Mayor David Landry: A Pool of Experience,
Support, and Critical Thinking

by Bernie Fratto
March 2006

In the movie “Field of Dreams,” Burt Lancaster remarked that, ‘significant events take place in your life, but at the time they’re happening, you don’t necessarily know how significant they truly are.”

Such might be the case with Novi Mayor David Landry…Upon moving to our city in 1995, he immediately found himself as an integral part of a coalition of concerned citizens that strongly disagreed with a proposed Aquatic Facility that was earmarked for a Taft Rd. location. Their opposition was emphatic, and their mission was to prevent this construction from ever getting off the ground.

His group was organized and prepared, and they prevailed as they effectively made their case by showing this concept was not in the best interests of the City of Novi. In addition to their group success, personal relationships and associations were formed, as their collective experience had been very positive… Hold that thought…

Upon High School graduation from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy in 1972, David Landry attended Albion College where he earned a BA Degree in Economics and Political Science. Soon it was off to the University of Detroit, where he would successfully complete the curriculum in the School Of Law, and his first assignment was as a Law Clerk at the Michigan Supreme Court from 1980-1982.

In 1982, he began private practice, and he’s been there ever since. “I specialize in defending Municipalities for anything they can be sued for!” he exclaimed.

In his travels, he befriended Richard Clark in the late ‘90’s and mentioned to him, that if he ever ran for Mayor, “I will work on your campaign.”

As part of the Steering Committee, David Landry was instrumental in helping Richard Clark to get elected as Mayor of Novi, and once again he found himself interacting with many of the same people he’d collaborated with on the Aquatic issue a few years before.

In January 2001, Landry was appointed to the Novi Planning Commission, and as Mayor Clark was successfully running for re-election, David Landry was encouraged to run for City Council. In November 2001, he was elected to serve a 4-year term. Additionally, in the fall of 2003, he was elected Mayor Pro-Tem for 2004-2005.

Last November, David Landry was elected Mayor of Novi, and he immediately understood the high expectations, and the task of managing growth while overseeing and addressing the challenges of the burgeoning infrastructure.

David Landry has an inimitable ability to accurately chronicle exactly what the City of Novi, Michigan needs to grow into the future, and he outlines it in a way that doesn’t sound like a series of platitudes.

Landry understands that the tax base is critical in generating revenue that will enable City Government to provide high-quality Public Safety, Water/Sewer services, Roads, and of course professional, competent Government administration.

“You need more than just a residential tax base,” he reminds. While a residential tax base is crucial, they are also the biggest consumers, so therefore attracting business to Novi is also essential. But at the same time, “we must manage growth by controlling zoning ordinances, while remaining attractive to potential office, industrial, and retail based businesses.”

David Landry is uniquely qualified to lead Novi, Michigan into the future. His critical thinking skills and his knowledge of government administration are things to behold. His game plan to manage Novi’s on-going success by implementing specific, intelligent, strategic and tactical maneuvers should keep the City prospering well into the future.

While he is quick to point out that he is merely a part of a team, and he emphatically gives credit to his entire organization; make no mistake.

As the Mayor of Novi, Michigan circa 2005, David Landry knows what needs to be done, and he knows how to effectively communicate the mission.

For the citizens of Novi, this is a significant event.

Burt Lancaster would be proud…