Nine Dowagiac residents apply for council seats

James Burton Dodd
Spruce Street
Dowagiac, Michigan

Mr. Dodd has been a resident of Dowagiac for 69 years.



Mr. Dodd listed his community activities as:
Firefighter for 37 years.
Dowagiac Board of Review member.
Dowagiac Planning Commission member.
EMT and ambulance member.


Mr. Dodd listed his professional qualifications and work experience as:
38 years at Jessup Door Company
12 years working in Elkhart Indiana
He has been an hourly employee to plant manager at Jessup Door and Elkhart Indiana.

The reason Mr. Dodd wants to be appointed as Dowagiac's 2nd Ward Councilman:
"Always wanted to run for council but not until Wayne Comstock retired".
"I have some ideas where maybe the city can save some money.

Mr. Dodd also stated that he would be willing to run for this office in 2011.

James F Benedix
Orchard Street
Dowagiac, Michigan

Mr. Benedix has been a resident of Dowagiac for 48 years.


Mr. Benedix listed his community activities as:
Worshipful Master of the Peninsular Lodge #10, Free and Accepted Masons of Dowagiac
Assisted in organizing the annual Dowagiac Memorial Day Parade
Maintained the nature trails at Kincheloe School
Presented the Child ID program and the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program. (A workshop to train educators to assist students at risk)
Served as an advisor for the Order of DeMolay, a teen fraternity, on both local and state levels
Vice President of the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival
Serve as director of acolytes (youth from ages 10 through 18) of the First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac, 1992-present

Mr. Benedix has a BA Degree from Lake Superior State University

Mr.Benedix stated his reason he wants to serve as Dowagiac's 2nd Ward Councilman is:
"This is an opportunity to become more fully involved in the life of Dowagiac".


David Doak Daniels
Hamilton Street
Dowagiac, Michigan

Mr. Daniels stated the reason he wants to serve as Councilman of the 2nd Ward is:
To continue to provide balanced long-range movement towards the city's goals

Mr. Daniels listed his work experience as:
Maintenance Supervisor for Dowagiac Area Schools from 1995-Present
Director of Transportation for Buchanan Community Schools
Huggett-Betten corporation

Education
B.S. Degree from Western Michigan University
A.S. Degree from Southwestern Michigan College
Beginning his Masters in Business Administration

Mr. Daniels listed his Organizational Affiliations, Past and Present as:
Past:
Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation
Tri-County Transportation Supervisors Association
Chairman of the Construction Board of Appeals for the City of Dowagiac,
3 terms
Treasure of the Loon Lake Property Owners Association
Board member, Treasure, Vice President and President of the Dowagiac Girls Softball Association
Board Member of the Dowagiac Little League

Present:
Member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters since 1978
Member of the Michigan Schools Business Officials
Southwest Michigan Facility Managers Association
Free and Accepted Masons, Peninsular Lodge #10
Dowagiac City Planning Commission
Member of the Dowagiac Lions Club

Other Interests:
Bridge
Deer Hunting
Fishing
Mushroom Hunting
Golf
Camping
Hiking

Junior Wayne Oliver
Chestnut Street
Dowagiac, Michigan

Junior has been a resident of Dowagiac for 49 years and a resident of Michigan for 51 years.

Mr. Oliver has listed his community activities as:
Boy Scout Leader
Citizen Band Sky Watcher
Fire Fighter
E M S
Volunteer COA

Professional Qualifications/Work Experience
Have Been A Trained Boy Scout Leader In Dowagiac For Several Years
Vice President Of The Volunteer Fire Department,
Ambulance Attendant
Civil Defense Storm Watcher
COA Volunteer
Volunteer Economic Development Researcher.
Industrial problem solving team leader,
Ergonomic Consultant
Service Station Manager.
Has Had All Of The 60 Hour Training Courses, 240 hour classes, Fire Ground Commander Classes And Air Pack Field Maintenance Courses, Farm Rescue Training And Hazardous Material Handling Training.
Certificate In Agriculture From A Tech School In Missouri.
Operated The HI-WAY 40 Gas Station And The Checker Station When It First Came To Dowagiac.
Worked For Sealed Power For 39 Years And I C G 9 Years
Certified Die Cast Technician And Member Of North American Die Casters Assc.

Desire To Serve On This Board
"I have a genuine interest on continuing prosperity of this city.
Is Interested In Doing My Part To Help Our Community Keep Growing.
I Think That I Can Contribute In A Positive Way To Assure t\That All Residents Have A Voice Thru Me To Get The Logical Things They Ask For Heard By The Proper Officials.
I Have The Time To Check Out The Requests Or Complaints The People Of My Ward Present To Me.
I Have Lived In My Ward About 40 Years And Know Many Of The Residents Living There.
I Am A Very Good Listener And A Very Aggressive Worker To Get A Goal Accomplished In A Timely Manner.

Robert L Mortimore
Jefferson Street
Dowagiac, MI

Community Activities
President Of Dowagiac Rocket Football
Former Candidate for 2nd Ward Council

Professional Qualifications
President Of UAW Local 90 South Haven Michigan (17 Years)
Vice President of UAW Local 90 South Haven Michigan

Resident Of Dowagiac 54 Years
Resident Of Michigan 65 Years

Howard Hall
S Front Street
Dowagiac, MIchigan



I want to be appointed to council because that is one more way I can serve Dowagiac. My experience in community activities is extensive:

Free Computer Classes for Dowagiac Seniors (7Years)
Free Computer Repair for Dowagiac Seniors (7Years)
Volunteer Sister Lakes School (3Years)
Volunteer Patrick Hamilton School (4Years)
Volunteer Dowagiac American Legion
Volunteer Beckwith Theatre Company (2Years)
Volunteer Dowagiac High School (4Years)
Volunteer Dowagiac Choir (2years)
Worked With Local Businesses To Provide Bike Locks For Children At The
Dowagiac Public Library
Past Vice Chair Berrien County Democratic Party
Vice President Of The Dowagiac Fine Arts Booster Club
Nominated For Volunteer Of The Year Chicago Youth Centers
Sponsored Annual “Turkey Bowling” Tournament For Dowagiac Youth (4Years)
Leadership Training for Young Adults Prior To Them Leaving U.S.A. For Mission Work Overseas
Volunteer Registering Voters (16 Years)
Volunteer Filing Income Tax For Local Seniors (5Years)
Volunteer Trunk Or Treat
Member Of CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team)
Volunteer For “Kids Night Out” (Sister Lakes Elementary School) (5Years)
Delivered Food For Home-Bound Seniors In Berrien County (3 Years)
Volunteer For The Cass County Youth Club
Former Big Brother To A Child In The Big Brother Big Sister Program (12Years)
Volunteer The Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen (4 Years)
Volunteer Pokagon Pow Wow Dowagiac, Michigan (3 Years)
Volunteer Pokagon Pow Wow Holland, Michigan (2 Years)
Volunteer Pow Wow Grand Rapids, Michigan (2 Years)

Professional Qualifications:

Owner Adventure Education (Leadership and Teambuilding Facilitator) 12 Years
Political Process Expert
28 Years Experience Bringing Groups Together Working Toward Common Goals
Prior Candidate For Council
Very Knowledgeable Of The Concerns Of Residents
Extensive Experience Working With Low Income Population
Extensive Experience Working With Low Income And At Risk Youth
Strong Understanding of Roberts Rules of Order
Strong Understanding Of How Important It Is To Have Open Communication
Between Residents And Their Councilmen
Field Organizer Barack Obama Campaign For Berrien County Michigan
(Supervised three satellite offices and a volunteer staff of over 250)
Field Organizer Gore Campaign
Paid Staff Member for the Clinton-Gore Campaign
Field Organizer Volunteer Coordinator Clinton Campaign
Coordinator of Cass Co. Campaign for Judy Truesdell
Member And Former Site Inspector For The ACA (American Camping
Association)
Summer Camp Director For At-Risk Youth (20 years experience)
Campaign Manager For Former Van Buren County Sheriff’s Race
Classic Stone Creation (made and installed hand designed granite and marble counter tops
Assistant Park Manager For Covert Township Park Campground


Reasons To Serve On This Board:

To continue to serve the residents of Dowagiac.
I want to give 1st ward residents a councilman who will listen to their concerns and pass them on to the council.
My extensive experience researching grants will enable me to provide Dowagiac Youth with after-school activities.
I understand how important it is to put personal feelings aside and make decisions on what is best for the residents of Dowagiac

Resident of Dowagiac School District 11 Years
Resident Of The City Of Dowagiac 7 Years
Resident Of The State Of Michigan 45 Years


Nancy L Leonard
Green Street
Dowagiac, MI

Nancy has been a resident of Dowagiac for 6 years and a resident of the state for 6 years.

Community Activities
Nancy was involved in the Dowagiac Little League for approx 4 years

Professional Qualifications
BS Degree from Purdue University Organizational Leadership and Supervision.
Has worked at Bosch LLC for 11 years 10 months

Nancy's reasons to serve on this board:
"Serving the community is not an act to be taken lightly". "I believe I can make a positive contribution to council and hopefully inspire more participation".

If appointed are you willing to run for this seat at the expiration of the appointed term?
"Yes, I feel have contributed in a positive manner and feel I have had some success in serving".

Tonnie M Blackamore
Pokagon Street
Dowagiac, MI

Community Activities
Feeding the seniors at Chestnut Towers
Jail Ministry at the Cass County Jail
Tutoring youth

Professional Qualifications
Pastor of New Harvest Church for 12 years

Desire To Serve On This Board
I want to serve the city and my ward to the best of my ability

Mr. Blackamore just sent us some additional information to post.
Thank you Mr. Blackamore

I did all of my schooling in Dowagiac. I Graduated May 31, 1986 on my 18th Birthday from Union High School . I attended 2 years out to S.M.C. I was married here, bought a home here,and have raised 4 children here. I now have 2 grandchildren here. I would be second generation councilman for our ward,
my Grandfather Sam H. Fowlkes II was councilman from April 12, 1965- Jan. 25, 1971, and then July 10, 1986 - Nov. 11, 1997 he was appointed.