Former SJ Public Safety Deputy Director Al DiBrito Running For City Commission

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The deadline is 4 p.m. next Tuesday for anyone interested in running for the St. Joseph City Commission this year to file their paperwork. Three incumbents: Jeff Richards, Laura Goos, and Lynn Todman, are up for reelection and so far, two challengers have announced they’re in. The latest is Spectrum Health Lakeland’s deputy security chief Al DiBrito.

“It’s a great city. My family has done well here, we’ve thrived, there’s so many opportunities, it’s a great place to raise a family, and it’s part of my nature to give back,” DiBrito tells WSJM News regarding why he’s running.

He had a lengthy law enforcement career, including 24 years as an FBI special agent followed by two years as the deputy public safety director in St. Joseph prior to his firing in 2014 by former City manager Richard Lewis. He tells WSJM News the lack of transparency in city government at that time is why he’s running for the commission for a second time after being unsuccessful two years ago.

“There was a huge issue there with the former director of public safety (Mark Clapp), that I don’t think people realized how bad it was. Those are things the public should be aware of, what’s happening in city government.”

DiBrito says he’s put that in the past, as he reached a settlement with the city in 2017. The other announced candidate is Susan Solon,the city’s former communications director.