Mayor wants to return to top spot in Marine City

Challenger is former commissioner Michael Hilferink 

By Barb Pert Templeton

There will be two names on the Nov. 5 ballot running for a two-year term as Marine City mayor, incumbent Jennifer Vandenbossche and former city commissioner Michael Hilferink. 

Vandenbossche, who was first elected mayor in 2022, responded to questions sent from Blue Water Healthy Living about her role as mayor and plans for the future.

Her challenger, Hilferink, did not respond to an email request with the same questions but he did sit down with Blue Water Healthy Living’s own Eileen Tesh on Oct. 22 for a 20-minute video interview on his candidacy. The content can be viewed on our website.

Here are Vandenbossche’s responses 

A brief biography: I am 52 and have had the honor of being the mayor of Marine City since November of 2022. I am married and our son, Daniel, is a 2024 graduate of Marine City High School. I have a bachelor’s degree from EMU and currently work full-time for the court and part-time as the finance administrator for the Marine City Area Fire Authority. I served as a first responder (FF/EMT) for our community for 20 years. I am a member of the Marine City Lions Club and have also volunteered my time for many events and organizations throughout the years. 

Blue Water Healthy Living: Why do you want to be mayor of Marine City?

Marine City Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche: It would be an honor and privilege if the people of Marine City chose to re-elect me as mayor. I have spent the last 2 years dedicating myself in the position of mayor and I have a lot more that I would like to see accomplished and continue to work on with the commission.  

I have always believed in service for the community and have spent decades dedicating myself as a first responder, volunteer, organizer, supporter, and sponsor for many community events and organizations.  I also believe that local government should prioritize the needs of all citizens and I am committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.  

My vision for our city includes working alongside the commission in continuing to enhance public services, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable practices. I aim to foster a sense of community by encouraging civic engagement and ensuring that all our voices are heard. I also understand and believe in financial responsibility and accountability.

By focusing on transparency, accountability, and innovation, I will strive to continue to build trust in local government and encourage residents to take an active role in shaping our future. I will commit to continuing to lead with respect and a genuine passion to keep our city a place that we can continue to be proud of. 

Blue Water Healthy Living: What do you feel is the most important issue facing the city today?

Vandenbossche: I believe that addressing the aging infrastructure such as water, sewer, streets and city facilities are the most important issue for our residents. These critical items are a connecting point to quality of life, vibrant neighborhoods, support and expansion of local business and stable housing for our residents.  Myself and the city commission have made it a current top priority to address these issues in an expedient, cost-efficient and quality manner and are actively engaged in several current projects. Our safe drinking water project begins construction this spring and along with the replacement of the aging water lines, many streets will be getting repaired as well. Any streets that are not on the list in the project are being prioritized and scheduled too.  

In addition to the safe drinking water and street project, the city has just recently undertaken an update to our Comprehensive Master Plan and Park and Recreation Plan.  This process involved resident input through visioning sessions, public meetings, and gathering of comments from surveys, email and in-person meetings and events.  In the very near future, the city commission is expected to formally adopt these new plans as a guide to the future of Marine City.  Many great suggestions were gathered from residents including future land use and recreation facility updates and additions as well as suggestions for future recreational programs.  

Blue Water Healthy Living: What do you think the city should do with 300 Broadway – old city hall?

Vandenbossche: This structure has a unique historical connection to our community. At this time, the City Commission has directed local stakeholders to develop a specific action plan with cost estimates for our consideration. We have taken the steps necessary to allow for the application of this building becoming CLG certified with the State of Michigan. If the certification is granted, it will greatly increase the chances of receiving funding through outside sources such as grants. We have been actively seeking grants for possible future redevelopment and restoration to make this building a centerpiece for community use. This thorough process is necessary in order to make any future recommendations and decisions. Citizen input will be critical for any future decision making. 

Blue Water Healthy Living: If elected, what do you have on your to-do-list for the city heading into 2025? 

I have a very ambitious and positive to-do list for 2025 and beyond. I would first like to continue to take a proactive leadership role in the community for our residents. New ideas, new projects and innovative approaches to existing projects, voicing of concerns and the desire for future community direction are largely based on gathering and evaluating community input. 

As your Mayor, I am elected to represent everyone in the community to the best of my ability. In the spirit of transparency and moving Marine City forward, the city commissioners and I rely on hearing from our residents, discussing and weighing in on best practices to make decisions that will positively impact each of you. We strive to make our decisions based upon knowledge, feedback and input and financial implications.  

We have many highly impactful and positive projects already taking shape, some of which have recently broken ground or will in the very near future. These projects range from improving our aging infrastructure to provide safe and reliable drinking water, providing effective storm and sanitary sewer systems, improving our local streets for long-term positive results, assisting small and entrepreneurial businesses in locating in and remaining in Marine City, providing and environment for a variety of housing for all persons in all income levels, ages and backgrounds, creating and expanding services to our residents and working diligently to ensure that our City remains safe, welcoming and a place that we are all proud of calling Home!

Along with those efforts, we have already begun the process to address important updates to our city ordinances to ensure that they reflect our evolving needs and priorities. These updates will help streamline processes for both our businesses and enhance safety and quality for our residents. 

As mayor, I look forward to the city being able to implement many of the suggestions that we have received to embrace the desires of our residents and strengthen the fabric of our great community.