ABOUT
How can someone make an educated, informed decision on who to vote for to be their advocate if they don't know the person for whom they are voting? In keeping with his core tenants of "Honesty, Integrity & Transparency," Michael feels that the best way for residents who are unfamiliar with him to get to know him is thru an open, honest dialogue. Therefore, what you will find here is a brief, yet informative "back story" for Michael - where he and his family came from, what life challenges he has overcome, and where he stands today. With this information, we believe that residents can truly make an informed decision on who to vote for.
A Brief History
Below you will find a brief breakdown of Michael's life, primarily in chronological order.
In the beginning...
Michael was born to George and Ginny Grim on December 31, 1976. From that point on, Michael would spend summers at his grandmothers house, June Harner, in her Shoemakersville home. Throughout his childhood, Michael would come to cherish summers at his grandmothers, as he got to know and make friends with the other kids in town. From Ling Ling, whose father originally owned the old Sunoco station (pre-remodel), to the across-the-street neighbor Aric Rentschler and the down-the-street neighbor Kevin Morrissey, Michael made friends with the locals, and considered grandma's house his second home. Eventually, he'd grow to learn nearly every neighbor on his streets name. And holidays would usually be split between his home in Fleetwood, and his grandmothers home in Shoemakersville, where the family would have the holiday meal surrounded by uncles and cousins.
In the beginning...
Michael was born to George and Ginny Grim on December 31, 1976. From that point on, Michael would spend summers at his grandmothers house, June Harner, in her Shoemakersville home. Throughout his childhood, Michael would come to cherish summers at his grandmothers, as he got to know and make friends with the other kids in town. From Ling Ling, whose father originally owned the old Sunoco station (pre-remodel), to the across-the-street neighbor Aric Rentschler and the down-the-street neighbor Kevin Morrissey, Michael made friends with the locals, and considered grandma's house his second home. Eventually, he'd grow to learn nearly every neighbor on his streets name. And holidays would usually be split between his home in Fleetwood, and his grandmothers home in Shoemakersville, where the family would have the holiday meal surrounded by uncles and cousins.
The first big move...
In 1989, Michael's grandmother would need double-knee replacement surgery and need regular care until she recovered, and his mother Ginny was stretched thin taking care of both her family's home while also stopping daily at her mothers to take care of her home t0o. Something had to give, and so the family decided that moving in with June in Shoemakersville would be the best course of action to lessen the burden on Ginny. This would also ensure that someone was in the home with Michael's grandmother during her recovery from her knee surgery. Although it's tough moving away from everything you know at that age, the impact on Michael was lessened due to those summers spent at grandma's, and the fact that he already had friends around the neighborhood he would soon call his hometown.
The first big move...
In 1989, Michael's grandmother would need double-knee replacement surgery and need regular care until she recovered, and his mother Ginny was stretched thin taking care of both her family's home while also stopping daily at her mothers to take care of her home t0o. Something had to give, and so the family decided that moving in with June in Shoemakersville would be the best course of action to lessen the burden on Ginny. This would also ensure that someone was in the home with Michael's grandmother during her recovery from her knee surgery. Although it's tough moving away from everything you know at that age, the impact on Michael was lessened due to those summers spent at grandma's, and the fact that he already had friends around the neighborhood he would soon call his hometown.
Growing up in moms hometown...
Growing up in Shoey was great. Your simple, small-town childhood, filled with good times with the local neighborhood kids. And it was made all the more easy to acclimate to the new town since his mother Ginny also grew up in Shoey. She graduated from Hamburg High in 1971, and remained in the area until marrying George in 1976. So Michael's mother was already friends with many of the parents of the neighborhood kids Michael would play with when he was young. Eventually, Michael would meet new people at school, and make many new friends from both Hamburg and Shoey. Summers would usually be spent with those friends, either at their place or his. Life was generally good, and college was just over the horizon.
Growing up in moms hometown...
Growing up in Shoey was great. Your simple, small-town childhood, filled with good times with the local neighborhood kids. And it was made all the more easy to acclimate to the new town since his mother Ginny also grew up in Shoey. She graduated from Hamburg High in 1971, and remained in the area until marrying George in 1976. So Michael's mother was already friends with many of the parents of the neighborhood kids Michael would play with when he was young. Eventually, Michael would meet new people at school, and make many new friends from both Hamburg and Shoey. Summers would usually be spent with those friends, either at their place or his. Life was generally good, and college was just over the horizon.
Moving out on his own...
Michael graduated from Hamburg High in 1994, and would leave that fall for college at Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts in York, PA. This was the first big move out of his parents house, and his first taste of life on his own. For the next two years, Michael would spend the school year living on his own in an apartment in York, while attending full-time college classes, and working evenings as a bus boy at the Ground Round on Market Street. Making new friends there, and adding new life experiences on his own, Michael got his first taste of life in a big city. He graduated from Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts (which would eventually be bought by and absorbed into the Art Institutes) in the summer of 1996, and would then go on to start his career in the field of Graphic Design and Web Design.
Moving out on his own...
Michael graduated from Hamburg High in 1994, and would leave that fall for college at Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts in York, PA. This was the first big move out of his parents house, and his first taste of life on his own. For the next two years, Michael would spend the school year living on his own in an apartment in York, while attending full-time college classes, and working evenings as a bus boy at the Ground Round on Market Street. Making new friends there, and adding new life experiences on his own, Michael got his first taste of life in a big city. He graduated from Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts (which would eventually be bought by and absorbed into the Art Institutes) in the summer of 1996, and would then go on to start his career in the field of Graphic Design and Web Design.
The start of a career...
After working for a year or two at your typical sort of jobs - host at Ground Round on the 5th St. Highway, cleaning floors third shift for his friends business M&C Barkman Janitorial in Hamburg, etc. - Michael finally got his first job in the field of Graphic Design in 1998, working as a Graphic Designer for the Merchandiser in Hamburg. He would spend time there, before moving on to work as a Layout Designer for Bartush Signs in Orwigsburg, PA. Next, Michael would end up as the Pre-Press Preparation & Graphic Designer at U.S. Express Printing, Inc. on the 5th St. Highway in Temple, PA. Eventually, ending up as the Sr. Web Designer & Graphic Designer for Brickel's Racing Collectibles, Inc. in Leesport, PA. This would be the last job in his field that Michael would work in Pennsylvania (more on that later).
The start of a career...
After working for a year or two at your typical sort of jobs - host at Ground Round on the 5th St. Highway, cleaning floors third shift for his friends business M&C Barkman Janitorial in Hamburg, etc. - Michael finally got his first job in the field of Graphic Design in 1998, working as a Graphic Designer for the Merchandiser in Hamburg. He would spend time there, before moving on to work as a Layout Designer for Bartush Signs in Orwigsburg, PA. Next, Michael would end up as the Pre-Press Preparation & Graphic Designer at U.S. Express Printing, Inc. on the 5th St. Highway in Temple, PA. Eventually, ending up as the Sr. Web Designer & Graphic Designer for Brickel's Racing Collectibles, Inc. in Leesport, PA. This would be the last job in his field that Michael would work in Pennsylvania (more on that later).
The "Roaring 20's"...
As Michael grew his career, he also turned 21, and began going out to various local - and not so local - music venues with friends. In 2001, he started ROXXSOLID - the name of his current self-owned Photography & Web Design business - with his best friend Erich Boldt, as a fan club for some friends band. Throughout his twenties, Michael would travel around to numerous venues both in Pennsylvania and beyond to not only see bands perform, but also to photograph many of them. He eventually developed a reputation for being one of the few photographers in the area who was capable of digital photography during a time pre-cellphones and pre-selfies. That lead to him being hired as house photographer for Club 1402 by Mike and Pete Sfameni in 2003. Michael would work there every Friday and Saturday night, taking photos of whatever bands were playing there, for the next 3 years. During that time, he developed a reputation for being one of the pre-eminent local digital photographers at the time, and would often end up photographing many of those bands, at their behest, at other venues they played at.
The "Roaring 20's"...
As Michael grew his career, he also turned 21, and began going out to various local - and not so local - music venues with friends. In 2001, he started ROXXSOLID - the name of his current self-owned Photography & Web Design business - with his best friend Erich Boldt, as a fan club for some friends band. Throughout his twenties, Michael would travel around to numerous venues both in Pennsylvania and beyond to not only see bands perform, but also to photograph many of them. He eventually developed a reputation for being one of the few photographers in the area who was capable of digital photography during a time pre-cellphones and pre-selfies. That lead to him being hired as house photographer for Club 1402 by Mike and Pete Sfameni in 2003. Michael would work there every Friday and Saturday night, taking photos of whatever bands were playing there, for the next 3 years. During that time, he developed a reputation for being one of the pre-eminent local digital photographers at the time, and would often end up photographing many of those bands, at their behest, at other venues they played at.
The dark side of the moon...
Unbeknownst to most during that time in his 20's, Michael was slowly developing a problem with drugs. What started out as a "once in awhile" kind of thing would eventually grow into an "all the time" kind of thing. Problems would soon seep into all different aspects of his life. In 2004, he lost his job at Brickel's Racing Collectibles in Leesport, and began working construction for two different friends who had their own construction companies. For the next 2 years, Michael would work doing construction during the day and photographing bands on the weekends, while simultaneously battling his personal demons. But a breaking point was inevitable, and in a moment of clarity during that break, Michael walked away from the drugs and the crowd that lead to that path, and moved to Long Island, NY to live with his then girlfriend Meredith. Sometimes the only way to break bad habits is to remove yourself from a toxic environment completely, and so it went.
The dark side of the moon...
Unbeknownst to most during that time in his 20's, Michael was slowly developing a problem with drugs. What started out as a "once in awhile" kind of thing would eventually grow into an "all the time" kind of thing. Problems would soon seep into all different aspects of his life. In 2004, he lost his job at Brickel's Racing Collectibles in Leesport, and began working construction for two different friends who had their own construction companies. For the next 2 years, Michael would work doing construction during the day and photographing bands on the weekends, while simultaneously battling his personal demons. But a breaking point was inevitable, and in a moment of clarity during that break, Michael walked away from the drugs and the crowd that lead to that path, and moved to Long Island, NY to live with his then girlfriend Meredith. Sometimes the only way to break bad habits is to remove yourself from a toxic environment completely, and so it went.
A period of rebirth...
Just like that, Michael left it all behind - the drugs, the crowds, his family, his friends and his hometown. Intent on getting life back on track, Michael moved in with his girlfriend Meredith in Rocky Point, NY. With some help from her and her connections, he landed his first job back in his field - as Sr. Web Designer for the Fortune 500 company Innovative Stone International, Inc. Newly clean and clear-headed, Michael would go on to excel at this new job, so much so that when he informed the company he was leaving to assume a new role at another company, CEO Karen Pearse - a "Fortune 100 Women In Business" awardee - threw 3 different job offers at him in an attempt to keep him from leaving for another company. Unfortunately, none of those offers were what he was looking for, and so he soldiered on to his new job as E-Commerce Creative Coordinator for RAMP Motors, Inc. - the largest car dealership on Long Island, with 7 different divisions he would be overseeing the graphics and web design programs for. During that time, he would split with his girlfriend and move into an apartment on his own.
A period of rebirth...
Just like that, Michael left it all behind - the drugs, the crowds, his family, his friends and his hometown. Intent on getting life back on track, Michael moved in with his girlfriend Meredith in Rocky Point, NY. With some help from her and her connections, he landed his first job back in his field - as Sr. Web Designer for the Fortune 500 company Innovative Stone International, Inc. Newly clean and clear-headed, Michael would go on to excel at this new job, so much so that when he informed the company he was leaving to assume a new role at another company, CEO Karen Pearse - a "Fortune 100 Women In Business" awardee - threw 3 different job offers at him in an attempt to keep him from leaving for another company. Unfortunately, none of those offers were what he was looking for, and so he soldiered on to his new job as E-Commerce Creative Coordinator for RAMP Motors, Inc. - the largest car dealership on Long Island, with 7 different divisions he would be overseeing the graphics and web design programs for. During that time, he would split with his girlfriend and move into an apartment on his own.
Growth and change never stop...
Michael would spend the next year and a half overseeing the ad campaigns - both print and online - for the RAMP organizations 7 different sales divisions. But eventually, would again make a change and begin a new position at another company, Practice Pay Solutions - an E-Commerce Shopping Cart provider for the Life Coaching industry. That position would last for around a year or so, before the housing bubble burst, and he would be laid off due to the company down-sizing to adjust to the market. After searching for work for nearly a year - to no avail - Michael would make the decision to move back home to Pennsylvania where he could be closer to friends and family, and have a better support system. Thankfully, his parents would allow him to stay with them until he was able to get back on his feet, after rebuilding his career back home in Pennsylvania.
Growth and change never stop...
Michael would spend the next year and a half overseeing the ad campaigns - both print and online - for the RAMP organizations 7 different sales divisions. But eventually, would again make a change and begin a new position at another company, Practice Pay Solutions - an E-Commerce Shopping Cart provider for the Life Coaching industry. That position would last for around a year or so, before the housing bubble burst, and he would be laid off due to the company down-sizing to adjust to the market. After searching for work for nearly a year - to no avail - Michael would make the decision to move back home to Pennsylvania where he could be closer to friends and family, and have a better support system. Thankfully, his parents would allow him to stay with them until he was able to get back on his feet, after rebuilding his career back home in Pennsylvania.
Rebuilding in a familiar place...
After moving back to PA in mid-2010, Michael would set about rebuilding his career once again. The first job he landed was as Web Designer and E-Commerce Manager for Pittman Photography, a Youth Sports Photography company located in Northampton, PA. There, he would build the company their first E-Commerce website, helping the company to grow in ways they hadn't been able to previously realize without having a way to deliver an online shopping experience. After spending nearly 3 years there, he would go on to work at INetU Managed Hosting as Sr. Web Designer & Graphic Designer. INetU Managed Hosting was a Managed Hosting provider for major brands like Sony, BMW and Pokemon. There, Michael would work directly with the Director of Marketing and the CEO of the company in rebuilding and branding the companies primary web portal. He would work there from 2013 until 2014, at which point the company went thru a restructuring, and his position, as well as the rest of the Marketing Department was outsourced to an outside company.
Rebuilding in a familiar place...
After moving back to PA in mid-2010, Michael would set about rebuilding his career once again. The first job he landed was as Web Designer and E-Commerce Manager for Pittman Photography, a Youth Sports Photography company located in Northampton, PA. There, he would build the company their first E-Commerce website, helping the company to grow in ways they hadn't been able to previously realize without having a way to deliver an online shopping experience. After spending nearly 3 years there, he would go on to work at INetU Managed Hosting as Sr. Web Designer & Graphic Designer. INetU Managed Hosting was a Managed Hosting provider for major brands like Sony, BMW and Pokemon. There, Michael would work directly with the Director of Marketing and the CEO of the company in rebuilding and branding the companies primary web portal. He would work there from 2013 until 2014, at which point the company went thru a restructuring, and his position, as well as the rest of the Marketing Department was outsourced to an outside company.
One last hurrah...
After searching for work for a few months, Michael landed a contract position as Co-Lead UX/UI Designer & Architect for a major project that Lockheed Martin was working on for the U.S. Air Force. Along with another designer, Michael would work directly with the Programmers and Developers at Lockheed Martin to design and build an entirely new interface for the Air Force's JASSM Missile System. Branded "JEMS," this system would take dozens of individual tools and combine them into one easy-to-use interface that would be used by many different positions in the Air Force to put together the targeting solutions that the U.S. Air Force used to program their missiles. Michael's regular work here would include regular meetings with the head of the AFTC (Air Force Targeting Command), as well as the Lockheed Project Manager, and a handful of the higher tier developers and programmers. Originally only a 3 month contract, the JEMS team at Lockheed was so impressed with Michael's work, that they renewed his contract twice. That original "3 month" contract ended up lasting nearly 2 years. But eventually, the project would be complete, and it would be time to move on, and so Michael set about the task of job hunting once again.
One last hurrah...
After searching for work for a few months, Michael landed a contract position as Co-Lead UX/UI Designer & Architect for a major project that Lockheed Martin was working on for the U.S. Air Force. Along with another designer, Michael would work directly with the Programmers and Developers at Lockheed Martin to design and build an entirely new interface for the Air Force's JASSM Missile System. Branded "JEMS," this system would take dozens of individual tools and combine them into one easy-to-use interface that would be used by many different positions in the Air Force to put together the targeting solutions that the U.S. Air Force used to program their missiles. Michael's regular work here would include regular meetings with the head of the AFTC (Air Force Targeting Command), as well as the Lockheed Project Manager, and a handful of the higher tier developers and programmers. Originally only a 3 month contract, the JEMS team at Lockheed was so impressed with Michael's work, that they renewed his contract twice. That original "3 month" contract ended up lasting nearly 2 years. But eventually, the project would be complete, and it would be time to move on, and so Michael set about the task of job hunting once again.
Life comes at you fast...
Unfortunately, upon the end of his contract, Michael was dismayed to find that by that point - every company he worked for as some form of Web Designer had either been bought and absorbed by another company, or had gone out of business completely. This meant that he was now a Web Designer...with no websites available from previous employers for potential employers to see. For the next year and a half, Michael would end up driving Uber and Lyft in order to keep the bills paid, all the while sending out hundreds upon hundreds of resumes. Not having luck finding work in his field, and not happy with the constant uncertainty afforded a rideshare driver, he decided it was time to swallow his pride and start applying for work wherever he could find it, regardless of the industry it was in or the type of work it was. At the end of the day, the bills had to be paid, and so Michael was ready to do what he needed to do to ensure those bills did in fact stay paid.
Life comes at you fast...
Unfortunately, upon the end of his contract, Michael was dismayed to find that by that point - every company he worked for as some form of Web Designer had either been bought and absorbed by another company, or had gone out of business completely. This meant that he was now a Web Designer...with no websites available from previous employers for potential employers to see. For the next year and a half, Michael would end up driving Uber and Lyft in order to keep the bills paid, all the while sending out hundreds upon hundreds of resumes. Not having luck finding work in his field, and not happy with the constant uncertainty afforded a rideshare driver, he decided it was time to swallow his pride and start applying for work wherever he could find it, regardless of the industry it was in or the type of work it was. At the end of the day, the bills had to be paid, and so Michael was ready to do what he needed to do to ensure those bills did in fact stay paid.
The only thing constant is change...
Thankfully, around that time, East Penn Manufacturing (known around Berks County as "Deka") was having a hiring event at the Careerlink center in Reading, and so Michael decided to go in to the event in order to submit an application and resume. Although primarily applying for office type work, he let them know he was open to any position they may have, as he was eager to simply work. Within a week, the company contacted him and brought him in for an interview. After that went well, they called him in to take a physical assessment test. Upon passing the physical assessment, they offered him a position with the company. And so, on April 23, 2018, at the age of 41, Michael went back into working in manual labor. Working hard and showing he was dependable, dedicated, and capable of just about anything he set his mind to, he eventually worked his way up to being a Material Handler, which is what he currently does at East Penn Manufacturing.
The only thing constant is change...
Thankfully, around that time, East Penn Manufacturing (known around Berks County as "Deka") was having a hiring event at the Careerlink center in Reading, and so Michael decided to go in to the event in order to submit an application and resume. Although primarily applying for office type work, he let them know he was open to any position they may have, as he was eager to simply work. Within a week, the company contacted him and brought him in for an interview. After that went well, they called him in to take a physical assessment test. Upon passing the physical assessment, they offered him a position with the company. And so, on April 23, 2018, at the age of 41, Michael went back into working in manual labor. Working hard and showing he was dependable, dedicated, and capable of just about anything he set his mind to, he eventually worked his way up to being a Material Handler, which is what he currently does at East Penn Manufacturing.
Lest We Forget
Here you will find a few items that were left out of the story above, added in here with a bit more explanation. These items speak to the nature of some of the heartaches and struggles Michael has had to deal with and overcome more recently.
Brush with death...
In 2013, Michael had to be Medivac'd from Reading Hospital to Thomas Jefferson Hospital after being rushed to the ER with ever climbing Cardiac Enzyme Levels. After 2 days with no answers, it was decided that he be rushed to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philly, as he was either going to need to have a Cardiac Biopsy, or in a worst-case scenario, a heart transplant. After a week in the Cardiac ICU of the hospital, hundreds of blood draws and tests, and an entire infectious disease team...it was discovered that the Myocarditis and Periocaridits he was experiencing was due to Salmonella Poisoning. He was put on a 24-hour targeted anti-biotic, and discharged the following day with a prescription for Cipro, and told he would have to follow-up with a cardiologist at least twice over the next year. Thankfully, he made a full recovery, with only very, very mild long-term damage to his heart.
Brush with death...
In 2013, Michael had to be Medivac'd from Reading Hospital to Thomas Jefferson Hospital after being rushed to the ER with ever climbing Cardiac Enzyme Levels. After 2 days with no answers, it was decided that he be rushed to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philly, as he was either going to need to have a Cardiac Biopsy, or in a worst-case scenario, a heart transplant. After a week in the Cardiac ICU of the hospital, hundreds of blood draws and tests, and an entire infectious disease team...it was discovered that the Myocarditis and Periocaridits he was experiencing was due to Salmonella Poisoning. He was put on a 24-hour targeted anti-biotic, and discharged the following day with a prescription for Cipro, and told he would have to follow-up with a cardiologist at least twice over the next year. Thankfully, he made a full recovery, with only very, very mild long-term damage to his heart.
When a boy loses his father...
In 2015, shortly after temporarily moving back home from Adamstown after a falling out with his best friend of 25 years and roommate at the time, Michael lost his father to Emphysema/COPD. It was a sudden and shocking moment in his life, but true to how he was raised, Michael stood strong for his family, and acted as the "rock" for his mother and the rest of his family throughout the entire ordeal. Michael promised his father on his death bed that he would make sure that his mother and grandmother were taken care of and looked after. Being a man of his word, Michael continues to uphold that promise to this very day, paying the mortgage and caring for his mother allows her the freedom to enjoy the retirement she earned and deserves.
When a boy loses his father...
In 2015, shortly after temporarily moving back home from Adamstown after a falling out with his best friend of 25 years and roommate at the time, Michael lost his father to Emphysema/COPD. It was a sudden and shocking moment in his life, but true to how he was raised, Michael stood strong for his family, and acted as the "rock" for his mother and the rest of his family throughout the entire ordeal. Michael promised his father on his death bed that he would make sure that his mother and grandmother were taken care of and looked after. Being a man of his word, Michael continues to uphold that promise to this very day, paying the mortgage and caring for his mother allows her the freedom to enjoy the retirement she earned and deserves.
Rest easy grandma...
In 2018, only a few short months before his mother Ginny would retire, Michael lost his grandmother June Harner, age 94, to the flu and pneumonia. Having been raised spending summers with her as small boy, this death hit Michael especially hard. It also brought new worries about how he would continue to uphold the promise he had made to his father before he died that he would look after his mother, as the loss of his grandmother added a whole bunch of new bills he would need to take care of for the family household. But thankfully, his worries were set at ease when he started his new job at East Penn Manufacturing in April of that year...which he feels was his grandmother helping to look out for him and his mother one last time.
Rest easy grandma...
In 2018, only a few short months before his mother Ginny would retire, Michael lost his grandmother June Harner, age 94, to the flu and pneumonia. Having been raised spending summers with her as small boy, this death hit Michael especially hard. It also brought new worries about how he would continue to uphold the promise he had made to his father before he died that he would look after his mother, as the loss of his grandmother added a whole bunch of new bills he would need to take care of for the family household. But thankfully, his worries were set at ease when he started his new job at East Penn Manufacturing in April of that year...which he feels was his grandmother helping to look out for him and his mother one last time.
The project from hell...
During some summer projects in 2018, Michael made an unfortunate discovery - his family's home had been suffering from a termite infestation - likely for at least two decades - and would need to be treated for the infestation, as well as require some major repairs to fix the damage they had done. And so after having the local Orkin office treat the infestation and install Sentricon traps around the property, he set about the task of repairing the damage to the home himself. This required first removing all the damaged wood from the back of the house, and then replacing all the damaged studs and uprights - some needed partial replacement, others needed full replacement. After working from July thru November, every day after work from 4 to 8 hours, he had finally finished the first part of the repair process.
The project from hell...
During some summer projects in 2018, Michael made an unfortunate discovery - his family's home had been suffering from a termite infestation - likely for at least two decades - and would need to be treated for the infestation, as well as require some major repairs to fix the damage they had done. And so after having the local Orkin office treat the infestation and install Sentricon traps around the property, he set about the task of repairing the damage to the home himself. This required first removing all the damaged wood from the back of the house, and then replacing all the damaged studs and uprights - some needed partial replacement, others needed full replacement. After working from July thru November, every day after work from 4 to 8 hours, he had finally finished the first part of the repair process.
Turning hardship into triumph...
After finishing the first part of the repair project that lie ahead of him, it became clear that to fully address the repairs, and to do what was in the family's best financial interest at the time, it was decided that Michael would purchase his childhood home from his mother, and the money that was left over after the purchase would then be used to facilitate the repairs to the home, in addition to helping consolidate some other bills. And so, in April of 2019, with the assistance of a PHFA home loan, Michael became the proud owner of his childhood home. With that completed, Michael would work on the final portion of the repairs every morning after work, from 4 to 8 hours, every day between July 2019 and November 2019, completing the remaining work on Thanksgiving morning that year.
Turning hardship into triumph...
After finishing the first part of the repair project that lie ahead of him, it became clear that to fully address the repairs, and to do what was in the family's best financial interest at the time, it was decided that Michael would purchase his childhood home from his mother, and the money that was left over after the purchase would then be used to facilitate the repairs to the home, in addition to helping consolidate some other bills. And so, in April of 2019, with the assistance of a PHFA home loan, Michael became the proud owner of his childhood home. With that completed, Michael would work on the final portion of the repairs every morning after work, from 4 to 8 hours, every day between July 2019 and November 2019, completing the remaining work on Thanksgiving morning that year.
Honesty, Integrity & Transparency
Well, if you made it this far, you're probably wondering "Why is this guy giving us his life story?" It is Michaels belief that once you get to know him better, and some of the struggles and adversity he has faced head-on, and overcome, that you will be able to make a better, more informed decision when heading to the polls in November. Also, since his core tenants are Honesty, Integrity and Transparency, what better way to put those values on full display for the voters to see than to give them his brutally honest and open backstory? That is truly "putting your money where your mouth is!"