KALAMAZOO, MI -- Tami Rey and Michael Seals are facing off for the Kalamazoo County Commission District 1 seat, in a race for the Democratic nomination in August.
Rey and Seals both have experience as county commissioners. In May, Seals submitted a complaint against Rey, alleging that a portion of her petition signatures to be listed on the ballot were invalid. Seals’ and another challenge against Rey’s signatures were overturned, and Rey will be listed on the ballot.
MLive has partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters to publish a voters guide for candidates across Michigan. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below. View the full guide at Vote411.org.
Democrat Rey, 35, is currently a Kalamazoo County commissioner and the community engagement coordinator for Cradle Kalamazoo, according to her responses to the League of Women Voters guide. Under education, she lists an associate degree.
Rey is also the former vice chair of the county board. On the voter guide, under experience, she lists that she chaired the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Hiring Committee Chair of the city of Kalamazoo’s Community Development Act Advisory Committee, Co-Chair ISAAC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission, appointed by Gov. Whitmer to Michigan Community Service Community service commission.
Seals, 61, is the assistant director/bookkeeper at Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood Association, he said while responding to the survey. Under education, Seals lists Associate of Science from Davenport University in Business Management: Marketing and Communication.
Seals was a Kalamazoo County commissioner from 2010-2020, and in his responses lists experience on nonprofit boards for 32 years, and over 40 years in leadership roles.
District 1 includes Kalamazoo City precincts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 27 and Kalamazoo Township precincts 2, 8, 9, 10. View map.
Below are candidates’ responses to questions from the League of Women Voter Guide survey.
All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.
What specifically will you do as a commissioner to improve the quality of life for residents of your district? How will your talents and skills enable you to succeed in these efforts?
Tami Rey
I’m proud of my work on the county commission during my first term. While having the opportunity to serve as the Vice Chair of the County Commission, advocating for an improved quality of life for the residents of my district stayed at the forefront. I’ve prioritized launching the historic Kalamazoo City and County collaboration to reduce gun violence, prioritized affordable housing, advocated for increased wage increases and will continue to do that work. My previous roles and positions have prepared me to build strong coalitions by first listening, drafting policy, and then seeking responses to the proposed solutions.
Michael Seals
We have serious problem with teen gun violence that is effecting our community and the county has a big role to play as we run the Juvenile home. I will pull together the Courts Prosecutors Juvenile home staff and ithers to find solutions. we have done it before. Mental health has always been a priority for me as I have been on the the Mental health board since 2009 and will continue to help bring better services to our community. Housing for people with challenges are having trouble finding housing. My collaborating skills are needed now more than ever. We are at a point that we need people in office can bring the community together!
What policies and programs will you promote to enhance citizen equity and engagement in the wellbeing of our communities and the democratic process?
Tami Rey
During my first term I was intentional about creating processes to hear from the community before making major decisions that would ultimately impact them. This was done through various community listening sessions for example the full commission hosted a community listening session on affordable housing and community violence prior to making decisions on how the money allocated to these issues would be spent. Prioritizing community voice and promoting equity and community engagement will remain important to me.
Michael Seals
I believe it is my responsibility to be fair and impartial in all the policies and programs the county has. Every policy and program must be designed to be to serve everyone fairly! Housing mileage and County ID, and many other programs to help our citizens with challenges are available to them. The Alcott Campus was a collaboration project to centrally locate services for people in need which I was a part of.
What are the two most significant environmental concerns in the county? What should the county do to address each of them?
Tami Rey
Two of the most significant environmental concerns in the county are air quality concerns and exposure to lead. In District 1 residents have lived with poor air quality and noxious gas odors from water treatment and industrial sites located near residential homes. County environmental health must continue to work to resolve this quality of life issue in collaboration with industry and the city water system. Older homes are often filled with lead paint that impacts the development of kids in our community. Families need support to ensure lead exposure is reduced and this will be a budget priority for me.
Michael Seals
Water is are most valued resource and we need to protect it and have a lot in Kalamazoo. I plan to work with our partners and local governments protect our water sources. Brownfield cleanup sites that still need to be remediated, land reuse is important to our community.
Are you satisfied with the county’s progress in assuring affordable housing for residents? Why or why not? What more needs to be done?
Tami Rey
In 2020 voters in Kalamazoo County passed the historic “homes for all millage”, while serving on the commission, I have worked tirelessly to evaluate proposals to increase the affordable housing stock in Kalamazoo and to get the funding out into in the community. There are still many areas of need as it relates to safe, decent, and affordable housing in the county and we are working to find solutions daily. I strongly believe that the county could work harder to prioritize and find solutions for our houseless folks living in encampments and out on the streets.
Michael Seals
Not Very satisfied but not surprised we need to have the right people in place to help bring it together. Covid played a big role in slowing things down but now the ball needs get moving. bringing the right partners together can make it happen. I have done this many times and I am ready to do it again, As a Public Servant for the past 32 years i have bean working on such projects and plan on helping get housing moving too. We had dream of helping people get affordable Housing. Help me bring that dream back by electing Michael A. Seals.
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