Candidates for City Council
We need a strong slate of local volunteers to navigate the next weeks, months and year of building agreement and taking on the challenges of the effects and affects of the new or a revised zoning code. It will become a consortium of volunteers who are willing to pool their opinions, listen to the communities concerns and work with the advice of planning consultants who are paid to have the best interests of the community that is paying their salary and fees.
Below is information that will educate – yet still respect the choices that volunteers make living in our small town. Finding your way, wanting to help is a calling. We honor every persons intentions, and as they say – if you don’t agree with a person, or like their style – step up and run against them next time – work to make changes within. Thank you to all.
Jaime Melke votes with the majority so will ‘voting’ with new City Council and committee members – non-conflict – be a positive?. Why not!
In 2024 Resolutions/Ordinances 77 Record
Yays 76/77
Nays 0/77
Motion 3/77
Seconds 8/77
One abstain
Jamie Melke
Age 37, dining room manager.
Q: Do you have any previous experience pursuing and/or holding elected office?
A: I never would have thought I would run for office or enter politics. I see this as an opportunity to represent the people in my community while moving forward with a positive approach.
Q: What key factor(s) prompted you to pursue the council position for the upcoming term?
A: I am passionate about solving the issues we face in our community. Being involved in a resort community often requires creativity in creating a balance between the residents and visitors. I live, see and work within that balance every day. I spend most days interacting with residents, neighbors and visitors. I hear what they are saying, and I am consistently thinking of ways to help our community grow and prosper.
Q: If successful in your council bid this November, what key attributes and/or skills do you think would make you effective in office?
A: My hospitality and restaurant background has given me years of practice in problem solving and making the best decisions for all involved. I do this by knowing and following the rules, listening to concerns, and doing my best to keep everyone happy, even if it means there is a compromise. I will approach my role on city council in the same way. There are some tough decisions to make in the next few years, but I am confident that I am able to look at the big picture and make decisions based on facts and what is best for the most people.
Q: What do you see as the most pressing issue for city government to address in the upcoming year or two?
A: There are an overwhelming number of hot topics that the city has been facing recently, including short-term rental regulations, location of a new electric substation, and concerns with the budget. A lot of decisions will have to be made soon; I will approach each issue with an open mind, I will listen, and I will make decisions that will put Harbor Springs in the best position to move forward while also respecting the long-standing traditions that make our community unique.
John Lio took a year off holding office and garnered press attention some years ago.
John Lio
Background:
- Age: 69
- Moved to Harbor Springs: In 2013 with his wife, Kathleen, who was raised here.
- Family: Wife, Kathleen, and two adult sons, Brian and David. He is also related to the Cupps and Keller families.
- Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford.
- Career: 37 years working for technology companies.
Community Involvement:
- Council Experience: Served three terms on the city council. He is running for a third term due to lack of candidates.
- Community Roles: Serves currently on the Zoning Board of Appeals, President of the local Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Volunteer at Harbor Springs Food Pantry, Harbor, Inc.
- Community Engagement: Attends council, commission and board meetings to stay informed. Frequently writes “Letters to the Editor” at the Harbor Light newspaper.
Political Platforms:
- Headlee Override
- City’s revenue needs
- Fiscal conservatism
- City changing with the times
- Government transparency
- Avoiding personal agendas
- Pro-Business and Pro-Tourism
- Labor Shortages
Election History:
- 2017: Elected to City Council with 254 votes
- 2019: Re-elected to City Council with 209 votes
- 2021: Re-elected to City Council as a write-in candidate with 209 votes
Council Activities:
- Redevelopment Ready Community: Early supporter of the RRC back in 2019 and voted for the resolution to pursue an RRC certification on May 20, 2019. Matt Bugera appoints Lio to the RRC Committee on August 19, 2019.
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- Paid Parking – Supporter
- City Council receives massive push back via email letters to Rondel and Dika when the topic of selling paid parking passes at Spring Street is proposed in April 2021. Council chooses not to pursue selling parking spots at the Spring Street lot citing a lack of support by Council.
- The City Manager brings the topic of paid parking back to the City Council and it’s discussed at every meeting between January 17 and March 2022. As in April, there is strong community opposition to paid parking of any kind. Council reluctantly backs off once again.
- At the March 21, 2022 meeting paid parking is pulled from the August ballot discussion with Council citing “input from members of the community” as the reason. Clearly paid parking has failed to gain popular support.
- Quote from Harbor Light February 9-15, 2022: Council member John Lio notes it has been “a disappointing process” but “the silver lining is that you’re all here.” “….this is a source of revenue for the city, and an opportunity that does not come from the taxpayers.” Lio said he would not want to see paid parking on Sunday…and that he had concerns about employees being penalized by default through paid parking.
- Boardwalks – Proponent of re-building both boardwalks.
- Quote from Harbor Light August 16, 2023: “Need we don’t have, because we have a beautiful new boardwalk that allows people to get up and down now, but we’ve always heard about preservation, and the fact that there are donors willing to step up again, indicates that there are people interested in this as a preservation project.” Lio said the goal had always been to preserve the entire boardwalk, so perhaps the smart move would be begin fundraising.
- Paid Parking – Supporter