ALPENA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Cindy Johnson running for reelection to Alpena council
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ALPENA -- Alpena Municipal Councilwoman Cindy Johnson loves serving the people of Alpena, working toward moving the city forward, and making lives for those who live and visit the city better.
Those are only a few of the reasons Johnson decided to run for reelection next week.
Johnson will face-off against four other candidates for a pair of seats that are up for grabs. Council seats are non-partisan and the top two vote getters will win the seats and start their term after Jan. 1.
Johnson, who won a place on council as a write-in candidate in 2014, said she has taken the responsibility of making decisions on behalf of residents seriously and loves Alpena and will always fight for it and its residents.
"I love what I do for the city and the projects I get involved in, and there are lots of them," Johnson said. "I love seeing the projects from the beginning to fruition and it's rewarding, whether they are big or small."
She named the construction of the dog park downtown and improvements to local parks as a couple of the projects council had a hand in.
"It is rewarding to see people use those assets," she said.
Now, Johnson has her sights set on improving the recycling program.
She is working with representatives from other municipalities to have a new recycling center built, and to find a way to provide curbside pick up for recyclables.
Johnson sat on the Alpena Planning Commission and was involved with the Alpena Downtown Development Authority for many years before running for council. That experience helped prepare her for decisions she needs to make in terms of economic development.
Since Johnson was elected, downtown has become a popular place for businesses to open, and people to enjoy events, entertainment, dining, and shopping. Businesses fill most buildings, and more businesses are on the way, including a Marriott Fairfield Inn downtown, which has been proposed and in the works.
She said the progress is great to see and an important part of Alpena's current and future success.
"It has come a long way, there has been a lot of work done and it has taken years to see the rewards of that hard work, but they are here now and it is just absolutely fantastic," Johnson said.
If elected to another four-year term, Johnson said one of her goals is to get residents more engaged in their community and the decision making process.
"I think we can do a better job of involving the community, I know that everyone is busy, but I'm sure there are people with really good ideas that can make progress happen," she said. "Things happen faster when you get community involvement."
Johnson said she is in favor of allowing recreational marijuana businesses to operate in Alpena.
"It is legal for people to do this and I support it," she said. "It is a business and we don't regulate any other legal business. I support any business that brings value to the city."
Johnson also pledged to continue to work hard to put an end to the litigation over water rates between the city and Alpena Township that began in 2014. Both sides have been working toward a solution, which may be a water authority, but no deal is imminent, Johnson said.
"We have been working on this for a year and a half, and I can't say a whole lot, but because it is ongoing litigation, but I can tell you come to the table two, three and sometimes four times a month for hours at a time," Johnson said. "It is a complicated issue. We have conversations that move us forward. We leave with homework. We meet with other communities who have formed an authority. We are gathering all the information we can, so when we get there, we get this right. Still, I think it will take us months to get there."
Johnson said she knows she works for the citizens of Alpena and never takes that for granted. She said she will continue to work hard for them and continue to be involved in groups and organizations outside of her city position.
"If you give me a project, it is going to get done," she said. "I believe in the city and the potential we have and I just want to work hard."
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.
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The Johnson file
∫ NAME: Cindy Johnson
∫ AGE: 62
∫ FAMILY: Married and 5 children
∫ EDUCATION: Graduate of Alpena High School
∫ ELECTED EXPERIENCE: 8 years on Alpena Municipal Council
∫ OCCUPATION: Retired
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COMING THIS WEEK
Before next week's election, the News will profile a candidate for Alpena Municipal Council each day this week:
∫ Monday: Ashley Wilmot
∫ Tuesday: Kevin Ginter
∫ Today: Cindy Johnson
∫ Thursday: Karol Walchak
∫ Friday: Tracie Schaedig