Mark Messmer said he is running for Southgate mayor with a focus on fiscal responsibility, public safety and increasing the city council’s involvement in major financial decisions.
Messmer has lived in Southgate for more than 25 years and currently serves on city council. He has also served as a Southgate volunteer firefighter, engineer and EMT since 1987 and has a professional background in human resources.
Messmer faces incumbent mayor Jim Hamberg in the Nov. 3 general election.
“My primary reason for running for mayor is fiscal responsibility,” Messmer said.
Messmer pointed to his votes against two Industrial Revenue Bond arrangements involving the Memorial Pointe and Sunrock Farm developments. He said he believes the agreements reduce potential city tax revenue for too long and that council members should have been involved earlier in negotiations.
If elected, Messmer said he would involve council members earlier in major projects and give them time to review proposals before voting.
Messmer’s other priorities include reducing city debt and pursuing opportunities to lower taxes, establishing a neighborhood watch program and pursuing additional grant funding.
He also wants to relocate the police department to the current city hall and move administrative services and council meetings to the Southgate Community Center. Messmer said the changes would provide the police department with additional space while improving public access to city government.
Messmer also wants monthly activity reports from the police and fire departments and expanded recreational and community programming at the community center.