Westland s elections this year are going to be crowded.
Five residents have filed to run for mayor and 13 are competing for four open council seats. Both races will require an August primary to pare the mayor s race to two candidates and the council pool to eight.
All candidates have until Friday to withdraw.
Hometown Life asked each candidate why they chose to run. Here s what they had to say:
Mayor race
The elected mayor makes $121,574 annually and serves a four-year term. Bill Wild is the city s current mayor.
William Asper: I grew up in Westland, and the area then compared to now is horrible. We have one of the highest millage rates in the area, our schools are mediocre at best and there s a lot of corruption and greed. Something needs to get done.