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. We will share responses as they are submitted. Stay tuned to become acquainted with your local legislative leaders.

Focusing on homeownership, Thomas Whitener is running to represent Kalamazoo County as Treasurer. “I’m running to help address the affordable housing crisis in Kalamazoo County, to bring transparency and accountability back to the Treasurer’s office, and to support homeownership in the diverse communities across our county,” said Thomas. In the role of Treasurer, Thomas’s main priorities would include working with homeowners to ensure everyone has a fair chance to stay in their home, changing the processes and criteria for tax foreclosures to remove racial disparities from the system, and ensuring that the government of Kalamazoo County reinvests in the diverse communities that live here. Thomas also shared with us that, while his favorite musicians are Bishop Briggs, AC/DC, and Foo Fighters, his 15-month old has him listening to lots of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus.” Meet Thomas Whitener.

NAME
Thomas Whitener

AFFILIATION
Democrat

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Treasurer

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
Kalamazoo County

EMAIL
Thomas@Thomas4KzooTreasurer.com

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
I’m running to help address the affordable housing crisis in Kalamazoo County, to bring transparency and accountability back to the treasurer’s office, and to support homeownership in the diverse communities across our county.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE?

• Working with homeowners to ensure everyone has a fair chance to stay in their home.
• Changing the processes and criteria for tax foreclosures to remove racial disparities from the system.
• Ensuring that the government of Kalamazoo County reinvests in the diverse communities that live here.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?

The Treasurer’s office has wide latitude to work with homeowners to establish payment plans, target enforcement, and set the application criteria for buying Land Bank properties. I intend to review the current practices here and change them to more equitably support the diverse communities in Kalamazoo County.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?

Homeownership is the single best way for people to build wealth. By supporting homeownership and affordable housing, the tax base will grow, the citizens of Kalamazoo County will better be able to lift their own fortunes, and a durable economic stimulus will be created. It won’t be instantaneous, but this kind of growth is more permanent and better for everyone.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS

Bishop Briggs, AC/DC, and Foo Fighters when I’m working. I have a 15-month old, so lots of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus” as well!

FAVORITE MOVIE GENRE

Comedy; real life is drama enough these days.

FAVORITE BOOK

Currently, “The Deficit Myth” by Stephanie Kelton, though I’m also working back through “Dune” by Frank Herbert.

FAVORITE FOOD

Ice Cream—can’t get enough of it.

The General Election will be held on November 3. Thomas Whitener is seeking this seat as a Democrat.