Council ready for challenges ahead

The new Northville City Council includes (from left) Andrew Krenz, Marilyn Price, Mayor Brian Turnbull, John Carter and Barbara Moroski-Browne.

35th District Court Judge Ron Lowe swears in Mayor Brian Turnbull for his second term, as his wife Ann looks on.

‘Prepared To Engage’

Council winners Carter & Krenz ready for challenges ahead

By Tim Smith

If the future is not now in the City of Northville, it soon will be with major issues on the table including deciding whether to go forward with redevelopment of the Northville Downs property and mapping out a potentially thrilling walkable downtown complete with a river walk.

With those issues likely a huge part of the city agenda in the coming years, voters cast their lot behind two younger candidates – John Carter and Andrew Krenz, who won the pair of four-year council terms which were decided on Nov. 2.

Carter and Krenz led the way with 1,087 and 973 votes, respectively. Finishing third was incumbent Patrick Giesa, with 645 votes. Mayor Brian Turnbull, who ran unopposed, earned a second term with 1,364 votes.

“The end was abrupt, but I’m not disappointed with the results,” said Giesa, 72, who fell short in his bid for a second term. “I’m happy to have had the experience of sitting on Northville’s city council. I stand by my contributions and I have no regrets. “John and Andy are highly qualified and already well versed. We all had very similar campaign platforms. They have Northville in their hearts. Both men will be tremendous assets to our city.”

Carter prevailed in his first council bid. Boosting his profile during the campaign were his efforts on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and task forces for sustainability and economic development.

“From the start we wanted to run a campaign focused on the significant opportunities and potential challenges Northville will face in the coming years,” Carter said. “I was so impressed at the knowledge and level ELECTION RESULTS

CITY COUNCIL

John Carter – 1,087 votes Andrew Krenz – 973 votes Patrick Giesa – 645 votes.

MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)

Brian Turnbull – 1,364 votes *Winners in bold of engagement of Northville citizens.

“I found myself listening far more than I was talking, while incorporating so many great ideas into our platform.”

The 41-year-old Carter said he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. And there is plenty to do.

“As I come into office I plan to proactively work with our task force leaders to prioritize the key aspects of our plans for Ford Field, the Riverwalk and the Farmers Market so we can begin the process of developing implementation plans including cost estimates and potential funding sources,” Carter stressed.

According to Krenz, 46, elected to his first full term after having served since his June appointment to close out Sam Ekong’s council term, residents liked his track record on the planning commission as well as how he handled the past five months on council.

In an e-mail, Krenz noted that he thought residents elected him “because they had a chance to form their opinions from watching my work on council, as chair of the Farmers Market Task Force and over the

“The end was abrupt, but I’m not disappointed with the results. I’m happy to have had the experience of sitting on Northville’s city council. I stand by my contributions and I have no regrets. John and Andy are highly qualified and already well versed. We all had very similar campaign platforms. They have Northville in their hearts. Both men will be tremendous assets to our city.”

Patrick Giesa, who fell short in his bid for a second term

last three years on the Planning Commission deliberating over major issues like The Downs, Floor Area Ratio and rewriting the Master Plan – all of which required study and research to be prepared to engage.”

Krenz added that he and his colleagues on council know there is complicated sledding ahead. But he is confident they can figure it all out.

“In the near term, council has several significant opportunities we need to address strategically,” Krenz stressed. “Council must coordinate, prioritize, establish funding and implement these visions if we are to maximize our scarce resources.”

Giesa said his term came and went quickly, and that the experience was a rewarding one.

“It was a fast four years that have already become a new fold in the fabric of Northville’s history,” he noted. “I learned about city politics and procedures and made a lot of new friends.”

Now that he is set to embark on life away from council activity, Giesa spun a realistic light on his defeat at the polls.

“Thinking about it, I’d be 76 years old at the end of the next term,” Giesa said. “I decided I’d rather be spending more time with friends, family and getting outdoors.

“Now I can do those things that I have yet to do.”

Council newcomer John Carter is sworn in by Judge Ron Lowe. Carter’s wife Liz and daughter were there to support him.

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