Why are voters endorsing Mike

"I'm excited that Mike is running. He cares about people and works for the public good." Barbara Levin Bergman, Washtenaw County Commissioner – 8th District

"As we work to consolidate public services and programs, Mike's orientation toward cooperation and collaboration are what we need." Bob Galardi, Former Deputy Superintendent Ann Arbor Public Schools

"Mike's professional and volunteer background makes him exceptionally well qualified to serve as our County Commissioner." David and Martha Krehbiel

"Mike's proven ability and dedication to public service will make him a great asset on the Board of Commissioners." Leah Gunn, Washtenaw County Commissioner – 9th District

"Mike has great credentials and a reputation for good sense and civility." Joan Lowenstein, former member, Ann Arbor City Council

"Mike is highly qualified to be a County Commissioner and I like what he stands for." Robert J. Miller,  former Director of  Washtenaw County 211 Program

"I've known Mike for over 40 years. He's a guy who bridges differences and gets things done."
Chuck Newman, Founder & Chairman ReCellular,Inc.

"We are very encouraged that a really smart guy like Mike has decided to run for public office." Doug and Barbara White

Experience

  • 26 years as Chief of Administration/Prosecutor Administrator of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
    • Managed all business activities including finance, human resources, information technology and County commission relations
    • Founded and led the Wayne Area Justice Information System (WAJIS)
    • Co-founder of the Wayne County Mental Health diversion program
    • Implemented the Prosecutor's victim-witness assistance program
    • Implemented systems to improve productivity
    • Served on the State's Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and Michigan Criminal Justice Information System (MCJIS) Policy Councils

Community Service and Ties


 

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

I want to thank all of you who worked and voted for me.

I want to congratulate Yousef Rabhi for his nomination as the Democratic candidate for County Commissioner from the 11th District. I will give him my full support in the upcoming election.  I hope you will too.

Without question this election points out the importance of each person's vote.  The recount was an exciting event with much of the same drama as I experienced while waiting for the results on election night. A previously rejected vote was accepted but not in my favor. A vote for me was disallowed when it was determined that a voter who voted for Democrats in every other race had crossed over to vote for a Republican precinct delegate. It seems that we need a better system to prevent voters  from invalidating their ballot by voting in both parties' primaries – especially with absentee voters.

Based on the number of ballots where the only vote cast was for Rick Snyder, I can only conclude that a number of Democrats voted in the Republican primary. I wish that they had not done so, but instead, had chosen to participate in our own party's primary.

 I am of course disappointed that I was not victorious. But, I plan to continue my efforts to improve the quality of life for those living in Washtenaw County and to continue my involvement with organizations that help those in need and that work to build a better future for all of us. I encourage each one of you to do the same.

Thanks,

Mike


Ten Reasons Why you Should Vote for Mike Fried for County Commissioner

 


Working together now and for the future

 

This is a wonderful community to live in.  It is filled with friendly people who care about others.

Everyone has a stake in the future.I came to Ann Arbor from Chicago to attend the University of Michigan and have been here ever since. I met my wife here, we raised our children here, and now we have the joy of being grandparents to four boys, all living in Ann Arbor.

Because I have had a good life here, I want to give back to the community.  I want to serve as your Washtenaw County Commissioner in order to build a future of balanced budgets, good jobs, accessible parks, efficient transportation, and quality services.

As Chief of Administration in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, I had to control spending local tax dollars while maintaining quality services.  Now, being active in the local community, I see, first hand, that there are many Washtenaw County community needs.

I have the experience and determination to work together with others to find ways to meet both these needs in a tight economy.
 

Guiding Washtenaw County through tough economic times

Maintain high quality essential services

Hon. John Dingell with Liz and Mike FriedThe Board of Commissioners allocates your tax dollars to over 50 County departments and several external agencies. These departments include the Prosecuting Attorney, Courts, Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Water Resources Commissioner, Public Defender, and Health Department, among others.

The County is mandated by law to provide certain essential services through its departments. For example, there must be a County Clerk to keep birth certificates and marriage licenses and to manage elections. And, there must be a Sheriff to maintain a jail and to provide other police services.

The Commission should place priority on allocating funds to ensure that there are high quality essential services.

County departments have a responsibility to make sure that they operate effectively and efficiently. Departments should strive to improve procedures and use technology to increase productivity. The County should assist departments in obtaining grants from foundations and from federal and state agencies.

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Help our citizens in need

The County should continue to fund non-profit human service agencies to the best of its ability.  Since County funds are tight,  in collaboration with others, the County should assist effective non-profits to find alternative funding sources. The County should help stabilize neighborhoods by supporting foreclosure prevention programs.  (Map of Ann Arbor homes in some stage of foreclosure.)  As with any expenditure of County funds, programs must be evaluated and money well spent.

Maintain Sound Finances

Washtenaw county must be kept financially sound.  The Board of Commissioners should set budgetary priorities.  It should make sure that taxes are spent in a cost beneficial manner with goals and measures of effectiveness and efficiency.  Budgetary decisions should be based on both immediate and long term implications.  The County should redouble its effort to find external funds.

Improve coordination and collaboration among local governments, universities, and organizations

Washtenaw County has five cities, three villages and 20 townships and two state universities plus agencies and organizations for planning, parks, transportation and economic development.  The County belongs to intergovernmental groups and hosts state and federal departments. Coordination and collaboration between them are among the best ways of improving efficiency and saving money.  The use of mediation to resolve intergovernmental disputes would result in additional savings.

Develop a vision and plan for the future

While we address current challenges, we need to continue to develop our vision for the future. We need a county strategic plan that sets priorities and with measurable goals. We should seek an articulated shared vision that includes intergovernmental relations, economic development, public safety, human services, housing, transportation, parks, energy usage, and sustainability, to name some.