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Baker to seek reelection as city mayor

Mayor Jack Baker announced that he will seek reelection in the November 2020 election at Monday’s city council meeting.

“I have filed my petition to once again run for the office of mayor,” Baker said. “I am eager to lead this city for another two-year term.”

Baker has served as the mayor of Tecumseh for six years prior to this term. He stated that his priorities are and continue to be economic development, improving infrastructure, and providing resources for the fire and police departments.

“As I have often said, the decisions made by local elected officials have a far greater impact on our residents than any decisions made at any other level of government,” Baker concluded.
Prior to this announcement, the council approved a capital improvement plan over the next six years for the city. This will affect the 2020-2021 through 2025-2026 fiscal years.

“We are deep into the budget process now,” City Manager Dan Swallow said. “These are larger ticket items that may take more effort to find funding. It also looks forward for the next five years so we can save.”

Each department submitted the projects that they think would need the biggest capital improvements. Swallow outlined the projects they are hoping to complete during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Some of these projects include the re-roofing of City Hall, rehabilitation of the ladder truck for emergency services, and street repairs through the Department of Public Works. Other projects in future fiscal years are more tentative as funding becomes available. These improvements are subject to budget allocation over the next six years.

The council also approved a plan for a regional grant for the Tecumseh Fire Department in conjunction with neighboring fire departments. The 2019 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program is conducted through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which encourages regions to apply rather than single departments. Chief Joe Tuckey explained that six other departments in the area, including Adrian, Hudson, and Morenci, will work together to write this grant.

This grant will be used to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus, including air packs, spare bottles, and face pieces, for the departments and will cover 90% of the cost.
“This is the only grant program available to fire services on a large scale,” said Tuckey. “It’s all ready to go. We just have to get our paperwork in order between the seven entities.”

Baker commended the fire department on its work to receive this grant in partnering with other departments. He explained that he thinks it is important for regions to work together for grants.

“As long as I sit on this council, I will continue to push for regional cooperation between our fire departments,” said Baker. “I think it’s the wave of the future.”

Link to original article: https://www.tecumsehherald.com...