MEET LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

ALLEN WEAKS

Running for the 4 year term - ending 11/10/2027

 
 

PERSONAL

  • BS degree Wayne State University

  • MBA degree University of Michigan Ann Arbor

  • Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Mercy College and University of Detroit Mercy

  • Retired marketing communications executive.

  • 38-year resident. Married to wife Susan Arneson for 42 years.  

COMMUNITY LEADER

  • Served 14 years on Lathrup Village City Council with six as Mayor Pro Tem (2001-2015).

  • Between 2007 and 2011, Lathrup Village tax revenues declined by 40% as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis. Our team of City Council members, City staff, and residents navigated through this financial crisis without cutting staff or services or incurring outside debt. 

  • Served seven years on the Planning Commission.

  • Relaunched Neighborhood Watch program with a team of 80 residents (2006).

  • Led an eight-person resident team that did a major refresh of www.LathrupVillage.org (2005).

  • As President of Supper Club, helped double club membership (1997).

  • As Homeowners Association President, membership topped 800 dues-paying members (2000).

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

  • Member of four Southfield Public Schools Strategic Planning sessions over a 16-year period.

  • Served 1,000 hours as a Small Business Administration (SCORE Detroit) certified business mentor of minority entrepreneurs.

  • Served as a certified literacy tutor for three years with the Oakland Literacy Council.

PRIORITIES

  • Hire a new City Administrator. If at all possible, promote from within.

  • Keep spending under control. Eliminate budget deficits. Rebuild our Rainy-Day fund. Reduce debt.

  • Proactively attract new businesses to the Southfield Road corridor.

  • Maintain the beauty of our neighborhoods through strict, but fair, code enforcement.

  • Relaunch our Parks and Recreation Department.

  • Strengthen community organizations. Support community-building events.

  • Invite our residents to participate in the development of a new Master Plan in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Reinstitute resident satisfaction surveys and take action on findings.