The four candidates for three Clarkston City Council seats in the Nov. 8 election were provided the same questionnaire from The Clarkston News to inform residents of their experience and views on issues. Their answers follow with a brief edited bio they provided.
Daniel A. Colombo, 45, is a partner at Pennsylvania Life Insurance Agency and has resided in Clarkston for 40 years (homeowner for 20). He has two kids, Jessica, 16 and Craig, 10. He graduated from Clarkston High School in 1978 and from Eastern Michigan University in 1982.
1. Why are you pursuing a seat on the Clarkston City Council?
To continue to strive for excellence for the city and its inhabitants. I choose the word inhabitants because today’s issues involve more than just historic, resident and business. There are many ecological issues involving our wetlands, lakes and streams. Protecting our natural habitats from contamination will help preserve our quality of life now and in the future.
2. What do you believe makes you a qualified candidate?
Having lived in the village for 19 years and in Clarkston for 40, I am acutely aware of the special community we live in. I believe every resident has the ability to contribute significantly to our city and many have. As a member of our city council the past eight years, I am proud of the achievements of those councils and the residents I have served with.
3. What changes would you like to see made in Clarkston over the next couple of years?
We’ve made tremendous infrastructure as well as cosmetic improvements throughout the city. Between the water and paving projects, we also have lighting, flower beds, planter boxes and trees to maintain. It is imperative for us to aggressively maintain these improvements and implement systems for their perpetual maintenance. With the addition of recent equipment purchases and training in DPW is in position to effectively handle this responsibility.

4. How do you intend to help Clarkston keep its historical integrity as the surrounding areas develop?
We have structured our master plan and ordinances to preserve our historic features. By supervising our building inspectors, DPW and police departments we can easily enforce those ordinances. Although we cannot control the surrounding area we can control behavior inside the city.
6. Do you have experience on the council? If so list and explain. (List any other political positions held)
I have served on city council for the past eight years. We have successfully implemented the T-21 grant involving beautification. We have successfully implemented the vote and installation of the water main project and repaving 3? years ahead of schedule at tremendous cost savings. There is a great momentum that was created from the Hyett-Palma Downtown Enhancement Program that our business owners welcomed and actively supported. The Taste of Clarkston, the Craig Greenfield Triathlon for cancer, the Concerts in the Park are examples of what this ‘momentum? creates.

Walter A. Gamble Jr., 69, of Clarkston is a retired manager from AT&T and has resided in Clarkston for 22 years. He is married to Chris Shull and they have two daughters Barbara and Alyson. He has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Hofstra College and a master’s degree in personnel techniques from Columbia University.
1. Why are you pursuing a seat on the Clarkston City Council?
I live in the city and enjoy being part of the team that keeps it a great place to live.
2. What do you believe makes you a qualified candidate?
My 10 years experience as an incumbent.
3. What changes would you like to see made in Clarkston over the next couple of years?
In the past 10 years we have done a tremendous amount to beautify Clarkston. I would like to see a more diverse business district with less real estate offices.
4. How do you intend to help Clarkston keep its historical integrity as the surrounding areas develop?
By insuring we stick to our master plan and not rezone for special interests.
5. What will you do to address increased traffic concerns through Clarkston?
We have pursued this issue many ways for many years. There is no way to decrease the amount of traffic. What we have done and will continue to do is to police it constantly for violators.
6. Do you have experience on the council? If so list and explain. (List any other political positions held)
Council person for Clarkston 10 years.

Corian ‘Cory’Johnston, 53, is a structural engineer who has resided in Clarkston for 26 years. He and his wife Robyn have been married for 26 years. She is a member of the Clarkston Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Johnstons have two dogs and a cat.
1. Why are you pursuing a seat on the Clarkston City Council?
I have attended City Council, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings for over three years and would like to do more for the city as well as addressing issues that I feel are not being adequately dealt with.
2. What do you believe makes you a qualified candidate?
I have degrees in architecture and construction engineering and deal with tight budgets for complicated projects on a daily basis. I am very familiar with the City of Clarkston, the city council and the city administration. I have participated and helped out in many of our city’s public events and believe I can bring a new perspective to what happens in our city.
3. What changes would you like to see made in Clarkston over the next couple of years?
I think traffic in our city needs better control. I think the safety of our pedestrians is critical to our well being and the quality of life in our city and our current intersections are not working well enough. I would like to see more attention to protecting the environment, particularly our water resources. I think we need to look at the expenses we have control over and make sure we are getting all we can for our tax dollars.
4. How do you intend to help Clarkston keep its historical integrity as the surrounding areas develop?
As stated earlier, I have an education in architecture and construction. Part of the reason I moved to Clarkston was the historical nature of the city and houses. I think we need to look at any proposed changes with more sensitivity to their character. Not just if they ‘look? historic, but how they fit into the fabric of our city. This may not always be the least costly, but in the long run I feel will benefit our city in maintaining the historical character while making sure we are still a viable city in the future.
5. What will you do to address increased traffic concerns through Clarkston?
I think traffic needs to be slowed and eventually removed from Holcomb. People are now using it to bypass Main Street, but Holcomb is a residential street with a lot of children. I think additional stop signs will help slow down the traffic and most drivers will find an alternative route if it slows them down enough. Main Street is a state highway and as such is a little more difficult for us to control. I do think that we can make our downtown area more interesting and encourage people to stop and enjoy. If we cannot reduce the traffic, we can at least take advantage of it. In either case, we must guarantee the safety of pedestrians by making our crosswalks more visible and enforcing crossing signs. If it is not safe to walk in our city, very few will.
6. Do you have experience on the council? If so list and explain. (List any other political positions held)
I have attended council, planning commission and zoning board of appeals meetings on a regular basis, but have never held an elected office. I was nominated to the Independence Township Cable Board to represent the City of Clarkston and still have that position.

James G. Brueck has lived in the village for over 31 years and has been married for 37 years with eight children and five grandkids. He served as past president of the Clarkston Jaycees, and on the Parish Council of St. Daniel Church during its initial growth. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s in business administration. He has been an employee for over 37 years at General Motors and lived in Mexico City for 3? years on special assignment.
I am running for council because I have invested a lot of my life here and I want to help maintain the environment we have enjoyed all these years. I also have two of my married children and five grandkids living in Clarkston and want them to have the same opportunities to appreciate the quality of lifestyle available here.
One of the most significant issues we must deal with is maintaining the water quality with the village and surrounding areas. All of Clarkston is within the North Clinton River watershed and all our residents live on or very near lakes, rivers and streams. We need to be vigilant in preserving the quality of our water for the health and enjoyment of our residents, as well as preserving our property values. The council must take an active role in educating and demonstrating how to preserve or improve the water quality.
Managing the budget without increasing taxes is an ongoing challenge. We need to be always looking for ways to reduce cost without sacrificing services. There is no quick fix, but everyday fiscal responsibility is what our residents expect.
Preserving the business environment downtown. It is essential to the atmosphere of the Village to have a viable downtown where diverse businesses can exist and grow. We may never be a Birmingham or Northville, but we don’t want to lose what we do have.