To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Vince Carahaly.

Having relocated an information technology, consulting, and staffing firm to Michigan 24 years ago, Vince Carahaly is running to represent District 6 as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner. “Our Kalamazoo area has given me and my family more than I could have imagined. My children were both born here and are now in high school. I want to give back to the community which has given me so much and which is why I volunteer in many capacities. One of my favorite ways of volunteering is being a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, where I am qualified in the right seat of our search and rescue aircraft. I love giving back; it has become a sustained motivation for me.” In this role, Vince’s main priorities would focus on fiscal responsibility by lowering spending and taxes, fostering economic prosperity with job growth, increasing governmental efficiency by eliminating waste, and bringing public integrity with fidelity to the rule of law. Vince also shared with us that his favorite genres of music include classical and jazz. He enjoys Italian and Greek classic style food and popcorn. Meet Vince Carahaly.

NAME
Vince Carahaly

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Commissioner

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
District 6

AFFILIATION
Republican

EMAIL
vince@carahaly.com

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
Twenty-four years ago, I moved an information technology, consulting, and staffing firm to Michigan, making me one of a few people who can say they relocated a thriving business to Michigan. I was able to grow the company to operate with multi-state operations. I hired over 70 people, many in Michigan. Our Kalamazoo area has given me and my family more than I could have imagined. My children were both born here and are now in high school. I want to give back to the community which has given me so much which is why I volunteer in many capacities. One of my favorite ways of volunteering is being a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, where I am qualified in the right seat of our search and rescue aircraft. I love giving back; it has become a sustained motivation for me.

PLEASE LIST YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE.
I have laid out four standards of governance on my campaign website. Summarized, they are:

• Fiscal Responsibility—Low taxes, low spending
• Economic Prosperity—Job growth
• Governmental Efficiency—Eliminate waste
• Public Integrity—Fidelity to the rule of law

The County Board, now more than ever, needs to become constructive, productive, and sensible. Our residents and stakeholders deserve a County government that is receptive to our values and accountable with our tax dollars. Please visit my site for more details at iKnowVince.com.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?
I am very active in our community. I interface with many members of our local economy from our schools to business owners and from citizens to other public officials. I work well with others and have a proven record of accomplishment and public service that is widely acknowledged and respected. There is a reason I have been elected as chair and vice-chair of several public bodies over the years, I am a trusted and effective leader working well with staff and fellow board members. I will trust the staff and be a partner in our shared goals. I will engage with the public: residents, businesses, schools, and our local units of government.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?
I will continue my work as chair of the Southcentral Michigan Planning Commission in developing and implementing our region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy as part of the Economic Development Agency (EDA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. I am also working with my staff overseeing the development and publishing of an online housing toolkit for developers, planners, and municipalities—a free resource for all stakeholders across the greater Southwest Michigan region and a useful public good.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS
I’m a fan of classical and jazz.

FAVORITE BOOK
Favorite book is…the next one!

FAVORITE MOVIE
Science fiction and war historical

FAVORITE FOOD
Italian and Greek classics, and popcorn!

The Primary will be held on August 4. The General Election will be held on November 3. Vince Carahaly is seeking this seat as a Republican.