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Dear Voter,

My name is Tom Fox. I am running for Portage City Council and I would like your vote.

My combination of life experiences, career and history of volunteer service make me the choice candidate to serve the citizens. I have worked within many different organizations, in different capacities and wish to bring my knowledge, experience and leadership to the position of Council Member.

On Council I will to strive for inclusiveness, and work with our citizens exercising the utmost integrity and fairness.

I ask that you review my background, service and goals and vote for me, Tom Fox for Portage City Council on November 6, 2007.

Sincerely,
Tom Fox

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League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area
Questionnaire for Portage City Council Candidates

Name: TOM FOX
Age: 64
Address: 1330 E. Osterhout Ave., Portage, MI 49002-7152

Biographical Information: 70-word limit for this section; the words — "present occupation, education, background & experience" — are not included in the 70-word count. Use phrases where possible; include campaign website address, if applicable.

Present Occupation: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA); Director of Finance and Personnel

Education: Albion College, Bachelors. Michigan State, Masters

Background & Experience: Married 41 years, 4 children, 5 grandchildren
27 years active duty United States Air Force; Finance
13 years KIA

Volunteer work: United Way, Gryphon Place, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Country Day School, Kiwanis, Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Portage Planning Commission, Portage Human Services Board, Visioning 2025
www.foxforportage.blogspot.com

Questions on Selected Issues:

1. Citizens and elected officials often cite the need for improved intergovernmental cooperation. What progress has been made and where would you target other specific areas as opportunities for our local governments to work together in order to improve services and/or save costs? [70 word limit]

Communication vital. New Council and Kalamazoo Commission meet informally, get acquainted - establishing relationship. Four government initial and mutual fire support agreement is important. Shared hazzard waste collection. Mayors meeting with prospective business relocations is significant.

Share backroom operations like payroll, purchasing.

Visioning said consider swimming pool and performance theater in future. Explore with Portage Schools joint funding of construction, operations. Use year round. Shared is less expensive to tax payer.

2. Describe the three most important steps that should be taken in Portage to meet the. commitments made through the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which is intended to combat global warming? [70 word limit]

Portage should establish baseline inventory of global warming emissions from City operations and community. Then set reduction targets to be implemented in the Capital Improvement Program and through tax abatements.

Bicycle and pedestrian trails should be expanded to reduce emissions and promote fitness; more trees planted for shade and absorbing CO2.

Consideration of Energy Star equipment and appliances should be mandatory for City purchases.

3. How will you guide the City Council's response to the Portage 2025 Visioning project as it proceeds to adoption and implementation? [70 word limit]

As Portage Planning Commission Chairman, I am ensuring that Goals are included in the 5 year Comprehensive Plan currently being revised. As Councilman, I will expect to see ordinance changes implementing the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, I will look for Goals being funded in the annual city budget and that specific projects are included in annual updates to the Capital Improvement Program, Recreation and Open Space Plan, and Major Thoroughfare Plan.

4. What are the dimensions of diversity in the population of Portage to which the Council should pay attention? What strategies should the Council should adopt to welcome diverse populations? [70 word limit]

Council must pay attention to all diversity dimensions of Portage citizens. Individual worth is important, regardless of type or level of employment skill, race, gender and other factors which differentiate us from one another. Through an approach of sincere inclusiveness Council members will strive to ensure needs are being heard. Council meetings offer opportunities for citizens to speak. Appointments to advisory boards and commissions must reflect our diverse citizens.

5. Which of your strengths or talents especially qualify you to be a member of the City Council? [70 word limit]

Demonstrated leadership as a Colonel and as Planning Commission Chairman will help me put forth programs and solutions for Council consideration. My significant volunteer experience proves my ability to work with peers toward a shared objective, in this case making decisions which best serve the long term health of the city and its many stakeholders. I listen to all input, analyze, then decide without self-serving motives.

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Candidate Tom Fox
Answers to Kalamazoo Regional Chamber Questions
October 8, 2007

1. My experience is with city employees in the Community Development Department. As Chair of the Portage Planning Commission, I work closely with the Deputy Director for Planning and Development Services meeting almost bi-weekly. Businesses wishing to expand have their site plans vetted by several offices within the City ensuring code compliance and safety, e.g., fire truck maneuvering space and whether a fire hydrant needs to be added. Solicited feedback over the years has fine tuned this process. Fresh ideas may further improve the process.


2. Nearly 47% of Portage residents had direct contact with city employees and an astonishing 87% of them were satisfied or somewhat satisfied (based on research by WMU Kercher Center for Social Research). For the past several years the favorable ratings have been consistently high. In an attempt to address the remaining 13% who were neutral or dissatisfied, City Manager Evans formed the Customer Service Task Force in July 2007.

3. Communication is Vital! To improve relationships with neighboring governments, School District, and businesses, get to know their leadership. Meet with the Kalamazoo City Commission informally to get acquainted and establish relationships. The same approach will work with elected officials governing the County, schools and neighboring townships. Relationships with businesses should be fostered using the expertise of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce. Further, the City sponsored the Business Information Fair, June 2006, and the Business Focus Group Sessions, August 2006. This informal relationship building will yield productive results when coming together in the future to address issues.

4. I support tax abatement on real and personal property, when Tax Abatement Analysis proves net positive financial impact to Portage citizens and commercial enterprises. There are several conditions the Tax Abatement Agreement must specify including:
• real and personal property improvements must occur
• number of employees retained and added without discrimination
• annual progress reporting
• applicant must comply with all codes and be current on payment of city taxes
• duration of abatement
• failure to meet conditions of agreement result in payment of abated taxes with delinquent penalties

5. I would oppose tax abatements either when the Tax Abatement Analysis fails to prove net positive financial impact or when the applicant refuses to sign the Tax Abatement Agreement with conditions identified in answer 4 above.

6. Portage has economic development tools in place which attract existing business expansion and new businesses. Tools include:
• positive mayoral relationships with area peers and with Southwest Michigan First
• continuing infrastructure investment to have utilities and streets in place when being considered by prospective businesses
• tax abatement policy in place
• city taxes are in lowest 25% of Michigan cities our size
• quality of life including parks, trails and nearby cultural entities
• schools producing graduates testing high compared to other graduates
• comprehensive Plan for future land use
• location near two major highways and two hour drive to multi-million population cities

7. Eliminating some economic development tools would have both short and long term negative impacts resulting in street, utilities and trails deteriation. Tax abatement brings more to our community over time than the tax abated. Most other tools are without direct Portage cost. None of the tools are luxuries.

8. City Charter Chapter 2.1(a) says “…protect the public peace…and general welfare and safety of persons and property.” The fire and police department should be protected from staffing and equipment reductions. Protecting the quality of domestic water and other infrastructure must occur. Sensitivity to complaints by residents, employee morale, manager input and surveys will identify areas for additional resource allocation.

9. Proactive steps taken by past City Councils and Managers have streamlined city operations. Not filling vacant positions and distributing responsibilities may be feasible and bring further savings. Back room operations such as purchasing and payroll deserve focus for combining inter-governmentally. City employee benefit plans should be evaluated to ensure that they are at a level comparable to the private sector with shared premium cost, deductibles and retirement as defined contribution versus defined benefit.

10. City leaders must be available to meet with corporate leaders when requested. City Council and Manager should invite corporate leaders to meet informally to get better acquainted. Concerns should be jointly explored for feasible resolution. Re-sequencing Capital Improvement Program projects for streets and sewers may facilitate corporate expansion. Tax abatement is another tool to encourage corporate investment in real and personal property.

11. The Mayor and Manager should continue activities with their area peers, jointly presenting a pro-business approach fostering economic development. Backroom operations may be combined to the benefit of all government units. The Visioning 2025 process identified that some citizens want a City swimming pool and performance theatre. If this should happen, it should be jointly financed and shared with the Portage Public School District, resulting in year round use and less construction and operating expense for the tax payer than if done separately. This is an example of how cooperation would help keep taxes low.

12. Maintaining and increasing enrollment is key to the continued viability of WMU and other post high school educational institutions. These are stand alone institutions which have staff focusing on enrollment and developing programs such as ‘Western Edge’. While Portage City Council and City Manager Evans should be, and I believe are, ready to collaborate on helpful programs, the educational institutions need to identify possible areas of collaboration. Unilateral Portage activity could be counter productive.

13. I am running for Portage City Council to ensure that the many stakeholders in our City have the best leadership and representation possible. Of the three candidates without City Council experience, I have the most varied employment experience and extensive volunteer service. I demonstrated leadership as an active duty Air Force Colonel and currently as Chairman of the Portage Planning Commission. My experience, integrity and inclusive approach combine to make me the best candidate. ________________________________________
My Vision for the City
• Advocate for fiscal policies which keep taxes low
...and services strong.
• Strive to implement the citizen recommendations
...in ‘Visioning 2025’.
• Create job growth through regional cooperation.
• Seek operational efficiencies through shared purchasing and payroll operations.
• Explore with the Portage Public Schools District shared projects
...which benefit the entire community:
...– Example, a swimming pool or performance theater —
......jointly financed and used throughout the year.
..– Would increase usage while reducing facility
.....construction and annual operating costs.
• Promote investment to keep safe the water we drink and in which we play.
• Improve traffic safety by limiting curb cuts and increasing shared access.
• Make decisions remembering that 19% of Portage Public School students
...participated in the free and reduced lunch program in 2006-2007.
• Continue a comprehensive plan of land use and capital investment.
• Be accessible to you, open to suggestions, concerns and criticism.

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Volunteer Service
Working with peers toward shared objectives:
• Portage Visioning 2025
....Neighborhoods Co-Chair; 2006 – 2007
• Portage Planning Commission
....Member; 2001 – Present (Chair 2003 – Present)
• Portage Human Services Board
....Member; 2000
• Portage Community Outreach Center
....Board Member; 2004 – Present
• Gryphon Place
....Board member; 2004 – Present
• Pretty Lake Vacation Camp
....Personnel Committee; 2000 - 2004
• Kalamazoo Country Day School
....Board Treasurer; 2000 – 2003
• Constance Brown Hearing Centers
....Board member; 1999 – 2005
....Investment Committee; 2003 - Present
• Kiwanis Club of Kalamazoo
....Member and officer including President; 1997 – Present
• Greater Kalamazoo United Way
....Team 3 Basic Needs; 1997 – 2004
• Kalamazoo Community Church
....Finance/Business Committee; 1996 - 1998
• United Way of Northern Utah
....Executive Committee; 1988 – 1991
• Boy Scouts of America
....In Maryland, Germany and Utah; 1981 - 1988
• Youth sports coach
....T-Ball & Soccer; late 1970s – early 80s

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Life Experience
• Grew up in Kalamazoo
• Married to Rita (Staffen) of Portage – 41 years
• Education:
...– Loy Norrix High School
...– Albion College
...– Masters Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations
......from Michigan State University
• Retired Colonel of the United States Air Force ­
...– 27 years on active duty, financial management­
...– I was responsible for a budget of $9.4 billion and headed
......an organization of 330 specialists in financial fields
...– while in the Air Force I bought land in Portage,
......knowing that I would live here
...– my growing family spent summers in Portage with their grandparents
......(Pete Staffen was a Charter City Councilman; Bethel served on
......the Board of the Glowing Embers Girl Scout Council)
• Director of Finance and Personnel at
..the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 1994 – present
• Three of our four grown children and all five grandchildren
...live in Kalamazoo County

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Endorsements

“In addition to his excellent leadership and finance skill developed through a distinguished career as Colonel in the Air Force, Tom possesses a straightforward, candid and tactful approach to problem solving. I strongly support his candidacy.”
— Mike Anderson

“We are confident that your work experience and our volunteer involvement will add significantly to the efficacy of this group.” ­
— John and Rosemary Brown

“Tom Fox would do a great job, bringing to the table valuable experience and skills and a whole lot of common sense.”
— Dr. Diether Haenicke

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Leadership And Integrity Recognized
Community leaders of diverse backgrounds endorse my candidacy:

• Mayor Pete Strazdas
• Former Mayor Betty Lee Ongley
• John and Rosemary Brown
• Sheriff Mike Anderson
• Dr. Diether Haenicke

©Tom Fox 2007