By Gari Voss
The Allegan City Council will have a number of new faces after the November 5, 2024, election. As the term of councilmembers comes to an end, three current members will be retiring. Those are the current mayor Roger Bird, and councilmembers Delora Andrus and Teresa Galloway, both of whom have served as mayor during their terms.
The 2024 ballot will find Peter Hanse, current Mayor Pro-Tem, as the only incumbent running to maintain his seat. Included with Hanse on the ballot will be Carl Canales, Melanie Hooker, Will Walker, and Patrick Westover. These five are in contention for four 4-year seats.
The resignation of Dave Redding at the July 22, 2024, council meeting left a vacancy that will expire in November 2026. The timing did not allow for a candidate to properly complete the paperwork and signatures to be placed on the November 2024 ballot to fill the remainder of the term. The position is being filled at this time by Traci Perrigo.
To become familiar with the candidates, the following might assist and/or lead to asking the candidates further questions.
Carl Canales
Carl Canales is an Allegan native. He was born at Allegan Hospital and graduated from Allegan High School. After spending a few years in the Grand Rapids honing his skills in computers and computer repair, Canales returned to Allegan in 2013 where he established A-Tech Complete Computer Services.
Currently, Canales is a member of the Downtown Development Authority and Public Spaces Commission which are both arms of the Allegan City Council.
When queried about the skills that he can bring to the City Council, Caneles responded that he as knowledge of the city along with experience in business management. His business management savvy led him to apply for and receive a $25,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Match on Main grant.
The funds he received assisted Caneles in expanding his showroom at A-Tech. Visitors can find a wide variety of laptops, desktop computers, gaming computers plus the latest and greatest accessories to meet customers’ technology needs.
“I have learned much from the DDA and Public Spaces. At this time, I’m most interested in how everything the city does meshes together as a whole,” explained Canales. “The Downtown is doing great. We need to carry that momentum into the neighborhoods to continue improving the city.”
Canales and his A-Tech team add much to Allegan with their knowledge of not only computers and printers but Arc Gaming and even some cell phone assistance. The staff can make repairs, remove viruses and recover data. For businesses, they can install and maintain networks that improve security and productivity.
Peter Hanse
Peter Hanse grew up in Overisel and graduated from Hamiliton High School in 2000. He began coming to Allegan to visit his father at Hanse Environment, a business that his dad John K. Hanse started in 1989. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 2004, Peter moved to Allegan to work with his dad. In 1990, John K. transferred the company to his sons Peter as CEO and John as Sales Engineer.
Once in Allegan, Peter married, and the couple started their family.
In 2019, Hanse decided to serve on the Allegan Planning Commission. That led him to run for a council position. At this time, he is the Mayor Pro-Tem of the Allegan City Council.
As to what Hanse brings to the City Council, he shared, “I feel that I bring business skills to the Council that include budgeting, managing projects, design, and engineering.” When discussing potential projects during meetings, Hanse brings a discerning eye and pointed questions.
Hanse has been involved with several of the Council’s commissions which includes the Airport Advisory Board. There is no one aspect of city government that interests him any more than the others.
As an incumbent, Hanse shared several areas which he would like to improve. These include improving and maintaining the infrastructure for the long term. This can move into searching for ways to expand industry in and around the city. These improvements may rely on finding ways to expand and improve the number and variety of housing units.
Overall, Hanse sees the importance of keeping a budget “that maintains sound finance that allows the city to perform projects while minimizing debt bonds and maintaining emergency funds.” Hanse feels this can be achieved more easily by activating city assets like the Sports Complex, Griswold Auditorium, Regent Theatre, and Airport in ways that they can be self-sustaining.
Melanie Hooker
Melanie Hooker may be one of the lesser known candidates in the City Council race. She moved to the City of Allegan in 2013. Her two children attended and graduated from Allegan Schools. While Hooker grew up in Otsego, she has spent her life as an Allegan County resident and worked as a paraprofessional for Hilltop Behavior Center from 2002-2009.
When Hooker and her family moved to Allegan, she started a girl scout troop, which was the first in several years. It did not take long for her to be named the area manager for Allegan and Martin. From 2014-2019, she led 5 troops and was area manager for 3 troops. She was also on the Allegan County Sheriff Department’s Victim Services Unit.
Though she has no previous connection to the City Council, Hooker’s desire to serve on the Allegan City Council comes from her a passion for learning and making a difference. That compassion has been demonstrated as executive director of the Domestic Violence Coalition, In. where she has worked since 2009.
When asked about the skills she brings into the position, she shared, “I have been the Executive Director for a non-profit since 2015. I have a Master of Accounting and Financial Management. Plus, I have been a leader in the county where I have worked for 16 years. I am a good presenter, speaker, and advocate for those I serve.”
With a degree in History, Hooker would love to be part of the Historical Society. She is interested in the Downtown Spaces and the Planning Commission that work with the City Council. Another area of interest is the Downtown Development Authority as most members with whom she speaks are very passionate about getting the bridge back in Jaycee Park.
“I would like to see the residents more involved and heard,” explained Hooker when asked about the areas she would like to improve. “When I was walking around getting signatures, many residents had a lot to say, but didn’t feel they would be heard. I think we should have an informal coffee hour once a quarter for those that are not able or willing to come to council meetings.”
Will Walker
Will Walker is the owner of Broken Arrow Recycling, LLC in Allegan. Walker graduated with degrees in physics and engineering from Hope College in 1986. In 2015, Walker decided to open Broken Arrow as a way of “working diligently to meet the challenges of today; seeking new solutions to ensure a more sustainable tomorrow for all of us.”
Walker shared, “I came to West Michigan in 1982 to study and wrestle at Hope College. I graduated with a science degree and, even though I may only use or remember 5% of the facts, I use the problem solving and team building skills daily.”
With a background that encompasses many aspects of manufacturing, from janitorial to production to design to management, Walker feels he was heavily involved in and shaped by the financial crisis of 2009 and its devastating after-effects on his family, friends and employees.
While in Holland, he was a board member and cook for a food pantry, member and deacon of the Reformed Church, coach of numerous children’s sporting teams, volunteer for LAUP (Latin Americans United For Progress) and member of a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Since living in Allegan, Walker reflected, “I have been involved with ASU (Allegan, Speak Up), grandchildren, running a business, being a current member of the Allegan County Materials Management Planning Committee, and Jiu Jitsu.”
As Walker moves towards gaining a seat on the Allegan City Council, he shared, “I would like to contribute to any aspect of city management currently in-need. At some point, I would like to aid in the city’s sustainability efforts, equality journey (resources, housing, etc.) and overall quality of life for all residents (accessibility to parks, bike and walk friendly trails, etc.).”
With a firm belief in creating an environment grounded in teamwork, Walker does not mind a “good dose of friendly competition”.
Patrick Westover
Patrick Westover is best known as the brewer for Tantrick Brewing Company. When Patrick was laid off from AT&T in 2017, Patrick and Tanya decided to follow their dream of home brewing. In July 2018, they located their new business in Allegan where Patrick created beer using a 1-barrel system of brewing. Patrick now uses a 3-barrel system.
“The community has been welcoming and supportive of our small business,” reflected Westover. “And in turn, I’d like to be a part of supporting our community through being involved in the Council. I want to encourage people to come together to build and grow a city where people want to belong.”
Westover began his journey of being part of the city government has been a member of the Planning Commission since November 2022.
When asked about the skills he brings to the council, Westover stated, “I have a Bachelor of Business Administration, Planning Commission experience, and own and operate a small business. I believe I have a well-rounded perspective to be able to effectively evaluate and act on the variety of issues that come before the Council.”
Westover continued, “All areas of city government interest me. I can’t say I would like something over another. I am going to jump in and do what is required of me to the best of my ability.”
Patrick and Tanya are true entrepreneurs to the degree that even during the pandemic in 2020, they moved the business from Hooker Road to downtown Allegan. The Brewing Company on Hubbard St. offers 21 beers plus some ciders, seltzers, wines and spirits.
To promote the momentum, Westover explained, “I want to keep progress moving forward and see our community thrive. I believe keeping and attracting new businesses to create employment opportunities and community engagement for our residents is the way to achieve that.”
