This is the last in a series of profiles of the five candidates running for Lowell City Council in November. Profiles were published weekly in alphabetical order according to the candidate’s last names.
Cliff Yankovich takes a different approach to local government. While other members of Lowell City Council are largely silent when it comes to online discussions regarding city matters, Yankovich has been quick to jump into the fray. He has set up a Facebook page where he regularly engages with residents on various matters and has also used his personal blog to explain city issues.
Fostering communication and trust between the council and the community is a key priority for Yankovich, and he wants residents to know he is listening. “I am capable of putting the interests of the community ahead of personal interests or even business interests,” he says.
He’s already signaled his willingness to change his opinion based on resident feedback. After initially being supportive of a tax abatement for King Milling, Yankovich said at a recent council meeting that he’s heard citizen concerns. He is no longer sure abatements are appropriate, particularly at a time when residents are being asked to open their wallets to pay for a city income tax.
Yankovich, who was appointed to his seat in December 2018, is one of five people running for three positions on Lowell City Council. When it comes time for voters to cast their ballots, he hopes residents will remember that he is committed to putting the community interests first.
Business Owner Turned City Resident
Although Yankovich has only been a city resident for two years, he has been a Lowell business owner since 2002. That’s when he and his wife, Julie DeVoe, opened the jewelry store Chimera Design in Lowell’s historic downtown.
Since then, Yankovich has been an active part of the business community in Lowell. He has severed on the Board of Director for the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce three times and was its president twice. He has been a part of the marketing committee since its inception about 13 years ago.
However, the business owner also wanted to help craft policies that will help the overall community grow and improve. So two years ago, he moved into the city limits which made him eligible for a seat on Lowell City Council. “That’s why we moved into town,” Yankovich says. “I just really like this community and [want to do] anything I can to help make it better.”
Looking to the Future
While Yankovich planned to run for Lowell City Council in 2019, he had an opportunity join the legislative body a year early when Councilmember Jeff Phillips resigned his seat. Yankovich was one of two people to apply for the position, and he was appointed in December 2018. His previous political experience includes a run for state representative in 2016 as a Green Party candidate.
Since being appointed to Lowell City Council, Yankovich has spent a lot of time getting used to the lay of the land. It’s been an educational experience that has helped him understand the complexities of many issues facing local governments today. Developing a comprehensive road plan is one example of something that may seem simple but is not. “People want a quick fix, and there is no quick fix,” he says.
Now that he feels comfortable in his position, he looks forward to helping the community advance on a number of different fronts. “I want to nudge Lowell toward green energy,” Yankovich says. He also would like to see Recreation Park used as a campground once the Kent County Youth Fair moves into Lowell Charter Township.
“That was Jim Hill’s vision so I’m just carrying his torch,” Yankovich says. Hall, who passed away in 2015, was a member of Lowell City Council and a longtime advocate of creating a campground in the city. “We’re a family town, [and] camping is a family activity,” Yankovich explains. Plus, Lowell’s extensive trail system and access to the Grand and Flat Rivers make it a good fit for this type of outdoor activity.
Regardless of whether the issue is the roads or Recreation Park, Yankovich says communication with residents is key. He doesn’t want people to be in the dark while the government is making decisions. In a world of memes and sound bites, it can be hard to get in-depth information about nuanced issues. Yankovich hopes to change that and hopes voters will remember on Election Day that he is committed to keeping the lines of communication open.
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