A late write-in campaign sets up a two-candidate race for Clarkston mayor.
Both Stephen D. Arkwright and Les Haight would be new to the mayor’s seat ? incumbent Mayor Sharron Catallo is retiring after 23 years in office.
Arkwright, 49, is a 19-year resident of Clarkston. He and his wife of 25 years, Jennifer, have two sons, Nicholas and Michael.
“I am very serious about this position and the issues that our city faces and do not take the responsibility lightly,” he said.
Haight submitted paperwork to declare his write-in candidacy for mayor on deadline day, this past Friday.
“With so much attention being paid to the presidential election, the election of the next mayor of the City of the Village of Clarkston seems to have been overlooked,” he said. “Up until Friday afternoon, there was only one candidate. This meant that on Nov. 4, the office of mayor would pass from the current mayor to the next mayor without the voters having a choice.”
In a democracy, at least two candidates should run for public office, he said.
“If elected mayor, I will have the interest of residents as my first priority,” he said.
Haight served as chairman of Clarkston Historical District Commission for seven years.
“I did my best to enforce the Historic District Ordinance to protect our heritage while allowing residents to make their homes enjoyable to live in,” he said. “As a manager in the automotive technical training business, I have managed people, interacted with clients, delivered multi-million dollar projects on time and within budget, and built and managed consistently profitable business units.”
Arkwright’s city experiences include service on both Village and City Planning Commissions, several years as chairman.
“I feel very privileged to have been part of our City Charter Commission.
After becoming a city, he served several city council terms, including service on the Finance Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and as the city’s first Police Liaison.
He and his family were transferred to Texas for work in 1997, but returned two years later.
“My family has such strong ties to Clarkston and our neighbors that upon returning to Clarkston, we purchased a home across the street from our prior house.”
Since returning to Clarkston, he has served on the Police Services Committee, Police Chief Search Committee and the Water Exploratory Committee.
“Serving on these councils committees and commissions has given me the opportunity to not only serve with many outstanding individuals and role models but it has also given me an in-depth view from the inside of both our history and processes.”
Growing up in Royal Oak, Haight visited Clarkston frequently to visit his grandfather. After graduating from college, he chose Clarkston as the place to start his career and raise his family.
“My wife, Rhoda, and I have lived at 99 N. Main Street for 20 years,” he said. “We have lived within four miles of the village since 1970. Our daughters went through the Clarkston school system. My family goes back to 1872 in Clarkston.”
Arkwright’s professional experience includes more than 24 years in the financial services industry as a certified financial planner and branch office manager.
“I believe that my professional experience combined with my practical experiences with the city has prepared me to work alongside the city council and city administration to move us through the times ahead,” he said. “With an appreciation of our history and being realistic about the present, Clarkston’s future is bright. That being said, we still have issues that we are facing.”
Issues include fiscal responsibility, police service, and Department of Public Works.
“The budget is very tight. We want to make sure we get the best services for the best price,” he said. “We need to continue to manage our finances in a very prudent and conservative manner. The near term appears to be very challenging; therefore we must continue to show restraint in spending.”
He supports the Clarkston Police Department and its services.
“Through serving on the police service committee, it is clear that our current 24-hour Clarkston Police Department is what the majority of resident’s desire,” he said. “I will remain very diligent in managing costs and liabilities of having our own department.”
Clarkston DPW has done a fantastic job for our community over through the years, he said.
“We are very fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated department. However like all expenditures, we must continue to examine the best ways to fund and operate these services,” he said.
Haight’s priorities would include balanced budget; make sure Clarkston Police has measureable performance objectives, enforces traffic laws, and becomes a positive revenue stream; update ordinances and make sure they are enforced; support Historic District Commission’s efforts to protect the village; require all events in Clarkston are not subsidized by taxpayers; investigate acquiring the former Independence Township Hall for the Village of Clarkston; and be open and accessible to citizens.
“I love the Village of Clarkston, Oakland County, and Michigan and I will do my best to make Clarkston an even better place to live,” Haight said. “I hope that citizens of Clarkston who agree with my objectives will write in Les Haight for mayor.”