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Alexandra Dinser for Novi City Council: A Passion to Pay it Forward

Novi Roots
Alexandra Dinser wants to pay it forward. That's a driving force behind the 29-year-old lifelong Novi resident's campaign for city council. Dinser said she's benefited from living in the city in many ways and wants to give back. Even her family's former business of 43 years, Dinser's Greenhouse, speaks to the roots she has in the community.
Much of Dinser's early connection with the community was through the Novi Youth Assistance program, a nonprofit that strengthens youth and families through community involvement and offers free counseling for those in need.
"My involvement was with their teen center program mainly," Dinser explained. "I went to it as a kid. I volunteered there as a high schooler, then I worked there for seven years as a staff member once I got into college, and I volunteered in their office as well. And I received the scholarship that they offer when I graduated from high school."

A Commitment to Diversity
Because of Dinser's extensive experience with Novi Youth Assistance, it's not surprising that one area she would focus on if elected is diversity, including diversity in age. That means "making sure that youth in the city have a voice in city matters, and then also the older population," Dinser said.
Along with age, fostering diversity in all respects is key to Dinser's platform: race, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic background, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. While it's been proposed in the past, Novi lacks an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance because it hasn't garnered enough support from council members, according to Dinser. That's something she said she'd champion if elected. A potentially hopeful sign for the city's openness to that ordinance is that Novi adopted inclusive protections in city employment last year.
A focus on the environment is another plank in Dinser's platform, too. That includes "making sure that our wetlands and endangered plants and animals are protected, as well as green spaces," Dinser said. "That means protect the ones that exist, then ensure that whatever builders come in are trying to maintain what's left of it," she said. "And that goes with trees, too. How they're being replaced or maintained when we have builders coming in."
Housing is also something Dinser said she talks about with residents, because she believes that the city isn't adhering to the master plan.
"People that are young families come into the city and they don't have a ton of money at first, so they might settle into a starter home, but then to transition into another house, their only other option … are very expensive homes. So, a lot of these families are moving out of Novi. Or … the older population, they want to downsize, and we don't have many ranches. We have all these colonials and tri-levels.
"Having people young and old on the council to represent that, and other races, orientations … would just be very, very beneficial," Dinser said.

Range of Experience
Currently a secretary in the counseling and attendance office at Farmington High School where she also co-advises the school's Gay-Straight Alliance, Dinser holds a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's in higher education and student affairs. She said that it's through her background in social work that she acquired an understanding of intersectionality and a holistic viewpoint in how she views the residents of the city.
Dinser also has past experience in the political sphere, including volunteer work for One Royal Oak, the campaign for that city's non-discrimination ordinance, and lately for Samantha Steckloff, candidate for Michigan House District 37. Perhaps most importantly, though, Dinser says is the benefit of being intimately involved with Novi throughout her life.
"Knowing the ins and outs of the city, I think, is a big positive first of all," Dinser asserted. "I know a lot of the local business owners because I have lived here my entire life. So the connections I've made through my family's business, or the teen center, too, because I had to go out in the community for that."

In the Right Place at the Right Time
Dinser believes she's the first openly LGBTQ candidate for Council in Novi. It's something she's proud of, and called it an honor. The response has been largely positive, too.
"Of course, I was a little nervous on some level, because there is that conservative leaning [of Novi], but I haven't run into any issues. And I'm grateful for that," Dinser said.
As a matter of fact, Dinser shared one experience on the campaign trail that was unexpectedly and overwhelmingly affirming. It happened recently when she was delivering yard signs and a woman stopped in her car to ask for one. Previously, Dinser had spoken with the woman's husband, who supported the candidate's stance on diversity.
"She said, 'I hope that includes LGBT.' And I'm like, 'Well, I'm a lesbian, so of course it does. It definitely does.' And she had her young daughter in the back seat, and she kind of gestured to her, and she goes, 'She came out to her parents last year.' She was 10 years old. And I gave her a high-five. 'You're very brave, good for you.'
"And this proceeded into an 1 1/2 to to two-hour conversation with these people. They invited me into their house. … This little girl was really excited to meet another gay person — she said that to me. … And, honestly, I was so honored that I could be that representation for that girl. And I don't say that to toot my own horn. I say that because for me, even at this point in my life, I look up to Dana Nessel and all the others that have paved the way. And if I can be even somewhat of that person for that little 10-year-old girl, it's beyond what I ever imagined. And it was very unexpected how it came up. It was like the universe … I was in the right place at the right time to meet these people."

Wrap-Up
While she's certainly in it to win it, Dinser said no matter the outcome of the election, she plans to stay involved, whether sitting on committees or running for office in the future.
"I'm just so grateful for the experience overall, and the people that I've met through this, because I'm flabbergasted sometimes at the support that I've gotten," Dinser said. "I try to represent myself as well as I can as someone who's very committed to Novi. I am very grateful and happy that I grew up there. We have great schools and while there are a few things I would like to see changes in, I still think that I am that person that would really put their heart into it. I have that passion to pay it forward. And that's a big one — I want to pay it forward in the ways that I have benefited by living there. And especially, with youth. That's a big one. I want to make sure that they have the experience that I did, but even better."

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