This document provides biographical information about Jeff Hicks, who is running for office in Delta Township. It includes his contact information, endorsements, family details, education history, occupation, and extensive community involvement. It also provides sample responses to common questions candidates may receive around their qualifications, key issues in the community, and priorities and obligations. The document aims to introduce Jeff Hicks as a candidate and provide material he could draw from in campaign discussions.

1. Name: Jeff Hicks
City/Town: Delta Township
Campaign Phone: (517) 708-2982
Web Site: www.VoteJeffHicks.com
Email: Jeff@VoteJeffHicks.com
Endorsements: State Senator Rick Jones; State Representative Deb Shaughnessy; Eaton County
Prosecutor Jeff Sauter; Eaton County Sheriff Mike Raines; Delta Township Trustee Barb Poma;
Delta Township Trustee Cara Dobie; Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Waverly
Community Schools Board of Education President Britt Slocum; Kim Laforet, Delta Township
Planning Commissioner; Gary Reed, Delta Township Zoning Board of Appeals Chair; Justin
Himebaugh, Delta Township Economic Development Corporation Board; Barb Thorburn; Delta
Township Parks Commissioner; Eaton County Commissioner John Boles
Date of Birth (will appear only as age): 41
Family: Wife Lisa of 17 years (teacher); two daughters Lauren (11) and Aubrie (8)
Education/Degrees: BA, Political Science-Prelaw, Michigan State University; JD, Wayne State
University Law School
Occupation: Real Estate and Business Law Attorney
Community Involvement: Delta Township Trustee; Delta Township Zoning & Sign Boards of
Appeals; Delta Township Transportation Committee; Delta Township Transportation
Committee; Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors-General Counsel;
Michigan State University Alumni Association International Board Secretary; Michigan State
University Green & White Political Action Committee Board of Directors; MSU Alumni Club of
Mid-Michigan Board of Directors-Recording Secretary and Past-President; Michigan Office of
Regulatory Reinvention’s Occupational Licensing Advisory Rules Committee; Rotary Club of
Lansing Foundation Board of Directors and Past President (2007-2011); Lansing
Sesquicentennial Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors; Ingham County Bar Association Judicial
Candidate Evaluation Committee (2006-2011); McLaren-Greater Lansing Healthcare Foundation
Board of Trustees (2007-2010);Habitat for Humanity-Lansing Board of Directors (2005-2008)

2. 1.
What makes you more qualified than other candidates for this office?
Jeff Hicks: Experience. I bring the most experience to this election. I believe that my advocacy
and consensus building skills give me an identifiable edge. My career as a real estate and
business law attorney is one of asking questions, defining objectives, gathering facts, making
decisions based on those facts and research, and ultimately advocating for and implementing
solutions. I respectfully believe that when you couple my experience as your Delta Township
Trustee with my legal experience and skillset, I am the most qualified candidate. Additionally,
my extensive community service sets me apart from other candidates and demonstrates my
commitment to Delta Township and the greater Lansing region. If experience is the greatest
teacher, then I respectfully believe that I maintain a distinct advantage over my opponents. All
told, I am the only candidate with a proven record of success as Delta Township Trustee. Other
candidates can offer promises. I offer experience, results and a proven record.
2.
Would you support a state tax increase to restore lost revenue sharing funds to your community?
Please answer Yes or No in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: No. Through sound fiscal policy, Delta Township is in much better financial shape
than other municipalities across the state. It would therefore be both shortsighted and punitive to
the residents of Delta Township to support a tax increase that would balance the budgets of less
fiscally responsible municipalities on the backs of our township residents. Unquestionably, a
state tax increase would result in Delta residents paying out far in excess of what they would
expect the township to receive from any revenues generated. Unfortunately, far too often we
have witnessed our state legislators rob Peter to pay Paul. Bearing this in mind, there would be
no guarantee that any new revenues generated by a tax increase would ever return to Delta
Township. In a time when our residents continue to struggle financially, our residents simply
cannot afford a new tax. I am far more comfortable allowing our residents to manage their hard
earned money than I am with having Lansing bureaucrats do so.
3.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with road services? Please answer Yes or No in
the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: No. Eaton County Road Commission has jurisdiction over the majority of roads
located in Delta Township. The Michigan Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over
State trunk lines, such as Saginaw Hwy. as well as limited access expressways (I-96, I-496). The
Township does not have jurisdiction over any roads and is therefore without authority to even
plow them in the winter months. Delta Township and surrounding community roads continue to
suffer from a decline in revenues. So long as Michigan continues to be a donor state when it
comes to taxes related to our roads and bridges, we can expect our residents to express
dissatisfaction regarding the condition and maintenance of our roads. In addition to declining
revenues, road building costs have risen at an exponential rate. In a recent seven year period
asphalt costs have risen 75%, concrete 32%, and salt has doubled. The current funding model is
outdated. Without a change from our legislature, roads will continue to decline.

3. 4.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with park services? Please answer Yes or No in
the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. With over 850 acres of parkland, Delta Township residents enjoy some of mid-
Michigan's most beautiful parks. Thanks to our great Delta Patrol deputies, those parks are
among the safest as well. I have consistently received positive feedback from our residents about
the quality of our parks and our recreation programs. This tells me that Delta Township residents
are as proud of our parks system as I am. I am proud to have supported our existing Parks and
Rec. Department and the preservation of open green space. In addition to maintaining our parks,
our Parks Department offers an outstanding compliment of recreation programs. From softball to
Brunch with Santa, there's a program for all. Residents have come to expect and enjoy a broad
range of programs and parks. In order to meet growing expectations and enhance the quality of
life for Delta's residents, I will continue to proactively support our Parks and Recreation
Department in its delivery of recreation, parks & other services.
5.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with police services? Please answer Yes or No
in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. Delta's contract with Eaton County for police service evidences the great
relationship that Delta Township has with the Eaton County Sheriff's Office. The agreement
provides Delta Patrol with 30 employees housed in a sub-station in the township’s administration
complex. Through conservative fiscal policies, we have kept the same number of officers on the
road as we have for the past several years despite declining revenues. Delta Patrol has increased
its commercial motor vehicle inspections to help ensure the safety of motorists traveling in the
township and preserving our roads. Delta residents have also seen an increase in more timely
information regarding traffic safety and crime prevention services through the use of education
presentations and social media. Bicycle patrol hours have also increased ensuring safer
neighborhoods, parks & pathways. Residents have every reason to be satisfied with our Delta
Patrol and can expect outstanding services to continue for years to come.
6.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with fire services? Please answer Yes or No in
the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. Like the outstanding services provided by our Delta Patrol, Delta Fire provides
services that are second to none. Township residents are very fortunate to have some of the best
firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, staff and leadership around. Like our Delta Patrol, Delta Fire is a
shining example of management and labor coming together to ensure that residents receive the
best possible public safety services. Notwithstanding declining township revenues, Delta
residents should be proud that the 2012 budget maintains excellent service levels in all of the
areas that residents have grown accustomed to. Because our fire and EMS budgets have
remained strong, Delta Fire has been able to continue providing the training, equipment, and
personnel necessary to provide top tier services to our residents. Additionally, residents should
be proud to know Delta Fire has been at the forefront of aggressively pursuing grant funding to
leverage existing funds in order to acquire cutting-edge equipment.

4. 7.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with library services? Please answer Yes or No
in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. From its rather humble beginnings, the Delta Township District Library has
become one of mid-Michigan's premier libraries. Averaging nearly 16,000 visitors each month
and over 1,000 room reservations each year, our library has become the go-to gathering center
for our township residents. Delta's library is the township building that receives the most
laudatory praises, for its LEED Certified construction, beautiful interior, and helpful staff. Our
library continues to offer new services and has readily embraced new technologies. Residents
now have the option to "check out" ebooks and audiobooks via download anytime and anywhere
through the Woodlands Downloadable Library portal. In addition to the library’s traditional book
collection, a wide range of programs and classes are offered that appeal to a broad cross-section
of the township's population. From the feedback I have received over the past four years, I know
that our residents are more than simply satisfied with the library.
8.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with government transparency? Please answer
Yes or No in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. I remain committed to a high level of openness in our local government. The
right of the public to access information from the township and its elected officials is
fundamental. Great care is taken to ensure that our township residents stay well informed. Every
effort is taken to make as much information available to our residents as is made available to
elected officials. Board member meeting packets (agenda & materials) are made available to the
public at the same time they are to board members. Additionally, our various township
departments go to great lengths to make relevant and timely information readily available to our
residents. Decisions on issues that are likely to draw significant resident interest are not voted
upon until the community has had sufficient time to provide feedback. I continue to hold office
hours since first being elected in 2008 to help create a more open and transparent government by
providing an additional venue for residents to address concerns.
9.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with property tax rates? Please answer Yes or
No in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. Even though multiple school districts exist in Delta Township, our residents
enjoy some of the most favorable property tax rates in the Mid-Michigan area for the level of
services that they receive. This helps contribute to one of the lowest costs of living in the area.
With that said, declining property values and current economic conditions have further
complicated an already confusing state real estate tax system. I have supported efforts by our
Assessing Department to educate property owners about the property assessment and taxation
processes put into place by the State of Michigan. It is critical that our residents understand the
guidelines and tax laws that assessors must follow, and how the current market conditions affect
those guidelines. In spite of the challenges created by the decline in property tax revenue, I am
pleased to have been able to ensure that the services our residents have come to expect have been
maintained. Our residents deserve the best services.

5. 10.
Should residents in your community be satisfied with planning and zoning? Please answer Yes or
No in the first paragraph, then explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes. Zoning & planning are among two of Delta’s most lauded services. Delta
Township is fortunate to have some of the most experienced planners in the state of Michigan. I
routinely hear from residents, builders, developers & businesses about what an absolute pleasure
it is to work with Delta Township’s Community Development Department. Our zoning and
planning officials remain dedicated to managing the Township's development in an efficient and
equitable manner, all the while balancing the interests of diverse parties. They provide clear,
concise and timely information to the public concerning planning and development activities
within the township. The department & its outstanding staff provide efficient, one-stop service
for applications, permits, licenses, variances, land divisions, zoning, and a myriad of other
services. Delta's residents should be as proud as I am that our zoning and planning staff, and the
department as a whole, are considered by many to be one of the very best.
11.
What are the three most important issues facing the city/village/township and how would you
address them?
Jeff Hicks: 1) Declining revenue- Continuing to provide outstanding services without increasing
taxes requires new thinking. I will continue to explore regionalism opportunities to offer better,
more cost effective and efficient services to our residents, all the while ensuring our autonomy.
2) Resident Participation & access to information- As Delta grows more complex and people’s
thinking and sense of values become increasingly diverse, the need for new ways to disseminate
information to our residents has also grown. I will continue to push for a variety of methods to
ensure that resident feedback is fully considered, including the implementation of emerging
technologies.
3) Economic Development- The shallow depth of our West Saginaw parcels continues to pose a
significant challenge for redevelopment. Many existing structures are obsolete but cannot be torn
down without losing their legal nonconforming status. I will continue to push for new zoning
solutions to accommodate investment.
12.
What services do you consider vital and least eligible for cuts?
Jeff Hicks: Public safety, infrastructure, and economic development are vital. Residents have
made it clear over the years that public safety is the most critical of these three. I am pleased to
have supported our current budget which reflects this priority, even in a period of declining
revenue. Without a safe township, little else matters. I am proud to have made no cuts to our fire
and police services.
Infrastructure investment and economic development go hand in hand. Private sector
productivity gains result from public infrastructure investments, in many cases with higher
returns than private capital investment. Well-designed infrastructure investments can raise
economic growth, productivity, and land values, while also providing significant positive
spillovers to areas such as economic development, energy efficiency, public health, and
manufacturing. Economic development is critical to aggressively pursue new and existing
business investment in order to help rebuild our tax base.

6. 13.
Are you current in all tax, alimony and child support obligations? If not, please explain.
Jeff Hicks: Yes as to taxes. I do not have alimony or child support obligations.