Mark Neal:
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AGE: 56.
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RESIDENCE: 3045 Monticello Drive
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OCCUPATION: President of Credit Bureau Services of Michigan Inc. in Port
Huron.
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POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Served on Port Huron City Council from 1987-07;
served as mayor from 2001-05.
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EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in business administration from Central
Michigan University.
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FAMILY: Wife, Sheryl; two children
"How
do you like the work new city manager Bruce Brown is doing ? Please give
examples of what you liked or disliked so far."
"A few months ago the City Council removed funding for the EDA and hired their own Economic Development director. Do you support the direction this council has taken?" Submitted by John Edison Palmer 8-27-2009.
No Response
During the pre-primary debate. A few of the challengers commented that too much time has been spent on "trivial matters." Specifically, over the past two years, what items up for council consideration have you considered "trivial?" Submitted by Jim Fisher 8-26-2009.
No Response
The current city council drastically reduced the pay for the new city manager compared to the previous city manager, would you favor reducing the pay level for department heads and eliminating severance pay when they quit? Submitted by Chad Noetzel 8-12-2009.
No Response
1. What strategy should the city employ for economic development?
"In
these tough economic times, I think local and county government needs to work
together as a region to attract new job opportunities to our area. Selfishly,
you would like to have any new opportunities locate in the city of Port Huron.
However, realistically, will that happen every time? No. Our focus needs to be
to get potential employers to our area so our residents will have the ability to
live and work in their immediate area."
2. What should be done to pay the debt from the sewer separation project?
"I
do not know the balance in the water and sewer fund currently. However, I will
be fiscally responsible to the citizens of Port Huron in meeting the terms of
our debt obligations and will adhere to the director's order issued by the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality."
3. After economic development, what is the biggest issue facing the city?
"The
implementation of the Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion project is in the middle
of our primary north/south traffic corridor. The city must work with MDOT to
make sure our inconvenience is kept to a minimum. In addition, the city needs to
work with MDOT to make this project an asset to our community and not a
liability."
4. What would you do with McMorran Place if you had the final say?
"I would request proposals to have a private management company run the facility. Upon receiving those proposals, I would compare them with how the current management is performing. McMorran Place is a tremendous asset to our downtown and the Blue Water Area. We must look at all options and choose the best one that would maximize the use at the least cost to the city."