Quality of Life
Dennis believes Delta Township residents deserve spaces and services that make daily life better
K-12 Schools Are Our Community
—And Deserve a Partner in Township Hall.
Everyone knows that when our schools thrive, our children thrive — and when our children thrive, Delta Township thrives.
Our schools are the bedrock of this community. When we invest in that foundation — through real collaboration between local government and education — we create safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a Delta Township where every child has the chance to succeed.
I served as a K–12 education specialist for the Michigan House of Representatives’ Education Committee. I saw firsthand how state laws and funding decisions ripple through our school districts — affecting classrooms, teachers, and children
Delta Township government and our local K–12 school districts serve the same families — just in different ways. Not partnering together isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a self-imposed blunder we cannot afford. As Supervisor, I will make sure township government and our local K-12 school districts work hand in hand as a matter of common practice.
As Supervisor, My Priorities Will Include:
• Shared Resources: Coordinate facilities, programming, and funding so nothing is duplicated and nothing is neglected.
• Real Collaboration: Establish an ongoing working partnership between township government and school district leadership — a first for Delta.
Only by working together can we leverage our shared resources to compete and excel in today’s world. As Supervisor, expanding inter-collaboration between Delta Township and our K–12 school districts will be my top priority.
Supporting Aging in Place
Our senior residents have invested their lives in Delta Township. They are the foundation that makes our community a desirable place to buy a home, raise a family, and contribute to our way of life. I believe Delta must better focus on the well-being of our senior residents to assure a secure, comfortable and affordable place to live.
Currently our senior programs are housed in the former elementary school located on Elizabeth St, it then became the Delta library and is now the Delta Township Enrichment Center. It is an obsolete building that has suffered many infrastructure issues over the years. Many complaints have been voiced by our resident seniors regarding this facility. We will need to address this facility in the not-too-distant future. The good news; through a state grant, and in partnership with Waverly Schools, a new Senior Center is being built attached to the Colt Elementary School. This is a long-time, hoped-for improvement but let’s be clear, we as a community cannot expect such grants from the state in the foreseeable future.
A Dog Park For Delta
Bark If You Agree
For a number of years, I’ve heard residents ask for a dedicated dog park so their animal companions can run free. Players Club and Mt. Hope Park are great locations. Both have ample space and the initial cost is minimal, so I say; let’s have a dog park or two in Delta Township!
A Delta Community Garden
Many people in our community live in apartments where growing their own food isn’t an option. I propose that we devote space on Township managed parkland to create a community garden where any Township resident can grow their own food. This is important support for helping residents with nutrition and a way to develop a healthy outdoor activity. Also, there can be collaboration with Delta Township District Library and local garden clubs for training on nutrition and best gardening practices.
A Delta Splash Pad
Many people in our community live in apartments where growing their own food isn’t an option. I propose that we devote space on Township managed parkland to create a community garden where any Township resident can grow their own food. This is important support for helping residents with nutrition and a way to develop a healthy outdoor activity. Also, there can be collaboration with Delta Township District Library and local garden clubs for training on nutrition and best gardening practices.
Recreational Opportunities
A very popular recreational activity for seniors is pickleball. We were able to secure state grant for our new pickleball courts in Delta Mills Parks. Should the popularity of this senior activity continue to increase, we need assess if our current pickleball courts meet the demand.
Another underserved opportunity is field game of cricket. There are numerous residents who are cricket fans and have matches. We were able to create a single cricket pitch to accommodate their enthusiasm but there is a need for a stand-alone cricket field for this growing sport.
Trails & Pathways
Getting Connected
When I was elected to the Board, I saw a township which did not recognize the changing focus of its residents, especially in the area of using developed trails and pathways. From the beginning, my focus has been to promote trails, pathways and non-motorized transportation routes to interconnect all areas of our community and to the Lansing Regional Trails network for expanded inter-connectivity. Since then, we have made progress toward that goal but there is much more to do. For example, the Carrier Creek greenway that transects our township in a North-South direction.
For decades, our Non-motorized Transportation Master Plan has called for a pathway along Carrier Creek, cross-connecting with our East-West Connector Pathway that resident’s enjoy. It’s time to start real planning on this long-standing goal. Continuing to interconnect our community with pathways and trails must remain a key element in our future planning.
Another goal should be a pedestrian bridge extending the East-West Connector Pathway over the I-69/96 interstate highway. Our community is currently cut-in-half by the highway. The only safe way for pedestrians, walkers, runners and bicyclists to safely get to one side of our township to the other is a pedestrian bridge. This isn’t just a wish list; it is a necessity made all too clear by the recent, tragic death of a 12-year-old trying to cross the Willow Hwy overpass bridge last year.
Improve Public Spaces & Places
I have long advocated for protecting, promoting and enhancing our neighborhoods and community open spaces. A simple, low-cost way to do this is by enlisting the ideas from our very own residents. Other communities openly solicit ideas for public, open space improvements. These can range from various aesthetic enhancements. Think small scale landscaping, painting, public art, repairs and such. With just a small amount of support, we can proactively ask our neighborhood residents for their ideas and their participation. Other communities do it, but not here in Delta. And there is no good reason not to. As your Supervisor, I will push for this is one small, low-cost effort which would bring our residents together for common sense, public space improvement ideas.