Commitment to Linden
Proven Dedication to Linden
Danielle has been working since 2006 as a volunteer and elected official to make Linden a better place. Danielle has served continuously on council since she was first elected in November 2007. She also served several years as mayor pro tem under Mayor David Lossing. Serving in this position helped Danielle understand the expectations of mayor and gave her an opportunity to run meetings which is a primary role as mayor. In 2016, Danielle won her first election to become the Mayor of Linden. This is Danielle's 10th election to serve the residents of Linden. (In full disclosure, Danielle has served under her previous legal names of Mammel and Dixon.)
boards and commissions
Danielle's participation over the past 18 years
Historic District Commission, member and Council rep. since 2020
Library Board, member and Council rep. 2018 to 2019
Downtown Development Authority, member and Council rep. 2019
Parks and Recreation Commission, member from 2007 to 2017
Genesee County Small Cities and Villages Association, Linden rep. from 2019 to 2023, Vice-Chair 2020; Chair 2021, Life Member since 2022
Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance, Linden rep. 2023
Linden Mill Advisory Committee
Master Plan Steering Committee 2021 and 2022
Continuing education
Over the past 17 years, Danielle has continued to take trainings offered by the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (including Redevelopment Ready Community training), and Michigan State Historic Preservation Office in order to better understand her role and serve the residents in Linden.
danielle's unofficial duties as mayor
volunteer
promoter of linden
voice of linden
Danielle volunteers her time for a number of community events including National Night Out, Memorial Day Picnic, Back to the Bricks, Holiday Happening, River Roast, Linden Library book sale, Fenton Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Expo and Veterans and First Responders Recreation Day.
voice of linden
promoter of linden
voice of linden
Danielle provides an update for Linden at the Fenton Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce Forecast Breakfast. Danielle serves as a spokesperson for the City of Linden with the local media. Danielle was a member of planning committee for Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2021 and co-host of the event.
promoter of linden
promoter of linden
promoter of linden
Danielle participates and helps raise awareness for community and fundraising events including Happening in Linden, Pay it Forward (gnome sponsor), Linden VFW bingo, Linden Mills Historical Society, Shiawassee Mills Questers, LAFF Pathway, Dr. Wax Paddle for the Paws and Lace Up for Learning. Danielle also shops local, supports local businesses, and recognizes our donors.
With the help of the right team, Linden has Accomplished
Finding the right team
During her tenure, Danielle has worked with five city managers. Finding the right team with Ellen Glass as manager has been key to getting things done. Our staff is regularly trained and works well together to serve our residents. All things in government take time, so it is essential that we have a plan in place. Working together, the council and city staff have developed a Strategic Plan that is revisited regularly to make sure we are staying on the right path. Having long term goals allows the team to budget and get projects done.
Board Recommendations
Danielle takes pride in the time spent filling spots on our boards and commissions. Danielle made changes to make sure we complied with the bylaws and City Charter. Danielle reviews applications to recommend the right people for the positions. In addition to finding people for positions, Danielle feels it is important to understand how the different boards and commissions work. Therefore, Danielle has rotated her service through different boards. This has allowed her to make sure the board members are properly trained, and the boards are following proper procedures. After at least one year, new council members are recommended to serve as liaisons. During Danielle's tenure as mayor: the Historic District Commission has streamlined its process for our businesses; the Parks and Recreation Commission has been able to offer many great family programs; the DDA has helped revitalize the downtown and millpond area and was the driving force for our new Gazebo with the generous donation from Joe Kimble and Roger Sharp.
Environmental clean up
Danielle, along with the previous city manager and city attorney, met with EGLE (formerly DEQ) in Lansing to advocate for the clean-up of contamination from two gas stations in downtown Linden. Both sites have been cleaned up and we maintain communication regarding ongoing mitigation efforts.
Collaboration
Over the past seventeen years, Danielle has established working relationships with the manager, staff, and council members. In order to work effectively, it is essential for the Linden team to communicate and collaborate. Danielle also has developed relationships with others in local government. Collaborating with our neighbors and communities of similar size helps us have a larger voice. Each month the Small Cities group has a speaker to provide information to better our communities. Danielle's experience working with multi-disciplinary teams helps her collaborate with the variety of people who play a role in local government.
Union Block
Shortly after Danielle submitted her petition to run for council in 2007, Linden suffered a great loss with the fire at Union Block - a vital part of our downtown. After taking office in November of 2007, Linden had another blow with the recession leaving many storefronts empty and the council budget sessions involved planning so Linden could remain an independent city. The Union Block remained vacant for years in part because of the economy and also due to environmental contamination. Danielle worked with the manager, council, owner, and developers and in 2020 the new Union Block owned by Dr. Wax was built. In addition to creating a Commercial Rehabilitation District for the Union Block, the City of Linden had this same incentive for the Linden Brewing Company who came into a historic building.
Improved loose center
In August of 2023, the council learned Loose Center was out of compliance with the Genesee County Office of Senior Services. The council also became aware that staff and residents were treated poorly by management. In the fall of 2023, the city building inspector was not allowed access to the sunroom at Loose. On January 8, 2024, Linden, the sole member of an interlocal agreement (after consulting with the city attorney), decided to dissolve the Loose Senior Citizens Center, Inc. and have the City of Linden independently run the Loose Center. This change occurred without any interruption to the services offered to the seniors. Since this time, enrollment has increased, the condition of the facility improved, and people are treated with kindness and respect. Loose Center is in full compliance with the county and has received funds for maintenance and repairs.
Infrastructure - Roads and Water
In November 2021, the city engineer proposed an additional water tower to address our capacity and pressure needs. In December of 2021, the opportunity arose to connect to the county water system with water coming from Lake Huron. During the majority of the meetings in 2022, connecting to the county water system was discussed along with the alternative of improving our current system. Both options required substantial investment. While city council had previously been told the water fund was in good standing, that water fund balance did not include maintenance and repair costs. On October 24, 2022, the city council approved the connection to the Genesee County water system. The connection will be complete this fall. Connecting to the county water will allow us to remove wells on the DPW property and open up this property for a better use.
The city has also begun two major road projects: West Rolston Road and Lindenwood. Unfortunately, there was a lot of incorrect information shared at the beginning of the projects which created a mistrust of the council and city. Some citizens thought they would be paying $60,000 per parcel on West Rolston. The city was not hiding numbers but had no numbers to share until estimates were back. The assessment for West Rolston came in at less than $6,000 per parcel. Lindenwood is proceeding and the status is updated on the city website. West Rolston Road has been a slower process because the city obtained money from the state. Updates for that will be shared as well. While special assessments may not be popular, when the residents voted against the road milage special assessments are the only choice. As a property owner and taxpayer in Linden, Mayor Cusson like most of the elected officials will one day face a similar assessment.
Danielle Cusson's Goals for 2024-2026
save the Linden Mill Building
The Linden Mill Building is the heart of Linden. Danielle has been part of the advisory committees to help investigate how we can maintain this historic treasure. With the $4 million grant awarded to the city with the help of Representative Mike Mueller, the city has hired an architect and work to restore the exterior of the building will begin in 2025. As a long-time Linden resident and member of the Historic District Commission, Danielle understands the importance of keeping the mill owned by the city. The condition of the mill has been a topic of discussion for nearly a decade. The restoration is the first part of the process to maintaining this icon for generations to come.
Improve Communication
With the increase in social media, busy lives, and keyboard warriors, the need for proper communication is important to the City of Linden’s desire to remain transparent. Danielle understands that people gather and retain information in different ways. Danielle wants to help educate people on how local government runs in the hope it will help them appreciate the time between an idea and project completion as well as the budget process. Danielle will continue to work with residents and business owners to find the most effective ways to give accurate information in a timely manner.
Repurpose DPW Property
The current Department of Public Works (DPW) site, along the Shiawassee River, is not ideal for the DPW. The current building does not have restrooms and the DPW needs a better facility for their operations. The building sits on a very nice river front lot. Our current water system has wells on the property which must be maintained. After the city is connected to the Genesee County water, those wells can be capped. This would allow for the DPW property to be used in a different capacity. Danielle hopes to have a river walk along the north side of the river. This would enhance the Eagle’s Wooden Park path and make the water more accessible to all the residents. See pages 68 and 71 of the Master Plan adopted in 2023 for a visual concept.
About Danielle Cusson
background
Danielle grew up in Livonia and spent summers coming to her family cottage on Lobdell Lake. Loving the charm of Linden, Danielle bought her home in 2005 to raise her family here in Linden. Danielle is the mother of 4 (ages 15-27), Gigi of one, and dog mom to 2. Danielle's husband Dan is an electrician, a Planning Commissioner, volunteer firefighter in Linden, and an Army veteran. Danielle supports her busy kids - currently in drama, band, and robotics. Danielle enjoys running, kayaking, reading, and going to Michigan football games. Danielle is also a member of the Genesee Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.
Education
- Danielle graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Danielle served on the advisory board of her sorority and as student ambassador. Danielle remains a huge Michigan football fan.
- Danielle received her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law. While at the University of Baltimore, Danielle served as Assistant Director of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Project and as an editor of the Journal of Environmental Law.
career
- Danielle has worked as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney since 2007 with the last seven years focusing on crimes against children. Danielle serves on multi-disciplinary teams to help protect children and families. She also helps train other attorneys, police officers, and CPS investigators.
- Danielle worked as an associate attorney at Kotz Sangster in Detroit concentrating on construction litigation from 1997-2007.
- Danielle recently served on the Character and Fitness and Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice committees for the State Bar of Michigan.
Mayor danielle cusson in action
