Most of my months as a City Councilmember are similar. Since I have been on the Council for about 18 months I thought I would share my schedule for the month of March because I am asked so often about how are things going as a Councilmember.

At 7 p.m. March 4, I had an Economic Development and Opportunity Board meeting at city hall. We meet the first Monday of the Month. In attendance was the full board: Tasha Williamson, Kelly Ariel, Laura Odenwald and Paige Behnke.

The agenda and discussion was on how we can help find a replacement for Shopko and what type of business we would like to see in that building. We also discussed what type of changes would help the citizens of Dowagiac. The area we decided to look at was the city’s website cityofdowagiac.com. While well maintained and laid out, website advances have happened throughout the years. The one area we felt that should be addressed is that the city of Dowagiac’s emergency number is not easily found. Also, it is hard to find your city council-member’s number. We also felt that the website could be more interactive. For example, adding the city’s Facebook page to the scroll would make it easier for anyone browsing that site to see how we interact and what we are currently up to. We then sent a letter to City Manager Kevin Anderson with our concerns.

The meeting lasted about an hour and half. As a board, we are all excited to help. The process is slower than in the private sector but rewarding none the less.

On March 11, I had a city council meeting at 6 p.m. All meetings are the second and fourth Mondays of the month, usually at 7 p.m.

On the agenda was communications for the Easter Egg Eggstravaganza, which was unanimously accepted. The meetings resolutions were:

• To authorize the Purchase and Sale Agreement and Quit Claim Deed for the transfer of the City of Dowagiac owner library building and the land to the Dowagiac District Library.

• To authorize the recommendation to reject the bid for the Division Street water project and rebid for construction to take out place after the Michigan Department of Transportation paving project.

• To authorize the removal of blight assessments.

• To authorize and direct the city treasurer to pay the bills and payroll due, a total of $430,035.06.

• Adjournment

All passed.

On March 15, there was a homelessness discussion at the Jim Snow building. It was a noon meeting that lasted one hour. The discussion was all about how we can help those in need. The lunch hour meeting is the toughest for me because I do not usually take a lunch, but luckily, I work with some great people.

On March 19 and 20, I headed to Lansing for the Capital Conference hosted by the MML. I had to take two days off of work and stay in a hotel for a night. Being away from home is the hardest. My family is great. They understand that we are doing our best to represent the city.

At the conference, I was able to see at least 10 speakers in the general assembly and was able to see Governor Gretchen Whitmer plead her case for the road tax. It was interesting to be able to be in the same room with the person that has been elected to lead the state of Michigan. The bases of her speech was that if you don’t agree with her plan for the roads, then contact your local politician and ask them what their plan is. I also attended classes on various subjects like, Inclusion and Diversity, Marihauna in your Community and I was able to meet as many vendors as you would like.

On Monday March 25, we had a normally scheduled meeting.

On the agenda was:

• A resolution to authorize budget amendments for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

• A resolution to authorize the adoption of the Cass County Mitigation Plan.

• A resolution to authorize and direct the city treasurer to pay the bills and payroll due, a total of $623,018.36.

• Adjournment

All passed.

During the month, I will have at least two meetings and as many as five. I also field a handful of calls, and I also met with three citizens that had concerns or problems within the city in March.  I do get asked almost a dozen times a day about how the city of Dowagiac is doing? I really don’t mind answering questions about the city. If I don’t have time because I am on my way somewhere, I will ask for phone number to call as soon as I can. It is most rewarding when I do actually get to help someone get the answer or to solve their problem. 

I have found being on the city council has been personally rewarding. It sometimes requires me to miss family time or work occasionally, but that has been rare. I get to be hands on with helping to shape our community and represent my Ward and family.

The one thing that I would change about my time on city council is the lack of citizens coming to council meetings. When I have been presented with concerns or differences of opinions on Dowagiac, I always say come to a meeting and say how you feel. Most people say that they won’t be heard and that council wouldn’t like what they have to say. All of these are not true. Although opinions may vary along with outcomes, I believe that you will be treated with respect and that if you have a concern you should reach out to your Ward Councilmember or come to a meeting. As a councilmember, if I don’t know, how can I help?

Patrick Bakeman is a councilman for Ward 1 of Dowagiac. He can be reached at bakemanward1@yahoo.com