City Council & Mayor

•  Appointed August 3, 2020
•  Term Expires November 08, 2021

Biographical Sketch:

I have lived in Harper Woods for nearly twenty years.  I have been on City Council since 2012, but before that i was a board member of the Friends of the Harper Woods Library and a member of the Harper Woods Planning Commission and the Ordinance Committee.  Currently, i am on the Boards of the Harper Woods Lions Club, the Grosse Pointes - Harper Woods NAACP,  Grosse Pointe League of Women Voters and I am the President of the Michigan Women in Municipal Government.  I also volunteer with my church, New Life Ministries Worldwide in Harper Woods.  As a lifelong eastsider, i have volunteered with other local organizations in providing food and necessities to people in need.  I am a retired State of Michigan Delinquency Worker, Case Manager with Michigan Works and a recent college graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University, a graduate of WCCCD and a graduate of Wayne State University Labor College.

Quote:   My promise to the residents of Harper Woods is that i will always serve you to the best of my ability.

Contact Mayor Kindle at vkindle@harperwoods.net 

• Elected November 5, 2019
• Term Expires November 13, 2023

Biographical Sketch: 

•  Married/Mother
•  U.S. Army Veteran
•  Middle School Administrator
•  Three terms served as Mayor Pro Tem
•  Dedicated to serving the residents of Harper Woods 

Contact Councilwoman Costantino at ccostantino@harperwoods.net

•  Elected November 7, 2017
•  Term Expires November 8, 2021

Biographical Sketch:

•  Married 25 years to Michael, three children
•  Harper Woods resident/homeowner since 1987
•  Full-time teacher and forensics team coach, Regina High School
•  Former girl scout leader at Beacon School and Tyrone School for 9 years
•  Substitute teacher Harper Woods School District
•  As a City Council member for Harper Woods, Mrs. Sawicki also serves on the Board/Commissions Nominating Committee, Ordinance Committee and the Beautification Commission and was our city representative to the Grosse Pointe-HarperWoods Futuring Committee.
• Mrs. Sawicki is very proud of the work she has been involved in to improve our community, most notably in promoting safe and upgraded playground equipment in our parks; improving the city's infrastructure in roads, sewers and sidewalks; and providing excellent city services in an ever tightening economy.

Quote: "I am honored to serve the City of Harper Woods as a councilwoman.  Thank you for the opportunity and trust you have given to me to carry your concerns to the Council and get things done for this fine community.  I hope to keep your faith and continue to serve the people of Harper Woods as we face the challenges of the future."

Contact Councilwoman Sawicki at vsawicki@harperwoods.net

• Elected November 5, 2019
• Term expires November 13, 2023

Biographical Sketch:

• Harper Woods K-9 Program Fundraising Committee member
• Neighborhood Economic Development Coalition (NEDC) member
• Library Board trustee 2012-2015
• Recreation Advisory Board member 2008-2015
• Designed and implemented a cultural diversity teachers workshop for the U-M Musical Society and a cultural education workshop for the Detroit Institute of Art.
• Focus: HOPE employee and/or volunteer 2002-2017 (as employee I helped implement a pen pal literacy project for third graders in Detroit and the metro area - I was one of a number of mentors in their Focus on the Mission program, working with high school students from the tri-county area to address the Focus: HOPE mission which reads in part "pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty, and injustice"
• Casa de Unidad Cultural Center, former Director (secured $50k in CDBG funds and coordinated the "Unity in the Community" festival in Clark Park, attracting over 10,000 people)
• Spirit of Detroit Award, 2004
• New Detroit Inc. Cultural Exchange Network, former member
• Detroit Public TV Advisory Board, former member
• Harper Woods resident and homeowner since 1999.
• Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Wayne State University and New York University, and studies at Smithsonian Institute and in Mexico City

Quote: "I am privileged to represent Harper Woods residents, and advocate for inclusion in all its aspects, and diversity, in daily life and its best practices in City government.   I encourage active community participation at Council meetings, and on boards and commissions.  Please contact me about your community concerns.  Together we can effect positive growth and development for our Harper Woods community" 

Contact City Councilwoman Paiz at vpaiz@harperwoods.net

• Elected: November 5, 2019
• Term Expires: November 8, 2021

Biographical Sketch:

• Ernestine Lyons has been a proud Harper Woods resident for over 20 years. 
• Has a Master's degree in Political Science and a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Policy from Wayne State University. Lyons studied at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa examining sustainability and revitalization. Lyons also did research at St. Petersburg State Economics University in Russia analyzing emerging markets and developing economies. 
• Has served on the Harper Woods Planning Commission for six years and is a certified citizen planner. Ernestine has also worked for the City of Detroit as an analyst on Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, Inclusion and Business Opportunity. 
• Is a fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, the New Leadership Council and an active volunteer with the Harper Woods Neighborhood Economic Development Coalition. She also coordinates the micro-financing community dinner Harper Woods Soup.

Contact Councilwoman Lyons at elyons@harperwoods.net

• Elected: November 5, 2019
• Term Expires: November 13, 2023

Biographical Sketch:

• Harper Woods resident since 2008.
• Married to Gregory Williams, one son.
• Served on the Harper Woods Board of Education 2012-2019 as treasurer, vice president and First African American President, elected two terms.
• District 2 Precinct Delegate.
• Former 1st Lieutenant Mi. Army National Guard.
• Current Math and Science Educator for over 23 years with DPSCD.
• B.A. and Master’s Degrees from Wayne State University.
• Doctoral Courses in Educational Leadership.

Quote: “I am very honored to be elected as a member of the city council. I really care about my community and doing what’s right to move our community forward. I believe my years of service as a dedicated school board member has prepared me for this position and I thank you for the trust and faith that you continue to have in me. I look forward to serving the community as a council member and taking your concerns to the council meetings."  

Contact Councilwoman Williams at rwilliams@harperwoods.net