Voter Guide: Commerce, West Bloomfield

GENERAL ELECTION

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NOVEMBER 4, 2008

VOTER GUIDE Commerce / West Bloomfield Publication of Spinal Column Newsweekly

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NOTICE OF ELECTION – GENERAL ELECTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS:

FOR THE PURPOSE OF NOMINATING CANDIDATES OF ALL PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a General Election will be held in: CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD County of Oakland, State of Michigan TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 THE POLLS will be open 7 o’clock a.m. until 8 o’clock p.m. ALL POLLING PLACES ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE, BRAILLE AND AUDIO VERSION OF THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

PRESIDENTIAL

President and Vice President of the United States

CONGRESSIONAL

United States Senator, Representative in Congress – 9th District

LEGISLATIVE

Representative in State Legislature – 39th and 43rd Districts

STATE

Member of the State Board of Education, University of Michigan Regents, Trustee of Michigan State University, Governor of Wayne State University

COUNTY

County Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Drain Commissioner, County Commissioner – 5th, 16th and 17th Districts

JUDICIAL

Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of Court of Appeals, 2nd District – Incumbent Position, Judge of Court of Appeals – 2nd District – Incumbent Position Partial Term Ending 1/1/2013, Judge of the Circuit Court – 6th District – Incumbent Position, Judge of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit – Non-incumbent Position, Judge of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit – Incumbent Position Partial Term Ending 1/1/2013, Judge of Probate Court – Oakland County – Non-incumbent Position, Judge of District Court – 48th District – Incumbent Position

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

School District of the City of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills School District, Walled Lake Consolidated School District, Waterford School District, West Bloomfield School District

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Oakkland Community College Board of Trustee Member, Oakland Community College Board of Trustees Member – Partial Term Ending 1/1/2011

TOWNSHIP

Township Supervisor, Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, Township Trustee (4 to be elected), Township Parks & Recreation Commissioner (7 to be elected), Township Library Board

AT THE POLLING PLACES LISTED BELOW: Precinct 1

Orchard Lake Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – NW Rear of Building Precinct 2 Walnut Creek Middle School, 7602 Walnut Lake Road Precinct 3 Episcopal Church of the Advent, 3325 Middlebelt Road, Handicapped – All Entrances Precinct 4 Twin Beach Elementary School, 7149 Oakley Park Road, Handicapped Entrance – N. Side of Building Precinct 5 Gretchko Elementary School, 5300 Greer Road, Handicapped – All Entrances Precinct 6 Beth Ahn Synagogue, 5075 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – East Side of Building Precinct 7 Doherty Elementary School, 3575 Walnut Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – Rear of Building Precinct 8 Scotch School, 5959 Commerce Road, Handicapped – All Entrances Precinct 9 Eagle School, 29410 W. Fourteen Mile Road, Handicapped Entrance – Front of Building Precinct 10 Ealy School, 5475 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – Front of Building Precinct 11 Shepherd King Lutheran Church, 5300 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – Rear N. Side of Building Precinct 12 Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Rd., Handicapped Entrance – Rear S. Side of Building Precinct 13 Pine Lake School, 3333 W. Long Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – NW Corner of Building Precinct 14 Keith Elementary School, 2800 Keith Road, Handicapped Entrance – N. Side of Building Precinct 15 West Bloomfield Main Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – All Entrances Precinct 16 West Hills Middle School, 2601 Lone Pine Road, Handicapped Entrance – N. Side of Building Precinct 17 Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 4800 Orchard Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – S. Side of Building Precinct 18 Pleasant Lake Elementary School, 4900 Halsted, Handicapped Entrance – All Entrances Precinct 19 The Covenant Baptist Church, 5800 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – NW Side of Building Precinct 20 Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, Handicapped Entrance – Rear S. Side of Building Precinct 21 The Friendship Circle, 6892 West Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – All Entrances Precinct 22 Maple Elementary School, 7389 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – N. 2nd Door Precinct 23 Drake Community Sports Park, 6801 Drake Road, Handicapped Entrance – South Side of Building Precinct 24 Maple Elementary School, 7389 Maple Road, Handicapped Entrance – N. 2nd Door Precinct 25 Gretchko Elementary School, 5300 Greer Road, Handicapped Entrance – E. Side of Building Precinct 26 B’Nai Moshe Synagogue, 6800 Drake Road, Handicapped Entrance – Main Entrance Precinct 27 West Bloomfield Community Service Center, 5810 Commerce Road, Handicapped Entrance – North End Counting Center Township Hall, 4500 Walnut Lake Road

NOTICE TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD Notice is hereby given that the Public Accuracy Test for the November 4, 2008 Presidential Election has been scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. in the Township Hall at 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer program used to record and count the votes cast at the election meets the requirements of law. SHARON A. LAW, CLERK West Bloomfield Township 248-451-4848 SC: 10-22-08

AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS: STATE PROPOSAL 08-1: A legislative initiative to permit the use and cultivation of marijuana for specified medical conditions. STATE PROPOSAL 08-2: A proposal to amend the State Constitution to address human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research in Michigan. COUNTY PROPOSAL: A proposed modification to the Oakland County Merit System covering the employees of the County of Oakland that updates the system from its original 1966 version as explained by county resolution #08119. Full text of the proposals may be obtained from: SHARON A. LAW, TOWNSHIP CLERK West Bloomfield Township • 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield 48325, 248-451-4848 As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee voter ballot if you are: • age 60 years old or older • unable to vote without assistance at the polls • expecting to be out of town on election day • in jail awaiting arraignment or trial • unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons • appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence. A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she participates.

SHARON A. LAW, TOWNSHIP CLERK

SC: 10-22-08

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST NOTICE

ABSENTEE BALLOTS NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Accuracy test for the November 4, 2008 General Election will be conducted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall located at 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan.

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE:

The Public Accuracy test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and computer that will be used to tabulate the results of the election have been prepared in accordance with law. Janet Overholt Green City Clerk

SC: 10-22-08

Absentee Ballots for the November 4, 2008 General Election may be obtained from the City Clerk at the City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Emergency Ballots ONLY may be cast on the date of the Election – November 4, 2008. CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE Janet Overholt Green City Clerk

SC: 10-22-08

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DATE CHANGE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the November 2008 Regular Planning Commission Meeting originally scheduled for November 4, 2008 has been rescheduled to November 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan. You are invited to attend this meeting. Janet Overholt Green City Clerk

SC: 10-22-08

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Orchard Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield

U.S. Congress/9th Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg is being challenged by Democrat Gary Peters in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election. Members of Congress serve two-year terms and are currently paid $165,200 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to Peters, and his responses to those questions. Knollenberg didn’t respond to our candidate questionnaire. IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: Despite progress in Iraq, there are still many calling for rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces. How should the nation handle the situation in Iraq, and why? State why you are or aren’t satisfied with the level of troop deployment and the nature of our presence in Afghanistan. FINANCIAL CRISIS: America has been rocked by the recent collapse of banks and financial firms. What’s your vision for helping the economy rebound in the short term, especially given the credit crisis that threatens to cripple the economy? What would you like done to implement long-term structural changes that ensure a strong economy? Do you support the economic recovery plan proposed by President Bush? HEALTH CARE: Where do you stand on the notion of implementing some kind of universal health care or somehow reforming the existing system? ENERGY/OIL DEPENDENCY: What alternative fuels and energies do you believe the nation should be pursuing? Please tell us where you stand on proposals to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, or expanding offshore drilling. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

GARY PETERS IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: As a former Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, I believe we must immediately begin redeploying troops from Iraq, so we can respond to other serious threats. I don’t support a “rapid withdrawal,” but a responsible and safe redeployment that protects our troops and military materiel while providing stability. While we are spending $10 billion a month, Iraq has a surplus of over $79 billion. It’s time for the Iraqi government to take responsibility for the security of Iraq. The Bush Administration’s singleminded focus on Iraq, which my opponent has supported, has allowed alQaeda to become stronger than it has been since 2001. This can’t continue, and I will support policies to refocus our military effort on finding, capturing, and

defeating the terrorists who attacked us, and who would do us harm. FINANCIAL CRISIS: This crisis never should have happened, and we must act now to stabilize the economy, ensure liquidity in the credit and banking system, and help families stay in their homes. In Washington, I will use my background in business and finance to take action to protect taxpayers, and to fight for more accountability over Wall Street to ensure this kind of disaster can never happen again. Rather than eliminating the safeguards, as Mr. Knollenberg has voted repeatedly to do, I believe we must have a 21st century regulatory system that will protect taxpayers while encouraging growth. I was frustrated that Congress didn’t take action on these issues in the bailout bill passed earlier this month. While I supported the effort to get liquidity into the market as quickly as possible, the job is far from done. HEALTH CARE: Affordable, quality health care should be the right of every American, and in Congress, I will work to make this a reality. The health care situation is both a moral crisis and an economic crisis. Today, American businesses are put at a severe competitive disadvantage compared to other countries because of our outrageous health care premiums. Small businesses that want to hire more employees are unable to do so because of the cost of health insurance. We must allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for senior citizens — just like the VA already does. We also must provide children access to quality, affordable health care. The SCHIP program (known as MIChild here in Michigan) works, but on the federal level President Bush and my opponent have blocked this important legislation. ENERGY/OIL DEPENDENCY: High energy prices are crippling Michigan’s automotive industry and hurting families, and our dependence on foreign oil places our national security in jeopardy. We must take immediate action to reduce the price of fuel, and to make a serious investment in alternative energy research and development. Although I oppose drilling in the Great Lakes and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, I support domestic drilling as part of a comprehensive energy policy that includes wind and solar energy, advanced vehicles, and biofuels. The challenges of global climate change and reducing our dependence on foreign oil present an enormous opportunity for Michigan’s economy. We have the best engineers, researchers, workers, and universities anywhere in the

Gary Peters served two terms in the Michigan Senate before becoming commissioner of the Michigan Lottery. He is a former Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve. Peters worked for 20 years as a vice president at Merrill Lynch and UBS/ PaineWebber. world, and we are ready to take the lead in the next generation of alternative energy technologies that will create jobs and bring new investment to Michigan. TOP ISSUES: First and foremost, I will take action to reinvest in Michigan’s economy to create jobs by investing in our auto industry and new industries like alternative energy. Second, I will work to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. Spiraling health care premiums are hurting families and place a terrible burden on American businesses. We are the only developed nation in which all citizens don’t have access to affordable health care, and our businesses are forced to bear that extra burden. Finally, as a former Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, I will work towards a responsible end of the war in Iraq. Any responsible redeployment will take at

PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF WIXOM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST for the November 4, 2008 General Election will be conducted on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Wixom City Hall, 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to determine that the program and computer being used to tabulate the results of the election count the votes in the manner prescribed by law. Linda Kirby City Clerk SC: 10-22-08

least 18 months, but the Iraqis must take responsibility for their own country, and we need to start the process immediately so that we can refocus our efforts on defeating the terrorists in Afghanistan. WHY YOU? My family has been here in Oakland County for five generations, and I understand the challenges we’re facing. I have the unique mix of experience and skill that will allow me to tackle these challenges head-on, starting on day one. In the Michigan Senate, I had a proven record of bipartisan leadership, having more of my bills signed into law than any other Democratic senator. At the Lottery, I generated record revenues to invest in our classrooms, and did it under budget every year. I spent more than 20 years in the investment sector, and will use that experience to provide leadership in responding the financial crisis. I know Michigan is ready to take the lead in education, research, and new industries that will create the vehicles and energy sources of the future — and that’s what I will work to do in Congress. ❏

Election results on election night, from the Spinal Column Newsweekly starting at 10:30 p.m. Turn to our website www.spinalcolumnonline.com Website election results updated every half hour.

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general election voter guide Commerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Waterford, White Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake

U.S. Congress/11th Democrat Joseph Larkin is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election. Members of Congress serve two-year terms and are currently paid $165,200 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: Despite progress in Iraq, there are still many calling for rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces. How should the nation handle the situation in Iraq, and why? State why you are or aren’t satisfied with the level of troop deployment and the nature of our presence in Afghanistan. FINANCIAL CRISIS: America has been rocked by the recent collapse of banks and financial firms. What’s your vision for helping the economy rebound in the short term, especially given the credit crisis that threatens to cripple the economy? What would you like done to implement long-term structural changes that ensure a strong economy? Do you support the economic recovery plan proposed by President Bush? ENERGY/OIL DEPENDENCY: What alternative fuels and energies do you believe the nation should be pursuing? Please tell us where you stand on proposals to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, or expanding off-shore drilling. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

JOSEPH LARKIN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: Rep. McCotter believes in continued occupation for years to come at a cost of more American blood and over $100 billion dollars per year, which could be spent to shore up our own shaky economy or to balance our budget. My position is to leave the country as soon as practical, but only as soon as prudent. Specific security goals, military goals, etc., must be set for Iraq, with specific hard time lines and appropriate reduction of troops being made based upon American military leaders’ decisions, not on politicians’ decisions. This should be accomplished in less than two years, hopefully closer to one year. FINANCIAL CRISIS: The “bailout” is not a bailout; it’s a rescue bill. It’s effectively a loan to save our economy, get the flow of credit going again, protect jobs, and protect our investments. We can get money back, possibly make a profit, and save our economy from tanking. The first version of the bill had many inadequacies, but the “no”

Joseph Larkin is the owner of Larkin Legal Services. He is a member of Catholic Lawyers Society of Michigan, the Michigan Association for Justice, and the Livonia Bar Association.

Thaddeus McCotter has represented the 11th District for the past six years. He served in the Michigan Senate from 1999 to 2002. Prior to that, McCotter was a practicing attorney who served as a Wayne County Commissioner from 1993 to 1998 and on the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1992.

vote created a real loss on Sept. 29 of $1.2 trillion in the Dow Jones alone. I would be fighting for reforms, particularly to help homeowners stay in their homes to help increase the value of the rest of our homes, and for accountability provisions to assure a financial crisis doesn’t happen again. I would have voted for the best bill available before adjourning. McCotter instead voted for his ideology at the sacrifice of your money, investments, and economy. ENERGY/OIL DEPENDENCY: My No. 1 initiative to break dependence on foreign oil, fight high gas prices, and create American jobs is to pass a law akin to creating a modern day “Manhattan Project.” I would put together our best scientific minds to make all types of alternative energy sources a practical reality and refine traditional energy sources (e.g. the hydrogen fuel cell; cars powered by lithium batteries or other electrical alternatives such as hybrids; renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower; clean coal technologies; nuclear power; etc.). I advocate research and implementation of all alternative energy sources; conservation; and increased fuel efficiency. We must take all logical, cost-effective, and environmentally-sound alternatives to produce American-made energy that will help to prevent global climate changes. TOP ISSUES: The biggest issue is the economy, with four subset issues: A) Energy Crisis: solved by aggressive investment in alternative energy; B) Decline in Housing Values: solved by aggressively combating home foreclosures to increase housing values, penalizing predatory lending, and taking all responsible measures to keep families in their homes. C) Loss of American Jobs: solved by creating and maintaining American jobs in every way possible, e.g. renegotiate trade agreements like NAFTA and focusing on fair trade. D) Financial crisis: solved by responsibly supporting

our markets and creating accountability provisions to assure this doesn’t happen again. No. 2 is Iraq. We should responsibly re-deploy from Iraq to save $100 billion or more per year. No. 3 is expanding health care to cover as many Americans as possible. WHY YOU? Thaddeus McCotter has been a foot soldier for George Bush, voting how Bush leads without question. McCotter will continue to follow Bush’s erroneous policies on the Iraq war, economy, energy policy, credit crunch, health care, etc., all of which are severely harming America’s middle class, jobs, and businesses. McCotter is not a “representative.” He votes first and foremost along party lines rather than what is best for his constituents. I will act as a leader, not a follower. I will reach across the aisle to work with members of both parties on policies that will best solve our country’s problems in the economy, energy, and Iraq war.

THADDEUS McCOTTER IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: If the United States is defeated in Iraq and this fledgling democracy is abandoned, its instability will coalesce into an epicenter of terrorist attacks upon our country; the state sponsor of terror Iran will develop a nuclear weapon, and dominate and destabilize the region; Syria and Iran through their proxy Hezbollah will continue to undermine Lebanon’s peaceful Cedar Revolution; Hamas will escalate its violence against Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah party; the U.S. allies of Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt will face renewed efforts to undermine their governments; and, having proven successful in Iraq, the insurgents and terrorists will utilize the same tactics to force an allied withdrawal from the struggling democracy in Afghanistan. Future troop removals from the Iraqi theater will continue, based upon suc-

cess on the ground which, at present, is steadily progressing. FINANCIAL CRISIS: My fellow residents of the 11th District didn’t elect me to abet American socialism. Thus, I opposed both of the Bush administration’s taxpayer-funded, trillion-dollar Wall Street bailouts; and, alternatively, I proposed a pro-taxpayer, free market, private recapitalization plan for the banking system. Unfortunately, the $800 billion Wall Street bailout was passed by the Democratically-controlled Congress. The bill remains intrinsically unfair to the American people; didn’t properly address the shortterm financial issues it purported to solve; and didn’t even begin to address the deeper economic dysfunctions in American and global markets. ENERGY/OIL DEPENDENCY: There are three key elements to America’s energy situation: production, conservation and innovation. It’s crucial we do all we can to lower gas prices and energy costs by increasing domestic production, promoting conservation and encouraging free market innovation of clean alternative fuels. We need to unleash our natural resources, while supporting the aforementioned “all of the above” approach. TOP ISSUES: We must lower gas prices by increasing domestic production, promoting conservation and encouraging free market innovations of clean alternative fuels. We must lower our taxes and reduce the size of government. It’s critical we preserve and promote Michigan’s economy and set the conditions necessary for entrepreneurs to create new jobs. We must fight to stop unfair trade agreements and level the world’s economic playing field for American manufacturing, businesses and workers. And, finally, it’s paramount to American sovereignty we stop any amnesty for illegal aliens. WHY YOU? I’m seeking re-election to continue fighting against the powerful for my fellow residents and address our community’s critical concerns. I have matched my words with my deeds and worked for and with my constituents to reach our shared goal of improving the quality of life in our community, our state and our country. I will continue to fully, honorably and effectively work for the sovereign citizens of the 11th District. Equally, as a husband and a father of three children, I live and share the same daily burdens and countless blessings as everyone in our community; and, I’m personally committed to ensure we succeed in moving forward and keeping America the greatest country in the world. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Walled Lake, Wixom

State House/38th Republican Hugh Crawford and Democrat Chuck Tindall will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the state’s 38th House District seat. State representatives serve twoyear terms and are currently paid an annual salary of $79,650. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what state spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. BUSINESS TAXES: The state during this last session had an opportunity to rewrite the business tax structure in the state, replacing the single business tax. Are you satisfied with the new business tax structure or is more work needed on the new taxes? PROPOSAL A REFORMS: Although Proposal A effectively resolved several legitimate issues for nearly a decade, the economic hardships of the past couple years have brought attention to several of Proposal A’s shortcomings. Which, if any, of Proposal A’s unintended and unexpected negative consequences do you believe need immediate attention, and how should they be resolved? DEQ FUNDING: The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) failed to garner enough political support to place an environmental bond issue on the general election ballot to replace the Clean Michigan Bond initiative funding, which will run dry after 10 years at the end of 2008. The department now seeks supplemental funding for the next two years to keep existing water quality and pollution clean up projects running at a minimum level. State why you would or wouldn’t support a supplemental DEQ appropriation to maintain bare-bones initiatives directed at protecting water resources. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the Legislature, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

HUGH CRAWFORD BUDGET: First of all, I advocate no spending cuts in either of the areas of education or Medicaid. After that, anything is on the table for consideration. As to revenue enhancements, if by that it is meant tax increases, I remain

insight few people have.

CHUCK TINDALL

Hugh Crawford is vice chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. He was a Novi city councilman from 1985 until 2000, and has served on the county Board of Commissioners for the past eight years.

Chuck Tindall has been a union commercial carpenter with Detroit Local 687 for 21 years.

adamantly opposed to that tactic. Spending cuts, coupled with budgetary reform, should be the primary areas of focus in order to get the state’s fiscal resources under control. The need to increase taxes need not be considered because there are other ways to achieve a balanced budget. Why raise taxes when some departments consistently go over budget with no accountability? Why raise taxes when department heads don’t need to report to the Legislature to explain why budgetary guidelines have been exceeded? BUSINESS TAXES: No (I am not satisfied with the new business tax structure). All recent surveys attest to the fact that Michigan is among the least businessfriendly states in the nation, according to CEOs. As a result, businesses and their workforce are leaving Michigan in record numbers. The way to attract new business and retain existing ones is not to impose an onerous tax for doing business in Michigan. By revising the tax structure and the tax rates, including the elimination of the new 22 percent Michigan Business Tax surcharge, only then will Michigan attract the new growth necessary to achieve the diversity of business needed to restore Michigan’s economy to what it once was — namely, one of the leading states for business opportunities. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: One of the unintended consequences of Proposal A is that even if property values go down, a taxpayer’s real property taxes can and do still increase. At the time Proposal A was enacted, no one really believed that the real estate market would be suffering its current woes. Now that that has come to pass, taxpayers are receiving their new tax bills which indicate lower property values, yet higher taxes. This is patently unfair. A simple fix would be to limit or eliminate tax increases even when property values plummet.

DEQ FUNDING: I would not support any supplemental DEQ appropriations until and unless reforms were in place to insure overspending and lack of accountability were first addressed. This is a prime example of the reforms needed in our state government. Here we have a department that has gone over its budget for the fiscal year, without accountability as to why. Shouldn’t the first focus be on reining in budget overages? Should not an inquiry be made as to why this department has overspent? Water resources can be protected without blindly handing over money to a department that has mismanaged what money they were already given. Even outside the realm of funding, this department also needs reform in terms of its overregulation that sometimes results in getting done in months what it takes other states weeks or even days to accomplish. TOP ISSUES: My top three priorities are cut spending and eliminate unnecessary spending; reduce taxes and eliminate onerous taxes; and reform government by making departments more transparent and by requiring departments to keep a balanced budget or face economic consequences. WHY YOU? My record of being fiscally responsible is well documented. Oakland County is one of only 28 counties in the nation that enjoys a AAA bond rating. I will bring that same sense of fiscal responsibility to Lansing. I have the experience to work across the aisle to get the job done of making Michigan a better place to live and work. In this era of term limits, experience is now more than ever a vital component of achieving success. I have the experience of being a city councilman for 15 years and an Oakland County Commissioner for eight years. Those positions, coupled with my life-long residency in this district, have collectively given me an

BUDGET: If spending cuts are needed, the Legislature should lead the way by taking pay and benefit cuts before asking others to do so. Another area for budget savings would be our prison system. We need to look at alternative sentencing for non-violent and first-time offenders. We are wasting tax dollars housing and supporting some people needlessly. However, along with cuts we also need to look at possible revenue increases. BUSINESS TAXES: The new business taxes should be reviewed for possible changes. We don’t want to overburden our businesses but we must ensure that all pay a fair share. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: I see no need at this time for any changes, but I would always be open to review. DEQ FUNDING: We must maintain funding to insure our water and our environment are protected. How could we be the Great Lakes state and not protect our greatest resource? TOP ISSUES: The Legislature’s No. 1 priority should be bring jobs to Michigan. I would address this by working with our governor and all others with plans to bring jobs to our state. No. 2 is access to affordable, quality health care. For this effort to work it must include health care providers, businesses, public and private groups. All need to be involved and heard from. No. 3 is to look for more wasteful spending to reduce. One area I would look at is the Department of Corrections. We need to reduce Michigan’s prison population. I suggest shorter and alternative sentencing for non-violent and first-time offenders. WHY YOU? Because we don’t need a candidate working to fund municipal projects that the citizens don’t want. We don’t need a candidate voting for pay increases and golden parachute retirement packages for their subordinates. Michigan can no longer afford to have partisan fighting taking priority over what is best for our state. We need to send someone to Lansing who will work with all others to get our state going again; a candidate who will work with our twice-elected governor and help bring in jobs and put our citizens back to work; and a candidate with a working-class point of view that knows first hand what Michigan families face. I strive to be such a candidate and will work for all the voters and help to move Michigan forward. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide Commerce, West Bloomfield, Wolverine Lake

State House/39th Democrat Lisa Brown and Republican Amy Peterman will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the state’s 39th House District seat. State representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $79,650 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what state spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. BUSINESS TAXES: The Legislature during this last session had an opportunity to rewrite the business tax structure in Michigan, replacing the Single Business Tax (SBT). Are you satisfied with the new business tax structure or is more work needed? PROPOSAL A REFORMS: The economic hardships of the past couple years have brought attention to several of Proposal A’s shortcomings. Which, if any, of Proposal A’s unintended and unexpected negative consequences do you believe need immediate attention, and how should they be resolved? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the Legislature, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

LISA BROWN

BUDGET: Our Legislature needs to set an example. I would propose a reduction in the salary that our legislators receive. I would also like to end the health care for life that our legislators enjoy. There are companies that outsource our jobs and receive tax breaks, and I don’t think companies that send our jobs elsewhere should be rewarded. I’m happy to give tax breaks to companies who actually create jobs here in Michigan. The gas companies also receive tax breaks, and I would like to end that, as well. I think you need to do both (spending cuts and revenue enhancements). You can’t just cut and cut and cut and still have all the services that you want. However, this is not the time to raise taxes, as people are struggling to keep their homes. We have to be creative. BUSINESS TAXES: More work is definitely needed. Our small, medium-sized businesses seem to be unfairly burdened with the Michigan Business Tax (MBT). I’ve heard of a company that was paying $4,000 a year under the SBT, and is now paying $14,000 with

Lisa Brown is a realtor with Max Broock Realtors. She is currently a member of the Pine Lake Elementary and West Hills Middle School parent-teacher organizations, and chairwoman of the volunteer services committee of the executive board of JARC, an non-profit organization for people with disabilities.

Amy Peterman is legal counsel and a policy advisor for the Republican State Senate Majority Policy Office, where she has been employed for two years. She has held various offices with the Walled Lake School Board, including president and vice president.

the same amount of business. I’d also like to eliminate the surcharge on the MBT. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: It definitely needs a second look. The thought behind it was there shouldn’t be one school district that’s better than another. They should all be great. However, the funding kind of brought everyone down to meet in the middle instead of bringing all the school districts up to be the very best they could be. Our kids need every opportunity that they can get to compete for the jobs of the future. I’d like to introduce legislation that prohibits your property taxes from going up if your property value goes down, because that’s what’s been happening in our community. TOP ISSUES: First and foremost, what’s on everyone’s minds is jobs and our economy. We need to diversify our economy. We need to attract new industries to the state. We need to create jobs that can’t be outsourced because that’s where so many of our jobs have gone. I’d also like create retraining programs for people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Health care is another. I signed a pledge through AARP to work across the aisle to come up with a solution to make quality health care affordable for everyone. No one should have to choose between buying their needed prescription medicine and their groceries. Next, obviously, is schools. Businesses come where there is an educated work force. We need to prepare our kids for the jobs of the future. Being a mother of three, I have a little self-interest involved there, as well, making sure that our kids get every opportunity possible. WHY YOU? I’m not a career politician and I’m not a Lansing insider. We need a change. We need someone who will stand up for the people of the 39th District; someone who believes that Lansing is broken and will fight to reform govern-

ment by setting an example; someone who will work to create jobs and fight outsourcing and end the tax breaks those companies that do outsource enjoy; someone who will work across the aisle and make health care accessible and affordable to everyone; and someone who will end drug (company) immunity. We need someone who will stand up for our schools and make sure our classrooms are fully funded; and someone who will stand up for our environment and protect our Great Lakes and protect our green spaces. I believe that I’m that person.

AMY PETERMAN BUDGET: Last year the state Legislature passed one of the biggest taxes increases in a generation. There was still a $350 million surplus and the state quickly went on a spending spree. There are plenty of areas to cut the fat. Areas that we could look at are the Department of Corrections’ $2 billion budget. We spend more on the Department of Corrections than we do on higher education. The answer is government reform: Cut government waste and reduce overall spending in areas of reform. We can look at going to a part-time Legislature; have a no-work-no-pay rule for legislators, so if they’re not there to vote they don’t get paid. I would also like to end lifetime health care benefits for legislators. I think the resources are there. I work in Lansing. I’ve been an eye witness to the dysfunction in our state government. Our tax dollars are being mismanaged. I’m not sure we need increased revenues. Michigan’s budget is bigger than twothirds of the world’s countries. BUSINESS TAXES: Clearly, the MBT needs to be revisited. We need to eliminate the 22 percent surcharge on businesses. Nearly 40 percent of business owners are paying double the tax liability that they were paying under the SBT. We need to be working with and helping our job providers, not penalizing them with more taxes.

PROPOSAL A REFORMS: The idea behind Proposal A was to create parity in education funding, but also to keep property taxes down. When we’re looking at any sort of revisions, I would like to continue to keep property taxes down and to make sure our schools are fully funded. One of the many unintended consequences of Proposal A was the pop-up tax. It’s prohibiting empty nesters from being able to leave their homes because their taxes would be so much higher on even a condo, and they can’t afford to downsize. It’s also preventing young people from pursuing their dream of owning a home. I would like to see pop-up tax reform. One of the bills in the House would give an income tax credit in the amount of the pop-up tax. To me that’s a better solution than reducing taxes or raising taxes. TOP ISSUES: Jobs and the economy are the issues out there right now. We need to diversify our economy. The natural way to do that is with an industry that compliments our existing automotive industry, like alternative fuels. We need to create a more favorable business climate to encourage businesses to come here. We have the MBT, and the 22 percent surcharge which is killing our small businesses. We also have the DEQ who has all sorts of regulations and red tape. I have children in the public schools and as a very strong advocate for public education, I think we have to invest in education. We have to make sure that our schools are fully funded and that college is affordable. The third issue is affordable health care. There’s just too much waste ... when we could be a little more resourceful and have the money that we need for the programs that we value, like affordable health care and roads. WHY YOU? It takes an experienced leader to come up with solutions and implement them so we can get Michigan on the right track. I have balanced a $165 million budget on the (Walled Lake) school board for the past nine years and protected the taxpayer dollars while simultaneously improving MEAP scores. I have represented the people in our community. I have also been an eyewitness to what’s going on in Lansing and I understand what the problems are. I’m ready to hit the ground running. What’s also important is that I do have a track record of not serving the interest of one particular party or another and of not representing special interests. I’ve always done what is best for the community and I’ve never been a rubber stamp for anybody or any organization. I will continue to do that if elected. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Orchard Lake

State House/40th Democrat Julie Candler is challenging incumbent Republican Chuck Moss in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the state’s 40th House District seat. State representatives serve twoyear terms and are currently paid an annual salary of $79,650. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what state spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. BUSINESS TAXES: The Legislature during this last session had an opportunity to rewrite the business tax structure in the state, replacing the single business tax. Are you satisfied with the new business tax structure or is more work needed on the new taxes? PROPOSAL A REFORMS: The economic hardships of the past few years have brought attention to several of Proposal A’s shortcomings. Which, if any, of Proposal A’s unintended and unexpected negative consequences do you believe need immediate attention, and how should they be resolved? EDUCATION: What do you see as the most important education issues in the state, and how should they be addressed? DEQ FUNDING: The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) failed to garner enough political support to place an environmental bond issue on the general election ballot to replace the Clean Michigan Bond initiative funding, which will run dry after 10 years at the end of 2008. The department now seeks supplemental funding for the next two years to keep existing water quality and pollution clean up projects running at a minimum level. State why you would or wouldn’t support a supplemental DEQ appropriation to maintain bare-bones initiatives directed at protecting water resources. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the Legislature, and how do you propose to address them?

JULIE CANDLER BUDGET: The spending reduction I would most like to see is in the Corrections Department. It now incarcerates more than 50,000 prisoners, to the point where prisons are overcrowded. It employs more workers than any other Michigan department and spends $2 billion a year, the fifth largest item in the state budget. Many of the prisoners are there because of state drug laws which require mandatory minimum sentences

Julie Candler is a photojournalist and has operated her own public relations business, Julie Candler and Associates, for more than 40 years. She serves on the Oakland County Executive Committee of the Democratic Party and is precinct delegate for Bloomfield Township Precinct 21.

Chuck Moss has served in the Michigan House of Representatives since 2006. Prior to that, he was an Oakland County Commissioner and member of the Birmingham City Council, where he served as mayor and mayor pro tem.

for non-violent drug offenders. I favor changing the law so that judges aren’t forced to give long prison terms to these non-violent offenders and pardoning some of those who have already served unnecessarily long sentences. At the same time, I believe in increasing revenues, especially some of the big income tax cuts that began in the Engler years. BUSINESS TAXES: I believe the new single business tax needs some revision to make it more equitable. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: I agree that Proposal A now has shortcomings, particularly the fact that local school property tax is eliminated in most communities and funding is shifted to the state by raising the state sales tax from 4 percent to 6 percent and creating a state education property tax of 6 mills. Michigan no longer has a general fund budget surplus, and the public school populations are decreasing. Even though per pupil grants are increased, school systems are losing funding. This is unacceptable and some way must be found to compensate schools for their budget cuts. It shouldn’t be through increasing the sales tax but through some type of revenue increase. EDUCATION: The state’s most urgent problem in education is the fact that we rank 34th in the nation in the percentage of college graduates. The result is that our per capita income is also low. We could have a more prosperous, bettereducated workforce if we provided tuition loans that help students afford college. DEQ FUNDING: A supplemental DEQ appropriation should be passed, to keep existing water quality and cleanup projects running at more than a minimum level. TOP ISSUES: My top issue is health care. More than 1.5 million Michigan residents have no health insurance, usually because they can’t afford it. Consequently, they often wait too long to get care. Often they have to resort to care in a hospital emergency ward, which provides the most

expensive care available. Hospitals pass that high expenses through the insurance system and as a result Michigan residents with insurance have their costs raised. We need a statewide system of universal health care, similar to that in Massachusetts, but less dependent on insurance because many families can’t afford it. Another top issue is the economy, which the Legislature could improve by measures encouraging Michigan residents to buy American vehicles, not imports. The profits from import purchases go back to Japan and Germany, even though their factories are in the U.S. My No. 3 issue is the corrections department, which should be addressed as stated above.

CHUCK MOSS BUDGET: We’ve already had the revenue enhancements. A year later, the money has been spent with no real decreases. It’s time to tackle the spending side of the ledger. We should implement the reforms advocated by the bipartisan group Detroit Renaissance, Inc. in its September 2008 Budget Action Plan. Areas of action are corrections, Medicaid reform, teacher retirement benefits, and state employee retirement benefits. Savings are estimated at $800 million. Next, we should end “prevailing wage” laws that boost education costs, and redirect the savings to the School Aid Fund. Next, we need to achievable government-wide economics: eliminate state employee pay increases to save $150.7 million; shift 10 percent of current state employee health insurance costs to employees to save $59 million; eliminate “economic adjustments” and impose administrative savings identified in Senate Bill 511 to save $94.2 million; and adopt the “Pappageorge Plan” of holding all state budgets to 96 percent of revenue estimates, to avoid overspending. BUSINESS TAXES: No, it’s time to repeal the 21.99 percent Michigan Business Tax

(MBT) surcharge, and the tax-on-tax. Michigan has lost over 61,000 jobs since the business taxes were “reformed” by raising them. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: A comprehensive look at Proposal A is in order. Just remember two things: A) A precipitous rise in property taxes will kill our citizens, coming on top of everything else; and B) Relief from current property taxes, while desirable, can’t be taken out of the hide of local governments, which have been economizing since about 2003. Property taxes aren’t just pesky pains in the butt, they’re the primary source of revenue for cities, townships, villages, counties, and schools. Nothing should be “immediately” changed, without looking at how the whole thing works. EDUCATION: First is failing schools, which can be addressed by directing money from propping up inadequate systems to educating kids. Second is Lansing micro-management, by taking money away from the foundation allowance — which gives school boards and local district superintendents maximum flexibility, to “categorical” appropriations targeted to Lansing mandated-programs. Address by decreasing categoricals and funding the foundation allowance. Third is retirement benefit costs: $25.5 billion for PSERS, the education retirement system, as of FY 2007. It’s undoubtedly higher now. Address by containing costs for new hires, privatizing non-core educational functions, beginning a funding plan. DEQ FUNDING: I would support funding the cleaning up of Michigan’s water resources. I’m not sure the DEQ is the agency to be trusted with that task, as it has made a very bad name for itself as an inflexible bureaucracy of zealous regulatory tyrants. Balancing protection of the environment with the need for jobs and economic development is a sensitive task, and the DEQ has simply forfeited the trust necessary to be a credible overseer. TOP ISSUES: First is try and undo the damage wrought by the last budget/tax cycle. Repeal the MBT surcharge and tax-on-tax immediately. Work to fix the MBT burden on business, and reform Lansing spending (See budget question). Second is fund our schools. Our districts need the funding promised them by Proposal A in the 20j budget line, and that 20j funding must be preserved (See education question). Third is address the state government’s retiree health care legacy costs: currently $40 billion in unfunded liability (see education question). ❏

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general election voter guide Waterford, West Bloomfield

State House/43rd Republican Gail Haines and Democrat Scott Hudson will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election race for the state’s 43rd House District seat. State representatives serve twoyear terms and are currently paid $79,650 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what state spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. BUSINESS TAXES: The Legislature during this last session had an opportunity to rewrite the business tax structure in Michigan, replacing the Single Business Tax (SBT). Are you satisfied with the new business tax or is more work needed? PROPOSAL A REFORMS: The economic hardships of the past few years have brought attention to several of Proposal A’s shortcomings. Which of Proposal A’s unintended and unexpected negative consequences do you believe need immediate attention, and how should they be resolved? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the Legislature, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

GAIL HAINES

BUDGET: In Michigan we have the 14th highest tax burden in the country. We must stop taxing our citizens. We need to lower taxes, we need to reduce the size of state government and we need to reform and restructure state government. There are many areas in which we can do that and that is what I would support. BUSINESS TAXES: No, I’m not satisfied with the new business tax structure. The MBT (Michigan Business Tax) was a deal that was made in the middle of the night. It was all but slammed down our throats and I firmly believe that we need to go back and revisit the MBT and do away with the 21.9 percent surcharge that was added. This was a job-killing move. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: In 1994 when Proposal A was instituted it did exactly what it was supposed to do. It reduced property taxes and it also provided per-pupil funding for education. It worked well but that was during those economic times. We are here now in 2008 and the economy isn’t the same.

Gail Haines, a former teacher, is a Lake Angelus city councilwoman. She has served as community liaison for state Rep. Fran Amos and a precinct delegate. She is a member of the Oakland County Republican Party Executive Committee and the North Oakland Republican Club.

Scott Hudson has served on the Waterford Schools Board of Education since 2005, and on the Waterford Planning Commission from 1998 to 2006. He has been a real estate broker and agent, and owner of Scott Hudson Developments, Inc. since 1995. Hudson served on the Cherryland Electric Cooperative Board of Directors from 1982 to 1990.

In other states they are looking at a simple percentage of retail value. Perhaps that is something that we might want to take a look at. Or, we might want to take a look at further tweaking Proposal A. I do believe that it needs to be adjusted but I would be very careful about changing the equation and the per-pupil funding for public education. TOP ISSUES: When I announced my candidacy I was running on the three E’s: the economy, education and the environment/energy. Education and the environment are still very important to me, but as I knocked doors I found it’s all about the economy. If people don’t have jobs, aren’t able to make ends meet, and are loosing their homes, than nothing else really matters. I’m very excited about the (recently adopted) energy package. There are parts of it I like; there are parts of it that I don’t like. It has been written in a manner that we’ll be able to go back and look at it for change as we go along. The package now tells the other states that we’re on board. WHY YOU? I firmly believe I can make a difference. I want to take common sense leadership to Lansing. My experience in city government and commitment to all of the community groups that I have been involved with led me to state government. I posses the knowledge, the ability and the energy to do this job and I will be ready to do it on day one. I have been a wife, a mother, a teacher, a community activist and an elected official. Most importantly while I do believe that we need to work in a bipartisan level, I’m partisan. In 2007 every single Michigan (Democratic) representative voted for a tax increase. I have signed a pledge not to raise taxes. I’m the only candidate in this race who has signed that pledge and I will stand by that.

the SBT was replaced by the MBT, was a net increase in taxes and that’s got to be the most backward way of thinking I’ve ever seen. What happened with the film industry, as far as giving tax credits — the writing is on the wall. By reducing those taxes you encourage people to come and create business and jobs in Michigan. The last thing you want to do is increase taxes. There are other ways you can reduce the need for money and revenue. In Waterford, at the school district where I’m a member of the school board, we just replaced the insurance formally held by MESSA with another group so that the school board is the policy holder. We are giving the teachers and the employees essentially the same insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, which they’ve had to date. The school district is going to save anywhere from $2 million to $4 million a year. If 552 districts statewide did this that could amount to $400 million saved at the state level. That’s the approach the Legislature needs to take. You don’t simply raise taxes, you adjust and you refine your business pattern. BUSINESS TAXES: I agree the MBT needs to be revisited. I know the people in the Department of Treasury are still trying to figure out just what is what and how to interpret different aspects of the MBT. In times that are terribly tough, the last thing you want to do is make things more complicated and more burdensome. The MBT needs change. PROPOSAL A REFORMS: Proposal A did a lot of things and it did some less than good things. It did help to equalize school funding on a statewide basis. At the same time, the property taxes which have the various caps to them and pop up aspects with market value and state equalized value and cost of living — it’s not in tune with what’s going on in 2008. You need to spur the economy, you need to allow peo-

SCOTT HUDSON

BUDGET: What happened last year, when

ple to sell houses, and you need to allow people to move into a home for the first time. By reducing the pop up tax that occurs when a house is sold, you start dealing with true market rates which are declining, but you at least get some kind of cash flow going instead of defaults and bankruptcy. Proposal A will probably always need to be adjusted, and it’s extremely important right now to adjust it. TOP ISSUES: Right now people need jobs, and energy is an important aspect of how we can reinvent Michigan. Education is probably to single most important economic development engine we have. What’s going on in Michigan with the energy package that was just passed is a huge mistake. What it does is end competition and give back monopolies to Edison and Consumer’s. One of the terrible things happening in the U.S. when they try to get involved in wind turbine energy is they import technology from Denmark. It’s not even built in the U.S. If we change the investment to encourage competition and create new high-tech jobs in Michigan, and if you take those funds and put them into renewable resources you can still have a base load capacity that’s clean energy and controlled so people have reliable sources. From a job standpoint we should have tax credits and encourage businesses. In education we should be focusing on the emerging technologies including alternative energy in Michigan. We need to manufacture what we can, deal with emerging sectors and focus on renewable energy. WHY YOU? It has to do with experience. I’ve been involved with alternative energies for over 31 years. I’ve been involved with the electric utility business for eight years. I was on the board of directors of electric utilities in northern Michigan, perusing alternative energies. I’ve been on the planning commission in Waterford for nine years. I understand how state and local regulation need to mesh and work together for savings so you don’t duplicate efforts. I have demonstrated the leadership it takes to go against the grain, to reinvent how you fund insurance, protect the teachers, and open up new aspects of education with all-day kindergarten. I’m a business man of more than 20 years. I know how to come up with a budget and make it work. I’ve dealt with budgets over $100 million. I am a family man. I have a daughter and there is nothing more important than the family unit. I know how to make win-win situations. I’m not partisan. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland County Executive Democrat Brenda Lawrence and incumbent Republican L. Brooks Patterson are competing in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County executive position. The county executive serves a four-year term and is currently paid $178,869 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: What changes in county budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with new budgetary challenges? Are there other major cost savings efforts that can be undertaken if the situation worsens in the next couple of years? REGIONAL ISSUES: What do you see as the most critical regional issues at this time, and what should Oakland County’s role be in addressing them? ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: What new service, incentives, or marketing programs would you implement to attract new enterprises and retain existing businesses? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

BRENDA LAWRENCE BUDGET: I’m the mayor of Southfield, the third largest city in Oakland County. We have confronted the same challenges concerning our budget and state revenue. We have a substantial fund balance. When shortfalls are coming, we’re able to take money from that. We implemented a five-year plan to take less out of our fund balance. You look at every aspect of operations. You look at your manpower. We’re going to have to start looking at where we can cut. We’re going to have to reduce some departments and consolidate. You have your Health Department and others that you have to look at; instead of a five-day operation it could possibly be a three-day operation. We can’t continue to do business as usual. REGIONAL ISSUES: Three things that come to mind are water, Cobo, and mass transit. The current administration has said no one wants mass transit and we tried in the ‘70s and no one rode it. There are federal dollars available for mass transit but you have to show you have a regional plan. I will sit down at the table and develop and solidify a regional mass transit plan. The water belongs to all of us. We pay for it. That’s a regional issue that we can’t wait until there is an issue and start fighting about it. We need updates and reports on a regular basis.

Brenda Lawrence has served as the mayor of Southfield since 2001. Prior to that she served on the Southfield City Council for five years, and on the Southfield Schools Board of Education for five years.

L. Brooks Patterson has served as the Oakland County executive for over 15 years. Prior to that he served as the Oakland County prosecutor for 16 years.

How long do we need to talk about an expansion of Cobo Hall? When you have varying interests, various levels of passion, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves, go to the table and keep working until you reach the goal. Being a leader is making a commitment to getting the job done. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: If we can keep the businesses we have, we’re one step ahead of the game. I keep my thumb on the pulse of the business community. We have some wonderful programs. The Emerging Sectors is a great program. When we hear of a company that has merged or you read they file for Chapter 11 or they’re downsizing, we immediately call that person and say “What do you need? Where are you going? Can we meet with your leadership?” They don’t always come to you. You have to go to them. TOP ISSUES: One of the issues is foreclosures. We have been taxed all across the country as government leaders to maintain properties that people have walked away from. In Southfield, we won’t allow blight to happen. We actually pay staff to cut the lawns and do the shrubberies, to do the trash and whatever we can to keep things up. It’s a service that we don’t have in Oakland County. Another is declining property values. It’s frustrating when you try to explain to taxpayers that we’re taxing you at a certain value but you can’t sell you’re house at that level. The other one is how we’re going to continue to do business with less money. Oakland County has always had the checkbook and we could just write checks. That’s not the case anymore. WHY YOU? The Oakland County that elected my opponent is not the Oakland County we have now. We have so much that doesn’t require the type of leadership that is stuck in the past. When I say we have to do things differently I mean we have to embrace new technology. When you have leadership that will only talk to a certain group of people and make decisions based on that, that’s not respectful and that will never move this county forward. I’m coming to the table

with 16 years experience as a school board member, as a city council member and twice as a mayor.

L. BROOKS PATTERSON BUDGET: We have a two-year rolling budget. We are in balance for the current fiscal year 2008 and we’re in a line item budget balanced for 2009 and 2010. We’re now working on fiscal year 2011, which isn’t going to be a pretty year. We’re already starting to make decisions about employee incentive reductions, hiring freezes, and other programs we’ll have to totally deplete. Some of them we’ll implement right now, which minimizes the challenge when we get to 2011. It’s not so much savings as offsetting the loses with new property taxpayers. As those property values slide, you cut as we’re doing and go out and find more businesses to come here, open up shop and their new taxes make up for some of the loss. REGIONAL ISSUES: Lack of information on Cobo Hall (expansion) has been an issue. (Oakland County Deputy Executive Robert) Daddow keeps saying “Send me the finance information, the operational costs.” We’ve been waiting for four years to get the basics. I wasn’t going to enter into an agreement without knowing the costs. The economy, if not a regional issue, is definitely a statewide issue. With the passing of the new Michigan Business Tax (MBT), businesses are being taxed out of here. I would bring in analysts to look at Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and what is it about those tax codes that makes them so appealing. Then we could adapt that and bring them back here. I know an issue my opponent will touch on is mass transit. I’m for mass transit, but how much is it going to cost and who’s going to pay for it? I don’t think my opponent knows her history. We had mass transit in Oakland County. It went from the Pontiac Transpo Center to Birmingham down to Royal Oak, and down to the Renaissance Center. In the 1980s, ridership fell below 500 people.

They asked for a subsidy. The people said “Nope, we’re not going to subsidize that.” So they closed the lines and sold it. So when we had it, when there were more people going to and from the city, it couldn’t sustain itself and the public wasn’t willing to subsidize it. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Automation Alley started out with 43 businesses in 1999. Today we have 940. The other program we started in 2003 is called Emerging Sectors. We researched the sectors we think are going to be the future growth industries and that’s what we want — the high-tech sectors, chemical technology, biotechnology, information technology, homeland security, alternative energy, health care, finance. We’ve brought in 90 companies that have invested $1.85 billion and created 13,000 jobs. We’ve become the financial center of the state. All those businesses come here and pay taxes. TOP ISSUES: The economy is clearly No. 1. We’ve talked about Emerging Sectors and Automation Alley. I think economic development and our programs can and will create jobs in this county. We have to go beyond the county and tackle the MBT in hopes of getting a better chance to develop instead of going sideways from a tax increase. No. 2 would be roads. They’re in terrible condition. The road commission doesn’t work for the county government. It’s an independent agency. They get their money from gas taxes. People aren’t driving and the distribution of the revenue is based on miles of roads rather than the number of cars driven on the roads. We are getting the short end of the stick. I’m concerned about education, although it’s not under my purview. My Mandarin Chinese program is right on target. There’s more English spoken in China than Mandarin spoken in America. They’re going to be the biggest economy by 2020. If they’re going to be that dominant and their kids are learning English so they can compete, we have to get our kids ready for the competition. That’s why I introduced the concept of teaching Mandarin, and to Oakland Schools’ credit, they jumped on it. WHY YOU? I’ve brought strong leadership. Oakland County is considered the premier county when it comes to facing economic issues. The fact that we’re one of the few AAA bond rated counties in America shows that in this financial time, we pass all the Wall Street analysis. Our fund balance is exactly where Wall Street says it should be, at 15 percent. Wall Street says Oakland County is a benchmark when they look at other counties. They say if you want to be good, look at what Oakland County is doing. ❏

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Law Enforcement Leaders Endorse DAVID LAW Attorney General Mike Cox Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

David Law will: ; Continue tough, no plea bargain policy Oakland County is famous for

; Create Cyber Crime Unit to prosecute internet criminals preying on kids, stealing identities

; Prosecute those committing mortgage fraud

Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) Deputy Sheriffs Association of Michigan West Bloomfield Police Chief Ronald Cronin Former Farmington Hills Police Chief William Dwyer Retired Circuit Court Judge Gene Schnelz Detroit Metro Airport Police Chief Edward Glomb Southeast Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Oakland County Association of Chiefs of Police Bloomfield Township Police Officers Association Farmington Hills Police Officers Association

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #128 Lake Orion Police Officers Association Lathrup Village Police Officers Association Novi Lieutenants and Sergeants Police Association Southfield Command Officers Southfield Police Officers Association Walled Lake Police Officers Association Wixom Command Officers Association Wolverine Lake Police Officers Association Fmr. Oakland County MADD Director Michele Compton

Paid for by Citizens for David Law 8627 Cooley Lake Road, Suite 308, Commerce Twp., MI 48382

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland County Prosecutor Democrat Jessica Cooper and Republican David Law are competing in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County prosecutor position. The county prosecutor serves a four-year term and is currently paid $154,583 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. LEADERSHIP: Describe your management style and what kind of leader you would be for the office. What do you see as an appropriate role for assistant prosecutors in decision-making and setting office policies. BUDGET: Like all departments and offices in the county government, the Prosecutor’s Office will continue to face budget challenges in the next few years. What spending reductions or changes resulting in greater efficiency would you implement? What, if anything, should the office do to gain additional funding? PLEA-BARGAINING: What’s your stance on the value of plea bargaining? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the prosecutor’s office, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters select you over your opponent?

JESSICA COOPER LEADERSHIP: I gained leadership experience when I was in the 46th District Court. I was the chief judge. We had a massive budget. I was manager of my temple — it was a large temple with a large budget; but more importantly I’ve managed a courtroom for many years. I’m a soft-spoken person and I lead on the basis of my experience. You lead because people have respect for you and you earn that respect. I would want to give assistant prosecutors that same respect back, to give them the opportunity to make decisions within the guidelines that are established by our leadership. BUDGET: I don’t know why the present prosecutor has chose to disband the forfeiture unit. That’s the unit by which ill-gotten gains are reallocated into law enforcement. There’s a small percentage (of forfeiture dollars) that goes to the prosecutor’s office but the rest of it goes to law enforcement. We have to reallocate some resources. There are 10 to 12 people in the Warrants Division, and in Macomb county they have three people in warrants. We can reallocate those resources and there are income sources and resources from closing down drug houses. I’m not really worried about those budget changes because there is a great deal of trimming that can be done within that budget. PLEA-BARGAINING: There’s a difference between being tough on plea-bar-

Jessica Cooper has 28 years of experience as a judge, first at the district court, then the circuit court level before serving on the state Court of Appeals. She has been a law professor at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.

David Law has been a state representative since 2005. Prior to that he was an Oakland County assistant prosecutor for over six years.

gaining and being smart about it. If you have a good warrant, and have good proofs and you’ve got someone you need to put away, hang tough, because that’s what you need to do. When there is a greater good to be served, particularly in the area of law enforcement, then sometimes you have to be able to listen to your police. Sometimes that plea-bargain for the greater good is purposeful so that (we take out) the guy who’s sitting in Bloomfield Hills with no visible means of support and laughing at us while we put a ton of mules in prison. We need to get that person to take care of the drug situation in this county. TOP ISSUES: The first thing is whether we are going to have a political or professional office. We need professionals based on their academics and not on the basis of their political connections. We need to have an office that has training. We need to recognize who the good prosecutors are, and who is working. Most effective prosecutors can try 25 to 30 cases a year. That’s a demand that we need to have. We need to revamp the Warrants Division. We don’t need 10 to 12 people there. It’s not a training ground for new prosecutors. I want to see trial prosecutors alternated in there, bringing two extra trial prosecutors up from district court and alternating them into the division so when we’re talking to the more experience police officers, we’re having a dialogue. We’re going to make certain the people who write the warrants are ones who will be trying them. We need to be working in the community and with the community coalitions on drug prevention and reinstitution of the forfeiture unit. It’s not just a matter of money but a matter of the drug houses and shutting them down. WHY YOU? There’s an extreme difference in credentials. It’s nice he’s been in the prosecutor’s office, but I want to talk about my 30 years on the bench. I have presided over just about every type of case. I’m tough on crime, but very efficient. He has tried some very low-level felonies. I have tried those child sexual assault cases, those murder cases and

cyber cases. I’ve put people away. In addition, you have to be smart to allocate resources. I’ve got that background. You have to learn to work across the aisle. That’s the mediative skills I’ve learned to use during the year I’ve been off the bench and the years I’ve been a trial judge — working with police officers, working with the probation department. I’m someone who has been very active in this community and active in the prevention of crime.

DAVID LAW

LEADERSHIP: My leadership style is one of honesty and being up front with people. I never liked working in a setting where I didn’t know, particularly from the top down, what was expected of me. That is one thing I can promise the citizens of Oakland County and members of the prosecutor’s office, that as the next prosecutor, they will know where they stand, they will know what’s expected, and they will know the guidelines. I think the assistant prosecutors’ role is large. They’re the attorneys trained to handle certain types of cases. No one in the prosecutor’s office knows that case better than they do, so they would have a large role. If there’s an issue with a case, I would listen to their opinion on how they should ultimately handle that case. BUDGET: The budget issue is one of the largest things the prosecutor is going to have to deal with in the near future. Thankfully, Oakland County looks ahead. Brooks Patterson and Dave Gorcyca has — they’ve been working on the budget projections, which look awful down the line, and doing some front-end fixes to alleviate some of that problem. Still, there are tough decisions that will have to be made. Whatever decisions I make won’t be at the expense of public safety. Efficiency is key. In Lansing I co-sponsored bills on government efficiency, looking at what state government is doing right and wrong, what we should be pursuing, what we shouldn’t, where money is being wasted, and where money is being spent well. The same can be used at the prosecutor’s office. I’ll go in from day one, review from top to bottom, line by line,

where money is being spent and whether it’s being spent well. PLEA-BARGAINING: Oakland County has been well-served in the past having a well-known stance that we’re going to be tough on plea-bargaining. We shouldn’t just be dealing cases. Some counties do this. They have a large amount of cases and in order to keep up on the day-to-day operations, a lot of cases are worked out. That doesn’t mean justice is being done. If justice dictates that we look at some kind of plea arrangement, then that needs to be looked at. TOP ISSUES: Cyber crime is one. I would implement a Cyber Crimes Division looking to protect children from Internet predators, address identity theft, senior citizens, and mortgage fraud. Second is recidivism. It’s important that the prosecutor’s office work with the judiciary and community groups and coalitions to give offenders, particularly habitual offenders, the skills needed to be productive members of society. There’s also drug, mental health, and alcohol issues. We must make sure they’re getting help with those so they don’t go back out into society and reoffend. The budget is a big deal. The prosecutor has to make sure the decisions he or she makes don’t affect public safety. There will be tough decisions that will have to be made but I have the independence to make those. I would review the budget from top to bottom, line by line, to decide what’s working and what’s not, what’s efficient and what’s not, what division is working and what’s not, what prosecutors are working or not, and make tough decisions based on objective facts. WHY YOU? I’ve spent six and a half years in the prosecutor’s office. I found it tremendously rewarding to be in court everyday protecting victims of crime. As a state representative for the last four years, a number of bills I introduced reflected that passion. From “Jessica’s Law,” a Medicaid fraud bill, to an airport security bill, I felt that protecting children, senior citizens, and society as a whole was particularly rewarding. I want to take that passion back to the prosecutor’s office. Having spent time there, having protected society there, and having served county residents as an assistant prosecutor and going into court is extremely important. I’ve been an attorney in private practice, I’ve been an assistant prosecutor where I’ve tried cases — actually tried cases. That’s a very important distinction. It’s one thing to have presided over a case, it’s quite another to get in court in an adversarial setting on the side of the crime victim and protect them the best you can alongside law enforcement. That’s a very key difference in this race. ❏

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general election voter guide

Oakland County Sheriff Incumbent Republican Michael Bouchard is being challenged by Democrat Jane Boudreau in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election. The county sheriff serves a four-year term and is currently paid $137,623 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. JAIL: The Oakland County Jail has experienced chronic inmate overcrowding, leading to the early release of nonviolent prisoners. At what point, if ever, would you support a tax hike to pay for a new jail facility? What alternatives would you support to deal with jail overcrowding? DEPARTMENT BUDGET: What changes in department budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with budget challenges? CONTRACTED SERVICES: The department is contracted by Commerce and Highland townships — among others — to provide police services. How many deputies do you feel are needed to safely and adequately patrol Commerce and Highland? What changes, if any, are necessary in the department’s contracts with individual municipalities, or the services that are provided? MARINE DIVISION: Explain why you do or don’t believe the department’s Marine Division is adequately staffed and equipped. If you believe the division is in need of more staff or equipment, please be specific about what additions are necessary and how you would pay for them. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the department at this time, and how do you propose to address them?

MICHAEL BOUCHARD JAIL: Given the strain on our taxpayers, adding to their burden is absolutely out of the question. We have undertaken many proactive steps on the front end. Our active participation in successful programs, such as Oakland County’s Youth Assistance programs, help encourage positive behavior and works to deter young people from a life of crime. Another program we established is called UTurn, which allows young people to experience jail first-hand and see the consequences of criminal behavior. We also just started an aggressive tether program which offers great promise for non-violent offenders, and a strong system for the diversion of mental health offenders. I will continue to aggressively pursue innovative cost-effective alternatives. DEPARTMENT BUDGET: I will continue to look for innovative ways to operate my budget more efficiently. For example, I have already saved $1.6 million annually by changing the way we feed inmates. I’ve found ways to

Michael Bouchard has served as Oakland County sheriff since 1999. He was a state senator from 1991 to 1999, and served in the state House of Representatives for a year prior to that. Bouchard was a member of the Beverly Hills Village Council from 1986 to 1990. He has 21 years of law enforcement experience, is syndicate director for Leadership in Counterterrorism, a member of the National Sheriff's Association Congressional Affairs Committee, and chairman of the Michigan Citizens Corps Council.

Jane Boudreau is a police officer for the Holly Police Department. She is a former sergeant in the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. Boudreau is a past president of the DARE Officers Association of Michigan, and member of the National DARE Officers Association and Women's Police Officers Association.

save hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel and fleet costs. I’ve saved hundreds of thousands of dollars more in pharmaceutical and medical care costs. I’ve brought in millions of dollars by billing inmates for their time in my jail. I will continue to look for ways to provide necessary services, including the use of drug forfeiture funds, so taxpayers don’t have to pay for expensive but needed tools. We will devote the remaining resources to programs that affect the safety of the majority of the county residents. CONTRACTED SERVICES: We currently have 29 deputies in Commerce and 20 deputies in Highland. Any changes needed or desired by contracted areas have to be approved and supported by residents in those municipalities. Since, in effect, we are their local police department, we encourage and suggest what we feel is prudent, but ultimately it’s a local decision. MARINE DIVISION: The Marine Division is very important to our operations and is a significant expenditure in our budget. While I would like to add to this effort, given the current budget cuts that have been handed to the sheriff’s office by county commissioners, an increase isn’t possible. Over the last few years we have added some very important technology, including side scan sonar. With grants and other leveraging actions, we have greatly updated the Marine Division abilities without asking for new tax dollars. TOP ISSUES: I will continue to squeeze efficiencies out of this budget to ensure that in these tough economic times, the public’s safety needs are being met. This includes creating more response capabilities as our duties in homeland security expand. We will also continue to aggressively pursue innovative and cost-effective

alternatives to deal with jail overcrowding.

JANE BOUDREAU

JAIL: As the Oakland County sheriff I will research best practices being utilized throughout the United States. Programs such as community service, behavioral programming, work release, boot camp, intensive supervision, community corrections, mental health services, alternative education opportunities, electronic monitoring and residential substance abuse treatment are the types of programs that can be used to reduce recidivism and alleviate jail overcrowding. With the current economic climate, a tax increase should be considered only after all other alternatives are exhausted. I support the concept of a task force of members of the community, prosecutors and judges to examine existing programs and grants in an effort to develop a community-based plan for alternatives to incarceration. I would wholly support a plan that included preventative measures, as well. DEPARTMENT BUDGET: I will find ways to eliminate superfluous expenditures, such as “take home vehicles.” These tools can serve a legitimate purpose; however, they are not essential in every circumstance. In stronger economic times, law enforcement agencies were able to provide employees with cell phones, Blackberries and cars to use, even when not on duty or on-call. However, in times of economic strife such as this, all non-essential items must be evaluated. The same is true for personnel assignments. Core functions of the sheriff’s office must be adequately staffed and equipped. Beyond that, we need to take a hard look at where our officers are deployed and what effect that has for the citizens. Serious consideration must be given to all avenues where federal, state and local funding is available.

CONTRACTED SERVICES: The department’s Records Division works hard to keep accurate records and compile statistics, which need to be reviewed and compared to national standards in order to determine whether the department is doing its job and, if so, how well. Citizens in communities where we serve need to be consulted to determine whether they feel they are getting their money’s worth. Uniformity in our substations would promote efficiency and lower operating expenses almost immediately. Shared supervision should be explored to avoid duplication of efforts. Each community’s contract should be reviewed toward eliminating unwanted services and inordinate costs. MARINE DIVISION: The Marine Division, like any other service we provide, must be measured. We need to determine how many calls for service are received; the number of reported accidents, injuries and deaths; and on which lakes incidents occur. We need to examine deployment to determine if it’s justified. Some say current deployments are made for political, not statistical reasons. Assignments should made based on need and not want. The department’s Dive Team will continue to operate as it does today. I support the redistribution of assigned emergency vehicles for members of the Dive Team. The majority of the Dive Team responds to search, rescue and recovery operations in personal vehicles, which places the county and taxpaying citizens in a position of liability should an accident occur. TOP ISSUES: Jail overcrowding: This will be a continuous problem unless the sheriff, prosecutor and judges create a plan for alternatives to incarceration. Programs that have alleviated jail overcrowding in the past, such as the highly successful “Sheriff’s Boot Camp,” should be reinstated. No longer will successful programs be sacrificed for political reasons. The budget: I intend to be an ally of county commissioners, not an adversary. An audit of expenditures has to be made to develop an assessment of where cuts can be made without compromising safety. Hiring, retention and discipline: I will investigate disciplinary procedures and the failure to use progressive discipline. When considering the most recent 11 employee terminations, 90 percent were returned to their jobs by an arbitrator. Reinstated employees received compensation for lost earnings, overtime, benefits, and more. Some filed lawsuits and received additional compensation. This unnecessary and wasteful practice costs the taxpayers money that could have been more wisely spent. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland County Clerk Incumbent Republican Ruth Johnson is being challenged by Democrat Sheila Smith in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election race for the Oakland County clerk/register of deeds position. The county clerk serves a four-year term and is currently paid $137,623 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to Johnson, and her responses to those questions. Smith didn’t respond to our candidate questionnaire. RECORDS: What’s the state of the county’s current record-keeping system? Is the clerk’s office current with record-keeping work? What changes or upgrades, if any, are needed in the way records are kept or stored in the county? ELECTIONS: What, if anything, can the clerk’s office do to improve the election process across the county, and prevent problems from occurring in the future? How, if at all, should the clerk help municipal clerks deal with problems related to new voting machines obtained under the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA)? CLERK’S OFFICE: Could there be a reduction in the number of employees in the clerk/register of deeds office at this time? Why or why not? If so, where do you propose to make cuts or consolidations? CLERK’S ROLE: Aside from the record-keeping and election responsibilities handled by the county’s clerk/register of deeds, what do you see as the position’s role in county government? TOP ISSUES: What are the top three most important issues for the county clerk/register of deeds at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters select you over your opponent?

RUTH JOHNSON RECORDS: In the last four years, our office has streamlined access to many public records, including online access to court records with Court Explorer, which saves the public from having to drive to our office to make copies. We have placed political contribution (campaign finance) records online, as well, to promote transparency and accountability in government. Our new FRAUDCHECK system, put in to fight property fraud, allows homeowners to go online, for free, to make sure there has been no unauthorized activity recorded against their names. Other improvements include a new index to provide access to 40 years’ worth of land records. Public records belong to the public and should be available to them. We successfully fought a proposed 700-percent increase in the cost of land record copies. Our goal is

Ruth Johnson was elected Oakland County clerk/register of deeds in November 2004. She was a state representative from 1999-2004, and served as an Oakland County Commissioner for 10 years, including six as vice chairperson.

to provide those records at the lowest possible cost. One recent change has to do with the release of court copies. Our office, despite state guidelines to the contrary, now blacks out or removes Social Security numbers from every standard court copy issued by our office to fight identity theft. ELECTIONS: While the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to promote standardized voting was well-intentioned, what turned out to the be one of the largest reform efforts in this country has had some unintended consequences — including quickly built machines that have serious design and performance flaws. While local communities own the equipment, our office has advocated for local clerks in several ways, including pressuring federal and state officials to hold vendors’ feet to the fire so local communities don’t have to bear repair/warranty costs for what was offered as “state of the art” equipment. Our office, in the last four years, has surveyed local clerks after elections to measure performance problems with the new equipment and provided that data to officials to help push for change. In addition, we have asked that laws be changed to give the county legal standing to help us push for needed changes — something state-vendor contracts currently don’t allow. CLERK’S OFFICE: Thanks to the vision of county leaders, who are meeting Michigan’s economic situation head-on, our office staff has been reduced through the county’s early-out retirement incentive program. We closely monitor work-to-staff ratios and invite regular performance audits. Our departments are busy, from our Elections Division which has assumed many additional responsibilities, to our Register of Deeds Office. Unfortunately, 10,000 fore-

closures are expected in Oakland County alone this year. We deal with challenges in several ways, from recognized better business practices to cross-training and the advantage of our numerous online programs, which allow us to have better workload management/distribution throughout the day. CLERK’S ROLE: While our office is dedicated to paperwork, my job is really about people — getting them access to public records easily, efficiently and at as low a cost as possible. In the last four years, we have advocated for people on important issues — keeping them safe from identity theft; educating homeowners, especially seniors about property fraud; fighting government waste; and cutting our own budget by $700,000 annually as an example of what can be done. We have advocated for positive change — consolidated elections. TOP ISSUES: On our priority list are several projects. We are working with legislators to change foreclosure laws, which now prevent county clerks from providing foreclosure redemption amounts. Some investors are refusing to provide those to homeowners, basically stealing their last opportunity to redeem/recover their home. We are asking the state to allow us to provide that basic calculation to homeowners so they can save their home. Other top issues include the fight against identity theft. We are fighting criminals who would mine public documents for private information. We are working with the state on several projects, including the simple change of some forms so Social Security numbers aren’t placed on public documents in the first place. It hasn’t been easy. We formed an Identity Protection Task Force more than a year ago, with members of the bench, the bar, county attorneys, the county’s IT Department and others to push for change. Thirdly, given current economic struggles, the state and federal government will be looking for new sources of income. I believe the clerk/register of deeds will have to protect the public from “new” fees for public records, which essentially amount to tax increases. One proposal included a 700-percent increase in the cost of land record copies. That’s unfair and can’t be tolerated. We successfully pushed for defeat of this proposal. WHY YOU? Experience, commitment to fighting government waste while promoting accountability and the demonstrated ability to save citizens time and money through innovation and technology. It’s more than just paperwork — it’s people. ❏

You have the right to vote. You have the responsibility to vote. Make sure you exercise your right to vote, like a responsible citizen, on Tuesday, November 4th.

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general election voter guide

County Drain Commissioner

Out of town on election day? Then call your local clerk’s office for an ABSENTEE BALLOT and information on how to VOTE BY MAIL. It’s the easiest way to be part of the November 4 election process.

Incumbent Republican John P. McCulloch is being challenged by Democrat Brett Nicholson in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election race for the Oakland County drain commissioner position. The drain commissioner serves a four-year term and is currently paid an annual salary of $137,623. The following are questions our staff recently posed to McCulloch, and his responses. Nicholson didn’t respond to our candidate questionnaire. LAKE LEVELS: What’s the status on the condition of the dams and augmentation wells that help control some county lake levels, and where do you anticipate the need to replace existing structures and facilities? What changes, if any, are needed in the way the drain office handles lake level monitoring and control? COUNTY DRAINS: Which county drains should be a priority for the drain commissioner, and what needs to be done there? Where do you anticipate having to replace entire existing drains, or construct new infrastructure where none currently exists? WATER SYSTEM: Oakland County officials recently agreed to team up with Genesee County and contribute $125,000 toward a joint study to determine the economic feasibility of constructing a water system that could serve much of the county. Tell us why you agree or disagree with the need for such a study. What’s your stance on the need for another water system? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the drain office at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

JOHN P. McCULLOCH LAKE LEVELS: I have the delegated authority to maintain 36 lake level control structures and eight lake level augmentation pumps. The structures are operated to maintain a normal level on 54 lakes. These structures are repaired or replaced as necessary as they reach the end of their design life, which could be as long as 50 years. The control structure for White Lake was constructed in 1948. Our most recent dam replacement was at Watkins Lake to replace a dam built in 1961. We are looking at replacing the lake level control structure on Upper Straits Lake in West Bloomfield Township. Lake level augmentation wells and pumps are inspected twice a year. Within the last 10 years, 21

John P. McCulloch has served as Oakland County Drain Commissioner since 2001. He is a former chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, and was employed as an attorney and certified public accountant prior to being elected drain commissioner. McCulloch is a member of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. He is also president of the Michigan Association of Counties Service Corp.

lakes have had SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) installed, which allows my staff to read the lake level remotely. No other changes in monitoring or controlling lake levels are proposed at this time. COUNTY DRAINS: The oldest drains operated and maintained by my office were constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s to drain farmers’ fields. Many of these drains are not able to accommodate the large quantities of storm water runoff from developed areas. Drains that are a priority for repair are those most at risk for causing property damage due to flooding. In some cases, local municipalities will ask me to construct a new county drain to replace the existing drain. The construction of new infrastructure, where none currently exists, typically is done at the request of local units of government to provide drainage for developing areas of their community. In some instances, local ordinances have been adopted requiring developers of subdivisions or condominiums to establish the drainage facilities as county drains under the jurisdiction of this office. Currently, approximately 150 drains have been established as county drains for this purpose. WATER SYSTEM: Communities in Oakland, Macomb and Genesee counties have joined together to study the feasibility of providing an alternative water supply. I support that effort and have taken a leadership role to help the communities in this important undertaking. An alternative water supply would provide much needed redundancy which is essential in addressing homeland securi-

ty issues, health concerns and reliability. We all remember the inconvenience when that power outage of 2003 caused significant disruption of our water supply facilities. An alternative system with redundant capabilities would have addressed that challenge. Communities in the region are embarking on this road because they realize that they need options for their long-term strategy. A redundant system is not an either-or system. We need to partner with Detroit in a cooperative venture where both the city and her suburban neighbors would benefit. TOP ISSUES: No. 1: Ensure that drinking water is available for the future and that it is safe and reliable. We can accomplish reliability by providing a redundant system and working cooperatively throughout the region. We can provide safe drinking water by maintaining high standards and being vigilant about water quality. No. 2: Escalating water rates is a major issue. Operational costs are escalating; capital improvement costs will continue to burden ratepayers. We must find innovative ways to maximize our resources and pool our efforts to address this pressing problem. No. 3: Controlling pollutants that enter our natural waterways is a priority. Education is key to ensuring that the waters of the state remain free of contaminants. We’ve developed a multi-faceted approach through a dedicated environmental team that teaches children and adults how their habits impact waterways. Additionally, it is important to work cooperatively with other agencies such as the road commission. WHY YOU? I have been the Oakland County Drain Commissioner for nearly eight years. I have dealt with the dayto-day operational issues as well as being in the forefront of initiatives designed to save money for the ratepayers and improve efficiency. I spearheaded the first countywide master plan to assist Oakland communities. I also instituted ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards for the office. I created the position of community liaison to improve relations with the public. I also am the host of an awardwinning cable television show designed to inform residents about water issues. I am committed to protecting environmental resources. I formed an environmental team to help communities meet Clean Water Act mandates. As a CPA and an attorney, I am uniquely suited to address complex negotiations and I bring more than 18 years of public service experience in both legislative and elected administrative roles. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland County Treasurer Incumbent Republican Pat Dohany and Democrat Andy Meisner will square off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County treasurer position. The county treasurer serves a four-year term and is currently paid $137,623 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses. QUALIFICATIONS: What are your specific qualifications for holding the post of treasurer? CDARS PROPOSAL: Michigan lawmakers have been asked to consider a Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) bill to make changes in the way public funds are spread around depositories. What’s your take on the need for changes in that system, and on the CDARS proposal itself? FINANCIAL CRISIS: What impact does the recent economic turmoil at the national level involving banking and investment bailouts have on Oakland County investments? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the treasurer’s office, and will you address them? WHY YOU? Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

PAT DOHANY QUALIFICATIONS: I was the treasurer in Commerce Township for 16 years. In 1993 I went on to Oakland County as the chief deputy treasurer until 2003 when I was appointed to the treasurer job, and then was elected in 2004. I’ve got lots of experience in public treasury management. It’s pretty much what I’ve done most of my adult life, investing billions of dollars and earning hundreds of millions of dollars in interest, and collecting taxes which are important to keep police and firefighters and teachers on the job. CDARS PROPOSAL: Absolutely I support it. What it does is take a community bank where I would normally put $100,000 and allows me to, say, put $1 million in that bank and it takes 10 pieces of $100,000 and spreads it across banks across the country. You can designate one to stay here at a local bank. All the certificates of deposit are kept safely at a third party location and, because they’re all under $100,000, they’re backed by the FDIC. It gives you the opportunity to invest in our local community and take a small community bank where we’d normally limit our deposits to under $100,000 and give them $1 million that they can put into productive use in Oakland County. FINANCIAL CRISIS: It’s made it harder to place the money and feel secure with the financial institutions, so we are monitoring the banks we use. We’re investing in CDs daily. You have to limit what you’re going to put into those community banks. It would be

Pat Dohany has been Oakland County's treasurer since 2003, after serving 10 years as the county's deputy treasurer. He served as Commerce Township's treasurer from 1976-93. Dohany is the immediate past president of the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada.

Andy Meisner has served as state representative since 2003. He is a former congressional aide, vice president of marketing and communications for a non-profit organization, and corporate communications director for the Farbman Group.

nice, again under the CDARS program, to put more money in community banks because that money will stay here in Oakland County but will be protected by FDIC insurance at each of the institutions. TOP ISSUES: First and foremost is the length of service and experience I have. I’ve spent 31 years collecting property taxes, which are key to keeping police, firefighters, and teachers on the job. There’s 500,000 pieces of property in the county and in the last cycle we collected on all but 292 of those. Of those 292, none were owner-occupied. The other part is investing public funds. I’ve never lost a dollar. I’ve earned hundreds of millions of dollars in interest. The second area is this notion of the county being in the landbank business. I’m opposed to a landbank for mortgaged foreclosed properties. It does nothing to keep a person in their home and takes mortgaged foreclosed properties off the tax roll. You’re going to cost the taxpayers revenue of $39 million. Once property goes into the landbank, it’s obligated to pay for maintenance of the property. That’s another $21 million. That’s a $60 million bailout for mortgage companies. The landbank Mr. Meisner is talking about that Genesee County has been successful with is for tax foreclosed properties. There’s 4,000 of them in Genesee County and 46 in Oakland County. You don’t need a landbank for 46 properties. With the mortgaged foreclosed properties you’re going to have to buy them to put them into the landbank. That’s $2.3 billion to buy properties and $60 million a year to maintain them. I don’t think the people want to give up their police, firefighter services and teachers for that when the banks that own the properties have a vested interest in them. The third is the county’s AAA bond rating. We have to maintain it so we can borrow money for projects that keep the county a nice place to live, work and play. WHY YOU? I don’t think my opponent understands what the job is about. It’s about collection of property taxes. No

person has lost their home to tax foreclosure under my administration. Not a penny of investment earnings has been lost in the 30 years I’ve been collecting taxes and investing money for the residents. The interest has been put back into public use. Is it really time for change? Oakland County has a AAA bond rating. We have a balanced budget for the next two years. Now go to Lansing where my opponent, a term-limited state representative, would like you to believe that he’s done a great job, but he’s voted for the highest income tax increase in the state’s history — Michigan Business Tax that added a 22 percent surcharge. You can have a 30-year veteran who will continue to do the job, or you can have a term-limited state representative that’s looking for a place to hang his hat until he can run for something else.

ANDY MEISNER QUALIFICATIONS: Out of college I worked on Capitol Hill for five years as an aide for Congressman David Obey, who was the House Appropriations Committee chair, and worked for Congressman Sandy Levin. My responsibility was working on the federal budget that dwarfs our county budget. I learned a lot about the appropriations process and public finance. After that I was vice president of a national non-profit organization where I was a department head and managed the department budget and staff. For the last six years I’ve been a state representative. I had a chance to work on the state budget as a member of the House Tax Policy Committee. I’m also an attorney educated in fiduciary relationships. CDARS PROPOSAL: Opening up the opportunity for investment in more Michigan banks and especially Oakland County banks is probably the best part of it. We need to use our tax dollars wisely and ideally invest those locally where we can insure safety, liquidity, and return. I support the proposal. FINANCIAL CRISIS: When you’re taking the taxpayer dollars and investing those

you want to be prudent. When you’re investing the county’s money, you have to be especially careful. We have to draw back a little bit, kick the tires a little on what we’re making investments with, and make sure we are mindful of the watch list that banks go on and look at some of their risk. TOP ISSUES: My three issues are protecting property values, preventing foreclosures, and bringing the office of the county treasurer into the 21st century. As early as January (Dohany) was quoted in a newspaper saying he supports a landbank, and that he was submitting paper work to the county commission to initiate a landbank within a month or two, which hasn’t happened. While there are no taxes paid while a property is in the landbank, you put it in the landbank and you leverage federal dollars. The federal government just passed a $4 billion appropriation for local governments to purchase mortgaged foreclosed properties. Instead of having these properties that are neglected and abandoned, by putting them in the landbank you can rehab them and get families in a 30-year fixed mortgage into these homes. (Dohany’s) website says county treasurers have nothing to do with mortgage foreclosures. We can go to Washtenaw County where Catherine McClary is doing a lot of work on mortgage foreclosure prevention. We can go to Ingham County where Eric Schertzing won an award for his mortgage foreclosure prevention strategy. I would follow up on protecting property values and preventing foreclosures by implementing the best practices that are established around the country. It’s important for officials to be in the community and accessible. I’ve got a cell phone number, 421-ANDY, that I give to every constituent and person I meet. I’ve got a toll-free number at 877-RepAndy. I do office hours called Mondays with Meisner to make myself available to constituents so if they’ve got an issue, we can talk about it. WHY YOU? I’m not going to leave any tools on the sideline. I’m going to take the landbank, take the aggressive mortgage foreclosure prevention, and take investing Oakland County dollars into county institutions so we get the return on it so and people get benefit from this office. The incumbent wants us to stay the course and say everything is roses. That’s what Mr. Dohany is asking us to do by re-electing him. I have a proven track record. As a legislator, I’ve left some big marks on the state. I sponsored the motion picture legislation that’s brought $370 million to Michigan in the five months since the bill was signed into law. I’m somebody that’s going to be making moves and utilize best practices. ❏

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general election voter guide Waterford, West Bloomfield

County Board/5th Incumbent Republican John Scott is being challenged by Democrat Nicole T. Stallworth in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners 5th District seat. County commissioners serve two-year terms and are currently paid about $33,000 a year. The following are questions our staff posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: What changes in county budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with budget challenges? WATER STUDY: Oakland County officials recently agreed to team up with Genesee County and contribute $125,000 toward a study to determine the feasibility of constructing an alternative or backup water system to serve much of the county. Tell us why you agree or disagree with the need for such a study. What’s your stance on the need for an alternative or backup system? BOARD APPOINTMENTS: Some Democratic commissioners assailed last year’s appointment of new Board of Road Commissioners and Parks and Recreation Commission members without interviewing all applicants for the available positions. State why you do or don’t believe all applicants for board-appointed positions should be interviewed before the board votes to fill appointed positions? JAIL: The Oakland County Jail has experienced chronic inmate overcrowding in recent months, leading to the early release of scores of non-violent prisoners. A citizen survey indicated overwhelming opposition to a tax increase to pay for a new jail. At what point, if ever, would you support a tax hike to pay for a new jail facility? What, if any, alternatives would you support to deal with the jail overcrowding issue? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county at this time, and how do you propose to address them?

JOHN SCOTT

BUDGET: We’ve made significant cuts. In fact, our 2008-09 budget was, at one point, at about $5 million in the hole. As of right now, we are in good shape, but one of the things we are looking at is getting all the cost savings we can. Of course, our four-day, 10-hour (per day) work week will help a bit. For 2009-10, we are OK. I talked to staff, (County Executive L. Brooks Patterson), and the administration, and we are balanced, but it’s going to be tight. Getting rid of some of the frivolous spending is what’s going to be taking place in the next budget year.

we are going for.

NICOLE T. STALLWORTH

John Scott, a sales engineer with McMasters Koss Co, has been an Oakland County commissioner since 2003. He is a member of the county board's Personnel Committee and vice chairman of the Public Services Committee.

Nicole T. Stallworth is chief of staff for State Rep. John Espinoza (D-Croswell).

WATER STUDY: We need an alternative, backup system. For most of Oakland County, water comes from the Detroit water system. As we saw when we had a power failure (a few years ago), there was no water service. Had we had a backup system, that possibly would have been different. Secondly, Detroit needs competition. They fought us on putting a member that we want on their water board. They pick the representative for Oakland County. Basically, that whole group has been ram-rodding their price increases through to our Oakland County residents, mainly to fund non-water department projects in Detroit. We are looking to work with Genesee, but I think it’s going to be expanded beyond there. We can study it, but I don’t think there’s ever going to any money to bring a new system into the county. We would have to take federal money, and I don’t know where that’s going to come from. Let’s see what it is, find out what it costs, and maybe one day we can find federal money for an alternative system. BOARD APPOINTMENTS: We started compiling qualified candidate lists after January 2007. We receive all the applications, we go through them, find the top 10 people or so that are qualified, and conduct interviews. If you interview everybody that fills out a form online, you wouldn’t get anything else done at the county. Our appointments now have all been done after interviews. JAIL: We’ve been doing a lot of things. We have done some jail diversion programs. We have taken many people that really don’t belong in jail and put them in other programs. The second thing that we’ve done is get a new tether system on board. We’ve got a lot of jail overcrowding because some judges are putting people in jail who are non-violent offenders. First-time impaired DUI offenders are really filling the jail up.

If we were to do anything with regard to a new jail, I would like to see something more along the lines of an “Up North” version of what is done in Arizona. We could build a facility for our non-violent people, a low-budget type facility, and not give them all the perks they have right now. But it’s like the movie “Field of Dreams” — if you build it, they will come. If we build a jail, no matter how big it is, we’ll fill it up. I could possibly approve having the voters speak on it. Someday, something is going to have to be done. Our population is growing, and the crime rate is going up. When all other options are exhausted I would approve putting it on the ballot. TOP ISSUES: We talked about one already, our jail overcrowding. We need the state to belly up to the bar and start taking some of their prisoners. We are housing the people pre-trial. We’ve got to solve that problem. No. 2 is our budget. Our budget is balanced going into 2008-09, and because we do the rolling budget, we know we are in good shape for 200910. We’ve already lost revenue, and we are going to lose more. The property values are dropping, and it’s going to affect our revenue. We are making all the efforts we can to find ways to be creative to balance the budget. The third issue is bringing jobs into the county. Fortunately, since 2003, we’ve had the Emerging Sectors program. We brought in just under $1 billion in revenue. We’ve got about 9,000 jobs that have come in just from the Emerging Sectors program. Those are dynamic, non-automotive jobs. I’m going to be working with the administration, once again, on Emerging Sectors, and of course on Automation Alley, which is another great feature. We have to get non-automotive work here. It won’t make us recession-proof, but it will make us recession-resistant, and that’s what

BUDGET: I propose redirecting a portion of the funding from business attraction, i.e. the Emerging Sectors Initiative, to business stability and retention via investment in a Master Plan for commercial, retail and office space use. In addition, the county should be investing in the identification of resource partners capable of identifying buyers with a three-year soft second forgiveness provision (provided by the county or its partners) of purchasing homes headed to auction at full market value, thus reducing the uncontrollable property value decline. Lastly, to reduce the annual increasing utility costs, the county should retrofit all lighting systems with either LED or induction lamps. WATER STUDY: Any studies of this type should be paid for with state grants and not paid for with county general fund dollars. The people of Oakland County don’t need a backup water system; they need governance representation on the Detroit Water and Sewerage Board. BOARD APPOINTMENTS: As an employer, I don’t interview every applicant who contacts my office for a job. So no, I do not think interviewing is mandatory if requisite credentials can’t be met. I do, however, feel the unnecessary partisan activity which creates inefficiencies and fosters poor decision-making needs to come to an abrupt halt; and I’m dedicated to the introduction of bi-partisan civility in the commission chambers. JAIL: I say transport the felons in our county jail that should be in state prisons to the governor’s doorstep. If the state were living up to its responsibility, we wouldn’t have such a mess. In addition, if the county were to enhance foster care incentives to reduce the cost of caring for, and providing residences for wards of the court, we would have more resources to redirect to jail support services. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is stabilize residential property values via introduction of a public-private neighborhood stabilization plan focused on the market price purchase of residential properties headed to auction. No. 2 is business retention via introduction of a countywide master commercial, retail and office space use plan. No. 3 is job creation through introduction of an national energy trades institute to train certified electric linemen, line clearance professionals, alternative and energy efficiency professionals to address the known labor shortage within this skill-set. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

MARY ELLEN

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BRENNAN JUDGE

PAGE 17/C,WB

CHRIS

LONG

FOR CIRCUIT

Experienced criminal prosecutor and civil attorney Rated Well Qualified by the 3,000-lawyer Oakland County Bar Association* and the Women Lawyers’ Association of Michigan - Oakland County Region Endorsed by lawyers and Oakland County Circuit and District Judges Endorsed by law enforcement organizations Endorsed by the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, The Oakland Press and the Michigan Chronicle

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OUR OAKLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONER – DISTRICT #8 Walled Lake - Wixom Lyon - South Lyon Novi Precincts 9 & 10 (“Lakeside”) … Moving Oakland Forward

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•A Real Record of CUTTING TAXES •Over $20 Million in NEW Oakland projects in our District •New Jobs, Road and Growth in our community Winner “Distinguished Leadership in Joint Public Services” and “Outstanding Project” Awards

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general election voter guide Commerce, Milford, Wolverine Lake

County Board/7th Democrat Pam Jackson is challenging incumbent Republican Chirstine A. Long in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners 7th District seat. County commissioners serve two-year terms and are currently paid about $33,000 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what county spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. ROAD FUNDING: Several bills were recently introduced to give counties the ability to seek voter approval of new taxes and/or fees that would create revenue for road construction and maintenance in that county. State why you do or don’t support such legislation. If it’s approved, state why you believe it’s time for Oakland officials to consider putting such a question before voters. If you do, what’s your take on Oakland County partnering with one or more of its neighbors to raise money for roads? TAX INCREMENT FINANCING: County officials have tightened down on a policy related to the use of tax increment financing (TIF) included in local corridor improvement authority (CIA) plans. Under the policy change, the county “may not support” plans that involve use of TIF revenues to bury utility lines, construct municipal facilities or buildings, or to acquire land. Explain why you do or don’t agree with the new policy provisions. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

PAM JACKSON BUDGET: One way to reduce costs may be to offer early retirement incentives to county employees or eliminate positions through attrition. Expanding the concept of a 4-day work week could be explored to decrease costs. A feasibility study could be done for maximum building utilization that may help reduce costs. The commissioners voted to take a pay freeze. The administration could also follow suit with a pay freeze until the economy turns around. Revenues can be increased by attracting businesses using the Emerging Sectors program and Automation Alley.

Pam Jackson is a mathematics, construction management and concrete construction management professor at Oakland Community College. She is the former owner of Elite Building and Construction Company.

Christine Long is an owner and operator of the Long Family Orchard and Farm in Commerce Township. She has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and as a Southeast Michigan Council of Governments delegate for the past six years.

The county can address both sides of the ledger ... in keeping the budget balanced. ROAD FUNDING: I would support the legislation. Quality control measures need to be enhanced with more oversight on the projects. If business continues “as usual” with road construction and renovations, it will be very difficult to get any increases approved by the voters. I support the concept of shared costs with two or more adjacent communities provided that the communities agree to a partnership. The public has the tendency to live in one community and work or spend leisure time in another. Since the public benefits from the road systems in the connecting communities, sharing expenses would only seem logical. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING: I support the policy change on restricting the use the TIF monies. Oakland County might look into creating a land bank authority like Genesee County, where declining areas are transformed to their maximum potential. They should incorporate green construction practices. Why let a community deteriorate while trying to develop a new one? It only decreases the surrounding property values. We need to be fiscally responsible and use TIF monies to revitalize our depressed areas before sprawling into open spaces. TOP ISSUES: Responsible development needs to occur to preserve the environment using green construction practices as a requirement or encouraged in the specifications for roads, new construction, and redevelopments. Moving toward renewable energies would generate employment for this region while creating educational programs to retool our workforce for these new careers. A safe, efficient, and cost-effective regional mass transit system is of paramount importance to Oakland County. Cooperative and responsible regional development will relieve traffic conges-

tion, reduce air pollution, alleviate the need for more parking structures/lots, reduce gas consumption, and will attract business and industry to the entire region to enhance economic growth. Every endeavor should be made to maintain the level of current health care funding for children, seniors, and the indigent. By placing a stronger emphasis on preventative health care programs with cooperation from health care providers, overall health care costs could be reduced. WHY YOU? My diverse educational and professional experiences make me the most qualified candidate. Please visit my website for a complete review: www.PamJackson2008.com. I am a professor at Oakland Community College teaching mathematics, construction management and concrete construction management. I have successfully owned two small businesses over the years which required quality work, balancing budgets, and getting the job done on time and within budget. I will help generate jobs, attract businesses with the Emerging Sectors program, facilitate the improvement of the educational and health care programs, preserve the environment, and ensure that Oakland County has a balanced budget.

CHRISTINE A. LONG BUDGET: Unlike the state, Oakland County uses a biennial budget that anticipates economic conditions two years out and adjusts its budget accordingly. As a Finance Committee member, I will continue to review all programs, services, as well as staffing with tight scrutiny. In 1998, Oakland County established a property tax rate of 4.19 mills. With good leadership, the board has been able to retain the same tax rate for 10 years. I will continue to maintain a balanced budget through spending cuts, not tax increases. ROAD FUNDING: Any tax or fee increase for road improvements must be decided

by a vote of those that will pay for it … the taxpayers. In my personal opinion, I do not support increases in taxes or fees. Perhaps legislation could be drafted facilitating equitable federal and state road funds coming back to the county. Currently, Oakland County doesn’t receive it’s fair share of funding, thus contributing to the county’s donor status. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING: I support economic growth in Oakland County. TIF and Corridor Improvement Authorities are vehicles used to promote this economic growth for cities, villages, and townships. The Board of Commissioners have established the TIF District Review Policy Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate and recommend plans from the communities to the Finance Committee. With the sluggish economy, the county must guard its tax revenue; however, these authorities enable local municipalities economic growth that would not occur without these tax captures. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is the budget. Property tax revenue will continue to fall. Since property tax revenue supports about 62 percent of the county’s operations, Oakland County is not without budget challenges. In 2010, a $19.6 million shortfall is anticipated. As a Finance Committee member, I will continue to review all county spending with diligence. It’s imperative to keep taxes low while providing quality service within a tight budget. No. 2 is the economy. I will continue to diversify the county’s economy with initiatives such as Automation Alley, the Emerging Sectors program, and Wireless Oakland. No. 3 is public safety. Residents deserve to feel safe where they live, work, and play; therefore public safety services must continue to be adequately funded. Jail overcrowding continues to be a challenge. A task force is exploring and developing alternative sentencing programs, such as the tether program, for non-violent offenders. WHY YOU? Operating a fifth generation family farm, my business enables me to be available and highly visible before my constituents on a day-to-day basis. Having installed a designated “Commissioner Hotline” in my home, I have made it a priority to return calls from residents in a timely manner. Based on merit and hard work, I have moved into leadership positions at the county. I have voted with principle, and have been a strong advocate for local input and participation in county issues, programs, and services. My 100 percent attendance record for commission meetings in 2007 and 2008 proves my commitment to my elected position and my constituents. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Walled Lake, Wixom

County Board/8th Democrat Michele Berry is challenging incumbent Republican Jeff Potter in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners 8th District seat. County commissioners serve two-year terms and are currently paid about $33,000 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Explain what county spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? PAY RAISES: County commissioners recently were asked to consider approval of pay raises for county employees, including county commissioners and the four-year, countywide elected executive officials. Please state why you do or don’t support pay increases for the elected officials? NIGHT MEETINGS: The Oakland County Board of Road Commissioners currently meets during Thursday sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. Explain why you do or don’t believe the county board should hold evening sessions. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

MICHELE BERRY

BUDGET: Addressing both sides of the budget is the logical and smart choice. Adjustments in our county building sector right off the bat will bank thousands of dollars per month. Shifting to trim the budget, not within programs or jobs but to reinvent the way we purchase and dispose of supplies will lower energy costs in our offices and courts. Investment in our communities alongside federal funding and state matching funds for our road and rail mass transit system will augment our ability to amplify many projects, including our recycling capability, creating jobs as we retrain our skilled workers. Reaching this goal will create a healthy community, improve productivity, and yield revenue in the first year. PAY RAISES: I don’t support pay raises for county officials or administration officers. Businesses have put a freeze on raises, hiring and improvements. All commissioner perquisites must be frozen or eliminated until the economic climate changes. We must be frugal, maintaining current positions and programs while reducing county expenses. NIGHT MEETINGS: The Oakland County Board of Commissioners should hold calendared evening meetings to allow those who work ease in attending. Holding meetings in the evening would be beneficial and convenient since most board members and con-

Michele Berry is a freelance researcher, paralegal, bookkeeper and advocate. She is a member of the West Oakland Democrats board, and a precinct delegate.

Jeff Potter has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for the past six years. He previously served as mayor of South Lyon from 1989 to 2002 and as a South Lyon city councilman from 1987 to 1989. He was co-chair of the TriCounty summit in 2007 and 2008, and is a trustee on the Oakland County Library Board.

stituents work during the day. I would also consider a various day and evening calendar. Availability to our constituents is important since the word in the neighborhoods is that the board is elusive, slow, or non-existent. Opening meetings to the public will build the board’s accountability. Evening meetings will permit concerned citizens to participate. TOP ISSUES: Advocating Detroit as the hub for our road and rail mass transit system could be possible considering new leadership. It will bring investors, development, and revenue into our communities; give residents choice and an affordable means to and from work and play; and generate sustainable jobs and revenue. Our county building sector must go green. Small changes will save thousands per month, and tens of thousands per year. We must move to shave the budget not in cuts within programs or jobs but to reinvent the way we conduct daily business. The county must also promote green development incorporating county workers and independent contractors through educational programs and incentives. Permanent growth and future jobs with competitive wages that promote sustainable living and new energies, and protecting our rivers and lakes with foresight will help restore faith in our ability to diversify our means of development. WHY YOU? The record of the incumbent is one reason: No effort to create lasting jobs. The incumbent is digging in, defending existing business models that state a grim outlook through 2035. I’m logical, determined, and aware. Working with the county, state, and federal government, we will accomplish our energy tasks, consisting of improvements in infrastructure, protecting our waters, alongside mass transit, road construction, maintenance, increasing our recy-

cling capability, and adapting our county building into a healthy community, which will benefit our workers and the public. I’m the leader that will act smartly, work long-term trends in energy, create a new economy, bring revenue to our communities, and lessen the tax burden.

JEFF POTTER

BUDGET: We’ve already passed a balanced budget, taking interim, presentyear cuts when we saw trouble coming, and planned ahead for future years. The most important areas to preserve are public safety, and economic development, adding to job growth. I would save by blending administrative positions, encouraging retirement of high-salaried people, continuing technology-based productivity improvements, and further efficiencies to benefit programs, such as vesting of health obligations. I would end tax scams, and get our fair share from Lansing. As chair of the Public Services Committee, I supported jail population management. It’s foolish to keep a nuisance offender in jail for $95/day because they lack $100 bond. Real-time GPSbased home tethering addresses this. Also, untapped cooperation yields major results. Example: $3 million from Oakland/Genesee autopsy arrangement. Success is always a blend of cuts and enhancements, but structural improvements loom larger. PAY RAISES: I voted to waive these 1 percent raises, because I thought the gesture would be appreciated, with taxpayers struggling, as we are. I don’t want any special credit for this vote. This token “sacrifice” was designed only to earn credibility with voters for it’s sponsors, substituting for real effort. It was announced by press releases, before it was introduced, making it more of a political ploy than anything else.

This saves us about $10,000. Token gestures only achieve token results. Let’s keep our eye on real responsibilities. NIGHT MEETINGS: I would prefer to have all night meetings if they were not so potentially costly and disruptive. Staff overtime, and the disruption of daily work by professional presenters, department heads, and others needed to answer questions, run security, etc., would be significant, for minimal benefit. Also, most full Board of Commissioners’ meetings are a recap of decisions made in committees, where the real work is done and input needed. Unless cost and operations issues are solved, I’d confine night meetings to those likely to raise public interest, and put others on cable when possible. But, I’m open to persuasion on this. I’m accessible, and often meet constituents at their home, or a coffee shop. A better reason for night meetings would be to help working folks serve on the board. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is the budget and taxes. Quality of life and fiscal restraint go hand in hand. Lower taxes, bond rates, and efficient services attract premium jobs and development, building the tax base without tax hikes. We’ve made “forward leaning” budget adjustments and reduced runaway health costs. Budget changes were managed without layoffs or service losses. No. 2 is law enforcement and public safety. Maintain low crime rates, support law enforcement. Manage jail population to hold violent offenders and provide alternative custody for low-risk offenders. I’ve pushed information and police technologies, keeping cops on the streets and criminals off. No. 3 is quality of life. I’m a proven supporter of senior and youth services, parks and “greenspace,” and was a key organizing partner of the Huron Valley Trail system. I’ll work for even more outside grants for features which make Oakland a great place to live and invest. WHY YOU? I enjoy what I do, I’m very passionate about it, I’m accessible, and know the job is important to people. Over 15 years’ recognized successes finding ways to do “more for less” has earned the endorsements of nearly every leader in the district. I spent my adult life working a “regular job” (Ford Wixom plant) which I lost through the plant closing, so I understand what our residents are dealing with. Retirement allows me more time for the job. I secured over $20 million in previously-denied DDA funding, and won county approval of Wixom’s “landmark” Village Center. I’ve cut real budgets; helped bring jobs and roads; and promoted major cooperative savings while neighboring counties struggle with overruns, tax increases, and layoffs. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield

County Board/16th Incumbent Democrat Karen Spector is being challenged by Republican Shelley Goodman Taub in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election race for the Oakland County Board of Commis-sioners 16th District seat. County commissioners serve two-year terms and are currently paid about $33,000 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what county spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. ROAD FUNDING: Several bills were recently introduced to give counties the ability to seek voter approval of new taxes and/or fees that would create revenue for road construction and maintenance in that county. State why you do or don’t support such legislation. If it’s approved, state why you believe it’s time for Oakland officials to consider putting such a question before voters. If you do, what’s your take on Oakland County partnering with one or more of its neighbors to raise money for roads? PAY RAISES: County commissioners recently were asked to consider approval of pay raises for county employees, including county commissioners and the four-year, countywide elected executive officials. Please state why you do or don’t support pay increases for the elected officials? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

KAREN SPECTOR BUDGET: Problems started in 2008 when we were notified there was going to be a budget shortfall. Subsequently, each department in the county was given a budget task. A lot of them were met by offering an early buyout to the retirees, which 159 people took. We didn’t fill a lot of the jobs when people retired. We also initiated a program where we’re using interns from different schools in the area at a reduced rate to fill a lot of the holes that were left. As of now, we’re OK through 2010; 2011 through 2014 we’ll begin to work on next year. It’s a rolling budget and you look ahead at least two years. As far as revenue enhancements, it’s not necessary to raise taxes to make our budget work. ROAD FUNDING: I’m really not 100 percent familiar with this, but I believe

Karen Spector has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for the past two years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and the former owner of two businesses.

Shelley Goodman Taub served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners from 1992 to 2002. She was a state representative from 2003 to 2006. She is a former teacher and business manager.

if it was thrown to the voters and they voted on it, I would certainly support it. We are a donor county, and we get 66 cents of every dollar that is spent, and I believe the formula needs to be reworked so that we get more tax dollars back to the road commission. I don’t have a problem with partnering with neighbors. I think any area that has two communities or counties working together always works better. You have more resources and more funding. PAY RAISES: Considering the way the economy is and the number of people that were out of jobs, it was up to us to set the example and not take a pay raise, hold it at zero for two years and we did that for all the elected officials. However, we still granted the 1 percent raises for the employees, which was lower than what’s given in other counties. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is jobs and the economy. To bring jobs here, we have the Emerging Sectors program. We’ve brought 900 jobs and almost $1 million into the county through that. We’ve tried to enact Buy Oakland, which would put Oakland businesses first on any spending in the county. The second issue is our roads and infrastructure, which is getting old. In West Bloomfield, we started with the roundabouts. Orchard Lake Road is a mess, and funding for that should start next year and we’ll have a six-lane boulevard. We’re supposed to have two roundabouts on either end, but it doesn’t look like the funding is coming for that. The third issue is seniors. We began a resolution to set up a council of 13 people to study how we can keep our seniors here and not lose our revenue. How can we make it so that the senior homes are available for them and we have the proper transportation and walkways? WHY YOU? I’ve been visible before I became a county commissioner and to this day, I still pass out my cards. My phone numbers and my e-mail address are visible to any of my residents. I have worked on various committees, and I’m extremely active in all three of my

townships that I represent. I’ve worked bipartisanly to get things done. My district has quite a few senior homes. I’m the first commissioner who has gone in on a monthly basis and brought all the county services to them. I’ve worked with people who were in foreclosures and found the county’s answers for them. I’m a retired teacher and businesswoman. I owned two businesses, one for 25 years in Orchard Lake and one for four years in Birmingham. I know how to do budgets, I know how to go down to paper clips. I’m the people’s commissioner. I work for them to get things done. They can reach me 24/7.

SHELLEY GOODMAN TAUB BUDGET: Because this is a revolving budget and we’re now at 2010 and the county executive is working on 2011 up to 2014, a lot of the budget cuts have been made this year. They’ve cut about 44 in staff and next year they plan to cut 138. One of the places that has to be cut is the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. It’s way overstaffed. A lot of money can be saved in that area. The second thing I would look at is travel. There are commissioners who are spending an ungodly amount on it. I think there should be a travel budget on the board so that people have “X” amount of dollars to spend, and they can’t take it out of state unless it’s to Washington for a specific project. I think the car budget has to be looked into for the entire county. I’m very concerned that we have gone from driving what is necessary to bigger vehicles. I always think of revenue enhancements as taxes and I don’t think raising taxes is fair to the people. ROAD FUNDING: (This bill is) a patchwork quilt approach on Public Act 51, which is a transportation act written in 1951 when Oakland County had 17 people and a million cows — there was no need for road expansion. On the other hand, Wayne

County, which has fewer miles of road, gets more money. It needs to be revised. As far as raising taxes and making it a tri-county deal, no. The only way I would ever support that is if we had total tri-county governance for the water and sewer system. I believe it’s 92 cents we get back on the dollar and the problem is when you go to Lansing or Washington and say we need 96 cents to fix our roads, somebody’s going to have to give up a few cents. We need to get someone in there to rewrite Public Act 51, throw the lobbyists and special interests out the door, and get some thoughtful legislators working on this. PAY RAISES: It sets a good example for the elected officials and directors not to take a pay increase. Cut it across the board, let’s just do it the fair way. TOP ISSUES: Jobs and the economy are very important. I believe with Automation Alley, which I helped draft as county commissioner, we are doing better than most. Another thing we’re going to have problems with is fighting blight. As our county ages and Proposal A keeps seniors in their homes or as homes are vacated because of foreclosures, I intend to form a group with the homeowners associations in this entire county to help us fight the blight when there is a vacant home and no one is caring for it. The third thing is our aging population. I suggest eliminating the pop-up tax for seniors as they move from that large three- or four-bedroom home into a small condominium. A lot of them can’t afford to move, because when they do, the pop-up tax rises real high in that condominium and they’re back again paying high taxes. WHY YOU? No. 1, I have 10 years as a county commissioner, and four years as a state representative. No. 2, I have far more experience in budgeting. I worked for eight of my 10 years on the Finance Committee in Oakland County and four years in appropriations at the state. I don’t believe in going line-by-line in a budget, you count down to the paper clips and the pencils and the rubber bands and I don’t see that being done. I believe my experience in running a business for 30 years, a school teacher for four years, working in the community on various projects, that I have the know how and the ability where it counts the most. I get things done. Pine Lake Road waited for 25 years to get paved, I had it paved by May of my first year of my first term as a county commissioner. I will hit the road running. I’m listed in the phone directory. I answer phone calls 24/7. I relish helping people and I’m very good at it. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide West Bloomfield

County Board/17th Republican Jeanne Blake is challenging incumbent Democrat Marcia Gershenson in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ 17th District seat. County commissioners serve twoyear terms and are currently paid about $33,000 a year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Please explain what county spending reductions, if any, you would like to see in the future. What revenue enhancements, if any, do you advocate? Finally, state why you believe the budget can be balanced by addressing only one side of the ledger or the other, or why both spending cuts and increased revenues are the solution. ROAD FUNDING: Several bills were recently introduced to give counties the ability to seek voter approval of new taxes and/or fees that would create revenue for road construction and maintenance in that county. State why you do or don’t support such legislation. If it’s approved, state why you believe it’s time for Oakland officials to consider putting such a question before voters. If you do, what’s your take on Oakland County partnering with one or more of its neighbors to raise money for roads? PAY RAISES: County commissioners recently were asked to consider approval of pay raises for county employees, including county commissioners and the four-year, countywide elected executive officials. Please state why you do or don’t support pay increases for the elected officials? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the county, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent?

JEANNE BLAKE BUDGET: Oakland County has had budget shortfalls. The budgets for 2009 and 2010 have been balanced by taking some of the fund equity, less than 5 percent, and 2010 is going to be a real issue. I don’t think we should raise taxes to balance the budget. We have to look at our efficiencies in how we manage the jail and the court system and the other law departments, because our property values are declining and 67 percent of the revenues are from property taxes and they will continue to decline. In this kind of economic situation, we need to look at everything that’s on the table. Brooks Paterson has been very good at increasing revenues through the Emerging Sectors program, Automation Alley, and his economic development

Jeanne Blake is an attorney and mediator in the county's circuit and district courts. She previously worked as an internal auditor at Michcon for eight years.

Marcia Gershenson has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for the past four years. She is a teacher and a founding board member of Gilda's Club of Metropolitan Detroit, and founder of the Women's Commission for Oakland County. Gershenson has served on the Michigan League of Conservation Voters board.

team, and keeping a handle on the budget. ROAD FUNDING: I do support it. It’s giving local communities the taxing authority and that would come down to a millage and the voters would vote for it. It should definitely be before the voters. I think you can find efficiencies in partnering with other communities. PAY RAISES: I don’t support pay raises for county officials during this tough economic time. It’s not appropriate for the commissioners or those in the administration to take a raise. I could see employees more than elected officials getting raises. TOP ISSUES: I think the biggest thing is the budget. I’ve been an internal auditor for eight years and I have an MBA and an attorney, so I would love to look at some of the departments and see if some efficiencies can be created. The second would be public safety. I’ve talked to Sheriff (Michael) Bouchard about the tent city and how we used to have it and took it down, so I would like for us to talk about a tent city again. It costs $100 a day to feed and house an inmate, so there’s got to be a better way of doing that. The third most important issue would be education. I’m a strong advocate of it. WHY YOU? I’m an attorney, I was an internal auditor at Michcon for eight years, and I’m a mediator in the circuit and district courts. This election is all about the budget and you need somebody that has a good handle, who loves numbers. I have an MBA. Brooks Patterson has endorsed me. He said I have the credentials to be a part of his team. Sheriff Bouchard has endorsed me, so the ticket is Brooks, Bouchard, Blake.

start working on 2011. There are cuts I would like to see, such as the helicopters in the Sheriff’s Department and the fleet cars that the executives have. There’s also discussion about finding a new lobbyist, which I’ve never supported. I’m a big supporter of the Emerging Sectors program, which has brought in over $1 billion worth of revenue into the county, over 9,000 jobs and $25 million in tax revenue. I have a lot of faith in our Department of Economic Development and will continue to support their endeavors. I’m also a supporter of Automation Alley, which has also brought in $125 million dollars in revenue to the county. I would hate to see programs cut without making every effort to increase revenue. I don’t think it’s fair to balance the budget crisis on the backs of the employees exclusively. I think we need to work harder as elected officials to secure new revenues. I don’t support raising taxes under any circumstance. ROAD FUNDING: I definitely support the county’s ability to seek new taxes and fees for roads. I think voter input is critical since they’re paying for it. If the data is presented and it shows this is what the voters and community want, I would support it 100 percent. I would consider partnering with other neighbors. PAY RAISES: I don’t support pay raises for county officials, and I didn’t support it the last time it came up. It’s unconscionable for me or any one in the administration to take a raise. The employees are the ones I would like to see get a raise more than elected officials. They are the ones that are suffering with the increased prices for gas and food and schooling, so I would be more supportive of them getting a raise. TOP ISSUES: The economy and bringing more jobs to the county is the most

MARCIA GERSHENSON

BUDGET: The county has been very successful in balancing the budget and we are balanced up until 2010 and are already to

important issue. I think we need to replace the declining revenue and help revitalize our state. We need to reinstil that sense of security in our citizenry. The second issue is roads. I represent a community that has suffered greatly (West Bloomfield) over their roads. They are very emotional and committed to doing something. There was just legislation introduced to make road commissions accountable to the Board of Commissioners. I think that’s a great idea. The road commission has no accountability. How do I know that they’re going through their budget and making cuts? The road commissioners are not necessarily experts in roads. I would like to see tax dollars come back to Michigan. We’re a donor state and we’re not getting enough money back. The states surrounding us have roads that are so much better than ours and it’s time for our legislators to start walking the walk. The third for me is public safety, which incorporates health. I have worked a lot with our Health Department in making sure our lakes and waters are clean and making sure we have vaccines available for our constituents. I started the dental discount plan with Commissioner Eileen Kowall in an effort to be bipartisan. I’ve also been a big supporter and initiator of the prescription drug plan. The other big issue is jail overcrowding. We spend more money per prisoner than we do per student in our state. It’s a horrifying situation and I think that alternative sentencing needs to be stressed. I will continue to fight for it. WHY YOU? I’m an experienced policymaker and I have worked enormously hard over the last four years. I’m very accessible to my community. I also represent five communities, and I’m one of the few commissioners that actually attends my council meetings. I also started a women’s commission for Oakland County that I’m very proud of. It’s been very successful and lets women talk about issues that aren’t being addressed. I also started a Healthy Golden Heart Restaurant designation which publicizes restaurants that offer healthy solutions. I’m chairing the Childhood Obesity Conference to promote healthy lifestyles. Michigan has one of the largest numbers of obese children in the country. I’m always looking to work both sides of the aisle; I’m a non-partisan person and have many Republican supporters and friends. I’m trained in conflict resolution and feel that has served me well. I look forward to continuing all the work I started and doing more good things. ❏

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general election voter guide

Commerce Trustees Republicans Debra N. Kirkwood, Robert J. Long, Daniel P. Munro, and Rick Sovel; and Democrat Randy Ston will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for four township trustee positions. Township trustees serve four-year terms and are currently paid $150 per meeting. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: The township and the state Department of Natural Resources have reached a tentative agreement to prevent the sale of nearly 600 acres of Proud Lake Recreation Area property. How would you like to see the township come up with the funding to initially lease and potentially purchase the land so that it remains in public ownership and isn’t developed? What, if any, changes would you like to see the township implement on the property, be it development of recreational facilities or other improvements? LIBRARY: Township voters previously authorized a millage to create and operate a new township library. Are you satisfied with the progress on the current library at the former El Dorado Golf Course clubhouse and the services offered? BUDGET: What changes in township budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with recent budgetary challenges? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the township, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why specifically should voters choose you over your opponent?

DEBRA N. KIRKWOOD PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: I would like to see us pursue our agreement to work on purchasing this property. It’s my belief that the township would benefit with the entire 600 acres under our control. As far as the funding for that property, we do have the open space millage and, if necessary, we could go for bonding. I would like it to stay recreational strictly for the residents’ benefit, and possibly developed with pathways. There’s been a lot of ideas thrown out lately about use for target practice, and bows and arrows, and softball. I definitely wouldn’t want to see the natural beauty of the area taken away. LIBRARY: I am ecstatic with the services that are being offered by the library. I think this has turned out to be one of the best things we’ve ever done in the township. We put that library together in three months originally, its circulation stats are one of the top in the area, they do have some plans for expansion which we’re mulling over. I think anyone who visits will be

Debra N. Kirkwood has been a Commerce Township trustee since 2004.

Robert J. Long is owner and operator of the Long Family Orchard and Farm. He has been a Commerce trustee since 1996, and has been a member of the township's Parks and Recreation Committee since 1998. He is past director of the Oakland County Soil and Water Conservation District.

very impressed. BUDGET: Budgeting has always been a concern and, in these times, it’s more so than ever. I’m hoping we can find ways to cut costs — items other than staffing. We have been fortunate that we’ve had some key staff leaving this year, which has freed up some budget line items for us. TOP ISSUES: I would have to put the budget first, seeing that we keep our budget in line and that we make the necessary cuts to keep us on stable ground. Secondly would be the completion of Martin Parkway to benefit the residents of Commerce so they can get from one end of town to the other in the least amount of time. By doing so, the road will give us the opportunity to develop the (DDA) property and repay the debt we have incurred. The third item is public safety — keeping the fire department staffed and equipped in a manner they are accustomed to and maintaining services the residents are accustomed to receiving. As far as the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, we must maintain them under contract. I would really like to see more emphasis put on shutting down the drug use in our high schools, which has become a major issue in our area. WHY YOU? I feel that my position on the board is unique because I do bring with it the history and experience of being a township employee. That gives me insight to the day-to-day operations of the township. I try to share that with the other board members. I am very open to the residents of Commerce Township. I received phone calls from neighbors, friends, acquaintances; and, quite frankly, I get a lot of questions, sometimes from people I don’t even know. But I always try to answer them openly and honestly. Probably my greatest asset and biggest flaw is that I’m brutally honest. I take my job very seriously. I do try and keep the responsibilities foremost in my mind.

Above all else, I will vote with my conscience. If I can’t go home at night after voting and sleep, I don’t feel I’m doing a good job and I can say I have not had that problem.

ROBERT J. LONG PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: I’m delighted to see that the property will not likely be developed. The township and the state are currently awaiting appraisals to see what the fair market value may be. Hopefully, the purchase price will come in at what we can afford through our open space and parks millage. If not, I would be interested in partnering with an entity like Oakland County that perhaps would have adequate funding to purchase a portion of the property, or the township could purchase another portion to preserve as open space. A good portion of that property at one time had a lake on it. There was a dam that was created 80 or 90 years ago, which would be at the south end of that property where the Huron River flows through just north of the Commerce Cemetery. If that could be recreated, it would be a delightful opportunity for the residents of Commerce Township. LIBRARY: The Commerce Township Community Library has turned out to be something that we can be proud of. As we move forward the library will continue to grow and expand. The dilemma at hand is how to grow and expand in the short term. The full-time staff, architect, and construction manager are meeting along with the library and are committed to come up with some recommendations on how to move forward under these circumstances and I look forward to reviewing their recommendation and assisting the library in moving forward. BUDGET: As budget uncertainty continues, I think it’s imperative that the township take a look at staffing and the number of vehicles on the road, particularly

the Building Department when the number of inspections is down significantly and inspectors are making salaries. In the past, we paid inspectors by inspection and it may be time to revisit that. We have a staffed Assessing Department, although assessing is done at the county level. It may be time to revisit that. There’s opportunities to go out for bids from consultants for planning, engineering, and attorney services. I’m very committed to maintaining our low 1.41 millage rate, and I will do everything I can to convince the board into looking at tightening the budget. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 would be the budget and fiscal responsibility and continuing to actively maintain the balanced budget without raising taxes, doing so by providing quality services at our current millage rate. No. 2 would be debt. I will continue to press to see that principal is paid down on our debt. The DDA situation is without any principal. The property value is diminishing and that causes great concern if property isn’t divested within the next few years. Third is to continue to seek more uses for our residents in the parks. It’s been more difficult since the parks and open space millage was passed. Capital improvements have been eliminated from the general fund and everything that the parks committee has recommended for improvements has to come out of the millage, and it makes it challenging for the committee to find uses for the parks that we can afford. But we’re very proud of the improvements to Dodge Park and hope that they can continue. WHY YOU? I’m a lifelong resident of Commerce Township, a fifth-generation resident here and I have a sincere passion for the future of Commerce. I make decisions with anticipation that my children and grandchildren will be lifetime residents of Commerce. I bring a unique problem-solving ability to the board and look at things for the long-term impact of those decisions. I successfully operate the last fulltime farm in the township and seem to have the ability to make dollars go a little bit farther than some. I’m committed to continuing to provide quality services to the township at a low tax rate.

DANIEL P. MUNRO

PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: I think the Department of Natural Resources has offered Commerce Township a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire 600 acres of open space, and we all know there’s no more land being created for us. I would also like PAGE 23 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Commerce trustee

RICK SOVEL

our level of service to our residents without increasing taxes and be fiscally responsible, which is something I’m committed to doing. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 would be the budget. With the declining revenues and loss of state-shared funds and declining property values, this year is going to be very difficult to formulate a budget to stay within the revenues. But we will do it. The DDA, with the extension of Martin Road, the bonding issues and sale of properties to start paying down the principal on the bonds is another pressing issue. Public safety (is another issue). With increasing labor costs for police and fire, and declining revenues, it’s going to be challenging to find ways to maintain our level of services, but we’ll find ways to do so without having to raise taxes. WHY YOU? Experience, integrity, and common sense. I’ve been a Commerce Township trustee for 15 years, and I’ve served the residents on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 14 years. I am the board liaison for the Commerce Township Library. I’m a business owner running a successful business. I want to maintain having one of the lowest tax rates in Oakland County while providing quality services and maximizing our tax dollars. I work well with the current board and we work well together for the best interests of all the residents.

PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: It’s a top priority for Commerce Township to purchase the entire property. We should be able to do so with the funding we have from the open space and parks millage plus any potential credits available to us from the state and other grants. I would like to see the property remain recreational with minimal development, but using developments to meet the state’s requirements for us to be able to purchase that at the lowest possible price. LIBRARY: I’m thrilled with the progress the township has made. When we decided to create our own library and people had to stop using West Bloomfield’s and Walled Lake’s libraries, many people were upset. Now, we hear nothing but accolades as we are moving forward with putting together more programs for children and adults. We’re increasing the availability of technology and making more library services available from your home computer. We have now been recognized by the state as a full-blown approved library and now have availability with the MichiCard to use other libraries throughout the state. BUDGET: If revenues are going to continue to decline, we need to make cuts to stay within the revenues. We need to review all our contracts, fee schedules that we have with consultants, look to see if there’s any duplication of services, and look for any other consolidations (that can be done). We have to be creative, do whatever is possible to maintain

PROUD LAKE REC. AREA LAND: I agree with all the trustees and Supervisor Tom Zoner on this. We’ve been working with him over the last four years representing the township and getting data on that area, going to Lansing and testifying at the DNR and the state Legislature and getting the DNR to sell it to us. We think it should be sold to us. The millage for open land was passed a number of years ago and I think that money can be used to outright purchase it. The idea would then be to protect the north side and keep it natural. There’s natural historical sites such as Indian trails and that should be preserved. Maybe we can put in a nature trail. The south side should be cleaned up and have some softball and soccer fields put there to alleviate congestion from the Dodge Park area, which I support, so there’s not many games going on and impacting the ability to get around in Dodge Park. I would work to develop a nature or training center for things such as archery for kids. I also think the south side could be redeveloped where they repair the dam and bring back the lake. We could work with the DNR to create a fishery and teach the kids how to fish. I brought that up with the fishery people in Lansing and they think it’s a great idea where you can do somePAGE 25 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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for the township to acquire and control the entire parcel that’s been offered to us. I think the way we’re going to fund that is (in line with) the original intent of the open space millage, and I would encourage the township board to secure as much of that millage as possible to set it aside for the acquisition and for whatever development that may be required from the DNR to finalize the deal. I would like this land to be used for low-intensity uses — not that I object to partnerships, but I’m very cautious about entering into any, especially with the county, where they would introduce very high-intensity uses. LIBRARY: I’m extremely pleased with how the library has turned out for Commerce residents. I think this was a classic Commerce project, and I say that because we asked the residents first for their approval in the direction through a library millage that got the funding started. I think that we’ve found creative ways to get a building in place in cooperation with the DDA. Although people were dissatisfied with how quickly we got the library in operation in five months, we did it on time and under budget. The usage from the onset has been extremely high and the way we’ve been able to deliver the service has been very economical. The value we’ve been able to offer with the low cost is also classic Commerce, that we’re able to get the highest value for the lowest amount of money. I couldn’t be any happier with how all this turned out. We have some decisions to make and we again need to go back to our fundamental ways in which the Commerce board chooses to do business, and that is not to spend money foolishly on a building that may only have a life span of only three to five years. I think you’ll continue to see library services offered to residents within the normal fiscal responsibility that we do everything else. BUDGET: We will hold the township supervisor accountable for mid-year evaluations that were promised to us when the budget was enacted. We will make adjustments, if we need to, as we go into our budgeting cycle. Instead of looking at a lump sum budget like we have in the past, I think with reduced property values, reduction in state-shared revenues and with an overall eye of saving the Commerce residents some money, we need to do a line-by-line review of the revenues and expenditures of the township. We need to do some contract evaluation and take a look at professional services, which is something that we haven’t done in quite awhile, although I believe we get good value with the group we do employ and from our attorney and our engineering services.

Daniel P. Munro is director of technology projects for Research Federal Credit Union. He has been a Commerce trustee since 1992, and has been appointed to the township's Planning Commission and Election Commission.

Rick Sovel is an independent insurance agent and insurance counselor. He has served on the township board since 1992, and is a member of the community's Zoning Board of Appeals.

I think we need to consolidate buying power for commodities — things like paper, ink, computers, printers, copiers, and different office commodities. We can get together with Walled Lake and Wolverine Lake and buy that in bulk and save some money that way. TOP ISSUES: The three most important issues moving forward in the township are prudently managing the debt that the township has incurred for infrastructure. We’ve incurred debt for the expansion of the sewer treatment plant to allow for the issuance of Part 41 permits to continue the growth and development of the township. We have incurred debt from the DDA to allow us to get a return on our investment in the plans that are currently under way. The second most important thing is to continue to look toward smart public services in a way that we can provide the things that are necessary for police, fire and other services, in the economical way that Commerce has always been able to offer those; and to continue to keep Commerce among the communities with the lowest millage rates in the entire county. In combination with those two things is a close eye on budget management. As other communities have had to cut back, lay off and reduce services and are more in a crisis management mode, we find ourselves recently receiving ratings from Standard and Poor’s that have actually elevated our credit ratings in a tier of municipalities that is among the top in all the state of Michigan. WHY YOU? I think I’m a good choice for Commerce residents because we operate the township like a business, where we continually have to look at our revenues vs. our expenses and find the best way to provide services to our residents at the lowest possible cost. I have been able to assist the township over the last 16 years in maintaining one of the lowest millage rates in the county. I have assisted in the decisionmaking that has resulted in one of the highest credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s for the prudent fiscal management of our budget. I try to keep in mind that we truly

work for the residents to provide them services and spend the money that they contribute to the operation of the township through taxes to the highest use and give them the best for their value. My experience on the Planning Commission has given me an opportunity to monitor the growth and development within the township. My experience working with the union negotiations has given me a unique perspective into the people that we employ to provide those services to township residents.

RANDY STON

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EXPERIENCE! The reason so many judges have endorsed David Carl Anderson to be your next Oakland County Circuit Court Judge. THE ONLY JUDICIAL CANDIDATE WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF TRIAL-TESTED COURT ROOM EXPERIENCE! CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES

David Carl

ANDERSON For Circuit Court

Judge

Vote November 4, 2008 for David Carl Anderson for Circuit Court

JUDGE

OAKLAND COUNTY Hon. James M. Alexander Hon. Martha D. Anderson Hon. Steven N. Andrews Hon. Leo Bowman Hon. Rae Lee Chabot Hon. Mark Goldsmith Hon. Linda S. Hallmark, Probate Hon. Cheryl A. Matthews Hon. Fred M. Mester Hon. Denise Langford-Morris Hon. Rudy J. Nichols Hon. Colleen A. O’Brien Hon. Daniel Patrick O’Brien Hon. Wendy L. Potts, Chief Judge Hon. Edward Sosnick Hon. Joan E. Young MACOMB COUNTY Hon. James M. Biernat Hon. Richard L. Caretti, Chief Judge Hon. Peter J. Maceroni

Hon. Antonio P. Viviano Hon. David F. Viviano Hon. Tracey A. Yokich WAYNE COUNTY Hon. Susan D. Borman Hon. Michael J. Callahan Hon. William Callahan Hon. Gershwin A. Drain Hon. William J. Giovan, Chief Judge Hon. Warfield Moore, Jr. Hon. John A. Murphy Hon. Michael F. Sapala Hon. Richard M. Skutt Hon. Jeanne Stempien Hon. Isidore Torres Hon. Robert L. Ziolkowski

DISTRICT COURT JUDGES Hon. Michelle Friedman Appel, 45B Hon. Laura Cheger Barnard, 71A Hon. Robert M. Bondy, 52-1 Hon. James B. Brady, 47th

Rob

TRUSTEE COMMERCE TWP.

C C C C C C C

Family Farmer Integrity Frugal Common Sense Long-Term Foresight Strong Community Ties Baccalaureate Degree, M.S.U.

RETIRED JUDGES Hon. Edward Avadenka Hon. Harold M. Bulgarelli Hon. Gus Cifelli Hon. Stephen C. Cooper Hon. Louis E. Fairbrother Hon. William P. Hampton Hon. Barry L. Howard Hon. Norman L. Lippitt Hon. Francis X. O’Brien Hon. Gene Schnelz Hon. Deborah G. Tyner

Please visit my website: www.DavidCarlAndersonForJudge.com

Paid for by the Committee to Elect David Carl Anderson for Oakland County Circuit Court Judge 32400 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 104, Bingham Farms, MI 48025

LONG

Hon. Dennis C. Drury, 52-4 Hon. Kelley R. Kostin, 52-2 Hon. Michael S. Maceroni, 41A Hon. Michael C. Martinez, 50th Hon. Michael A. Martone, 52-4 Hon. Phyllis C. McMillen, 51st Hon. Julie A. Nicholson, 52-3 Hon. Marla E. Parker, 47th Hon. Dennis N. Powers, 52-1 Hon. Cynthia Thomas Walker, 50th

Elect

RANDY STON COMMERCE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Randy brings a fresh face and new attitude to the Commerce Township board. Randy brings the experience needed to help this Township through these hard times. Randy will work for you to: •Assure that Commerce Township is a great place to live, work & play •Make sure every citizen’s voice is heard •Watch the budget so that your taxes are spent wisely, not increased •Preserve our parks and open spaces •Support our fire, police and emergency medical services

RANDY STON

FOR

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

REPUBLICAN

DEMOCRAT

Paid for by Robert J. Long Committee, 1342 Commerce Rd., Commerce, MI 48382

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Randy Ston, 1034 Sherbrooke, Commerce, MI 48382

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

CITY OF WALLED LAKE

NOTICE OF ELECTION

Commerce trustee ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 23

thing that you normally would have to go to a rural area to do. LIBRARY: I really support the library. They’re very important to the community. It’s not just books on a shelf, it’s about bringing our kids and our grandkids to a place they can help us seek out the knowledge and information that we want. There has to be programs for retired folks and and a way to bring in people from finance and mortgages like other centers do. It’s a place where you exchange knowledge and ideas. I remember being kicked out of West Bloomfield and being told “You better set up your own,” when there was a transition. Our librarians should set up relationships with other libraries in the area, in the country, universities, colleges and foreign countries. I support it and we should expand it and I want some stability. BUDGET: I have quite a bit of experience with governmental budgets. I think the process has to be changed. No. 1, I think we need a five-year budgetary plan which is reviewed every year. The budget reflects your goals and priorities. We also need to accept the government accounting board’s standards, which is highly recommended. Before you make any decisions about cuts, you have to know how much you have and how much it’s worth. So we need people internally at the township with volunteers externally to do a very specific audit of what we have, how much it’s worth, what’s the life-span of everything, set up a replacement schedule, estimates of costs, and then you determine what you do. It’s easy to say cut the budget, but you do it under a rational approach of what we’re trying to accomplish. The first thing is not to cut the staff, they’re very important in knowing what’s involved in the daily process of what’s going on. The other thing we need to do when we’re spending money is know how much added value is there to the community? For every dollar we put in, how much is created? Oakland County and Oakland Community College are experimenting with a system to document this. It’s an outfit called Economic Modeling Specialists Inc., and they use about 20 different economic indicators. We know we put about $26.8 million into the local community, and we put in three extra dollars for every dollar generated. We’re going to have to work with the employees at the college who have infinite knowledge of what’s going on. TOP ISSUES: Ultimately, it ends up being the budget and that is a result of whatever else you’re going to do. We have to eliminate what is causing gridlock. The main thing we’re going to have to do is re-establish the value of everybody’s property; 80 percent of what’s in Commerce is private homes and small

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Election will be held in the City of Walled Lake, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 The polls will be open at 7:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. At the polling places listed below:

Randy Ston is a member of the Save Proud Lake Recreation Area for Commerce Board of Directors. He is a former Walled Lake Board of Education member and a professor of Criminology and Sociology at Oakland Community College.

businesses. We have to redevelop this area to increase the value. We can preserve our open spaces. The Oakland County Planning Commission said open spaces add $2.8 billion dollars to the tax roll. No. 2, we’re going to have to connect people by increasing ways of getting around this community without getting into an automobile. Since that South Commerce bike path went up, there’s different groups of people walking down it. We have to get together with the real estate people, small businesses and the chamber of commerce to develop a plan with subdivision associations and or homeowners to increase the value of this land. The gridlock is affecting the value of property. The budget is an end result, not the beginning. Every time we build more, it’s not increasing value for anyone, it’s adding costs. WHY YOU? It’s not a matter of choosing me over the opponent. The last thing anyone running for office should do is set up one person over the other. Looking at the history of all the other boards of trustees in general, I think we have an idea of which way we’re going. What I’m adding is an additional perspective and experience across a number of governmental areas, safety groups, and facility groups. I helped monitor millage uses for Walled Lake Schools and the $140 million dollar millage for Oakland Community College. I think I have a lot of experience monitoring the use of taxpayers’ money on an intimate basis and actually monitoring budgets. It’s more than going line-by-line. I think I have experience setting policies and the ability to not stick my nose in daily operations as if I was a supervisor. I also have the ability to deal with people with different points of view and have shown the ability to represent the community in Lansing. I’ve worked with our local legislators, Nancy Cassis and David Law, and the DNR directors in promoting our interests. If I’m elected, I’m going to work with the other trustees. I know what it’s like when you have board members with different points of view who can’t work together to include different points of view. I have over 40 years of doing this. ❏

Precincts #1 and #2 – Walled Lake Fire Station 1499 E. West Maple Rd. Walled Lake, MI 48390 ALL OF THE POLLING PLACES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO VOTERS WHO ARE HANDICAPPED. Voting instructions in alternative formats (Braille and audio) are available at the precincts, as well as an Automark Voter Assist Terminal that is available for any electors who are disabled and wish to use this unit. Electors may also request instructions in an alternative format prior to the election from the City Clerk’s Office. An elector who is blind, disabled or unable to read or write may be assisted with his or her ballot by any person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs. THE ELECTION IS BEING HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THE FOLLOWING: NATIONAL

President and Vice President

CONGRESSIONAL

United States Senator and Representative in Congress

LEGISLATIVE

Representative in State Legislature

STATE

Two Members of the State Board of Education, Two Members of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Two Members of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, Two Members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors

COUNTY

County Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Drain Commissioner and County Commissioner

JUDICIAL

One Justice of Supreme Court, Three Judges of Court of Appeals – 2nd District (Incumbent Position), One Judge of Court of Appeals – 2nd District (Incumbent Position, Partial Term), Five Judges of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit (Incumbent Position), Two Judges of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit (Non-Incumbent Position), One Judge of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit (Incumbent Position, Partial Term), One Judge of Probate Court (Non-Incumbent Position), One Judge of District Court – 52nd District, 1st Division (Incumbent Position)

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Board Members, Walled Lake Consolidated School District One Board Member, Walled Lake Consolidated School District (Partial Term)

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Two Board of Trustees Members One Board of Trustees Member (Partial Term)

AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL(S): STATE PROPOSAL 08-1

A legislative initiative to permit the use and cultivation of marijuana for specified medical conditions

STATE PROPOSAL 08-2

A proposal to amend the State Constitution to address human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research in Michigan

COUNTY PROPOSAL

A proposed modification to the Oakland County Merit System covering the Employees of the County of Oakland that updates the system from its original 1966 version as explained by County Resolution #08119

CATHERINE BUCK, CITY CLERK

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF COMMERCE 2840 Fisher Avenue, Commerce Township, MI 48390 248.960.7020

ABSENTEE BALLOT NOTICE To the Qualified Electors of the Charter Township of Commerce, the last day to apply for ABSENTEE BALLOTS for the Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Election is: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 The Charter Township of Commerce Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Electors who wish to receive an Absent Voter Ballot for the Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Election by mail must submit Absent Voter Ballot applications by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Sandra S. Abrams, MMC, Clerk Charter Township of Commerce SC: 10-22-08

SC: 10-22-08

CITY OF WALLED LAKE

ABSENTEE BALLOTS NOTICE To the qualified electors of the City of Walled Lake, the last day to apply for ABSENTEE BALLOTS for the November 4, 2008 Election is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 The City Clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. After 2:00 p.m. of that date, no further mail applications will be accepted. CATHERINE BUCK, CITY CLERK CITY OF WALLED LAKE SC: 10-22-08

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide

West Bloomfield Supervisor Democrat Michele Economou and Republican Jeff Matte are competing in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the West Bloomfield Township supervisor position. The township supervisor serves a four-year term and is paid an annual salary of $109,347. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates and their responses. BUDGET: What specific changes in township spending would you advocate to address recent budgetary challenges? REDEVELOPMENT: Please state why you do or don’t believe the township is adequately prepared to deal with various redevelopment issues. What would you like to see in the way of new developments on previously developed sites? ROAD ISSUES: What road improvements should be priorities in the township, and what would you do to make sure they are addressed? State why you do or don’t believe the township should reassess its opposition to the widening of Haggerty Road. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the township at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

MICHELE ECONOMOU BUDGET: My focus is on revitalizing the community and focusing on redevelopment of Orchard Lake Road. A lot of the strip malls on Orchard Lake have some vacancies and we need to attract some nation retail chains to that area to boost our revenue base. I’d also like to focus on some other opportunities. As you’ve probably noticed, HBO is looking at filming in West Bloomfield and that could generate $6 million to $8 million in revenue. Secondly, I’ve already talked to some area township supervisors about possibilities regarding cutting-edge recycling technology that can generate up to $2 million in annual revenue. I’d like to focus on developing a robust green initiative. I can’t get into specifics with regard to the actual product, but the recycling technology doesn’t involve incineration. There are some opportunities with our fleet vehicles. The fuel costs in the township are pretty high and there would be some significant opportunities to reduce there. REDEVELOPMENT: Redevelopment is my focus. Since we have Old Orchard Mall 78 percent unoccupied, we can focus our energies there. I would like to attract some national chains to the area. We have the finest staff available. Our boards and commissions are staffed. We have our existing Master Plan and we’re due for another Master Plan. We spent a lot of money on exam-

Michele Economou is president and owner of Professionally Yours. She is a former vice president of Simons-White. Economou is a member of the West Bloomfield Optimist Club, and the West Bloomfield and Chaldean chambers of commerce.

Jeff Matte has been a West Bloomfield police officer since 1984. He is a member of the Oakland County Coordinated Council on Domestic Violence Board of Directors and a founding member of the Oakland County Fatality Review Team.

ining how to rezone and how to develop a downtown area in the last five years and it simply hasn’t happened. ROAD ISSUES: It would be difficult to bring in businesses and redevelop the area unless we improve Orchard Lake Road. It’s the major gateway to our community, the No. 1 traveled road in the township and the third most traveled in the county. I’d prioritize widening and resurfacing Orchard Lake Road. I would lobby the road commission and area legislators. I travel Haggerty Road and I think it’s sufficient. TOP ISSUES: I would have to say roads, improvements to Orchard Lake Road; and revitalization of businesses on Orchard Lake Road to be able to create some more movement with homes sales, as well. Then it’s improvement internally. We need to be able to do more with less. I worked as as business system expert for the automotive industry. I’ve learned how to drive out waste and inefficiency. Government is a large bureaucracy and there’s a lot of room to free up capital and attack waste. Implementing proven business tools and techniques in the public sector is critical. It’s ripe for a business system expert like myself to be able to get in and implement some process improvements and streamline — for one the building permit process. We’ve been hearing a lot of complaints about the lengthy permit process. WHY YOU? I have proven leadership experience and worked as a representative for the entire automotive industry, and bent over backwards to serve all the members of the industry in an ultra-technical capacity. I worked as vice president of a statistical consulting company to implement transformation programs that saved millions of dollars. We need to use proven business tools and techniques and I’ve worked with clients in a four-month consulting capacity and saved them over half a million dollars. I know how to find the waste internally. I excel at building strategic relationships and partnerships. I think a township supervisor is a leadership role and it’s all about compassion,

character and willingness to work hard on behalf of residents.

JEFF MATTE

BUDGET: We’re going to have to do a better job controlling our budgets. There’s a number of things I know will work in the police and fire departments. There are probably some other areas in building and assessing that we can address, as well. I would like more police officers on the road. I’d like to see us with a parking enforcement unit. That tends to be a revenue generator. It could handle handicap and other parking issues that officers just don’t have time for. They’re not full-time people, and we don’t have to do the whole benefit package for them. Also, with the court system, we need to talk with the court and the other jurisdictions about having an afternoon docket. We spent an inordinate amount of overtime paying our officers on the afternoon and midnight shift to come in for court. The fire department is another area; the amount of fuel they go through, and the amount of fuel the police department goes through. We need to start turning the township more green. We just started doing some recycling at the township level. I’d like to see us do more and start looking at electric vehicles for some of the people doing the running around, like the assessing office. I would hate to see us cut any of the services. I don’t think we have any pork barrel or fat in the township. I’m sure there are ways to streamline some things. The unions understand we’re in contract negotiations. I think it would be a huge cost advantage if the township can get health care costs down. We want to give our people a good package, but we also want to be fair to the residents. REDEVELOPMENT: We have the Plum Market coming into the Old Orchard center. That’s going to be a big boost, but there are still other spaces that need to be filled. We need to find out why these people are leaving. I think the township as a whole isn’t conducive at all to a downtown area. If I see on the plans how they are going to

do it and it makes sense, then that’s fine. We need to get stores like Target and Costco in our area. We need to support what we have. We need to look and see if we can get another auto dealership, maybe. ROAD ISSUES: Orchard Lake Road is our main thoroughfare and Maple is our main east-west thoroughfare. Maple needs to be widened. We also need more north-south roads widened, be it Drake or Farmington Road. We need to be on top of the the road commission. They need to fix the drains along Orchard Lake and other roads. They’re usually totally clogged with leaves, sticks, and all kinds of things. That usually causes water to back up and it undermines the roads. That’s usually where we see holes is by one of those grates. Haggerty Road should probably be looked at it. We should do some traffic studies there. With the connector going in a lot of the Haggerty traffic has slowed down but it’s still very busy. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is crime. We need to get more patrolmen on the road. We need to put our arms around community policing. If you feel comfortable going home, you talk to people about it and then you talk to other people about it and West Bloomfield is known as a wonderful place to live. The second issue is roads. All of that has to do with how we address the people that are controlling that. We need to be hands-on with the road commission. Could we take care of our own roads and deal with it in a better fashion than the road commission? If it’s not cost-effective, then we won’t do that. The third thing is going green. We do have two recycling events a year. If you’ve ever been to one you know people are turned away. We need to maybe have four a year. We maybe need to have some other dropoff areas. We need to look at electric vehicles for some of the day-to-day stuff, more flex fuel, or going to hybrids. If we can put solar panels on top of town hall, if it’s cost-effective, then we should do that. If we can put a wind mill out there, we should do that. WHY YOU? If either of us gets in, there’s going to be positive changes. My mantra is not just change, but positive change. We need to move forward. I think where I have more experience than Michele is in the police and fire and water department and the building department. I know the infrastructure. I’ve worked with these people for 24 years. I know where we need the changes. Michele is going to have a lot more experience in some of the statistical things. If I were to win, I would probably try and get Michele on my team to do something because I like a lot of the things she’s said. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

West Bloomfield Treasurer Republican Jason Feld and Democrat Teri Adelberg Weingarden will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for the West Bloomfield Township treasurer position. The township treasurer serves a four-year term and is currently paid $106,224 annually. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. RATE OF RETURN: What kind of investments is the township currently using? What’s the township’s current rate of return on short and longer term investments? How, if at all, can those returns be improved? CDARS PROPOSAL: Michigan lawmakers are considering a Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) bill to make changes in the way public funds are spread around various depositories. What’s your take on the need for changes in that system, and on the CDARS proposal itself? BUDGET: Oakland County is projecting declines in taxable property value over the next few years. What specific changes in township spending would you advocate to address the revenue dilemma? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the township, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

JASON FELD

RATE OF RETURN: We’re investing in CDs, treasuries, agencies, and commercial paper. The last board report I believe was around 3.75 (percent) net. The treasurer doesn’t control the rate of return. We’re guided by Public Act 20, which restricts the types of investments a treasurer can use. Really, the most important aspect of the treasurer job is safety and that’s what my goal would be as treasurer, to invest in investments that are safe. CDARS PROPOSAL: I support the CDARS program. It’s a very effective tool. It’s a program that allows us to put money into local banks and divides those funds among other banks. So if you put $1 million dollars in, it divides that by 10 banks so it’s fully insured. It’s a great resource for us to use local banks and allows those banks to reinvest it into the local economy. BUDGET: By 2011, we’re expecting a $2 million budget shortfall. I have a lot of experience in accounting and finance, working at the Farbman Group as a corporate controller for the last five years, working in accounting and finance for the last 16 years. We can’t add an additional tax burden on our taxpayers. We need to look at ways we can lower costs and make sure our services are at where they currently are. I wouldn’t support any changes in our police and fire. For our non-essen-

Jason Feld has been a corporate controller for The Farbman Group for the last five years, with a total of 16 years of experience in finance and accounting.

tial services, we need to look at how we should re-engineer that so they fit our new needs as a community for potential redevelopment opportunities. TOP ISSUES: My goal is to set the township up for success so it’s a smooth transition. (Current Treasurer) Denise Hammond has done a wonderful job; she’s one of the best treasurers in the state, if not the country. I’m very happy both Denise and Susan Hawkinson have endorsed me. The second issue is our continuing budget deficit in 2011. We need to look at what we can do to continue our high quality services for residents without increasing the financial responsibilities. Our budget is not that high and this is a significant deficit. This is not acceptable. My third major issue is we can work a lot more with electronic transactions, including electronic banking. This would help us decrease costs and increase services. We need to act as an advocate for the people, make sure the tax dollars are used wisely and make sure we get the maximum benefit for every dollar. WHY YOU? I’m not going to make any secret promises that can’t be discussed. I believe in an open government. I’m not going to have office hours once a month. I’m going to have office hours everyday. I’m going to be 100 percent accessible. If someone wants to reach me today, they can call me. My phone number is 248302-3377. They can also contact me at my website at votefeld.com. You can also e-mail me at [email protected]. I have the experience for this job. I’ve been working in accounting and finance for over 16 years. The last five years, I’ve been the corporate controller with the Farbman Group, the largest privately held real estate company in Michigan. Our revenues exceed $25 million a year. I have a bachelor’s in public administration and a master’s in accounting. I close our monthly financials. I do cash forecasting, and monthly projections. I’m very dedicated to the community.

Teri Adelberg Weingarden has worked as a European pricing coordinator for the UNISYS finance department, and a change management and knowledge management consultant for EDS and Andersen Consulting. She has been president of the Cumberland Common Homeowner Association since 2001.

TERI ADELBERG WEINGARDEN

RATE OF RETURN: Actually the answers Mr. Feld gave were correct. Mainly what we’ve been investing in is CDs because they are very liquid. We need to make sure money is liquid so we can pay our bills and our salaries. The rate of return is not something we can really affect. Luckily, Ms. Hammond has done an amazing job on her investments and outperformed portfolios that have every available option to them. It shows if you’re smart with the way you invest while you’re being safe, you can make some pretty good revenues. CDARS PROPOSAL: It’s important that we’re investing in very safe banking institutions and we know that they’re going to be there in the future. Banks haven’t been very safe as of late. Now we’re seeing the government get involved. You want to make sure you have some diversity and the institutions you’re dealing with are local and sound. I’d have to sit down and speak with people that knew every single detail, but on the larger scale it sounds like it makes sense. BUDGET: People are worried the answer is going to be raising taxes or severely cutting services. I have a different approach. I’ve been brought into billiondollar companies to help them make changes that improve efficiencies, customer service and generate revenue. In West Bloomfield, the departments are very siloed. We have all these departments that at one point weren’t even allowed to speak to each other. As you work together and do a process flow and see how departments integrate, you’re going to find the ways people work together. There’s going to be some duplication that can be cut, which saves time and eventually money. You will improve customer service. We’ve also been talking about moving the township to a computer software package. The Treasurer’s Office is already using it, but other departments are talking about moving to that package which

means we’ll have an easier flow of information across the board. That will also improve savings. I’ve been looking at moving the township toward group purchasing power. It’s a little early in the process to talk about. Some of it is confidential. The bottom line is I’m looking at different ways to take some things we’re already paying for and improve service without increasing cost. I’m not looking to raise taxes. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is fiscal responsibility and safety. We want to make sure we’re using safe local banks and dispersing money in manners that protect our assets. The main goal is to keep our money liquid and safe. We need to make sure we have process improvement in town hall, share recourses, work together, find inefficiencies and improve the processes. Another area that’s important is the environment. I’m already looking into some innovative ways to continue to save West Bloomfield’s natural resources. That’s one of my confidential things — I had to agree on some (nondisclosures) on some things I’m investigating, so I’m not at liberty to talk in great detail. We need to look at keeping West Bloomfield a clean and safe environment. We also have to make sure we’re recycling in an intelligent way. No. 3 is the reason I ran, which is customer service. I think it’s really important for people to understand that when you run for office you’re a civil servant. You serve the public. It’s not the other way around. I will make sure I’m knowledgeable and continue training and challenge myself so I can provide the best service and I make sure I’m saving money. I’m probably going to have a Tuesdays with the Treasurer so people can meet with me. I want people who are having problems to feel comfortable coming to me. WHY YOU? I’m very committed and entrenched in West Bloomfield. I’ve been here since age 5. I went and worked abroad for a while came back here and got a master’s from Wayne State University. I’ve done volunteer work in the community for many years. I have a track record of excellence. I’ve always been an overachiever. When I worked for Unisys in the Africa-Europe Division, I was in the marketing department and an opening came up in the finance department. I went to the head of our department and said “I can do this job.” I ended up becoming our pricing coordinator for all of Europe and Scandinavia. I will go beyond the call of duty everyday. I know I have the experience to do this. I have a deep understanding of finance and I’ve also worked in every other area. I’ve done marketing, business consulting and training and development. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide

West Bloomfield Trustees Democrats Larry Brown, Gene Farber, Steve Kaplan, and Howard Rosenberg; and Republican John Cyrus Mohyi will square off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for four West Bloomfield Township trustee positions. Township trustees serve four-year terms and are currently paid $125 per meeting attended. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: What changes in township budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with recent budgetary challenges? ROAD MILLAGE: It has been suggested that the township explore the collection of a road millage so the township can maintain its own roadways, rather than depend entirely on the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC). What’s your stance on the need for a township property tax to tackle road maintenance chores? BOARD RELATIONS: The township board has been deeply divided and become notorious for members engaging in uncivil confrontations. Do you see the divisiveness as cases of partisan politics or personality clashes? Please explain how you plan to effectively serve the township when you find yourself and other board members on the opposite side of an issue? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the township at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

LARRY BROWN

BUDGET: What needs to happen is you turn to your department heads and tell them, “Here’s X number of dollars you have to spend and you find the best way to spend it.” It’s difficult for a board to determine what the most critical services are to maintain. I can’t tell you what their manpower or their equipment needs will be. Budgeting is about dollars and sense. You have to let the department heads and their people figure out what is important and what the necessary services are to be maintained for the community. ROAD MILLAGE: There are a lot of people out there who have lost their jobs and their benefits, so putting another tax on them is not what I want to be doing. Many of the subdivision and condominium associations have agreed to pay assessments for their own roads. (A road millage) would be unjustly levied against people who have already paid to have their roads taken care of in their subdivisions, and they would be paying twice on taxes. The main roads are really some of

Larry Brown was a certified public accountant for 25 years, and was an owner and managing director of Burnstein, Morris & Brown, PC (now Morris, Kalish & Walgren). He served as a West Bloomfield Planning Commission member from 1996 until 2002

Gene Farber is a West Bloomfield planning commissioner and a private-practice attorney. He has been a member of the township's Amendment Committee.

the problems, especially Orchard Lake Road, which was promised to be fixed for decades now. We need to be more stern with Oakland County and negotiate better with them because the condition of Orchard Lake Road is having an effect on the businesses there. BOARD RELATIONS: We’ve all been watching the TV and it’s sometimes deplorable to see what is happening within our board. The board really needs to have more respect for each other and the community and try to bring some professionalism. I’m not sure if it’s partisan all the time. I think there are things that happen that seem to be partisan. I think a township board member outside a meeting being disrespectful to any resident is inexcusable behavior. I think that with some of the issues, the edge could be taken off before the meeting even starts. There are times when I feel these board meetings go way too long and people get tired and tempers flare. They need to address the issues, stay focused, give short answers and respect the people who come in there to say their piece. TOP ISSUES: I think the first issue is the roads. It needs to be addressed sooner than later, especially the condition of Orchard Lake Road and the construction of other main arteries within our community. The second is when we are talking about issues, we need to look at how people approach our board and have them feel comfortable to bring issues and feel that they not going to be attacked or ridiculed and told that their issue isn’t important enough or that their voice doesn’t have any impact at all. We all need to have an open mind and be respectful of our citizens at all times. The third issue is bringing business to this community. We talked to many businesses and many people young and old would rather have their businesses here locally.

WHY YOU? I’ve been a resident here for 22 years and I have four generations of my family living here. One of the things I’ve done in the over 15 years I’ve volunteered for this community is I’ve tried to help out where there have been problems between factions. I’ve received the volunteer service award from the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been serving on numerous other boards within the community. I’ve been involved with Temple Israel, B’nai B’rith, juvenile diabetes, and I’ve been on many, many boards and continue to be a member. Being a retired CPA with over 35 years of experience, I bring a multitude of reason to the board. I know how to do budgeting and negotiating, and I’ve sat on boards of directors for many years. I think that with my life experience I will hopefully bring a positive position to the board and help the community I love and will continue to live in until the day I die.

GENE FARBER

BUDGET: There are processes that we can look at. For example, I get a lot of mail while serving on the Planning Commission; and maybe that could be sent by e-mail. We could consolidate services with Orchard Lake and Keego Harbor, but I want West Bloomfield in control because we are the largest community. If we can save money by providing services for them, I’m all for it. We have to review everything in the budget from top to bottom. ROAD MILLAGE: The biggest problem is Orchard Lake Road. Everyone knows that. Even if we wanted to have a road millage, there’s no way we can raise enough revenue. The voters are not going to approve a wider-scale tax in this economy. BOARD RELATIONS: I’m concerned about what the new board does, so can I work with other board members who disagree with me? Based on my history with the

Planning Commission, my answer would be yes. The commission is split with Republicans and Demo-crats; we have men, women, and all religions. We are all civil; that’s how I run the commission and that’s how I would be as a board member. TOP ISSUES: I think revitalizing the Orchard Lake/Maple area is very important. If we have mixed-use there, we can bring in new residents and help stabilize the tax base if the properties improve. We’re aggressively seeking out developers for those parcels and the downtown development area. The second major issue is the budget crunch that is ongoing because of the structure of how townships and cities are financed. There are lots of items we can look at streamlining and work on with other cities. The third issue is the roads. We should do whatever we can as township officials to bring pressure to bear on the Road Commission for Oakland County. WHY YOU? I have lived in the commun-ity for 30 years and have participated. I have been on the Planning Commission for the past seven years. I have ideas such as implementing the DDA and the overlay district. I have served as the liaison for the township to the Huron River Watershed Council. Based on my experience — what I’ve done and what I plan on doing — I would ask for people’s support in the election.

STEVE KAPLAN

BUDGET: There are really three main issues. First, with declining revenues, a municipality needs to spend less without cutting essential services. Secondly, it has to be more effective in terms of money not being used wastefully; and thirdly, potentially generating additional revenues. There might be building naming rights where revenues could be generated, or joint ventures with other municipalities like Keego Harbor or Orchard Lake with the building department or the environmental department. ROAD MILLAGE: Bloomfield Township has its own Department of Public Works that maintains the roads, and it’s my understanding that the residents are very satisfied with those services because it’s a local government that is accountable. Had this question been posed five to 10 years ago, I think all of us would be in favor of that suggestion. But at this juncture, I don’t think the public can deal with increased taxes. We can be more efficient in dealing with petitioning and lobbying the RCOC, and asking our state legislators to help accelerate the process. The township has tried Tri-party funding in PAGE 29 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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terms of accelerating the schedule for maintaining and repairing roads. BOARD RELATIONS: I served on the board from 2000 to 2004. I had 100percent attendance at the regular board meetings. I was able to interact well with all board members, regardless of partisan leanings. When there was a vacancy after (former Trustee) Larry Horn died, I was supported by the three Republicans on the board, despite the fact that I’m a Democrat. That shows that I can get along with anyone on the board. In my view, there is excessive bickering, pettiness, and divisiveness on this board and it affects the performance. When you have personality problems and difficulties, you’re not making the best decisions. It’s a bad reflection on the township. Many people watch Channel 18 because they find the board meetings to be entertaining. I don’t think people in our community should be talking about the board meetings being entertaining. We need to treat people courteously and respectfully. When disagreeing with a resident, a board member should listen carefully, honor that person’s thoughts and if so, disagree in a respectful way. We are there to listen and to let that person know that his concerns are at least being understood. If we vote against that person, we can do so in a courteous way. TOP ISSUES: The global issue is of course the budget. I see three subissues in terms of passing a budget which enables us, with less money, to provide essential services in a capable and efficient way. No. 1 is the way the board meetings are run. We have waste at the board level in terms of inefficient meetings, and poor decisions being made because meetings are too long and too divisive. The second issue is the roads. Orchard Lake Road is the gateway to West Bloomfield. It’s the third mostused road in Oakland County. When you have it full of potholes, where people are afraid to drive on it out of fear of wrecking their vehicles and needing new tires and wheels, it means you have less traffic and fewer people patronizing our stores. I think we can do a better job in terms of maintaining those roads in a prompter fashion with longer-lasting results. The third issue would be property values throughout the county. We have vacant buildings, just like every municipality, but we have some restaurants in prime locations which have been vacant. We have other buildings that are eyesores, that are blight. Our township can do better at working with developers and the chamber of commerce to find tenants. When you have a vacant building for a long period of time, you’re not generating any revenue, taxes or business

Steve Kaplan is an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Macomb County Prosecutor's office. He is a former West Bloomfield Township trustee, and a former trustee for the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education.

John Cyrus Mohyi served as class president during his sophomore and junior years at Andover High School. He is a precinct delegate.

and it looks bad. I’m not an expert on urban planning, but why not bring a P.F. Chang’s to West Bloomfield? Why not bring some other national chains? People would talk about it and it would create more vibrancy in our community. WHY YOU? I enjoy public service and my background exhibits that. (I have) 21 years of experience as a prosecutor, a job that I continue to hold and love. I’ve been a professor at Michigan State’s law school the past 11 years, served on a school board for eight years and served on the township board for four years. My wife is the director of Kids in Charge at West Bloomfield High School. We enjoy, love and want to contribute to this community in a positive way. And therefore, I would relish the opportunity to once again serve as township trustee for this very fine community.

something where we can interact with Oakland County, maybe a joint board of people who make decisions. The main thing I’m concerned about is competitive bidding on contracts. If we can make a road much cheaper by allowing a private company to build them instead of the road commission, I think that’s an option we should definitely explore. By having the power of our own to make that decision, I think we would be able to focus our attention on the roads that need to be focused on. Let’s face it, Oakland County is a huge area and they don’t have enough people to say this and this needs to be fixed up. By being in the township, we would have a more personalized understanding of what needs to be fixed. BOARD RELATIONS: To be honest, I think it’s a combination of both. I did observe, because I’ve been to a few of the meetings and I’ve watched them on TV, that it’s a power struggle. The individuals in power have gone on a little power trip, they think that they are in charge of everything and that no one has anything to say that’s important. As a leader, it’s your job to listen to the people that you represent and find the optimal decision you could possibly make in these situations. I don’t think that some of the individuals were best suited for the position and I think a major problem is that not enough people are really running for our local government and thus not giving the voters a good, high-quality selection of people. This has been demonstrated by the primary when every single incumbent got kicked off the ballot. Some call it a miracle. It’s completely ridiculous how they’ve been treating each other and a lot of the community members in West Bloomfield, and the people are sick of it. They got kicked off and they have no one to blame but themselves. We’re always going to find ourselves on the opposite side of an issue, and I think it comes down to being able to make compromises and really not seeing what is beneficial to me or them but to our community as a whole. If something is becoming too frustrating as a subject, I think it would be

JOHN CYRUS MOHYI

BUDGET: The first thing that comes to mind is one of my newest views — applying or migrating to new technologies which would reduce the cost expenditures in the township and greatly help us in improving productivity, efficiency and everything overall. Migrating to a cloud computing platform could theoretically save the township about a million dollars. It’s things like this that are critical in this day and age and by looking at this for the township, we don’t have to worry about having our own servers and we can actually have another company manage everything from a long distance away, so it decreases costs a ton. We have to be very cognizant with the way we’re taxing the people of West Bloomfield. The more we raise our taxes, the more people that are unable to pay and they move out of West Bloomfield, so we in turn decrease our tax base. Our No. 1 priority should be making West Bloomfield the most attractive place for a company to start up so we can increase our tax base and have more funds to work with in the township. ROAD MILLAGE: Initially when I was approached with a question similar to this, I said absolutely not. The township is not in a position where it can handle it. Then I also thought we could create

wise to cool down and delay the matter until another day so that we think with a cool head. When it comes down to it, we can’t be concerned with ourselves, we have to think of others. I know a lot of different people and made a lot of friends, and you’ll definitely have conflicts. But there’s different ways to resolve a dispute and I think with this group of people, the disputes we had in the past will not be as common. I will do my best to serve the community and look out for them. TOP ISSUES: One would be taxation. From the community, I’ve been hearing from a lot of people concerned about how the houses are being appraised and a lot of people are taking it to court and are very angry, because they believe their houses are assessed far more than they’re worth. A house five years ago worth $500,000 is not worth that today, and that’s something we definitely need to take a look at. We can’t burden the citizens of West Bloomfield, otherwise we’re going to lose more and more of our tax base. The second thing we definitely need to assess is runaway spending. We have to effectively spend our money. The township just can’t go ahead and not competitively bid contracts and expect the voters to pay for it. We have to get the best price for anything we do. We have to upgrade to technologies that are going to decrease our expenditures and make everything function more efficiently at the township level. The third thing would be increasing the standard of living for the citizens in West Bloomfield. That is the sole purpose of the board, to make sure the standard of living for its citizens is at its highest. We always have to be looking for new and innovative ways to address issues in the community and satisfy the citizens and make it the most attractive place for anyone to go to. I want West Bloomfield to have the best reputation around and honestly be the place to be if someone wants to move, which would raise property values because we’re in such demand. Those are the three major issues that come to mind and I hope to effectively address them in the best way possible. WHY YOU? I am a different breed of candidate. I have a pretty good technological understanding and I will be able to take approaches that they haven’t even considered. Cloud computing, my opponents probably would say “What is that?” although it could potentially save us over a million dollars. We have to take new and innovative ways to solve problems and I’m a very good critical thinker, that’s my strength. I think as an elected official, I can use that skill to make the community progress in ways it has never

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CITY OF WIXOM NOTICE OF ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 2008 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the Qualified Electors that a General Election will be held in the City of Wixom, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008. The polls will be open from 7 o’clock a.m. until 8 o’clock p.m. All polling places are handicap accessible and have Braille and audio versions of voting instructions available. Polling places are listed below: Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4

Wixom Community Center Wixom City Hall (Police Department Entrance) Wixom Community Center Wixom City Hall

49015 Pontiac Trail 49045 Pontiac Trail 49015 Pontiac Trail 49045 Pontiac Trail

The election is being held for the purpose of electing candidates of all participating political parties for the following offices: PRESIDENTIAL

President and Vice-President of the United States

CONGRESSIONAL

United States Senator, Representative in Congress (11th District)

LEGISLATIVE

Representative in State Legislature (38th District)

STATE BOARDS

Member of the State Board of Education, Regent of the University of Michigan, Trustee of Michigan State University, Governor of Wayne State University

COUNTY

County Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Drain Commissioner and County Commissioner (8th District)

JUDICIAL

Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of Court of Appeals (2nd District – Incumbent Position), Judge of Court of Appeals (2nd District – Incumbent Position, Partial Term Ending 01/01/2013), Judge of Circuit Court (6th Circuit – Incumbent Position), Judge of Circuit Court (6th Circuit – Non-Incumbent Position), Judge of Circuit Court (6th Circuit – Incumbent Position, Partial Term Ending 01/01/2013), Judge of Probate Court (Oakland County – Non-Incumbent Position), Judge of District Court (52-1st District – Incumbent Position)

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board Member, Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board Member (Partial Term Ending 01/01/2013)

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Oakland Community College Board of Trustees Member, Oakland Community College Board of Trustees Member (Partial Term Ending 01/01/2011)

And for the purpose of voting on the following Proposals, the full text of which can be obtained from the Wixom City Clerk’s Office: STATE PROPOSAL 08-1 A Legislative initiative to permit the use and cultivation of marijuana for specified medical conditions STATE PROPOSAL 08-2 A proposal to amend the State Constitution to address Human Embryo and Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Michigan COUNTY PROPOSAL A proposed modification to the Oakland County Merit System covering the employees of the County of Oakland that updates the system from its original 1966 version as explained by County Resolution #08119 CITY OF WIXOM PROPOSAL A Charter Amendment Proposal to Reauthorize Millage in the amount of 1.15 mills for 15 years (2011 through 2025) for routine and ongoing maintenance of local roads and streets under the jurisdiction of the City of Wixom CITY OF WIXOM PROPOSAL A Charter Amendment Proposal to authorize the levy of .30 mill for 15 years (2009 through 2023) for construction, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of bike paths and sidewalks under the jurisdiction of the City of Wixom County Treasurer’s Statement as Required by Act No. 92 of the Public Acts of 1933 as Amended I, Patrick M. Dohany, County Treasurer of the County of Oakland, State of Michigan, do hereby certify that according to the records in my office, as of October 13, 2008, the total of all voted increases in the tax rate limitation above the 18 mills established by Section 6 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 affecting taxable property in the City of Wixom, in said County, is as follows: Local Unit City of Wixom Walled Lake Consolidated School District County School District of Oakland County County of Oakland Oakland Community College

Voted Increase 1.15 1.08 .50 18.0 3.6483 .25 1.00 .80

Years Increase Effective 7-1-1996 to 7-1-2010 2007 - 2016 (Library) 2004-2013 Incl. 2006-2015 Incl. Unlimited 2002 to 2011 Incl. Unlimited 2002 to 2011 Inc.

Patrick M. Dohany, Treasurer, Oakland County Dated: October 13, 2008 Absentee ballots for this election can be obtained by contacting the Wixom City Clerk’s Office to request an application for an absent voter ballot or by sending a written request for a ballot to the Wixom City Clerk. Written requests must include the reason you are requesting an absentee ballot, as well as your name, the address where you reside, the address to which the ballot is to be sent if different than your home address, and your signature. The deadline to obtain an absentee ballot is 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Linda Kirby, City Clerk, City of Wixom 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393 (248) 624-4557 SC: 10-22-08

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dreamed of and we would be a leader in the state of Michigan by taking on various aspects that haven’t really been taken into consideration. For instance, Google Township was one of my ideas that I actually took from Peachtree City. It’s where they took a Google API plug-in and put it on their city website and they were able to use GSI data to create layers where citizens could be able to see where all the schools were, where maybe all the yard sales in West Bloomfield are, maybe see where all the foreclosure houses are, see where all of this different information is. That would definitely get us more involved with the community and would allow citizens to search for businesses and restaurants through the plug-in. These are the technologies and innovative approaches that are needed for the future. The world is changing at a very rapid pace. We need to keep up and I’m the man for the job when it comes to keeping up and being the most progressive candidate available.

HOWARD ROSENBERG BUDGET: One of the single biggest areas of budget costs are legacy costs for employees, which involve retiree health care and pension plans. Retiree health plans are something that can be looked at for a lot of savings. It’s difficult, because you’re talking about people’s health care and that’s not an easy project, but it needs to be looked at in coordination with the board, the unions, and management staff. The other main area of savings is coordination of services — not just with the other local municipalities, but with Walled Lake, Farmington, and Pontiac. We may be able to go as far as sharing certain backroom operations while maintaining control and doing what is in the best interests of our residents. The only way to really increase revenue is to find a way to stabilize home values. That happens by making your community a desirable place to live by coordinating with parks, libraries and schools for programs and economic development coordination to bring in businesses to fill up the stores that are empty and help the stores that are already here. ROAD MILLAGE: Any additional taxes are unacceptable and the RCOC hasn’t been as responsive as it should be to the township’s needs. They have not done a good enough job of managing Orchard Lake Road while waiting to do the major work they’re waiting to do. BOARD RELATIONS: I’ve shown over the past three years the ability to be demonstrate respectful conduct to others at all times and a high level of personal integrity. I’m proud of that. I believe there hasn’t been one commissioner that I haven’t disagreed with on the Parks and Recreation Commission, yet we’ve still found a way to bring together an agreement that works for everyone, including the commission and

Howard Rosenberg is a chiropractor, and has been the executive director of Sinai Hospital's physician organization and chief operating officer of the Carelink Health Plan. His has also been a Parks and Recreation Commission member for the past four years.

the park staff. I don’t see partisan issues at the township level. We are required at the state level to run partisan elections, but I prefer they be non-partisan. I think the fact that I will be on the board along with new people will change the character of the board such that we will be able to find ways to work together and strongly advocate our positions without attacks or loud, uncivil disagreements. TOP ISSUES: The two most important issues are the budget and home values. You have to consolidate services, look at legacy costs and have more efficient use of services. In regard to home values, there are limited amounts that a township can do in terms of stabilizing them. But, we can work on cooperating with our various agencies and commissions in the township. There are many things that can help — community gardens and compost piles, little things that will help to reduce our carbon footprint, which is a local issue, and help to increase the desirability of the area to live in. The Marshbank Park improvement project is going to raise the property values of all the homes surrounding it. It’s going to be a jewel that real estate agents are going to show their clients before looking at homes in that area. There needs to be better communication between the township, schools, parks, libraries and other communities so that all services and efforts can be coordinated. There needs to be either a DDA or a devoted staff person to help economic development and bring in new businesses. WHY YOU? The reason I’m asking for people to vote for me and that I would make a good township trustee is I’ve demonstrated the ability to be a good decision-maker and that I understand how the decisions I make regarding spending public funds have current- and long-term impact. I believe that the experience I’ve developed over the years of working with boards in the private sector and the last four years in the public sector have trained me in how to think short- and long-term, and how to work with people of different opinions to create a consensus for the public good. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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Orchard Lake Council Stephen Briggs, Ann Hartzell, and incumbent James Talpos will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for two three-year terms on the Orchard Lake City Council. Council members receive no payment for their service. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: What changes in city budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with recent budgetary challenges? TRAFFIC/ROADS: Traffic congestion and road conditions are perennial issues for the city. What do you see as the city’s most pressing road infrastructure and traffic control needs? FIRE SERVICES: Please state why you are or aren’t satisfied with the merger of the Tri-city Fire Department and West Bloomfield Township Fire Department. What changes, if any, would you like to see to improve services? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the city at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

STEPHEN BRIGGS BUDGET: One of true priorities is declining property values and how it’s effecting the budget. What it takes is a coordinated effort among the council members to look at this very closely. My experience as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch with budgets and being a member of the Tri-city Fire Department board would lend itself to understanding city finances, but it’s a very well run city as is. There’s not a lot of fluff. We have to depend a little on what the property values are so we can get a step up on the budget. TRAFFIC/ROADS: We have to face the fact that we are a commuter or bedroom community. We have lots of communities to the west of us that are going to use our beautiful city to get into work. The police have done a great job in keeping the speeds down. There’s a certain amount of patience that needs to be exercised for those morning commutes. Anyone that is west of the light at Commerce and Hiller, which doesn’t include Orchard Lake, can count on another 10 minutes during the evening rush hour. That doesn’t affect our city but it is a concern for others. Let’s look at it this way. I think traffic is good. If we had no traffic then there’s a lack of economic activity in this part of Michigan and that’s not a good thing. Those mornings that I get up and zip right through Old Orchard Trail to Pontiac

served in leadership committees in the pasts, first as commissioner for the Tri-city Fire Department and recently on the Planning Commission. I believe I would provide some youthful perspective, some energy and enthusiasm. That combined with the positions I’ve held in the city gives me valuable experience and prepares me for the council member duties.

ANN HARTZELL

Stephen Briggs has served on the Tri-city Fire Department Commission and is a member of the Orchard Lake Planning Commission. He is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch.

Ann Hartzell represents Orchard Lake Village on the Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Week Committee, and has served on the city's election board for several years. She previously served as chairwoman of the West Bloomfield High School Communication Governance Committee.

Trail to Orchard Lake Road make me concerned that there’s a lack of economic activity. The council has done a super job of setting aside money for economic improvements. They have a ranking system of what roads are in the worst conditions. Last year they did West Shore Drive. Elmgate was done a year before that. They are staying on top of it. They’ve made it a priority and it’s paid off. I know there’s a lot of talk of roundabouts tossed around, with moving Pontiac Trail to Orchard Lake and changing the layout. I’m not involved with those decisions, but it’s exciting to see that questions are being asked and progress is going to be made. FIRE SERVICES: Several years ago I was one of the commissioners for the Tri-city Fire Department and what I learned was how well the department was managed. It had a fine history, it was a tight group of both volunteers and paid on-call people. It was quaint. What I found was it didn’t have the size and heft to be the best fire department that our cities deserve. As a result, this merger was the best for the city. Dave Boerger deserves full credit for his leadership and insight to bring this together. I know there are a few issues so it’s in our best interest to handle that very carefully to make sure that unity stays in place. I do know their response time has dropped and that’s a key measure of success. TOP ISSUES: The budget - that’s a big one. We touched on that already with housing prices falling and what are we going to about it. Second is zoning for both residential and commercial properties. The uniqueness of each property and setting needs to be considered. If there isn’t any latitude in the rules, then we don’t need a

council or ZBA. This source of sensitivity is important and my experience on the Planning Commission I think would help. Lastly, we have a beautiful community but we can’t see it. You can hop in your car, but you’re supposed to keep your eyes on the road; you can sit in your yard and if you’re lucky enough to have a lake view that’s great, but what if you want to get on your bike or walk someplace? I’m on a subcommittee looking at the parks and recreation document and we’re updating it for 2009. When you talk about parks and recreation for Orchard Lake its unlike most cities. We’re talking about pathways among the different neighborhoods. We’ll start off with a questionnaire to the citizens and find out what their support is. You have to have inter-neighborhood connections. Several are in place. Some might be a dirt path. Some are more formalized, like from Shady Beach to LaPlaya, but you have the one at Elmgate going into Shady Beach. Right now it’s dirt and there are property issues. Do we want a road extension that would create a bike lane? Or would rambling paths separate from the road be more appropriate? You’ve got an older city. The roads are denser. It’s not going to be easy. If you go over some old documents, this is something that has been going on for 25 years. This initiative is gaining support. We have a beautiful community, but the enhancement for people, young and old, to get out there and walk, to experience the community is something important. WHY YOU? I think Orchard Lake is a pretty special to live and work and I’m running for City Council because I want to keep it that way. I’ve been a resident for 15 years and know first-hand that it’s an ideal place to raise a family. I’ve

BUDGET: I think that the thing we did in combining fire services (with West Bloomfield) was a way of saving some dollars. I do think the budget is something we need to study closely. I think that the council has been fiscally responsible. I would assume they would continue to be. It’s a question of looking at staffing and programming and such if dollars decline. TRAFFIC/ROADS: The Orchard Lake Road right-turn lane extension at Long Lake Road and the Indian Trail project were the big ones. We hope that solves a lot of the problems. I live on Old Orchard Trail. I see a lot of traffic on it. We need to continue to monitor and see if the traffic-sensitive traffic lights could perhaps allow more cars to go through at busy times through the day. I do think it’s a continuing issue and one that I would assume the council would continue to study as it they see the changes that have happened on Orchard Lake Road and Indian Trail. Then see what the next step or areas of concern are. FIRE SERVICES: I’ve been very pleased. We’ve had to use the emergency service more than once and they were there very promptly. I think it has worked well. It’s been an item that has helped the city with its budget. Based on my experience, there’s no need to change anything, other than to be mindful of the citizens and how they feel about it. Are they satisfied? We have to be aware of any concerns and make adjustments if necessary. Overall, it was a wonderful move to make. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is to remain fiscally responsible, to live within our budget, to deal with the drop in revenue and do whatever we have to do to live with that. No. 2 is roads. I would add that it’s not only the traffic volume, but the speed, as well. Our police chief is very conscientious about that and I think that maintaining the road conditions, the amount of traffic and the speeds all go together. No. 3, I believe in maintaining consistent zoning regulations. I think they must be interpreted within the confines. That’s what has kept Orchard Lake the way it is. I would like to preserve what keeps our city special. PAGE 32 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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Endorsements Include:

REPUBLICAN

for State Representative - 38th District 248-349-5079 e-mail: [email protected] For a more complete list of endorsements and additional information, please visit my website at:

State Senator Nancy Cassis House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca Oakland County Treasurer Patrick Dohany Oakland County Drain Comm. John P. McCulloch Oakland County BOC Chairman Bill Bullard, Jr. Lyon Township Treasurer, Patricia Carcone Northville Mayor Chris Johnson Novi Mayor David B. Landry South Lyon City Councilwoman, Patti Maida South Lyon School Board, Douglas Curry Walled Lake City Councilwoman, Angie Maher Wixom City Councilman, Richard Ziegler Wixom Planning Commissioner, Nick Kennedy National Rifle Association Right to Life of Michigan Paid for by the Friends of Hugh D. Crawford, P.O. Box 11, Novi, MI 48376

Endorsed by Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Endorsed by County Executive Brooks Patterson

Eileen

Kowall FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

REPUBLICAN

Endorsed by the Michigan Education Association Paid for by Friends of Eileen Kowall • 2333 Cumberland Dr • White Lake, MI 48383

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide Council race ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 31

Another thing I’d like to see is more recycling on the part of the citizens. We seem to be pretty lax on that. Very few take advantage of it. That’s part of maintaining our environment is to be more environmentally conscious and conscientious about recycling. I’d like to see more. WHY YOU? I came into this race because I was asked. At first I didn’t know if it was a good fit for me, but then I thought about the fact that I’ve lived here since 1970. I’ve raised all of our children here on Upper Straits Lake. We moved away for six years but fortunately we were able to find another home here. I have a real love for the city and what it represents and I would like to share what I’ve learned by living here by serving on the city council.

JAMES TALPOS

BUDGET: Revenue dollars are definitely declining. The state revenue sharing is lessening every year. The property values are declining every year. I’ve sat on the Finance Committee year after year. We review the budget, and (Clerk) Janet (Green) prepares the budget for us. There’s no line item veto. The whole budget is really fair game and we go at it that way. We cut where we can. I’m proud to say that the general fund millage has dropped for 12 years in a row, even with declining shared revenue from the state. A lot needs to be attributed to our excellent staff, like our clerk, Janet Green, along with our police chief, Fred Rosenau, and our DPW Director, Gerry McCallum. They do an excellent job and when we ask them to cut back where they can, they do. TRAFFIC/ROADS: We’re wrapping up the Orchard Lake Road lane extension. I don’t refer to it as a widening, but prefer to refer to it as an extension because we’re extending that turning lane. I’ve been an advocate for that since the early 1990s — my first term on council — along with improvements to the major intersections. You mentioned Old Orchard Trail. The traffic backups you would see going southbound all way not only on Old Orchard Trail and Pontiac Trail but all the way down to Orchard Lake Road and Pontiac Trail. We have those three main intersections now on FAST-TRAC, which can adjust signal timing and shift from green to red, and so forth. That helps immensely. All the experts tell us that the turn lane extension on Orchard Lake Road won’t be a panacea. We’re looking for maybe a 30 percent increase in speeding up the traffic. This improvement will help substantially. Every year we include in our general fund budget $260,000 for our city roads that we’re responsible for and that the county does not pay. So every year we have an ongoing repair fund for our own city roads. FIRE SERVICES: I too say its been a fantastic move. The only thing I hope for is that we can get it renewed. With the

James Talpos has served a total of 12 years on the Orchard Lake City Council, including a stint as the city's mayor and as a member of several committees. Talpos has been a practicing CPA for 37 years.

new township board, I have nothing but optimism that we will get the contract renewed. It’s been a win-win situation. West Bloomfield needed a new fire station in the north end of the township. We either had to spend money to get a brand new station or work out a deal with that had a new station up already. All kudos goes to Dave Boerger, currently on City Council and chairman of the Tri-city Fire Commission. He led the charge for getting that agreement signed and put in place. The only thing we want to do is get the contract renewed once it expires. TOP ISSUES: First is continuing to decrease taxes, have a budget that provides safety and health to the citizens that we provide services to in a timely and efficient manner. Second is the ongoing traffic congestion. Probably 75 percent of the traffic that goes through Orchard Lake is nonresident traffic. So we have to have roads that handle that flow and make improvements where we can. We must keep our eyes and ears open to how we can improve traffic congestion without diminishing safety. Third is to keep the ecology the way it is. I think we have one of the most beautiful cities in the United States given our lakes and our tree canopy. It’s beautiful. I feel like I’m Up North all the time, so maintaining that beauty is essential. WHY YOU? I’m wrapping up my 12th year on the council. I have a considerable knowledge base with respect to what’s going on in the city. Being the mayor for the last year has brought a new light for me, a knowledge base. I think that’s irreplaceable. I feel that there is a lot to be said for a knowledge base. I’ve been a member of the Personnel Committee. We finished union negotiations with the police department for the last 12 months. I’m on the Traffic Committee to improve traffic congestion and the Roads Committee. I’m very much involved in those committees and there’s a lot to be said for that. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland Circuit Court David Carl Anderson, Mary Ellen Brennan, Lisa Gorcyca and Thomas E. Kuhn will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for two seats on the Oakland County Circuit Court bench. The two candidates that receive the most votes will serve six-year terms. Circuit court judges are paid approximately $140,000 per year. The following are questions we posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. JAIL: The Oakland County Jail has experienced chronic inmate overcrowding for months, leading to the early release of scores of non-violent prisoners. A citizen survey indicated overwhelming opposition to a tax increase to pay for a new jail. What do you see as a circuit court judge’s role in addressing the jail inmate population issue? What, if any, alternatives would you support to deal with the jail overcrowding issue? ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: When is it appropriate for you, as a judge, to use alternative sentences rather than impose a traditional jail term? What sentencing alternative proposals, if any, would you suggest upon being seated as a judge? JUDICIAL DISCRETION: As a judge, how faithful do you feel the bench should be in accepting a prosecutor’s recommendation for sentencing? At what point would you stray from the recommended sentence, either in favor of or against a defendant? Please provide examples. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the circuit court at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

DAVID CARL ANDERSON

JAIL: In order to alleviate the jail overcrowding situation, Oakland County Circuit judges must utilize alternative sentencing when dealing with non-violent criminal offenders. Alternative sentencing approaches that should be used include supervised probation, monitored work release programs, and drug court programs. In addition to alternative sentencing approaches, reasonable bonds need to be set by both district court judges and circuit court judges involving individuals charged with non-violent crimes. ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: Alternative sentencing is a cost-effective way of keeping the jail population at a manageable level, and without having to incur huge costs for the construction of new county jail facilities. The cost for a new Oakland County Jail is estimated to be over $100 million, and the additional expense associated with the operation of a new jail is approximately $20

David Carl Anderson has his own law practice in Troy. He currently serves on the Oakland County Bar Association's Board of Directors.

Mary Ellen Brennan is currently the judicial attorney/case coordinator for the 44th District Court. She has worked in various divisions of the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

million per year. Alternative sentencing approaches such as supervised probation, monitored work release programs, and drug court programs are all positive and cost-effective ways of sentencing non-violent criminal offenders. Alternative sentencing approaches should be used on a regular basis by circuit court judges to keep the prisoner population at a manageable level. Violent criminal offenders should remain incarcerated in the Oakland County Jail until their case is fully adjudicated. JUDICIAL DISCRETION: When a person pleads guilty to, or is found guilty by a jury of a criminal offense, that individual is sent to the probation office for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and sentencing recommendation. The presentence report gives the judge crucial background information regarding the person to be sentenced. While the prosecutor’s recommendation and defense counsel’s recommendation for sentencing are factors the court may listen to, the judge needs to sentence a defendant based upon the overall protection and safety of the citizens who live in the community. Individuals who commit violent criminal acts need to be incarcerated for the protection and safety of the community. Individuals who commit non-violent criminal offenses such as property crimes or drug offenses, are good candidates for alternative sentencing options such as monitored work release programs, supervised probation, and drug court programs. TOP ISSUES: The three most important issues facing the Oakland County Circuit Court at this time are jail overcrowding, increasing the utilization of alternative dispute resolution programs, and increasing the use of computer technology in the court system. Both the circuit court judges and the district court judges in Oakland County need to work together to set reasonable bonds and sentences for non-violent criminal offenders. Incarceration is most

appropriate for violent criminal offenders to keep the community safe. Since 97 percent of all Oakland County Circuit Court civil cases settle before trial, increased emphasis on early civil intervention conferences, mediations, and arbitrations should be pursued by the court. This will help keep the length of litigation and the cost of litigation to a minimum. Lastly, with the great increase in computer usage, e-filing programs and the use of other computer technology to keep the cost of litigation and the time individuals must spend in court to a minimum need to be aggressively pursued. WHY YOU? I have been a litigator for my entire 31-year legal career. The position of Oakland County Circuit Court judge requires a person serving in this role to be a person with broad based litigation experience. I’m the only candidate running for the Oakland County Circuit Court who has over 100 completed criminal and civil jury trials. In addition, I’m the only candidate running for the Oakland County Circuit Court who has broad based experience in family law, criminal law, civil law, equity law, arbitrations, and mediations. This is the exact experience I will be called upon on Jan. 1, 2009 to perform as an Oakland Circuit Court judge. All the other candidates running for Oakland Circuit Court judge will need six to 12 months to learn the entire job, and they will do so at taxpayer expense. Due to my broad based experience as a litigator, I will be able to perform this job on day one, at no expense to the taxpayers of Oakland County. I respectfully request your vote in the Nov. 4, 2008 general election.

MARY ELLEN BRENNAN

JAIL: I will impose alternative sentences whenever appropriate. The programs I will consider are placement in adult treatment court, work release and home tether. Adult treatment court is appropriate for individuals who have substance

abuse issues that impact their decision-making. Work release and home tether are appropriate for the non-violent offenders. Both restrict the defendant’s freedom but allow him or her to stay employed. These programs cost the taxpayers less than jail housing. Adult treatment court holds people accountable while also providing the tools and support to change their lives. ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: I will look at each case individually to decide when to impose traditional jail time vs. an alternative sentence. Factors I will consider are the nature of the offense, the attitude of the offender, the life experience of the offender, and the input of the victim (if there is one). Jail is appropriate for a repeat offender who takes no responsibility for his/her behavior and has no desire to change the way he/she makes decisions. In other cases, the goal is rehabilitation. A first-time offender who seems to understand what went wrong and shows genuine remorse and an understanding of the harm he/she caused would be a candidate for alternative sentence. Some alternative sentences I will consider are intense substance abuse counseling, work release programs and volunteering at facilities where a person can obtain a sense of perspective about his/her life and role in the community. JUDICIAL DISCRETION: When imposing a sentence, a judge should consider (but not necessarily agree with) input from all participants in the system — victim, prosecution and the defense. However, in doing so, a judge should at all times remember that a primary purpose of sentencing is to protect law-abiding citizens from criminals. Sentences exceeding guidelines and recommendations are appropriate in cases of violent crimes or when the victims are more vulnerable, such as with children or senior citizens. TOP ISSUES: The top issues facing the circuit court are jail overcrowding (addressed above); docket management; and lack of a mental health court. I will address docket management issues by running an efficient courtroom. I will be on time and prepared, set a high standard of professionalism and expect lawyers to be on time and prepared, as well. I will have a good working knowledge of the files on my docket. I will adhere to the case flow management guidelines set forth in the Supreme Court Administrative Order. I would support a pilot program for a mental health court. A mental health court functions much like adult treatPAGE 34 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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general election voter guide Circuit Court ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 33

ment courts by sentencing non-violent offenders to mental health evaluation, intense counseling, and medication compliance assistance. All of this takes place within the community. WHY YOU? I have been an attorney for 18 years. For the past six years, as the judicial staff attorney/case coordinator I have been responsible for all aspects of docket management for civil and criminal cases. I conduct pre-trial and settlement conferences, review files before trial or hearing, identify evidentiary issues and assist the court in making rulings. I’m in the courtroom every day. I have served in that uniquely neutral position, allowing me to evaluate files from a judge’s perspective. I’m most qualified for this position because of the broad experience, skills and temperament that I will bring to the bench. In addition to having significant criminal and civil courtroom experience, I possess the common sense, humility, and life experience that comes with being a married mother of three children. I’m committed to creating a courtroom that is efficient and productive and where justice is served.

LISA GORCYCA

JAIL: My role as a circuit court judge in addressing the jail overcrowding issue is to mete out sentences that balance the protection of the public against fashioning an appropriate sentence for the crime committed. Sentences must take into account defendants who are repeat offenders, seriousness of the offense and those who prey on elders and children. There currently exist a number of jail alternatives I support and some that I would encourage expanding. GPS tether systems are a useful and successful jail alternative I support and in appropriate cases should be utilized more frequently. Use of tether is also more cost-efficient than the price of daily incarceration. Work release programs also free up jail beds and allow defendants to continue employment while paying their debt to society. Lastly, drug courts are successful programs that boast a low recidivism rate and free up jail space. ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: The most appropriate factors in the determination to utilize alternative jail sentences are the seriousness of the offense, past criminal history of the defendant and likelihood of rehabilitation. As a sitting judge, I would encourage expansion of GPS tethering. Mental health courts should be explored since the jails have neither the resources nor expertise in dealing with the mentally challenged in our criminal justice system. I would also utilize programs supported by the Department of Community Corrections such as Step Forward and alternative

Lisa Gorcyca has been an assistant Oakland County prosecutor since 1993 and is currently the chief of the domestic violence division. She is a former major crimes prosecutor and has been an instructor at the Oakland County Police Academy.

Thomas E. Kuhn is a former Royal Oak City Commissioner and currently a trustee for Oakland Community College.

incarceration centers. JUDICIAL DISCRETION: A prosecutor’s sentencing recommendation is but only one factor in the sentencing equation. A judge should hear and consider information from the defense regarding mitigating circumstances as well as information from the probation department who conducts a lengthy pre-sentence report. Due to the passage of statutory sentencing guidelines there is little room for arbitrary sentences. The court may depart from the mandated sentencing range, but only if there exists a substantial and compelling reason. Substantial and compelling reasons only apply in exceptional cases. The reasons justifying departure should keenly and irresistibly grab the court’s attention and be recognized as having considerable worth in determining the length of the sentence. TOP ISSUES: Jail overcrowding is a perpetual problem. With limited county resources it is vital the justice system appropriately addresses the difference between violent and non-violent offenders and balance the protection of society against holding offenders accountable. Docket congestion is another major issue facing the court. Due to the high volume of cases, it’s important that the courts are efficient as possible. Litigants want and should have their cases decided on an expeditious basis. I would consider implementing “rocket dockets” and utilizing more alternative dispute resolutions. The alarming number of youthful offenders appearing in court must be addressed. It’s my goal to keep youthful offenders from entering the adult criminal system via a combination of punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, mental health treatment (when necessary) and education. I would create a partnership with schools so that students could see first-hand the ramifications of criminal behavior and drug and alcohol abuse. WHY YOU? The circuit court is commonly referred to as the trial court and trial experience is what I would bring immediately to the bench. Having tried over

150 trials and handled over 10,000 cases, my courtroom experience is unmatched. I have dedicated my entire 15 year legal career to public service and to protecting victims of crime as an Oakland County assistant prosecutor. My vast experience in trying murder, rape, domestic violence, and elder abuse cases, where families and victim lives are torn apart and emotions run deep, have provided me a training ground for the development of an even-handed but firm temperament. I have an avid grasp of courtroom procedure, rules of evidence and protocol. I am accustomed to working long hours on case preparation and research, both of which are habits that will transfer to the bench.

THOMAS E. KUHN

JAIL: We need to assure that violent criminals are in jail. The safety of our citizens, their families and their neighborhoods is the highest priority. In recent years, a number of Oakland County courts have successfully established drug courts to address non-violent substance abusers. Drug courts utilize intensive, community-based treatment, rehabilitation, and supervision for drug defendants to cut high recidivism rates. These courts divert non-violent, substance abusing offenders from jail into treatment: They help break the cycle of criminal behavior, alcohol and drug use, and incarceration. They also play a critical role in helping families and teens deal with youthful drug addictions. Drug courts reduce crime by lowering rearrest and conviction rates, improve substance abuse treatment outcomes, and reunite families; as an important side benefit, they also assure measurable cost savings for the taxpayers. ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: I support tough, fair sentencing for criminals. The state sentencing guidelines help to set out the parameters for sentencing: Certainly violent criminals need to be in jail. In addition to the violent criminals, our courts have been inundated with non-violent substance abusers, and with

the mentally ill. Previously, these groups weren’t a major responsibility of the courts; however, the mental health support system in our state has been shredded in recent decades forcing many of these individuals into the criminal justice system. We need to get non-violent substance abusers into intensive, community-based treatment, rehabilitation and supervision programs to cut the number of repeat offenders. We need to get the mentally ill into community-based programs that address their illnesses. JUDICIAL DISCRETION: A judge is required to be independent. Because citizens have the opportunity to vote for the judges who reflect their community, neighborhood and family values, judges should use their own independent judgment in sentencing criminals. The state establishes guidelines for sentencing, and prosecutors, and probation officers give their recommendations; however, in our system of separation of powers, the final decision on sentencing reasonably rests with an independent judiciary. TOP ISSUES: Case Management: I will address delays in our justice system by being hard-working. I will be at court every day and use extended hours. I will work to settle cases promptly, and utilize alternative dispute resolution when appropriate. Prison/Jail Overcrowding: Public safety must never be compromised; however, we must reserve prison space for violent offenders and expand boot camps to prevent young, nonviolent offenders from graduating to a life of crime. Integrity: We need to have judges with the highest integrity and dedication to hard work. A judge must also have great legal ability, fair-mindedness and excellent judicial temperament. I believe that I’ve demonstrated these qualities during my 23 years of private practice as an attorney, and through my 16 years of service as an elected official in Oakland County. WHY YOU? I will serve the citizens with the highest integrity and commitment to justice. I’m committed to treating attorneys, parties and all other citizens coming before the court fairly — with respect and dignity. I will do everything possible to efficiently use the time spent at court by attorneys, parties and other citizens, creating longer and more flexible hours. I will expedite decision-making. I will make judicial decisions promptly while displaying a high level of competence and knowledge of the law. I will continue to be greatly involved in the community. I’m aware of the values of our citizens. My extensive public service makes me knowledgeable about Oakland County, and its community, neighborhood and family values. I will reflect those values as an Oakland County Circuit Court judge. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide

Oakland Probate Court Mark Frankel and Daniel A. O’Brien will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for a non-incumbent seat on the Oakland County Probate Court bench. Probate court judges serve six-year terms and are currently paid approximately $140,000 per year. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. CASELOAD: The Oakland County Probate Court’s annual caseload statistics indicate steady growth in the number of new cases filed over the past four years. Please state why you do or don’t believe the probate court has adequate personnel and financial resources to accommodate the increasing caseload. What changes, if any, do you advocate to help handle the growing caseload? MEDIATION: Those involved in cases handled by the probate court can seek a resolution outside of court through mediation. Please state why you are or aren’t satisfied with the probate court’s mediation program. What changes, if any, do you advocate in the program to better serve the public and ease the court’s caseload? CHILDREN’S ADVOCATES: Volunteers are appointed by the probate court to represent the best interests of a minor on a minor guardianship case by investigating and reporting on the child’s and the proposed guardian’s situation. Please tell us what changes, if any, in the child advocate program you would support. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the circuit court at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

MARK FRANKEL CASELOAD: Recently enacted probate statutory law has helped ease the burden on the court by streamlining the administration of simple estates. I will work with the court administration and with the members of the probate bar to further streamline the handling of estates. Much of the pressure can be alleviated by my setting an example in the courtroom, by opening court promptly and having my staff prepared to handle matters quickly. I will work to make sure that parties appearing before me are heard and that their matters are decided quickly and decisively. MEDIATION: I’m the only candidate for probate court that is qualified for both the circuit and probate court mediation panels and the only candidate that regularly conducts facilitative mediation. I’m a firm believer in the

Mark Frankel has experience in probate/ general civil trial and appellate courts, as well as a prosecuting attorney. He has been a probate and circuit court facilitator, discovery master, receiver, conservator and guardian, fiduciary and trustee.

Daniel A. O'Brien has a general litigation practice that deals with commercial and criminal law, divorce, wills, trusts, and other areas. He is a former assistant Oakland County prosecutor and electrical engineer, and has worked as a magistrate.

use of mediation to resolve issues in the probate court. Many disputed probate matters are conflicts between family members. Mediation undertakes to get the parties to sit down and discuss their dispute and to devise their own resolution. I have found this process to be a valuable tool in healing such rifts between family members. Additionally, mediation reduces the number of cases that the court must try, reducing the court’s caseload. CHILDREN’S ADVOCATES: The attorneys and lay people that volunteer as child advocates and guardians ad litem do an excellent job. They are concerned and dedicated. They are fearless in reporting abuse and neglect. Their only focus is on what is the best for the child. They are invaluable to the court. We do have to be vigilant and ensure that all new volunteers, attorneys and non-attorneys, are adequately trained so that they appreciate their responsibility. TOP ISSUES: The most important issues facing the probate court are the increased caseload occasioned by the aging of the population, the increased incidents of elder abuse, and juvenile crime. I will work with the court administrator and the probate bar to further streamline the probate docket. I will continue to work with volunteer groups which provide important educational and support services, such as Youth Guidance and the Citizen’s Alliance, to reduce elder abuse and juvenile crime. I will be vigilant on the bench when addressing youth offenders to reduce recidivism. WHY YOU? I’m the only candidate with extensive probate litigation experience. Judges appoint me as a personal representative, trustee and conservator because of my experience and integrity. I’m dedicated to the protection of senior citizens and incapacitated persons. As an experienced facilitator, I understand the

importance of helping parties to resolve disputes themselves, and, when a resolution is not possible, I know a judge must make a fair decision. I will ensure parties are treated fairly and with respect and that their rights are protected.

DANIEL A. O’BRIEN CASELOAD: I will spend substantial time speaking to all of the clerks and staff to learn first-hand what their concerns are about the increasing caseload, and their ideas for handling it. Serious study must also be given to determine the rates of growth of different case types, the judge/staff-hours necessary to handle them, and the expected rate of growth of the different “populations” that generate them. If projected growth would overwhelm the current resources, I would first hire additional clerical personnel, and then consider seeking legislative authority to utilize highly-skilled lawyers for part-time positions, who would exercise specific judicial authority, as I am presently doing as a judicial magistrate. These part-time judicial positions would not appreciably increase costs, primarily because they would not be eligible for benefits. Since judges are the most costly resource, I would work to significantly increase the work I could handle before asking for more judges. MEDIATION: Mediation is great, if the parties are open to mediation, the case presents issues appropriate for mediation, and the parties can afford mediation. While some say “the best resolution is the one the parties make themselves,” I have seen cases where the best resolution would have been for the judge to make the decisions he or she was elected to make. Almost nothing focuses the lawyers’ minds on their cases like knowing the judge will make tough decisions, and is prepared to try cases. Also, not all mediators are suited to do the work of mediation, but have

sometimes received their appointments for political/personal reasons, and to pad their resume. The court’s certification of a mediator only means that he completed the class, and is not a certification that he is a good mediator. CHILDREN’S ADVOCATES: Two keys to a successful child advocate program are well-trained advocates, and vigilant, thoughtful judges who are in touch with the advocates and their cases. I would make sure that I had a good working relationship with the advocates, and that I understood their strengths and their limitations. Advocates are bound to be more effective when they are placed in the proper situation, so that their primary duties are in their strengths. I would also provide as many opportunities as possible for the advocates to obtain regular, quality training online and live. I would make this training available to the guardians, as well. TOP ISSUES: This survey has addressed at least three important issues: caseload, children’s advocates, and assisted outpatient treatment. A key ingredient to effectively dealing with these issues, over which I would have direct control, would be developing a staff, working with me, who are always at the service of the people who come to the court for resolution of their problems, not just management. I would be personally available to my staff and to attorneys to discuss cases in a way that encourages candor and resolution of problems. When people walk into my courtroom, I want them to see a judge who is working hard, and who is familiar with the cases and people that come before me. Recognizing that a judge needs to be able to see issues from all perspectives, I would provide additional time every week for meeting with lawyers and staff to discuss the effectiveness of the court. WHY YOU? I have seven and a half years of judicial experience as a judicial magistrate, making decisions that directly affect the safety and wellbeing of the people of Oakland County. I’ve had the opportunity to deal directly as a judge would with citizens, attorneys and police. Mediators don’t make judicial decisions. They simply present compromises. Additionally, as a research attorney for over two years in the Court of Appeals, I analyzed the records of hundreds of cases, including probate matters throughout the state. As a trial lawyer for 18 years in criminal and civil cases, I gained a unique insight into the role of judging. No other candidate has had such broad and substantial experience. I will be ready on my first day to assume and effectively exercise the authority of the office. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide Six-year terms

OCC Trustees Incumbent Phillip J. Abraham, challenger Shirley J. Bryant, incumbent Sandra Ritter, and challengers Carlyle Fielding Stewart and Timothy Terpening will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for two six-year terms on the Oakland Community College (OCC) Board of Trustees. OCC trustees are not paid for their service. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. Terpening didn’t respond to our candidate questionnaire. BOARD DYNAMICS: A recent report by the Higher Learning Commission criticized Board of Trustees members’ behavior, and some faculty and staff members described the board as being “dysfunctional.” Explain why you do or don’t agree with those assessments. If you agree, state how you would work to improve board relations. BUDGET: In what ways should OCC seek to increase revenues, cut spending, or both, to remain on solid financial ground? Please explain why you do or don’t agree with the way the current board has handled OCC’s finances. FACILITIES: Explain why you do or don’t believe OCC’s building facilities and equipment are adequate for programs needed to prepare students for the future. What building or equipment upgrades, if any, would you like to see? PROGRAMS: Explain why you do or don’t believe OCC is meeting the public’s needs through existing programs. What specific program changes, if any, are necessary at this time. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the college at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

PHILLIP J. ABRAHAM BOARD DYNAMICS: The Higher Learning Commission determined board dynamics have been poor for over 15 years. A big part of the problem is long-term trustee Sandra Ritter. She has been on the board for 30 years, creating a disruptive and confrontational situation for board meetings. Thus, an important part of the solution is up to the voters this November: They need to replace Ritter. Another element of board dysfuntionality is the unseemly influence of the faculty union. The Ritter faction seems responsive only to them — not to the public. The Higher Learning Commission had the same criticism of the OCC Board over 10 years ago. Why should we accept this? If the most disruptive board members are replaced, it will be

courses that people can take from home; it needs to increase courses in areas where there is strong demand: nursing, technology and job retraining.

SHIRLEY J. BRYANT

Phillip J. Abraham has served on the OCC Board of Trustees since 2002. A CPA, Abraham is a managing partner with the accounting firm Abraham & Associates, PC. He served on the Royal Oak City Commission from 1989 to 1991 and 1996 to 1997, and the Citizen Finance Committee for Royal Oak Schools from 1993 to 1994.

Shirley J. Bryant has 35 years of experience in public education as a teacher and administrator, including 28 years with Birmingham Public Schools as executive director of community education/relations. She has served as a trustee on OCC's Foundation Board; president of the National Community Education Association; board chair of Orchards Children's Services; and chair of Birmingham Youth Assistance.

relatively simple to address the Higher Learning Commission concerns. The board can meet with facilitators, provide proper orientation for new members, and run meetings in an orderly manner consistent with Roberts’ Rules of Order. BUDGET: The budget should reflect the needs of our residents. More of the budget should go to providing retraining programs, nursing training, online classes, and technology-based classes. In the past two years, too much of the budget has gone to trustee trips out of state, and out of the country, and to various trustee perks; too little gets to the classroom. It’s also important to maintain affordable tuitions. I oppose any increase in the county millage; however, the renewal of the existing millage in 2012 is critical for maintaining OCC programs and facilities. FACILITIES: OCC has done a good job expanding facilities at the Highland Lakes (Waterford) campus. In particular, the new nursing wing, and the new medical technology is critical for supplying our area with needed nursing professionals. OCC has to assure facilities have technology necessary for retraining programs, medical, work study and other programs. PROGRAMS: Retraining, technology, online and nursing programs should be the top priority for expansion. Oakland County desperately needs strong retraining programs to retain citizens who have lost their jobs. Extensive online courses would allow those with work and family obligations to get training or retraining while balancing their other important obligations. OCC needs to be a leader in online courses and programs. Technology-based employment is the futurey. We need to assure that our citizens have the skills necessary to move this future forward with extensive and appropriate courses and training.

The nursing needs in our area are welldocumented. OCC needs to expand nursing training to assure we will be able to meet the demands of an aging population. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is increase public accountability. The OCC board needs to be more publicly accountable. Board meetings must be televised; trustee expenditures must be brought to the board table at each meeting; trustee credit cards must be stopped; expensive out-of-state trips must be severely curtailed; and foreign trips must be prohibited. No. 2 is assure tax dollars are spent in the classroom, not on wasteful administrative and board extravagances. No. 3 is increasing technology. OCC needs to dramatically increase online class offerings, so that working people have access to retraining and career training despite family and work responsibilities. In addition, OCC needs to re-focus the programs offered to provide more of those in great demand in the community — more technology-oriented classes, more nursing and health care. WHY YOU? We need to assure excellence at OCC. My background will assure greater accountability and responsibility on the OCC Board: BA in accounting; over 20 years experience as a certified public accountant; over 20 years working on local boards and commissions, including building authorities, audit review, asset management, retirement boards and the Royal Oak City Commission. We need to stop the OCC trustee abuse and end the OCC trustee credit cards which have been flagrantly misused; end the extravagant trustee trips abroad, such as to China; televise OCC board meetings so the public can see the board in action; and assure competitive bidding for all contracts. OCC needs to begin extensive online

BOARD DYNAMICS: The assessment is accurate and it has been that way for many years. The 1998 Higher Learning Commission report described the board’s unprofessional and unproductive behavior. Ten years has passed without improvement, but now the college’s actual accreditation may be endangered. It’s time for new leadership. I will advocate for bringing in a conflict resolution and board development expert. I will work to rebuild the board’s trust and respect within the college community and with taxpayers. I will support the chancellor and his administration in developing a participative strategic plan to help students grow into productive and contributing citizens with the essential job skills for a global economy. The board must do a better job to fulfill its responsibilities. BUDGET: OCC has a budget of $150 million annually. Of that amount, 40 percent comes from the millage passed in 2000. A millage renewal is necessary for the college to avoid facing facility deterioration or even worse, the necessity of cutting or reducing programs for students. In the current economy, millage renewals will be a tough sell with the public image the board has. The board must regain the trust and respect of the community. OCC should rely on the goals of a strategic plan and tie budget needs and staff evaluation to the plan. More attention must be paid to students who need new employment skills through awarding scholarships. It’s imperative the board have competitive bids on construction projects and tuition must remain affordable. FACILITIES: The facilities appear to be in good shape, though constant maintenance is necessary to protect taxpayers’ investment. There’s a need for more classrooms that are specifically enhanced for use of technology. A $25 million major renovation and expansion is planned for the Southfield Campus which is critical because the largest population center serviced by OCC is now in the southern part of the county, whereas the largest campuses are located in the northern sectors. Some renovation and expansion of the administration building should be untaken to create a board room that is larger and more welcoming to the public … or board meetings should be moved to a larger facility. Accommodations must be made to videotape or cablecast board meetings. PAGE 37 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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general election voter guide OCC board ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 36 PROGRAMS: OCC’s nursing program should expand because a large aging population has created more demand. OCC has the largest nursing preparation program in Michigan with a high quality and quantity of offerings, but it’s still not enough to meet the need. Last year there were 600 applications for 300 places in the program and the average student had a GPA of 3.67. Michigan will need 18,000 nurses by 2015, which OCC has a social and moral obligation to meet. OCC has become a transfer college with 47 percent of students stating a clear intention to go on for a four-year degree. The college must expand its best programs in health services, technology and human and public services (such as training for firefighters and police through the CREST program). TOP ISSUES: We must improve the board’s governance and ensure the college remains accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Without accreditation, students can’t transfer their credits to a four-year university. With input from the staff and community, the board should serve as policy architects while allowing staff to perform management duties. Students deserve board support in helping staff make the college the best that it can be, and constant turmoil on the board is not helpful in reaching that goal. The college needs a clear vision for the future achievable through a participative strategic planning effort. Finally, the mandate to respond to evolving needs of students and community should strengthen through greater participation in continuing education and retraining for the job skills necessary in today’s global economy. WHY YOU? I have 35 years experience in public education as a teacher and administrator (28 years with Birmingham Public Schools as executive director of community education/relations). I will bring much needed professionalism and integrity to the board. Board experience includes: trustee of OCC Foundation Board; president, National Community Education Association; board chair, Orchards Children’s Services; chair, Birmingham Youth Assistance, trustee, Leadership Detroit; and trustee, Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. Awards and honors include: Eastern Michigan University College of Education Hall of Fame, 2007; the AntiDefamation League’s Women of Achievement Award and the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce “Athena Award” for outstanding professional and community service. I will work toward making OCC our nation’s best community college.

SANDRA RITTER

BOARD DYNAMICS: I agree with the Higher Learning Commission’s assessments. People who know me know I have a successful history of being a consensus

Sandra Ritter has served on the OCC Board of Trustees since 1978. She has worked as a principal at the Burton Glen Academy, assistant principal at Waterford Mott High Schools, director of development with Metropolitan Affairs Corp., and a teacher in the Detroit and Waterford school districts. Ritter has also been a statewide coordinator for the Michigan Adult Literacy Initiative and a higher education consultant for the state Department of Education.

Carlyle Fielding Stewart has served on the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees for four years. Pastor of the Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield for the last 25 years, Stewart founded the Carlyle Stewart Foundation, which gives tuition and book scholarships to needy students. He is also co-founder of the Southfield Education Action Committee.

builder and mediator. It’s those skills that I will use to help develop positive relationships with other board members to bring about a board that is mission-driven and focused. I have confidence in other members and their ability to come together and be keepers of the vision and dream for OCC and our students. BUDGET: I agree with the way the college is handling finances. In the face of declining property tax revenue, increased health care and retirement costs, and poor economic conditions, the college is in a good financial position. Our Standards and Poor’s AA+ rating is based on steady trends and healthy financial reserves; our audit was clean and revealed the college has a strong and liquid position regarding reserves. Per the Higher Learning Commission, “A review of the annual financial statements and monthly budget reports clearly indicate that the college successfully manages its resources.” FACILITIES: Bricks and mortar are not particularly flexible when new programs or needs arise. Our facilities were built to respond to a culture that was solely campus based. Campus life is still a priority as the Higher Learning Commission discovered on their visit, “physical resources, buildings, and grounds are well maintained with extensive renovation projects for aesthetics, functionality, and enhancement of the educational environment.” We are using technology and thinking beyond the campus to provide programs and instruction. Our value to the community hinges on our ability to keep a step ahead of changing technology, employment and economic trends. PROGRAMS: OCC is meeting the needs of the public through its existing programs, continued program review and development of initiatives that provide our students with the skills they need to be competitive. We rely on our health care, manufacturing and community partners to help us interpret their industry’s trends and develop educational programs that best prepare our students to meet those needs. Additionally, as noted in the Higher Learning Commission’s report, “The Strategic Plan for 2008-2012 clearly demonstrates that the college under-

stands its own capacity for program development, emerging technologies, demographic shifts and globalization.” TOP ISSUES: First is restoring public trust in the board. I pledge to work with the other members to establish leadership goals and a common agenda. I will help bring about a focus on college values and strategic planning; and spend more time celebrating accomplishments of the faculty and successes of our students. Second is investing our resources in the economic development of our county. We can expand our partnerships with the stakeholders of Oakland County; intensify our commitment to emerging sector companies, Automation Alley and other private and public initiatives to create jobs, train and build a skilled workforce that is flexible and knowledgeable. Third is dealing with shrinking financial resources. Our challenge is to protect the college programs and services while being challenged by declining property tax revenue, increased health care and retirement costs, and in general, poor economic conditions regionally and nationally. WHY YOU? Those who know me and who have worked with me acknowledge my commitment to education. As a professional educator, volunteer, and public servant, I have a profound grasp of the issues that confront education. As an OCC board member, you can rely on my commitment to providing quality instruction and programs. I have 30 years of service to the college and demonstrated my commitment to putting students first. The college possesses a strong faculty, exemplary programs and student development services. I pledge continued support to work with all stakeholders to make sure our programs continue to be timely, relevant, accessible and affordable.

CARLYLE FIELDING STEWART BOARD DYNAMICS: Shared governance is an important hallmark of OCC, which means that the Board of Trustees, faculty, employees, students, and community collaborate in making decisions that will ultimately affect the life, health and vitality of the college. This process should clarify

purpose and unite decision-makers around common goals and objectives. For shared governance to have meaning, the board should also practice it. I would work as a harmonizing and unifying force by helping to establish new ground rules for interaction and communication that will help create board solidarity and refocus its fundamental purpose for being. BUDGET: Maintaining and balancing the budget are always important. As prudent stewards of its various resources, the college should increase revenues by supporting the upcoming mileage, by offering quality programs that will draw students and increase enrollment, and by developing cooperative education opportunities that will encourage industries to subsidize those OCC programs that help train and qualify their labor forces. Strengthening the Business and Community Alliance would also be helpful. FACILITIES: The Board should regularly review the condition of college facilities and where feasible make necessary recommendations for renewal, improvement and new building construction through capital projects. PROGRAMS: The college is meeting the current needs of the public but there is room for improvement. Continuing emphasis should insist on developing educational programs that will prepare students to vocationally and professionally compete and qualify for jobs in the current job market. Meaningful education also means relevant education; helping students to receive the type of training that will place them head and shoulders above peers. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is getting the mileage passed which is approximately 60 percent of the current OCC budget. No. 2 is developing board unity and implementing regular board self-evaluations so it can move beyond its current factionalism and work in the best interests of the college and the people of Oakland County. No. 3 is cultivating a unified strategic plan including policies for establishing and perpetuating solid accreditation; developing more topnotch programs for students, strengthening faculty, clerical and administrative support, and instituting plans for the enhancement of all areas of the college. WHY YOU? As former student, I have attained the highest degree in my field, the Ph.D., and know what it means to be a student in a competitive academic program. As former professor, I understand the demands, needs and challenges of faculty as persons and professionals. As a board member of an institute of higher education, I have experience that gives me insight into the ethics, expectations and operations of board members. As a senior pastor for 25 years, I have compassion for people and know how to negotiate and work to achieve goals and objectives. As a student of life, husband and father, I’m still learning, still eager to learn and have an open mind and sense of adventure for the learning process. ❏

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general election voter guide Partial Term

OCC Trustees Sherry Cormier-Kuhn, Debbie Macon, Christopher P. Maloney, and Thomas Patrick Sullivan will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for a partial term on the Oakland Community College (OCC) Board of Trustees. The winner will serve a term ending Dec. 31, 2010. OCC trustees are not paid for their service. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BOARD DYNAMICS: A recent report by the Higher Learning Commission criticized current Board of Trustees members’ behavior, and some faculty and staff members have reportedly described the board as being “dysfunctional.” Please explain why you do or don’t agree with those assessments. If you agree, state how you would work to improve board member relations. BUDGET: In what ways should OCC seek to either increase its revenues, cut spending, or both, in order to remain on solid financial ground? Please explain why you do or don’t agree with the way the current board has handled OCC’s finances in the last two years. FACILITIES: Please explain why you do or don’t believe OCC’s building facilities and equipment are adequate for offering the kind of programs needed to prepare students for the future. What specific building or equipment upgrades, if any, would you like to see? PROGRAMS: Please explain why you do or don’t believe OCC is meeting the public’s needs — including students’ and employers’ — through existing program offerings. What specific program changes, if any, are necessary at this time. WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

SHERRY CORMIER-KUHN

BOARD DYNAMICS: Anyone watching the OCC Board would be appalled at the disruptive conduct of some board members. In the face of that disruptive conduct, it’s obvious that the OCC board chairs have been unable to maintain orderly meetings or to assure proper adherence to Roberts’ Rules of Order. Because the Board has been incapable of reining in the misconduct of its members, the voters must be the ones to decide whether they want this kind of representation — during this year’s OCC elections. Other than the continual disruption of board meetings, the Higher Learning Commission’s issues are easily resolved. Full orientation of new board members should be instituted.

Sherry Cormier-Kuhn is an instructor of higher education in Wayne State University's College of Education. She is a former instructor at Western Oregon University and a general and special education teacher in the L'Anse Creuse School District. She has been a member of the Network of Michigan Educators Steering Committee and the Michigan Development Disabilities Council Education Work Group Subcommittee. Cormier-Kuhn served on the Royal Oak Board of Education from 1992 to 1996.

Debbie Macon has served on the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees for the past 12 years, served two four-year terms on the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education, and has been vice chairwoman of the Oakland School-To-Work Partnership/Educational Advisory Group.

The board should establish a facilitator to work with board members, as they have in the past. Finally, the board chair must insist that Roberts’ Rules of Order are followed during meetings, and that trustees act with respect and civility toward each other. BUDGET: OCC must keep its tuition affordable — particularly in these hard times. If we want to retain our citizens whose jobs have disappeared, we need to provide retraining that is affordable. If we want to provide training for our young men and women just out of high school, so that they can stay in this area with good jobs near their families, the tuition for that training must be affordable. OCC can work within the current millage level, if we stop inappropriate expenditures and have proper financial oversight. OCC must stop the wasteful spending on trustee perks that has continued for years and years with the current board. Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for international trips for trustees. The trustees’ frequent out-of-state trips should be limited. It’s inappropriate for trustees to be going to all these exotic places, staying at five-star hotels, and all at the taxpayers’ expense. FACILITIES: OCC has committed around $15 million annually to building maintenance and improvement. OCC needs to continue to look to the needs of the community when deciding their future building, facility and equipment needs. The new wings at the Highland Lakes Campus have been important because of the overwhelming need for additional nurses and medical assistants in our area. It’s important that OCC’s buildings be

properly maintained and up-to-date technology be provided for training and retraining; however, there is no need for expansion to new and different locations — as suggested by some OCC trustees. Instead, OCC should look to expanding its online course and program selection. Online courses and programs will allow significant expansion while improving accessibility for those living at a distance from the OCC campus offering a particular course or program. PROGRAMS: The need for online programs and courses is paramount. Unfortunately, OCC has lagged way behind other post-secondary institutions in these kinds of offerings. That’s too bad. OCC was established to provide training for students, many of whom have conflicting family and job responsibilities. Online courses would be far and away the most effective means of reaching these students. Online courses would provide more flexibility for those seeking retraining and training, as well as easier accessibility for those living too far from a particular campus offering a program or course. It makes no sense to force residents of Milford, for example, to have to go down to Southfield in the middle of a week day to get courses only offered at that campus. WHY YOU? I will bring change to OCC’s dysfunctional board. I have extensive experience in education: BA, MA, Ed.D. degrees in education; 17 years as a special education teacher; four years on a local school board; National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification; numerous education seminars and training programs. I will stop the outrageous abuse of credit cards by trustees who spend taxpayer money for their own personal

expenses. This practice, which violates state law, has gone unchecked for far too long. I will oppose expensive and unnecessary trips by trustees. For example, just this August, trustees voted to send one of their own to China. These sorts of trips have nothing to do with education in Oakland County and everything to do with trustee abuse. I will work to get tax dollars to the classroom: increasing nursing, technology-oriented, and online classes. Those are areas where the Oakland taxpayers need their dollars spent.

DEBBIE MACON

BOARD DYNAMICS: The fact that the board is dysfunctional can’t be disputed. As a board member I will actively work to address expectations for the board as identified by the Higher Learning Commission. I favor creating a distinct eight member board leadership team inclusive of the seven elected board members and the chancellor. Improving relationships among and between members of the board leadership team is both a function of the amount of time members spend together and how their time together is utilized. I suggest increasing the number of meetings and workshop sessions to allow members to work with a leadership coach, mediator or facilitator on the specific disciplines necessary for building high trust relationships inclusive of listening, communicating, consensus building, cooperating, problem-solving and self assessment. As a board member, I will work toward creating and sustaining the high trust environment necessary for effective stewardship, teaching, learning and innovation to occur. BUDGET: OCC is currently on solid financial ground as a result of the confidence and foresight of voters to provide a charter millage in 1964 and renewable millage authorized for 2002 through 2012. I agree with the way OCC’s finances have been handled in the past two years due primarily to the existence of the college’s 20022007 Strategic Plan and the follow through by college administration and staff to execute its objectives. The board has to date not adopted a strategic plan beyond 2007. I believe it’s imperative for the board to adopt a new Strategic Plan, moving effectively to support our region’s economy by preparing students for our future. FACILITIES: With the very recent adoption by the board of a major expansion of the Southfield Campus, planned over the next three-and-a-half years, OCC’s facilities and equipment will be capable of more adequately

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general election voter guide OCC board ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 38

meeting the needs of a diverse student body for future employment in health sciences. Continuous technology upgrades will demand attention as more individuals seek the flexibility of distance learning. The emerging sectors will additionally dictate expanded emphasis in the future. PROGRAMS: OCC meets the public’s needs by an ever expanding array of innovative program offerings. Campus leaders are sensitive to the needs of a very diverse student body. I have observed first-hand how very effectively OCC administrators and educators work with students of all ages, local school districts and businesses within the community. In fact, almost everyone I’ve spoken with in the last several weeks has a great story to share about their relationship with OCC. The college is a gem and I look forward to supporting its mission. WHY YOU? Active study and handson practical application of governance best practices as both a township trustee and school board member have well prepared me for the role of OCC trustee. I’m viewed by constituents as respectful, communityminded, inclusive, an independent thinker, a consensus builder and skilled in dialogue and deliberation — all disciplines honed and practiced as a long-time leader in the League of Women Voters and a great diversity of non-profit and community-based organizations. I well understand the roles and responsibilities of governance boards including those that have adopted the policy governance model, as has the OCC board, from years of active participation in board professional development as both a student and teacher. Since 1992, I have served in leadership roles as part of Oakland County’s commitment to preparing students for the workplace, effectively leveraging my formal education and degrees in both education and business.

CHRISTOPHER P. MALONEY BOARD DYNAMICS: The term “dysfunctional” isn’t the correct term to be applied to this situation. wherefore the current OCC Board of Trustees members have acted unprofessionally in a position which requires professionalism. I do agree with the fact that our current leaders of OCC have presented themselves unbecoming merit the position and purpose of their elected office. Even though political parties have their differences and friction naturally occurs among diverse peoples, the primary position and purpose of OCC trustee is that the quality of education for students comes first. As a trustee of OCC, it will be my responsibility as a leader in our community that bridges be built to overcome these frictions. With it I bring my experience from the automo-

Christopher P. Maloney has over 20 years experience working in industrial leadership in the automotive and defense industries, and over five years entrepreneurial leadership in small business development and management inclusive to service to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, and various defense contractors.

Thomas Patrick Sullivan has had a dental practice for 40 years. He's served as president of the Oakland County Dental Society, a trustee with the Michigan Dental Association, and treasurer of the Michigan Dental Association Insurance and Financial Group Board of Directors. Sullivan has been director of the OCC Foundation for the last 12 years, and treasurer of the foundation for the last eight years.

tive industry where such a diverse workforce is evident and success in bridging social issues is an everyday success. BUDGET: I don’t agree with how the current board has managed fiscal responsibility. To being with, we must redefine the purpose of the college. First, students must be adequately prepared to matriculate into four-year schools, i.e. the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, etc., or gain the necessary skills in order to achieve long-term secure employment. The current curriculum at OCC must reflect this purpose. In doing so, there will need to be spending cuts in certain obsolete areas of the curriculum. This will make the school more efficient and effective. Likewise, increased spending will need to occur in areas which will make students competitive in both academia and industry. Wasteful college operational costs will need to be reviewed and cuts will be made, as needed. FACILITIES: Having attended both MIT and the University of Chicago, I’m a firm believer that it isn’t the buildings which constitute the physical structure of a school, but rather the quality of the teachers. It has been my experience when I attended the University of Michigan, that it built beautify buildings, but the quality of education was basic, at best. It’s my own preference that I would rather study in a barn under the direction of a Nobel laureate as opposed to attending a beautiful campus and learn from a proverbial nobody. At this time, with the economy in such a depressing state, I see the current structures of OCC being more than adequate to do the job. With that being said, it would benefit OCC more to invest in our current teachers, and to hire those better to help augment the quality of education offered at OCC. PROGRAMS: At this time OCC isn’t meeting our community’s needs. The curriculum at OCC is mediocre at best. As I have said before, we must work together to redefine the purpose of OCC. It’s my direction to see that it develop students first and foremost for the transfer into competitive four-year institutions. If this isn’t the ambition of the student, then

they need to be provided with the best vocational training that will help ensure long-term secure employment in the workforce. The programs that need more development are those in math, science, and engineering. WHY YOU? Experience: Over 20 years educational leadership resulting in training at both the world’s most prestigious technical institute, the MIT Sloan School of Industrial Management, and one of the world’s finest scientific research universities, the University of Chicago; over 20 years industrial leadership in the automotive and defense industries on projects exceeding $1 billion in research and development costs with profits in the multiple billions; and over five years entrepreneurial leadership in small business development and management inclusive to service to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, and various defense contractors.

THOMAS PATRICK SULLIVAN BOARD DYNAMICS: I agree that the Board of Trustees of Oakland Community College have been dysfunctional, and have acted in an uncivil, disrespectful manner. With over 30 years of board experience, both on non-profit and forprofit boards, I would work within the board structure to change the existing image, and increase the morale of the college community. This would be accomplished by treating people with respect, dignity, plus working with the other trustees in a collegial, collaborative manner to accomplish the mission of Oakland Community College. BUDGET: There are three main sources of revenue for funding Oakland Community College. They are state appropriations, approximately 13 percent; tuition and fees, 24 percent; and property taxes, 61.5 percent. With the support of the taxpayers of Oakland County and the passage of the millage renewal, we can keep Oakland Community College on solid financial ground. I believe that the budget has been well managed. As an aside, I don’t think that the Oakland Community College board needs to pay consultants

to improve respect and all-around board relations. The people that the voters elect to represent them should act responsibly in the discharge of their duties as trustees of Oakland Community College. FACILITIES: The Higher Learning Commission found that Oakland Community College is blessed with facilities that are conducive to a productive learning environment. There has been $25 million appropriated for improving and expanding the Southfield Campus, and this shows that Oakland Community College is addressing the needs facility and equipment-wise to prepare students for the future. There are always on going to be maintenance issues that need to be addressed in order to keep Oakland Community College a state-ofthe-art educational facility. PROGRAMS: Oakland Community College has an advisory committee on workforce and economic development. The goal is to address the education and training needs of the community, always aiming to keep more current. There is ongoing assessment of Oakland Community College’s educational programs, services and operations, given our rapidly changing economic climate. WHY YOU? It’s time for change; the Oakland Community College board has been plagued with problems for some time, being labeled non-collaborative, lacking civility, and dysfunctional. I bring to the Board of Trustees over 30 years of board experience. I have served the Oakland County Dental Society as councilman, treasurer, secretary, president-elect, president (1980-1981) and past president. On the state level, I was a trustee of the Michigan Dental Association from 1984 to 1991, and served as a member of the Michigan Dental Association Insurance and Financial Group Board of Directors, a for-profit corporation (1989-2002). During this time I was treasurer. I have had the opportunity to be a director of the Oakland Community College Foundation since 1996 to the present, plus the privilege of serving as its treasurer since 2000 to present. I also serve as a director of the Meadowbrook Center for Learning Differences as its treasurer. As a candidate for trustee of Oakland Community College, with my experience on both non-profit and forprofit boards, I know my role as a board member and would work diligently to represent the people of Oakland County. If I’m elected trustee I would work within the board structure to change the existing image, and increase the morale of the college community. This could be accomplished by treating people with respect, dignity, plus working with the other trustees in a collegial, collaborative manner to accomplish the mission of Oakland Community College. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

general election voter guide

Walled Lake School Board Incumbent Dr. William Balestrino, challengers Mathew Cornish and Greg Janicki, and incumbent Kathy J. Lyall will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for two six-year terms on the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education. School board members aren’t paid for their service. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. LAND ACQUISITION: Last year the Board of Education approved spending $4.62 million to acquire 80.31 acres of Proud Lake Recreation Area property for use as a future school building site, despite projections indicating the district’s student enrollment will continue to decline. Tell us why you do or don’t believe the acquisition was a good decision in the public’s best interest. If you’re inclined to disagree with the decision, would you go so far as to advocate selling the land and refunding the proceeds to taxpayers, who provided the money for the land acquisition by approving a bond issue? BUDGET: Michigan’s schools face a permanent budget crisis. In what specific areas do you believe the district must change its spending? On the revenue side, in what ways should the district be looking for new funding sources? What, if any, changes would you like to see at the state level to address school funding? GUNS IN SCHOOLS: State lawmakers have discussed legislation that would allow public school officials to carry concealed weapons inside school buildings in an effort to deter the kind of gun violence tragedies witnessed across the nation in recent years. Please state why you do or don’t think it’s a good idea for school officials to carry guns while in school buildings. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

WILLIAM BALESTRINO LAND ACQUISITION: If previous school boards had lacked the foresight to purchase land for future school sites, Walled Lake as a district would not have had the capability to grow with the expanding population. Granted, vacant land would most likely have been available for the elementary, middle and high schools that we have built. However, the cost of acquiring the needed properties immediately prior to construction would have been at a significantly higher cost to taxpayers. At present, projections for our student population are declining. It’s only

Dr. William Balestrino has served on the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education since 2004. He has a dentistry practice in Novi.

Mathew Cornish has worked for several southeast Michigan financial services firms over the past 10 years. He has also worked in the public sector with Michigan municipalities and universities.

another sign of Michigan’s economic situation. It’s wise to assume that once the economy improves, and it shall, the quality of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools will attract young families to our area again. At that time the Proud Lake property will become a valuable asset for our continued growth. BUDGET: School funding is the major issue facing all school districts. School funding in the state has a basic structural deficit: By that I mean, until there is a change from how Michigan schools are funded we will continually run into financial difficulties. Proposition 11 must be altered or eliminated so that the state is not redistributing taxes from our area to other districts. School funding must have more local control. Walled Lake Schools area residents have always been generous and supportive of education. Beyond significant legislative changes, we as a district must continue the “belt-tightening” and look to other potential revenue streams. Increasing the support of local fund raising (for example; the Foundation for Excellence) is one possibility. These programs provide classroom resources that might otherwise come from the district’s general fund. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: No. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is union negotiations. Encourage the shared vision of our district in working toward excellence. Present solutions that do not punish our great employees and teachers and yet give the district some breathing room with the budget through shared sacrifice. No. 2 is the current funding shortfall. In addition to requesting help from our employees during negotiations, I would press for more department budget cutting and improved efficiencies. Although other districts have privatized certain departments and services, it should only be as a last resort. All the district’s employees have shown dedication to our schools and students. Thanking them by eliminated their posi-

tion is just wrong. It can’t be stressed enough that additional educational program cuts or their elimination can only be considered in the most desperate of situations. No. 3 is meeting educational needs/state requirements in the current fiscal situation; maintaining the programs that our children benefit most from; and minimizing cuts that directly effect students. WHY YOU? Having lived in the district over 20 years, I have seen many changes effected by the area’s growth. All three of my children have attended Walled Lake Schools from kindergarten through high school. Through my children’s school experiences and as a businessman, I have obtained a perspective of both the positive and negatives of our district. I believe my view is one that is shared with many parents and business owners in our area. My school board experience has been during one of the most difficult times for Michigan. The poor economy has been reflected in the budget woes that we have faced as a school district. During the last four years I have strived to minimize budget cuts to programs that would impact on the children’s education. I will use my experience as a school board trustee, a parent and area businessman to shape my decisions and guide me, always keeping the children and their educational experience the priority.

MATHEW CORNISH

LAND ACQUISITION: The financial outlook for most Michigan school districts is at best challenging. Walled Lake is no different. While purchasing land is sometimes necessary, I must admit this purchase is puzzling. I believe such purchases should only be made when the need is clear and plans for use defined. Unfortunately in today’s economy, undoing this purchase might not be feasible. The board must determine how it can use this land in a financially responsible manner. This might include selling

the property or some other use. Whatever the decision, it must be in the best interest of the district both educationally and financially. We do not have the luxury of expansion without strong justification. BUDGET: It doesn’t take an in-depth review of revenues and expenditures to figure out that the district is facing major challenges. Funding is flat at best with little prospect of this changing. Expenditures are down slightly but not nearly enough. The district has been balancing the budget by using its savings. Unfortunately, this can’t last forever. The district must be proactive to grow revenues by capitalizing on its reputation to attract new students. It must also be proactive in working to keep existing students. Further, the district must take a difficult and detailed review of all expenditures. Expenditures must be brought in line with revenues. Failing to make these difficult decisions now could result in decisions later that are even more difficult. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: If security is a concern, then it should be addressed through a comprehensive security plan undertaken by the district in conjunction with state and local law enforcement. Allowing school administrators to carry concealed weapons inside school buildings doesn’t promote the overall safety of students or staff. The district must proactively address security concerns in a comprehensive manner long before such plans are needed. Allowing school officials to carry concealed weapons is neither a comprehensive nor well thought out plan. Allowing such action could actually reduce the overall security by introducing other unintended opportunities for violence. TOP ISSUES: The most important issue facing the district is navigating the changed financial environment while preserving the high educational quality for which Walled Lake has become known. The district must make difficult decisions in allocating funding across its many educational priorities. We must focus on core fundamentals such as limiting class sizes and providing proper instructional resources to ensure the highest quality education. We don’t have the luxury of funding programs that may provide value but don’t directly support the most important priorities. The district must be proactive. The District must not make decisions as a response to surrounding school districts. Schools today must compete for every dollar of funding. A reactive district is an uncompetitive district. An uncompetitive district risks further erosion in enrollment and

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general election voter guide School board ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 40

subsequently reduced funding. WHY YOU? I am passionate to see that Walled Lake retains its reputation as an outstanding place to learn. I am driven to make sure every aspect of the district’s operations remain financially healthy not only today but in the future, as well. I’m focused on educational quality, financial responsibility, and creativity. I believe these characteristics will be essential for Walled Lake to retain its reputation for educational excellence. As a parent in the district, I want to work to ensure that all children are completely prepared when they graduate. We must make every effort to give our children the greatest educational opportunities available. I will work to make this happen.

GREG JANICKI LAND ACQUISITION: Understanding a complex and important action like the one described requires research and due diligence. As I was not on the board at the time, I can’t evaluate a decision out of context without the information the board had available and considered at that time. What I can describe is my decision-making process, if this issue came to the board’s attention during my tenure, should I be elected. Every decision I make will begin with a thorough analysis of all available information — asking lots of questions of both internal and external sources. Any recommendation then must be based on whether the decision supports our district’s mission. I will consistently recommend decisions that serve the best interest of district students. BUDGET: The premise of your question, while accurate to a point, is quite pessimistic. I believe our state will recover, but do understand that school funding will continue to be a top priority that must be addressed. Regarding changes to the district spending, I believe programs that have the most direct impact on student achievement should be supported. However, school funding decisions will never be about simple choices that can be summarized in a brief questionnaire. Investments the Walled Lake School District makes must be clearly linked to the district’s mission to be “the best educational system in America.” Making judgments about revenue or expense choices now, out of context of the issues facing the district at a particular moment, trivializes the complex decisions that must be made. I will recommend decisions that serve the best interest of district students. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: We should continue to explore effective and proven safety approaches and active intervention strategies, as the district has done, to address the risk of such events occurring. I don’t believe that

Greg Janicki is chief operating officer at CSM Worldwide. He has served on the Walled Lake Schools Foundation for Excellence and the district's NCA Leadership Team since 2007.

Kathy J. Lyall has served on the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education since February 2008. She is the Loon Lake Elementary School PTA president. Lyall is also currently vice president of the Twin Suns Lakes Homeowners Association, and previously served as secretary.

the current state of safety and security in the Walled Lake Schools necessitates arming school officials with guns. TOP ISSUES: My top priorities for the Walled Lake School District are to support curriculum that creates student leaders; deliver effective resources to ensure a safe, high-performing district; and establish clear measures of success in all areas. To achieve these goals, I will recommend decisions that serve the best interest of district students. I will also endeavor to provide the district team with the resources necessary to deliver curriculum and services to achieve student success. Additionally, I believe the district must emphasize community involvement, encouraging parental support in and out of the classroom. Also, I would encourage all areas to closely examine their impact on the achievement of the district’s mission and ensure that every member of the district team knows that they have a positive influence on district success. WHY YOU? I’m running for the Walled Lake Board of Education because I believe in the district’s mission to be “…the best educational system in America.” As a parent and community member, I believe our district can produce caring and responsible students who will lead our community. I’m active in the Walled Lake School District through my current role as a trustee on the Walled Lake Foundation for Excellence, as a member of the District NCA Leadership Team and as chairman of various PTA fund-raising committees. Additionally, my role as chief operating officer with CSM Worldwide has provided me an opportunity to demonstrate that I can make mission-critical decisions, create results with and through other people, and lead by building a vision that others want to be a part of. All these skills are necessary for a school board trustee to be successful.

property for use of a future school building site. In the year 2000 this bond was passed because Walled Lake’s projections for enrollment continuously increased. We didn’t own any suitable property that could be used to build a new middle or high school. Projections with regards to enrollment are difficult to predict in Michigan because of our economy and populations shifts. For example, we predicted declining enrollment for this school year; however, our enrollment actually increased. This Board of Education has the responsibility to procure building sites within our district for future boards. Some of our most recent construction was made possible because of property purchased more than 20 years ago. Without this property, we would not own land suitable to building a middle or high school in the future. BUDGET: There are several ways our district can continue to modernize how we spend our monies. We must continue to look for grants to offset our general operating budget. We must carry on working with Oakland Schools to find innovative ways to save money while providing the same services our community anticipates. Finally, we need to consistently use our sinking fund to repair and replace routinely used items; for example, boilers, roofs, etc. The state must guarantee funding at the rate of inflation and consistently disburse payments on a timely basis. The state should not have the option to make mid-year cuts. The state budget should be adopted before schools are required to finalize their budgets. Sinking funds should be expanded to include expenditures such as buses and technology. This would allow us to spend more funds from our general budget on areas that directly affect our students’ ability to achieve. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I don’t agree with school officials carrying concealed weapons in schools. We have trained administers and staff, plus our liaison officers assigned to each of our high schools, to handle emergency situations safely. Our students take part in regular

KATHY J. LYALL LAND ACQUISITION: I support the Board of Education’s decision to purchase the Proud Lake Recreation Area

drills involving a number of emergencies, including lockdowns. On Sept. 18, 2008, I witnessed Walled Lake Schools’ emergency readiness during a Patriot Services emergency simulation at Western High School. This simulation was funded through a Homeland Security grant. For me, it was a disturbing situation to witness and one I hope our district never faces; however, our staff and students did a superb job taking their responsibilities seriously while focusing on several situations simultaneously. We have confirmed through this exercise, not only are we prepared to work and communicate with five law enforcement agencies efficiently, but our staff can utilize their training and apply it while being professional and sensitive. TOP ISSUES: My focus will remain in the classroom. I’m dedicated to minimizing the impact of budget reductions in areas directly affecting our student’s ability to achieve. I take responsibility for budget decisions and will work diligently to reduce the effect on our programs, staff and students. I believe our district needs to provide every student with a first-rate education, regardless of academic and social challenges. I support interventions such as Reading Recovery, Reading and Math Essentials, Project Rise, and Community High School. In addition, I believe we need to maintain support systems to ensure every student is successful. Our district needs to remain focused on continuing to improve student achievement, reflective in benchmark and state assessments, and improved graduation rates. I support giving our staff more collaborative time to analyze individual student’s data and implement best practices. WHY YOU? I am passionate about remaining on the Walled Lake School Board because I believe in our district’s educational standards. I’m the proud involved parent of two elementary school children. Since my appointment (02/08), I have toured all 22 schools, met all principals, many staff, transportation personnel and school administrators. It has been a priority for me to meet parents and constituents to learn more about our diverse community. I will continue using my results-oriented management strategies acquired during professional and volunteer experiences to make our district superior by securing long-term resources, developing cutting-edge curriculum, providing safe environments, and maintaining open communication. My highest priority will be our students. Examples of my community service include: Walled Lake School Board, Lakes Area Youth Assistance, PTA President (three terms) and Legislative Representative, vice president and secretary for my homeowners association, and creating the resolution to Keep Michigan Students Safe. ❏

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general election voter guide Partial Term

Huron Valley School Board Challenger Sean Carlson and incumbent Joe Ghislain will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for a partial term on the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education. The winner will serve until Dec. 31, 2009. Board members are paid $30 per meeting. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses. BUDGET: In what specific areas do you believe the district must change its spending? In what ways should the district be looking for new funding sources? What, if any, changes would you like to see at the state level to address school funding? SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: The Huron Valley board has extended Superintendent Jackie Johnston’s contract for an additional year. Johnston is now under contract to work from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2011. Please explain why you do or don’t support the common practice of annually extending a superintendent’s contract by one year. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: State lawmakers have discussed legislation allowing public school officials to carry concealed weapons inside schools to deter the kind of gun violence tragedies witnessed across the nation. State why you do or don’t think it’s a good idea for school officials to carry guns while in school buildings. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

SEAN CARLSON

BUDGET: We need to review how well we are leveraging the district’s spending and at what level we are involved in cooperative purchasing programs that help contain costs. Are we using state (MiDEAL) and local cooperative purchasing programs to manage dollars being spent? Regarding revenues, we should work closely with local leaders to encourage commercial development. More businesses in the district is one way to increase revenue. Lansing needs to address the inequity in the per-pupil foundation allowance we receive. There’s no reason our children should receive less in state funding. Yet students in neighboring districts like Walled Lake and West Bloomfield receive a higher perpupil allowance than students attending Huron Valley, anywhere from $200 to $1,000 more. SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: I don’t support the current practice. Adding extensions to contracts that

Sean Carlson has worked as director of corporate procurement for Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, chief procurement officer for the state of Michigan, and chief of staff for Speaker of the House Andy Dillon.

Joseph Ghislain is a former YMCA board member and currently works for Ford Motor Company.

far in advance leaves the district financially exposed and at risk. If for whatever reason the board made the decision to go in a different direction on leadership, the district would be at risk of paying two superintendent salaries. The board shouldn’t consider extending the contract until 12 to 18 months prior to the end of the contract. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: A gun carried by school officials won’t deter an event. If there’s a concern about violence a better solution would be to work with local police to provide support and presence. I also believe the knowledge of students that school officials could be carrying weapons would create an adverse effect on the learning process. TOP ISSUES: A quality education is what’s needed to prepare the children of Huron Valley for college and a competitive workforce. A centerpiece to ensuring a quality education is pursuing best-inclass student/teacher ratios. Huron Valley schools have a 25:1 pupil/teacher ratio, one of highest in the county. Critical teaching and learning can’t take place with lopsided ratios. This is especially true in the kindergarten through fourth-grade. A balanced budget is equally important. A core strategy should be an aggressive plan calling on Lansing to provide equity in its distribution of the per-pupil foundation allowance. Our students receive from $200 to $1,100 less than those in neighboring districts. It’s not right and needs to be changed. Finally, we need to champion community commitment between parents, teachers, and administrators to promote our students’ success. WHY YOU? Community connection: I’m a proud father of two young children and want to ensure my children, as well as the children of Huron Valley receive an education that prepares them for college and a competitive workforce. Experience in saving tax dollars is another reason. At the state of

Michigan, I saved in excess of $500 million in taxpayer dollars and developed and executed effective cost-containment strategies.

JOE GHISLAIN

BUDGET: Michigan’s schools budget crisis and the way schools are funded are major issues for Huron Valley. All costs need to be reviewed and reductions made in areas that don’t adversely affect education, like reducing energy costs. This is where my experience in operations and maintenance and as a certified energy manager can help. On the revenue side, we need to continue to offer high quality education and choice programs, like the International Academy, to make our schools the education of choice both in the district and the surrounding area. At the state level, I would like to see Lansing do two things — continue equity increases to districts like Huron Valley that are well below other schools in their county, and perform a study to see what the true cost of education to the state standard is and adjust funding accordingly. SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: The annual renewal of a superintendent’s contract is common practice. While there are always pro and cons to any method, I oppose changing this for three reasons. First, since it’s common practice, changing it could put us in a competitive disadvantage if we ever had to hire another superintendent. Second, running a school district shouldn’t be focused on just year-to-year improvements but also over time. The contract gives the district stability and allows the board to give positive feedback through renewal or puts the superintendent on notice that things must change. Finally, since board members change, the fate of the district can’t be left to the “whims” of new board members who may not know school operations and the governing laws. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I agree with the

current district policy which is to not allow weapons of any kind into the building. Isn’t it possible one or two large students could overpower a smaller teacher and take away a gun? Carrying a gun also means the school official may have to use the weapon. At what point would they determine when this type of excessive force would be necessary? What about the liability and the possibility of wrongful death? These are issues that highlytrained police face every day, not something an untrained school district should take on. As a district we concentrate on intervention and prevention, and I hope we don’t get to a point where this is necessary. TOP ISSUES: The top three priorities are a great education for all children, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration. Children are our most important resource and as a parent of a child with a learning disability, I know what great education for all children really means. We learned to be advocates for her needs. As a board member I will continue to be an advocate for all children. While providing a high-quality education, we still have an obligation to the taxpayers to be prudent. With my background and experience, I will work to make sure we reduce costs without jeopardizing education. Collaboration is the key in working together to achieve district goals. I have worked not only with the UAW and CAW but on numerous committees, task forces, and boards. I understand the importance of working together and getting to common objectives and goals. WHY YOU? I have two daughters who graduated from and one daughter still at Milford High School, so I’m not a politician, just a parent who cares about the district. I care about children, their education and well being. I have been involved with organizations that educate and support children, including Junior Achievement, YMCA Parent/Child Programs and March of Dimes. I want to give back to the community and district using my business, operational and energy management experience from over 22 years at Ford. I want return the investment the community and district made in me when I was appointed in May 2007. I’m hard working and have studied district operations, school funding and the legislation/laws that govern them, earning the Certified Board Member Award and Award of Merit from Michigan Association of School Boards; and want to use this knowledge to continue to serve the Huron Valley Schools community. ❏

OCTOBER 22-28, 2008

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general election voter guide Four-year terms

Huron Valley School Board Incumbent Lisa L. Blackwell, challenger Lee Ann Clifford, and incumbent Charles Dittmar will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election for two four-year terms on the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education. Board members are paid $30 per meeting for up to 52 meetings per year The following are questions are staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: Michigan’s schools face a permanent budget crisis, not merely a temporary challenge linked to a meager economic recovery. In what specific areas do you believe the district must change its spending? On the revenue side, in what ways should the district be looking for new funding sources? What, if any, changes would you like to see at the state level to address school funding? SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: Huron Valley Schools Board of Education has extended Superintendent Jackie Johnston’s contract for an additional year. Johnston is now under contract to work from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2011. Please explain why you do or don’t support the common practice of annually extending a superintendent’s contract by one year. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: State lawmakers have discussed legislation that would allow public school officials to carry concealed weapons inside school buildings in an effort to deter the kind of gun violence tragedies witnessed across the nation in recent years. Please state why you do or don’t think it’s a good idea for school officials to carry guns while in school buildings. TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

LISA L. BLACKWELL BUDGET: Huron Valley is 24th out of 28 in state funding in Oakland County. This district doesn’t have a spending problem. Our financial challenges are caused by a structural deficit created in large part by the state’s inability/desire to provide funding increases that match the inflationary increases seen in our expenses. This is why a major focus of the current school board and of this district has been continued cost containment and revenue generation. Our “Schools of Choice” campaign has been very successful. Even as Michigan’s student population decreases dramatically, we continue to

Lisa Blackwell has served on the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education for the past four years. She is currently the school board's vice president.

exceed our schools of choice enrollment goals. This is a substantial source of supplemental revenue for us. We are currently working on a very comprehensive energy audit to keep utility costs to a minimum. We are active participants in the Oakland Schools consortium initiative. We recently formed a group that is attempting to emulate the “Kalamazoo Promise.” We have had a very successful and stakeholder inclusive “grassroots” funding campaign focused at state legislators. We will continue these efforts to keep our local legislators in tune to what deep budget cuts do to a school district. SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: Keeping quality staff at every level is a major focus of this board. Our district is lucky to have a superintendent with the qualities and skills of Mrs. Johnston. The superintendent’s performance is evaluated yearly and a decision to extend the contract is made at that time. It’s important to note that studies show the tenure of a superintendent has a direct effect on student achievement. Therefore multi-year contracts are desirable from the board’s point of view. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: If by school officials you mean administrators and other staff, the answer is pointedly no. School officials, in the capacity defined above, are not trained professionals in the areas of firearms, nor are they trained professionals in the gun violence tragedies that have plagued our nation. Huron Valley Schools currently has police liaisons that do work in our schools and do carry firearms. This is perfectly acceptable as this is what they are trained to do. The safety and security of our students and staff continues to be a high priority for the board. We routinely collaborate with our local municipalities to analyze and improve our processes in that area. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is successful implementation of the state-mandated new graduation requirements. One of the main goals in Huron Valley is success for

Charles Dittmar has served on the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education for the past four years. He is employed as an environmental consultant. Lee Ann Clifford served on the Huron Valley School District's Building Utilization Committee and District Parent Council for the last two years. She is currently president of the Highland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization.

all students. The new graduation requirements will present challenges as we strive for this goal. Students have very different learning styles and some may struggle with the new mandated class requirements. We need to make sure we keep these students engaged and connected to the classroom. Our intervention programs will be more important than ever at the high school level. Innovative class scheduling will be key as we promote and include electives, arts and athletics into the student’s year. As class offerings become more rigorous, it will be more difficult to find highly qualified teachers in the mandated content areas. We need to continue to attract and retain the quality staff we have in this district. No. 2 is equity in funding. The disparity in per pupil funding throughout Oakland County and the state must be dealt with. We need to continue the efforts to close the funding gap between the top funded district and the lowest. I’m not suggesting we take money away from the top funded districts, just boost the lower funded districts to close the gap. The quality of a child’s public education should not be based on where they live or the value of their home. We will continue our grassroots efforts to close this funding gap, as well as work with the Legislature to do an Adequacy and Equity Study. Such a study will determine the appropriate dollars needed to fund education at a level consistent with the content we expect schools to deliver. No. 3 is declining enrollment. Declining enrollment is a state wide epidemic. Michigan’s current economic condition is causing mass exodus of families

with school-age children. We will continue to attract new students to our district with our dedicated staff, quality test scores, high graduation rates and beautiful facilities. In order to remain fiscally responsible to our stakeholders we will continue to evaluate the utilization of our schools. WHY YOU? Currently I have four children in the Huron Valley School system — one in high school, two in middle school and one in elementary. I live every decision I make as a board member whether its revised high school graduation requirements, changes in middle school curriculum or changes in elementary schools. I believe it is a perfect time for me to be on the school board. Four years of experience bring a totally new perspective to the job. It brings confidence, knowledge, trust, understanding, compassion, and an overall calm to the job. I have built a good rapport with parents, administrators and teachers in the district. They trust me to take care of our schools and our kids. I’m very appreciative of the opportunities given to me to strengthen my abilities as a board member through seminars and classes. I have achieved Level One and Level Two certification as well as my Advocacy Skills Specialist certification. I’m just a normal person granted the privilege and honor to give back to my community through my school board service. I love this job and would appreciate the opportunity to continue my good work.

LEE ANN CLIFFORD BUDGET: We created a building to rent out for additional revenue. I think as a district we should be looking to rent out other things that might raise revenue, such as buses for trips for our senior citizen outings. If we are okay to rent out space in our schools for outside programs, then we should be okay for the buses to be used. SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: I support this practice, just for the simple fact that the superintendent won’t be out looking for different positions. We are secure in knowing that we have someone to run the schools, and the superintendent is secure in knowing they have a job. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: If the district gets that bad, that our principals have to carry weapons into the schools, I would like to see more security in the schools. I do realize that some of the tragic events have happened in schools that have had security. If we did need to put guns in the schools they need to be put in a locked central location PAGE 48 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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general election voter guide

Waterford School Board Paul K. Coughlin, Stephen K. Dooley, Heather Halls, John Himmelspach, Karen M. Laszlo, Robin McGregor, Aimee McKeever, Virginia Poehlman, Michael J. Ristich, and Joan Sutherland are competing in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election race for four seats on the Waterford Schools Board of Education. The candidates receiving the two highest vote totals will serve sixyear terms, and the candidates with the third and fourth highest vote totals will serve four-year terms. Board members are paid $30 per meeting attended. The following are questions recently posed to the candidates, and their responses. Ristich didn’t respond to our candidate questionnaire. BUDGET: In what specific areas do you believe the district must change its spending? On the revenue side, in what ways should the district be looking for new funding sources? What, if any, changes would you like to see at the state level to address school funding? SEX EDUCATION: Debate on whether public school sex education curriculums should be based solely on teaching abstinence as the only way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases resurfaces periodically. State why you do or don’t support that concept. State why you do or don’t believe the curriculum could include both abstinence and other methods of birth control and disease prevention. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: State lawmakers have discussed legislation that would allow public school officials to carry concealed weapons inside school buildings in an effort to deter the kind of gun violence tragedies witnessed across the nation. Please state why you do or don’t think it’s a good idea for school officials to carry guns while in school buildings. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Explain why you do or don’t believe parents are given enough opportunities to participate in the district’s decision-making process? Who are the school board’s true constituents? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the district at this time, and how do you propose to address them? WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents?

PAUL K. COUGHLIN

BUDGET: The state funding formula for education simply isn’t working at any level — K-12, community colleges or our universities. Such a major priority as education needs to have a fixed, guaranteed commitment. The shock wave sent through district budgets like ours, causing uncertainty in curriculum and hiring, has to stop. To ask the state to make a particu-

Paul K. Coughlin has served on the Waterford Foundation for Public Education for the past 12 years, four as president. He has owned and operated the Runnin' Gear store, a technical running shop offering the latest and best running and walking shoes and apparel, for 28 years.

Stephen K. Dooley has worked in law enforcement, including as a school liaison officer. He also has coached local youth sports.

Heather Halls is the executive director of the Waterford Coalition for Youth. She has been a PTO/PTSA Executive Board member for six years, and served on the Superintendent's District Advisory Council.

lar budget item off limits, and not ask the school district to do the same in it’s budget procedure seems disingenuous, but I will again point out the priority education represents. A full and diverse education is always in our best interest. When budget cuts are necessary at the district I believe it should be done across the board, avoiding the entire dismantling of particular departments. Waterford’s nationally recognized fine arts department, for instance, represents part of teaching the whole child. SEX EDUCATION: First let me say I think it should best be taught at home. Conceding that sex education needs to be addressed in school, as well, I feel that teaching abstinence, while possibly the best method and thus the curriculum of choice, needs to be supplemented. I support at least making young adults aware of more options. A blind eye to the activities of our youth will not prevent unwanted pregnancies or disease. The epidemic of incurable disease calls for education. Whether kids take advantage of alternatives to abstinence to become promiscuous is again a question I believe that is best addressed at home, but if they are considering that path a chance to better educate youth on the consequences and safeguards are realistic. Please keep in mind, regarding any issue, my respect for the wishes of the community would be foremost as a representative on the board. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: Having guns in school is a lot like the issue of teaching sex education — if more options are available are you more apt to use them? If an event occurred where force appeared unavoidable, I would rather leave the guns to trained professionals. I understand that response time is of the utmost, but an untrained response could also lead to further tragedy. If we have proper emergency procedures, which Waterford has had the foresight to ensure, the decision of deadly force should be left to the police.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: It’s the board’s responsibility to be open, honest and responsive — it’s the community’s responsibility to be involved. A board’s constituency includes the entire community, from students and parents to retirees and businesses; and as a board member the more information and community opinion I receive the better my decision-making process. Waterford enjoys an involved community but needs to continue the effort to encourage two-way communication. I’ve had the opportunity, through my years on the Waterford Foundation for Public Education, to observe the district as an outsider on the inside. This privilege convinces me that continuing communication, making it clear to everyone what we have to offer as a district, will answer questions and encourage involvement. The district currently hosts expos and open houses, curriculum nights and advisory groups, parent teacher conferences and Internet communication, to name just a few of the avenues open to all of us. I say get on board. TOP ISSUES: At the state level I will reiterate my opening remarks about school funding. Much work needs to be done to encourage our decision-makers to find a more equitable and dependable funding formula. As a community, I also reiterate, we need to make a commitment to be better informed and involved. I believe Waterford is a progressive district (i.e. the early institution of all-day Kindergarten mimicked by neighboring districts) and we are working hard to get our message out — but I also believe we need to work harder. A community commitment to the system builds the district. In our own homes we need to stress responsibility and respect. Discipline shifted from home to school when our attitudes at home changed — time to send it back with a more active and open dialogue with parents. WHY YOU? I’m a product of Waterford Schools, Cranbrook Schools, and possess

a BA in psychology from Albion College. My wife, Linda, and children, Amy, Megan, and Eric, also attended Waterford Schools. As a business owner I have spent 28 years in Waterford and for the past 12 years have served on the non-profit Waterford Foundation for Public Education supporting fund-raising efforts to supplement Waterford classrooms. The foundation has allowed me to visit every school building and given me a direct line to our most innovative and creative teachers. Providing funding on a grant basis, the foundation has given me a window on the wishes of this dedicated staff, as well as a look at the deficiencies of public school funding. I believe this informed outside view and my business experience is important to the school board, providing perspective and an opportunity to introduce fresh vision.

STEPHEN K. DOOLEY BUDGET: The Waterford School District needs to increase its fund balance. We currently have approximately 6.3 percent in the fund balance. This puts the district in a position where they have to borrow around $ 6 million to cover operational costs until their state funding comes in. This loan costs the district around $250,000. If the fund balance was near the recommended 15 percent, they would not have to incur this cost. In these difficult economic times it’s imperative that every effort is made to keep any cuts away from the classroom. We need to continue to actively pursue grants and other funding sources that are not taken directly from community members’ pockets. SEX EDUCATION: It’s important for the school district to have sex education in the curriculum. I also believe that the schools should have an open door policy with the parents to view the curriculum and any literature that

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goes along with it. The curriculum should include both abstinence and other methods of birth control and disease prevention. The curriculum should stress that abstinence is the only sure method to avoid pregnancy and remain free from sexually transmitted disease. It should also supply our students with the knowledge to make informed decisions. We need to be proactive and realistic when it comes to protecting our children as they become young adults. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: As a former school liaison officer, I can say unequivocally that I’m against any legislation that allows school officials to carry concealed weapons in school. They are not trained in defensive tactics or weapon retention in the event someone tries to disarm them. I’m a firm believer that the liaison officers need to be kept in the schools. This isn’t only a benefit to the school but also a benefit to the police to have officers who are familiar with our kids. We won’t make our schools safer by adding more weapons in the building. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: I believe the parents in Waterford have the opportunity to get involved in the decision-making process. There are school board meetings that are televised and open to the public where parents have the opportunity to address their concerns directly to the board. There are meetings with the superintendent that are also open to the public. I was recently in a meeting that was open to the public where I, along with numerous other parents, was able to provide input into the future direction of the district. We were asked for positive and negative input and were able to prioritize those ideas as a group. TOP ISSUES: First is the safety and security of our students and staff. I intend to be involved with our school liaison officers on a regular basis so that I can be aware of the safety concerns and other issues in our buildings. I will also push for training for our staff to ensure they know how to respond to emergencies. Second is balancing the budget and remaining fiscally responsible. It’s more important than ever that we continue to make decisions that ensure the survival of our school district. We also need to be aware of how our decisions affect the community. Third is improving the image of the Waterford School District. The image and reputation of Waterford schools have declined over the years. We have a very good staff and student body. We need to get past the tainted test scores that are published in the papers and showcase the many great opportunities that exist in our community and our schools. WHY YOU? I have resided in Waterford since the first-grade. My wife graduat-

John Himmelspach has served on the Waterford Schools Board of Education since 1992, including as the board's president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. He has worked at Chrysler Corporation in Security Services for the last year, and as a West Bloomfield Township police officer from 1977 to 2008, retiring as an administrative lieutenant. Himmelspach was the department's first school liaison officer. He has served an officer of several district PTAs; and was a founding member of the Waterford Coalition for Youth.

Karen M. Laszlo has been a PTA president, a classroom mom and coach. She previously served as national director of education design for Domino's Pizza, Inc. Laszlo has served on the Waterford Foundation Teacher of the Year Committee, and current co-managers her husband's dental practice.

ed from Waterford schools and our two children currently attend Pierce Middle School and Schoolcraft Elementary. I coach our children in various sports and I’m a very strong advocate for our community. I bring a unique perspective with my law enforcement background and school liaison experience. I have no personal agendas and I’m not tied to either side in bargaining. Most importantly, I love our community and care about the futures of our children.

offering educational opportunities for parents on this subject. In addition we can provide an atmosphere in school where students feel comfortable in pursuing their concerns. Resources are in place in our community which compliment these support systems. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: It’s critical to place emphasis on prevention strategies which educate and equip students, families and community members in reducing the risks of violence. It’s equally important to review studies and statistics on the effectiveness and safety in implementing legislation which allows school staff officials to carry weapons. I’m not convinced that the effectiveness over the risks has been proven. Teachers are in school to teach. We have resources in place within our school district, including police liaisons and prevention specialists to respond and assist in violence prevention and reduction. I would prefer to see an increase in the numbers of these resources. State lawmakers must go beyond the statistics of school violence and confer with the experience and training of law enforcement and safety professionals before implementing such legislation. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Research demonstrates that parent involvement in their child’s learning experience is positively related to the child’s achievement — at all ages. Parents frequently step back from involvement as their children get older for fear that they “don’t need them” anymore. Being involved is imperative to sustaining success and achievement, as well as continuing and strengthening the growth of family relationships. Parents are given many opportunities to participate in the decision-making process, offer feedback and ideas. Unfortunately, not all take advantage of it. I strongly encourage more parents and community members to attend PTSA meetings, school and community events, board meetings and to get involved in school committees and elections. Talk to your school’s teachers and administrators. Parents have the opportunity to

HEATHER HALLS

BUDGET: Budgets everywhere are of critical concern in our country’s economy. Because salaries and benefits are 87 percent of our district’s total budget, this is one key area in which to focus. Re-evaluating day-to-day expenditures is another important element for review. What are other districts doing and how can we remain competitive? Our district has or may soon be implementing changes such as reorganizing transportation routes, adapting school start times, consolidating printing venues, and offering all-day kindergarten, for example. Efforts to increase grant funding would be beneficial. When continuing state funding shortfalls already exist, I’m concerned about the long-term impact of the governor’s 21st Century Schools Fund. There are many items to consider in balancing and sustaining a budget and it takes the collaborative review of many to be successful in addressing the numerous needs and concerns. SEX EDUCATION: Sex education is an important topic which I believe should ultimately begin at the family level. Not all families choose to educate their children in the same manner, nor at the same age. Each child is unique in their maturity and readiness to handle this topic. One of the most important things we can do is educate students in the risks associated with sexual activity, including pregnancy and disease, as well as dating safety. We can be proactive in enhancing comfort levels for families to have discussions with their children by

provide first-hand perspectives of their experiences, good or bad, and it’s a great way to develop collaborative relationships. TOP ISSUES: Safe and secure environments encourage positive learning experiences. Pressures are great overall for youth and adults, especially in our struggling economy. Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of current systems in place is important. Our community’s diversity continues to grow, including 39 different languages being spoken in the Waterford School District. Increased academic mandates and required outputs have made it difficult to create time for focus on positive social and cultural awareness and education. Through the coalition, I organized and collaborated with the district in bringing Rachel’s Challenge to all seventh through 12th-graders, which focuses on creating kinder, more compassionate, respectful environments at school and in the community. Expanding on the many awareness programs currently in place in our schools and searching out additional venues for positive results is important. Strained relationships exist within the district. I offer trusting, collaborative energy in the issues we face and am approachable and committed to Waterford. WHY YOU? I’m the executive director of the Waterford Coalition for Youth. My husband and I have two children in Waterford schools. As a 32-year Waterford resident and a graduate of Waterford Mott, I have served in many roles on the executive boards and committees at elementary and middle school, in addition to serving on the Superintendent’s District Advisory Council and Safe Schools Healthy Communities $5.7 million Grant Advisory Board. My parents are retired educators in the Waterford School District (Spry) and my siblings graduated from WTI/Waterford Kingsley Montgomery. My involvement and collaborative experience within Waterford extends communitywide, including the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, Police Department, Fire Department, Optimist Club, Youth Assistance, Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, Waterford New Horizons Concert Band, Golden Age Club and Christmas in Action. I’m committed to Waterford, to youth and to a positive future for our community. Please visit www.votewaveofthefuture.com.

JOHN HIMMELSPACH

BUDGET: The Waterford Board of Education has instituted $23 million in budget adjustments over the past five years. We have kept the Fund Balance at 5.5 to 6 percent. We have made budget adjustments without making more than a half dozen layoffs. We have reduced administration by 25 percent; secretaries by 23 percent; custodial/ maintenance by 20 percent and transportation by 15 percent. For the 2008-09 school year we PAGE 46 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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have hired over 70 professional teaching staff, allowing us to keep class sizes the same during these times of budget cuts. We have made $12 million in improvement through the sale of energy bonds without an increase in taxes. Payments through the savings realized have reduced energy costs. We have received a $12 million grant from the Oakland Schools Special Education Fund to renovate our Kingsley Montgomery building. We have also received a $5.7 million dollar federal grant to increase the safety and health of our schools. SEX EDUCATION: The health of our children is a vital issue to schools and our community. Public schools are required to teach a sex education curriculum that is reviewed by parents of our children. Each family has the right to provide alternate sex education to their children or work with the district to insure that their individual child gets the both the knowledge of preventing unwanted pregnancies and diseases while maintaining their family values. I firmly believe that the curriculum should include abstinence along with birth control and disease prevention. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: In 31 years of police work, I have been trained in weapon use and safety. Staff that would carry guns would not have the hours of training that police go through that insures safe and proper discharge, and the safety of bystanders is at the forefront of any weapon discharge. This district has maintained a strong police/school liaison officer program and is instituting a $5.7 million dollar grant to improve the safety of our children. Weapons belong in the hands of police professionals, not first-grade teachers. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: The Waterford School District holds numerous decision-making committees at both the school building level and the district level. Parents enjoy participating in these efforts that allow them to be part of educational improvement, budget priorities, and facility use. We have more than doubled our parent/ community “feedback” opportunities in the past few years. The school board’s true constituents are the 11,000 Waterford children age 1-25 working to obtain the best education available. TOP ISSUES: First is budget constraints of the state of Michigan, our parents, and our local businesses. We must continue to find ways to control costs and find alternative funding sources. Second is high school graduation requirements. Our students face the toughest graduation requirements in the country. We must work to find options for students to meet these

Robin McGregor has served for eight years as president of various PTA/PTSA groups. She is chief steward for her union.

Aimee McKeever has been an educator for 23 years. She currently holds several leadership positions within the local and state union, as well as community leadership positions and within the public schools as a parent.

requirements outside of the normal four years of traditional high school. Third is new trends in education. The Waterford School District must maintain its position as a leader in meeting educational needs. This means looking beyond the traditional brick and mortar of the kindergarten through high school facilities that school has been taught in for centuries. WHY YOU? I was first elected to the Waterford Board of Education in 1992 and re-elected in 1996, 2000, and 2004. I have served as the board’s president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, and am currently the board vice president. I have worked at Chrysler Corporation in Security Services for the last year, and as a West Bloomfield Township police officer from 1977 to 2008, retiring as an administrative lieutenant. I was the department’s first school liaison officer. I have served as a vice president of the Riverside Elementary School, Della Lutes Elementary School and Pierce Middle School PTAs; and was a founding member of the Waterford Coalition for Youth.

exposed to much more earlier in life; however, their brain development for processing information is still where it was for kids many years ago. Therefore, if sex education is taught in school, it should include abstinence and other methods of birth control because clearly just one or the other isn’t effective enough. However, I think the larger debate is whether sex education is in the curriculum at all. Many families feel this is of a highly personal nature and should be addressed at home or through the other educational programs readily available in our community. What I would like to see addressed in a class are the health, well-being, educational, and exercise benefits to proper nutrition and how to achieve those along with conquering the obesity epidemic. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I don’t think it’s a good idea for school officials to carry concealed weapons. This would result in easier access for a student intending to do harm to gain access to a weapon. The only school officials carrying a weapon should be highly trained to do so, such as our police liaisons. There are too many emotional and physical stresses throughout a school day that could cause a student or teacher to make a momentary error in judgment that would have lasting catastrophic results due to the easy access of a concealed weapon. Of much greater value would be an increase in the number of effective programs already in place in violence prevention and strategies for dealing with the social and emotional stresses our children face at home and school. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Parents have two powerful tools that must be used wisely: their vote and voice. Parents must address educational concerns and celebrations — often vented on the proverbial soccer fields of life — with teachers and principals, continuing on to the district administration and board if need be. However, it’s too easy for parents to give up when they feel they aren’t being heard. Parents need to support one another in PTA meetings and to attend board meetings to really discover what is happening and affect change. Additionally, the board and administration must provide both a forum and approachable demeanor to welcome these voices. Forums were

KAREN M. LASZLO BUDGET: Do you cut programs or personnel? This can only be adequately addressed when on the “inside” where there is access to this information. Once there, appropriation of funds must be looked at objectively to assess what’s working and where to make cuts. Our district continues to implement budget reductions including the addition of allday kindergarten, a reduction in weekly newsletters, and re-routing of school bus transportation to include one-way service for sports teams. Grant opportunities must be sought through both the government and corporate avenues, as must districts of similar demographics with successful funding programs. As for state funding, that is one tangled web. The state must carry through on its “promised” funding so that schools can plan their budgets. The state needs to listen to educators currently in the field for both funding needs and the educational requirements necessary to keep up with this global economy. SEX EDUCATION: You often hear how kids today are growing up too fast. This is only part of the equation: Children are

begun last year and continue; however, the amount of parental involvement is disappointing and parents must commit to investing proactively in these forums and wisely reacting to concerns with a willingness to be part of the solution. Our children need you every step of the way. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is ensuring fundamentals in math and writing are taught and strategically built upon. Current assessments and aligning of the curriculum must be continued but with more timely, accurate, and corrective steps along the way. We are on a good track and must continually tweak without reinventing the whole wheel. No. 2 is increased, timely, and responsive communication at all levels to parents, students, and community members, which is vital, as is an approachable administration to the needs and concerns of teachers and students. Frequency of district and school newsletters can be increased with the use of Edline. The accomplishments of our teachers and students must be celebrated and shared. The community must be engaged and valued. No. 3 is expectations must be raised and adhered to in academics and citizenship. School administrators must be held accountable and take pride in the ownership in the continuous improvement of student achievement. WHY YOU? I have been married for 20 years and have three children in Waterford schools. Volunteer roles include PTA president, chairmanships, classroom mom, and coaching, to districtwide initiatives. I’m a previous national director of education design for Domino’s Pizza, Inc., a current Sprint athlete, serving on the Waterford Foundation Teacher of the Year Committee, and co-managing my husband’s dental practice. I feel our District’s glass is half full. However, that is not satisfactory. Our kids deserve an excellent education that best prepares them for tomorrow. I’m a perpetual student that listens, learns, acts and grows. I have a reputation for being approachable, trustworthy, efficient, and making a positive impact. I’m discerning and take the time to assess and evaluate. Waterford must build on its strengths, correct its shortcomings, and continually engage the community for a mutually beneficial and rewarding relationship.

ROBIN McGREGOR

BUDGET: First, we need to start looking at the 7 percent annuity that administrators get every year. I believe that these should be in line with the raises that all other staff are receiving rather than a raise just because. Additionally, we need to keep looking for ways to bring money into our district. There are many grants and company sponsorships available. For instance, Waterford just received a grant that is worth almost $6 million. PAGE 47❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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Finally, I believe that there are changes that need to be made at the state level, in terms of budgeting. The state should allocate money and keep this budget for an entire year. Over the past few years, many cut backs have been made at multiple times during the school year, thereby stopping schools from planning a solid budget. SEX EDUCATION: Sex education starts at home and it should be a family decision. Currently, the state sets its own benchmarks for sex education. Under these rules, if a parent decides that he or she doesn’t want his or her children exposed to this information, then he or she can request that they not participate. This system allows each student and their family the opportunity for open discussion without imposing on personal views. As a result, this provides the most flexibility and options for each individual and family. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I don’t think that allowing staff members to carry concealed weapons is the answer to the violence that we have seen in schools. Waterford has had a very good safety record. Bringing weapons into our classrooms could provide more opportunity for future violent acts to occur. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: The school board’s constituents consist of the entire community, from senior citizens to the single person without children, to parents whose children have graduated and families with children that are still in school. Therefore, every parent and community member has the opportunity to be involved in the school system and/or their children’s education. It depends on each individual’s personal level of involvement. For instance, I have been and am very involved in the Waterford School District. Before my children graduated from the Waterford school system I worked full-time, contributed to my community, and still played an active role in the Waterford School District. In fact, I even helped to create changes and bring programs to our district. Now that my children have graduated, I’m still involved with the school district. I’m even a parent advisor for Kettering’s Interact group (a student community service group). TOP ISSUES: The three most important issues are settling the staff’s contract, improving our school district’s college rankings, and improving the building environments in our schools. We need to consider that before our teachers and staff members can teach our students to the best of their abilities, it’s important for them to know where they stand and have some sort of stability. Furthermore, for our students to move forward with the challenges that they are facing today, they need to be prepared. By communicating the positive aspects of our school district

Virginia Poehlman has served on the Waterford Schools Board of Education since 1991, and is the board's current treasurer. She is the owner and CEO of Troy Freight Expediting LLC. She is a member of several state and national school board associations, and several community-based organizations.

Joan Sutherland has served as secretary and vice president of the Waterford Mott PTSO, and is a founding member and sponsor of the Waterford Mott Junior Optimist Club. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in business, including roles as a supervisor and department manager, college instructor, corporate trainer, systems and business analyst.

we can show colleges that our students are prepared while helping our students to have the best possible opportunities. Finally, to improve the environments of our schools, we will need to remove mold and allergens which bother both students and staff members and stop them from doing what they are in school for. WHY YOU? Voters should vote for me because I care about our schools, students, and staff members. I have always been a part of Waterford Schools and still am today. Through my involvement, I have proven myself. People know me as someone who always follows through and does what I say I am going to do. Moreover, I believe that education is the key to our community. Without good schools our community can’t flourish. After all, our legacy to our children is their education and that legacy depends on the decisions that we make today.

what is constituted as an event when weapons need to be drawn? We are educators educating and reinforcing actions and behaviors of right and wrong on a daily basis. We are not law enforcement officers trained to handle volatile situations with guns. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Parents are given ample opportunities to be involved in the decision-making processes in this district. There are several organizations and committees within the schools, as well as opportunities to meet one-on-one with administrators and staff, with the ultimate involvement being at the school board level, serving its constituents of community members, parents and students. Community members and parents just have to choose to be active and involved. TOP ISSUES: The most important issue is to settle all contracts with all units in the district. Within my 23 years as an educator I have served on negotiating teams and feel I bring vital experience to the table. Secondly, the communication between employer and employees should be improved upon, making sure all parties receive information in a respectful and timely manner. WHY YOU? I have been an educator for the past 23 years. I have worked at all grade levels and in many areas of special education. I have and currently hold several leadership positions within the local and state union, as well as community leadership positions and within the public schools as a parent. I have a daughter currently attending Kettering High School which encourages me to be apart of the decision-making/input part of the school community. I feel my past and present experience in public education demonstrates a commitment to serve on the Board of Education and the Waterford School District.

AIMEE McKEEVER

BUDGET: She state needs to re-examine the formula used to fund public schools. Most schools, if not all, will never be able to adequately fund their districts with the present system. Secondly, in this county we need to examine the large fund balance at the Oakland Intermediate School District. With local districts in such dire straits we should be able to get more financial assistance from the ISD. School districts are not for-profit, we should be spending some of the money if we have it. Locally, I believe the district should reexamine the budget spending, making sure cuts are not in the areas that directly affect children. SEX EDUCATION: (This) has been and probably will continue to be a debatable issue. That’s why it’s very important to have the parent/community input on these issues. Advisory committees are always reviewing the curriculums and making changes as society changes with the times. What the curriculum covers is important and should be followed up with parental support/communication at home. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: Absolutely not. Guns have no business in the school environment. Who would decide on the officials that would carry these guns? Who makes the decision when to use the gun? Who makes the decision as to

VIRGINIA POEHLMAN

BUDGET: Waterford has been aggressively seeking ways to cut costs while still providing full programs for the students we serve. We have closed buildings; we centralize services and collaborate with the township and the county whenever possible so that tax dollars are not spent twice. I’m proud of the system we have of constantly monitoring and

consolidating wherever possible. We have kept the reductions as far from the classroom and our students as possible. I would like to see the state realize that if our schools were better funded the prison system would need less funding. Currently prisoners are funded at twice the level our students are. Are they being rehabilitated? Would they be prisoners if they were given the best education possible? I think not. SEX EDUCATION: I believe parents should be allowed to review the sex education curriculum and make the decision on whether their student should attend the class. I believe the school should teach abstinence but give options if abstinence is not chosen. Schools are not a moral compass, but the vehicle that delivers information. It’s the family’s job to set boundaries and values for their children. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: This needs more open discussion to weigh the pros and cons. Initially I feel if an individual is well-trained, and certified, they should be allowed to carry. In this day and age there are too many incidents with students and teachers being held hostage, when a trained, certified person could diffuse the situation, and save lives. The answer is in the police liaison program which we just bolstered during my tenure. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: The district continually gives parents opportunities to be involved in the decisionmaking process. Currently we are holding “stakeholder” meetings involving every group that touches the Waterford School District to align the goals and mission of the district. This was first done 17 years ago. We involve parents as much as possible in the decision-making process. For example, when a student applies for readmission to our schools following an expulsion, a parent is on the committee that makes the decision. We couldn’t begin to serve this community half as well without our parents. We have PTSA’s in every building plus the District Advisory Council which includes a parent and meets with the superintendent and a board representative throughout the year. TOP ISSUES: My top three issues are a safe and secure environment for staff and students; a fair contract, also keeping the environment for our staff free from stress and unrest by providing good fiscal management of the resources available to the district; and future tough decisions in Waterford coming with the never-ending funding questions, as well as jumping the No Child Left Behind and Michigan Yes hurdles being thrown at us by the state and federal governments. We have to find a way to comply with guidelines while best serving our students and employees. I intend to be sure the voice of Waterford is heard loud and strong at state and

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national levels to cease picking on public schools and start working together with them. WHY YOU? I have served this community well over the past 17 years while building excellent facilities, combined with good fiscal management. Hard decisions had to be made to maintain fiscal responsibility to keep from laying people off, or initiating programs or policies like pay to play. I’m approachable to parents, students and the community and am available to help them solve a problem they may have within the district. I care deeply about our schools and the students we serve. I believe in public education and I have worked hard to see us get to where we are today. I will continue to work to see us improve even more.

JOAN SUTHERLAND BUDGET: In the Waterford School District, the salaries and benefits of staff, teachers and administrators represents almost 87 percent of district expenditures. This is consistent with most organizations in the service sector throughout the nation. Benchmarking should occur to ensure that the costs associated with administration, including contracted administrative positions, are also consistent. I would pursue revenue increases through a targeted and comprehensive approach to grant writing. At the

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and kept out of the children’s reach. TOP ISSUES: No. 1 is overcrowding in a couple of our elementary schools. I would like to see equal numbers in all our schools. Otherwise we will be going though another Apollo situation in a few years. No. 2 is keeping the open enrollment, Schools of Choice and yearround programs going. Again, equal numbers in the schools help to ensure this. Right now there are at least two schools that aren’t open to enrollment, and if out-of-district parents want their children to attend these schools they would be turned away. That isn’t acceptable in this day and age. WHY YOU? I would like to see the schools equaled out. We are a large district with lots of space to redistrict. I feel that with the classrooms overcrowded the students are losing. We need to reduce the class size to ensure that each student has a chance to be the best that they can be. This would also help to grow the school district to enable more of the Schools of Choice and the open enrollment students to go to the schools that they want and are available to take them. I’m not the kind of person

state level, I would like to see school funding changes which would hold firm the communicated foundation allowance. The state shouldn’t be permitted to reduce the foundation allowance or categoricals after the money has been budgeted by school districts, and in some cases, after it has already been spent. SEX EDUCATION: Sex education is an integral part of a student’s education and is best taught at home. However, there are a significant number of students who never receive this very important information that could save their lives. Therefore, I believe that sex education should be taught in the schools utilizing a concise, factual and medical approach. The current and future health of our students is dependent on them being armed with the necessary information to make mature and informed decisions, and to understand the physical, social and emotional impacts. The risks are far greater than in generations past, and disease prevention should be paramount. The education program should be formulated with parental input, and include discussion points which are required of the student to solicit the opinions, views, and values of their family members. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I don’t believe that school officials should carry guns while in school buildings. While I recognize that legislators are looking for ways to keep students safe, allowing school officials to carry a gun in school would be an escalation of the violence. Schools should be free from violence and threats, and there are community officials and police officers

who are trained to handle a weapon, as well as being trained to handle the ensuing ramification. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Parental Involvement is paramount to the success of a child, as well as to the success of our schools and community. Parents should be encouraged to participate in all levels of their child’s education, serving as advocates for their educational opportunities and experiences. Further, parental feedback to the school board (positive and negative) is a necessary part of the democratic process. School boards are representatives from the community at large, and have the profound privilege of representing the best interest of the students, parents, staff, administration and community members. All are stakeholders in the educational process with varying perspectives that must be heard and represented. TOP ISSUES: Waterford has outstanding students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff and facilities. However, the perception of those in and around Waterford is often negative. This needs to change, and requires a positive approach with improved communication and community involvement. I would like to implement a community website that connects our schools and community organizations to all parents and community members. In addition, standardized test scores need to improve, which requires a strategic targeted and datadriven approach. We are losing students to neighboring districts and private schools, which affects the dynamics in

every classroom and school, compromises standardized test scores and diminishes our sense of community. Waterford is a dynamic and diverse community. By building on these strengths and creating synergy between the community and the schools, we can expand educational opportunities to ensure that all students are challenged and engaged in the learning process. WHY YOU? I’m an enthusiastic advocate for public schools and care deeply about the Waterford community, schools, and most importantly, our youth. I attended Waterford schools K12, and graduated from Waterford Mott High School. My husband and I have four children, two of whom recently graduated from Waterford schools and attend college, and the younger two who currently attend Waterford schools. I have been privileged to serve as the Waterford Mott PTSO secretary and vice president, and am the founder/sponsor of the Waterford Mott Junior Optimist Club. I have been actively involved in school sports, choir, orchestra, scouts, theater and PTA, holding offices and chairing numerous events for the past 17 years. I have over 20 years of leadership experience in business, including roles as a supervisor and department manager, college instructor, corporate trainer, systems and business analyst. I hold a master’s of business administration degree with a concentration in finance. ❏

that votes without reason. I question things that I feel are not right for the students. The district would benefit with more parents doing that.

contract term should be two years instead of three years in length, regardless of the person in the position of superintendent. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: This is a topic that requires further discussion and study. On the surface I can see the potential deterrence effect of an evil person not knowing whether the first adult they come in contact with when entering the school is armed or not. However, I can also understand that the numbers of armed staff in the building would be low and the chances are small that the armed staff would meet the criminal. There are also issues of training and liability to consider, which should not stop the debate but be included in it so the Legislature can craft a good law and districts can have adequate guidance from the state on implementation. TOP ISSUES: Along with providing a quality education for all students, my top personal priorities are: No. 1 — Increase achievement for “at-risk” students. I will continue to work with district staff and administration to meet the needs of under-performing students to enhance their achievement. Helping these students increase their knowledge and skills is not only what is right for them but is in the best interest of our community. No. 2 — Continue process improvements. I will continue to ensure the administration works to identify and

expand effective processes and change or eliminate ineffective ones. This includes talking with staff and making sure the best practices are shared across the district. No. 3 — Monitor the building utilization/transition process. I want to ensure that transition runs smoothly and student achievement is monitored. I will work with the administration, staff, parents, and other board members to follow these students’ progress and address issues that arise. WHY YOU? I believe I should be reelected to another term on the school board because I have worked over the past four years to keep the district’s focus on our students, especially those who are struggling to succeed at every level. With even tougher financial times ahead as a result of the funding approach by the state, I will continue to provide valuable input into the oversight of the district by bringing my education, work experience, and experience as a small-business owner to the table in subcommittee work and in individual meetings with staff and administration. I have the skills as an out-of-the-box, analytical thinker with an inquisitive mind and a collaborative approach, but that is not afraid to ask the tough questions of administration. If re-elected I will continue my work on the board in this same manner. ❏

CHARLES DITTMAR BUDGET: I believe that the district needs to continue the process of finding cost efficiencies in the budget by reviewing and improving management processes, evaluating energy costs, and looking for savings in benefit costs while maintaining benefit levels. On the revenue side, I would like to see us maximize the utilization of the pools, fitness centers and field houses at both high schools, and to look into having various departments (such as the technology or food service) providing services for a fee to outside organizations. On the state level, growing the economy within the state is the best way to get additional funding for schools without cannibalizing other state services. I would also like to see legislation pass to expand uses for building and site sinking fund revenues. SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT: I support the practice of annually extending the superintendent’s contract by a year because it provides a level of certainty to the district and to the superintendent in terms of continued leadership for a job well done. That being said, in order to help minimize the exposure for the district, my personal opinion is that the