Vic Loomis has done his hometown homework.
After attending elementary school, middle school, high school and college in East Lansing as well as spending several years in community organizations, Loomis says he’s learned enough about the city to run for a seat on the East Lansing City Council.
“It’s a community full of diversities and a community that’s a great place to live, raise a family, go to school, own a business, work and visit,” he said.
“I want to be part of the team that continues the momentum that this community has going in all of those areas.”
Loomis, 54, who has lived in East Lansing since 1949, is in his eighth year as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority. He also is a member of the East Lansing High School Alumni Association, a board member for the Salvation Army and a member of the WKAR advisory board.
As senior vice president and regional senior lender of National City Bank, 120 N. Washington Square in Lansing, Loomis says his background with finance will be an asset to the city council, as well as his commitment to students and permanent residents.
“I’m doing this because I believe everything is right with the community right now,” he said. “One of my objectives is to see that this city continues the wonderful momentum we have in the student and community relations.”
Each member of the five-person council serves a four-year term, for which they are paid $6,000 each year. The mayor, who is selected by his or her peers, earns $7,000 annually.
If more than four candidates turn in a completed petition, there will be a primary election Aug. 7. The final election will be held Nov. 6.
Candidates must return a petition with 50 signatures of registered East Lansing voters by 4 p.m. May 15 to be put on the ballot.
East Lansing City Clerk Susan Donnell said there is a great deal of potential among the people who have picked up the petitions, but she won’t make any guesses about who will end up running for the positions.
“You just never know who’s going to file,” she said. “They’ve still got a month to circulate the petitions. It’s not uncommon for people to come in that morning to pick them up.
“Some of them will file, some of them will not.”
