See a list below of all the candidates for county offices below and read some of the platforms and bios of candidates who responded to our survey requests. What are the top three priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? 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. Her love of radio began when she had a radio show in college when she and her roommate played '80s music in the middle of the night. Rob believes local government should exist to be fiscally responsible, ensure security for its citizens while protecting their rights, and being accessible and transparent. Robert Wittenberg, Trustee. I also bring 25 years of experience in the private sector experience in the information business holding various global leadership roles. I am running for county commission to represent my hometown with a new generation of progressive, pragmatic politics that puts people first. They must be addressed responsibly without negatively labeling people. Greater Oakland Republicans Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 7:00 pm. My top priority is to embed financial responsibility and accountability in county spending and the voice of common sense in policy decisions. Mental health resources are needed more than ever and protecting our beautiful environment in north Oakland County are paramount. Im a graduate of Cass Technical High School. I live in Rochester Hills, went to high school in Pontiac and got my first real job as the Public Events Coordinator at the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) in Royal Oak. Please join us with your activism, your membership, your votes, and your voice as we stand shoulder to . Trustee - Robin Buxar. I am running for county commission because we need strong leadership in South Oakland County. I am a graduate of Avondale High School and earned a bachelors degree in business, with a concentration in information technology from Oakland University, which is also located in District 4. Board of Trustees 333 East 8th Street Oakland, CA 94606 Phone: (510) 466-7203 Fax: (510) 466-0604 ; Peralta Community College District . I have served my community of Novi as a long-time volunteer on the Planning Commission as well as with several local nonprofit groups. My strategy is to attract the best talent, technology and the tools necessary to create an amazing - 2021 advocated for legislation to recognize talent development needs for the aerospace industry. Farmington Area Republicans Monthly Meeting Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 6:30 pm. My vote on the new county commission will join others to open the process to the light of day so the people can watch and judge our actions. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. PRECINCT DELEGATE. I have spent most of my career and personal time working with individuals to create productive results in their lives and communities. The division accepts filings for office and petitions for recall, prepares and prints ballots, programs voting equipment, provides training to election officials and coordinates the certification of . Sponsored Oakland County Mental Health grant for Oakland Schools, which provides $175,000 to each school district in the county to address students mental health needs. This program will embed education navigators in our local secondary intuitions to assist residents to attain post secondary or certification. I was elected to the County Commission in 2018, re-elected in 2020. What are the top 3 priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? To see whats on your ballot, clickhere. I have a diverse background so I can relate to others. Our campaign is focused on expanding racial, social, economic and environmental justice. As a county commissioner reading and understanding complex agreements and contracts are important to protect the taxpayers of the county both financially and legally. Events Org. I believe the marketplace, not politicians and bureaucrats, should determine which jobs are essential and which are not. It is a two-year term. When the commission voted to appropriate $3 million to create a hub for the World Economic Forum in Oakland County, the decision was solidified to run. (248) 370-4287. Supporting our local law enforcement is essential to making Oakland County a safe place to live, work and raise a family. $1.5 million of those funds would have helped our Oakland Countys Sheriffs Department that saw its budget sliced by $1.5 million. All content posted on this page (by me) has been approved and paid for by the Committee to Elect Alexander C.. County Commissioner Oakland Community College Trustee Local School Board Member Oakland Intermediate School District Precinct Delegate. Generally be a voice for the unheard and raise righteous hell in support of racial, social, economic and environmental justice. Gained approval from the BOC for $500,000 to support co-pays to Oxford School district for mental health support after the Nov. 30, 2021 incident. We have lived in Oxford for 20 years and both of our daughters attended and played sports for Oxford Schools, graduating in 2020 and 2022. 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. Our mission is to elect Republicans to all levels of government, from local school. Through years of thoughtful investment and infrastructure, including the massive Baldwin Corridor Revitalization Project, Lake Orion now boasts some of the best restaurants, shops and businesses in Oakland County. A lover of stories, I love being in plays and musicals almost as much as I love browsing a good bookstore. 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! Friedman was a Board Member at Levi Strauss & Co. from 1990 to 1995. 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. 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. 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. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. International Relations, Michigan State University; M.S. In local government, one has the opportunity to work with people on local issues that affect us all. #2 Protect our AAA bond rating to keep our financial outlook positive, which will keep both residential and commercial property taxes low, bring business to our county and make it cheaper for us to borrow money, if needed. Addressing climate change in our county is key. As vice chair of the commission I am committed to working across party lines to offer the best programs to all our residents. 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. We citizens took it for granted and our leaders were unprepared for the passing of county executive L. Brooks Patterson. Abraham also . I will be steadfast in living up to the duty of an elected official, by being the voice for the voiceless and doing what is right and just for all citizens. During most of that time, Oakland County was the envy of the nation for its competent, business-like management. Im in my third decade now in Oakland County. It was self-rewarding to contribute to the county I lived in. Gun Violence team member in 2013 after Sandy Hook tragedy, and unfortunately is still relevant today. I felt the call to serve my community in 2016. This means reevaluating programs and eliminating those that are unnecessary, inefficient or counter-productive. We need to address the affordable housing situation. 4200 Telegraph Road, P.O. Current job: Owner of RCS-JANITORIAL.com, a multi-state janitorial company; Realtor 20-plus years, insurance agent 30-plus years, Education: Associates Degree Oakland Community College, Insurance Degree American Institute of Insurance, Licensed Insurance Agent, Licensed Realtor. I currently work at the Michigan State House of Representatives where I am the Chief of Staff for Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). As county commissioner, I voted for our local road improvement and our Tri-Party Road Programs making millions of dollars available to improve local roads. I am seeking re-election to continue the projects I have been working on over my last term. When my family moved to Lake Orion 10 years ago, there was not a lot happening in downtown Lake Orion and Baldwin Road was a ghost town. What are the top three priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? I voted to lower the tax rate every year since 2011 protecting property values while maintaining quality services. OCDP has proudly endorsed the following candidates for election in 2020: Vice President Joe Biden for President and Senator Kamala Harris for Vice President. RECENT NEWS. He has been a consistent voice for wise spending of our tax dollars and living within our means. Was invited to the White House to represent Oakland County at the Summit on Human Trafficking in 2020. I have personally witnessed the benefits of supporting and investing in small businesses in my own community, specifically in downtown Lake Orion and along the Baldwin Corridor, and the positive effects that investment had on our community at large. Businesses have been further tested in the years since the pandemic and many are still struggling to recover due to global material shortages, supply chain issues and employee shortages. I currently work at the Michigan State House of Representatives where I am the Chief of Staff for Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). First and foremost, we need to restore transparency to county government. The people flourish only when they are in control of their own destiny, not when they are serfs of the state. (March 1, 2023) Teachers and school staff in Oakland survived the budget ax for now after the Oakland Unified School District Board on . Economy, fiscal responsibility in the aftermath of the pandemic, roads and Infrastructure. We need a balanced budget. The second is making sure our economy continues to thrive. 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. Yet they will spend millions on their personal pet projects and that is absolutely unacceptable. I attended Oakland University, where I earned a bachelors degree in history and then my paralegal certificate. Jennifer Brouhard, David Kakishiba, and Max Orozco are all parents who sent their children to OUSD schools. The actions that I will take would be to not spend taxpayer dollars foolishly as what is being done at this time. In addition, I stay in touch with local units of government to try and assist them to help all residents. 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. Board Formal Session Location: Oakland Center, Banquet Room A. December 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - Board Formal Session Location: Oakland Center, Banquet Room A (248) 370-2100; Family is what ultimately fuels Robs passion to maintain and improve his community. Mental health issue, human trafficking and regional transportation issues are equally on my agenda. Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: I have been married to my wife, Michelle, for 22 years and we have two daughters and a dog. 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. Sponsored a resolution approving $1 million in emergency grant assistance for veterans, service members and eligible family members. Amy is past President and co-founder for Impact100 Oakland County and has lived in this area since 2010. Member of the County team supporting Businesses and distributing of monies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of my proudest accomplishments are bringing more money to provide more mental health services to all residents. She is also President of the Board of Trustees at Eton Academy and Chair of the Children's Trust Fund of Michigan. Hes been active in the community for many years, providing his abilities as a designer, football coach, and councilman. After talking to many parents in our community, I realized many in our county are unaware of what the commission actually does, and how they spend our money. I did not take the decision to run for county commissioner lightly, nor the decision of running against an incumbent of my party, but after much thought and encouragement, I committed to running for this office. Special Meetings are held on an as needed basis. Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: I am passionate about people with a heart for advocacy work and public service. Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy. Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you? The Elections Division is responsible for the supervision and certification of all elections that take place within the county. A lover of stories, I love being in plays and musicals almost as much as I love browsing a good bookstore. During most of that time, Oakland County was the envy of the nation for its competent, business-like management. What are your accomplishments as commissioner? Get the latest 2022 general election results for races in Oakland County, including county offices, school boards and local ballot proposals. Established a program to increase marine safety patrols on Oakland County lakes during the 2022 boating season, Created a new policy requiring Oakland County restaurant inspection reports to be available in a searchable and easily accessible online database, Published Oakland Countys Blueprint for Successful Aging, in partnership with AAA1B, which identifies strategies for creating age-friendly communities while identifying unmet needs and gaps in current services, Founded the Native Plant Initiative that provided residents with native plant kits to restore damage caused by invasive and non-native plant species while promoting the benefits of native gardens, Created Oakland Together Lifeline Program that provided residents in selected senior living facilities Amazon Echo Show devices (and training) to stay connected with family and friends throughout the pandemic, Launched the Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose Program, featuring two solar powered mobile boat cleaning stations to empower water enthusiasts to be active participants in the fight to protect our lakes and waterways from the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species, Married to Pam and 30-plus year resident South Lyon; Past Chair-SEMCOG and current delegate to SEMCOG. Re-established the Human Trafficking Task Force in 2016 to increase communication of all organizations working to stop these terrible acts. Politics was a growing passion of mine starting in my college years. Current job: Freelance Writer, Producer, Researcher. Member Milford, Highland, Wixom & South Lyon Historical Societies, Highland White Lake Business Owners Assoc. Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman, 2014-2018. Family is what ultimately fuels Robs passion to maintain and improve his community. 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. 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. What are the top three priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. As in all places, our communitys issues stem from structural injustice. I taught for a long time at Oakland County Community College in the mathematics department where I enjoyed working with people from different backgrounds. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and especially our local economy here in Oakland County as they drive employment, pay taxes, increase GDP, and are valued members in any community. Commissioner Meeting Oakland County Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 6:00 pm. I am a fiscal conservative and will always work to find ways to save the county and our taxpayers money. Treasurer - Jeanne Langlois. As District 4s commissioner, I will bring my leadership experience of six years as a City Council Member and eight years as mayor to the county commission. COVID-19 Meeting Access Notice With the support of my colleagues, I am most proud of the following accomplishments: Education: Graduate University of Michigan 1971. 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. He will work with cities, townships and villages to make sure they have the services they require and to ensure policies benefit our residents. Donovan is a former 2014 Republican candidate for District 63 of the New York . 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. Foolishly as what is being done at this time attain post secondary or certification for many years, his... Sponsored a resolution approving $ 1 million in emergency grant assistance for veterans, service members and eligible members. 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