Name: Sereal L. Gravlin
Age: 62 Years
Occupation: Retired Optician
Government Experience: City of Detroit Police Dept., Wayne County Treasurers Office, Oakland County Sheriff Dept, Oxford Police Dept., Village of Leonard Police Dept., Addison Township Library Board.
Family: Two sons, an adoptive Daughter and Son-in-law, two Grandchildren
Years in Addison:
I am a lifelong resident of Addison Twp.
1. Why are you running for township office? What experience, skills, talents or qualities do you have to offer the public? I am running to return Government to the will of the people, to act as their advocate.
As an independent, I have no political debts or party bosses, pressure or agenda to function under. I offer knowledge of the history, traditions and values of Addison. Living here 62 years I have attended hundreds of Board Meetings and have recently read the minutes of all meetings since 1962.
I have been active in the community. Petitioning for traffic lights at Lakeville/Rochester Roads, Rochester/32 Mile Roads. Fought to close the gas plant at Rochester/Rowland Roads and stop the sour gas transmission line from Macomb County. Lobbied Road Commission for signage acknowledging the settlement of Lakeville in 1830. Campaigned against the plan to uproot and move our Seniors to a proposed Oxford Township center, and many other projects. I oppose annexation of any part of Addison by any municipality.
2. What are the top three issues/priorities facing the township and how would you go about addressing them? INFRASTRUCTURE
Advocate for the establishment of a food market, pharmacy, hardware store, and other retail facilities within the Township. Maintain and improve Township buildings in a timely cost saving manner. Be supportive of the new Library project, and complete the development of our two parks (Labodie and Trask) and 1 preserve watershed.
SERVICES
Sponsor bi-weekly half-day Saturday office hours for improved citizen access. Streamline and simplify permit procedures. Work toward improving roads and maintenance of them. Get our true share of Road Commission operating funds- gas taxes. Broaden the Senior program to address real needs and concerns.
Block grant monies need application review.
PREPAREDNESS
Seek to be self sustaining in a major disaster – natural or man made, not reliant on higher units of government which are lacking in concern for local communities. Work toward a local disaster shelter capable of handling minimal life sustaining services for Addison residents.
3. What would you do to increase public involvement/input in township decision-making? Be open, available and responsive to Citizens concerns, ideas and suggestions. Address problems promptly with adaptive rather than confrontational solutions. promote Neighborhood Watch Groups to help reduce crime, foster cohesive Community Spirit. Hold monthly Saturday afternoon ‘Supervisors Receptions? for citizens to voice their concerns directly to the Supervisor in a low key casual atmosphere. Tap the vast pool of experience, knowledge, and talent of the citizens of Addison in appointments to Boards and Commissions.
Promote and foster interorganizational [Service Groups] cooperation in scheduling events to avoid conflicts.
Promote local businesses by fostering an Addison Chamber of Commerce. Clearly Addison has to grow or remain withering on the vine as Oxford’s step child and Rochester’s poor relative. This it can do and still maintain it’s traditional values. What is required is the consensus of the populace and clearing out of brain cobwebs and pessimistic thinking in government. Addison must grow!