September 2023 Edition: MLBC Legislative Updates | Michigan ...

CHRIS JACKSON | The National Cannabis Industry Association

Chris is the founder and chief executive officer of ForesTree.

District Detroit | City of Detroit

Chris previously ran for Pontiac City Council and State Representative, but did not win. 

Supports strengthening small businesses and economic growth by fostering sustainability and opportunity, particularly in Downtown Pontiac.

Supports "strengthening small businesses and economic growth by fostering sustainability and opportunity."

- Supports "strengthening small businesses and economic growth by fostering sustainability and opportunity."

Economy

Wants to revitalize vacant lots, buildings, and neglected areas to enhance the community.

Wants to restore unused lots, buildings, and neglected areas to develop the community.

Supports developing high-quality, affordable housing to meet the diverse needs of District 1 residents.

Supports developing high-quality, affordable housing in District 1. 

Plans to collaborate with Oakland County in revitalizing the former Phoenix Center, ensuring District 1 residents and downtown stakeholders have a voice in the process.

Supports collaborating with Oakland County in revitalizing the former Phoenix Center, ensuring District 1 residents and downtown stakeholders have a voice in the process.

- Wants to restore unused lots, buildings, and neglected areas to develop the community.
- Supports developing high-quality, affordable housing in District 1. 
- Supports collaborating with Oakland County in revitalizing the former Phoenix Center, ensuring District 1 residents and downtown stakeholders have a voice in the process.

Housing & Urban Development

As of August 13, 2025, Chris Jackson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Chris Jackson

Chris previously ran for Pontiac City Council and State Representative (29th District). He is currently chair of the Neighborhood Advisory Council, appointed by the Planning and Development Department, and began his service on January 10, 2023.

Former president of Main Street Pontiac, an organization that promotes economic development and small businesses in Pontiac.

As of August 13, 2025, Chris Jackson did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

District 1 - Melanie Rutherford

Melanie Rutherford is originally from Pontiac, Michigan. She has an associate's degree in music performance from Dillard University. She lives in Pontiac with her daughter.

Melanie is a community advocate at the United Way. She previously served as a training ambassador at Next Education and worked as a homeless assistance specialist at AmeriCorps. In 2018, she worked for the Michigan Democratic Party to help elect leaders.

Melanie was elected to the Pontiac City Council in 2021 and is serving her first term.

As of August 13, 2025, Melanie Rutherford’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports building new, better, and more affordable housing.

- Supports building new, better, and more affordable housing.

Believes the most important issue facing Pontiac is public safety and supports infrastructure improvements to ensure families, seniors, and children feel safe.

Plans to discuss with the mayor about improving police protection, adding better lighting and video surveillance in high crime areas, and organizing a gun giveback to remove illegal handguns from children.

- Believes the most important issue facing Pontiac is public safety and supports infrastructure improvements to ensure families, seniors, and children feel safe.
- Plans to discuss with the mayor about improving police protection, adding better lighting and video surveillance in high crime areas, and organizing a gun giveback to remove illegal handguns from children.

Supports creating a robust transportation network for youth to access community services.

- Supports creating a robust transportation network for youth to access community services.

Melanie Rutherford

Melanie is from Pontiac, Michigan. She attended Pontiac Schools and graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1998. She attended Dillard University and Kentucky State University, and was a proud member of the AmeriCorps National Service. She is affiliated with several organizations and has served in leadership capacities: - Pontiac Housing Commissioner 2021 - Pontiac Public Library Board in 2017 and re-elected 2021 - Pontiac Public Library Board Secretary from 2018 to 2021 - active member, Northern Oakland County Branch NAACP - Urban League of Detroit - Pontiac Optimist Club. She is a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church of Pontiac. She lives with her daughter, Moriah.

Melanie is a community advocate at the United Way, where she helps people seeking assistance and support. She previously served as a training ambassador at Next Education and worked as a homeless assistance specialist at AmeriCorps. In 2018, she worked for the Michigan Democratic Party to help elect leaders.

Melanie's campaign for Pontiac City Council Member, District 1 is her first entry into politics. She is currently a member of the Pontiac Housing Commission. She previously worked for the Michigan Democratic Party in 2018 to help elect leaders.

As of August 13, 2025, Melanie Rutherford did not have a website or any information online.

Melanie is a Pontiac native. She attended Pontiac Schools and graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1998. She has a bachelor of arts from Dillard University and a bachelor of arts from Kentucky State University. She is affiliated with several organizations and has served in leadership capacities, including as a Pontiac Housing Commissioner in 2021, and as a member of the Pontiac Public Library Board since 2017. She is also a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church of Pontiac. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and attending mental health seminars. She also loves volunteering to mentor students helping them get into college and is extremely passionate about helping her community.

Melanie is a community advocate at United Way, where she helps people seeking assistance and support. She previously served as a training ambassador at Next Education and worked as a homeless assistance specialist at AmeriCorps. In 2018, she worked for the Michigan Democratic Party to help elect leaders.

Melanie's campaign for Pontiac City Council Member, District 1 is her first entry into politics. She is currently a member of the Pontiac Housing Commission. She worked for the Michigan Democratic Party in 2018 to help elect leaders.

Believes the black homeownership rate has not improved since the era of legal housing discrimination.

Believes Pontiac's infrastructure should ensure safety for families, seniors, and small children.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members 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 council members 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.