Letter to the Editor: Eric Bartkus Announces Candidacy for Lowell City Council

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I am excited to announce my campaign for election to the Lowell City Council in November. I have been interested in the work and responsibility of our council for many years.

Many people have asked why I am running. My main reason is to give back to the city. My wife Beryl and I have found tremendous support in Lowell for our business Ability Weavers, which helps and employs those with special needs. I would like to give back to the community by representing the citizens and helping the city continue to thrive.

I realize City Council is hard work, important, and cannot be taken lightly. I am prepared to devote a good bit of my time and energy to help our city continue to grow and grow well!

I also want to represent the many businesses in town. I run a product design engineering business on East Main street and know first-hand the benefits and struggles of the small business owner. I will do what I can to keep Lowell as a good place to start and build a business. Strong business builds strong communities.

A Little About About Me:

• Married to Beryl since 1988 with two adult daughters
• Lowell Township resident 1997-2019
• City of Lowell resident since January 2020
• Co-owner of Ability Weavers since 2016
• Lowell DDA (Downtown Development Authority) board member
• Have attended most Council and DDA meetings since 2020
• Owner of Bartkus Engineering since 2003, a product design mechanical engineering firm. Past successes include the Amway eSpring water filter, artificial limbs, and lots of commercial office furniture. I am currently manufacturing wood tools for weavers. I recently helped Enwork with their successful Expanse large conference table.
• Strengths: Good at managing business finances, budgets, long-term projects, and working with teams of people
• Hard-working and passionate about representing the citizens of Lowell
• Shaped by raising a daughter with Autism and living the joys and struggles of that path

I believe my life and work experiences have prepared me well to take on the important responsibility of helping guide the city’s future. There are a number of challenges facing the city, including rebuilding our roads, upgrading the water system, MERS financial shortfalls and managing growth. If elected, I will always abide by my 21 Promises:

Eric Promises to the People of Lowell to:

1) Uphold the best interests of our citizens
2) Treat all citizens equally; no bias
3) Explain my votes; not just yes or no
4) Continue the current focus to rebuild our roads
5) Continue the current focus to eliminate city pension debt
6) Follow city finances carefully
7) Actively help guide city budgets (as if it were my own money)
8) Work to improve our water system but also keep bills affordable
9) Be easily available; open door at 517 East Main
10) Meet with business owners regularly to understand their needs
11) Resist any council vote that hasn’t had citizen input
12) Try to reduce the tax rate while maintaining good service
13) Ensure meeting information is presented clearly
14) Support and Honor our Police, Fire, First Responders, and City Workers
15) Assist Lowell Light & Power to reduce their pension debt
16) Keep Lowell attractive to new businesses
17) Be Honest, Hard Working, and Passionate about Representing the People
18) Support new events to bring people to Lowell
19) Complete Elected Officials Academy Level 1 training in 2 years
20) Work as a Team with the Mayor, City Manager, Council, and City Staff
21) Continue to preserve and improve our parks and green space

Every Saturday I will explain one of these promises in detail at my website (ericbartkus.com). I look forward to meeting with residents and business owners and am asking for your support. Feel free to meet me at 517 E Main St, send an email ([email protected]), or call 616-240-0227. My office door is always open. Thank you for considering a vote for me in November.

Eric Bartkus
City of Lowell