Sessions prepares for final days in office
Jessica Kneller
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: News
On Nov. 21, 2005, Michael Sessions became one of the youngest mayors in American history. Four years later, he is entering his last month as mayor of Hillsdale.
"It's bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed being the mayor of the city of Hillsdale," Sessions said, reflecting on his April decision not to seek reelection.
Sessions, now a senior at Hillsdale College, is unsure whether his post-graduation plans will take him away from Michigan and is not willing to bet with his constituents' money.
"It would cost the city money to resign," he said. "I didn't want to put that burden on the city. It would be unjust to ask the taxpayers to take that on themselves."
Pro-business policy
After an unusual start to his political career, which included yard signs and door-to-door campaigning, Sessions' time as mayor has been marked by increased focus on the interest of his voters and creation of policies that are more business friendly.
"We are willing to go to bat for any constituent," Sessions said, adding that the improvement in representative-voter relations has been one of his greatest accomplishments.
His attempts to allow businesses to develop more freely have been a part of this enhancement. Sessions noted that before his time in office, rezoning and active encouragement of economic growth was practically unheard of.
"The city of Hillsdale is hovering at a 20 percent unemployment rate," Sessions said. "We're doing our best to promote growth. We achieve that by not questioning things that we shouldn't be questioning."
One business that has seen the effects of Sessions' policy is the Broad Street Market, a downtown business that has undergone recent renovations. After struggling to get its liquor license, the business finally obtained it through Sessions' dedicated efforts.
Broad Street Market owner Michael Ritter was very impressed with Sessions. "It was touching to see someone in city government working so closely to make things happen," he said, explaining that Sessions has worked hard for local businesses.
Fellow Hillsdale City Council members have noted the young mayor's dedication. Rich Péwé, representative of Ward 2, noted that Sessions is both "attentive" and "committed to the job."
"I don't see that there was any dissatisfaction or rejection of his youth," Péwé said. "It was something the city experienced."
Péwé also noted that Sessions quickly came to the realization that the mayoral position was a lot more than he bargained for.
"There were a number of things he wanted to do that simply no one could achieve."
Despite this fact, Péwé still believes Sessions gave his best effort.
His commitment is evident in his goals for the end of his term. Sessions plans to help a pub open in the downtown area and vows to see it to its finish.
"I want to make sure that a liquor license is in their hands by the time I leave office," he said.
Pete Beck, the Hillsdale High School assistant principal and longtime friend of Sessions, said he thinks that the mayor has done his job well.
"This has been not only a rewarding experience for mayor Sessions," he said. "It's been rewarding for the city council and community."
Scandal and sickness
But Sessions' time as mayor has not been without bumps. In July 2007, the young mayor faced misdemeanor charges after an incident with his former campaign manager.
"He and I played mutual pranks on each other," Sessions explained, "but it got out of hand."
After being accused of sending e-mails under a false name, Sessions was charged with malicious annoyance by writing and served 40 hours of service at a senior center. The judge then dismissed the case.
"I'm not proud of it," Sessions said, "but it taught me a lot of things and strengthened my character."
He attributes his quick recovery to his willingness to tell the truth.
"Through the whole thing, I was honest with the constituents of Hillsdale," he said, pointing to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's mistakes in the recently exposed scandal. "I admitted it."
Stopping was not an option for Sessions. He was determined to work through the situation and continue to serve the people of Hillsdale.
City Councilman Bruce Sharp does not hold the situation against Sessions, even asserting that he has done good work as mayor.
"As far as I'm concerned, he's been cleared," Sharp said. "He made a mistake and paid his time. It's done and over with."
The summer of 2007 proved to be even more difficult for Sessions as he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just two weeks after being charged.
"Both situations were just horrendous," Sessions said. "Those were tough lessons to learn."
As Sessions tried to sort through issues in the wake of the controversy, he underwent two surgeries to treat his cancer. Even though he has now been in remission for two years, Sessions still holds that summer 2007 was one of the most difficult seasons of his life.
"It was hell," Sessions said, "but something like that makes you stronger. I learned to be humble."
Beck noted Sessions' strength throughout his difficulties.
"He was constantly trying to move forward positively," Beck recalled, adding that Sessions has persevered to do great things.
The future of the office
As his time in office comes to a close, Sessions is growing increasingly concerned about the policies he has worked so hard to create.
"My biggest fear is that the policies we've created as a city will be rolled back," Sessions said, explaining that to avoid such a situation, the right leadership must be put in place.
The Nov. 3 election will decide whether Sessions' precedent will be continued or not as Douglas Moon and Tony Vear vie to replace him.
For Sessions, the choice is obvious. Moon is currently one of two representatives for Ward 1, meaning that if he is elected, the city will have to find a replacement, nearly the exact situation Sessions chose to avoid by not seeking re-election.
"He doesn't understand that his personal ambition could hurt the city," Sessions said.
Moon also was not in support of rezoning the Hillsdale Community Health Center, a decision that Sessions considered essential to promoting development. Vear supported that change.
As the election nears, Sessions hopes that the public is aware of what advances the city has made during his term.
"I'm very proud that we've come a long way and made the city business-friendly," he said. "But I'm nervous to see what happens next."
"It's bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed being the mayor of the city of Hillsdale," Sessions said, reflecting on his April decision not to seek reelection.
Sessions, now a senior at Hillsdale College, is unsure whether his post-graduation plans will take him away from Michigan and is not willing to bet with his constituents' money.
"It would cost the city money to resign," he said. "I didn't want to put that burden on the city. It would be unjust to ask the taxpayers to take that on themselves."
Pro-business policy
After an unusual start to his political career, which included yard signs and door-to-door campaigning, Sessions' time as mayor has been marked by increased focus on the interest of his voters and creation of policies that are more business friendly.
"We are willing to go to bat for any constituent," Sessions said, adding that the improvement in representative-voter relations has been one of his greatest accomplishments.
His attempts to allow businesses to develop more freely have been a part of this enhancement. Sessions noted that before his time in office, rezoning and active encouragement of economic growth was practically unheard of.
"The city of Hillsdale is hovering at a 20 percent unemployment rate," Sessions said. "We're doing our best to promote growth. We achieve that by not questioning things that we shouldn't be questioning."
One business that has seen the effects of Sessions' policy is the Broad Street Market, a downtown business that has undergone recent renovations. After struggling to get its liquor license, the business finally obtained it through Sessions' dedicated efforts.
Broad Street Market owner Michael Ritter was very impressed with Sessions. "It was touching to see someone in city government working so closely to make things happen," he said, explaining that Sessions has worked hard for local businesses.
Fellow Hillsdale City Council members have noted the young mayor's dedication. Rich Péwé, representative of Ward 2, noted that Sessions is both "attentive" and "committed to the job."
"I don't see that there was any dissatisfaction or rejection of his youth," Péwé said. "It was something the city experienced."
Péwé also noted that Sessions quickly came to the realization that the mayoral position was a lot more than he bargained for.
"There were a number of things he wanted to do that simply no one could achieve."
Despite this fact, Péwé still believes Sessions gave his best effort.
His commitment is evident in his goals for the end of his term. Sessions plans to help a pub open in the downtown area and vows to see it to its finish.
"I want to make sure that a liquor license is in their hands by the time I leave office," he said.
Pete Beck, the Hillsdale High School assistant principal and longtime friend of Sessions, said he thinks that the mayor has done his job well.
"This has been not only a rewarding experience for mayor Sessions," he said. "It's been rewarding for the city council and community."
Scandal and sickness
But Sessions' time as mayor has not been without bumps. In July 2007, the young mayor faced misdemeanor charges after an incident with his former campaign manager.
"He and I played mutual pranks on each other," Sessions explained, "but it got out of hand."
After being accused of sending e-mails under a false name, Sessions was charged with malicious annoyance by writing and served 40 hours of service at a senior center. The judge then dismissed the case.
"I'm not proud of it," Sessions said, "but it taught me a lot of things and strengthened my character."
He attributes his quick recovery to his willingness to tell the truth.
"Through the whole thing, I was honest with the constituents of Hillsdale," he said, pointing to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's mistakes in the recently exposed scandal. "I admitted it."
Stopping was not an option for Sessions. He was determined to work through the situation and continue to serve the people of Hillsdale.
City Councilman Bruce Sharp does not hold the situation against Sessions, even asserting that he has done good work as mayor.
"As far as I'm concerned, he's been cleared," Sharp said. "He made a mistake and paid his time. It's done and over with."
The summer of 2007 proved to be even more difficult for Sessions as he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just two weeks after being charged.
"Both situations were just horrendous," Sessions said. "Those were tough lessons to learn."
As Sessions tried to sort through issues in the wake of the controversy, he underwent two surgeries to treat his cancer. Even though he has now been in remission for two years, Sessions still holds that summer 2007 was one of the most difficult seasons of his life.
"It was hell," Sessions said, "but something like that makes you stronger. I learned to be humble."
Beck noted Sessions' strength throughout his difficulties.
"He was constantly trying to move forward positively," Beck recalled, adding that Sessions has persevered to do great things.
The future of the office
As his time in office comes to a close, Sessions is growing increasingly concerned about the policies he has worked so hard to create.
"My biggest fear is that the policies we've created as a city will be rolled back," Sessions said, explaining that to avoid such a situation, the right leadership must be put in place.
The Nov. 3 election will decide whether Sessions' precedent will be continued or not as Douglas Moon and Tony Vear vie to replace him.
For Sessions, the choice is obvious. Moon is currently one of two representatives for Ward 1, meaning that if he is elected, the city will have to find a replacement, nearly the exact situation Sessions chose to avoid by not seeking re-election.
"He doesn't understand that his personal ambition could hurt the city," Sessions said.
Moon also was not in support of rezoning the Hillsdale Community Health Center, a decision that Sessions considered essential to promoting development. Vear supported that change.
As the election nears, Sessions hopes that the public is aware of what advances the city has made during his term.
"I'm very proud that we've come a long way and made the city business-friendly," he said. "But I'm nervous to see what happens next."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Stew Rock
posted 10/07/09 @ 11:29 PM EST
What a truly ridiculous statement from Mr. Sessions (and this reporter) regarding Doug Moon, that he shouldn't run for mayor since "he will have to be replaced". (Continued…)
Concerned Citizen For the Growth of Hillsdale
posted 10/09/09 @ 1:02 AM EST
It seems to me that "Stew Rock", whomever they may be, has their facts utterly wrong. Regarding Sessions' statements on Doug Moon, it is clear that the City of Hillsdale would have to hold a new election for his City council seat if Mr. (Continued…)
A. England
posted 10/09/09 @ 6:30 PM EST
"the great work Sessions has accomplished in his past four years as mayor. He has done wonderful things to help turn Hillsdale around in the face of doubters and has achieved concrete results in bringing more jobs to the area. (Continued…)
Stew Rock
posted 10/09/09 @ 8:38 PM EST
"Concerned Citizen" whoever that might be.
You really need to read a post first, before responding. I never questioned the work that Sessions did. It is you who is throwing doubt into it. (Continued…)
Stew Rock
posted 10/15/09 @ 3:18 PM EST
FYI Collegian, here is an editorial today from the Hillsdale Daily News. They mentioned your story here as well. Perhaps you might want to do a follow up and help Mr. (Continued…)
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