Candidates running for the Montague City Council are clockwise from upper left, Darric Roesler, Henry Roesler (mayor), Kevin Erb (mayor), Mark Freeland, Dennis Randy Lydens, Calvin "Hap" Cederquist.
Four candidates are running for three available seats on Montague’s City Council. And two candidates are running for the position of Mayor.
All candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot in the City of Montague.
Mayoral candidates
Kevin Erb
Erb is 30 years old and works as an independent insurance salesman. Erb has earned an Associate’s Degree and says he is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He has not previously held public office.
Erb says his main priorities are:
• To bring fresh ideas to the table.
• To keep the city moving in the same direction, maintaining controlled growth in the city, and
• To work with the City Manager to keep the city safe.
Henry Roesler
Roesler currently serves as Mayor in the City of Montague. He is 82 years old, has 3 years of college education and is a licensed mortician.
He has 55 years of public service experience, including Police Officer, Police Chief, Constable, City Superintendent, Chairman of Montague Building Authority, and President of the school board.
“I will continue to be available to residents and welcome all suggestions and comments on the operations of our City,” he said.
In addition to his extensive public service, Roesler has also served as Scout Master and is a member of VFW, American Legion, Masons, Mortician Fraternity and the Michigan Police Chiefs Association.
Roesler hopes to:
• Continue with the progressive planning, openly and with input from our residents, Young and Adults, for improvements to the City’s appeal as a place to live and enjoy life.
• Continue to focus on delivery of the critical services to our residents without tax increases, recognizing the reduction of resources from the State and Federal Governments, and
• Maintain and follow secure investment policies to maximize income from all fiscal accounts.”
Candidates for
City Council
Calvin “Hap” Cederquist
Cederquist has served on the City Council for 16 years. He is 64 years old and is retired. He also served on the City Planning Commission for 5 years.
Cederquist’s top priorities for the city are:
• Maintain service levels with diminishing revenues.
• Expand infrastructure; water, sewer, etc. All city residents should have access to city water and sewer services.
Mark Freeland
Freeland, age 51, is currently seeking his first term on the City Council. Freeland has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation from Indiana State University. He served 21 years as a Military Instructor and Fighter Pilot, flying both the F-4 and F-16. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Freeland also worked as an Airline Pilot and Assistant Chief Pilot for Airborne Express.
Freeland is married to Rebecca Freeland. He has three children: His son William is a senior at Northwood University, his daughter Annie is a sophomore at Michigan State University, and his son Jacob is a junior at Montague High School.
Freeland has worked as treasurer for Ellenwood Landing Yacht Club, is a member of both the White Lake Yacht Club and the American Legion, and has served as a volunteer statistician for the Montague football program.
His top priorities for the city are:
• The City of Montague needs to live within its means. I want to ensure that the property taxes we pay are fairly leveled and are necessary to sustain the ongoing operation of the city, without creating hardship for property owners.
• The city needs to continue to enhance the development of the downtown area by encouraging investors with financial incentives and work as a partner to facilitate growth.
• As an avid boater, I would like the city to more fully embrace the boating community and tourism as a whole. We have a beautiful community and this is a great destination, but we have to make the seven-mile trip down White Lake worthwhile.
Dennis Randy Lydens
Lydens was originally appointed to the Montague City Council to fill the remaining 2 years of Charles Townsend's term.
He has also been appointed to the Montague Fire District board and is on the White Lake Senior Center board as well.
“It has been a wonderful two years of community service with the City as I have had the pleasure to meet and work with some of the area's nicest people,” says Lydens.
His top priorities for the city are:
• Be supportive of the needs and rights of the residents.
• Continue to support infrastructure expansion & improvements.
• Encourage new and existing businesses in the city.
Darric Roesler
Roesler, age 37, has served on the City Council since 2001. He works as a firefighter and paramedic for the Muskegon Fire Department. He also works part-time as a Police Officer in the City of Whitehall and a part-time paramedic for Professional Med Team EMS.
Roesler is married and has two daughters. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety from Siena Heights University.
“I am running for re-election so I can continue to serve our community and help the city move in a positive direction,” said Roesler.
Roesler lists his priorities for the city as:
• Budget
• City Services, and
• Marketing Montague to potential new businesses and residents.
