There are three candidates running for two 2-year seats on the Chelsea City Council in the Nov. 5 election.
Below are their profiles in alphabetical order.
Frank Hammer has lived in Chelsea for 34 years, he’s married to wife Elizabeth and they have four children, Erich, 41, Mercedes, 40, Garth, 34, and Katrina, 30.
The senior staff chemist with Underwriters Laboratories graduated from Winter Park High School in 1963 and has a BS in chemistry, an MS is organic chemistry and a Ph.D in organic chemistry.
Hammer has been on City Council since 2004 and was on the Chelsea Village Council from 1990-2002.
Since 2008, he’s been the chairman of the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority. He’s been of the WWRA Board of Directors from 1990-1994 and then from 2004-2007. Hammer has also served on the Board of Directors of the Chelsea Area Senior Center since 2009 to the present.
When asked why residents should vote for him, Hammer said, “If the voters believe that I have assisted in making this community a dynamic viable city, I would appreciate the vote so I can continue my service to the community.”
When asked about his two key issues, Hammer says, “The question presumes that a candidate running for office is doing so because they have an agenda, versus desiring to be of public service to ensure the proper governance of the community. That governance includes ensuring the citizens are served, a financially responsible budget is maintained and services provided by each department are of the highest quality. That being said, I have no specific issues.”
What makes Chelsea a great place to live for Hammer? “The City of Chelsea has, in my opinion, the finest combination of viable components of any city in Southeast Michigan including the library, the schools, the arts and most importantly, the people.”
What one thing would he change? “Nothing to change for the city per se, but I would very much like more cooperation between the city and the surrounding townships reflecting what many people think of as the Chelsea area.”
And the candidates were asked one fun question, what’s your favorite vegetable. Hammer’s is asparagus.
Susan J. Moore has lived in Chelsea for eight years and is married to husband, Harold. She has three children and 10 grandchildren.
Moore is a retired Communication Manager for the U.S. Postal Service first in Detroit and then Boston. She graduated from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, and went on to Wayne State University where she earned a BA in mass communication/print journalism.
She has not held a previous elected office.
Moore is currently completing her second year as president of the Chelsea Area Garden Club. In the past, she’s been a Girl Scout Leader, church council representative, symphony publicist, League of Women Voters and Rotary member.
When asked why voters should vote for her, Moore says, “I have attended council meetings regularly, studied the city charter and budget, interacted successfully with city officials and as a retiree have the time and energy to devote myself to being a good council member.”
Her top two campaign issues are: “I believe I can improve communication between the city council, staff and citizens of Chelsea with more open discussion and information distribution. She also thinks Chelsea needs to fix sidewalks and streets in our neighborhoods.”
In her opinion, what makes Chelsea a great place to live? “Warm, friendly Chelsea people have made my husband and I feel at home here and the proximity of medical services, recreational facilities and cultural activities keep us happy, healthy and busy.”
What would she change about Chelsea? “I would like the council to hire an economic development professional who could work to fill vacant buildings, not just downtown but beyond, and bring in a store like Pamida so I wouldn’t have leave town for family clothing, craft supplies and small household items.”
And her favorite vegetable? Tomatoes.
Jane Pacheco is a 25-year resident of Chelsea. The 40- year old is married to Dennis Crawley and they have two children Gavin, 10 and Kiera, 8.
Pacheco is self-employed and runs local food programs.
She graduated from Chelsea High School in 1991 and has a BA in English from the University of Michigan.
Pacheco has not previously held elected office.
Pacheco is the president and a founding board member of the Chelsea Community Kitchen, which has a mission to educate, inform, support and empower members of our regional community regarding local food; and support those interested in all aspects of producing, providing and consuming safe, nutritious food locally.
The community kitchen is represented on the Chelsea Wellness Coalition’s Eat Better sub-committee and has worked on projects such as the library’s Community Read Program and a kid’s cooking camp. She’s been a club volunteer for the new 4-H club, the Chelsea Go-Getters. And a steering team member at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church for the former MOPS programming, currently called the MOMs group where she is now program chairwoman. In addition, Pacheco is a Ministry Council Training Coordinator and a Holiday Bazaar committee member.
Pacheco is the co-founder and coordinator for Yellow Door, a regional initiative that brings the farm to the table to raise funds for community initiatives, such as Chelsea Community Kitchen, Chelsea Sounds & Sights Festival, Faith in Action, Waterloo Natural History Association and many others.
When asked why people should for vote her, Pacheco says, “I am a honest, hard-working resident invested in making Chelsea a great place to live, work and play for today’s citizens and future generations.”
“It is important to me to preserve and strengthen the character of our community,” she says of the issues that are important to her. “Thorough consideration of the City’s Master Plan and Economic Development Strategy should be at the top of the Council’s priority list.”
What makes Chelsea a great place to live? “Chelsea is a great place to live because it is charming, the residents are welcoming and there are many diverse social, cultural and economic offerings. “
If she could change something, what would it be? “I would work to make the City Council more accessible to all demographics and encourage more resident feedback on issues that involve all of us.”
Her favorite vegetable is Brussel sprouts.
Her campaign Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JanePachecoforCityCouncil.
Good luck Jane, go get em!