Candidate Guide - Franklin City Council - Michael Aldridge

As you prepare to vote in this year's municipal elections, the Western Star compiled answers from candidates. Here are the responses as provided. All typos and grammar mistakes, if any, are in the original responses.

Headshot provided by candidate

Education: Eastern Michigan University, 1999, B.A. Sociology, Minor in Business

Current employment: Medtronic

Office Sought: Franklin City Council

Why are you the best suited for this position? (150 words)

I am a lifelong resident of Franklin, and proud alumni ('95). I married my high school sweetheart Libby ('93), and first ran for council in 2006 to positively impact our hometown that we chose to raise our daughters in. Now, 20 years later, our girls are grown, and I am even more passionate about the work we're doing and the future of Franklin. I have served 5 terms on City Council, currently serving as Chair of our Planning & Economic Development Committee, serve on Finance Committee, as well as Safety Committee. I have zero political aspirations beyond City Council. We have an awesome plan for downtown that I am committed to seeing through. My goal is to make Franklin a clean safe place you will always be proud to call home.

What are your top three areas of focus for your position?

1. Downtown & Riverfront Development.

2. Public Safety - Police, Fire, and EMS.

3. Residential Growth

What specifically are you going to do for each of your top three topics? (200 words)

 1. The Main St. Streetscape project is a huge accomplishment from an infrastructure standpoint, but also for future development. We readdressed the zoning, strategically acquired property, and are focused on bringing the right types of development in town. This includes rooftop restaurants/bars, retail, professional services, and improved housing options to name a few. We want downtown to be a place that allows you to keep your family entertained in town and also becomes a destination for others to come visit Franklin.

2. The hiring of Chief Adam Colon has taken our police department to the next level. We restructured our police department to 12-hour shifts which is more efficient and puts more officers on the street to further protect our community. We’ve also invested in technology to better equip our officers so they can work safer and more efficiently. These investments include our Flock camera system, StarChase GPS, and a drone. Our PD loves and serves this community, and the bad guys are realizing you don’t want to mess with the Franklin PD.

3. I am excited to share that we have two new developments coming. Shaver Farms will include 282 new homes, and Shaker Meadows will bring another 119.

If you are an incumbent, what is your best accomplishment?

If you are a challenger, what do you think needs to change from the current situation?

NOTE: He is an incumbent.

Yes, I am an incumbent. I am very proud of many things but would have to choose our Main St. Streetscape project as the best accomplishment. This was a dream of mine since I first got on council, and it has been so rewarding to be a part of something that will shape the future of our community. I am so proud to serve on such a strong city council. We don’t agree on everything (which is how it should be), but we all share the passion and vision for the future of Franklin. With that said, this project doesn’t happen without our amazing city manager Jonathan Westendorf and staff. They are working so hard for you every day and do an amazing job of providing council with the information we need to make these important long-term decisions.

What are your qualifications for this position? (150 words)

I have 20 years of experience on city council in the City of Franklin and have chaired and served on many boards and committees. I am 48 years old, and God willing, will have many more years to serve my community and see these many projects through. Aside from serving on council, I’ve worked for Medtronic in the medical device industry for the past 19 years. I feel that my business acumen and professional skill set combined with my vast knowledge of our city government has shaped me into a very strong councilman.

Property tax is one of the top issues for local residents. What are your thoughts on the current property tax issues? (150 words)

This is a challenging issue that is squeezing families and seniors. Our city must live within its means. I'll prioritize essentials - public safety, roads, infrastructure - and look for ways to cut waste. I will continue to work towards bringing more business investment to our city, which can grow our tax base and ease the burden on our residents. I'll continue pushing for transparent budgeting, regular audits, and plain-English explanations of any levy. My goal is simple: keep Franklin affordable without sacrificing the services that protect our quality of life.

State laws often impact our county and the funding of local project depends on the state budget. What is your relationship with the local state representatives and senator? (100 words)

I worked closely with our previous State Representative Scott Lipps as he was a former Franklin City Councilman. We have seven members on our city council, and I feel it's more feasible for our City Manager and Mayor to represent council and maintain and grow these relationships, which they are doing quite well.

How have you been involved in the community outside of politics?

I was born and raised in Franklin and my wife and I raised our family here. I was involved in the community long before I even considered running for council. I coached youth sports for many years and have always been a strong supporter of our schools. My wife Libby and I once co-chaired a renewal levy for our school district which passed by a large margin. I have served on the Franklin Athletic Boosters, and I am a member of the Franklin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Are you running as a slate or as a team with any of the other candidates?

I am running for re-election by myself.

Is there anything else you want the voters to know about you?

I know this is cliche, but I have always lived by the saying "once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat". I got involved to make Franklin a better place for my family and yours. We have a lot of great progress occurring in the city and I ask for your vote for re-election so I can continue to defend and grow our community. Thank you for allowing me to represent you!