DAVID BAILEY is a 65-year-old engineer who’s lived in the village since 1991. He previously served on council from 2001 through 2007, when he decided not to seek re-election following the death of his wife Margaret Nilsson.
After taking a two-year hiatus from public office, Bailey feels he’s ‘ready to serve again.?
Bailey prides himself on his willingness to listen to other points of view before making any decisions.
‘My style on the council is to listen to what all the council members have to say and then try to formulate a resolution,? he said.
Outside the council chambers, Bailey tries to keep himself aware of the concerns and opinions of village residents and downtown business owners.
‘Basically, I try to listen and cooperate,? he said.
Like just about everyone else in Michigan, Bailey believes the poor economy is the biggest issue facing the village.
If elected, he plans to help the village continue maintaining the level of public services to which residents and business owners are accustomed
‘We’re in a good position to do that because we have healthy fund balances, which were accumulated during past years when conditions were better,? Bailey explained. ‘That’s what the fund balances are for ? to spend them when they are needed.?
Bailey indicated he’ll vote against ‘any action that would increase expenses? for village residents, be they millage hikes or increases in the water, sewer and trash collection fees.
‘I would be opposed to doing anything that would increase the burden on the taxpayers until it is clear that the Michigan economy is on an upturn that will continue,? he explained. ‘Right now, there’s a lot of talk about the economy improving, but I’ll believe it when I see it.?
Keeping the village, particularly the municipal water system, safe and secure is a priority for Bailey.
‘We need to improve our precautions against natural disasters and man-made disasters,? he said.
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MAUREEN ‘MO? HELMUTH is 41-year-old employee of Borders Books in Auburn Hills. A village resident for 16 years, Helmuth worked in the municipality’s office from 1986 until her layoff in August 2008.
Helmuth spent 15 years working as the village’s utility billing clerk.
She was appointed village treasurer in August 2007, a position she held until council decided to, as a cost-saving measure, combine the clerk and treasurer jobs effectively laying her off.
Helmuth is a Certified Public Finance Administrator and a 2006 graduate of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association. She’s been serving on the village planning commission since early this year.
When asked why she decided to run for council, she replied, ‘I do not like the direction the current council has taken the village.?
She believes many of the council’s actions in the last few years have been ‘self-serving.? When asked to elaborate on this, Helmuth declined.
Helmuth believes voters should pick her because she has ‘the best interests of the village at heart and I will do everything I can to help everyone who lives in this town.?
If elected, Helmuth would like to take a look at what needs to be done as far as fixing and improving the village’s infrastructure.
‘There’s still some roads that need to be looked at,? she said. ‘Our sewer infrastructure’s aging. Our parks need assistance.?
Scripter Park needs a lot of work in Helmuth’s opinion.
‘I think the (playground) equipment needs to be looked at. Some improvements need to be made. The beach house is aging. The barbecue (grills) are aging.?
Expanding recreational opportunities is something Helmuth’s interested in pursuing.
‘I think there’s other areas of the village that we can look at for recreation,? she said.
Helmuth is in favor of council playing a more active role in helping the downtown thrive economically.
‘I think the village really needs to help the (Downtown Development Authority) anyway they can to keep businesses downtown and keep people going downtown.?
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CHRISTOPHER BISHOP is a 37-year-old entrepreneur who’s planning to open his own hardware store following the recent closure of Grove’s True Value Hardware, where he worked as the general manager.
He’s currently the village president and has served on council since May 2006. He’s lived in the village since 1995, but is a lifelong resident of Oxford Township and 1990 graduate of OHS.
When asked why he’s seeking re-election, Bishop responded, ‘I enjoy serving the citizens of the Village of Oxford and my involvement in governmental affairs.?
Bishop believes residents should vote for him because ‘in a time of sinking property values, I’ve been part of a council that has still managed to cut taxes, maintain services and improve the efficiency of our government.?
Back in May, Bishop was one of three council members who voted to cut the village tax rate by 1 mill. That decision lowered village resident taxes from 11. 12 mills to 10.12 mills for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Looking ahead, Bishop sees many projects and challenges that he’d like to be involved in as part of the solution.
The most pressing is the upkeep and repair of the village’s 500,000-gallon water tower on S. Glaspie St.
‘The water tower hasn’t been maintained since it was installed in 1977,? Bishop explained. ‘Currently, the village council’s in the process of reviewing proposals and engineering specs to bring that water tower up to par. It’s an issue I’d like to see through.?
Helping to ensure the ‘long-term fiscal viability? of the village is something else Bishop is interested in.
To do this, he said the village must live within its means and can’t spend more than it’s taking in. ‘We have to maintain spending commensurate with revenue and that includes contracts with employees and the contractors that we use,? Bishop said.
Providing a more permanent fix for the rough pavement and drainage problems related to the W. Burdick Street hill (commonly known as ‘cemetery hill?) is another issue Bishop believes must be addressed over the next five years.
Because the hill has no curb and gutter, the ‘shoulder of the road break downs every eight years or so.?
‘We spend more money repaving rather than fixing it right and being done with it for a substantial amount of time,? Bishop said.
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THOMAS BENNER is a 69-year-old retiree who worked in the construction business. Benner’s lived in the village for 47 years. His current stint on council began in April 2005. Prior to that, he served on council from 1995-98.
Benner believes his ‘interest in local government? combined with the knowledge of the community that comes from having lived here for nearly five decades will benefit the village ‘in these tough economic times.?
Residents looking for reasons to vote for Benner should be aware he prides himself on being ‘fiscally responsible to the taxpayers,? believes in ‘keeping taxes low? and wishes to maintain the village’s current level of services.
Back in May, Benner was one of three council members who voted to cut the village tax rate by 1 mill. That decision lowered village resident taxes from 11. 12 mills to 10.12 mills for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Like Bishop, Benner views fixing up the water tower and correcting the drainage/pavement issues with the W. Burdick St. hill as top priorities.
Not wanting to saddle village residents with more debt, Benner believes the municipality ‘should pay cash? for the water tower work, which could cost more than $100,000.
A staunch proponent of locally-controlled public services, Benner wants to make sure village tax dollars are spent locally and help keep local people employed.
Overall, Benner is pleased with how things are going in the village. ‘I think we have a good council, a good manager and a good police department,? he said.