Category: Uncategorized
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Promise 1: Uphold the best interests of our Citizens
This is the most important promise that every elected official should make and keep to the citizens. I promise to look out for your best interests at all times. If elected, I will put in the time and energy to represent you well. I will come to council meetings having already studied the topics and…
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Promise 7: Actively help guide budgets (as if it were my own money)
As mentioned in other articles, I took off work on a Monday afternoon this past summer to attend the annual 2 hour budget review meeting. It was interesting to watch how Mike Burns and the council go through the budget for next year. I was the only non-council person in the room. It was time…
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Comments from Others
Al Mathews: As a former council member and after reading your list of things to do, I support your passion. One that was really important to me was training new members when they come into office. If the city residents don’t know you they should meet you!! Thank you for all the years we have…
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Comments, Questions and Answers
Question from Dawn R: Hi Eric!! Love the way you’ve detailed what you feel needs your continued attention. So helpful to see this! Please take a minute to answer the following question I’ve posed to all candidates. Although this may be outside your direct scope as a member of city council, it’s very important for…
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Promise 13: Ensure meeting information is presented clearly
This topic is minor compared to the major tasks assigned to city council, but the overhead display information for the citizens at meetings could sometimes be better. I have attended most of the council and DDA meetings since moving to the city in 2019. Once in a while however the information on the display is…
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Promise 10: Meet with business owners regularly to understand their needs
I have been self-employed since 2003 when I left Amway to start a one man product engineering firm. This change was one item on my bucket list and has been an exciting road, but the first few years were quite stressful. Self-employment isn’t easy and it isn’t right for everyone, but I applaud anyone that…
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Promise 6: Follow city finances carefully
I will continue to study every revenue and expense report of the city as if it were my own checkbook. The treasurer creates a multi-page report of spending for every council meeting. It can be a little tedious to review and easily overlooked. I am a mechanical engineer and have been bent towards details my…
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Promise 15: Change the Master Plan to improve access to housing
(Many thanks to Jodie Seese, a passionate affordable housing advocate, for greatly helping with this promise). If elected to city council, one of my main goals is to improve access to housing, including better planning of developments. The update to the Master Plan (which just started) should better guide developers into the best solution for…
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Promise 9: Be easily available; open door at 517 East Main
This promise is really simple. I want to hear from city residents and business owners at their convenience. I work at a small office/workshop at 517 East Main street and I leave the front door open. Right by Ball’s ice cream. If my bicycle is on the porch, come on in. You don’t need an…
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Promise 5: Continue eliminating the pension liability
Over many years the city has developed an unfunded liability to the employee pension fund of about $4 million dollars. The city has closed the plan, which pays benefits to the employee and spouse for life, but we still have a number of deserving individuals. Many cities in Michigan have this same problem. Pension debts…
Eric Bartkus Lowell City Council 