Community leaders in Pontiac react to Tim Greimel’s decision to not run for reelection
Pontiac will have a new mayor next year, as Mayor Tim Greimel announced Thursday that he will not seek a second term.
The first-term mayor posted a letter to residents on social media.
“Serving as your mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. When I first took office, I could not have fully anticipated the challenges we would face together or the profound progress we would achieve,” he wrote, adding that it “has been a rollercoaster ride — a journey of highs and lows, difficult decisions, and milestones reached — but above all, it has been a privilege to dedicate myself to this city we all love.”
A reelection campaign had been anticipated.
Campaign finance records filed with the county in October show he had raised more than $70,000 for his next mayoral campaign, though a spokesperson said he had not officially announced he was running for reelection. A Greimel for Pontiac website promoting his mayoral campaign was still active Thursday evening.
Greimel praised the city for its resilience, strength and endless potential, as well as a renewed sense of pride. As for residents, he said their passion and unwavering hope inspired him.
“You are the soul of this city,” he wrote. “The future of this city is in your hands — our collective strength, creativity, and commitment will carry us forward.”
Belief in Pontiac’s promise and rich history is vital, he said, as is a steadfast vision for the city’s future.
“From improving basic city services to investing in our youth, launching new housing initiatives, and bringing Oakland County government offices back to downtown, we’ve set the stage for a much brighter future,” he wrote. “While there is more work ahead, I take pride in knowing that Pontiac is on a path to transformation.”
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter shared Greimel’s message on Facebook, saying the Pontiac mayor’s “leadership has been instrumental in setting the stage for a brighter future in Pontiac. I thank him for his service and dedication to the residents of Pontiac, and I look forward to continuing to build on the progress he helped achieve.”
Greimel said he made the decision after “months of thoughtful consideration, prayer, and conversations with trusted people in my life.”
He said he wanted to focus on future endeavors and spend more time with his family.
“This decision has not come lightly, but I make it with a full heart and complete faith in Pontiac’s future,” he wrote. “This city’s success does not rest on one leader but on all of us working together.”
He added that he remains committed to working with community stakeholders for the rest of his term, which ends Dec. 31, “to solidify Pontiac’s place as the heart of Oakland County and to ensure that our residents have the opportunities and high quality of life they deserve.”
He thanked residents for their trust and called Pontiac an “extraordinary city.
“I will forever be grateful for this chapter in my life. May God bless Pontiac and all who call it home,” he wrote, signing the letter “with love and gratitude.”
Oakland County Commissioner Angela Powell, who also worked for the city as a community outreach coordinator, said she understood his decision.
Being a leader in any community is not easy, she said, but it can be tough in Pontiac which has “experienced a rollercoaster of challenges over the last 20 years.“
She’s worked with Greimel in various capacities for 21 years and considers him a great friend.
“I know he gives his job the best effort, day in and day out,” she said. “He has tried to do his best making individuals happy and comfortable with his decisions. I’ve seen him go above and beyond to do the best thing for the city with whatever came before him.”
She said she’s learned a lot by working with him and, while she doesn’t know his future plans, could see him running for a federal office, working as a lobbyist or practicing law. Greimel has been licensed by the Michigan Bar Association since 2000.
“I’ll continue to support him whatever he decides to do,” Powell said. “I wish him and his family well – the best — moving forward.”
State Rep. Brenda Carter said she and Greimel “maintain a professional relationship grounded in our shared public service in Pontiac … We have both served in leadership roles, advocating for policies that support economic growth, and community development. Our collaboration reflects a mutual dedication to improving the lives of Pontiac residents through legislative and executive actions.”
She went on to congratulate him on the decision and wished him Godspeed.
Pontiac City Council President Mike McGuinness said he was surprised. McGuinness had also launched a mayoral campaign, as did Kermit Williams.
“Being mayor of Pontiac is a tough tough job and Mayor Greimel has worked very hard to make a difference,” McGuinness said. “The accomplishments over the past three years have put our city in a stronger position.”
McGuinness said he would continue working with Greimel for the remainder of his term “to make even greater strides for the people of our city.”
The mayor and city council seats are on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The former state representative and county commissioner won the city’s mayoral race in 2021 with more than 61 percent of the vote. Williams said he was not aware of Greimel’s plans but he would ask Greimel for an endorsement.
Williams said he was shocked by the announcement and is praying for Greimel. The two have known each other since their time as members of the Young Democrats 20 years ago, Williams said.
“I look forward to talking to him in the future,” said Williams, a former city council president who was on the council for 12 years. “And I’ll ask for his advice. I’m wishing him the best in all of his future endeavors and whatever he does.”
Councilman Kathalee James said she was surprised, as she’d donated to his reelection campaign late last year.
“I’m sure as he said it was well thought out and the right thing for him,” she said. “His administration and the current council has been faced with some unprecedented challenges.”
At the same time, she said, they’ve started remarkable projects: Managing $37 million in American Rescue Plan Act money, downtown development, working with MDOT on changes to Woodward Avenue’s path around downtown, housing developments and the county’s decision to move some of its offices to the Ottawa Towers, for which she credited Greimel with influencing.
“Now, we have to stay focused on what we need to do next to see all these game-changing projects through to completion,” she said.
Councilwoman Melanie Rutherford said she wished him the best.
The Rev. Antonio P Gibson senior pastor at the New Experience Church of Christ in Pontiac said he wasn’t aware of Greimel’s decision but was not surprised. He said he’d spoken to the mayor recently about support for a shelter or warming center for homeless people.
“I think he’s not running for reelection because he’s lost the confidence of the people of Pontiac,” Gibson said, adding that “any time you have no respect for the least of these you cannot lead Pontiac.”
Sean Preston, the entrepreneur behind the Yaktown Don’t Back Down brand, said he understood Greimel’s decision.
“I appreciate him embracing the Yaktown Don’t Back Down brand during his time as mayor,” Preston said. “I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. I also feel like with this announcement coming out, a lot of people are going to run for mayor this year. This election cycle for the city of Pontiac might be one for the ages.”
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