Ben Galliway – Opening Statement

Good evening everybody. Thank you for having me. I’m very excited to be speaking with all of you here at this forum. I believe strongly in what we as a panel can bring to this community. We each have diverse views, beliefs, and ideologies about how we can best help our community.

My background is in management and construction management. Just last week we spent much of an evening discussing infrastructure, building, and development in our community, topics that are my professional specialty. This is what I’d like to bring to our city. Having worked here in the community on the fire department for nearly eight years, giving back to the people of Rochester Hills is something I take great pride in. Thank you for your time.

Business and Jobs

Rochester Hills is a fantastic community, and our doors are wide open. We’ve had excellent leadership in the past, always focused on bringing new businesses, leadership, and tax base to our city.

As someone in development and construction management, I work daily to attract new business, new development, new construction, and new infrastructure to communities. I look forward to bringing that kind of leadership experience to city council if elected.

Support for Organized Labor and Nurses

First and foremost, I absolutely support the nurses. I grew up making picket signs for my mother, who was a national spokesperson for the Teamsters. I’ve been to hospitals during unionization efforts, helping to enforce contracts and policies.

I was also a member of the union when I worked on the fire department. I came up through the trades as a carpenter, as a laborer, and everything in between. That said, at the city council level I agree with what’s been said, there’s a separation between city government and private business. While I believe the council shouldn’t interfere directly, I want to be clear, I fully support the nurses and the right to fair representation.

Park Fees

I’ll echo what others have said, this is one of the top issues people bring up to me, including my own wife. As a resident who pays taxes here, I believe citizens of Rochester Hills should not be charged parking fees to enjoy their own parks.

Rochester Hills is a gem among cities across Michigan. The work done to make our parks destinations has brought in visitors from across the state. We should give back to our residents by waiving park fees for them while nonresidents can help offset costs. We have a very clean balance sheet, and I believe this is one way we can thank the people who live here.

AI Data Center

I agree with others that Rochester Hills is a beacon of business and that we work hard to attract quality opportunities. I’m not sure if an AI data center is currently being considered, but as a builder and developer, I know such a project would take years of planning, zoning reviews, and environmental studies before approval.

There are rigorous requirements to ensure the city can support power and water needs while minimizing emissions. Rochester Hills is a beautiful city, not a concrete jungle, and I believe most of us want to keep it that way.

Renewable Energy

As a developer, I strongly believe in renewable energy such as solar, wind, and geothermal. New construction should look at all of these options as they enter a community.

I’ve participated in projects that implemented renewable energy programs, and I’ve seen how effectively these systems can be integrated into unused spaces to feed power back into the grid. These solutions can lower energy expenses and support public facilities. I believe Rochester Hills should take renewable energy seriously and consider requiring it in new developments.

City Budget and Efficiency

If we break down the city budget, most dollars go toward the building department, construction, and development projects, areas that are directly in my field. The projects I manage typically range from 50 million to 200 million dollars. I work closely with HUD, MSHDA, and other government programs to ensure every dollar is accounted for.

That experience, knowing how to monitor spending, assess project efficiency, and understand how infrastructure funds are used, is exactly what I would bring to city council. It’s essential to use taxpayer money effectively and with transparency.

HOA and Reservoir Management

This is an area I know well. I am one of Michigan’s licensed stormwater operators, and I deal with detention ponds and reservoirs regularly. The costs for HOAs and property owners can become substantial if these systems aren’t properly managed from the start.

I’ve served as president of my HOA and understand the importance of oversight. I also monitor nearby development areas such as Oakland University’s land behind our property for potential drainage and water management impacts. This is something I’m attentive to every day, and I would bring that expertise to ensure the city works with HOAs to maintain effective infrastructure.

Administrative or Policy Changes

Rochester Hills is a fantastic city with excellent leadership. We have a balanced budget and are debt free, something almost unheard of in Michigan. I’m not here to reinvent the wheel; much of what’s being done is working very well.

However, from my professional perspective, I’d like to take a closer look at inspection processes, permit turnaround times, and efficiency in the building department. Improving responsiveness and accountability in those areas would be my focus.

Legal Immigration and ICE Enforcement

My wife actually represents some of this population. She was born in South Korea and came over as a child, and she was raised here in Rochester Hills. This community welcomed her with open arms. My children were also welcomed with open arms. I’ve lived all across this country, and I’ve never been in a community with so much diversity.

That being said, I found the “jackbooted thugs” comment a bit reprehensible. Working with the police and fire departments in this community, I’ve met many fantastic individuals at the local, state, and federal level. I don’t believe any of these individuals are putting on masks to come in and rob our neighbors, and I hope that kind of mentality isn’t brought to city council.

I believe in immigration, and I believe we need it in our workforce. I also believe that if you come here legally, I one hundred percent endorse that.