Listen first
Hear from residents, ask questions and understand the facts before deciding.
Grand Beach Village Council
James Benz
Preserving what we love. Planning thoughtfully for the future.
Grand Beach is special because of its traditions, character and sense of community. I’m running to give back to the community we love and to bring a practical, collaborative approach to the decisions ahead.
About me
Grand Beach is home.
After 15 years of weekends and summers in Grand Beach, Martyn and I made it our full-time home. Over those years, we came to love the traditions, character and sense of community that make Grand Beach what it is.
Why I’m running
I retired four years ago after a 35-year career in technology, stepping down as a vice president from a $2.2 billion software company. I’m running because I want to give back to the community we love by protecting its traditions and character while making thoughtful decisions about the future.
My goal is simple: listen first, do the homework, spend carefully, and keep the long-term interests of Grand Beach at the center of every decision.
- Owned 50226 Marjeanette since 2013
- Full-time Grand Beach resident since 2022
- Born and lived in Chicago for the majority of my life
- From a large Catholic family
- Marquette University Business / Psychology graduate
- DePaul University MBA
- Married to Martyn Smith since 1992
- 35-year international technology executive
- Priorities: Family, Friends, Community, Service, Fun
My approach
Practical. Thoughtful. Community-focused.
Be thoughtful
Spend carefully, plan for the long term and focus on practical solutions.
Protect what matters
Keep Grand Beach’s traditions, character and community at the center.
Hot topics
Where I stand
Click to expand each topic for more detail.
1 Our Beach Restoring our beach should be our highest priority. +
Our beach is at the heart of Grand Beach, and residents have made clear how important restoration is. We need to find a viable, practical path to bring our beach back.
That means protecting access and the natural character of the shoreline while looking carefully at erosion, long-term maintenance, cost and sustainability. The objective should be a durable solution, not simply a short-term fix, with clear communication to residents as options are evaluated.
2 Golf Course Evaluate the current proposal carefully, along with the alternatives. +
The golf course is a defining part of Grand Beach. Any major investment deserves careful evaluation of the full cost, long-term operations, resident benefits, financial risks and realistic alternatives.
I want us to preserve the traditions and character the golf course brings to the Village while making sure any plan is financially sustainable and delivers clear value to residents. A decision of this scale should be based on facts, a realistic operating plan and a clear understanding of the long-term commitment.
3 Short-Term Rentals Strong rules, consistent enforcement and a reasonable cap. +
Short-term rentals can affect residents’ ability to peacefully enjoy their homes, while homeowners should also have the ability to rent their properties. We have a solid framework in place, but need more consistent enforcement and an easier way to report problems.
The first priority is to enforce them consistently and address problem properties when they affect neighbors or the residential character of the Village.
I support a reasonable cap on short-term rental licenses to protect quality of life and limit congestion and strain on infrastructure.
Our rules should be fair, clear and enforceable. They should balance property rights with the responsibility to protect the community around them.
4 Road Improvements Carry the current road investment through to completion. +
The current Village Council has begun an important road project. It is a significant investment and should be carried through to completion responsibly.
Beyond the current project, roads and traffic affect daily life. We should keep maintenance, safety and practical traffic management in focus as activity grows in and around Grand Beach.
5 Police Station Complete the project responsibly and give our officers an appropriate place to work. +
The new police station is moving forward, and as it does, we should continue to carefully evaluate the project, its costs, and how it fits with other village priorities.
Our officers deserve a safe and appropriate place to work, and we should make sure the project is completed responsibly and serves Grand Beach well for years to come.
6 New Buffalo Township Work across municipal lines on traffic, noise and other shared issues. +
Decisions made outside our village can still have a real impact on Grand Beach. The growing concentration of nearby cannabis businesses has brought concerns about traffic, noise, and the character of our surrounding area. While these decisions are outside the Village Council's direct control, we need to be active and persistent partners with New Buffalo Township to make sure Grand Beach's concerns are heard and taken seriously.
What I want to bring to the Council
A practical, collaborative approach grounded in listening to residents, doing the homework and making decisions with the long-term interests of Grand Beach in mind.
Let’s talk about Grand Beach
I’d like to hear what’s important to you.
Reach out anytime and let’s find a time to get together and chat. Your questions, concerns and ideas should be part of the conversation.