Transparency. Responsible Spending. Accountability.

Transparency

"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." - Patrick Henry 

This principle is one I strongly believe in—and my past actions reflect that commitment. From working to slow the use of the Suspension of the Three Reading Rule, to ensuring residents have the opportunity to observe what takes place in individual committee meetings, I have consistently fought to keep government actions visible and accessible. I have worked hard to make sure the public knows exactly what their local public servants are doing and the decisions being made on their behalf.

Responsible Spending

"If we don't get a grip on government spending, there will be no growth."

George Osborne

It’s true—taxes are necessary to meet the needs of our citizens, and government can’t operate without spending. But spending must be done responsibly.

In the past, I’ve championed legislation that gave local government the tools to be smarter with your money—like allowing officials to pursue grant funding without needless red tape. I’ve fought unnecessary tax increases, insisting that the administration use existing General Fund dollars to support the Fire Department instead of raising taxes.

In Davenport, I’ll keep pushing for this same common-sense approach: using every dollar we already have to its fullest before ever asking taxpayers for more.

Accountability

  • "Accountability is the essence of democracy. If people do not know what their government is doing, they cannot be truly self-governing." – Garry Wills

I believe public service means answering to the people—not hiding from them. That’s why I’ve pushed to make every decision-making meeting recorded and accessible to the public. And when it comes to funding, I’ve fought to use every available resource before asking taxpayers to pay more. In Davenport, I’ll keep demanding transparency, responsible spending, and leadership that works for YOU—not against you.

"You have to give them the proper funding and tools"

Michael believes protecting public safety should never come at the cost of placing additional strain on families. Smart budgeting. Responsible leadership. A safer Davenport—without higher taxes.

Responsible Spending-Funding London Fire/EMS

Due to decisions made by both current and previous city leadership, London’s Fire and EMS Department was placed under financial strain—leading to multiple attempts to raise taxes on citizens to cover the shortfall.

One of my first actions on City Council was to address this issue head-on. I introduced Resolution 123-24, which appropriated funds from the General Fund—a fund that had consistently shown a surplus year after year—to fully support the Fire/EMS Department. This ensured the department was properly funded without burdening taxpayers with an increase.

"Pride of the Eastside"

Responsible Budgeting- LONDON SAFETY FACILITY

I encourage us all to look at this as a long-term investment in our community’s safety and well-being. Let’s work together to find solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the need for effective public services.

Investing Wisely in Our Community’s Safety

Responsible spending is important to all of us, and I understand the concerns many have about how our tax dollars are used.

In London, the reality was that our “temporary” police facility, established in the late 1980s, had long outlived its intended purpose. Officers have been working in cramped, outdated conditions, which has made it increasingly difficult to serve the public efficiently and safely. This has led to slower response times, reduced effectiveness, and higher long-term costs due to constant maintenance and inefficiency.

I want to be clear: investing in a new police facility was never about spending for the sake of spending. It was about addressing real, ongoing problems that were costing us more in the long run. When the initial proposal involved a tax increase, voters made their voices heard and rejected it. That decision was respected.

Instead of giving up or pushing for higher taxes, the Chief of Police, with some support of the administration worked to secure a $5 million federal appropriation for the new public safety facility. With the total project cost at $9 million, we still faced a $4 million gap. Through collaboration, creative problem-solving, and careful legislation, we were able to bridge that gap—without raising taxes.

This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we listen to the community, respect your concerns, and work together for practical solutions. The new $9 million public safety facility, set for completion in Summer/Fall 2026, is being built without any new taxes. We reached out to other government agencies and thought outside the box to make this happen.

I am proud to have played a part, albeit a small one, in this process, always putting the needs of my ward and our city first. I will  continue to be a wise steward of our community’s resources and make investments that truly benefit Davenport for years to come.

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