Tim Greimel
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 29th district
In office
March 6, 2012 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byTim Melton
Succeeded byBrenda Carter
Minority Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 1, 2017
Preceded byRichard Hammel
Succeeded bySam Singh
Mayor of Pontiac, Michigan
Assumed office
November 2021
Preceded byDeirdre Holloway Waterman
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
WebsiteRep. Tim Greimel

Tim Greimel is an American politician who currently serves as the mayor of Pontiac, Michigan. He previously served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, elected in a special election in 2012 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Tim Melton. After his election to a full term in 2012, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as the minority leader in the House.[1][2]

In October 2017, Greimel announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 11th congressional district but in the Democratic primaries on August 7, 2018, he lost to Haley Stevens.[3]

In November 2021, he was elected as Mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, with 61.66% of the vote.[4][5][6]

Education and background

Greimel attended the University of Michigan, from which he received his bachelor's degree in economics and political science, master's degree in public policy, and juris doctor degree.[7][8] Greimel was admitted into the State Bar Association of Michigan on November 15, 2000.[9] He has a focus in labor and employment law and civil rights law.[8]

Career

In May 2005, Greimel was elected to serve on the Rochester Community School District Board of Education. He received 7,817 votes, the second-largest number of votes behind Michelle J. Shepherd, who received 7,989 votes.[10] During his time on the school board, Greimel briefly served as president of the board.[11] In August 2008, and again in 2010, Greimel was elected as County Commissioner of the 11th district.[12][13] At the end of 2011, Greimel won a special election for District 29 in the Michigan House of Representatives.[14] Following the special election, Greimel won the election for a full term in 2012. Greimel served as the Democratic Leader for the House until 2018, when he lost the Democratic primary to Haley Stevens by 4,636 votes.[11]

In 2021, Greimel ran for mayor of Pontiac. Greimel delivered his first state of the city address for Pontiac on September 29, 2022.[15]

Views

The following is a description of Greimel's views towards multiple subjects. The following are not necessarily actions he has completed, but these are his views on public issues.

Education

During his time in the legislature, Greimel supported legislation to expand/support technical career education.[16] One of Greimel's main campaign goals is the improvement of Pontiac Public Schools via hiring liaisons and recreation coordinators, as well as partnering with the Pontiac School District, the Oakland Intermediate School District, local charter schools, and non-profits to improve recreation, after school activities, enhance early education, and increase technical education.[17]

Infrastructure

Most of Greimel's views and work regarding infrastructure has manifested in the roads. Greimel introduced legislation to refund Michigan drivers with a tax credit for car damage from damaged roads.[16] According to his campaign website, Greimel plans to invest more into Pontiac's roads, specifically the Woodward Avenue loop to improve access to downtown.[18] His campaign goal towards non-road infrastructure included increasing access to Wi-Fi and investing in water and sewer repairs. During his time in the state legislature, Greimel also called on former Governor Rick Snyder to resign after the Flint Water Crisis.[16]

Strengthening neighborhoods

Greimel believes that enforcing anti-blight policies, as well as code enforcement for the appearance of buildings, will help to strengthen Pontiac's neighborhoods. Additionally, he believes in implementing adopt-a-highway and adopt-a-block programs, as well as re-establishing Community Development Block Grant.[19]

Job expansion and economic opportunity

Overall, Greimel believes it will be important to make downtown a one stop shop, and make Pontiac an easier and friendlier place to do business. This includes consistent and accessible permits, moving the Farmer's Market downtown, facilitating free entrepreneurship classes, implementing more Pontiac-specific policies, and promoting women and minority owned businesses.[16] Greimel has acted on this and developed a Downtown Redevelopment Plan[20] (see below).

Downtown redevelopment plan

As mayor, Greimel, in collaboration with Oakland County officials, sought to redevelop Pontiac's downtown area to increase foot traffic.[20] Greimel is seeking to demolish the Phoenix Center and replace it with a walkable recreational space that will serve as a city center.[21] Greimel described the Phoenix Center as a "Dilapidated eyesore of a derelict parking structure."[22]

Oakland County purchased two buildings to be used as office space in downtown Pontiac. Greimel is expecting that the increased foot traffic from county employees and the new city center will boost economic activity in Pontiac's downtown area. The redevelopment project is expected to cost around $120–130 million. A majority of funding for the project will come from the state and Oakland County as well as the American Rescue Plan Act.[20] Greimel said the downtown redevelopment plan "will ensure the city owns a large space that can facilitate outdoor concerts and serve as a town square and public place for the community."[22]

References

  1. ↑ 2013-2014 Michigan Manual: State Representative Tim Greimel
  2. ↑ Martin, Tim (November 8, 2012). "Michigan House Republicans stick with Jase Bolger; Democrats select Tim Greimel as their leader". Booth Newspapers. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  3. ↑ Spangler, Todd (October 17, 2017). "State Rep. Tim Greimel joins crowded congressional field". Detroit Free Press.
  4. ↑ Proxmire, Crystal (2022-01-03). "Phoenix Rising in Pontiac as City Gets all New Council, Tim Greimel as Mayor". Oakland County Times. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. ↑ Laitner, Bill (November 3, 2021). "Pontiac election results: New mayor and council bring potential for change". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  6. ↑ Laitner, Bill. "Pontiac election results: New mayor and council bring potential for change". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  7. ↑ "Welcome to Pontiac, MI". www.pontiac.mi.us. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  8. 1 2 Cunningham, Peter (March 2015). "Michigan's Lawyer-Legislatures of the 98th State Legislature" (PDF). Michigan Bar Journal: 22.
  9. ↑ "Timothy A. Greimel". State Bar of Michigan. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  10. ↑ "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search". openoakland2.oakgov.com. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  11. 1 2 "Tim Greimel". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  12. ↑ "Past Election Results | Oakland County, MI". www.oakgov.com. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  13. ↑ "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search". openoakland2.oakgov.com. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  14. ↑ "Open Oakland Clerk's Public Document Search". openoakland2.oakgov.com. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  15. ↑ "Pontiac 'State of City' to be delivered on Sept. 29". The Oakland Press. 2022-09-24. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Tim Greimel". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  17. ↑ "Tim Greimel". Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  18. ↑ By (2021-12-13). "Q&A with incoming Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel". The Oakland Press. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  19. ↑ Martindale, Mike. "Greimel wins mayoral race in Pontiac, Fournier reelected in Royal Oak". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  20. 1 2 3 Golston, Hilary (2023-08-17). "$130 million Pontiac redevelopment plan has officials hoping for downtown rebirth". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  21. ↑ "Oakland County leaders announce a $100 million investment to redevelop downtown Pontiac". WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  22. 1 2 "Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel discusses future plans for Phoenix Center, Ottawa Towers - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
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