Politics & Government

Meet Chesterfield Township Trustee Candidate Jerry Alexie

Learn about the people vying for public office in Chesterfield Township in this series of candidate profiles before the Aug. 7 primary election.

New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch is profiling candidates for Chesterfield Township's elected positions. Learn about them here in a series of profiles.

Name: Jerry Alexie

Age: 60

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Political party: Democrat

Years lived in Chesterfield: 36 years. My wife Stephanie and I have raised three daughters (Michele, Lisa, Kristin) that graduated from the Anchor Bay school system.

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Occupation: Health and Safety Manager for Detroit Renewable Power in Detroit

What position are you running for: I am running for the position of Trustee

How many terms have you served? I have been a trustee since August 1 of 2011. I was selected by the Board to fill a vacancy.

What are your biggest accomplishments while serving on the board?

I have only been a trustee for a year but have served on the Fire Millage Board and served as liaison for the Library and Park and Recreation boards. I vote what I think is best for the community.

If elected, what specifically would you like to see done during your term? Operate the township with a balanced budget.

What do you think the community's biggest challenges are and how can the community overcome them? Our biggest challenge is operating the township with shrinking finances while giving residents the services they are used to. We want to be the best. We don't want to cut any services. The current township staff has taken a pay freeze for the last three years and many employees have retired and were not replaced. We do have a number of new businesses coming into the township and building has been steady this year, with a number of new homes started. All of this will help.

How would you propose making the police and fire funds financially stable?

During our police budget meeting, under public comments, I heard many residents talk about our Police and Fire Departments. Many ideas were brought up as alternate ways to fund the departments. Some ideas were to out-source to the (Macomb County) Sheriff’s Department, combine our departments with New Baltimore, lay off officers and cut services. Then there were residents that stood up for the and Departments and said we have the best and they are willing to pay for the services. I believe we do have the best departments and have to support them. They are already down to the minimum, their spending has been only bare necessities; they have been downsized for the last three years. I would be in favor of a millage increase.

How would you make changes, if any, to community services?

If you stop and look at all the services we offer in Chesterfield you would be amazed, from our Police, Fire, Library, Senior Center, DPW, Building, Parks and Rec. We even negotiated a fair price for rubbish removal. I don’t think there are any changes that stand out that should be changed.

Describe yourself:

I moved to Chesterfield in 1976 with my wife Stephanie from Roseville. I am a skilled trades Machine Repairman that went back to school at age 40 to finish my Associates, Bachelor and Master's degrees. I work in Detroit as a Safety Professional, keeping 200 people safe.

I am an honest, determined person that will tell you what I think. I speak and vote according to my beliefs and experience. I am a very hard working and excel at problem solving.

What are your hobbies/causes you're passionate about?

I like to play golf and have fun with our six grandkids. I am very family oriented. I am also a past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and currently hold the position of Metro District Vice Chairman.

What’s one fact about you that would surprise people?

For the past 25 years I have owned a red 1979 Corvette.


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