Friday, October 10, 2008
News
2-year incumbent battles newcomer for Perry mayor
By MICHAEL PETERSON Argus-Press Staff Writer
PERRY - Mayor Ross DeLau has lived in the city his entire life, but his opponent in the general election, Jeremy Loos, said he is just as passionate about the community.
“I've had a lot of people tell me that if you are not from Perry, then you are not going to get elected,” Loos, 32, said. “Well, I've lived here five years and this is where I have chosen to raise my family. I am just as dedicated to this city as anyone else who lives here.”
DeLau, 66, has been Perry's mayor for the past two years. Former Mayor Steve Daunt resigned in 2006.
DeLau said he wants to continue being the mayor because he enjoys the position.
“I have a very good council and I enjoy working for the people,” DeLau said. “If you don't like this job, you certainly don't make enough for it to be worth it. It's not a big money-making job.”
In addition to his government experience, DeLau is also the president of the Shiawassee County Firefighters Association.
The biggest issue for DeLau - like many local government officials - is the budget.
“It's a real task to balance the budget here,” DeLau said. “Unless we have new building growth, the city will stay somewhat near the same as far as our revenues. And with the way things are right now, next year's budget is going to be tough. However, I don't think it is something that we can't accomplish.”
If he is re-elected, DeLau said there are a few projects he would like to begin.
“I would like to increase the sidewalk for going to the schools,” DeLau said. “Also, I would like to get a veteran's park. Right now we are in the process of trying to retrieve the plans that were brought forward. Maybe with some revision between the council and the veterans we could get a park out here.”
Keeping the city in good shape is another goal that DeLau has for the city.
While he has been retired for almost five years, he worked as a toolmaker for General Motors for 41 years.
DeLau has lived in Perry his entire life, therefore, he said he knows the community and its needs.
“I feel that I have an understanding of what the people here in the city want,” DeLau said. “A lot of the people who will be voting, I have even coached.”
DeLau's opponent, Loos, said even though he has no local government experience, he could bring a brand-new outlook to the city.
“I hate to use the word ‘change' because it has been used so much in the [presidential] election, but sometimes a fresh perspective can be a good thing,” Loos said.
He said he believes Perry is a great town and he would like to see it grow.
“I would like to see controlled growth, that's the important part. You don't want to see crazy growth,” Loos said. “If we could get some family restaurants or something put up and get vehicles to come off from I-69 then they are going to go downtown. It's going to be a win-win for everyone.”
He also added he would like to see more cooperation between the city of Perry and Perry Township.
“We are all in this together,” Loos said. “What is good for one is good for the other.”
Loos is a member of the National Guard's 144th Military Police Company based in Corunna, and was deployed to Iraq for 15 months. He said his experiences in the military taught him a lot about leadership and discipline.
“The way I look at it, the mayor is a very important job. However, the city council has more power than the mayor. They are the decision makers,” Loos said. “My strong suit is leadershipŠI think I have a lot to offer in that aspect.”
Loos also works for a private security firm in Lansing.
“If you can make a tough decision in Baghdad under fire, then you can make tough decisions in a city,” he said.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.
“I've had a lot of people tell me that if you are not from Perry, then you are not going to get elected,” Loos, 32, said. “Well, I've lived here five years and this is where I have chosen to raise my family. I am just as dedicated to this city as anyone else who lives here.”
DeLau, 66, has been Perry's mayor for the past two years. Former Mayor Steve Daunt resigned in 2006.
DeLau said he wants to continue being the mayor because he enjoys the position.
“I have a very good council and I enjoy working for the people,” DeLau said. “If you don't like this job, you certainly don't make enough for it to be worth it. It's not a big money-making job.”
In addition to his government experience, DeLau is also the president of the Shiawassee County Firefighters Association.
The biggest issue for DeLau - like many local government officials - is the budget.
“It's a real task to balance the budget here,” DeLau said. “Unless we have new building growth, the city will stay somewhat near the same as far as our revenues. And with the way things are right now, next year's budget is going to be tough. However, I don't think it is something that we can't accomplish.”
If he is re-elected, DeLau said there are a few projects he would like to begin.
“I would like to increase the sidewalk for going to the schools,” DeLau said. “Also, I would like to get a veteran's park. Right now we are in the process of trying to retrieve the plans that were brought forward. Maybe with some revision between the council and the veterans we could get a park out here.”
Keeping the city in good shape is another goal that DeLau has for the city.
While he has been retired for almost five years, he worked as a toolmaker for General Motors for 41 years.
DeLau has lived in Perry his entire life, therefore, he said he knows the community and its needs.
“I feel that I have an understanding of what the people here in the city want,” DeLau said. “A lot of the people who will be voting, I have even coached.”
DeLau's opponent, Loos, said even though he has no local government experience, he could bring a brand-new outlook to the city.
“I hate to use the word ‘change' because it has been used so much in the [presidential] election, but sometimes a fresh perspective can be a good thing,” Loos said.
He said he believes Perry is a great town and he would like to see it grow.
“I would like to see controlled growth, that's the important part. You don't want to see crazy growth,” Loos said. “If we could get some family restaurants or something put up and get vehicles to come off from I-69 then they are going to go downtown. It's going to be a win-win for everyone.”
He also added he would like to see more cooperation between the city of Perry and Perry Township.
“We are all in this together,” Loos said. “What is good for one is good for the other.”
Loos is a member of the National Guard's 144th Military Police Company based in Corunna, and was deployed to Iraq for 15 months. He said his experiences in the military taught him a lot about leadership and discipline.
“The way I look at it, the mayor is a very important job. However, the city council has more power than the mayor. They are the decision makers,” Loos said. “My strong suit is leadershipŠI think I have a lot to offer in that aspect.”
Loos also works for a private security firm in Lansing.
“If you can make a tough decision in Baghdad under fire, then you can make tough decisions in a city,” he said.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.