Meet the HRC | Livonia, MI

Alex King is from Livonia, Michigan. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also an AmeriCorps alum. 

Alex is a senior field organizer at For Our Future-MI.

Michigan Candidates - Run For Something

Alex’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

Supports small businesses by streamlining permitting processes.

Wants to support small businesses by making the permitting processes easier.

- Wants to support small businesses by making the permitting processes easier.

Economy

As of June 4, 2025, Alex King’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Said, "He is committed to building a safe and healthy Livonia for all of us."

- Said, "He is committed to building a safe and healthy Livonia for all of us."

Public Safety

Healthcare

Supports enhancing and improving quality of life for residents through thoughtful legislation, strategic planning, and resource allocation.

Supports improving the quality of life for residents through thoughtful legislation, strategic planning, and resource allocation.

Plans to ensure trash pickup and snow removal meet standards.

Supports local arts organizations and cultural events.

- Supports preserving libraries.
- Supports improving the quality of life for residents through thoughtful legislation, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
- Plans to ensure trash pickup and snow removal meet standards.
- Supports local arts organizations and cultural events.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Supports creating a "vibrant, walkable city center" in Livonia at 5 Mile & Farmington.

- Supports creating a "vibrant, walkable city center" in Livonia at 5 Mile & Farmington.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Alex King

Alex King is from Livonia, Michigan. He attended St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Livonia and University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a proud AmeriCorps alum, having served in efforts to improve public education, fight hunger, and provide disaster services. Alex is a lifelong Livonia resident and community advocate focused on making the community a better place to live, work, and play for everyone. He joined the Human Rights Commission to help eliminate barriers for the most vulnerable who call Livonia home.

Alex is a senior field organizer at For Our Future-MI, where he mobilizes registered voters to get involved and support progressive values across the ballot.

Alex King’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is his first entry into politics. He currently serves as an appointed member of the Livonia Human Relations Commission, which “The Human Relations Commission consists of up to nine members, broadly representative of the diverse groups in the community, to be appointed by and at the pleasure of the Mayor.” Appointed members serve for three-year terms. A lifelong Livonia resident, he joined the HRC “to help eliminate barriers for the most vulnerable who call Livonia home.”

Buket Urgen

Adam Stathakis - Ballotpedia

Supports maintaining low property taxes to attract families and protect seniors on fixed incomes.

As of June 4, 2025, Adam A. Stathakis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports investing in critical infrastructure by prioritizing maintenance and repair of roads, sidewalks, and public facilities.

Supports prioritizing the maintenance and repair of roads, sidewalks, and public facilities to ensure long-term reliability and safety.

Supports investing in critical infrastructure by prioritizing maintenance and repair of roads, sidewalks, and public facilities to ensure long-term reliability and safety.

Supports local decision-making in transportation and backing public transit options that are designed by Livonia, for Livonia, prioritizing senior-friendly routes and services that reflect the city's unique needs.

Adam A. Stathakis

Adam is from Northville Township, Michigan. He attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. He lives with his fiancée Corrin in Livonia, Michigan.

Adam A. Stathakis is the Director of Operations at his family’s Building Service Contracting Company. He joined the company full-time after earning a BA in Accounting in 2018. He began as an entry level Operations Manager and now oversees round-the-clock, year-round cleaning and maintenance services for large commercial, medical, and industrial facilities across Southeastern Michigan and Northern Ohio. He holds the Certified Building Service Executive (CBSE) credential, serves on the Membership Advisory Committee of the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), and acts as a State Advocacy Leader for the International Sanitary Suppliers Association (ISSA), representing Michigan’s interests and promoting industry standards, workforce development, and pro-business policies at the state level.

Adam A. Stathakis previously ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2024, defeating Christian Charette in the Republican primary for District 22 on August 6, 2024, but he lost in the general election on November 5, 2024. He later filed to run for Livonia City Council, but after a great deal of thought, decided to suspend his campaign.

Brian is married and a father of three. He lives near Bicentennial Park with his family.

This is Brian's first time running for public office. 

Brian runs a non-profit fundraising business. 

Supports private investment in local communities to generate tax revenue, create jobs, and revitalize underdeveloped areas.

Supports private investment in local communities, like the Sheetz proposal, to generate tax revenue, create jobs, and revitalize underdeveloped areas.

Believes in strategically analyzing spending to promote efficiency, prioritizing effective funding, and making budgeting decisions with clear outcomes in mind.

- Supports private investment in local communities, like the Sheetz proposal, to generate tax revenue, create jobs, and revitalize underdeveloped areas.
- Believes in strategically analyzing spending to promote efficiency, prioritizing effective funding, and making budgeting decisions with clear outcomes in mind.

Supports creating a true city center in Livonia by developing a 27-acre site with a modern city hall and accessible library, while removing outdated buildings.

Supports the upcoming $150 million bond to create "a true city center" in Livonia by developing a 27-acre site with a modern city hall and accessible library, while removing outdated buildings.

Supports purpose-built developments that include controlled access, thoughtful landscaping, and design standards aligning with local guidelines.

Believes the Sheetz proposal respects Livoia's character because it includes controlled access, thoughtful landscaping, and design standards aligning with local guidelines.

Supports development that revitalizes underused land, provides sought services, and doesn't burden infrastructure or neighborhoods.

Supports development that revitalizes underused land, provides needed services, and doesn't burden infrastructure or neighborhoods.

Supports maintaining low-density neighborhoods, and plans to keep neighborhoods clean, walkable, and family-friendly.

- Supports the upcoming $150 million bond to create "a true city center" in Livonia by developing a 27-acre site with a modern city hall and accessible library, while removing outdated buildings.
- Believes the Sheetz proposal respects Livoia's character because it includes controlled access, thoughtful landscaping, and design standards aligning with local guidelines.
- Supports development that revitalizes underused land, provides needed services, and doesn't burden infrastructure or neighborhoods.
- Supports maintaining low-density neighborhoods, and plans to keep neighborhoods clean, walkable, and family-friendly.

Supports a bond to rebuild the outdated police station and modernize all five fire stations.

Supports the $150 million bond to rebuild Livonia's outdated police station and modernize all five fire stations.

Supports prioritizing full staffing and modern resources for police and fire departments, as well as training and morale for first responders.

- Supports the $150 million bond to rebuild Livonia's outdated police station and modernize all five fire stations.
- Supports prioritizing full staffing and modern resources for police and fire departments, as well as training and morale for first responders.

As of June 4, 2025, Brian P. Meagher’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports investing in public services like parks, sidewalks, libraries, and recreation programs while ensuring fiscal responsibility and addressing public needs.

Supports investing in public services like parks, sidewalks, libraries, and recreation programs while ensuring financial responsibility and addressing public needs.

Believes in keeping schools strong by supporting the infrastructure that surrounds them.

Supports aging-in-place programs and services, ensuring transportation and infrastructure meet the needs of older residents, and advocates for inclusive spaces and community support.

- Supports investing in public services like parks, sidewalks, libraries, and recreation programs while ensuring financial responsibility and addressing public needs.
- Believes in keeping schools strong by supporting the infrastructure that surrounds them.
- Supports aging-in-place programs and services, ensuring transportation and infrastructure meet the needs of older residents, and advocates for inclusive spaces and community support.

Brian P. Meagher

Eileen McDonnell studied at Eastern Michigan University.

4 candidates running for Livonia city clerk

Eileen previously served as a Livonia School Board Trustee. She also ran for Livonia clerk in 2015.

Eileen is retired. Before retirement, she was a contract and bids specialist at PVS Chemicals Inc. She has experience working in marketing and sales, customer service, and as a loan officer.

As of June 4, 2025, Eileen McDonnell did not have a website or any information online.

Eileen McDonnell

As of June 9, 2025, Eileen McDonnell did not have a website or any information online.

This is Frances Janis's first time running for public office.

As of June 4, 2025, Frances G. Janis did not have a website or any information online.

Frances G. Janis

Jaclyn (Jacki) Graham is from Livonia, Michigan. She is member of and volunteers with her local Rotary Club.

This is Jacki's first time running for public office.

Believes small businesses are essential for promoting a thriving local economy.

Hopes to ensure small businesses can flourish.

- Hopes to ensure small businesses can flourish.
- Supports keeping city taxes low.

As of June 4, 2025, Jaclyn Graham’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes local fire and police departments should be equipped with the "tools, programs and benefits they need" to keep the community safe.

- Believes local fire and police departments should be equipped with the "tools, programs and benefits they need" to keep the community safe.

Supports transparency and accountability in local government.

- Supports transparency and accountability in local government.

Jaclyn Graham

Jacki Graham is from Livonia, Michigan. She is member of and volunteers with her local Rotary Club.

As of June 9, 2025, Jaclyn Graham’s website did not contain information on this issue.

James Hooper - Ballotpedia

James Hooper was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is a Christian.

James previously ran for US Congress in Michigan's 12th Congressional District in 2022 and 2024 but did not win. 

Supports taxation policy that aims to keep "MORE of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket and LESS going to waste in Washington D.C."

As of June 4, 2025, James D. Hooper’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports a free market approach to healthcare and believes more focus and resources should be available for holistic approaches and preventative medicine, including mental health.

Opposes vaccination mandates for travel, work, or commerce.

- Opposes access to abortion.
- Supports a free market approach to healthcare and believes more focus and resources should be available for holistic approaches and preventative medicine, including mental health.
- Opposes vaccination mandates for travel, work, or commerce.

Supports parental rights in education, believing parents and guardians are the "first, and, the primary teachers in every child’s life."

- Supports parental rights in education, believing parents and guardians are the "first, and, the primary teachers in every child’s life."

James D. Hooper

As of June 9, 2025, James D. Hooper’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jenny O'connor was raised in Livonia, Michigan. She has an associate's degree from Schoolcraft College and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University. She lives with her husband and two kids in Livonia. She attends Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church.

Jenny is the design director at a local architectural millwork company. Early in her working life, she delivered copies of the Livonia Observer.

December 16 – Committee of the Whole – Vote.Run.Serve-Livonia

Jenny O’Connor’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is her first entry into politics. She was among the 25 residents who spoke for three minutes to express interest in being considered for an appointment to the council vacancy at a Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, December 16th.

Supports unions and plans to advocate for tradespeople.

- Supports unions and plans to advocate for tradespeople.

Plans to use her knowledge of zoning laws, building codes, permits, and infrastructure to inform her decisions in office.

- Plans to use her knowledge of zoning laws, building codes, permits, and infrastructure to inform her decisions in office.

As of June 4, 2025, Jenny O'connor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in prioritizing spending effectively for the greatest community impact.

- Believes in prioritizing spending effectively for the greatest community impact.

Supports using sustainable materials and green building practices to inform eco-friendly city initiatives.

- Supports using sustainable materials and green building practices to inform eco-friendly city initiatives.

Jenny O'connor

Jenny O'connor is from Livonia, Michigan. She attended Grant Elementary, Emerson Middle School, and Franklin High School before earning her associate's degree from Schoolcraft College and later her bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University. She lives with her husband in Livonia. She attends Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church.

Jenny O'Connor is the Design Director at a local architectural millwork company, where she oversees design and project management. She leads long-term planning for community development, manages project budgets, and collaborates with architects, builders, and clients to build consensus. She works closely with the company owners to support workforce development in the trades, recognizing the essential role these careers play in community strength. Early in her working life, she delivered copies of the Livonia Observer, reflecting her deep roots in the city.

Believes her understanding of zoning laws, building codes, permits, and infrastructure from the design world offers valuable perspective for governance.

Kathleen McIntyre has a bachelor's degree in business and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. 

Kathleen previously served as a Livonia city council member from 2016 to 2023.

Kathleen is the student and community affairs manager at Southeastern Michigan Construction Academy, where she connects students with careers in skilled trades. She also has experience in marketing and communications.

Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles, streamlining city permitting, and actively supporting local businesses to strengthen the economy.

Supports strengthening Livonia’s workforce through education, apprenticeships, and skilled trade programs.

Supports maximizing state and federal grants and advocating for legislative reforms to ensure Livonia retains more local tax dollars.

- Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles, streamlining city permitting, and actively supporting local businesses to strengthen the economy.
- Supports strengthening Livonia’s workforce through education, apprenticeships, and skilled trade programs.
- Supports maximizing state and federal grants and advocating for legislative reforms to ensure Livonia retains more local tax dollars.

As of June 4, 2025, Kathleen E. McIntyre’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to prioritize public safety by investing to attract and retain top-quality first responders.

Supports building a modern police headquarters with the latest technology and believes in community policing and close partnerships between law enforcement and residents.

- Plans to prioritize public safety by investing to attract and retain top-quality first responders.
- Supports building a modern police headquarters with the latest technology and believes in community policing and close partnerships between law enforcement and residents.

Supports upgrading local parks and ensuring they are clean and safe.

Wants to strengthen partnerships that benefit Livonia’s seniors and residents with disabilities.

- Supports upgrading local parks and ensuring they are clean and safe.
- Wants to strengthen partnerships that benefit Livonia’s seniors and residents with disabilities.

Supports replacing outdated city buildings with energy-efficient and cost-effective facilities.

- Supports replacing outdated city buildings with energy-efficient and cost-effective facilities.

Plans to prioritize creating safer, more walkable neighborhoods.

- Plans to prioritize creating safer, more walkable neighborhoods.

Kathleen E. McIntyre

Kayleigh Reid is from Livonia, Michigan. She attended the University of Dayton, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and political science. She later earned her master’s degree in business administration from Lawrence Technological University. She lives with her husband, Eric, and their three sons in Livonia. She attends St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Kayleigh is the Executive Director of the Livonia Spree, the city’s annual festival. Reid previously spent eight years working in the President’s Office at Lawrence Technological University. She began her career with the City of Livonia as a camp counselor for the Parks and Recreation Playground Program.

Kayleigh’s campaign for Livonia City Council is her first entry into politics.

Believes in "smart development," fiscal responsibility, and innovative solutions to ensure Livonia's strength for future generations.

- Supports local businesses.
- Supports keeping taxes low.
- Believes in "smart development," fiscal responsibility, and innovative solutions to ensure Livonia's strength for future generations.

As of June 4, 2025, Kayleigh Reid’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kayleigh Reid

Kayleigh Reid is from Livonia, Michigan. She attended St. Michael’s in Livonia and Mercy High School before studying communications and political science at the University of Dayton, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and political science. She later earned her master’s degree in business administration from Lawrence Technological University. She lives with her husband, Eric, and their three sons in Livonia. She attends St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Kayleigh Reid is the Executive Director of the Livonia Spree, the city’s annual festival. In her current role, she oversees event planning, coordination, and community outreach as she prepares for the third Spree in 2025. Reid previously spent eight years working in the President’s Office at Lawrence Technological University, where she supported administrative tasks and helped organize campus events. She began her career with the City of Livonia as a camp counselor for the Parks and Recreation Playground Program, supervising daily activities and ensuring a safe summer experience for children.

Kayleigh Kavanagh Reid’s campaign for Livonia City Council is her first entry into politics.

Marlene Katafias is from Livonia, Michigan. She graduated from Bentley High School.

Marlene works in the title industry and has spent more than 25 years collaborating with builders, real estate agents, and community leaders.

Marlene's campaign for Livonia City Council Member is her first entry into politics.

Supports creating a business-friendly environment for small businesses.

- Supports creating a business-friendly environment for small businesses.

Promises to keep Livonia affordable and maintain top-quality city services and public safety.

- Promises to keep Livonia affordable and maintain top-quality city services and public safety.

Supports retaining competitive pay and benefits to attract and maintain first responders.

- Supports retaining competitive pay and benefits to attract and maintain first responders.

Supports creating an updated Livonia Senior Center, community health hubs, and wellness initiatives.

- Supports creating an updated Livonia Senior Center, community health hubs, and wellness initiatives.

Supports saving and revitalizing the Alfred Noble Library to ensure it remains a community center and resource for learning and connecting.

Supports investing in upgraded walking paths, community gathering areas, and recreation amenities to encourage a healthier and more connected community.

Supports investing in upgraded walking paths, community gathering areas, and recreation amenities.

Supports creating an updated Livonia Senior Center, community health hubs, wellness initiatives, and preventative care opportunities.

Believes that "beautiful parks and inviting outdoor spaces will attract families and businesses to plant roots in Livonia."

- Supports saving and revitalizing the Alfred Noble Library to ensure it remains a community center and resource for learning and connecting.
- Supports investing in upgraded walking paths, community gathering areas, and recreation amenities.
- Supports creating an updated Livonia Senior Center, community health hubs, wellness initiatives, and preventative care opportunities.
- Believes that "beautiful parks and inviting outdoor spaces will attract families and businesses to plant roots in Livonia."

As of June 4, 2025, Marlene L. Katafias’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports modernizing infrastructure and improving walkability with nature paths and parks.

- Supports modernizing infrastructure and improving walkability with nature paths and parks.

Marlene L. Katafias

Marlene L. Katafias is from Livonia, Michigan. She graduated from Bentley High School before raising her own family in the community. She lives with her family in Livonia. She has seen firsthand how Livonia fosters strong families and thriving businesses, and this strong sense of community drives her to serve. She is committed to ensuring that Livonia remains a place where future generations can put down roots and grow together.

Marlene L. Katafias is a title industry professional. She works in the title industry and has spent more than 25 years collaborating with builders, real estate agents, and community leaders, where she gained expertise in teamwork, problem-solving, and staying calm under pressure. A Bentley High School graduate and lifelong Livonia resident, she combines a resourceful, solutions-focused mindset with her extensive experience to address local challenges. She is committed to revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, and ensuring a safe, thriving city for all generations.

Marlene L. Katafias’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is her first entry into politics. When she learned of the upcoming council seat opening, she said, "When I learned of the upcoming council seat opening, I knew it was time to step up as a leader ready to make a difference." She has also stated, "My guiding principle has always been that any issue can be resolved with resourcefulness, and I bring that same practical, solutions-focused mindset to City Council."

Marlene L. Katafias is from Livonia. She graduated from Bentley High School before raising her own family in this community. She has always considered Livonia home. She has seen firsthand how Livonia fosters strong families and thriving businesses, and it is this strong sense of community that drives her to serve. She is committed to ensuring that Livonia remains a place where future generations can put down roots and grow together.

Marlene L. Katafias is a title industry professional. She has spent over 25 years working at a title company, guiding property closings and collaborating with builders, real estate agents, and community leaders. Through this work, she has honed her skills in teamwork, practical problem-solving, and maintaining calm under pressure.

Marlene L. Katafias’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is her first entry into politics. When she learned of the upcoming council seat opening, she said, “When I learned of the upcoming council seat opening, I knew it was time to step up as a leader ready to make a difference.” She also emphasized that “My guiding principle has always been that any issue can be resolved with resourcefulness, and I bring that same practical, solutions-focused mindset to City Council.”

Wants to invest in modernized public spaces, including upgraded walking paths and community gathering areas.

Nicholas Pickard is married and has two daughters.

Nicholas is the youth program coordinator for the New Hope Center for Grief Support. He is also a marketing director, event coordinator, and board member for Friends of the Wilson Barn.

20 candidates running for Livonia City Council.

Nicholas’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

Supports revitalizing efforts to reduce commercial vacancy rates by encouraging small businesses to occupy storefronts.

Proposes giving grants to small businesses to occupy storefronts and reduce commercial vacancy rates.

- Proposes giving grants to small businesses to occupy storefronts and reduce commercial vacancy rates.

Said, "As a homeowner, I am invested in maintaining the value of my property and ensuring its continued affordability."

- Said, "As a homeowner, I am invested in maintaining the value of my property and ensuring its continued affordability."

As of June 4, 2025, Nicholas Pickard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nicholas Pickard

Nicholas John Pickard’s campaign for Livonia City Council Member is his first entry into politics. He has emphasized that “I’m not a politician,” underscoring his newcomer status. Pickard is one of twenty candidates vying for four open seats on the Livonia City Council. Unless they withdraw by the April 25 deadline, his name appears on the Aug. 5 primary ballot. The primary election will be held on August 5th, narrowing the field to eight candidates, and the general election is scheduled for November 4th, with the top three vote-getters receiving 4-year terms and the fourth-highest vote-getter receiving a 2-year term.

As of June 9, 2025, Nicholas Pickard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dearborn's Mayor Abdullah Hammoud appoints "historically diverse ...

Nicole Hefty is from Warren, Michigan. She attended Western Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in writing as well as a Master of Public Administration. 

Nicole is an instructor of public administration at Western Michigan University. She previously worked as the director of Philanthropy and Grants for the City of Dearborn.

This is Nicole's first time running for city council.

Believes "taxpayer dollars should never be a first resort for multimillion dollar transformative projects."

Believes "taxpayer dollars should never be a first resort for multimillion-dollar transformative projects."

- Believes "taxpayer dollars should never be a first resort for multimillion-dollar transformative projects."

As of June 4, 2025, Nicole Hefty’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nicole Hefty

- 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.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.