Now that he’s gotten his feet wet and learned the ropes, Mike Spisz is hoping District 3 voters will give him another two-year term on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners so he can accomplish some goals.
‘I enjoyed the first term, but I didn’t really get to do a lot of things that I wanted to do,? said the 43-year-old Oxford Republican. ‘The second term, I’m hoping to do a lot more things to help our district and the county.?
His top priority is to recruit more citizens from the district ? which includes Oxford, Addison, Brandon and Oakland townships ? to serve on the various county-level subcommittees.
‘If you look at some of those subcommittees, we don’t have very many people at all from our district,? Spisz said. ‘It’s all people from the southern part of the county.?
Because District 3 primarily consists of less densely-populated rural areas, he feels it’s important for residents to be well-represented to ensure their needs are being met and their concerns are addressed by the county.
‘I’m just trying to make sure we get our voice out there,? Spisz said.
Spisz, who works as the director of engineering for Takata in Auburn Hills, was elected to the county seat in 2012 after having served as a trustee on the Oxford Township Board since 2008. He continues to serve the township as a planning commissioner.
At the county level, Spisz serves as a member of the general government and public services committees. He also serves on the substance abuse advisory committee and is vice chair of the community development advisory council.
Helping the county ‘continue to be fiscally responsible? remains one of his top priorities. ?(I want to) make sure we’re spending our taxpayer money wisely, not overspending,? Spisz said.
Looking back over his first term, Spisz is proud of his involvement in the county’s Curbing Gun Violence Study Group, formed in February 2013 in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. That tragedy claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.
Because of this group’s efforts, 2,000 gun safety locks were made available to the public, free of charge, throughout the county at 36 police agencies and 16 sheriff’s substations.
Spisz is also working to ensure the Detroit Institute of Arts is being held accountable for its actions and spending now that Oakland County residents are helping to fund it through their property tax dollars.
‘They need to be a lot more forthcoming ? a lot more transparent and upfront (about) what they’re doing,? he said.
‘A logical thought process? to making political decisions is ultimately what Spisz believes he brings to the table.
‘Being my background is in engineering, I look through the facts, look through the details. I don’t make decisions based on emotion,? he said. ‘And I always ask questions. Justify why you want something, don’t just come in and say you want this ‘just because.? You have to have some rationale (as to) why you want to do something.?
Spisz has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 14 years and the couple has two young daughters.
Editor’s Note: District 3 Democratic candidate Rick Kelley, of Ortonville, did not respond to an interview request. Voters hoping to learn about him can find a profile on the League of Women Voters Oakland Area website ? www.lwvoa.org