Candidate Karl T. Rutledge is aiming to win the open, two-year seat on New Baltimore City Council with hopes of helping the city continue to grow and move forward, he said.
Rutledge, who has lived in the city for 13 years, said he has run for council a few times in the past, both on the ballot and as a write-in candidate, but has yet to secure a win.
“I am interested in New Baltimore, interested in city government and interested in the people,” he said. “I think I could do a good job.”
Rutledge served on the city’s Downtown Development Authority for five years. He has been involved with the planning commission for 10 years and currently serves as chairman of the commission.
“I would just like to be a part of the city moving forward and growing, and whatever I can do for the citizens of New Baltimore as an elected official I look forward to doing that,” he said.
Before moving to New Baltimore in 1998, Rutledge lived in Grosse Pointe. He grew up in Plymouth and Garden City, where he attended Garden City High School. He also attended Schoolcraft College in Livonia.
Rutledge served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. He acted as a military police dog handler while serving in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968. After returning home, he served as a military police officer in Augusta, Ga. until his honorable discharge in 1969, he said.
Rutledge belonged to the Sheet Metal Workers union and participated in testing, adjusting and balancing mechanical systems, such as heating, air conditioning, ventilation and piping, in commercial buildings and hospitals. He was employed by Enviro-Aire in St. Clair Shores for more than 19 years before retiring.
“New Baltimore is a great town,” he added. “I’m a small town guy and I think New Baltimore is a small town with a lot of growth and it can still grow.”
Check back with Patch Sunday for a profile on Jim Morisette Sr., who is also seeking the open, two-year seat on council.
