Bender named to council

Bryan Bender Photo by Amanda Braniecki GRAND BLANC — The Grand Blanc City Council appointed a new member to fill the vacant council seat during its meeting Feb. 8.

After hosting interviews for nine candidates on Feb. 4 to replace resigning Councilwoman Connie Lesley, the council narrowed its search down to Bryan Bender and Thomas James.

Bender, a 17-year resident of the city and current director of broadcast and production for Ford Field and the Detroit Lions, was selected for the position on a 3-2 vote after a motion by Councilman Matt Telliga to appoint James failed.

Telliga and Councilman Lonnie Adkins were the dissenting votes.

“I’m humbled,” Bender, 48, said following the meeting. “I mean that honestly and truthfully because, Councilwoman Lesley was on council for so many years and she had a great record and great rapport, so it is not an easy position to fill because of her history and her accomplishments.”

Councilman John Freel said Bender’s knowledge on branding and marketing fills a void on council that none of the current council members could bring to the table.

“We have finance people, we have planning people, business people and business owners at the table, but what we don’t have is someone in marketing,” Freel said. “Mr. Bender will bring something to the table that we haven’t had on council since I’ve been here”

Telliga however said Bender was not on his list of contenders for the council seat and instead felt James would be a better fit due to his involvement with the community, business experience and knowledge of working with large budgets.

“I am quite frankly stunned and disappointed with my associates’ votes,” Telliga said. “I think this city would be lucky to have (James). And he may be one of the best city council members, with all due respect to current council members, that we’ve had in years.”

James, who had a room full of supporters speaking on his behalf, said he was disappointed with council’s decision, but would still remain committed to the city.

“It was an interesting experience,” James said. “Everything will be just fine though.”

As the newest member of the council, Bender said he hopes his experience will fill a need and help form a team on council, allowing them all to combine their different areas of expertise to move the city forward.

“In terms of marketing, I hope I can provide, not necessarily the day-to-day ground work or leg work, but provide ideas,” Bender said.

At the top of his list, Bender said he is looking to keep the city financially sound, maintain public safety, establish a permanent building for the city’s farmers market and develop the downtown area by filling empty buildings with businesses.

“My main goal is to help generate more revenue and income by getting businesses in here,” Bender said. “We need to have a place for the people who grew up in this community to stay here.”

Bender will be sworn in at the council’s Feb. 22 meeting. He will serve the remainder of Lesley’s term which is set to expire in November 2013.