I grew up in South Bend IN, a location desperately close to Michigan.  So close, we spent our summers looking, hoping, begging for a parent and then friends with cars to take us to Tower Hill, or one of the many inland lakes just over the state line in Edwardsburg, Cassopolis, and Dowagiac.  In the fall, we were all about Irish football.   We were not raised to hate Ohio State, or any state for that matter, (I mention that only because I noticed its different here) only to pray pray pray for Old Notre Dame.   It was fun having an Irish name in the home of the Fighting Irish -though it felt a little phony- our  McGuigans came from Scotland to Northern Ireland, then North Dakota!  My Mom’s family is Norwegian, (so yay Knute Rockne!) and Icelandic, and we love our lefse and jello salad!  But, in South Bend, Bless me Father and Erin Go Braugh!

My Mom always told me I had to go to college, and my Dad always asked “how will you pay for it?” Focusing on getting the grades and the money to go to college shaped my life view—I am an optimist and a believer that All Things Are Possible. 

My Lutheran Sunday School teacher, Dr. Tom Werge, helped me apply to colleges; he was a Professor at ND and a Hope College graduate, so I applied to Notre Dame and to Hope. Notre Dame put me on a wait list and then said no. I had never heard of Hope College before then, or of the Reformed Church in America, but they let me in, and gave me great loans and grants.  So, Dykstra Hall, hello!  What an absolutely wonderful experience.    I applied to ND again as a transfer student, and then again for law school and got in both times, but did not go.  I need to tell you that for my little ego.

Lawyer and Muskegon native (Upper East Side, he likes to say) Gary Neal and I met in Muskegon right after law school.  I knew he was the One when he took me to meet his family at “Neal Landing” on Muskegon River off Sweeter Road, where I met “The Awesome Brothers”, his dad Gary H. Neal and Uncle Bud Neal.  They each held a Drewry’s longneck in one hand and a horseshoe in the other.   I brought homemade strawberry shortcakes for the potluck, and Gary’s dad commented on how hard they were—he tossed one up in the air and yelled “Pull!”  I have a sense of humor, and I loved this wild family.  

Gary and I got married 40 years ago. Many people who are still in our lives were at that wedding at First Congregational Church and NONE of them look any older!    I never changed my last name, and was never tempted to hyphenate it.  (That does not make me a “strong woman”, LOL.  People are hilarious) 

Aside:  Do you know that in Iceland, the phone book lists people alphabetically by their first names?  And daughters and sons of the same parents have different last names?  There are all sorts of ways to do things, no “right” way.  

More name talk:  My first name is “Just Chris”.  That is why I added my middle name “Ann” to the firm letterhead at Landman, Latimer, Clink & Robb when I was hired out of Indiana University -Bloomington Law School. I was the only woman lawyer hired by that prestigious “40-man”  Muskegon law firm up to then and I didn’t want people asking for Mr. McGuigan. Presently, I also want people to know they are voting for a woman.  So, Chris Ann McGuigan is on the ballot.  

Gary and I raised three wonderful daughters with the help of a great community and teachers and coaches. Just as others poured into our kids’ lives and Gary’s and my own lives, we believe in being generous, with young people especially, and we know that our life is better when everyone’s life is better.

For 19 years, I had the privilege of leading the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, where we transformed dreams into reality. Together, we revitalized downtown, expanded educational opportunities, and created spaces that celebrate our community spirit.  

Since I retired from full time work,  the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore has occupied my heart, soul and time, as a volunteer and donor.  Gary and I are thrilled the new Bob and Merle Scolnik Boys & Girls Club is part of a Waterfront Community Center the entire community shares.   

Now, I’m ready to bring that same passion and experience to our county government.

I’m committed to moving Muskegon County forward with competence, not chaos; with unity, not division. Together, we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to prosper.