Sean with Rep. Robert Jones

I am extremely saddened by the untimely passing of former Kalamazoo Mayor and State Representative Robert B. Jones. His death leaves an enormous void in our community.

Over the many years I have known Robert Jones, I learned a great deal from him and hoped for the opportunity to serve with him in the Legislature.

I, along with so many others, deeply admired and respected him. His long legacy of service, commitment and caring is a testament to his character, as well as his wonderful ability to lift spirits and bring happiness to those around him. He demonstrated great integrity; in all of his campaigns, particularly his current one, he exemplified the power of the positive and modeled a level of discourse that raised him above the realm of typical politics. He set a high bar and left very large shoes to fill for those who will follow him.

He demonstrated a masterful knowledge of the issues on which he worked, and those most important to the people he represented. We all were enriched during his tenure as mayor of Kalamazoo and as state representative of the 60th District.

Representatives Jones’ passing has come far too soon, and his contributions to our community and our state have been cut short. All will dearly miss him but his spirit, and the lessons he taught us will remain alive in our memories.

Sean McCann

For ten years (1999 to 2009) over five terms, Sean had the honor of serving on the Kalamazoo City Commission and helping lead Kalamazoo to a better tomorrow. A vital downtown, improved neighborhoods, strong public safety, fighting the dumping of PCBs and more were some of the hallmarks of his work in city service.

Read More

Sean introduced Gov. Jennifer Granholm during her visit to Kalamazoo on September 23 at KCDP headquarters to an enthusiastic crowd of volunteers and supporters, lauding her accomplishments and performance in office. The governor spoke at a Radisson Hotel luncheon sponsored by Southwest Michigan First, and visited the Kalamazoo Gazette and local research firm Kalexsyn Inc. before stopping in to KCDP headquarters to speak to a full house about her successes and challenges — not the least of which has been “dealing with the party of ‘no’,” in her efforts to bring Michigan’s economy back into the black. She took time to pose for photos with volunteers before heading off to a fundraiser for the late Robert Jones that evening.

An interview with Sean McCann, where he answers questions like his reasons for running for the 60th State House and what steps can be taken to improve Michigan’s economy.

Listen to the interview here.

State government continues to operate in a perilous climate. The state faces yearly budget shortfalls in the billions of dollars. Health care costs for public employees are now the single largest expense. No one likes the business tax structure and it is blamed for making Michigan unattractive to potential new businesses.

And, thanks to term limits, half of the seats in the state House are up for grabs. At least three-quarters of the state Senate seats and the offices of governor, attorney general and secretary of state will have new occupants come January.

Read the Full Editorial Here

KALAMAZOO — Sean McCann came to Kalamazoo from Ludington about 21 years ago as a freshman at Western Michigan University.

After graduating in 1993 with a political science degree, he stayed.

Since then, he served as executive director of the Vine Neighborhood Association for about six years, then until last December directed fund development for the American Red Cross of Greater Kalamazoo.

Now an independent fund-raising consultant, the 38-year-old may be best known for his decade spent on the Kalamazoo City Commission. He was elected in 1999 and his tenure on the commission ended last year when instead of seeking re-election, he decided to run for the 60th District House seat.

Read the Full Article

Reps. Jones, LaForge & Brown Support Sean McCann for 60th District House Seat

May 6, 2010 — Sean McCann, candidate for State House of Representatives, 60^th District, today announced endorsements by current and former State Representatives Robert B. Jones, Ed LaForge, and Mary Brown. McCann recently concluded ten years of service on the Kalamazoo City Commission.

“The 60^th District has been extremely well-represented by Bob Jones and former Reps. LaForge and Brown. It is a tremendous honor to have their support and I will work hard to fill their shoes,” said McCann.

Robert Jones, the current representative for two terms and former 8-year Mayor of the City of Kalamazoo, is seeking the 20th District State Senate seat. “Sean’s focus on job creation, education and his proven history of service is critically important. He’s committed to the community and will serve us well in Lansing,” said Jones.

Ed LaForge, state representative from 1994 to 2000 and a former Kalamazoo City Commissioner, said, “Sean McCann doesn’t make promises, he just gets things done.”

Mary Brown, former 18-year state representative, cited McCann’s distinguished service record on the City Commission as one reason for the endorsement. “Sean champions the values I upheld as a representative and I know he will continue his dedication to constituent service as he did on the City Commission,” said Brown.

Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and all current members of the Kalamazoo City Commission, many Kalamazoo Township officials, Kalamazoo County Commissioners and other prominent community members have already endorsed McCann.

For a complete list, click here.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

]]> http://www.seanamccann.com/?feed=rss2&p=176 0 http://www.seanamccann.com/?p=172 http://www.seanamccann.com/?p=172#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:15:39 +0000 quicktiming http://www.arctosmedia.com/mccann/?p=172 Chris Killian | Kalamazoo Gazette

KALAMAZOO — At a candidate forum Tuesday, the four candidates for the 60th District state House seat laid out their positions on a wide swath of issues, from getting the state’s sputtering economy moving again to shoring up education funding to the role of government in society.

The event, held at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center and sponsored by the school’s Office of Legislative Affairs, drew about 60 audience members who listened to the candidates vying for the seat currently held by state Rep. Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo, who is running for the 20th District state Senate seat, move from issue to issue during the two-hour forum.

Read the Full Article

KALAMAZOO — Sean McCann, Democratic candidate for 60th District state House, has the endorsement of state Rep. Robert B. Jones, the lawmaker who currently holds the seat but is running for state Senate.

McCann also announced in a statement Thursday that former state representatives Ed LaForge and Mary Brown, both of whom held the seat before Jones, formally backed his campaign, too.

“The 60th District has been extremely well-represented by Bob Jones and former Reps. LaForge and Brown. It is a tremendous honor to have their support and I will work hard to fill their shoes,” McCann said in the statement.