Former city council member Walt Gamble says he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get back to work.
Gamble sat on the council from 1995-2005, losing the election last year by what he calls “a few votes” to current Councilman Cory Johnston.
But with three vacant seats and only incumbent Kristy Ottman up for reelection, the council announced in August they were accepting paperwork from eligible residents wishing to run as write-in candidates.
“I’ve spent the past year reflecting,” he said. “I’m rejuvenated and ready to get back.”
Gamble is the second official write-in candidate for city council. Peg Roth, a membership coordinator at Deer Lake Athletic Club and a long-time schools volunteer, was the first. At least one other candidate has filed paperwork, with a fourth announcing intention to do so before the Nov. 3 deadline.
The paperwork, explains City Manager Art Pappas, reduces the hassle created for election workers when voters write prank names on the ballot. With the new system, only the names of those officially registered with the city will be counted.
With Councilman Steve Wylie running for mayor against incumbent Sharron Catallo, and Councilman Scott Meyland deciding to end his tenure on council, Gamble thinks his 10 years of experience might be beneficial to the Clarkston community.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the city currently,” he said. “There’s talk about doing away with the police force and talk about getting rid of cityhood. I think at this juncture we need a person of experience.”
Gamble, 70, has lived in Clarkston 23 years and speaks adamantly in favor of maintaining both the police force and city status.
One of his main concerns, he said, is the traffic situation around the downtown area. Many of the homes on Holcomb are now occupied by families with small children, while the street continues to get busier.
“Our guys stay out there so people see them and slow down,” he said. “If we go back to using the Sheriff’s Department, all we’re going to get is a drive through and that won’t do a darn thing about traffic.”
Gamble remembers his years on council as the years “we really redid the town” including the water and sewer project, new trees and landscaping and increased parking that revitalized the downtown area.
He has been married to Christie Shull for 17 years, and is the father of two grown daughters, and grandfather to four.
Golf, amateur radio and antique collecting are among the activities he counts as hobbies.
Gamble earned a BA in geology and an MA in Psychology, and retired from his position as a sales manager with AT&T in 1989.
Voters wishing to cast a vote for Gamble should write ‘Walter Gamble? in the appropriate space on the ballot.