As has been the political pattern lately, the non-partisan electoral contest for Wayland City Council is lively.
No fewer than five candidates have filed for three open seats. Three of the candidates are incumbents, one is a former council member, the other is a newcomer.
The following is a sketch of each of the candidates:
- Tracy Bivins was a councilwoman first elected elected in 2012 who had to step down temporarily because of health issues. Since her Erecovery, she has returned to the council by appointment, but lost her seat two years ago by one vote.
She said, “I am running for City Council to focus on the city’s infrastructure, parking issues and snow removal. We have grown exponentially and all these areas need to be addressed.”
- Abe Garcia first was appointed to the Planning Commission and then was elected to the council in 2018, now seeking his fourth two-year term. An employee at DTE, he has been active with the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority.
- Joe Kramer currently is mayor pro team and has served on the council since 2018. He is seeking his third elected two-year term, having been appointed first. He has been active with Wayland Area Emergency Services and has lived in Wayland for 40 years. He is perhaps best known for his longtime involvement in Wayland athletics.
- Norman Taylor is retired superintendent of Wayland Union Schools. Seeking his third two-year term, Taylor is a board member of them Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Promotions Committee and is a part-time MHSAA register official. He also is a member of the Wayland Board of Education.
- Eric Whittredge is a longtime resident of Wayland who works as a CNC machinist. He has served as a teacher’s aide in the Wayland Union Schools and has been active in participating in local events such as the Farmers Market, festivals and concerts.
