Economic growth and how to achieve it are at the top of the platform for most candidates running for government office — whether it be for local, state, or national seats of representation. Regional economic catalyst Southwest Michigan First reached out to the 2023 candidates running for office to get their take on growing the economy. From now until the election, we’ll share the answers of those who responded to our questions in alphabetical order by last name, regardless of position sought.
This week we’ll share the responses from the following four candidates:
- Mark McKeon | City of Portage Councilmember
- Nicole Miller | City of Portage Councilmember
- Vernis Mims Jr. | City of Three Rivers Mayor
- James Mitchell | City of Kalamazoo City Commissioner
Mark McKeon
Position Seeking: Councilmember
District Position Represents: City of Portage
What community/professional experiences do you possess that have prepared you for this position?
I have recovered from a TBI received in a car accident and am a first-generation college graduate from WMU with a BA/MA in political science. I have professional and educational experiences in eight countries. I am an AmeriCorps alumni, El Concilio board member, a real estate investor, and a Stryker employee.
What is your motivation for running for office?
Education, housing, good governance, transportation, the environment, and economic development. To me these all are interconnected. There are creative solutions that I have seen with my breadth and depth of experiences.
Please list your top priorities within the responsibilities of this elected office.
Increased education/skill training for youth. This means “day in the life of” and summer apprenticeship career partnerships between Portage Public Schools and employers. Expansion of the Metro bus lines in Portage and surrounding areas so more people can move west to east across Portage to get to employers, helping ease worker shortages.
How do you plan to accomplish these goals within the responsibilities and restrictions of the office?
Given I cannot claim to know all of the responsibilities and restrictions of the office as a first-time candidate, I can at least assure this group that it is my intention to work on collaboration building between businesses, government, and the local community.
At Southwest Michigan First, our mission is to increase economic prosperity for all in Southwest Michigan. If elected, will you support policies that will lead to the economic needed to achieve our goal of greater job growth and workforce development?
Absolutely, as long as they are not shortsighted in the sense of ignoring our natural resources which we rely on for a healthy environment, tourism, and a higher quality of life. I would want to ensure efficiency of land use which means raising building height limits.
How will your election impact the region’s workforce and companies who call Southwest Michigan home?
My election would be a boon for all. I even worked as a job developer at Bethany Christian Services and along side Southwest Michigan First to push for the expansion of the MichiVan program at local employers to ease employee shortages across Kalamazoo County and Southwest Michigan back in 2015-2016.
How can elected officials create a place where working together towards meaningful progress is the priority?
By bringing to the table business and community leaders, as well as resource groups for solution ideation. I have found from my diverse experiences that this area is skeptical to change despite time tested development actions being successful in similar communities elsewhere. The main setback is unfamiliarity with possible changes.
What do you see as the biggest areas of opportunity for elected officials when it comes to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What is the biggest challenge?
Jobs and education. Everyone wants a well-trained and educated community. As a member of the board of directors for El Concilio, I see the biggest areas of opportunity being creating partnerships between businesses and schools across the greater Kalamazoo area for youth development and filling hard to fill jobs.
In what ways do you plan to connect with constituents to receive their input?
I plan on having weekly office hours at City Hall, attending community events, visiting local employers, and simply going door-to-door throughout my term in office.
What are your long-term political/career goals?
To become a state representative and then a federal representative.
Campaign Song: If I had one, maybe Eye of the Tiger? I attended Gobles Public Schools and Allegan Public Schools.
Favorite Movie: Rocky… Sorry, I could not pass up the cliché from my answer to the previous question! Seriously though, Thank You for Smoking.
Favorite Book: Kafka on the Shore
Favorite Food: Mapo Tofu
Nicole Miller
Position Seeking: Councilmember
District Position Represents: City of Portage
What community/professional experiences do you possess that have prepared you for this position?
Relations/marketing committee and the air service committee. I initiated AirFair Events, showcasing the airport to the community. I operated a successful travel agency for 14 years, Travel with Nikki, regularly assisting local and national travelers.
What is your motivation for running for office?
I disagree with current residential expansion plans. I support growth that protects neighborhoods, resources, and adds affordable housing. Adhering to density codes preserves our character. Workforce homes should meet the same standards and offer resource accessibility. The city’s communication efforts need continued updates for transparency and responsiveness.
Please list your top priorities within the responsibilities of this elected office.
Holistic growth strategy to increase affordable housing with access to resources, and protection of unique biodiversity and natural resources, while supporting the corporations and businesses which add jobs and funding. Expansion and connection of parks and trails. Bridging the gap between the city’s actions and residents’ expectations, increased education on political processes.
How do you plan to accomplish these goals within the responsibilities and restrictions of the office?
Using current budget surpluses responsibly, I will advocate for updated means of communication with constituents to increase dialogue and transparency so Portage can creatively plan to increase affordable workforce housing consistent with community values.. I will advocate for increased greenspace to promote active lifestyles, healthy living, family bonding, and relaxation.
At Southwest Michigan First, our mission is to increase economic prosperity for all in Southwest Michigan. If elected, will you support policies that will lead to the economic needed to achieve our goal of greater job growth and workforce development?
My proposed platform is designed to do just that. If a city isn’t growing it is dying.
How will your election impact the region’s workforce and companies who call Southwest Michigan home?
When elected, I’ll address housing shortages holistically, increasing affordable homes and workforce housing near amenities for a better quality of life and shorter commutes. Enhancing bike paths and green spaces will promote a family-oriented city with well-paying jobs.
How can elected officials create a place where working together towards meaningful progress is the priority?
The first requirement is listening to current and future residents and establishing communication channels which inform benefits to changes which promote progress. With a budget surplus, we are poised to create a city that is family friendly, welcoming, health-oriented, close to attainable jobs, and promotes transparent two-way communication with its residents.
What do you see as the biggest areas of opportunity for elected officials when it comes to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What is the biggest challenge?
The biggest opportunity to promote diversity is when housing is affordable, desirable, and located near amenities that residents want and when the banking system confers loans to diverse and traditionally underserved populations. Portage is positioned to be a city with all of those attributes. Portage was established in the 1960’s with the specific purpose of limiting diversity, and it may
be difficult to affect change in those perceptions. With modern forms of communication and increased educational opportunities, many residents may become more open to expand their
thought processes and accept change.
In what ways do you plan to connect with constituents to receive their input?
Video recording and transcribing city meetings. Reestablishing a Youtube channel for education about city issues and processes. Announcements and posting of meetings, voting issues, and events on social media channels. Introduce a forum which promotes open dialogue with citizens instead of only allowing citizens comments without response during council meeting.
What are your long-term political/career goals?
My first goal is to make sure that I’m serving my city well as a councilmember. I am focusing on having the biggest impact on those who reside in the city that I’ve called home my entire life.
Campaign Song: Stronger – Almost There – Anika Noni Rose
Favorite Movie: Princess Diaries
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Favorite Food: Mickey Ice Cream Bars
Vernis Mims Jr.
Position Seeking: Mayor
District Position Represents: City of Three Rivers
What community/professional experiences do you possess that have prepared you for this position?
As an active member of the community, a city board member, a father, and a regular attendee of city council meetings, I have gained a vast array of knowledge that has prepared me for this position. Additionally, I am a recent college graduate who served as VP of my student governmental body and honor society, so I bring with me that knowledge too.
What is your motivation for running for office?
“If not me, then who? If not now, then when?” I saw a disconnect between the residents of Three Rivers and the city and I knew I wanted to be the bridge that closed the gap. I also wanted to show others, especially children, that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. That’s why for Three Rivers “I’m a Change You Can Believe In!”
Please list your top priorities within the responsibilities of this elected office.
If elected, three of my top priorities include bettering our water systems, promoting growth/retention within our charming city, and creating a centralized space for all to convene.
How do you plan to accomplish these goals within the responsibilities and restrictions of the office?
The first step to accomplishing these goals will be collaborating with different cities, businesses, and grant writers, as well as our current officials and citizens. This allows for a better idea of what works well and where our areas of improvement fall, so that adjustments can be made as necessary.
At Southwest Michigan First, our mission is to increase economic prosperity for all in Southwest Michigan. If elected, will you support policies that will lead to the economic needed to achieve our goal of greater job growth and workforce development?
Yes, I would support policies for the greater good of the people of Three Rivers.
How will your election impact the region’s workforce and companies who call Southwest Michigan home?
One of my top priorities is focusing on the growth and retention of Three Rivers residents, which I plan to achieve through helping establish new and diverse businesses. These new businesses would in fact create job opportunities for those looking for work.
How can elected officials create a place where working together towards meaningful progress is the priority?
Up until recently, elected officials have worked well together. As with any sensitive topic, sometimes emotions run high and get the best of us, especially with topics brought up more than a few times. Me being a fresh set of eyes and ears would help bring balance to city commissioners, concerned citizens, and our city manager. This allows for a cohesive governmental unit and better progress toward city issues.
What do you see as the biggest areas of opportunity for elected officials when it comes to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What is the biggest challenge?
When it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion any difference in people’s lifestyle, generations, and economic divides usually creates a predetermined bias. Our biggest opportunity lies in overcoming those biases and coming together. Our biggest challenge is not being able to adapt to newer technologies and trends that allow for our city to be better and diversified.
In what ways do you plan to connect with constituents to receive their input?
I am always happy to set time aside to meet my constituents and answer any questions they may have. Additionally, I am in the process of organizing both a local movie night and an ice cream social to better connect to the citizens of Three Rivers.
What are your long-term political/career goals?
First, to make an impact locally is my immediate goal. Then to work towards achieving a degree in intellectual property law.
Campaign Song: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Favorite Movie: The Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite Book: The Alchemist
Favorite Food: All Caribbean Food
James Mitchell
Position Seeking: City Commissioner
District Position Represents: City of Kalamazoo
What community/professional experiences do you possess that have prepared you for this position?
Former assistant to the City Manager of Battle Creek; Special projects coordinator – Blue Network; Assistant to the president, Kalamazoo College; Sales lead, Sears Roebuck; Currently semi-retired, engaged in an internet startup
What is your motivation for running for office?
Motivated to run because of the observational decline in the city’s quality of life, deteriorating infrastructure, high property tax burden, and the need for city management to initiate effective solutions.
Please list your top priorities within the responsibilities of this elected office.
Road conditions and design. The outcry over proposals to redesign the city’s streets is reflective of management’s system of designing major projects internally and then conferring with residents. This mechanism should be reversed. The failure to attract or retain tax-generating business is deep-rooted. It harkens back to an era when reliance on the Upjohn Company to expand its downtown research complex didn’t require incentivizing. Times have changed. So must the process. The city’s proposed solutions to homelessness are ill-conceived. This is not a city issue, but a county one. Adding more complexes in the city limits will place additional burden on Kalamazoo’s understaffed public safety department as well as depriving the city of raw land that could be used for taxable development. The current proposals do not address one of the primary causes of homelessness – people who are chronically underemployed or unemployed with no transportation. Housing should be located within walking distance of where the well paying jobs are – along the industrial corridors of Sprinkle and Portage Roads as well as 9th Street.
How do you plan to accomplish these goals within the responsibilities and restrictions of the office?
This is difficult to answer because it is partly dependent on the makeup of the commission and if they share my views. Any commissioner has only one vote in seven. I would hope to communicate my objectives in public meetings as well as private discussions as long as they do not violate the open meetings act. I would also seek input from members of the business community whose taxes fund a significant portion of the budget. Even if their primary residence is outside the city, they are still stakeholders who deserve a voice.
At Southwest Michigan First, our mission is to increase economic prosperity for all in Southwest Michigan. If elected, will you support policies that will lead to the economic needed to achieve our goal of greater job growth and workforce development?
See response to the next question.
How will your election impact the region’s workforce and companies who call Southwest Michigan home?
I will address this question and the previous question together. The recent legislative action which reversed right-to-work laws will have devastating consequences on Michigan’s ability to recruit and retain business. The legacy of non-competitive labor rates has negatively impacted Michigan’s economy for many years. I do envision a possible solution. Rather than establishing right-to-work laws at the state level, let county governments decide. The other serious issue regarding economic development is the real possibility of energy shortages. Given the recent pronouncements, I have no confidence in Consumer Energy’s ability to deliver their product. Their current goal of replacing conventional power plants with solar and wind is nonsensical in an area which has cloud cover over 40% of the time and wind currents that are not consistent. In this regard, I applaud Governor Whitmer’s courage in calling for the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Plant.
How can elected officials create a place where working together towards meaningful progress is the priority?
There is a wide schism in views which I believe are largely generational. Critical thinking is a lost art as is a fundamental understanding of how our economy works and the proper role and limits of government. Until there is a baseline understanding of these concepts, I view the chaos will perpetuate itself. Compromise can be an option, but not if you surrender your core values.
What do you see as the biggest areas of opportunity for elected officials when it comes to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What is the biggest challenge?
The push for diversity, equity and inclusion is actually a rebranding of the discredited affirmative action movement. In its current model, special privilege may be granted in hiring practices, promotions, and salaries based on specific racial identities or whatever other categories the city deems underrepresented. The problem with this is that the most qualified candidates may be excluded. That is the plight of our Asian citizens who may excel in academic achievement but be passed over for a less talented candidate as is being practiced at Harvard.
In what ways do you plan to connect with constituents to receive their input?
If elected, I will publish my landline telephone number and special email exclusively for citizen concerns.
What are your long-term political/career goals?
My long term political career objective is to just be elected.
Campaign Song: Lose Yourself by Larry Callahan and the Selected of God Choir
Favorite Movie: The Parking Lot Movie; Slap Shot; The Magnetic Monster; Office Space; Burden of Dreams
Favorite Book: The Sailor Dog by Margaret Wise Brown; Will They Ever Finish Bruckner Boulevard by Ada Louise Huxtable
Favorite Food: Falafel from Bad El Salam
