Council candidates didn’t knock on doors, develop campaign platforms or dot the landscape with expensive signs this election season.
With three candidates running for three seats in the uncontested Clarkston City Council race, incumbents Jim Brueck and Cory Johnston will likely return for a second term, joined by council newcomer Peg Roth.
Polls open Tues., Nov. 6 at 7 a.m.
‘I wish more people were running,? said Johnston, typically the council’s most outspoken member. ‘There’s been no questions, no issues, nothing. I don’t think (voters) know who’s running or why, and that bothers me.?
Johnston, 54, a structural engineer, listed addressing the municipal budget, ensuring pedestrian safety and friendliness in the city, and updating ‘outdated, confusing, and ignored? policies and ordinances as a priority.
Johnston described his council tenure as ‘tedious work? and said it usually takes a great deal of time to accomplish any objective, large or small.
‘The job is not easy,? he said. ‘In fact, it’s far more difficult than I ever imagined.?
Johnston and fellow incumbent Jim Brueck also founded and co-chair the Clarkston Watershed Group. Both have displayed concern for environmental issues; both list protecting the area’s natural resources as an important issue.
Brueck, 61, an automotive engineer, said he would like to see Clarkston continue to improve its relationship and work toward more shared services with Independence Township, as well as work to define the benefits of city residency for taxpayers.
‘People pay a premium to live here,? he said. ‘What can the city do to help increase value, or perceived value for our residents??
Brueck said work on a 5-10 year budget outlook plan was also imperative.
‘I think revenue will continue to be fairly flat-lined,? he said. ‘But it’s going to be increasingly difficult to hold expenses to a flat line.?
The city, he said, has three options: raise taxes, reduce costs, or reduce services.
‘There’s no appetite to raise taxes,? he said. ‘We’ve got to take a realistic look at our options and plan for the coming years instead of just letting things happen.?
Peg Roth, 52, a membership coordinator at Deer Lake Athletic Club, was one of six candidates who campaigned for three seats during the 2006 election.
After an unsuccessful first bid, Roth returned for a second go-round, but said she was puzzled by the apparent apathy over the 2007 city council election.
‘I’m very surprised,? she said. ‘Given the amount of people interested previously, I don’t know what happened.?
The uncontested election sharply contrasts the 2006 race, when six candidates stepped up to vie for three seats, and Mayor Sharron Catallo faced opposition for only the second time in her 14-year mayoral tenure.
The city, at the time, was struggling over hotly-debated issues of whether to maintain Clarkston’s police force or revert to protection from the Oakland County Sheriff.
The decision was made earlier this year after city officials responded to overwhelming sentiment from residents who wanted to keep the city’s police force in tact.
When Roth was the only 2007 candidate to put her name on the ballot, and no other candidates came forward after city officials announced write-in petitions would be accepted through Oct. 26.
Roth said her priorities included ‘preserving Clarkston as the beautiful city it is,? maintaining costs without a drop in services, and establishing open communication in order to best serve the needs of residents.
‘I’ve been very involved in this community,? said Roth, who volunteered in the school district during the years her three children attended and also delivered Meals on Wheels. ‘My husband is in business here and I’ve been involved in that as well.?
Voter turnout is typically low during an unopposed election, said City Manager Art Pappas, although he noted a significant number’about 52’absentee ballots had come in by Monday.
All city residents over 60, he said, receive an absentee ballot in the mail and can choose whether to exercise the option of voting through the mail.
Pappas said he hoped residents would turn out to vote.
‘I think it’s important,? he said. ‘The number of votes will show support, or non-support, for a candidate.?
Registered voters in the City of the Village of Clarkston can vote Tues., Nov 6 at Clarkston City Offices, 375 Depot Road. Polls are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.