Regardless of the outcome at the polls this week, Zach Michels says running for mayor has been a “really interesting experience.” Win or lose – and he really hopes he wins – it’s been well worth the time and effort.
“I have enjoyed getting to meet more of my neighbors and hearing their great ideas,” he says. “It has warmed my heart that folks from all over the political spectrum have reached out to voice their support for my run. I want to thank everybody and will do my best to serve as mayor if I am successful.”
Michels is running against Shawn Keough, the only mayor in Dexter’s short history as a city. Keough, who is running for a third term as mayor, has been on the Dexter Village or City Council since 2004 and was Village President before becoming mayor when Dexter became a city in 2014.
Michels, like Keough, was not born and raised in Dexter. He grew up in the small Village of Shepherd and graduated from Shepherd High School in 1995. He received a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Michigan in 1999 – and even found time to be a member of the Michigan Marching Band. He received a Masters of urban planning from U-M in 2003.
After a brief stay in Indiana where he was a planning director for a county, he moved to Ann Arbor with his wife and then spent six years working as the Dexter Township director of planning and zoning, responsible for planning, zoning and code enforcement. For the past three years, he’s worked as an urban planning consultant, providing services for communities across southeastern Michigan.
Michels has been very involved with local government over the years, including as a Dexter City Council member since 2015. He’s also served on the Dexter Zoning Board of Appeals, Dexter Election Commission, 3045 Redevelopment Committee, Michigan Municipal League Transportation and Michigan Municipal League Economic Development and Land Use Legislative Committee – among others.
Michels says he’s running for mayor because he has “seen city leadership struggle to address complex issues” and believes the council has not been as effective as it could be because of its leadership.
“When it takes council too long to address an issue, it usually means our residents end up paying more for it or getting less for the same investment,” he says. “As an urban planner, it is my job and nature to understand complex issues and to facilitate bridging the gap.”
He says he’s been unimpressed with the response when residents have asked for help.
“The clearest example was when we were contacted by parents wanting to organize a parade for 2020 graduates,” he said. “Our job as local elected officials is to help our residents and businesses, even when it’s something we may not individually support.”
Michels also believes it’s just time for a change and a new voice.
“I believe a healthy democracy requires a periodic changing of the guard,” he says. “The incumbent has been in the leadership position for 15 years. During that time, there have been three Michigan governors and four American presidents. I bring the unique package of fresh eyes with great experience. For everything there is a season; it’s time for a change.”
Michels says Dexter is generally in a much better position now than it was 10 or 20 years ago. As a member of the City Council, he’s been part of bringing that positive change to the community and is proud of what they as a group have accomplished.
But – yes, there is a but – many things could have been done differently or quicker. “I would have started efforts to address housing affordability and options much sooner,” he says. “We are now the second most expensive community in the county. It’s becoming difficult for the school district and other employers to attract and keep employees because they can’t afford to live here.
“I would have resolved the city hall and fire station issues much sooner. City offices have been in a temporary location now since 2000. The fire station situation was first brought before council by President Arbour in 1997. The current mayor listed it as his top priority in 2012, but nothing has happened. I would have been more active in gathering input from our community and I would have been more deliberate in the design of our road and sidewalk improvements.”
Win or lose – and he really hopes he wins – Michels believes the city has improved over the past decade but believes there are areas and ways it can be even better.
Profile: Mayor Keough isn’t done yet making a positive impact on Dexter
