GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Tuesday, Gladstone voters selected a new makeup for the City Commission.
Three City Commission seats are becoming available. The ballot included four candidates–-sitting commissioners Joe Thompson and Steve O’Driscoll, local business owner Whitney Maloney, and retired electrical engineer Mike O’Connor.
Both incumbents will retain their seats, with Thompson receiving 29.49% of the vote and O’Driscoll receiving 24.22%. Having served as a commissioner for just under a year and a half, O’Driscoll is looking forward to continuing his work on the board.
“I was humbled and pleasantly surprised about the support that I got from local residents, and I’m looking forward to serving for them again,” he said. “My goals mainly are just to respond to the things that happen in our city and make sure that we act accordingly in the best interests of all of our residents and continue the great momentum that we have here in Gladstone.”
As the co-owner of local business Bramco Containers, he says he–and some of his fellow commissioners–bring valuable experiences and ideas to the table.
“We’re going to have three business owners on the commission,” said O’Driscoll. “I think running a business gives a person a different perspective, and you end up spending the taxpayers’ money like it’s your own money. That’s how we should be spending money, as frugally as possible, because the voters are definitely expecting that out of us.”
Between Maloney and O’Connor, Maloney came out on top with 28.92% of the vote. She says her primary goal as a new commissioner is to learn.
“I’m coming in as the newbie, you know?” she said. “This is my first elected position, so I understand the assignment of learning as much as I can, asking the questions, having an open mind, and just being really curious and inquisitive and taking in as much information as I can. I’m excited to serve this community, and I think that there are really great things ahead for Gladstone.”
Maloney has been running her business, Superbloom Coffee House, since the summer of 2025. She wants to help other entrepreneurs by creating more small business opportunities within the city.
“I kind of see myself as part of this wave that has hit Gladstone of new businesses,” Maloney said. “I think that there’s a lot of value in having just gone through it and found success in that process, but also the pain points, too. Working with our other elected officials and different organizations to smooth out some of those pain points and also bringing people into the process, because it’s really intimidating. When people see folks that they know opening businesses, it makes it seem more accessible. I think we can do better as a government to help usher those people in.”
With Delta County only holding elections in Gladstone and Escanaba, turnout was low at 17%. O’Driscoll applauds the residents who are engaged with government and making their voices heard, even when the ballot only has a few races or measures.
“I appreciate those that make the effort,” he said. “I strongly encourage those that get disappointed about the process to realize that getting out there and voting, you can have a definitive effect on—especially—your local politics.”
Similarly, Maloney urges voters to engage in discussions and proceedings that impact their community.
“Get involved, pay attention,” she said. “Understand that people in City Hall, people at the county leve, people at the state level, they’re just people and they’re accessible to you. If you have a question, if you have a concern, if you have an idea, it takes an email or a phone call to reach those people. They work for you.”
For other Delta County election results, click here.
