Open Letter to Grand Blanc and Burton, MI Mayoral Candidates

The cities of Burton and Grand Blanc, MI each have a mayoral election (in addition to others) on November 7th.

We, the people, the candidates' constituents, deserve to know what each candidate has and wants to offer.

Grand Blanc and Burton Elections

A little over 29,000 people live in Burton and just under 8,000 in the City of Grand Blanc.

Voters in each city have concerns about their hometowns, in no particular order:

Roads
Crime
Taxes
Schools
Blight
City Hall
Lack of new businesses
Too many new businesses
Jobs

You get the idea.

How often do we publicly hear about candidate vision?

We all see the election yard signs, but those do not provide insight.

Some people are deeply involved in community government, but not a majority. Even those folks don't know everything they could about a candidate and their vision.

MI Actor James Earl Jones Gets Statue

Let's insist on knowing more about candidates.

On behalf of all voters in Grand Blanc and Burton, communicate your vision. Show us what you want/plan to do.

There is so much opportunity to engage the community. What's your plan to:

develop key areas in your city?
bring great jobs to your city?
bring more restaurants and/or entertainment to your city?
reduce property taxes or better use the tax revenue the city is collecting?
address any school district needs?
tackle blight?
beautify the city you plan to represent?
fix roads?
address crime?
attract quality businesses your residents would like to see?
make your city more walkable or bike friendly?
remind residents of the great amenities that already exist?
address declining populations in your city? How do we get more people to stay?
reduce the budget since people are not staying? What should you cut?
find out what the people want you to do more or less of in your city?
communicate what you've accomplished on a regular basis?
hold yourself accountable?
communicate on any of these topics with folks that may vote for you?

Please, don't expect people to find you in a world full of algorithms that keep them in a bubble. Do whatever it takes to engage your future constituents in ways you haven't tried before.

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For Grand Blanc, Burton, Flint and every city in Genesee County -- our best days are ahead of us.

It's time "we the people," act like it and expect the same from candidates.

Courtland Center Mall in Burton Looks Like a Ghost Town Movie Set

Malls in America seem like they are dying a slow death and Courtland Center in Burton, MI is no exception. See what's left inside the mall here.

Gallery Credit: TSM Monroe

Escape the Winter Blues Renting This Burton Indoor Pool Oasis

If hoping a plane to the tropics isn't part of your winter plans, we've found the perfect alternative right here in Genesee County. This saltwater oasis comes with a hot tub, dining area, bathroom, and shower. It's the perfect way to escape the cold, if even for a few hours. Perfect for summer fun too with it's retractable roof. You can rent is now on Swimply. Take a look!

Gallery Credit: Swimply

A Nostalgic Look Back Inside the Infamous Auker Mansion of Grand Blanc

The big house with the large gates on Belsay Road in Grand Blanc, Michigan has been as mysterious as the man who built the massive 14,000+ square foot home that resembled more of a palace than a Midwest home. The late builder Eldon Auker was known for his creativity and flamboyance on some levels, his mansion reflected every bit of that. With its 20 foot ceilings, majestic staircase, and a 3000 square foot bedroom, the home was a showplace. Sold in 2020, it's hard to know if changes were made to the once amazing estate, but it's exciting to be able to take a little look back in time to what once was.

Gallery Credit: Zillow