Therefore, after urging from many supporters, I committed to running for a seat on the county commission, and I will be the difference the commission needs to serve the people of our county. A lover of stories, I love being in plays and musicals almost as much as I love browsing a good bookstore. ; Kensington Valley/S. I will propose and vote for steps that make us carbon free. What are the top three priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? We need to take immediate action in reversing county governments intrusion into peoples lives. 2022 Candidate Interviews and Election Information. Gun Violence team member in 2013 after Sandy Hook tragedy, and unfortunately is still relevant today. Oxford residents Justine Willcock (Dem) and Michael Spisz (incumbent, Rep) will run against each other to represent residents as the Oakland County Commissioner for the 5 th District. My wife, Stacey, and I reside in Southfield and have three adult sons. In 2008 I ran for the Oxford Township Board of Trustees and was elected to a four-year term and then transitioned into the county commissioner role in 2012. ; Kensington Valley/S. Board of Trustees 333 East 8th Street Oakland, CA 94606 Phone: (510) 466-7203 Fax: (510) 466-0604 ; Peralta Community College District . I have lived in Oakland County for most of my life and I want to continue to make sure the county remains one of the best counties in the Country. I have been appointed to Oxford Township Planning Commission since 2014. About LWVOA Voter Guides. Some of my proudest accomplishments are bringing more money to provide more mental health services to all residents. Mental health issue, human trafficking and regional transportation issues are equally on my agenda. Gov. . Candidate Interview: Douglas Smith for OCC Trustee. Current job: Freelance Writer, Producer, Researcher. My overall goal is to move Oakland County into being a more sustainable county. I am also a past recipient of Oakland Countys Elite 40 Under 40 Award. Current job: Retiree, active Michigan artist LLC. I voted to lower the tax rate every year since 2011 protecting property values while maintaining quality services. Current job: Executive Director of Engineering, Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Business Administration Global Specialty. Senator Gary Peters for Senate. I want Oakland County to set the standard for the present and future in all these areas. Farmington Area Republicans Monthly Meeting Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 6:30 pm. Events Org. I have worked on initiatives to increase the number of childcare workers and offer more affordable housing to our community members. Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you? Expanding parks and providing access to more residents through investments in Normandy Oaks, Catalpa Oaks and Independence Oaks. Working hands-on as a special education teacher and a behavior analyst have instilled the values of persistence, compassion and problem solving, and I will continue to put that spirit to work for constituents. Amy is past President and co-founder for Impact100 Oakland County and has lived in this area since 2010. Three candidates are running for the District 2 seat on the Oakland Unified School District board this year. Oakland County is my home. Transit must include all communities. Members of the public have a right to bring recording devices (including cell phones . One area of need is to develop a Senior Services office within the county to support people age 65 and older. Get the latest 2022 general election results for races in Oakland County, including county offices, school boards and local ballot proposals. During my professional career I have done service in the community by serving on boards of various organizations (Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland County, American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan, Southfield Rotary Club, Marvin L. Winans School of Performing Arts). If you have any questions, contact the Oakland County Board of Elections at . Share this post. The Oakland County Bar Foundation (OCBF) promotes and funds programs designed to increase access, affordability, and understanding of the law and legal system. This includes a matching fund from our communities. Seniors are a critical part of the financial blueprint of our county and I am committed to listen and learn the priorities that are important to strengthen access to programs for this demographic. Affidavit of Identity Write in Candidate Declaration of Intent I believe in regional cooperation among municipalities and counties, because our problems are often the same and overlap across jurisdictions. I have served on my City Council for 14 years, the last eight as mayor. Editors note: WDET distributed candidate surveys to candidates in contested primary races. I live in Orion township with my wife, Jessica, and our six kids. Why are you running again for the Board of Commissioners and why should voters re-elect you? Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees 333 East 8th Street Oakland CA 94606 Phone. We attend and are active in our church. My background and professional training is in diplomacy and national security, and I have previously worked for the U.S. State Department in Madrid and for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. The heart of our communities lies in our homes, churches, businesses and schools. I am seeking re-election to continue the projects I have been working on over my last term. I am currently working on efforts to increase the salaries of child care and home care workers. We must protect our parks and natural spaces: Our natural spaces, including parks, trails, inland lakes and recreation areas, have always made Oakland County the best place to live and work. All content posted on this page (by me) has been approved and paid for by the Committee to Elect Alexander C.. No local municipality is an island workers, shoppers, others travel across community boundaries every day. Annual Bi-party and tri-party road improvement programs for all communities in Oakland County. During most of that time, Oakland County was the envy of the nation for its competent, business-like management. I have worked on and passed a balanced three-year budget, which has ensured that Oakland County has a AAA bond rating saving the residents millions in interest costs. Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: I am a fourth-generation lifelong resident of Oakland Countys District 4, which serves the communities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. Date Appointed/Reappointed: April 5, 2021. Resources for our Sheriffs Department ensuring our deputies have the tools and training to keep our communities safe and that the safety of our children is paramount. to help transition, say, an internal combustion engineer at Stellantis to the world of electric vehicles. First and foremost, we need to restore transparency to county government. At the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, I currently serve as SEMCOG Vice Chair as well as a member of the Management and Budget subcommittee. Gwen Markham, Trustee. I will continue to support Oakland Countys collaborative efforts in providing equitable access to affordable mental health and behavioral health services and treatment to individuals across Oakland County. As a county commissioner reading and understanding complex agreements and contracts are important to protect the taxpayers of the county both financially and legally. I have been in the auto industry for over 30 years and during the day I continue to work for a Tier 1 automotive supplier as an executive global director of engineering where I manage programs and resources in multiple countries around the world. We are in a time where police and sheriff departments need additional funding to fight the rise in crime and mass shootings, such as the Oxford High School tragedy in our own county! Among the Republican hopefuls, Susan Anderson, a bookkeeper and treasurer of the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees, is the choice over Oxford businessman Joe Kent. Please join us with your activism, your membership, your votes, and your voice as we stand shoulder to . Sponsored a resolution to amend the countys non-discrimination policy to include protections for gender identity and expression, veteran status, familial status and marital status. As vice chair of the commission I am committed to working across party lines to offer the best programs to all our residents. The members of the board are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis by voters living within the college district, an area that generally coincides with the boundaries of Oakland County. The Honorable Jay Costa, JD is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate representing the 43rd district, which encompasses the townships of Penn Hills and Wilkins; the boroughs of Baldwin, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, Edgewood, Forest Hills, Homestead, Munhall, Swissvale, Verona, West Homestead, West . I have worked to allocate federal dollars to nonprofits and local businesses to strengthen their budgets. Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: I am a lifelong resident of White Lake Township. Many people see this trend as a wasteful spending. Robert Wittenberg, Trustee. Most of my time on the commission is spent in oversight and planning for Oakland Countys $1 Billion budget each year. The incumbent, Aimee Eng, is stepping down after 8 years. Our economy cant afford this overregulation. Taxpayer funds are being wasted by the commission such as $3 million to the job-killing World Economic Fund, which will likely steal jobs from Oakland County rather than create. As I have achieved with my city council colleagues, I am committed to collaborating with the entire Board of Commissioners on sound fiscal policies and ensuring positive results on the following priorities. Abraham also . I believe that these schools are the heart of our communities and by investing in public education, we are investing in our future. I will always support initiatives that protect and beautify our natural environment, and make parks and recreation areas safer, more accessible and inclusive for all residents. Dorothy Hernandez is Digital Editor for 101.9 WDET, creating digital editorial content. Having owned my own business as well as worked in small, family-run companies and large corporations, I appreciate the benefits of varied niches of free-market commerce. September 1st, 2022. Politics was a growing passion of mine starting in my college years. During most of that time, Oakland County was the envy of the nation for its competent, business-like management. Updated 10/31/2022 3:34 PM Oakland County Official Candidate List November 8, 2022 General Election Representative in State Legislature - 19th District Vote for not more than 1. Designer/Illustrator and Wixom City Councilman, College for Creative Studies (formerly Center for Creative Studies), Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, 1992 Graphic Communications. Climate change related issues. My husband, David, and I have been married for 28 years and currently homeschool our two teen sons. such as Lighthouse of Oakland County. What are your accomplishments as commissioner? Sustainability It is important to be good stewards of our planet, but the Green New Deal plan for Oakland County is filled with expensive and unproven objectives that will do more harm than good to Oakland County. City Councilman Robert Smiley is running to be the next county commissioner in the new 14th District, serving portions of Commerce and Novi, as well as all of Walled Lake and Wixom. I have crossed the aisle to work on issues, such as when I worked with the late Democrat State Rep. Isaac Robinson on trying to push the right insurance reform into law as we knew the one being pushed through only benefited insurance companies as well as the medical field. 117 likes. Next post. Mental health resources and easier accessibility The Board of County Commissioners just passed a huge investment with matching grants for Oakland County Schools to provide grants to increase mental health professionals and increased accessibility in our schools. I use my spare time reading or watching videos about local, state, national or international issues. The actions that I will take would be to not spend taxpayer dollars foolishly as what is being done at this time. RECENT NEWS. County government is not supposed to be about power, its supposed to be about responsibility. Honorable Jay Costa Jr. JD Treasurer, CCAC Board of Trustees Term Expires: 12.31.2023. Why are you running again for the Board of Commissioners and why should voters re-elect you? With the economy and jobs in the delicate state that they are in, it is more important than ever to elect leaders who will serve our community by enacting policies and laws that enable individuals, businesses and communities to prosper. OUSD teachers and staff survived 2023-24 budget cuts for now. Commissioner Meeting Oakland County Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 6:00 pm. This is my home and I want to give back to my community and fight to be their voice. The health and safety of our communities depends on the health of the people who make up our communities. 4200 Telegraph Road, P.O. I will continue to promote Small Business Stabilization grants & programs to keep small businesses open and continue the work-force development programs that attract and stimulate quality jobs and employment opportunities. Why are you running again for the Board of Commissionersand why should voters re-elect you? Their future success will depend on detailed recovery plans that address these challenges. Member Milford, Highland, Wixom & South Lyon Historical Societies, Highland White Lake Business Owners Assoc. Programs in Macomb County; Online Learning; Professional and Continuing Education; Research; Study Abroad; . Rob has learned to maximize funding with limited and fluctuating budgets. This means using our resources for the integration of environmental health, social equity and economic vitality for all. 18 Jul. . For far too long, public education has been defunded, resulting in larger class sizes and teacher shortages. Through those two actions, a new Board of Commissioners will go a long way toward realizing a third priority, which is restoring responsible management to Oakland Countys government. She has her own business consulting company, which has been put on the back burner while she focuses more on nonprofit . I also work with the communities I serve to make sure they are current on county activities along with ways to support their needs. Current job: Designer/Illustrator and Wixom City Councilman, Education: College for Creative Studies (formerly Center for Creative Studies) Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, 1992 Graphic Communications. The people flourish only when they are in control of their own destiny, not when they are serfs of the state. Hes been active in the community for many years, providing his abilities as a designer, football coach, and councilman. Lyon, Huron Valley & Lakes Area Chambers. County government is not supposed to be about power, its supposed to be about responsibility. Kevin Jenkins. The board provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. We need a balanced budget. Voters should re-elect me because I am sensitive to all issues that concern the well being of every resident and will fight for our countys recovery. You can find results for Oakland Community College Board of Trustees here. Hes been active in the community for many years, providing his abilities as a designer, football coach, and councilman. I earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Wayne State University, and I completed board certification (behavior analyst) from Florida Institute of Technology. We need a fresh voice, fresh perspective, and every day people need a unifying advocate to ensure those who are struggling, despite their best efforts, have their needs boldly heard and addressed. Related Articles. Supported and promoted our Native Plant Initiative to provide education about cultivating native plants and the effect on the environment. With the support of my colleagues, I am most proud of the following accomplishments: Education: Graduate University of Michigan 1971. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointments of Colleen Ochoa Peters, of Bloomfield Hills, and Stefen J. Welch, of Detroit, to the Oakland University Board of Trustees. Voters will . Our campaign is focused on expanding racial, social, economic and environmental justice. Support for innovative solutions such as the Pontiac Waste Water Treatment plant where we turn sewage into methane which is captured and turned into energy or sold, is where we should focus our attention. I will continue to promote Small Business Stabilization grants & programs to keep small businesses open and continue the work-force development programs that attract and stimulate quality jobs and employment opportunities. . Water commissioner #1 priority is keeping our tax dollars low to encourage population growth and business growth in our county. I felt the call to serve my community in 2016. What are your accomplishments as commissioner? As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. We are starting by evaluating all county buildings and operations for efficiencies, alternative energy sources, building utilizations, and fleet operations. We must also use these funds to support our local businesses and continue to bring employers to Oakland County. Board of Trustees Wilson Hall, Suite 3000 371 Wilson Boulevard . Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you? Im a graduate of Cass Technical High School. Candidates for two, six-year terms ? Supporting policies that protect our drinking water and recreational waterways, preserving community green spaces, parks, and enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities. Oakland Community College Board of Trustees Member. I will always support initiatives that focus on hiring and retaining the very best educators, investing in technology, providing our students with the mental health care that they need and deserve and school safety measures that will provide our children with a safe environment in which to learn. A tough negotiator is needed to save taxpayers money on bid projects. I will ensure that all tax dollars pa. funds are spent/invested as intended, wisely and costs are contained. What are your accomplishments as commissioner? What are the top 3 priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 12, 2022) Oakland County, MI - In the race for Oakland Community College (OCC) Trustee, there are several candidates vying for just three seats. Many of these same commissioners are more interested in their pet projects or political future than the well-being of the county and their specific districts. 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