beyond that, Kent said he thinks it’s important for the public to understand what is being discussed by the city and the next steps for major initiatives such as the revised master plan. He noted that he works for the Michigan Department of Transportation and has extensive experience in ensuring the public is well-informed and engaged on projects.
“I do that a lot with my current job where you have to build that trust and set the tone ahead of time,” he said.
When asked about what would happen if a citizen disagreed with a decision by the city manager, Kent replied, “Obviously, you need to listen to your resident.” He then said that he would have a discussion with the city manager and potentially bring the matter to other councilmembers, depending on the issue and concern raised.
Kent noted he already has experience working with Burns. Kent is who initially suggested that the Downtown Development Authority help with bond payments for work on Monroe and Washington, a move that helped reduce planned hikes in the city water and sewer rates.
As for priority issues, Kent named water and sewer, housing and the Ware Road landfill. But overall, “I only see good coming out of our city,” he said.
Beryl Bartkus
Beryl Bartkus moved to Lowell Township in 1997 and moved into the city in 2020. She was a pharmacist for 40 years and currently owns Ability Weavers in the historic downtown. She is also a member of the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Downtown Development Authority Board and the Flat River Outreach Ministries Board.
“I love that Lowell is a thriving community, and I want to be part of that,” Bartkus said.
Her vision for the city is to continue on the same path it’s been on with strong growth and development. She noted the 425 agreement is one of the major issues currently facing the city.
As for the city’s council-manager system of government, Bartkus said: “To me, it’s really that checks and balances system and teamwork.” When asked how she would respond if someone wanted her to change a decision by the city manager, Bartkus said she might have a discussion with the city manager, but “To me, as a city councilmember, I would be representing the city.”
If residents disagreed with her stance on an issue, Barktus said she would analyze all the facts and take those opinions in consideration, but ultimately, the decision that is best for the city as whole would need to be made.
The water and sewer agreements with Lowell Charter Township, roads and continuing the economic growth of the city were all cited as priorities by Bartkus.
Unanimous Decision by Councilmembers
After Barktus’s interview, councilmembers discussed the applicants. Both Salzwedel and Chambers said there were three really good candidates but did not state any names.
“I think there are two that are far and away the best two candidates,” DeVore said. “I think there is a second place that is extremely close but with just a couple of chips in the armor, and then there is a good candidate who is unfortunately going to be affected by the quality of the other three.”
DeVore then asked how they should narrow it down, and Burns suggested that councilmembers rank the candidates. Councilmembers agreed and ranked their preferred candidates. Each first place ranking garnered three points, second place two points and third place one point.
Councilmembers handed their written rankings to Burns who tallied the scores. No councilmember said their ranking preferences out loud, but after the votes were tallied, Ritzema was at the top with seven points.
There was then a unanimous vote to appoint Ritzema to the remainder of Groves’s term. He was sworn during a meeting later that night.
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