I believe that government should have to live with all of the same rules and conditions which are placed upon our citizens with the possible exception of those which involve public safety and health.

I believe that any Commission established by the City should be funded as necessary for the members to accomplish their assigned tasks.

I believe that a set amount or percentage of the General Fund should be designated each year to address those issues which our citizens tell us are most important to them. An example, would be non-motorized transportation, walking and biking paths which are at the top of every survey but which the City has failed to adequately fund.

I believe in budgeting within our means and only borrowing, issuing bonds, when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it is like spending now for our enjoyment and then expecting our children to pay for it later. Also, borrowing adds a lot of cost, interest, to the final cost of the activity, just like credit card debt.

I believe that Council Members have to be active in our Community in order to properly represent our citizens. We have to solicit input with an open mind and respect those whose opinion might be different from ours. After all, election to City Council did not all of a sudden make us masterminds. We are still the same people we were the day before the election and it would be well if we could all remember that.

I believe that tax abatements for new industry are a necessary evil as long as other communities offer them. However, we need to ensure that the conditions set for granting the abatements are met and if not, reduce and/or reclaim them. I also believe that we can make Saline such a desirable place to be that we can reduce the amount of the abatements over time and still attract new businesses.

George A. Anderson Vision Award

David Rhoads has been active in the Saline Community since 1999. He continues to take on new projects and works within existing groups. David has recently accomplished the following:
Saline City Council. David was elected in 2006and re-elected in 2008. He served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2009. In addition to Council, David is the liaison for the Youth Council, where he is actively pursuing the creation of a teen center.
City Groups – Business Development Authority, Cemetery Preservation Committee
Coalition for a Quality Community (CQC) is a citizen group that networks and promotes other non-profit groups, such as PUPS, SCRUD and the 24-Hour Relay.
PUPS (Pick Up the Pace, Saline!) – through David’s efforts and leadership, the Depot Trail was completed in 2007. David has led many community walks, has worked with Washtenaw County staff in creating workable grant projects and is advocating for complete streets in the City. David is also a member of the regional task force which is advocating for a bike/pedestrian crossing over I-94.
Saline Area Sustainability Circle – David has been a member since 2000 and is currently the Vice-Chair.
Saline Leadership Institute – David attended the 2002 class and joined the Planning Team in 2003. He has been a tireless advocate for the program and was the impetus for its new website and marketing program.
Friends of Henne Field – David was the founder of this committee to develop Henne Field into a community park. He currently serves as the Treasurer
Saline Area Historical Society, where David serves as President and developed the Society’s first long range plan which includes a performance area in the big barn and a handicap accessible gift shop. He also attends the Historic District Commission and Summerfest meetings on behalf of the Society.
SCRUD (Saline Coalition to Reduce Under-age Drinking)– Serving as Treasurer for this parent and student group that raises awareness for non-alcohol choices for underage teens.
Saline Downtown Merchants Association- David has been active in this group since its inception, supporting the efforts to increase downtown’s vitality. He is also actively recruiting new businesses and activities.
David’s enthusiasm and love for the Saline community is evident in his many volunteer activities. When the Celtic Festival parade was going to be discontinued due to lack of a committee leader. David stepped forward and willingly agreed to work on the Celtic parade, and thus saved the parade from disappearing. This is but one of many instances where David has come forward and offered his assistance and expertise in leadership.
David has a vision for Saline and contracted with Linda Klenczar, a local artist to put those ideas on paper. David has shared his vision with many groups, knowing that a vision can only become a reality with persistence, good timing and lots of discussion.
David is a worthy candidate for the George A. Anderson Vision Award.

David Rhoads is the owner of two businesses, HSA Remodeling and First Design Cabinetry. He relocated to Saline in 1999 and began his community involvement by joining the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2001 he chaired the Discover Saline Day, which launched his desire to participate in activities and causes to make Saline a good place to live. He attended Saline Leadership Institute in 2001 and moved to Saline after his marriage to Leslee Niethammer.
In 2004 David was recognized with a Citizen of the Year Award for his many volunteer activities.
In 2010 David’s visionary approach to Saline was recognized with the George A Anderson Vision Award.
David has continued his high level of involvement in many aspects of the community – governmental, community and business. In between his many volunteer commitments, he makes a living as a Certified Aging In Place Specialist and a Certified Graduate Remodeler of residential homes.
The following list illustrates David’s commitment to Saline, Washtenaw County and the State.

Professional
• Director, Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor (formerly known as Home Builders Association of Washtenaw County) 2001-present
2006 – Immediate Past President
• Director, Michigan Association of Home Builders 2006 – 08
Became Executive Director in 2008 – present
• Director, Michigan Association of Remodelers 2001 – 06
• Director, National Association of Home Builders 2008 – present
• Director, Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor Foundation (formerly Home Builders Association of Washtenaw County Foundation) 2006 – present
• Chairman of Home Builders Association of Washtenaw County’s “House of Dreams” 2006
• Certified Graduate Remodeler 2008
• Certified Aging In Place Specialist 2008
• Founder of Active Living Lifestyles 2008 – present

Governmental
• City of Saline Council Member 2007 – present
• Council Liaison to the Saline Youth Council 2009 – present
• Council Liaison to Saline Area Senior Center 2007 – 08
• Historic District Commission 2007 – 08
• Cemetery Board of Appeals 2007
• Saline Area Sustainability Circle 2000 – present, 2009 – 10 served as Vice-Chair
• Business Development Assoc 2006 – present
• Alternate to Michigan Municipal League (MML) 2008 – present
• MML Economic Development and Land Use Committee 2008 – present
• Urban Development Task Force with Saline Township 2008 – present

Community
• Discover Saline Day Chair 2001
• Coalition for a Quality Community (CQC) 2006 – present
Elected Treasurer in 2008
• Health Initiative Task Force Pick Up the Pace, Saline! (PUPS) – 2006 – present
• Completed the installation of Saline’s first off-road pathway, The Depot Trail in 2005
• Facilitator Saline Leadership Institute 2002 – present
• Cemetery Preservation Committee 2008
• Henne Field Re-development Task Force 2007 – present
• Founder and Treasurer Friends of Henne Field 2008 – present
• Saline Summerfest Committee 2006 – present
• Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee 2006
• Heritage Task Force 2007
• Saline Area Historical Society 2005 elected President in 2008 – present
• Celtic Festival Parade 2008 – present
• Saline Coalition to Reduce Under-age Drinking Treasurer 2009 – present
• President of The Fifth Corner – Saline’s Teen Center – 2010

Business
• Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Director 2007 Member since 1999
Emcee of monthly Building Business Relationships breakfasts 2006 and 2007
• Destination Saline Committee 2006
• Saline Downtown Merchants Association 2006 – present

Honors
Saline Citizen of the Year 2004
Community Service Award 2004 & 2006
Builder of the Year 2007
George A Anderson Vision Award 2010

This is a workshop to gather your thoughts and suggestions on a new Complete Streets City Ordinance. The potential change in how streets and roads are designed will impact all of us. Please attend and voice your thoughts on these proposed street changes.