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16 people running for 7 Taylor City Council seats – The News Herald

Martin Drouillard ran for Taylor City Council in 2021 but did not win.

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

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Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Healthcare

Promises to "fight for honesty, respect, and transparency from all elected officials."

- Promises to "fight for honesty, respect, and transparency from all elected officials."

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Martin Drouillard

Martin Drouillard’s campaign for Taylor City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of June 11, 2025, Martin Drouillard did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Staff Directory • Charley Johnson

Charley Johnson is a lifelong resident of Taylor and a 1980 graduate of Kennedy High School. He and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters.

Charley purchased Alert Plumbing from his father in 1983 and ran the company for twenty years. After selling it, he worked as the City of Taylor’s master plumber and now serves as master plumber for the State of Michigan.

Charley is currently a member of the Taylor City Council. He was first elected in 2013, then again in 2017 and 2021, and is serving his third consecutive, four-year term on the council. 

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

Helped establish the Taylor Veterans Museum.

- Helped establish the Taylor Veterans Museum.

Charley Johnson

Charley Johnson is a lifelong resident of Taylor and a 1980 graduate of Kennedy High School. He and his wife, Brenda, live with their two daughters, April and Heather.

Charley Johnson is a City Council Member for Taylor, serving his third consecutive four-year term after first being elected in 2013 and re-elected in November 2017. This year, he overcame a challenge that took his name off the ballot and won a write-in campaign during the primary. Outside of elected office, he purchased Alert Plumbing from his father in 1983 and ran the company for twenty years. After selling it, he worked as the City of Taylor’s master plumber and now serves as master plumber for the State of Michigan.

Charley Johnson is currently a member of the Taylor City Council. He was first elected in 2013, then again in November 2017, and is serving his third consecutive, four-year term on the council. This year, he overcame a challenge that took his name off the ballot and had to win a write-in campaign during this season’s primary. Nevertheless, he eventually won a third, four-term.

As of June 11, 2025, Charley Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Chris Clark is a lifelong resident of Taylor. 

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

Plans to prioritize a healthy and sustainable budget and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

- Plans to prioritize a healthy and sustainable budget and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
- Plans to promote local businesses.

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

Said, "I will fight for your rights to ensure that our community remains a place where freedom and safety thrive."

- Said, "I will fight for your rights to ensure that our community remains a place where freedom and safety thrive."

Promises to address the "specific needs and concerns of our community, from education to public safety."

- Promises to address the "specific needs and concerns of our community, from education to public safety."

Chris Clark

As of June 11, 2025, Chris Clark did not have a website or any information online.

Promises to prioritize a healthy and sustainable budget, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

Christian Armstrong is from Taylor, Michigan. He attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in Corktown, Michigan. He serves as head basketball coach at his alma mater and serves on the board of the Father Clement Kern Foundation.

Christian is a legislative staffer at the Michigan House of Representatives.

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

Supports budget transparency and sharing how funds are allocated and used.

- Supports budget transparency and sharing how funds are allocated and used.

Supports incentives like signing bonuses, housing stipends, education reimbursement, or relocation assistance to attract new residents.

- Supports incentives like signing bonuses, housing stipends, education reimbursement, or relocation assistance to attract new residents.

Supports investing in crime prevention and community programs.

Supports providing the police department with technological advantages, such as drones, to reduce response time and ensure officer safety.

Believes in using social media to demonstrate technological advantages and deter crime, sending a message that "Taylor is not a welcoming safe haven for criminals."

Supports offering competitive salaries, signing bonuses, housing stipends, education reimbursement, relocation assistance, and a robust pension plan to attract and retain police officers.

Supports launching targeted recruitment campaigns to attract qualified candidates to Taylor's fire department.

Supports implementing retention programs for fire department staff, including competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and adequate rest periods.

Supports organizing community-wide drills to educate residents on emergency response.

Supports using local media and social media to share fire safety information and updates on fire department services.

- Supports investing in crime prevention and community programs.
- Supports providing the police department with technological advantages, such as drones, to reduce response time and ensure officer safety.
- Believes in using social media to demonstrate technological advantages and deter crime, sending a message that "Taylor is not a welcoming safe haven for criminals."
- Supports offering competitive salaries, signing bonuses, housing stipends, education reimbursement, relocation assistance, and a robust pension plan to attract and retain police officers.
- Supports launching targeted recruitment campaigns to attract qualified candidates to Taylor's fire department.
- Supports implementing retention programs for fire department staff, including competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and adequate rest periods.
- Supports organizing community-wide drills to educate residents on emergency response.
- Supports using local media and social media to share fire safety information and updates on fire department services.

Supports mental health services, addiction treatment, and housing to address root causes of crime.

- Supports mental health services, addiction treatment, and housing to address root causes of crime.

Supports adding modern amenities like Wi-Fi, updated playgrounds, workout stations, splash pads, and clean restrooms to public parks.

Supports installing good lighting, security cameras, and emergency call boxes in public areas.

Supports hosting community events such as farmer's markets, movie nights, concerts, and yoga in the park.

Supports conducting surveys and town halls to gather community input on desired park features.

Supports volunteer programs to encourage resident involvement in park cleanups, events, and watch groups.

Supports identifying neighborhoods underserved by parks and prioritizing improvements in those areas.

Supports using digital tools to track maintenance issues, sensors or apps to monitor park usage, and sharing budget information with the public.

Supports using digital tools to track maintenance issues, sensors or apps to monitor park usage.

- Supports adding modern amenities like Wi-Fi, updated playgrounds, workout stations, splash pads, and clean restrooms to public parks.
- Supports installing good lighting, security cameras, and emergency call boxes in public areas.
- Supports hosting community events such as farmer's markets, movie nights, concerts, and yoga in the park.
- Supports conducting surveys and town halls to gather community input on desired park features.
- Supports volunteer programs to encourage resident involvement in park cleanups, events, and watch groups.
- Supports identifying neighborhoods underserved by parks and prioritizing improvements in those areas.
- Supports using digital tools to track maintenance issues, sensors or apps to monitor park usage.

As of June 4, 2025, Christian M. Armstrong’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to ensure funding for the Department of Public Works (DPW) to maintain clear roadways and address "crumbling roads and drainage issues."

Plans to prioritize monitoring pothole repair and resurfacing projects.

Supports enhanced drain vacuuming, especially in areas prone to flooding.

- Plans to ensure funding for the Department of Public Works (DPW) to maintain clear roadways and address "crumbling roads and drainage issues."
- Plans to prioritize monitoring pothole repair and resurfacing projects.
- Supports enhanced drain vacuuming, especially in areas prone to flooding.

Christian M. Armstrong

Christian is from Taylor, Michigan. He attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in Corktown, Michigan. He serves as head basketball coach at his alma mater and serves on the board of the Father Clement Kern Foundation.

Christian is a legislative staffer. He works at the Michigan House of Representatives, where he’s gained valuable insight into how government operates. He brings practical leadership and a results-driven approach to problem-solving from his background in business management, account management, and coaching.

Christian is from Taylor, Michigan. He attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in Corktown, the oldest continuously operating Catholic school in Michigan, where he now serves as head basketball coach. He also serves on the board of the Father Clement Kern Foundation, which provides scholarships to Catholic schools.

Christian M. Armstrong currently works in the Michigan House of Representatives, where he’s gained valuable insight into how government operates. He has a background in business management and account management, where he oversaw client relationships and led teams at local firms. Through these roles, he brings practical leadership and a results-driven approach to problem-solving.

Christian M. Armstrong is currently a Taylor Recreation Commissioner, a position to which he was first appointed in 2024. As a recreation commissioner, he works to expand and improve local programs while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely.

Supports volunteer programs to engage residents in cleanups, events, and park watch groups.

Christine Gersky has lived in Taylor for over 40 years of her life. She graduated from Taylor Center High School and has some college education. She has a son and three grandkids. While raising her son, she was involved in the Westland Cub Scouts for three years as Pack 867 Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Pack Committee Chair.

Christine is a letter carrier at the U.S. Post Office, a position she has held since 1990. Additionally, she has served as a poll inspector for every local, state, and federal election in Westland and Detroit since January 2023.

Christine is currently the Republican Precinct Delegate for Precinct 5 in Taylor, a position she has held since January 2023. 

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

Supports keeping property taxes at a minimum, saying "When property taxes are low, homeowners AND renters enjoy the savings."

Supports keeping property taxes at a minimum, saying "When property taxes are low, homeowners and renters enjoy the savings."

- Supports keeping property taxes at a minimum, saying "When property taxes are low, homeowners and renters enjoy the savings."

Plans to restore public safety by ensuring safe environments for walking and attending school.

- Plans to restore public safety by ensuring safe environments for walking and attending school.

Opposes transgender participation in women's sports and using women's facilities.

- Opposes transgender participation in women's sports and using women's facilities.

Supports updating the Taylor Public Library by adding more computers and printers and removing the I.D. passcode and pin number to use a computer.

- Supports updating the Taylor Public Library by adding more computers and printers and removing the I.D. passcode and pin number to use a computer.

Christine Gersky

Christine Gersky is from Taylor. She is 59 years old, divorced, and has lived in Taylor for over 40 years of her life, apart from moving to Westland in 1994 and to Canton Township in 1999 before returning to her Taylor roots in 2011. During elementary school, she attended St. 

She graduated from Taylor Center High School with honors and attended some college. Most recently, she completed a Microsoft Excel course at WCCC. Since 1990, she has been employed at the U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier. 

She is a proud Army mom and grandmother of three. As a single mother raising her young son, she was involved in the Westland Cub Scouts for three years as Pack 867 Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Pack Committee Chair.

Christine Gersky is a Letter Carrier at the U.S. Post Office, a position she has held since 1990. In addition to her work delivering mail, she has served as a Poll Inspector for every local, state, and federal election in Westland and Detroit since January 2023, and acted as a Poll Challenger in Canton during the November 2024 election.

Christine Gersky is currently the Republican Precinct Delegate for Precinct 5 in Taylor, a position she has held since January 2023. Her campaign for Taylor City Council Member is her first run for public office.

As of June 11, 2025, Christine Gersky’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports keeping property taxes at a minimum.

Dan Wallace has lived in Taylor for 28 years. He is a volunteer with Taylor Goodfellows, Knights of Columbus, Taylor Animal Shelter, and Heritage Park cleanup.

Dan's campaign for Taylor City Council member is his first entry into politics.

Plans to continue the current administration's fiscal policies that have resulted in "good financial health" for Taylor.

- Plans to continue the current administration's fiscal policies that have resulted in "good financial health" for Taylor.

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

Promises to be transparent about the reasons behind his opinions and votes.

Promises to listen to and address residents' concerns, questions, and suggestions.

Promises to show respect toward all people, regardless of differing opinions and politics.

- Promises to be transparent about the reasons behind his opinions and votes.
- Promises to listen to and address residents' concerns, questions, and suggestions.
- Promises to show respect toward all people, regardless of differing opinions and politics.

Promises to evaluate city suppliers and contractors to ensure they provide the "greatest value and respect for the people."

- Promises to evaluate city suppliers and contractors to ensure they provide the "greatest value and respect for the people."

Dan Wallace

Dan Wallace’s campaign for Taylor City Council member is his first entry into politics.

As of June 11, 2025, Dan Wallace did not have a website or any information online.

Promises to evaluate city suppliers and contractors to ensure they provide the greatest value and respect for the people.

LinkedIn

Daniel Dobbins has a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Michigan State University.

Daniel is a law, insurance, and investment advisor.

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

Daniel Dobbins

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

Daniel previously served as Taylor City Treasurer.

Plans to overhaul the Water Department to lower water bills.

Supports ending enterprise activities and confiscating enterprise fund balances.

Plans to call Tax Increment Finance Authority bonds and deauthorize the TIFA eight years early.

Supports threatening pension plans with claw-backs in bankruptcy proceedings unless they agree to voluntary haircuts for active and retired employees.

Plans to "deconcentrate" multi-family housing to protect neighborhoods.

Wants to hold the Housing Authority accountable for maintenance, transparency, and tenant impact.

Plans to rezone and reconstitute housing plans to protect single-family neighborhoods.

Supports reducing tenant density in multi-family housing by removing 20% of buildings in targeted zones, improving oversight, and lowering long-term costs.

Wants to reform the 23rd District Court and Housing Authority to ensure fairness, transparency, and dignity.

Plans to reduce fines from traffic and ordinance enforcement from $7,000,000 to $3,500,000 annually.

Promises to end "hidden fees, fines, and inspections that punish residents instead of serving them."

Gerald P. Thomas is a 40-year resident of Taylor. He is a married father of three and a grandfather of five. 

Gerald is the deputy treasurer for the City of Taylor. He previously served as a Taylor auxiliary police officer, assisting patrol units with traffic control and supporting community safety initiatives, and as a Taylor auxiliary firefighter, responding to emergencies and aiding firefighting crews. He is also a veteran.

Gerald previously served as Vice President of the Taylor School Board.

Believes in implementing policies and investments to strengthen the local economy, create good-paying jobs, and ensure technological progress.

Believes in marketing Taylor's infrastructure and available buildings to attract new businesses and support current small businesses.

- Believes in implementing policies and investments to strengthen the local economy, create good-paying jobs, and ensure technological progress.
- Believes in marketing Taylor's infrastructure and available buildings to attract new businesses and support current small businesses.

Plans to strengthen the rental inspection program by hiring more inspectors, enforcing codes, holding landlords accountable, and ensuring timely inspections for safe, well-maintained housing.

- Plans to strengthen the rental inspection program by hiring more inspectors, enforcing codes, holding landlords accountable, and ensuring timely inspections for safe, well-maintained housing.

Supports prioritizing the hiring and retention of highly trained police officers and firefighters through competitive wages, strong benefits, and a supportive work environment.

- Supports prioritizing the hiring and retention of highly trained police officers and firefighters through competitive wages, strong benefits, and a supportive work environment.

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

Plans to ensure residents continue to receive high-quality public services.

Supports timely snow removal by businesses to ensure safe pedestrian access to community services during winter storms.

Supports enhancing public services by seeking grants for community projects like pavilions, playscapes, pickleball courts, and extreme sports facilities, balancing quality of life improvements with fiscal responsibility.

Supports seeking grants for community projects like pavilions, playscapes, pickleball courts, and extreme sports facilities.

- Plans to ensure residents continue to receive high-quality public services.
- Supports timely snow removal by businesses to ensure safe pedestrian access to community services during winter storms.
- Supports seeking grants for community projects like pavilions, playscapes, pickleball courts, and extreme sports facilities.

Plans to improve infrastructure to benefit all residents.

Supports creating pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Supports prioritizing funding for critical improvements to sewer and water systems.

Supports prioritizing funding for critical improvements to sewer and water systems and ensuring they can withstand extreme weather events.

- Plans to improve infrastructure to benefit all residents.
- Supports creating pedestrian-friendly spaces.
- Supports prioritizing funding for critical improvements to sewer and water systems and ensuring they can withstand extreme weather events.

Gerald P. Thomas

As of June 11, 2025, Gerald P. Thomas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Gerald P. Thomas is a dedicated 40-year resident of Taylor. He is a veteran, a married father of three, and a grandfather of five. He has committed his life to serving the community through volunteering, civic involvement, and leadership. Gerald and his spouse helped raise three grandchildren, all of whom attended Taylor’s Head Start program.

Gerald is the Deputy Treasurer for the City of Taylor, where he manages the city’s daily financial operations, prepares budget reports, and oversees municipal funds. He previously served as a Taylor Auxiliary Police Officer, assisting patrol units with traffic control and supporting community safety initiatives, and as a Taylor Auxiliary Firefighter, responding to emergencies and aiding firefighting crews. He has also worked across multiple Taylor city departments, gaining hands-on experience in public works, community services, and regulatory compliance, which gives him a broad understanding of how local government delivers results for residents.

Gerald P. Thomas’s campaign for Taylor City Council Member is his first entry into politics. He previously served as Vice President of the Taylor School Board and currently serves on the TIFA/Brownfield Authority, working to enhance development and reinvestment in the community.

Staff Directory • Jill Brandana

Jill Brandana is from Taylor. She has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Ron, have lived in Taylor for over 25 years.

Jill is a legal professional who has practiced law for over 30 years. 

Jill is currently a city council member in Taylor. She was elected in 2021. She previously served two terms on the Taylor City Council from 2005 to 2013. 

Supports creating incentives for companies to relocate and invest in Taylor.

Supports making Taylor attractive for new entrepreneurial startups.

- Supports creating incentives for companies to relocate and invest in Taylor.
- Supports making Taylor attractive for new entrepreneurial startups.

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

Supports allocating adequate funding to police and fire departments to ensure community safety.

Wants to ensure public safety budgets prioritize staff, training, and equipment.

- Supports allocating adequate funding to police and fire departments to ensure community safety.
- Wants to ensure public safety budgets prioritize staff, training, and equipment.

Plans to review public works departments to ensure proper staffing and tools.

Wants to address aging infrastructure to prevent future deterioration.

- Plans to review public works departments to ensure proper staffing and tools.
- Wants to address aging infrastructure to prevent future deterioration.

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Jill Brandana

Jill Brandana is from Taylor. She attended Taylor Schools and graduated from Taylor Center High School. She has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Ron, have called Taylor their home for over 25 years.

Jill Brandana is a legal professional who has practiced law for over 30 years. While working, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Michigan and completed the 10-month Michigan Political Leadership Program through Michigan State University.

Jill Brandana is currently City Council Chair Pro Tem in Taylor. She was elected in 2021 by way of her second-place finish in the council run-off and is serving one term. She is Chair Pro Tem of the City Council.

Brandana previously served two four-year terms as Chairwoman Pro-Tem on Taylor City Council from 2005 to 2013. During that time, she also served on the Taylor Planning, Community Development, Fringe Benefit and Beautification commissions. In addition to her council duties, she has served as a Commissioner on the City Planning Commission and the Taylor Community Development Corporation Commission.

As of June 11, 2025, Jill Brandana did not have a website or any information online.

Supports creating incentives for existing companies to relocate and invest in Taylor.

Justin Mordarski has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

Justin is the chief financial officer (CFO) of a charity food pantry located in Taylor. He previously taught physics and organic chemistry at the University of Michigan.

Board of Education | Taylor School District

Justin is a member of the Taylor School Board. He has run for city council before but did not win.

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

Opposes the ACLU plan for policing in Taylor, saying it would "dismantle police departments and lead to higher crime."

- Opposes the ACLU plan for policing in Taylor, saying it would "dismantle police departments and lead to higher crime."

Justin Mordarski

As of June 11, 2025, Justin Mordarski’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 11, 2025, Justin Mordarski did not have a website or any information online.

Supports incentivizing businesses to occupy vacant spaces in strip malls.

City Council Members | Taylor, MI

Lindsey Rose is a small business owner who founded Sunday Morning Breeze.

Lindsey is currently a city councilwoman representing Taylor and is serving her first term. She was elected to the position of precinct delegate for the last two election cycles, where she represented her neighborhood.

Believes high property taxes are linked to ineffective land use policies and vacant developments.

- Believes high property taxes are linked to ineffective land use policies and vacant developments.

Wants to increase property values by "attracting families to the city, protecting our forests, and focusing on existing neighborhoods..."

- Wants to increase property values by "attracting families to the city, protecting our forests, and focusing on existing neighborhoods..."

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

Opposes destroying forests and green spaces for "junk development."

- Opposes destroying forests and green spaces for "junk development."

Lindsey Rose

- 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.