Lowell’s mayor is clearly comfortable in his role as the city’s legislative leader. He easily rattles off details of the latest council action, jokes with councilmembers and the public at meetings and is quick to share his priorities for the city.
However, after two terms and four years, Mike DeVore says he still has work to do. “I don’t want to leave the council without seeing that trail go all the way through town,” he says, referencing a connector trailway in the works for along the Grand River. And that’s just one project on his radar. He also wants to be a part of revamping Recreation Park which will be vacated by the Kent County Youth Fair in the years to come, and another of his pet projects is getting a splash pad set up somewhere in town.
DeVore is one of five people vying for three seats on Lowell City Council. “I’m all for new voices and new faces,” he says, “[but] there’s something to be said for longevity.” He hopes voters will agree when they cast their ballots on November 5.
Temporary Landing Spot Becomes Permanent Residence
Although a city resident for 19 years, DeVore didn’t originally plan to live in Lowell. He thought the city would be a temporary landing spot while he looked for a more permanent home. However, he quickly decided there was nowhere else he’d want to be. “[Lowell’s] such as cool place to live,” he says.
The 39-year old single father of two works as a 911 dispatcher, volunteers with the Working Paws 4-H Club and is a regular fixture at community events such as the Riverwalk Festival, Kent County Youth Fair and Pink Arrow games.
“I work here. I live here,” DeVore says when asked why he’s running. It’s only natural to want to be part of bettering a place in which you’ve invested so much time and energy. According to the mayor, “You should care about the community or there is no reason to run.”
Moving the City Forward
DeVore’s first year in office was, to put it lightly, tumultuous. He was one of three new councilmembers elected in 2015. As their first order of business in 2016, the council publicly fired the city manager, and city voters responded by recalling Jeff Altoft, who was mayor at the time. After the recall election, DeVore was selected by fellow councilmembers to fill the position of mayor, a seat he has held ever since.
“When we first started, we made a lot of mistakes, and I’ve owned them,” DeVore says. While he argues a change in leadership was needed, he acknowledges the council went about it the wrong way. He’s since apologized directly to the former city manager for the way in which his employment was terminated.
Throughout his time on Lowell City Council, DeVore says he’s been constantly learning and growing as a local leader. Road repairs are one example of how his thinking has evolved. “When I got on council, I thought you could sign a check and be done with it,” he explains. However, the reality of finding cash to pay for the extensive street repairs needed in Lowell has been quite different.
His view of Lowell Light & Power has also changed over time. “Originally, I thought I was going to sell Lowell Light & Power,” DeVore says. “[Now] I have a greater appreciation for them.” He adds, to be clear, that he has no intention of selling the utility, disbanding the police department or otherwise reducing city services.
Asked about what he considers his biggest accomplishments, DeVore cites shutting down the biodigester and improving the manner in which the council works. He says, “I really feel like when I took over, the council wasn’t in the best place and we’ve recovered from that.”
As for why voters should elect him, DeVore says he’s approachable and committed to making educated decisions on the issues that come become the council. Above all, he wants the chance to finish the work he’s started, saying, “I don’t like leaving things undone.”
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