New Tecumseh City Council members on board

Gary Fox, elected to Tecumseh City Council in November, had always had an interest in politics, but it wasn’t until meeting former Tecumseh Mayor Aden Mead that an interest in local government began. Now holding his first office, Fox has a long history in Tecumseh, moving to the community in 1978 from Fairfield Township.A teacher for 30 years before retiring, Fox began collecting coins when he was seven years old, when his grandmother began giving him some. This has led him to his current endeavor, owner of Tecumseh Coins, located in Grey Fox Floral, which he and his wife Jan bought in 1972. The coin store has been around for five years now, according to Fox. While this is Fox’s first foray into politics, he knew what he was getting into before he ran.“I attended an awful lot of meetings before I ran,” said Fox. Fox hopes to see continued development downtown and hopes to bring new businesses into the area. “I certainly want the vibrant downtown to continue,” Fox said, adding that he’d like to see any empty buildings in the community filled. “I think we have a great council team. Jack’s been around and [Tecumseh City Manager] Kevin [Welch] is great to work with.” Stephanie Harmon was also elected to council in November as well. She moved to Tecumseh in 1996 from Guam, after her husband, now deceased, received a new job as a commercial airline pilot at Northwest Airlines. Harmon owns Paws 4 Grooming on Russell Road in Tecumseh, owning the business for 11 years, with six of those at the current location. “I think the city is going in the right direction,” Harmon said. “I think we’re doing well. I see a need for development economically.” This is Harmon’s first step into politics, saying that when she began running, there were five other candidates for the three available seats, so she didn’t know what she was in for politically.“I am very interested in politics, so it’s a first step towards understanding how politics work, and how cities, municipalities and governments work,” Harmon said. Now that she is on council, Harmon hopes to see empty buildings in the community filled along with seeing the Tecumseh Business and Technology Campus grow.“I’m a runner and a bicyclists,” said Harmon. “I’d love to see bike trails. I don’t know if that’s something our community needs or wants.”