Politics & Government

Meet the Candidates Seeking the Mayoral Seat in Grosse Pointe Shores

The November election is unique in Grosse Pointe Shores in that every council seat is up for election as determined in the municipality's city charter established in December 2008 when it transitioned from a village to a city.

Of 11 candidates seeking office in , two are seeking the mayoral seat in a bit of a historical election.

The , for which there are six seats.

The election is a bit historical in nature because it is the only time all of the positions are up for a vote—a unique situation from the municipality's transition from a village to a city.

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According to the city charter that took effect in 2009, the top three vote-getters of this election will serve four-year terms and the next three top vote-getters will serve two-year terms to begin the process of election rotation. Whomever wins the mayoral seat will serve a four-year term. 

The mayoral candidates are listed below in alphabetical order:

Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

James Cooper

Cooper has been a resident of the Shores for 19 years and is a practicing dentist who operates a private practice on Mack Avenue.

He highlights his 12 years of public service as a trustee, president and currently the mayor of the Shores, recognizing "a new mix of residents" will be on council after the election. He believes his experience and familiarity with the operations of the Shores will ease the transition for the new council. Cooper also notes his strong relationship with other Grosse Pointe mayors, state legislators and city employees.

Cooper is using a 20-point plan as an outline for his plans for office should he be re-elected, all of which he classifies as continuation of current work and projects. The plan is available on his campaign website.

Something he wants voters to know:

He has been a voluntary mediator with the Detroit District Dental Society's Peer Review for 11 years. "I help resolve disputes between dentists, patients and third parties. I have experience training Detroit Component dentists in the art of mediation." He developed a mediation template, which is now used as part of standard training for all Michigan Peer Review Dentists.

Ted Kedzierski

Kedzierski has lived in the Shores for 17 years and is a certified public accountant and attorney. He has operated his own practice for nearly 30 years.

He highlights his financial background, noting the city is in need of "strong fiscal leadership." He is the current mayor pro tem, on the Grosse Pointe Shores Improvement Foundation and Chair of the Shores Finance Committee. He also highlights his operation of his own business—a skill he believes would benefit the Shores because he knows about maximizing efficiency and meeting the needs of others. "My mission is to preserve our premier services, especially public safety..."

Issues Kedzierski wants to address are the legacy costs, declining property values and an action plan to attract new families to the Shores. More of his plan is outlined in his campaign website, which emphasizes: "We Can Do Better."

Something he wants voters to know:

"I used to be a marathon runner and tri-athlete who competed in several competitive events."


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