Candidate Profile: Matt Strickfaden,Farmington Hills City Council

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Three seats on the Farmington Hills City Councilare up for election in November's general elections.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Matt Strickfaden, 64, is an Independent running for Farmington Hills City Council member.

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Family

Sharla Voy, significant other

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Graduate of North Farmington High School

Occupation

38 years as a Custom Home Builder and 30 years as a Gymnastics coach at Farmington Gymnastics Center.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am an incumbent Farmington Hills City member, unanimously selected by the Farmington Hills City Council. I am the Council liaison to the Parks and Rec Commission and I am a Council/Planning Commission Committee member.

Campaign website

matt4council.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

As an incumbent City Council member, I have learned how to get things done. I listen carefully to our residents and work hard to insure our voices are heard. I will work tirelessly to implement my exciting 20-year Vision for Farmington Hills.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Clearing the way for the implementation of my 20-year Vision for Farmington Hills which can be found by going to my website: matt4council.org and clicking on "FH20XL - VISION".

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate that is unanimously endorsed by the Mayor, Democrat Vicki Barnett, former Mayor and current City Council member, Republican Ken Massey, the entire City Council and the City Manager. This unanimous support transcends party lines and demonstrates my ability to understand both sides of an issue, and to work with all Council members to find common ground and get things done.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Farmington Hills City Council has no direct authority over state and county decisions regarding coronavirus policies or mandates. My 20-year Vision shows how we can emerge from the pandemic far stronger than ever.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I support expanded Senior services, our great Parks, Police and Fire, improved infrastructure, balanced budgets and implementation of my 20-year Vision FHS0XL - VISION.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My tenure on the Farmington Hills City Council and my ability to get things done by listening carefully, building bridges and finding common ground, my preparation on issues brought in front of Council and the unanimous support of of the Mayor and City Council.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never forget the sacrifices others made on your behalf.

Never forget how hard you worked to get where you are today.

Never forget to say thank you.

Never forget to stop and appreciate how far you’ve come.

Never forget that who you are is so much greater than what you do.

Never forget to pay it forward.

Never forget that it’s not always about you.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I encourage all voters to seek-out and read interviews by all candidates, and look at my 20-year Vision for Farmington Hills, which can be found by going to my website: matt4council.org and clicking on "FH20XL - VISION", and then voting for the person you feel will best listen to, and advocate on your behalf.