Manchester Area 2020 November Election Voters Guide, part 1: School Board and County
Candidates for Manchester Community Schools Board of Education
(vote for no more than 4)
Corey Horky
Corey Horky (Non-Partisan)
My name is Corey Horky. I have been a Manchester resident since 2003, with my wife (Abbie) and three boys. Our oldest son, Tyler, is a recent 2020 graduate of Manchester High School, with Carson and Gavin slated for 2024 and 2028 graduation dates, respectively.
I grew up in a similar sized town of Blissfield, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the College of Engineering with a BSME in 1999. I have been working in the automotive industry as both a Design Engineer, Engineering Manager and have transitioned into sales over the years. I’ve been involved in setting department budgets, negotiating project timelines/budgets and reducing cost while improving the overall quality of products. I’ve worked with and for suppliers and understand the importance of maintaining good relationships to properly and efficiently get things accomplished.
One of the things that drew us to Manchester was the strong sense of community, support and pride that was shared with the Schools. Events such as the Chicken Broil, Fair and the Canoe race would really get people excited. I feel this has changed over the years and I’m not sure why. There is a disconnect between the community and the school; you can see and feel it on Friday nights at a football game, or during the weekend when the school Play is in session. We need to find ways to bridge these gaps and identify the issues. Putting an emphasis on this to help regain the trust and support of the community and encourage more participation from our students at school and in the community.
As a Community School, we should all feel proud of what is happening in our schools. With the School of Choice option available for all, we need to focus Manchester Community Schools as a sought-after destination, for school of choice. We have the best facilities for our size school in a 30+ mile radius. From our new age classrooms and technology to athletic fields and auditoriums, we have a lot to offer.
My hope would be to use those to our advantage and market our school to the surrounding communities. I feel Manchester as a community, takes much pride in our kids and local education. But with School of Choice threatening our school’s enrollment, we need to be open to pulling in students from the outside, get our schools, businesses and community thriving again.
We are facing unprecedented times, with COVID-19 and the social unrest in this nation. Now more than ever is when people need to come together to help solve issues, become part of a solution and not the problem. I’ve been a problem solver my entire career. Having an open mind, “out of the box” thinking, and systematic approaches to problem solving are the basis of many engineering principles. I do not know all the issues that face our school today and I’m not running for School Board because I have all the answers, I don’t. But I think collectively, great things can be accomplished. I look forward to helping shape Manchester Community Schools for the future and ensuring that we can remain OUR Community School.
Kody Naylor
Kody Naylor (Non-Partisan)
My wife (Tracey) grew up here in Manchester, and while I am a lifelong resident of the area I officially became a resident of Manchester in 2011. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University and work full-time for Midwest Energy and Communications, but I also have a small farm at our home that I operate.
I believe that you have to give back to and support the community that you live in, which is why I was nominated for and received the Civilian of the Year Award in 2015 for exemplary service by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. I also volunteer in the press box during home football games and teach local children in our community pitching (baseball) skills.
Why do I want to get involved, and what’s important to me? Quality education is very important to me. I have three school-aged children; two currently at Riverside and one at Klager Elementary. I want to make sure they, and all students in our community, are afforded the best educational opportunities possible through our school district. Some of their overall class sizes are very small, yet the number of students in each classroom can be fairly high. While understandable, as financially we have to live within our means so-to-speak, it’s not necessarily what’s best for the kids. We’ve lost many students to other neighboring districts through school of choice; a handful of those students were in one of my daughter’s classes. As such a focus of mine would be to try and determine what led to those students leaving our district, work to improve in those areas, then focus on bringing kids back, and further attracting other parents to choose MCS as their school of choice. Bringing more children to our district will bring some of the funds back, allowing us to offer more opportunities to our students, while maintaining a balanced budget.
Manchester is a great community, I am proud to live here, and I would love to have the opportunity to help our schools be the best they can be.
Ryan Novess
Ryan Novess (Non-Partisan)
Hello, Manchester. My name is Ryan Novess and I humbly seek your support to represent the community on our school board. I have resided in Manchester with my wife Lisa and our two sons Barrett (7) and Reid (5) since 2014. Lisa and I both graduated from Manchester High School. Since returning to our hometown to raise our family, I have taken a great interest in volunteering my time to support my sons and the children of Manchester. I’ve coached youth soccer and t-ball for the past three years covering spring and fall leagues. Currently I am coaching our K-2 flag football team. In addition I, along with a crew, help clear the river each spring in advance of the canoe race. My wife Lisa volunteers at Bethel Church teaching Sunday school, sits on their Board of Christian Education, and is the recording secretary for their Memorial Committee. Professionally, I am an account manager for a surgical medical device company, and I’m a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. I plan to apply my skillsets learned during my years of service and my current business acumen to help guide our school district through successful years ahead.
First and foremost I am committed to establishing and maintaining board/administrator/teacher/community relationship that ensures every student gets put in a position to succeed, and that all will be equipped to lead a fruitful life upon graduation in whatever path they choose. This will always be at the forefront of my decision making.
Some immediate challenges I foresee would be how to generate revenue for the district outside of what is traditionally funding the budget right now. I want to pursue financial policy and strategy that gives the community a great rate of return to the district and families. If there is not someone within the district seeking out grant money and writing those grant solicitation letters as their primary function, I would like to see that implemented. I do not want to leave any money on the table. I want to see our schools grow and add curriculum options to provide educational pathways for all. Another challenge expected is ensuring we remain a three building school system. Keeping Riverside open and highly functional is very important to me. Seeking prospective buyers of our old athletic field and the vacant Nellie Ackerson are other challenges I’d like to address swiftly.
If elected, I offer the community traits that include honesty, transparency, accountability, sound decisive decision making, and respect along with a willingness and openness to learn and grow with the community in my role. I look forward to the opportunity to serve people of all backgrounds and family dynamics. We are each other’s neighbors and I intend to utilize my role to strengthen our bonds with the shared interest in the children of Manchester and our school of choice students. Feel free to contact me at my email below with any questions you may have. RNOVESS@gmail.com
James Stewart (Non-Partisan)
James Stewart
What characteristics and/or qualifications, including education and experience, do you have that will help you excel in a school board position? To start, I have owned and operated a successful contracting company for over 15 years but my experience as a Father and a Husband are also qualifications. I’ve been married for 23 years to my wonderful wife, April Stewart, who works for Manchester schools. My two children attend school at Manchester as well. Having my family in Manchester has empowered me to step up and try to be a positive voice during these awesome years in my kids lives. I deal with large amounts of responsibility from the business aspect in my life. I believe this qualifies me for a position on the school board but my education as business owner and having to speak publicly throughout the years of my life have given me the confidence to bring stability as well as structure to the city of Manchester’s school board.
What are the biggest challenges facing the school district and community in the next two years? How do you think they should be handled? A big challenge facing the school district and community is finding common ground, while our nation is so divided politically. The only way to get through this is working together, compromising when necessary. Another is integrating new programs/electives/clubs in the schools. I believe we need to continue with the programs that have proven to bring about the best results with student achievements, however, ongoing programs can be modified to bring about even better results and thinking outside of the box during these times of uncertainty. Facilitating new programs and development of a growing community and growing minds is integral in staying ahead of an ever changing world. Fundamental values that are working and are good should be protected and valued, as well, for our children.
If elected, what are your goals? My goals are simple. I want to be a board member that helps make critical decisions and be a part of a team of critical thinking community members that care about the betterment of our children, our faculties, and our community as a whole. I will work by contributing my time and my financial backing in any way I can to promote a sound environment for the school to continue flourishing.
Lastly, what motivates you to be a part of the Manchester School Board? What’s motivating me to be a part of the school board is that I see my children growing up in a country that is divided politically, spiritually, and fundamentally. I believe that Benevolence comes from God and I also believe that we need to teach our children to be one nation under God, Indivisible, as well as Justice for all. The very core of these beliefs are being attacked right now and this motivates me to fight for my children and our community and preserve these values. Contact: wheatandtare@gmail.com
Brandon Woods (Non-Partisan)
Brandon Woods
What are the biggest challenges facing the school district and community in the next two years? Keeping our Students in the District. We need to encourage our upcoming students that we have a top notch curriculum that prepares them for the next chapter in their life.
How do you think they should be handled? We need to supply challenging college prep classes. Our students need to be prepared and ready for College rather than being behind when classes start they should know the expectations of the college requirements.
If elected, what are your goals? I hope to bring the kids back to Manchester Schools and maintain the students. We have lost many students to school of choice schools and we need those students back. We need to supply the students with the core classes that challenge and prep them for College.
What characteristics and/or qualifications, including education and experience, do you have that will help you excel in this position? Being a Manchester graduate and citizen of 44 years I feel I bring a strong Manchester feel of what we need within the school and in the district. 721Woodsfamily@gmail.com, 734-545-3560
Candidates for Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 3
Shannon Beeman
(vote for no more than 1)
Shannon Beeman (Incumbent, Democratic)
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many issues within Washtenaw, and I have been able to address them head on with support of the Board of Commissioners. The two greatest issues facing District 3 include supporting our local economy and lack of reliable internet access.
To support our small businesses during the pandemic, Washtenaw County partnered with foundations and entrepreneurial organizations on a grant program that supported 450+ local businesses with over $1 million. In times of crisis, some of the most innovative answers come forth, creating new paths for the future. These partnerships have been strengthened and will continue to be leveraged to support local businesses.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced residents to work online, teach their children online, run their local business online, order groceries online, visit the doctor online, and more. When you do not have the bandwidth or budget to run each of these items off your cellphone hotspot, or the weather simply won’t cooperate with the satellite service, you cannot complete any of these tasks. Many families in District 3 struggled to stay afloat because of lack of reliable internet access.
The full Board of Commissioners supports my efforts to expand internet access to all residents in Washtenaw County. The 2020 survey conducted by our Broadband Taskforce, in partnership with Merit, provided the data needed to seek funding at the state and federal level. We are armed and ready to pursue grant opportunities as they arise and have recently been awarded a grant through the State of Michigan for areas of District 3.
The last year and a half serving on the Board of Commissioners has broadened my understanding of the impact of county government. From filling a $10 million dollar deficit from the State of Michigan for mental health services to supporting those in crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, my tenure has prepared me for any issue facing Washtenaw County. I’ve learned to adapt quickly to support all Washtenaw County residents while continuing to support issues unique to District 3.
I hold a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and have devoted my professional career to developing programs to enhance the health and growth of our local economy. I have served as an integral part of a number of community business support initiatives including the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, New Enterprise Forum, Library-Biz Connect, and more. My passion for the health of local businesses, along with my strategic planning and marketing acumen, have contributed to moving Michigan’s economy forward.
Should I be re-elected in 2020, I will continue my work to expand rural broadband, grow our local economy, protect our natural resources, and support our most vulnerable populations. I am dedicated to supporting all areas of District 3 and work across the aisle to bring innovative solutions for our residents.
Ken Siler
Ken Siler (Republican)
Name: Kenny Edward Siler (Ken Siler on ballot), Age: 83 (Born December 15, 1936 in Joplin, Missouri)
What characteristics and/or qualifications, including education and experience, do you have that will help you excel in this position? Education: The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A & M University), Baccalaureate Degree in Mechanical Engineering; Purdue University, Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering; Profession: Ford Motor Company–Engineering and Management positions from July 1961 to retirement on December 31, 1998
Michigan Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer; Siler Farms, Inc. Operator from 1977 to present
Experience: I have had extensive of experience with local affairs involving 4-H activities, agricultural production, planning, and local government.
Why me? Voters should choose me because of my interests in agricultural production, planning, and local government.
What are the biggest challenges facing the community in the next two years? The biggest challenge that I see for the immediate future is maintaining the current programs within budget. The biggest issue that I see is the adherence to township and other local ordinances.
How do you think they should be handled? Maintain fiscal responsibility with the funding allocations made by the Board and to be cognizant of the ordinances in the District 3 townships.
If elected, what are your goals? My goals are to achieve the above items.
Contact Information: kesiler@aol.com, Best telephone number is 734-428-7876 (Cell phone is 734-645-9893)
County Proposals
Washtenaw County Proposal
PROPOSITION TO AUTHORIZE THE RENEWAL AND RESTORATION OF A 0.25-MILL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING NATURAL AREAS IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEM, PAYING THE COSTS OF OPERATING A LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND PAYING THE COSTS OF MAINTAINING THE LAND PURCHASED
“Shall the limitation on taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and tangible property in Washtenaw County be increased as provided in Section 6, Article 9 of the Michigan Constitution and the Board of Commissioners be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one fourth of a mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of state equalized valuation) on the taxable value of such property for a period of ten years beginning with the levy made on December 1, 2021 (which will generate estimated revenues of $4,407,196 in the first year) for the purpose of purchasing natural areas in order to preserve them, paying the costs of operating a land preservation program and paying the costs of maintaining the land purchased? Of the 0.25 mill, 0.2341 represents a renewal of that portion of a 0.25 mill authorization previously approved by electors as reduced by operation of the Headlee Amendment, and 0.0159 represents new millage in the amount equal to the amount reduced by operation of the Headlee Amendment.”
Note: Manchester area residents who live in the Clinton and Chelsea School Districts will be voting on operating milage renewal proposals.
See part 2 of the Voters Guide including Township and Village races here
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