Dear Neighbor,

I’m proud to be a lifelong resident of Grand Haven. This city is not just where I live. It is where I’ve worked, raised a family, and dedicated my life to public service. I worked for the City for 36 years and proudly served 12 years on City Council. My roots in this community run deep. Several members of my family have served Grand Haven over the years in roles such as fire chief, city engineer, public safety, marina operations, and IT. Public service continues to be a lasting tradition in my family.

After retiring from the city, I continued to serve on the Environmental Committee and currently serve on the Cemetery Board. My wife and I have been married for 57 years, raised our four children here, and now have grandchildren raising their own families in Grand Haven. This community is part of who I am.

When I first ran for City Council in 2009, it was out of concern for how infrastructure priorities were being set. As someone who had served on the original three-member committee responsible for ranking critical infrastructure projects, I understood both the technical and practical needs of our city, from water and sewer lines to street resurfacing. One of the top priorities we identified at the time was the Sheldon project from Howard to Taylor, which was successfully completed as planned. Back then, we followed a clear and informed plan. But over time, political interests began to interfere with good decision-making.

Too often, infrastructure projects were chosen not based on need but on perceived fairness, a kind of tug of war between parts of town, without any real understanding of how our systems work. Pipes, roads, and water mains are not political. They are essential. When I returned to Council, we got back on track. Together, we completed key projects like Beacon Boulevard, Grand Avenue, Lake Avenue including the wall, and critical sewer work under US 31 and throughout the city. It was never about taking credit. It was about getting things done as a city council for the benefit of all Grand Haven residents.

Today, I am running again to help preserve what makes Grand Haven special while making thoughtful, forward-looking decisions that reflect the values and priorities of our community. I believe City Council should stay focused on practical solutions that serve residents, strengthen services, and keep our city moving in the right direction.

I’m proud of what we accomplished during my time on council, and I believe that same spirit of teamwork and purpose is needed now more than ever. That is what I want to be part of again, a city council that works together, focuses on what matters, and delivers results for everyone in Grand Haven.

I humbly ask for your vote,

-Dennis