Voters will actually have options in the Oxford Village Council election Tuesday, Sept. 11 as five candidates filed nominating petitions for four seats.
Incumbents Chris Bishop, Teri Stiles and George Del Vigna are all seeking re-election, but they face challenges from residents Michael Hamilton and Anthony Albensi, both of whom live on Park Street.
Dave Bailey, who’s served on council since 2001, did not file a nominating petition.
Two seats carrying four-year terms and two seats bearing two-year terms are up for grabs in the election.
The top four vote-getters will be elected to council.
Candidates who finish first and second with regard to votes will earn the four-year seats.
The remaining two-year seats will go to the third and fourth place finishers.
‘I really just want to do my part to try to make a difference,? said the 39-year-old Albensi, who’s lived in the village almost two years. ‘I’m not running because I’m disappointed or want to knock somebody off. I’m not going into it with that kind of attitude.?
Albensi, who designs retail inventory software for RGIS Inventory Specialists in Auburn Hills, wants to bring ‘common sense? to council and ‘a fresh look? at ‘what I think might be good for the village.?
His previous political experience has been primarily in partisan politics, volunteering with various congressional and presidential campaigns since 1999. He currently serves as the Republican precinct delegate for the village.
Looking at the village, Albensi, who’s single, said ‘the biggest issue of the day? is cityhood. Based on what he knows so far, the council candidate is ‘leaning toward? favoring cityhood, but, ‘I’d like to look into it a little bit more.?
Albensi said he’d be willing to read former village Clerk Christine Burns? research paper on cityhood, which indicated incorporation would cost village taxpayers more money.
The council candidate is definitely in favor of letting the voters decide the issue after weighing the pros and cons.
‘Losing the right to participate in Oxford Township elections and have any say in the township, that’s a big thing and not necessarily a good thing,? Albensi said. ‘People are going to have to take a look at that.?
Ultimately, his personal decision regarding cityhood will come down to money and services.
‘I guess I would consider myself a fiscal conservative,? he said. ‘If it’s going to same me some money, yet keep the great services we have in the village, I’m all for it.?
The idea of consolidating the village and township into one government does not appeal to him.
‘I don’t necessarily think that’s a good idea,? Albensi said. ‘Part of the reason I moved to Oxford is the small village feel. This neighborhood, it’s a great neighborhood. I don’t think you would necessarily lose that with a city.?
A 12-year resident of the village, Hamilton is running because ‘I think I can do a better job at doing what the people want.?
‘I want to see council run in a way that reflects the will of the people,? said the 34-year-old master electrician and electrical contractor employed with Hamilton & Sons Electric. ‘I would keep an open door policy. I want to hear what people in the village and surrounding communities have to say.?
If elected, Hamilton promises to be a ‘good steward? of the village by making ‘common sense decisions? and forming his ‘own opinions? based on a combination of public comments and personal research.
Hamilton said, if elected, he would be an independent voice, not afraid to disagree with the rest of council when necessary.
Looking at the village, he believes the major issues facing the municipality relate to the downtown and cityhood.
‘In these economically challenging times, I want to see better business development downtown,? he said. ‘Bringing businesses to town is very important.?
Hamilton also wants to be a part of resolving M-24 traffic issues downtown, something he’s been looking at since being appointed to the village planning commission last year.
As for cityhood, Hamilton said, ‘Right now, I would say I’m against it, but I do want to listen to both sides.?
‘I’m not well versed in it right now,? he admitted. ‘I have heard differing opinions both at the government level and public level.?
Based on what he knows so far, Hamilton said, ‘I don’t see how it will better our village to separate from the township.?
Hamilton resides in the village with his wife Amy and their three young children ? Gage, Tate and Liam.