CAROLINE KENNEDY FOR TRAVERSE CITY
Values-Issues-Solutions
Residents First - Protecting Our Quality of Life with Experience
I have 34 years of public policy expertise. I will be a leader on our city commission and with state legislators on the big issues. I am not a one-issue candidate. Public policy has been my career and I'll put that to work for Traverse City.
--Residents First – Enact bed tax on tourists to fund city infrastructure.
--Workforce/Affordable Housing Use PILT and programs below.
Community Land Trusts — Housing North (click link)
Rental Preservation Program — Housing North (click link)
Deed Restriction Program — Housing North (click link)
--Matching City Budget/Priorities Focus on Services for Residents
--Building Government Relationships State and Regional Cooperation on the Big Issues
--Homelessness Improve State and Local Mental Health Systems
Support 5-year Plan of Coalition to End Homelessness:
Endhomelessnessnmi (click link)
Fill the 5-year gap by expanding services:
Home | Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse (click link)
Goodwill Inn Emergency Shelter — Goodwill Northern Michigan (click link)
--TIF Renewal/Ramifications of Non-renewal There are options and time to reach community consensus
--Staff Succession/Capacity Keep and Grow Our Talent
--Short Term Rentals Review commercial zone cap; better enforce illegal units
--Economic Development Support What's Missing - Michigan's Blue Economy
Our son will work and live here because of initiatives like this. Your kids can too.
Experience
35 years in public policy including 10 years on Michigan State Senate Staff, 17 years with the Michigan Municipal League, and working for the Village of Elk Rapids and Boyne City. I have advocated for the rights of cities at the state level, like protecting Traverse City Light and Power during electric deregulation efforts. I have provided professional training to elected officials and city managers across the U.P. and northern Michigan on transparency issues like the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act. I provided them with legislative updates, best practices and managed the League's Executive Search Service. I am most proud of my work with our local non-profits on Quality of Life projects in Elk Rapids. We successfully partnered with the Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay, TART Trails, Paddle Antrim, Norte and the Department of Natural Resources. I was a founding member on the Housing North Board, served on the Northern Homes CDC Board, the Networks Northwest Executive Committee and Board. I hold a Masters in Public Administration degree. I'm a 2023 Graduate of the TCC City Academy and co-founder of Indian Woods Neighborhood Association. I am married to my husband Mark for 24 years; we have a blended family with four kids, including two boys adopted from India. We have rescued 9 dogs and 2 cats over the years. Please click the Linked-In icon above for more professional qualifications.
