It's about community
A resident of Eaton County for over 20 years, Jacob has served on the department of public works, administration, and communications committees as a Trustee in the Village of Dimondale. Jacob's decision to run for Eaton County Commissioner is simple; he wants to ensure our communities remain an amazing place for families to live, grow, and shop. He believes Eaton County deserves a commissioner who will take a bipartisan approach to pass common-sense policies that will pay off for both individuals and businesses, not just a small segment of extreme groups.
Key Priorities
— What Jacob will fight for! —
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Eaton County will receive over 21 million dollars ($21,000,000) in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in two lump sum payments. This money must be spent by the end of 2024, or Eaton County will lose its share of the funding.
ARPA is a historic investment in the people of Eaton County to support public health expenditures, address the negative economic impacts of the pandemic, provide premium pay for essential workers, and invest in our water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
One of Toomey's top priorities is to ensure Eaton County receives 100% of federal ARPA funding. He will fight for that money to be invested in projects that will benefit the most individuals and families in Eaton County.
Community Involvement
County government continues to play an important role in building inclusive communities. Eaton County should have a strong commitment to reviewing all ordinances and policies to ensure they promote community well-being for everyone, regardless of socio-economic background.
Toomey believes in including a diverse group of voices at the decision making table to help ensure the best decisions and ideas are pursued in Eaton County so everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream.
High-Speed Internet
Everyone in Eaton County deserves the opportunity to have affordable access to high-speed internet. In today's world if you can't connect, you just can't compete!
Eaton County has only recently taken the first steps towards better internet access in the form of a community wide survey, but we cannot stop here. There is still work to be done and we must act to make real improvements based on these survey results.
Toomey has been, and will continue to be a strong supporter of increasing broadband internet infrastructure in Eaton County. As more people gain access to affordable and reliable internet, the better equipped the residents of Eaton County will be to compete in education and the labor force.
Leadership Values
According to a 2021 Gallup poll, only 66% of respondents said they have faith in their local governments ability to handle local problems. Trust in government to do the right thing has been shrinking for years and Eaton County residents must be sure their county representatives are fighting for their best interests, all the time.
As a Trustee in the Village of Dimondale, Toomey worked hard to increase government transparency on the communications committee. Toomey's track record shows his willingness to pursue ease of use policies for everyday citizens interacting with government, voting to stream and retain council meetings along with in-person meetings, and communicating directly with the public through videos after each council meeting providing an overview of what was discussed.
Toomey believes in being a strong voice for District 10 with full transparency to pass common sense policies that make Eaton County an even better place to live. No hidden agendas, no hard to find information, no bullcrap.
Parks and Recreation
Eaton County currently has ten county parks (825 acres of land) that residents and non-residents alike enjoy every day. (Jacob loves walking Eaton County's Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge!)
Eaton County parks provide an irreplaceable gathering place for families, clubs, and individuals wishing to enjoy Michigan's natural beauty or connect with other community members. Well-maintained parks are also proven to help with economic growth, public health, and increasing property values.
Toomey understands the importance of public health and will work to properly fund our large parks system so generations to come can enjoy them and their recreational benefits!
Public Safety
Public safety is one of the most important tasks facing local government today. Law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services play an important role in both the prevention of and response to public safety concerns in Eaton County.
The lives of people in Eaton County depend on the ability of each department to perform effectively and efficiently. That's why Toomey is committed to working with community leaders and public safety departments to ensure Eaton County is a leader in mitigation and response to public safety situations.
