It wasn’t at all hard to find a good seat at the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Night held July 24 inside the Oxford High School Performing Arts Center.
Voices echoed through the 800-seat auditorium as approximately 30 people sat and listened to 10 Republican candidates running for Oxford Twp. Board in the Aug. 5 primary election.
Participating in the event were supervisor candidates William Dunn and Lawrence Kucemba, clerk candidates Curtis Wright and Doleen Behnke, treasurer candidate Joe Ferrari, and trustee candidates Mike Spisz, Pat Fitchena, Sue Bellairs, Charles Kniffen and Melvin Cryderman.
Candidates who couldn’t attend the forum due to scheduling conflicts included clerk candidate Courtney Grove and trustee candidates Don Silvester, Joe Bunting, Helen Barwig and George Black.
The two-hour candidate forum will be rebroadcast on Oxford Community Television Channel 19 weekdays at 1:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, it will be aired at 12 noon and on Sunday, at 2 p.m. Here’s some of what the candidates had to say:
Supervisor Candidate: William Dunn
Supervisor since 1999, Dunn’s proudest of the way his job allows him to help people directly in a hands-on manner.
‘When people call (with a problem), the most fun I have is to be able to say I’ll be right over,? said the 61-year-old Vietnam veteran and former civil engineer. ‘I do everything I possibly can to help these people.?
Dunn said he knows how ‘frustrating? it can be for residents to try to contact agencies like the county road commission.
That’s why he’s always willing to phone the ‘right people? on a resident’s behalf to get a problem resolved in a timely manner.
‘I can’t make everybody’s problem go away, but I think 95 percent of the time I can,? he said. ‘I’ve done it hundreds of times.?
For Dunn, the most rewarding part is ‘to see the people smile and say, ‘I can’t believe you did it that quick.??
Politically, Dunn described himself as a fiscal conservative who’s in favor of low taxes, property rights and prudent spending. He’s opposed to excessive regulations.
‘I believe the less government can stick their nose in people’s business, the better off everyone is,? he said.
During his tenure, Dunn was involved in the construction of two new fire stations, a new township hall, two water treatment plants and a new water tower.
As a result, the township has a ‘first class fire department,? the water system is now in compliance with the new federal mandates regarding arsenic levels and township employees are no longer ‘literally working in closets.?
As for township/village relations, Dunn said they’ve improved a lot thanks to him attending council meetings and council members attending township board meetings.
‘The whole council’s been very nice to try to soothe the relations,? he said. ‘I think it’s working. I think things are as good now as they’ve ever been (between the two governments). And I hope it continues.?
Dunn said the village and township have a ‘symbiotic relationship.?
‘I think we need each other,? he said. ‘What happens in the township is going to affect the village and what happens in the village is going to affect the township.?
As a member of the Downtown Development Authority’s board of directors, Dunn said Oxford is ‘lucky? to have a downtown because there are a lot communities that don’t and pay millions of dollars to create one.
Supervisor Candidate: Lawrence Kucemba
After serving on the planning commission and various committees for the past three years, Kucemba believes he’s ready to help lead the township. ‘These committees have helped me gain a better understanding of the township and its needs along with the needs of the residents,? he said.
A part-time dealer at the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit, Kucemba has owned his own business, Gemini Amusements, for 20 years. He believes his experience with budgets, finances and dealing with customers could help ‘enhance efficiency? at the township office.
Kucemba talked about three main issues during the candidate forum. The first was the importance of ordinance enforcement.
‘I believe our ordinances need to be enforced correctly and fairly to create consistency for existing businesses,? he said, noting his would make Oxford ‘more appealing? and ‘stable? for companies looking to move here and stay.
Kucemba would also like to take a proactive approach to drawing businesses here like Orion does. According to him, Orion attempts to find businesses to fill empty buildings and if a company is leaving, the township sees what it can do to convince them to stay.
‘I believe that’s something our township should try and do,? he said.
His third main issue is finding ways to pay for the township’s $10.7 million water bond debt ‘without raising taxes.? Kucemba wants to look at adjusting water rates and tap-in fees.
An advocate of safety paths, Kucemba was ‘instrumental? in creating the 10-year, 0.25-mill tax proposal on the Aug. 5 ballot. ‘I believe than in a time when gas is $4 per gallon we need a more walkable community,? he said.
Overall, Kucemba said he ‘would like to make our community a better place and help it reach its maximum potential.?
‘I believe it’s time for a change,? he said.
Clerk Candidate Curtis Wright:
A lifelong Oxford resident and graduate of Oxford High School, Wright served as township supervisor from 1994-98.
Wright believes his previous experience as a township official combined with his experience in human resources administration in the private sector, the years he spent doing land surveying and civil engineering, and his bachelor’s degree in accounting, all make him a good candidate for clerk.
If elected, one of Wright’s main goals will be to increase voter-turnout. He noted that in the January primary election only 2,792 of the township’s approximately 13,960 registered voters cast a ballot.
‘I feel that’s way too low,? he said ‘We need to get those numbers up.?
One way to do that is education and the place to start is OHS with those students turning 18. Wright said these young people need to be made aware of how important the privilege of voting is.
Another of Wright’s goals, if elected, is to analyze the township’s central filing system and determine what can be done to make information more readily available when it’s needed or requested.
Wright would also like to look into creating a ‘remote satellite facility site? where members of the public could go to look up an ordinance or other government documents when the township office is closed. He spoke of the possibility of coordinating something like this with the public library.
Clerk Candidate: Doleen Behnke
A township trustee since 2004 and an eight-year resident, one of Benhke’s main goals is to increase public input in local government.
‘We need people who are concerned in the community to come across and give us their feelings,? she said.
When it comes to figuring out ways to help pay off the township’s $10.7 million water bond, the township should hold workshops to gather citizen input.
Controlling the budget and keeping the need for potential increases to a minimum ‘without destroying our quality of life? is also important to Behnke.
As for ordinance enforcement, she favors ‘nonselective enforcement.?
‘If you’re going to have it on the books, you either enforce it or you take it off the books,? she said. ‘I know a lot of people think that we should have gray areas, but I see it as black and white.?
As for the clerk’s department, she said the township has a good central filing system, but it needs to be brought into the ‘computer age.? Her goal is to complete that process and move the old records to a safe and secure place as opposed to where they are now, the township hall’s basement.
Behnke would also like to improve the level of cooperation and communication between the clerk, treasurer and supervisor’s offices.
Treasurer Candidate: Joseph Ferrari
Treasurer since 1992, Ferrari said the ‘true test of a good treasurer is the annual audit.?
He said both the treasurer and clerk’s departments have ‘continuously had great audit reviews, which really tells how well we are doing our jobs.?
During his 16 years in office, Ferrari said he’s applied for and obtained roughly $50,000 in grant money.
Ferrari said he’d like to work with the new township board to address the $10.7 million water bond debt ‘head on.?
Unfortunately, because of the poor economy and lack of residential development as previously anticipated, the township will only have enough revenue to make its bond payments this year and in 2009. If something doesn’t change, the township will start running short in 2010.
Given the ‘very real likelihood? that the township’s taxable value is going to ‘significantly decline? in the coming year, Ferrari would like the township to adopt two-year budget plans as a way to cope.
When he looks back over his time as treasurer, Ferrari said he’s most proud of the fact the township’s been ‘very fiscally prudent? and kept the operating tax at 0.95 mill for about 12 consecutive years.
‘We tightened our belts to make sure we would live within our means,? he said.
Ferrari noted he would like to see the township and village sit down ‘face-to-face? to ‘hash out their issues? in the boardroom rather than in the courtroom. He said both sides ‘have to give and take.?
Trustee Candidate: Sue Bellairs
A resident for 38 years, Bellairs started attending meetings in the late 1980s. She served as trustee from 1996-2000 and from 2004 to the present. ‘I represent no special interest group and I encourage anybody to go check out my voting record because what you see now is what you’ll see four years from now,? she said.
Bellairs prides herself on her ability to analyze issues. ‘I love to research and read between the lines because everything has two different views and some things more than two views,? she said. ‘For every issue, you have to listen to all the sides, investigate the so-called facts and weigh the issue on how it affects the longterm good of the whole.?
Over the years, Bellairs said she fought for more detailed meeting minutes and better itemized attorney bills, both of which she said the board now has. She’s also promoted citizen participation on township committees and helped expose wrongdoings in the old joint township-village police department.
Bellairs said you can’t underestimate the power of one person because ‘everyone can make a difference? whether they’re on the board or in the audience.
Her ‘pride and joy? is the annual township cleanup day held each May. Thanks to ‘heavy community participation,? the township’s roads are much cleaner.
Before Bellairs leaves office, she would like to see the implementation of an annual town meeting each January at which the township board would explain what it did the previous year and participate in a question-and-answer period with the public.
Trustee Candidate: Melvin Cryderman
A 24-year resident and retiree from General Motors, Cryderman started attending township meetings about three years ago because he was concerned about the proposed 2,600-unit residential development originally planned for the Koenig Sand & Gravel property.
Even though that plan fell through, Cryderman continued to stay involved with township government and is now a member of the ZBA. He now feels ready to run for trustee based on what he’s seen.
‘I’ve come to realize that all our board members are great people, but I do feel government is not always making decisions in the best interest of us citizens,? he said.
Cryderman believes the township should operate in a ‘transparent manner.?
‘Citizens must know what our government is doing and what it’s planning on doing,? he said. ‘Government must communicate with us citizens freely and openly.?
If elected, Cryderman also plans to increase citizen input. ‘Good government responds to its citizens and creates an environment where citizen input is valued,? he said. ‘Citizens should know their government is on their side.?
Cryderman said the township must work to attract developers and ensure it’s the type of place they want to invest in, but the Master Plan must be kept in mind at all times.
The township ‘must not allow development beyond what our infrastructure can bear? and must make developers adhere to all the rules and regulations..
Trustee Candidate: Mike Spisz
A seven-year resident, Spisz has a self-described ‘strong worth ethic? that comes from his family and 20 years in the auto industry working in safety design. ‘I listen to the details,? he said. ‘I don’t listen to the beliefs, the what if’s or maybe’s.?
Based on the available information, Spisz, who has a master’s degree in finance, said he makes decisions and sticks to them.
‘In most cases, a lack of decision is worse than a bad decision,? he said. ‘Not making a decision can hurt in many occasions.?
Spisz is ready and willing to make changes where needed.
‘I have learned that just because something has always been done that way doesn’t make it the right way,? he said. ‘Things change so we all need to have the ability to change.?
No matter how difficult the decision, Spisz said he believes in doing the right thing. He noted he has no biases, no ties to any people or businesses and ‘no preconceived notions? going into this election.
Traveling the globe to do business has accustomed Spisz to dealing with many different cultures and personalities, which he feels will be helpful in the world of local politics.

Trustee Candidate: Charles Kniffen
A township trustee since 2000, Kniffen is very proud of the way he’s helped improve Oxford Community Television Channel 19 by serving as chairman of the cable commission.
Not only are all the government meetings in Oxford and Addison being broadcast on the regular basis, but the station now has 13 high school students on staff working part-time and furthering their education.
In addition to serving on the Polly Ann Trail Management Council and chairing the water/sewer committee, Kniffen has also been involved with the NO HAZ consortium.
Over the last three years, the number of Oxford residents participating in this hazardous waste elimination program has ‘tripled,? according to Kniffen.
Trustee Candidate: Pat Fitchena
A resident for 34 years, Fitchena’s served on the planning commission since 1981 and on the township board since 1988.
‘I have always had an open mind for new ideas and realize there’s always two sides to every story,? she said.
Over the last several months, there’s been a lot controversy surrounding her directorship of the North Oakland Transportation Authority.
‘I hope that the residents of Oxford can clearly see through the smoke-screen that has clouded around me,? she told the audience. ‘I work very hard for our community and continue to do so under some very tough times.?
Fitchena said she favors ordinance enforcement that ‘is fair to all? and the encouragement of ‘sound, planned development to protect our environment and to create jobs for our children.??
Officials should work hard to draw businesses into the community to fill vacancies.
‘I honestly believe that one business will trigger another, will trigger another,? she said.
To keep the township ‘moving, viable and competitive,? Fitchena said officials must encourage people to come here and ‘make this the best place there is to live.? But that can’t be done as long as people must still drive to Great Lakes Crossing or Lapeer to shop.
‘We should be able to do things in our own community, buy things in our own community and support our business people,? she said.
Fitchena would like to ‘focus on the positives of Oxford? such as the schools, parks, open spaces and ‘the wonderful people we have living here.?