Royal Oak, Clawson residents to vote on mayoral, council races, city charters

In the Review’s coverage area, voters Nov. 7 will elect candidates for local offices and decide on potential city charter changes in their respective cities.

Candidates were asked, in 75 words or fewer, to state their top goal(s) if elected. If a candidate went over the word limit, (…) replaces the rest of the answer. (I) indicates the candidate is an incumbent. The answers are printed verbatim.

 

Royal Oak Mayor
Two candidates are running for one two-year term.

Michael C. Fournier (I)
Age: 44
Occupation: Automotive
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 21 years
Online campaign information: www.fournierformayor.com
Education: B.A. Michigan State University; MBA University of Notre Dame
Previously held elected offices: Mayor (2016-present); City Commissioner (2011-2016)
Top goals: Keep Royal Oak among the SAFEST places to call home by fully staffing our police and fire departments. Continue investing in the things that matter to Royal Oakers like our parks, trees, roads, environment, and senior services. Maintain strong neighborhoods and robust home values while preparing our city for both aging and future generations. Protect our sturdy bond rating and strong financial footing. We are proud to live in a safe, vibrant and welcoming city!

 

Trish Oliver
Age: 65
Occupation: Senior communications consultant for Fortune 500 corporations and non-profit organizations
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 37 years
Online campaign information: ElectTrish2023.com
Education: The University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts in English
Harvard University, Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, majoring in Creative Writing and English Literature. Class of 2024
Previously held elected offices: None
Top goals: Protect our single family neighborhoods — NO to rezoning.
Support downtown businesses — terminate the parking meter contract and competitively bid a more favorable one.
Maintain our roads WITHOUT the new $100 million dollar millage.
Use our public safety millage to increase the number of police officers instead of putting more administrators in City Hall.
Ensure senior millage money is used for its stated purposes per the Senior Services and Aging in Place Task Force recommendations.

---

Royal Oak City Commission
Six candidates are running for three four-year terms.

Rebecca Cheezum
Age: 48
Occupation: Professor of Public Health
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 12 years
Online campaign information: www.Cheezum4RoyalOak.com
Education: BA, Psychology, Bates College; Master of Public Health, Boston University; PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan
Previously held elected offices: First time candidate
Top goals: Having served on the Parks, Recreation & Senior Services committee and the Aging in Place Task Force, I will be a champion for the plans these boards developed to support seniors and make sure parks have amenities for everyone. I am committed to environmental sustainability, green infrastructure to address flooding, and ensuring there is a variety of housing options to support seniors aging and young professionals living in our vibrant community.

 

Peter Ferenczy
Age: 48
Occupation:  Federal Loan Officer, Real Estate
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak, MI
For how long: 9 yrs
Online campaign information: ElectPeter2023.com
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business
Previously held elected offices: None
Top goals: Bring residents back to our downtown and revive the economy, by terminating the downtown parking meter contract, and seek competitive bids for a new user-friendly parking meter system that works. Protect neighborhoods from the proposed master plan that proposes apartments next to single family homes. Restore fiscal accountability and allow seniors to age in place by lowering, instead of constantly increasing taxes.

 

Kathie A. Grant
Age: 70
Occupation: Registered Nurse, 40-year career
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 36
Online campaign information: Grant4RoyalOak.com
Education: Oakland Community College
Previously held elected offices: Precinct Delegate
Top goals: Bring optimism, open communication, and transparency to city government. Respect and value resident and business owner feedback. Phase out paid parking downtown. Reduce fees on water and property tax bills. Best practice solutions to improve roads. Secure “One Family” language in proposed Master Plan. Diversify parks — Food Trucks, Farmers Markets, fitness, family fun and community gardens. Enhance Senior Services. Review budget to preserve and enhance city services and quality of life.

 

Amanda Herzog
Age: 40
Occupation: Program Officer
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 12 years
Online campaign information: amanda4ro.com
Education: BS Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, MS Environmental Engineering, PhD Environmental Engineering from Michigan State University
Previously held elected offices: None
Top goals: As chair of the Environmental Advisory Board, I led the creation of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan which lays out strategies to improve water runoff to keep basements from flooding, reduce power outages, and protect our natural resources. My top priorities are excellent city services, strong neighborhoods and local economy, and environmental leadership. Together, we can address challenges head-on and leave a greener, more sustainable, and even more prosperous Royal Oak for future generations.

 

Monica Hunt (I)
Age: 44
Occupation: Municipal and Employment Law Attorney
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 16 years
Online campaign information: www.hunt4ro.com
Education:
• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration-Prelaw from the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University in 2001
• Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School in 2005
Previously held elected offices: City Commissioner from 2020-Present
Top goals: My top goals include continuing to strengthen our neighborhoods by promoting strong public safety, investing in green infrastructure and stormwater management, and creating a welcoming and inclusive community. I intend to focus on senior-related investments such as services, recreation and housing. I also plan to prioritize the preservation of the environment by educating residents on sustainability, increasing our tree canopy and activating the City’s climate action plan.

 

Wade Sutton
Age: 45
Occupation: Consultant
Municipality of residence: Royal Oak
For how long: 8 years
Online campaign information: ElectWade2023.com
Education: MBA, Arizona State University, BA Brigham Young University
Previously held elected offices: None
Top goals:
1. Ensure the budget is balanced, without extra millages
2. Include community input on the Master Plan
3. Maintain single-family designation in our neighborhoods
4. Keep roads clear from narrowing and road diets to reduce traffic congestion
5. Competitively bid the parking meter contract to fix the downtown parking
6. Contribute to the city I call home, and hopefully have a good time doing it

---

Clawson Mayor
Two candidates are running for one two-year term.

Andrea Hodges
Age: 49
Occupation: Assistance Controller
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 40 years
Online campaign information: Andrea for Mayor
Education: Clawson High School, Oakland Community College
Previously held elected offices: Clawson Board of Education
Top goals: Clawson is a unique city, but it has challenges inherent to its size, aging infrastructure, and small commercial tax base. Clawson needs strong leadership to set a direction that faces those challenges head on. Our future relies on wise investment of the community’s resources, which means fiscal responsibility and transparency. I am running to be that strong leader that focuses on vision, planning, direction, and fiscal responsibility.

 

Paula Millan (I)
Age: 60
Occupation: Gala & Associates A/E firm – HR Manager
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 10 years
Online campaign information: paulamillanformayor@gmail.com
Education: BA Political Science, OU / Masters in Public Administration, EMU
Previously held elected offices: City of Clawson City Council — 4 years Council; City of Clawson City Council — 2 years Mayor
Top goals: Serve as a liaison between our residents and our government, encouraging a family and business-friendly community, maintaining our current exceptional services, promoting Clawson as a preferred place to invest for homeowners and businesses. Building on the momentum established under my leadership and bridging a sense of confidence and trust. Encouraging dialogue and collaboration to address your critical concerns. Maintaining a positive, inclusive community where ideas can be shared, and goals met.

---

Clawson City Council
Five candidates are running for two four-year terms.

Matt Binkowski
Age: 51
Occupation: Patent Attorney
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 2 years
Online campaign information: www.facebook.com/mattforclawson
Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University; Juris Doctor from Wayne State University
Previously held elected offices: Precinct Delegate
Top goals: My top goal is to fix the city’s infrastructure issues. That means fixing our crumbling roads, replacing ancient water mains, and stopping water and sewage from backing up into people’s basements whenever there’s a heavy rain. To do this, the council must set the direction for city management — instead of the other way around. Moreover, I will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that taxes are not raised arbitrarily and not used for ill-conceived art projects.

 

Nathan Hara
Age: 40
Occupation: Engineering Manager, diesel engines for transportation and defense
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 13 years
Online campaign information: www.nateharaforclawson.com
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, MBA — Kettering University (formerly GMI)
Previously held elected offices: None
Top goals: I am committed to preserving Clawson’s reputation as the “Little City with the BIG heart”. I seek the trust of Clawson families by faithfully negotiating for excellent city services while making affordability a priority. Voters recently approved historic school bonds which position Clawson’s taxes among the highest in Oakland County. I fear reckless spending beyond critically needed infrastructure repairs could price Clawson out of the market for seniors and parents looking to raise families here.

 

Susan Moffitt
Age: 60
Occupation: Compensation and Benefits Director
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 32 Years
Online campaign information: none
Education: Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Wayne State University
Previously held elected offices: Clawson City Council 2017 - 2021
Top goals: My goal is to represent the voice of Clawson Citizens. Clawson has a lot of issues to address — our roads and infrastructure need work, citizens are concerned about water and tax rates, and lack of communication about what is happening at City Hall. I want to work to effect positive results in making sure City Administration is focused on these issues and promoting transparent communications on their progress in addressing them.

 

Louis J. Samson (I)
Age: 71
Occupation: Master Chief US Navy (retired), Business Owner. Engineer (Cellular and Radio)
Municipality of residence: Clawson MI
For how long: 47 years
Online campaign information: Committee to Elect Louis J. Samson for City of Clawson
Education: General Studies, City University WA.
Previously held elected offices: Clawson School Board / President, Councilmember City of Clawson
Top goals: Clawson First — Clawson Always — Yes to financial Transparency & No to waste and inefficiency. Voted No on the 21% increase in water rates. Voted NO on the new special levy tax. It’s time to start doing best practices and developing written policies. It’s time to stop talking about our aging infrastructure and start repairing or replace. Develop policy and plans on maintaining our assets. Encourage more city events to bring others to Clawson. Stop increasing (…)

 

Scott Tinlin (I)
Age: 64
Occupation: Executive
Municipality of residence: Clawson
For how long: 37
Online campaign information: tinlinscott@gmail.com
Education: Central Michigan University, Multiple business accreditations in United States & EU
Previously held elected offices: City Council (2023-present).
Top goals: I am running to retain my City Council seat to continue the positive work that moved our wonderful city in the right direction in 2023. My priorities will be a stable, effective and collaborative government that will work on gaining additional grants and revenue to continue fixing our aging infrastructure. Improving our communication processes to our citizens and supporting the Clawson school system will be my ongoing focus points if elected.

 

Proposal Section
Clawson
New City Charter
Shall the 2023 City Charter proposed by the Clawson Charter Commission be adopted?

 

Royal Oak
Charter Proposal A
Proposed Amendment to Chapter 8, Section 11(d) of the Royal Oak City Charter to Reestablish the 2.5 Mill Road Millage Previously Approved by the Electors that Expires as of the December 2023 Levy.

The proposed amendment to Chapter 8, Section 11(d) of the Royal Oak City Charter, if approved, would allow the City to levy a millage annually not to exceed 2.5 mills, of which 2.3026 is a renewal of the previously authorized millage and a restoration of the 0.1974 mills previously rolled back by the Headlee Amendment, for a period not to exceed ten (10) years beginning December 1, 2024, to defray the costs for maintaining, repairing and reconstructing roads and right-of-ways in the City of Royal Oak.

Shall the proposal be adopted?

 

Charter Proposal B
A proposed Royal Oak city charter amendment, to provide that the Mayor and City Commissioners are to be elected by a Ranked Choice Voting method when a RCV election process is allowed by law.

Shall this proposal be adopted?