Deep Dive from Muskegon Mayoral Candidate: John Richard Allen
*note from chatMKG staff: the following Vision Statement was shared with us by Muskegon Mayoral Candidate, John Richard Allen. Collectively, staff has decided not to include any commentary in this article. Please read John's message below and comment at this bottom of the page with any ideas or questions you may have.
Vision Statement begins:
A Deep Dive into My Vision for Muskegon
As a grassroots candidate for Mayor, this is a comprehensive look into my background, my deep connection to Muskegon, and my core motivations for seeking this important office. My commitment is towards a thriving, resilient, and opportunity-filled community for everyone.
My Connection to Muskegon
I'm a lifelong resident of Muskegon, born here on August 31st, 1990. My family's roots run deep through this community; I attended St. Francis Elementary and graduated from Mona Shores High School in 2008. I went to Muskegon community college after high school, and later pursued and completed my Associates in Applied Sciences degree from Salem community college in southern New Jersey in 2014.
What I love most about Muskegon is the incredible depth and talent of our diverse community. If you can't find someone with a certain skill here, it probably doesn't exist. Whether it's art, music, mechanical, technical, or anything in between we have the human resources here as profoundly as we do fresh water. Of course I cherish Pere Marquette for the respite and connection with nature it provides, but Muskegon is still very much an approachable place where anyone, from any background, can better themselves while living in a community rooted in nature and having immense access to music, arts, culture, and everything that makes life worth living!
The list of what I love about Muskegon is too long to sum up simply, but like Lake Michigan, it is as pure as it is deep.
My Professional & Community Background
I am a sole proprietor small business owner, working as a glassblower, specifically a flame worker. This profession has instilled in me a unique set of skills directly applicable to public service. Glass is a medium that demands attention to detail and mentally agile problem-solving, requiring poise and precision to form something while it's inbetween solid and liquid states at thousands of degrees. Just as glass requires a delicate balance, so too does an elected position, especially that of mayor.
My community involvement reflects my dedication to Muskegon. I serve as a Trustee at the Vikings Linne Lodge, President of the Hartshorn Boat Owners Association, an active member of the Eagles, the Polish Roman Catholic Union, as well as being a member of the Muskegon lake watershed partnership. These organizations conduct extensive philanthropic and environmental work throughout our community, including supporting scholarships, language camps, the Pub Pedal, the Hope Project, environmental activism and stewardship, and countless other contributions.
My Core Motivations for Running
My campaign is built on three cornerstones:
• Enhancing Community Outreach and Communication: We have abundant human capital and local expertise in Muskegon. I'm focused on explicitly leveraging these resources by actively engaging all residents, from every walk of life. This will improve how we share information and foster genuinely collaborative problem-solving, empowering our entire community.
• Driving Economic Growth Through Streamlined Leadership: I aim to foster economic growth by delivering a more efficient and responsive leadership. I look forward to supporting the continued growth and enhancement of our already deep and rich Industrial and Arts & Humanities sectors, while attracting new and unique industries, and more vibrant retail sectors. We'll create new opportunities for all residents to improve their lives financially, offering upward potential and career growth across diverse sectors. We'll achieve this by optimizing how our leaders operate, emphasizing highly efficient meetings and a strong grasp of all relevant processes and data, including a high-standard, yet efficient process for inspections.
• Environmental Stewardship and Responsible Waterfront Development: A cornerstone of my vision is the unwavering commitment to protecting our magnificent natural resources, including Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, and all our beautiful woodland, aquatic, and natural areas. While Lake Michigan's pristine shoreline will always remain preserved for public enjoyment, thoughtful economic growth, particularly around Muskegon Lake, including critical sites like the former Sappi mill property will help reach these goals. This means attracting development and businesses that align with our community's values, holding them to the highest standards of environmental responsibility, sustainable design, and community benefit. We have something special here, and it doesn't need to be undersold. I believe I am uniquely equipped to tackle the challenge of accelerating local government's pace and effectively navigating discord, all while upholding due diligence and high standards. My background in many disciplines demands immense focus, precision, and real time problem-solving; qualities I will bring to city governance. I am committed to thorough due diligence and broad outreach, ensuring every decision is well-informed. My goal is to help our government operate with the efficiency and clarity needed to find swift solutions, consistently moving towards the best outcomes for all of Muskegon.
The future
When I think about "legacy," my mind doesn't jump to personal monuments or grand gestures. For me, the true legacy of any public servant is simply showing up every single day and unwaveringly doing the right thing for our community. It's about striving to be the best version of myself for Muskegon: diligently learning, seeking common ground, and ensuring our city government operates with the efficiency and outreach necessary to serve its residents effectively.
Ultimately, the legacy I hope to leave is one where Muskegon continues to become the best version of itself—a thriving, resilient, and opportunity-filled community for everyone.
My Leadership Style
My leadership philosophy as Mayor is rooted in decisive leadership, knowing when to listen intently, when to be patient, and when to act decisively. This decisiveness is always preceded by deep pragmatism and extensive collaboration. I believe in having the courage to "en"courage what is right and to make necessary decisions that drive progress, but only after thoroughly engaging all stakeholders, listening to diverse perspectives, and rigorously assessing the most practical and impactful path forward. My approach will be to cut through unnecessary delays, especially at meetings, ensuring we gather the right information efficiently, make well-considered decisions focused on tangible results, and then act with purpose to drive Muskegon forward.
I have faced dissenting opinions and critical feedback, both of which I reflect upon and ultimately use to inform my ability to learn, grow, and more deeply understand the complexities before us. My first step is always to listen actively with the purpose of understanding. All voices should feel heard and respected, even when they disagree, and I'm confident in my ability to find common ground that others might overlook.
The greatest leaders I've known lead by example. For me, this means consistently demonstrating efficiency and dedication in my own work, and crucially, empowering city staff and council members with trust. It's about providing the tools, and sustaining an environment of mutual confidence, inspiring every individual to do their absolute best work for Muskegon's success.
Ultimately, my leadership is characterized by a commitment to leading from the front, actively building deep bonds of trust, not just within city government, but between fellow leaders and all the residents we are sworn to serve. This approach involves maintaining a calm demeanor under pressure and demonstrating unwavering conviction in all points of decision-making. I firmly believe in diligent planning, sound judgment, and especially taking full responsibility for every action, always balanced with profound empathy and concern for those most impacted by our decisions.
A Personal Touch: A Drummer's Approach
Beyond my professional life and community engagement, I've been a drummer for many years. It's an incredibly rewarding discipline that requires both sides of the brain to work in harmony, coordinating all four extremities simultaneously, all while listening to the entire ensemble. This pursuit has subtly, yet profoundly, shaped my approach and confidence in my leadership. As someone who's been on stage, I absolutely understand what it means to maintain rhythm and tempo while listening to the entire band and adapting to various musical challenges. I believe effective leadership demands similar multi-faceted coordination, responsive balance, and an ear for the diverse "beats" of our community. It's about bringing diverse elements together, managing complex rhythms of city operations, and keeping everything moving forward cohesively with purpose and precision.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my vision for Muskegon. Let's work towards a future that's forged with purpose, and built for all. I'm eager to earn your trust and your vote.
John Richard Allen
Candidate for Mayor of Muskegon
Vision Statement ends.
Again, please comment below with questions, concerns, and ideas. Our readers' voices are important!
Cheers!
chatMKG staff
