This is the third in a series of profiles of the five candidates running for Lowell City Council in November. Check back each week for a new profile, which are being published in alphabetical order according to the candidate’s last name.
When Mike DeVore became Mayor of Lowell last November, the city had just gone through a tumultuous year. It had begun with the abrupt firing of a city manager and ended with the recall of the previous mayor. In between, there were new department heads named, a new city manager hired and a stinky biodigester addressed.
DeVore, who was originally elected to city council in November 2015, recalls the start of his term as a contentious period in which emotions ran high and communication between officials was poor. However, he’s proud of the gains the city has made since then, both internally and with the public. “We’ve allowed people to voice their opinions more than they were [allowed] in the past,” DeVore says.
He hopes residents will agree the city is moving in the right direction and vote to re-elect him to the council this November.
Dad Who Loves Hockey and Loves Lowell
When asked what interests him outside his work as mayor, DeVore is quick to mention hockey. The 37-year old has been either playing or refereeing the sport for much of his life. Beyond that, he works as a dispatcher with American Medical Response and enjoys spending time with his fiancée and kids.
DeVore came to Lowell in 2002 when he was selling a house. He thought it might be a temporary landing spot, but once here, he knew Lowell was where he wanted to live. “This place draws you in,” he says. “It makes you want to stay.”
When asked what makes Lowell unique, he says, “I don’t think there is one thing. It’s a ton of things.” He points to the vibrant small downtown, a police department that works with the community “better than any other” and events such as the Kent County Youth Fair.
Finishing the Work that Needs to be Done
While the city has come a long way in the past year, DeVore says there is still work to be done. “I want to run again because I have a lot of stuff I want to get finished,” he says. That includes work on city roads.
“I’d like to see the roads fixed, but I’d like to have them fixed the right way,” DeVore says. He adds that prior to his election, he thought it would be relatively easy to start roadwork immediately. Now he understands the process is more involved. Currently, the city is completing a review of all roads along with water and sewer pipes. That survey is expected to be completed next year and will then be used to prioritize projects.
As for other city initiatives, “Strategic planning comes after roads,” DeVore says. He notes Lowell Light & Power has a master plan, and the Lowell Area Recreation Authority is working on one. He says those documents will be part of creating a future strategic plan for the city.
When DeVore looks back at the past year, he names hiring City Manager Mike Burns as one of his biggest accomplishments. He’s also pleased with the work the council has done to address the issue of the Lowell biodigester. Looking forward, he hopes to work with local businesses and to promote the city as a destination to residents of nearby communities such as Ionia. He would also love to see the upstairs of some downtown buildings converted into new apartments or condos. “I think that’s prime real estate,” he says.
With the retirement of longtime city councilmember and former mayor Jim Hodges, DeVore says it’s important to have people on the council with experience. “There’s too much going on to have someone in [council] who’s not 100 percent committed,” he says.
DeVore says he’s 100 percent committed and hopes residents will agree he’s the right man for the job when they vote this November.
Note: This article has been updated to correct Mayor DeVore’s employment information.
Below are the questions we asked each candidate and Mike’s response to each one.
Biodigester
Would you support restarting the biodigester either as an energy producing facility or a water treatment plant for Litehouse waste if you felt assured there would be no odor?
I truly believe in the technology and benefits of a Biodigester. Convincing me that the one we have, as it sits, could ever function as odorless is a tall order. The City and it’s residents have been used as a test subject for this failed operation for too long. Lies, misinformation and cutting corners have put quite the stain on the City and Lowell Light and Power. But I also believe that supporting Litehouse and helping them recover some of the loss so they can continue to function as one of the City’s most valuable businesses is very important.
If not, what do you think should be done with the facility should the property be placed back in the hands of the city?
NA
Showboat
Do you support removing the name Robert E. Lee from the Showboat? If yes, what should the boat be named?
I need to stress this. The Showboat was NOT renamed. The name plate was removed and will be donated to the Lowell Historical Museum as was the plan since the new Showboat became an idea. However, I understand the stigma in the “official” name. I have never personally called it the Robert E. Lee. I’ve simply known it as the Lowell Showboat, as have most of the members of our community.
Should there have been a community discussion prior to removal before decommission of the current boat? Should the City Council have voted on the name change or was it an appropriate decision for the city manager to make independently?
In this instance, I think Mike Burns absolutely did the right thing. There were tragic events going on in this country and some people here, one with an online petition in particular, chose to attempt to bring the focus here. This Community doesn’t need that kind of negative attention, and should never have it. Taking down a name plate on what is essentially a pile of firewood at this point was the easy fix to a problem that never needed to be in the first place. We should be focusing all our energy and attention on how amazing the NEW Showboat is going to be, not a couple pieces of wood and some paint on an abandon one. But I understand the perception from outsiders.
Community Relations
How important is it for Lowell’s government to have a working relationship with Lowell Township and Vergennes Township? If so, what should that relationship look like?I
I think it is very important. Lowell is not the City alone, or is it the Townships alone, it is the Lowell community. That is a benefit that not many places can brag. I’ve enjoyed very much working with Jerry and Tim and find that they are always available to exchange concerns and ideas. With essentially three different forms of government, it’s nice to have that collaboration. We have semi-regular “Vision” meetings and I enjoy the time. They should be more regular, in my opinion.
Economic Development
What role should the Lowell government have in fostering business development within the city?
The City should always be available to local businesses. And local businesses should be confident that we support them. We have been lacking in that for some years, but I think we’re moving in the right direction. Having important local business owners like Greg and Marty on the Council is invaluable, as they can provide an excellent viewpoint on where relations stand and where they can go from here. The ultimate goal is to keep every store front full and vibrant, and I think we’re making progress towards that every day.
Do you support allowing vacation rentals (such as those offered via websites like Airbnb) within the city limits?
Vacation rentals… I think that there are positives and negatives. I think it benefits the community to have people from outside the area come here and see what we have to offer. They’ll share that experience and others will have reasons to come and try us out. And they’ll get hooked on this community like we all did. But at the other end, we have to carefully monitor the accountability of the owners and the renters. There has to be a comparable pride in the community from both ends for it to work.
Do you support passing an ordinance allowing for the sale of medical marijuana within city limits? If so which type of facility do you support?
The entire Council is trying to get as educated as we can on the subject. I’ve gathered as much info as I could find on the subject, including reaching out to the City of Ann Arbor, who do allow facilities. That being said, my answer is that I’m still sitting firmly on the fence. I truly believe in the medical benefits of the multiple Marijuana and it’s byproducts. At the same time, using this City as a “test city” is something I’m concerned about. Are the Buzz Solutions people the ones we want setting the standard for our ordinance? I don’t know. Do we want to open that flood gate before other Kent County municipalities do? I don’t know. Is there going to be an additional workload put on our already over-worked Police Department? I don’t know. The money that a dispensary would bring in is minimal, so there has to be other clear cut benefits to get my yes vote. I’m not sure we’re there just yet.
Infrastructure
How should the City of Lowell address road maintenance and reconstruction? Would you support putting a millage proposal on the ballot to fund road repairs?
For years and years and years, we’ve done just barely enough to get by. Most plans have been simple patch jobs. That has put us exponentially behind on major repair and routine maintenance. I’m excited to see the comprehensive street and infrastructure plan and to get the ball rolling on getting the streets and everything underneath them repaired. It’s been way too long. The word “millage” is sure to draw negative attention, especially since it’s just another tax. But I think it needs a serious look, among other options for funding. We get so much less than we did before from outside sources and we’re so far behind, it needs to be an option. But I also believe that if that’s the way we go, it absolutely has to be a DEDICATED street and infrastructure millage. You can’t in good conscience ask for it otherwise. But we need to explore every single viable option before we even entertain what is essentially another tax.
Recreation
How should the city promote its recreation opportunities? Do you support creating a connector within city limits from the Fred Meijer Trail that runs from Saranac to the Lowell Area Trailway?
There’s unlimited opportunities for the community to advertise. I know Perry and his Parks Board have been working on a brochure advertising our recreation opportunities and parks as well as local landmarks. That needs to be a community wide endeavor, in my opinion. We need to get out there and be visible, including the Township locations. It’s really a year-round opportunity to enjoy the area and I think Perry has the passion to make that a reality. We’re behind him and his board 1,000%. I also think the trail connector is an invaluable opportunity and it would be absolutely tragic to get left behind, or left out completely. We absolutely need to be involved and passionate about the trails and parks.
Misc
Why should people vote for you in November?
People should vote for me because I truly love it here. I’ve been involved in this community and I’m truly in love with it. I think I’m always open to new ideas and opportunities. I think my relationship with the other Council Members and the City Staff allows for the most positive and productive exchanges. I think the progress we’ve made since I’ve been elected is visible, but I don’t believe my work for this community is complete. I want to see it through and make Lowell what it truly can be and absolutely should be.
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