19 minute read
The 2020 Female Voices for Kalamazoo
To ensure fair representation, candidates were placed in alphabetical order. With less than a month to go until Election Day, Moxie took some time to highlight some of the many wonderful women running for office this election for our great Kalamazoo area. Now you can match a yard sign, sticker or campaign poster name to a face and get to know some of our hopeful representatives a little better.
MARY BALKEMA
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BACKGROUND: I have an accounting degree from Western Michigan University, with 15 years of experience in banking and brokerage operations. I am well versed in the bond markets where the experience is valuable in managing the county’s $100 million dollar portfolio. I have been in the office since 2007 and have experience in all aspects of the treasury and especially the foreclosure process. I am the legislative co-chair for the Michigan Association of County Treasurers and have been chosen by my elected peers to help formulate tax policy for Michigan. I have served on the board of Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, am currently the board chair for LISC and serve as the chair of the Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I ran for political office in 2001 for the position of Kalamazoo City Commissioner. The State Senator at the time was Dale Shugars and he encouraged me to run and serve the residents of the city of Kalamazoo. It was a great experience and one that I am very proud of.
PLATFORM: My platform as County Treasurer is to bring a voice of experience, balance, boldness and passion to the office. I will fight for veterans, seniors and families. I will continue strong leadership in foreclosure prevention. I will continue to have strong and steady financial management. Finally, I will continue my leadership and passion in revitalizing Kalamazoo County through blight removal and new housing opportunities.
GOALS IN OFFICE: Preventing foreclosure and keeping families in their home is my number one priority. My goals for the next term will be to expand on foreclosure prevention programs, particularly to help seniors and veterans age in place. I will tirelessly champion the county making necessary investments in technology because it is a critical component in our ability to service the public. People are more and more reliant on technology to conduct their personal business electronically, and their county business is no different.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? My mother. She was one of 10 children from an immigrant family and grew up on Park Street, on the northside of Kalamazoo. She went on to marry my father and raised six girls and one boy on a farm in Texas Township. She instilled in me a love for our community and a passion to serve others. She has a quiet and gentle spirit and is full of wisdom and grace.
RUNNING FOR: Kalamazoo County Treasurer
POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
JOANNA CROES
BACKGROUND: I studied chemical engineering, taking classes in biochemical engineering processes and environmental engineering before switching majors and schools. I had been attending Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame) and The University of Notre Dame before I transferred to Western Michigan University, where I graduated with a degree in industrial engineering and minors of integrated supply chain management and mathematics. I also have experience in many different industries, including pharmaceuticals, automotive, industrial process chillers, and aerospace hydraulic systems.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I have always had an interest in politics and serving the public. I love to help people and felt this position was the perfect opportunity to utilize my technical background to better our community. I also really feel that politics need more people who genuinely have the best interest of the public at heart. I am sure it sounds incredibly cheesy, but I want to be that change.
PLATFORM: How our county’s storm water is managed has a large impact on the cleanliness of our lakes and rivers. Our natural water is a foundation for our wellbeing AND the health of our environment. My campaign is for managing flooding to protect homes and preserve the environment by keeping our water free of toxic chemicals and bacteria.
GOALS IN OFFICE: I am very excited to bring cutting edge processes, negotiation techniques, and new technology to the office. There is quite a bit of work to be done in the office, one of the highest priorities being managing flooding in order to save people’s precious homes and businesses. I plan to implement FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) techniques to identify risks in the county. Once our risks are identified we can start to be more proactive instead of reactive in the office. This is an engineering tool that would be very useful in the office.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? My mother is a fighter and I draw inspiration from her quite often. She is smart as a whip and never gives up! Her and my father always encouraged my love for math and science. They raised me to see no barriers in my ability to accomplish as a woman.
KESHIA DICKASON
BACKGROUND:
I was a first-generation college student, receiving my bachelor’s degree in Business
Management at Western Michigan
University. I went on to study Health
Care Administration, along with Higher
Education. Today, I serve as the City of Oshtemo’s Planning Commissioner, chair my sorority’s Women’s Health and Wellness initiative, and serve as the
Executive Director of Partners in Housing
Transition. I am also an Ambassador for
Black Girls RUN! foundation. BACKGROUND: I grew up in Oshtemo, and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College before earning my degree from the University of Michigan. Following college, I worked to elect committed public servants in multiple states, where I met my husband. I returned home to Kalamazoo County, where my husband and I started our own small marketing and communications business. HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? When I was a child, I always had wanted to be a United States Secret Service agent. I joined the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s Explorer Program, where I gained a strong appreciation of public service and a commitment to, and love for our community shared by those in uniform. In high school, I became more interested in policy and government. One of my teachers at KVCC in particular helped inspire my interest in public policy and I’m not sure I would have decided to run if not for his guidance. After returning home and starting a business here with my husband, I saw a need for new leadership in Lansing.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I have had a deep longing to make a change in the community for the greater good of the people. I know we are stronger together and making sure that we as a community work effectively together is the most important thing we can do as leaders.
GOALS IN OFFICE: In addition to accomplishing unity & positive communication between all county board members as well as the community, my top three priorities in office: 1) Maintaining a healthy community. 2) Protecting our environment. 3) Ensuring responsible development.
PLATFORM:
I believe in Michigan’s future, and I will work with anyone – regardless of party – to deliver for our community hand move
Michigan forward with better jobs, stronger schools, and healthier families. My top priorities in Lansing will be working to ensure that in the midst of difficult budgeting decisions, Michigan invests in public schools and that every child has access to a quality education. As our economy continues to recover from the damage of COVID-19, it is also important that Michigan is open for business safely, with policies that encourage job creation and connect talent to meaningful career pathways. Protecting health coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and expanding healthcare choices for
Michiganders is also a priority, as is increasing transparency and accountability in Lansing.
GOALS IN OFFICE: Our exceptional community deserves exceptional representation, and if elected I will strive to provide excellent and responsive constituent services to help families and businesses navigate
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? Dr. Von Washington Jr., who is a great leader and fights for quality education for our children here in Kalamazoo. Education is a huge passion of mine, and I look up to his boldness and his quality leadership. He has always supported me throughout my journey and helped
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
BRONWYN HALTOM
motivate me to step out and run for office. issues involving state government. Legislative goals include working with Republicans and Democrats to address budget shortfalls and using my experience owning a small business to find ways to reduce wasteful spending and expand longterm investment in public education and infrastructure. Reducing the regulatory burden on businesses, and allowing our entrepreneurs and employers to adapt to a new environment with limited interference, will be important to a full recovery.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? Senator Margaret O’Brien epitomized dedicated, selfless public service - her passion for the Kalamazoo community is unmatched. Her service has inspired me and other women to put their name on the ballot and seek to improve their communities.
BACKGROUND: I am a first-time political candidate, a wife of 18 years and have four children. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Social Work. I am currently a Clinical Social Worker at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, with over 13 years working in the field of public services including education, mental health, child welfare, and non-profit sectors within Kalamazoo County.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I have served on several boards and committees, including the Kalamazoo County Equity Taskforce, identifying challenges in which Kalamazoo County has the resources to address. What time better than now, would be appropriate for me to step up to assist with the
STEPHANIE MOORE
BACKGROUND: Stephanie Moore has spent a lifetime serving the community of Kalamazoo in various capacities. Moore, affectionately known as the “People’s Commissioner,” is the first African American to serve as Chair of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. She is a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, graduate of Kalamazoo Public Schools (Continuing Education for Young Families) and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, mother of four and grandmother of seven. HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I have over 20 years of experience as a community organizer working on various issues. In 2006, my 18-year-old nephew was racially profiled, arrested and jailed by Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. My family organized protests denouncing racial profiling. We quickly learned our voices were not being heard by local leaders and we felt we had no representation. During a women’s Sunday brunch they decided to support a candidate to serve on the Kalamazoo City Commission. I was elected in 2007. hard work of collaboration and implementation of actionable steps? Daily, I assist people in crisis, to stabilize and problem solve. Within the Kalamazoo County Commission, I will use my skills to move our county forward.
PLATFORM: I’m standing for a transparent, equitable and inclusive Kalamazoo County.
GOALS IN OFFICE: I will diversify decision making while promoting equity through policy. This includes advocating for the funding and implementation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer within the County to eradicate racism and bias. PLATFORM: Education, Equity, Economics, Environment. Education Possibilities where, together, we leverage opportunities for our schools and places of higher education to have the capacity to meet the needs of aspiring and current students. Equity Possibilities where together, we intentionally apply strategies to invest resources in spaces and places that lowers the unacceptable rate of infant mortality and maternal death. Where, together, we continue to create & promote policies and practices to ensure our LGBTQ+ friends are not by who they love, but are embraced, welcomed, and valued because they are a necessary and critical part of our total community. Economic Possibilities, where together, we collaborate with the state to create an economy that ensures District 60 is a hub for enterprising small businesses as well as private and public businesses and where our current and future workforce can imagine working while building a life for themselves in this beautiful City. Environment Possibilities where, together, we replace terms like Lead, Leaching, PFAS, unsafe water, and compromised air quality
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? I am inspired by Michelle Obama. She carries herself with humility and grace as she has persevered through systems of racism and sexism. She fosters an atmosphere of hope, rises above criticism and promotes an atmosphere of inclusivity. I carry myself with professionalism and am guided by a moral compass to treat all people with dignity and respect. I am a hard worker and have no political ambitions to distract me from the
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
task of moving Kalamazoo County forward. with Smart City, Green City, Clean Energy, Renewable Resources, and Sustainable Fuels.
GOALS IN OFFICE: Sponsor, cosponsor and support bipartisan, equitable legislation. Ensure equity in Michigan’s budget. Support Governor Whitmer’s efforts to protect residents from the COVID-19 virus.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? The Honorable Shirley Chisolm, is the first African American woman to run for President of the US. Her legacy is an affirmation to the power of Black women, the tenacity of Black women and to the legacy of Black women leading, mobilizing and empowering Black, Indigenous and people of color voters to fully participate in the democratic process for generations.
BACKGROUND: I studied Political Science at Michigan State University, with intentions to go to law school, of which I graduated from Wayne State University’s law school in 1998. In 2018, I decided to run for County Commissioner against a longtime Republican politician, who had been a State Rep. and a State Senator and had no one running against him. I found it was a way to impact the local community. I personally knocked on over 5,000 doors and raised $20,000. I won by 400 votes.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? Transparent and responsive leadership, of which I wanted for myself. We deserve that as constituents. And it really resonated with people. And just saying that in a personal way and looking into people’s issues makes a huge difference. I didn’t go to school and study political science with the intention of running for office, but sometimes life, takes you places
JULIE ROGERS
BACKGROUND: I was first elected to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and am currently serving my fourth term. I was elected Board Chair by a majority of my peers in January of 2019. I have served on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Health Steering Committee for the past six years and was one of its Vice Chairs. Locally, I serve on the Kalamazoo County Public Arts Commission and Kalamazoo County Community Corrections Advisory Board. I was recently nominated to the Class of 2019 Women in Government, a national nonpartisan leadership program for women elected officials of all levels of government. I am the only health care provider on our County board, and have served on the West Michigan Cancer Center Board, coached Girls on the Run, am a member of the
PLATFORM: The top three really important things I’m focusing on: 1) Funding of schools to the levels we need and changing the standards so they work for our kids. 2) Protecting our drinking water resources and make it safe. 3) Increasing healthcare affordability and acceptability, specifically mandating coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.
GOALS IN OFFICE: Improving and increasing our public school funding and using experts in education to make sure we have standards that work for our kids, as well as improving equity in school funding and resources. In terms of healthcare, I would hop on board with a bill that was proposed that would mandate coverage for pre-existing conditions. Working to further improve our water standards. Expanding Elliott-Larsen for LGBTQ. And improving women’s access to reproductive health care. Borgess Hospital Diversity Council and Lifetime Member of NAACP. HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I began advocating for better healthcare access for my physical therapy patients and served as the Federal Affairs Liaison for the Michigan Physical Therapy Association as a liaison to Congress and the U.S. Senate. After years of gridlock, I decided I wanted to try to craft policies myself and first ran for office in 2006. After serving four terms on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, I would like to bring my government experience to Lansing to make a bigger impact at the state level to help improve the health and wellbeing of Michiganders. PLATFORM: I am prioritizing healthcare for everyone, protecting our environment, criminal justice reform, and strengthening human rights.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? The late Ruth Bader Ginsberg — she was a woman who fought to go to law school, and probably fought her way through everything as a woman, with children. As a Supreme Court Justice, she dealt with cancer while fighting for the justice of the people every day. She was just a bad a*%! She was an amazing, inspirational person who just seems to persevere through everything life throws her way. She was just like, “I’m still here, and I’m trying to be better, and I’m making sure I’m doing right by the American people.” [Ed. note: Christine admitted to having an RBG pin, bag, t-shirt and a game based on her as well.]
Read about Christine’s breast cancer story for
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
Breast Cancer Awareness Month on page 37.
GOALS IN OFFICE: Better access to healthcare for all Michiganders (including mental health parity), repeal work requirements for Medicaid recipients, strengthen environmental protections, and work to implement the Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration recommendations for criminal justice reform.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? Senator Debbie Stabenow – she is a great consensus builder, tireless champion for access to mental health care, and always has a positive attitude even in the face of great adversity. She always treats me with a warm smile, kindness, and a bit of her precious time whenever I see her in DC or here in Michigan. She also got her start in government as a County Commissioner!
BACKGROUND: I was born in Mattawan and grew up here. I became a licensed firefighter/EMT when I turned 18, because it was the best way I could think of to support my community. I’m employed by the Texas Township Fire and Rescue and am also a volunteer firefighter for the city of Mattawan. It’s extremely rewarding when I’m able to save someone’s home or property from burning down or help them when there’s been an accident by providing medical assistance.
HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTO POLITICS? I’m currently serving on the Mattawan Village Council, having ran because I was frustrated by how difficult it was as a citizen to get information about issues happening locally. I was the highest vote-getter of all the candidates in the 2018 election. Since my election to the council, I’ve focused on improving communications between the local government and the community. We now have a website and Facebook page where information is available and easily accessible so that people know what is going on. I was motivated to seek higher office because of my experiences as a Village Councilwoman and also what I see every day as a first responder. The people of the 66th district need a state representative who is working for them, not corporate interests. PLATFORM: Clean, safe drinking water: In the 66th district, both Cooper Township and the city of Parchment have been impacted by PFAS water contamination caused by industry and neglect. No family should worry if the water coming out of the tap is safe to drink and we must hold corporate polluters accountable for putting working families’ health at risk. Lowering the prices of prescription drugs: My father is diabetic and has had to ration his insulin because of the growing cost. People need to have access to affordable life-saving medications. Funding our education system: We need to pay our teachers, school support staff, and increase funding to help close the education equity gap between affluent and poor school districts. We must also hold our private/ charter schools to the same standards as our public schools. Accountable and Transparent Government: Michigan ranks dead last in government accountability and transparency. Our government leaders are elected to serve the public yet the office of the Governor and the Legislature are not required to adhere to FOIA regulations. The government should be accountable to the people of Michigan and not corporate interest groups. GOALS IN OFFICE: If elected, my priority won’t be about advancing corporate interests or striving for political gain. It’ll be making life better for the people of Michigan’s 66th. That’s my promise and it’s something that has been missing in the 66th for far too long.
SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO/DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND WHY? I would have to say Katherine Johnson and the entire female team that was profiled in the book and movie “Hidden Figures.” These women were so smart and inspiring. They were highly skilled mathematicians and programmers and they were able to create a space for themselves in a world that was otherwise completely dominated by men.
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
100 Y ears OF WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE
MY VOTE IS MY VOICE…AND THE VOICE OF ALL WHO STRUGGLED SO I MAY HAVE MY VOICE.” LYDIA C. OBASI
