As We Near The Primary

[Diane Helbig]

As we near the primary, I’d like to remind you of my reasons for running for city council, as well as the skills and experiences that I believe make me qualified to succeed at the job.

I am running for Lakewood City Council in Ward 3 because I believe Lakewood needs leaders who will work together – and I am that kind of leader. Throughout my career, I have succeeded because I listen, problem solve, empower others, and work as a team player. We are all in this together – and so, we must all work together.

As the Director of Operations for a service firm based in Michigan, I led multiple teams in several locations. My responsibilities included educating them on running their own piece of business and making good, profitable business decisions. Each team was responsible for their own P & L. Just as importantly, that company provides outsource services to corporations. I have seen firsthand the good and bad of privatization. I understand when it works and why it doesn’t. I possess over 20 years of business leadership experience. This history will serve me well as your councilperson in working with the budget (something I’m completely comfortable and familiar with), the distribution of resources, as well as navigating the challenges facing the infrastructure and services of the city. My years of successful sales and the launch of my own business have prepared me for working within the city structure. The listening, negotiating, consulting, coaching, and networking skills developed over the years are ideal for the position of Councilperson.

As a parent of school-age children, I have concerns about the safety and security of our streets, parks, and schools. I live in the midst of the challenges facing our city. My children attend the Lakewood City Schools. I am working with my community to take back our neighborhood. Something I will continue to work on as your Councilperson.

As a homeowner and member of the community, I realize the issues with our housing stock and believe there should be a standard of excellence in Lakewood that EVERYONE lives up to. The homeowners, landlords, and tenants are accountable to each other and to us to make sure they are maintaining their properties for the good of the whole community. The maintenance of the residences throughout Lakewood aids in the fiscal viability of the city. More people will stay, more people will move in and property values will go up.

To say I have skin in the game would be an understatement. While I don’t think someone needs to live south of Detroit and have children in the public schools, I do think it adds a valuable perspective on the issues facing the city.

I don’t enter into any venture lightly. And while I may not know everything – I am a quick study. More importantly, I do possess the skills and experience necessary to do the job of Councilperson. My father used to tell me that I could do anything I wanted to do – as long as I was willing to do the work to achieve it. Well, I’m willing – ready and able. I have succeeded at everything I have attempted. That’s because I made sure it was something I wanted to do, something I was qualified to do, and something I could master.

I am a possibilities thinker – and also a pragmatist. I am not beholden to anyone or any group. I believe in taking a good, critical look at all sides of a situation and then working with others to develop a workable plan. Implementation, of course, is key. A person can have all the good ideas in the world, but if they can’t execute, what good is it really?
Throughout my career I have excelled at plan implementation and execution.

Communication is also a key component of the job of councilperson. I’ve heard it said that the true role of councilperson is to pass the budget and legislate. Well, the way I see it, acting as a bridge between the citizens and the city is also a critical aspect of the job. The community depends on their councilpeople to be their voice. We need people on council who understand that it’s not only THEIR agenda that they are responsible for, but those of their constituents. I wouldn’t be a successful business and sales coach if I didn’t excel at listening to and assisting people with the issues they see as pertinent.

Hopefully you have a good idea of who I am and what you’ll get when you elect me to Lakewood City Council in Ward 3. I respectfully ask for that vote in the Primary on October 2nd and again in the election on November 6th.

Thank you.