Serving City of Mason Residents

Mason is more than just my home; it is the community where I was raised, the land of my ancestors, and the place where my wife and I have chosen to raise our family. It has been the honor of my life to serve this city and to ensure that every resident can enjoy the same opportunities and community spirit that have enriched my own life.

My life of service began over 36 years ago when I joined the Mason Fire Department. Public safety is in my blood—my father joined the MFD when I was only three months old and served for 47 years, the longest tenure in our department’s history. My family’s legacy of service extends through my grandfather, great-uncle, and numerous cousins who served as firefighters in Mason and Dansville.

Beyond public safety, I have sought to serve Mason through diverse leadership roles—as a Junior Achievement consultant, Boy Scout leader, youth athletic coach, and Mason High School bowling coach. My involvement with the Mason First United Methodist Church and the Mason Optimist Club has further deepened my connection to our neighbors. This lifelong commitment culminated in over 26 years of service on the Mason City Council, including 20 years leading our community as Mayor.

First elected Mayor by my colleagues during my third year on Council, I have remained committed in my mission to enhance city services, transparency, and accountability. Whether drafting ordinances, charter amendments, or the City Rules of Order, my priority has always been to safeguard the interests of our residents and ensure that the Council operates with the efficiency and responsibility you deserve.

Recently, the proposed development of a regional data center has brought our community to a crossroads. Unfortunately, a group of non-residents has attempted to seize control of our local discourse through misinformation and intimidation—tactics that are entirely inconsistent with Mason’s values. When I acted to protect our city, this outside group initiated a recall effort against me and another Council member. Their stated reason is my vote against an amendment to the “M3 ordinance.”

I voted against that amendment because it was fundamentally unenforceable. To have passed it would have invited immediate and costly legal challenges—expenses that would be paid for solely by Mason residents, not by the outside groups pushing for it. My responsibility is to protect your tax dollars and the legal integrity of our city.

The interests of Mason residents will not always align with those of outside activists. I have dedicated decades to this city, with a proven record of prioritizing public safety, responsible development, and high-quality public services. Moving forward, my decisions will be guided exclusively by the general welfare of those who actually live here. As your Council Member and Mayor, my unwavering commitment remains to you: I will continue to work every day to ensure the City of Mason remains a thriving, secure, and well-managed home for all of us.

Mason currently relies on residential properties for 67% of its tax revenue. However, the cost of providing essential services to these homes—including road maintenance, public safety, and infrastructure—often equals or exceeds the taxes they generate. In contrast, commercial and industrial properties require fewer public services while contributing significantly more to the City’s budget.

Revenue from business development is essential because it funds our general services that benefit the entire community, such as parks, the library, and major infrastructure projects. Without a healthy balance of commercial and industrial growth, the burden of funding these city-wide assets falls increasingly on residents.

For over two decades, Mason has seen steady residential growth but very little large-scale industrial or commercial development. This imbalance, paired with rising operational costs, is the primary driver behind recent millage increases. To protect residents from further tax hikes, we must change our approach to economic development.

My goal is to make Mason a premier destination for high-value commercial and industrial investment. By diversifying our tax base, we can stabilize millage rates, reduce the financial burden on homeowners, and ensure the high level of service our residents expect. I am committed to a prosperous Mason where smart growth supports a stronger community.

On February 2, 2026, the Mason City Council adopted Ordinance 266, amending the city zoning code to create a new "M3: Technology Innovation District." This ordinance established more rigorous development standards specifically designed for large-scale technology projects, surpassing the existing M2 district requirements that would have otherwise applied.

The M3 district introduced stricter mandates for setbacks, screening, and environmental impact data, alongside utility and development agreements to ensure long-term oversight of water usage and property maintenance. These standards resulted from months of collaboration with legal and technical experts, as well as research into how other communities manage similar large-scale developments.

As interest in local technology development grew, it became clear that state law prevents the city from denying property owners the right to develop. Therefore, implementing strong, reasonable standards was the City's only effective tool to protect residents and local interests.

These standards had to be balanced to avoid "exclusionary zoning," which could trigger costly lawsuits. This risk was highlighted when a developer sued Saline Township over similar issues, leading to a quick settlement and the project proceeding anyway.

I supported the M3 ordinance because the city needs a diversified tax base to fund essential services, but we must have safeguards in place first. Although the ordinance was recently repealed in response to a referendum petition submitted by a group of non-residents of the City, I remain committed to ensuring that any future development is held to standards that prioritize the safety and well-being of Mason residents.