Pontiac mayoral forum to feature 7 candidates

Wendell Woods is a former Detroit public school teacher. 

Pontiac mayoral forum to feature 7 candidates – The Oakland Press

Wendell’s campaign for Pontiac Mayor is his first entry into politics.

As of June 5, 2025, Wendell Woods did not have a website or any information online.

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Wendell Woods

Wendell Woods’s campaign for Pontiac Mayor is his first entry into politics.

As of June 10, 2025, Wendell Woods did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Alexandria T. Riley We are happy to announce that Alexandria T ...

Meet the candidates for Mayor of Pontiac: Alexandria Riley – The ...

Alexandria Riley is from Pontiac, Michigan. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and business from the University of Michigan. She resides in Oakland County.

Alexandria T. Riley - Mayor, Michigan

Alexandria is a certified city manager. She works as the director of sales and development for the Genesee County Land Bank Authority. Before that, she served as Pontiac’s chief development officer, where she oversaw contract compliance and secured grants and private investments. She is a licensed residential builder, real estate broker, and owner of Capitol Construction & Development Company. She previously held the role of Vice President of the Pontiac Housing Commission 

Alexandria ran for Pontiac mayor in 2021 but did not win.

Supports economic development, job opportunities, and improving community services for youth and seniors.

- Supports economic development, job opportunities, and improving community services for youth and seniors.

As of June 5, 2025, Alexandria T. Riley did not have a website or any information online.

Supports community policing and addressing mental health in law enforcement.

Supports community policing and addressing mental health.

- Supports community policing and addressing mental health.

Supports youth recreation activities, enrichment programs, the arts, and summer employment initiatives.

- Supports youth recreation activities, enrichment programs, the arts, and summer employment initiatives.

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Alexandria T. Riley

As of June 10, 2025, Alexandria T. Riley did not have a website or any information online.

- Plans to address the "hostile environment" between the city and Ottawa Towers owners by seeking an out-of-court settlement to avoid potential bankruptcy for the city.

Alexandria is from Pontiac, Michigan. She attended Stanford University and Yale University and has a bachelor’s degree in political science and business from the University of Michigan. She resides in Oakland County and is active in her faith.

Alexandria T. Riley is a third-generation Pontiac native and an ICMA Certified City Manager. She works as the Director of Sales & Development for the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, applying more than 20 years of experience in public service, real estate, and construction management. Before that, she served as Pontiac’s Chief Development Officer, where she oversaw contract compliance and secured grants and private investments, raising over $4.2 million in a single fiscal year. She also held the role of Vice President of the Pontiac Housing Commission and is a licensed residential builder, real estate broker, and owner of Capitol Construction & Development Company.

As of June 10, 2025, Alexandria T. Riley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to address the "hostile environment" between the city and Ottawa Towers owners by seeking an out-of-court settlement to avoid potential bankruptcy for the city.

As mayor, plans to implement youth recreation activities, enrichment programs, the arts, and summer employment initiatives by partnering with schools and community organizations.

Uncrowned Community Builders™ :: Biography for Dr. Deidre ...

Deirdre Waterman has a bachelor’s degree in biology and political science from the University of Chicago and a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. She completed her residency in ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University. She lives in Pontiac and has two adult children. She is an active member of Plymouth United Church of Christ and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Deirdre previously worked at Holloway Eye Care, where she practiced as an ophthalmologist and ran her own practice for over thirty years.

Audit Alleges Ex-Pontiac Mayor Misused $1.6 ... - Deadline Detroit

Deirdre previously served two terms as Pontiac's mayor from 2013 to 2021

Supports the anti-blight program, which demolishes dangerous houses and buildings.

Supports the anti-blight program, which she says demolishes dangerous houses and buildings, which leads to increased property values.

- Supports the anti-blight program, which she says demolishes dangerous houses and buildings, which leads to increased property values.

Believes the Phoenix Center is "the center of our downtown" and a "catalyst for other investment."

- Believes the Phoenix Center is "the center of our downtown" and a "catalyst for other investment."

As of June 5, 2025, Deirdre Waterman did not have a website or any information online.

Supports the renovation of the Phoenix Center, envisioning it as a downtown catalyst for investment with features like a pedestrian pathway, retail, public art, and a community events amphitheater.

- Supports the renovation of the Phoenix Center, envisioning it as a downtown catalyst for investment with features like a pedestrian pathway, retail, public art, and a community events amphitheater.

An audit found that Waterman misused city funds during her tenure as mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, including spending $1.6 million on unapproved expenses, parties, and a trip to New York City.

An external audit found that Waterman misused city funds as mayor of Pontiac, including spending $1.6 million on unapproved expenses, parties, and a trip to New York City.

- An external audit found that Waterman misused city funds as mayor of Pontiac, including spending $1.6 million on unapproved expenses, parties, and a trip to New York City.

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Deirdre Waterman

Deirdre Waterman is from Pontiac, Michigan. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and political science from the University of Chicago and a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. She completed her residency in ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University. She lives in Pontiac with her two children, Shana and Toussaint. She is an active member of Plymouth United Church of Christ and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Deirdre is the mayor of Pontiac. She works at the City of Pontiac, where she has served since 2013. She previously worked at Holloway Eye Care, where she practiced as an ophthalmologist and ran her own practice for over thirty years.

As of June 10, 2025, Deirdre Waterman did not have a website or any information online.

Supports installing public art and renovating the rooftop amphitheater to once again host community events.

Gill Garrett studied communication and media studies at Western Michigan University and business, management, and marketing at Oakland University. 

Gill is a law enforcement officer with 26 years of experience. He is a deputy with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. He is also the owner of Garrett Group and Associates.

August primary ballots set for a handful of city offices in Oakland ...

Gill served on the charter commission that passed the current city charter. He also served as a school board trustee from 2007 to 2011 and from 2020 to 2024.

Supports local businesses with grants and resources.

Wants to support local businesses with grants and resources.

Supports investing in workforce development and training programs.

Supports reducing unnecessary spending and enhancing fiscal responsibility.

Supports pursuing "smart economic policies that bring in sustainable revenue."

Supports attracting new businesses and industries to create well-paying jobs.

- Wants to support local businesses with grants and resources.
- Supports investing in workforce development and training programs.
- Supports reducing unnecessary spending.
- Supports pursuing "smart economic policies that bring in sustainable revenue."
- Supports attracting new businesses and industries to create well-paying jobs.

Supports expanding affordable housing and homeownership opportunities.

- Supports expanding affordable housing and homeownership opportunities.

Supports stronger community policing, investing in mental health services, and expanding youth and mentorship programs to improve public safety.

Plans to implement policies that protect residents, support first responders, and foster strong partnerships to enhance neighborhood safety and connectivity.

Plans to implement policies that support first responders and encourage strong partnerships for better neighborhood safety and connectivity.

- Supports stronger community policing, investing in mental health services, and expanding youth and mentorship programs to improve public safety.
- Plans to implement policies that support first responders and encourage strong partnerships for better neighborhood safety and connectivity.

Supports investing in mental health services to prevent crime.

- Supports investing in mental health services to prevent crime.

As of June 5, 2025, Gill Garrett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports improving street lighting, removing blight, and enhancing infrastructure to create safer environments.

Supports improving street lighting, removing blight, and upgrading infrastructure to create safer environments.

Supports revitalizing downtown and neglected neighborhoods to spur economic activity.

- Supports improving street lighting, removing blight, and upgrading infrastructure to create safer environments.
- Supports revitalizing downtown and neglected neighborhoods to spur economic activity.

Supports expanding youth and mentorship programs.

- Supports expanding youth and mentorship programs.

Gill Garrett

Gill Garrett is a law enforcement officer with 26 years of experience. He has worked to ensure public safety through community policing, strengthening neighborhood associations, and bridging the gap between businesses and the community. He also served on the Charter Commission that passed the current city charter, worked as a City Council liaison, and contributed to the current mayor’s transition team.

As of June 10, 2025, Gill Garrett 1 did not have a website or any information online.

Gill Garrett 1

As of June 5, 2025, Gill Garrett 1 did not have a website or any information online.

Believes the current mayor has delayed opening a community center for youth, saying "Our children are now out of school with no safe place to go."

Kermit Williams has a bachelor's degree in communications and theatre from Siena Heights University and a nonprofit management certificate from Oakland University. He is a board member for Pontiac Youth Assistance and High Place Community Development, and a founding member of Transform Pontiac now. 

Kermit is Co-Executive Director of Oakland Forward, where he works to expand access to jobs, education, and economic resources for Oakland County residents. Previously, he worked as a political director for Detroit Action.

Kermit has served three terms on the Pontiac City Council, including as city council president.

As of June 5, 2025, Kermit Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a city council member, voted to restore employment benefits stripped by emergency management and ensured all eligible retirees received $400/month healthcare stipends.

- As a city council member, voted to restore employment benefits stripped by emergency management and ensured all eligible retirees received $400/month healthcare stipends.

As a city council member, spearheaded the youth recreation millage, restoring youth programming after a decade-long gap.

As a city council member, supported the youth recreation tax, restoring youth programming after a decade-long gap.

- As a city council member, supported the youth recreation tax, restoring youth programming after a decade-long gap.

As a county commissioner, supported the largest transportation millage in Oakland County history, which connects Pontiac residents to the region.

As a city council member, supported the largest transportation property tax in Oakland County history to connect Pontiac residents to the region.

- As a city council member, supported the largest transportation property tax in Oakland County history to connect Pontiac residents to the region.

Kermit Williams

Kermit Williams is Co-Executive Director of Oakland Forward, where he works to expand access to jobs, education, and economic resources for Oakland County residents. He previously served multiple terms on the Pontiac City Council and took part in the Charter Revision Commission, advocating for the voices and needs of Pontiac residents. He spearheaded the youth recreation millage, restoring youth programming after a decade-long gap. As City Council President, he and other elected officials tried for two years to approve a forensic audit of city finances. He also served as plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against Gov. Rick Snyder and helped repeal Public Act 4, the Emergency Manager Law. Williams has spent two decades serving the Pontiac community with integrity, vision, and heart.

As of June 10, 2025, Kermit Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- As a county commissioner, supported the largest transportation millage in Oakland County history, which connects Pontiac residents to the region.

As a city council member, voted to restore employment benefits that were removed by emergency management.

Mark Holland studied at Oakland Community College and the University of Phoenix.

8 face off in Pontiac mayoral primary

Before entering public office, Mark worked as a banking professional for nearly 18 years at a local bank in Pontiac.

Mark previously served as a city councilman and as deputy mayor of Pontiac. He ran for Pontiac’s school board in 2012 and for a county commission seat in 2017 but he did not win.

As of June 5, 2025, Mark E. Holland, Sr. did not have a website or any information online.

Mark E. Holland, Sr.

Mark is a city councilman for the City of Pontiac. He has also served as deputy mayor of Pontiac. Before entering public office, he worked as a banking professional for nearly 18 years at a local bank in Pontiac.

Mark E. Holland, Sr. has served as a city councilman and as deputy mayor of Pontiac. He ran for Pontiac’s school board in 2012 and for the District 9 commission seat in 2017. He is now running for mayor of Pontiac.

As of June 10, 2025, Mark E. Holland, Sr. did not have a website or any information online.

As of June 10, 2025, Mark E. Holland, Sr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 5, 2025, Mark E. Holland, Sr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

District 7 Michael McGuinness

Mike McGuinness has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University. He owns a historic home on Union Street, near Pontiac City Hall on the city’s Eastside.

Mike recently served as the executive director for Oakland County's Historical Society and for the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. Before that, he was a community outreach coordinator for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence.

Mike is currently a member of the Pontiac City Council. Prior to serving on the City Council, he was elected twice to the Pontiac School Board, where he served five years and was School Board President in 2020 and 2021. 

Believes in maximizing progress during economically stable years to prepare for future recessions.

Plans to grow the city's tax base and explore new revenue opportunities to protect essential services and invest in the city's future.

Plans to prioritize developing Pontiac's workforce by investing in job training, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs.

- Believes in maximizing progress during economically stable years to prepare for future recessions.
- Plans to grow the city's tax base and explore new revenue opportunities to protect essential services and invest in the city's future.
- Plans to prioritize developing Pontiac's workforce by investing in job training, educational opportunities, and workforce development programs.

Believes in expanding housing construction and renovation.

- Believes in expanding housing construction and renovation.

Believes in reducing crime and enhancing community policing.

Believes in reducing crime and better community policing.

- Believes in reducing crime and better community policing.

As of June 5, 2025, Mike McGuinness’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to increase access to healthcare, transportation, social activities, and affordable living options for seniors.

Supports enhancing community engagement by improving attendance at Pontiac's Arts Crawl, Juneteenth, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events, and restoring Hispanic cultural celebrations and parades.

Supports increasing community engagement by improving attendance at Pontiac's Arts Crawl, Juneteenth, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events, and restoring Hispanic cultural celebrations and parades.

Plans to install refreshed Welcome to Pontiac gateway signs at city entrances and expand public art and mural installations throughout the community.

Plans to lead the creation of a dedicated youth recreation center to provide a safe space for kids to engage in sports, arts, mentorship, and community activities.

Promises to improve the process for residents to report neighborhood issues.

- Plans to increase access to healthcare, transportation, social activities, and affordable living options for seniors.
- Supports increasing community engagement by improving attendance at Pontiac's Arts Crawl, Juneteenth, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events, and restoring Hispanic cultural celebrations and parades.
- Plans to install refreshed Welcome to Pontiac gateway signs at city entrances and expand public art and mural installations throughout the community.
- Plans to lead the creation of a dedicated youth recreation center to provide a safe space for kids to engage in sports, arts, mentorship, and community activities.
- Promises to improve the process for residents to report neighborhood issues.

Plans to improve trash collection and add recycling services.

- Plans to improve trash collection and add recycling services.

Supports replacing burned-out neighborhood streetlights and damaged traffic signs more quickly.

- Supports replacing burned-out neighborhood streetlights and damaged traffic signs more quickly.

Mike McGuinness

Mike lived in the Pontiac Knolls neighborhood on Court Street with his father during his teenage years. He attended Oakland University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science; he was very active on campus, serving as student body president and vice president. To pay his way through college, Mike worked multiple jobs. Through AmeriCorps’ program at Oakland University, he helped lead after-school and summer youth enrichment programs in Pontiac. He now owns an historic century-old home on Union Street, near Pontiac City Hall on the city’s Eastside.

Mike McGuinness is currently a member of the Pontiac City Council. He led the reorganization and modernization of Council operations and directed the Council’s economic development, housing & planning subcommittees for three years, and now chairs its finance & personnel subcommittee. Prior to serving on the City Council, he was elected twice to the Pontiac School Board, where he served five years and was School Board President in 2020 and 2021. During his tenure as Board President, the school district’s $51 Million deficit was eliminated and, for the first time in over thirty years, a capital improvement bond was adopted to make long‐overdue repairs to public school buildings.

As of June 10, 2025, Mike McGuinness’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 5, 2025, Sabrina Lakaye Jernagin (Write-In) did not have a website or any information online.

Sabrina Lakaye Jernagin (Write-In)

- A mayor’s job can be different in each city, but they usually make sure city laws are followed, help create and manage the city’s budget, appoint people to boards and committees, and oversee city services like police, fire departments, parks, and public transportation.
- The mayor works with the city council and sometimes helps make decisions by voting.
- They may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. 
- They are elected to a two- or four-year term, depending on the city.