TAYLOR, Mich. – The city of Taylor's former mayor, 45-year-old Jeffrey Lamarand, was found dead this week in his family's new home in Dexter, Mich.
Lamarand was doing some work on the home before the family's move-in. Police don't expect any foul play was involved in his death.
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"I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former mayor Jeffrey Lamarand late last night," said current Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars. "My entire family sends its condolences out to Jeff's wife Mishelle and their two children, Jillian and Nash. This is the type of event that hits very close to home -- Jeff and I were not that far apart in age, we worked together on City Council and also worked together during the changeover in government last November. This is a terrible shame. He was a man who had a beautiful family and should have had a long life to look forward to. The entire City of Taylor mourns his loss during this unfortunate time."
Lamarand first was elected to Taylor City Council in 2005. He served on the Planning Commission and the Master Plan Steering Committee, along with the Tax Increment Finance Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Board.
He campaigned for mayor against then incumbent Cameron Priebe in 2009 and won a resounding victory, marking the first time that Priebe had ever been defeated in an election. During his only term in office, Mayor Lamarand faced financially difficult challenges as the city -- like many other Michigan municipalities -- lost more and more revenue. Eventually, Mayor Lamarand made large cuts to staffing in city government and instituted a state of Michigan-approved Deficit Elimination Plan that is still currently in effect.
Current Mayor Sollars defeated then-Mayor Lamarand in the November 2013 General Election.
Lamarand's wife, Mishelle, released this statement on behalf of her family:
"It is true that we lost Jeff last evening and this is a very difficult time for not only me and our young children, but for the entire extended family. There will be a private family service and a celebration of Jeff's life scheduled at a later date. For now, we appreciate everyone's kind thoughts, and ask that you respect our privacy as we work our way through this very difficult time in our lives."