Don Lyons Stands with ALL Members of the Dowagiac Community
An Inclusive and Welcoming Community
Dowagiac is a community that builds roads and bridges, not walls.
A community that welcomes everyone, regardless of what God they pray to or whether or not they pray at all.
A community that welcomes everyone, regardless of who they may choose for their life partner.
A community that welcomes everyone regardless of the color of their skin.
A community that welcomes everyone, regardless of their gender identification.
A community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
A Safe and Supportive Place to Live
A community where the police are your friends and protectors, not your enemy.
A community that is financially sound, where you know the leaves will be collected in the fall, the snow plowed in the winter and the potholes fixed in the spring.
Investing in Health, Education, and the Environment
A community with excellent access to healthcare.
A community of clean fresh water, whose wastewater is properly treated and the environment is protected and cherished.
A community that recognizes the importance of and supports education.
Smart Partnerships and Strong Infrastructure
A community that partners with other public and private enterprises to provide better services and more of them for less money.
A community with good parks, open spaces and recreational opportunities.
A community that values and celebrates its history and the arts.
A Thriving Local Economy and Vision for the Future
A community that recognizes the importance of the free enterprise system and strives to help new and existing businesses thrive and add jobs, not impede them with petty rules and red tape.
A community that doesn’t fear the future but embraces it, knowing that the changes that future will bring will also bring opportunities to make Dowagiac a better community.
The success that Dowagiac has enjoyed over the last two decades can be traced directly to long serving elected officials and administrators who have a common vision and who have dedicated themselves to achieving that vision.
“I came into the office of the Mayor of Dowagiac at age 51. By that time, my experience in both the public and private sectors had equipped me with the insights and resilience needed to tackle the enormous challenge of rebuilding a community. That kind of work can’t be done in a few years—or even a couple of terms. I’m now in my 27th year as Mayor of Dowagiac and each week something good happens because of a lesson I’ve learned or a relationship I’ve made, which would not have been possible without that longevity of service.
I’m currently the longest serving mayor in the history of Dowagiac and the third longest serving mayor in the history of Michigan. During my tenure, the city clerk, city treasurer, a council member, and the city manager also reached the milestone of being the longest serving in the history of Dowagiac in their respective positions.
This process of effective communication and team building didn’t happen overnight. It was the product of experimenting with and refining the process of team building over a decade. While personnel changes in the administration and on the council are to be expected and are an important part of the diversity of viewpoint and experience that is critical to keeping a city relevant, the collaboration of these long-standing city partners has played a critical role in moving Dowagiac forward.
I believe I am that experienced and proven leader who has continually demonstrated, not only my commitment to Dowagiac, but my ability to overcome challenges and make Dowagiac a better place for everyone.
I’ve worked hard to make Dowagiac a welcoming and inclusive community—from building trust with underserved residents, to supporting events like PrideFest and the Black Family Celebration, to ensuring that historically marginalized voices are heard, respected, and empowered.
I am committed to ensuring Dowagiac remains a welcoming community so that the next generation of entrepreneurs and creative class of people want to build their lives here, invest in growing our community, and embrace the future of creativity, inclusivity, and sustained success for everyone in Dowagiac.” - Don Lyons
Make Your Voice Count on November 4th
Vote Don Lyons for Mayor by absentee ballot or in person.
