Updated: Chelsea City Council candidate profiles

By Sean Dalton
Heritage Newspapers

The following is the complete version of candidate profiles running for Chelsea City Council and for mayor of Chelsea. The Chelsea Standard mistakenly omitted the answers for Chelsea City Council member Cheri Albertson, who is seeking another term on the Council, in the Oct. 22 edition. Albertson’s profile will be included in the Oct. 29 issue of the Standard.

Jason Lindauer is the only registered candidate for mayor while there are five candidates vying for three potential open seats on the Chelsea City Council on Nov. 3. Frank Hammer, Cheri Albertson and Kent Martinez-Kratz are council incumbents, Ann Feeney is stepping aside as mayor to seek a council seat and Richard Steele is a challenger, in addition to formerly being village president. Once Lindauer ascends to the mayoral post the council will vote to appoint a replacement to finish out his term, which ends in 2011.

CANDIDATE NAME: Cheri Albertson

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Council member

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: As stated in the City Charter for The City of Chelsea, the City Council shall remain nonpartisan

OCCUPATION: Clinical Social Work

EDUCATION:

B.S. – Central Michigan University

M.S.W. – University of Michigan

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: City of Chelsea council member

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Critical Incident Response – community and organizational, Washtenaw County, western and Downriver Wayne County.

KEY ISSUES: Fiscal responsibility while planning for current and future needs of the City, its residents, and business owners; city government that is open, accessible, and responsive to citizen and business needs and concerns.

SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES: Continued and careful oversight of City functions while remaining aware and proactive in City planning. As City Council members, we are stewards of our community with an unwavering responsibility - to consistently and without bias, focus our efforts in the best interests of each and every person, organization, and business, within this special place we call Chelsea.

CANDIDATE NAME: Jason F. Lindauer

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Mayor

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: N/A

OCCUPATION: Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management in Ann Arbor, MI.

EDUCATION: Chelsea High School; BA., Adrian College

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Elected to the Chelsea City Council in 2004; reelected in 2007.

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: City Liaison to: Chelsea School District; Chelsea Recreation Council; Board of Directors-Ann Arbor SPARK Administrative Board; Assistant Varsity Football Coach-Chelsea High School.

KEY ISSUES: To continue the work of making Chelsea the first destination families and businesses think of when relocating to Washtenaw County.

To carry on the duty of preserving Chelsea's heritage as well as the quality of life that makes our community so unique in Southeastern Michigan.

SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES:

As with most small cities in the Midwest, Chelsea wants to preserve its citizens’ quality of life, yet is faced with the reality of decreasing resources.

Fortunately, our various department heads, along with city staff, have done an outstanding job in being fiscally responsible with the assets allocated. I will continue to support this effort as well as to look for new ways to strengthen our performance as we move forward.

All of us who serve the city need to listen closely to the concerns of our citizens and business owners. I feel strongly that we need to clearly communicate the interests of our citizens to each local and state agency as they have a direct affect on our lives. I intend to support and build upon these relationships as they will be critical to our future progress.

CANDIDATE NAME: Frank Hammer

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Council member

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Non-partisan.

OCCUPATION: Senior Staff Chemist at Underwriters Laboratories, Environmental & Public Health Division

EDUCATION: Undergrad - Florida State University; PhD - University of Michigan

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Council member for Chelsea

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Chelsea council member; Chairman – WWRA Board of Directors; Chelsea Lions Club

KEY ISSUES: Fortunately, Chelsea is not currently facing any imminent dilemmas. However, new state regulations and the continuing need for regional cooperation will both benefit greatly from the continuation of the team spirit we have cultivated among the current council members.

SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES: Reviewing the city’s current status will provide a base for establishing and implementing 5-year goals for operational efficiency, cost savings and regional cooperation. Though not immune to the shrinking resources of our economy, Chelsea city’s staff and the community at large continue to work effectively to make Chelsea a great place to live and do business. I want to serve as the next

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Married, four children all of whom grew up in Chelsea and are now independent and successful

CANDIDATE NAME: Richard L. Steele

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Council member

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: No party affiliation

OCCUPATION: Retired in 2008 after 42 years at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

EDUCATION: Associate Degree from Washtenaw Community College, Attended University of Michigan

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Chelsea Village Trustee 1983-1990, Village President 1990-2004. Elected to Charter Commission 2003

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Board Member Oak Grove Cemetery Association

KEY ISSUES and SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES:

Budget - With the uncertainty of the economy and declining revenue, we still have to operate within a budget. Council should continue to work with the manager and staff to provide for City services and maintain existing infrastructure improvement schedules.

Public Safety - A new facility for our Police Department has been discussed for some time and recently Council solicited requests for Proposals for the project. I support continuing this process. We need a new police facility.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: I am 63 years old, married (wife - Margaret), 3 children (Sonya, David, Philip). I also have 5 grandchildren.

CANDIDATE NAME: Ann Feeney

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Council member

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: No party affiliation

OCCUPATION: Currently the mayor of Chelsea

EDUCATION: B.A. Marygrove College, Detroit

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Chelsea Public School Board of Education

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Mayor. Until election, on DDA Board; WWAVE Board of Directors; AAAConvention & Visitors Bureau; weekly volunteer for Meals on Wheels; Chelsea Community Kitchen Board of Directors; other mayor-related organizations in the County.

KEY ISSUES: The challenges for the coming year will be the construction of a police station and the completion of the new waste water treatment plant. Anticipating the reduction in state shared revenue and a possible reduction in property assessments will require careful planning. The City leadership has avoided reacting to crises by thinking and planning ahead. The Council will follow their direction by supporting plans that make fiscal and organizational sense.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Age – 74, Married to Michael for 51 years; 6 adult children; 12 grandchildren.

CANDIDATE NAME: Kent Martinez-Kratz

ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Council member

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: N/A

OCCUPATION: Special Education Teacher

EDUCATION: BS Michigan State University, MA Eastern Michigan University

ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Current Chelsea Councilmember

CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Chelsea City Council, Zoning Board of Appeals City Council Liaison

KEY ISSUES: I believe the priority issues for the city are maintaining services without raising taxes in these difficult economic times, and supporting community programs such as the recreation department and the Chelsea Senior Center.

SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES: As a councilmember, I will continue to work with the city staff to identify pragmatic and cost-effective options for the city of Chelsea. I will continue to advocate and vote in support of core community programs.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Married, Father of three.