Business issues were on the agenda as candidates for the St. Joseph City Commission met voters at a Forum Tuesday evening. The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, News-Talk 94.9 WSJM and ‘Moody On The Market’ put questions to the six candidates running for three seats on the City Commission in the November 7th election.
Chamber CEO Arthur Havlicek asked the candidates how they would improve communication between the Commission and businesses in the City. Incumbent Commissioner Brook Thomas said communication has improved in the past two years, with more businesspeople attending Commission meetings and speaking their mind on city issues. She pointed to the hiring of Assistant City Manager Emily Hackworth, who spends more time in direct contact with city businesses.
Candidates Tess Ulrey and Michael Fernandez suggested the Commission review and update old ordinances and zoning regulations that may be outdated, discouraging business progress or delaying expansion. Candidate David Yardley said technology can be utilized better and more often to communicate with local businesses and get their feedback on questions before the Commission.
Moderator Havlicek confronted the candidates with the ‘ever popular issue’ of St. Joseph downtown parking. Commissioner Brook Thomas wondered whether St. Joe has a bigger problem with the location of parking than the quantity or supply. She suggested that local residents need to be more aware of transportation alternatives like bicycles during the busy Summer tourist season. Candidate Michael Fernandez agreed, pointing to alternative transportation as an element of any long-term parking solution. Candidate Tess Ulrey suggested that perhaps local residents could be given some kind of special parking privileges, or spots set aside for them, giving locals an edge over visitors in the quest for a place to park. She didn’t offer any specifics on the concept.
Candidates Chris Lannert and David Yardley both believed that parking solutions will come from experts, not from the Commission. Lannert is a former career urban planner and Yardley is a political consultant who has worked in several Michigan cities with similar challenges. Lannert pointed out that the City has ordered a professional parking plan and he looks forward to the recommendations.
Tourism is increasingly downtown St. Joseph’s primary industry. And the six candidates don’t see that as a bad thing—even if some residents aren’t happy about it. Candidate Tess Ulrey said she came to St. Joseph as a tourist, fell in love with the city and made it her ‘forever’ home. She believes others will do the same. Chris Lannert agrees, saying tourism is the key to future population and economic growth, as tourists become weekenders and then fulltime residents.
Several of the candidates mentioned the importance of ‘balancing’ St. Joseph’s downtown events and activities—spreading them out over twelve months, rather than just three. Developing the ‘shoulder seasons’ and even Winter events should be a higher priority for planners according to most of the candidates.
Two Commissioners are not seeking re-election: Mayor Laura Goos and Commissioner Lynn Todman. Brook Thomas is running for a second term after serving two years. Tess Ulrey and Chris Lannert ran unsuccessfully in 2021. Three Commissioners will be elected from the six person ballot, two for three-year terms and one for a two-year term.
If you were not able to attend the Commission Forum at the Silver Beach Center, it’s available ‘on demand’ at WSJM.com, the WSJM app, on YouTube or on Facebook at ‘News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM’.
By Gayle Olson, MOTM Contributor
