Tim Greimel

Tim Greimel is an American politician who serves as Mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, and previously as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, to which he was elected in a special election in 2012 following the resignation of Tim Melton. After Greimel's election to a full term in 2012, his colleagues elected him to serve as the House's minority leader.^[1][2]

In October 2017, Greimel announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives to represent Michigan's 11th congressional district but in the Democratic primary on August 7, 2018, he lost to Haley Stevens.^[3]

In November 2021, Greimel was elected Mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, with 61.66% of the vote.^[4][5][6]

Education and background

Tim Greimel attended the University of Michigan, from which he received his bachelor's degree in economics and political science, a master's degree in public policy, and juris doctor degree.^[7][8] Greimel was admitted into the State Bar Association of Michigan on November 15, 2000.^[9] He has a focus in labor and employment law, and civil rights law.^[8]

Career

In May 2005, Greimel was elected to serve on the Rochester Community School District Board of Education. He received 7,817 votes, the second-largest number of votes behind Michelle J. Shepherd, who received 7,989 votes.^[10] During his time on the school board, Greimel briefly served as president of the board.^[11] In August 2008, and again in 2010, Greimel was elected as County Commissioner of the 11th district.^{[12][13][clarification needed]} At the end of 2011, Greimel won a special election for District 29 in the Michigan House of Representatives.^[14] Following the special election, Greimel won the election for a full term in 2012. Greimel served as the Democratic Leader for the House until 2018, when he lost the Democratic primary to Haley Stevens by 4,636 votes.^[11]

In 2021, Greimel ran for mayor of Pontiac. Greimel delivered his first state of the city address for Pontiac on September 29, 2022.^[15]

Views

Education

According to Ballotpedia, during his time in the legislature, Greimel supported legislation to expand and support technical careers education.^[16] One of Greimel's main campaign promises was to improve Pontiac Public Schools by hiring liaisons-and-recreation coordinators, and working with Pontiac School District, Oakland Intermediate School District, local charter schools, and non-profits to improve recreation, after school activities, and early education, and increase technical education.^[17]

Infrastructure

Most of Greimel's views and work about infrastructure has been in roads. Greimel introduced legislation to refund Michigan drivers with a tax credit for car damage caused by damaged roads.^[16] According to his campaign website, Greimel planned to spend more money on Pontiac's roads, specifically the Woodward Avenue loop, to improve access to downtown.^[18] His campaign also promised to increase access to Wi-Fi and spend money on water-and-sewer repairs. During his time in the state legislature, Greimel called on former Governor Rick Snyder to resign after the Flint water crisis.^[16]

Strengthening neighborhoods

Greimel believed enforcing anti-blight policies and code enforcement for the appearance of buildings would help strengthen Pontiac's neighborhoods. He also planned on implementing adopt-a-highway and adopt-a-block programs, and to re-establish Community Development Block Grants.^[19]

Job expansion and economic opportunity

Greimel believed in making downtown a one-stop shop, and make Pontiac an easier-and-friendlier place to do business. This included consistent and accessible permits, moving the Farmer's Market downtown, facilitating free entrepreneurship classes, implementing more Pontiac-specific policies, and promoting women-and-minority-owned businesses.^[16] Greimel acted on this and developed a Downtown Redevelopment Plan.^[20]

Downtown redevelopment plan

During his mayoralty, Greimel worked with Oakland County officials to redevelop Pontiac's downtown area and increase foot traffic.^[20] Greimel planned to demolish the Phoenix Center and replace it with a recreational space that would serve as a city center.^[21] Greimel described the Phoenix Center as a "dilapidated eyesore of a derelict parking structure".^[22]

Oakland County purchased two buildings to be used as office space in downtown Pontiac. Greimel expected the increased foot traffic from county employees and the new city center would boost economic activity in Pontiac's downtown area. The redevelopment project is expected to cost around $120–130 million, most of which would come from the state, Oakland County, and the American Rescue Plan Act.^[20] Greimel said the downtown redevelopment plan "will ensure the city owns a large space that can facilitate outdoor concerts and serve as a town square and public place for the community".^[22]

References