Six candidates file to run for St. Joseph City Commission | Moody on ...

Lisa Vetne is from Saint Joseph. She has a bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in graphic design from the University of Michigan. She lives with her family along Lake Michigan's coastline.

Lisa is a graphic designer. She works at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, where she has been a designer for several years. In 2014, she formed her own design studio, Design By Lisa, LLC. She previously worked at the University of Michigan, where she started her career in graphic design. After graduation, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and later to Washington, D.C., where she worked with large clients including NASA, the Department of Defense, and Auntie Annie's Pretzels.

BH, SJ City Candidates Announced, May 6 Berrien County Special ...

Lisa Vetne's campaign for St. Joseph City Commissioner is her first entry into politics. 

As of August 14, 2025, Lisa Vetne did not have a website or any information online.

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Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

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Public Services

Energy & the Environment

St. Joseph Commission candidates weigh in on paid parking

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Lisa Vetne

Lisa Vetne is from Saint Joseph. She has a bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in graphic design from the University of Michigan. She lives with her family along Lake Michigan's beautiful coastline.

Lisa is a graphic designer. She works at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, where she has been a designer for several years. She previously worked at the University of Michigan, where she started her career in graphic design. After graduation, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and later to Washington, D.C., where she worked with large clients including NASA, the Department of Defense, and Auntie Annie's Pretzels. In 2014, she formed her own design studio, Design By Lisa, LLC.

Buket Urgen

Kim Jorgensen Gane

Kim Jorgensen Gane ran for Michigan State Senate in 2022 but did not win.

As of August 14, 2025, Kimberly Jorgensen Gane’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports paid parking program if it includes better pedestrian crossings.

- Supports paid parking program if it includes better pedestrian crossings.

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Kimberly Jorgensen Gane

As of August 14, 2025, Kimberly Jorgensen Gane did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

Believes in empowering individuals to take an active role in their own well-being.

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Michael earned an associate's degree from Lake Michigan College.

Michael is a campaign manager and the owner of Fernandi Consulting LLC. He previously worked as a mortgage advisor at United Federal Credit Union.

Michael Fernandez | St. Joseph Michigan

Michael Fernandez is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was elected in 2023 and is serving his first term.

As of August 14, 2025, Michael Fernandez did not have a website or any information online.

Michael Fernandez

Michael is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was elected in 2023 and his term expires in 2025.

Mike earned a degree in business administration and management from Lakeland Community College.

Mike is the president of George Dent Sales and the senior director of sales at Peterson Farms.

City Commission | St. Joseph Michigan

St. Joseph Commissioners propose changes to downtown paid ...

Mike Sarola is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his second term. 

As of August 14, 2025, Mike Sarola did not have a website or any information online.

Supports implementing a new parking system that embraces technology to speed up traffic flow.

- Supports implementing a new parking system that embraces technology to speed up traffic flow.

Mike Sarola

Mike is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his second term, which expires in 2025. 

As of August 14, 2025, Mike Sarola’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mike is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was first elected in November 2021 and is currently serving his first term, which expires in November 2025.

Mike is currently a St. Joseph City Commissioner. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his first term.

Supports paid parking in downtown St. Joseph.

Supports having two county sheriff deputies below the bluff at all times during the summer and extra patrols throughout the city to improve security.

Ryan Katowich (St. Joseph City Commission At-large, Michigan, candidate 2025)

Ryan Katowich's run for City Commissioner in St. Joseph is his entry into politics. 

As of August 14, 2025, Ryan Frederick Katowich did not have a website or any information online.

Ryan Frederick Katowich

Ryan's campaign for St. Joseph City Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Meet Tom Jennings, The Candidate for St. Joseph City Commission

Thomas Dean Jennings attened Jospeh High School and Hope College.

Six running for St. Joseph City Commission this year

Thomas previously ran for St. Joseph City Commission in 2021 but did not win. 

Thomas owns and operates Sandbar and Grille.

Supports the creation of jobs and local businesses.

Supports reducing the time required for residents and businesses to obtain permits.

- Supports the creation of jobs and local businesses.
- Supports reducing the time required for residents and businesses to obtain permits.

Wants to reduce fees for residents, including property taxes and tickets to city events.

- Wants to reduce fees for residents, including property taxes and tickets to city events.

As of August 14, 2025, Thomas Dean Jennings did not have a website or any information online.

Supports both public and private schools.

Supports city events and wants to promote them on city websites and social media.

- Supports both public and private schools.
- Supports city events and wants to promote them on city websites and social media.

Thomas Dean Jennings

- City commissioners in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Commissioners attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City commissioners may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.