Oxford Township’s longtime incumbent clerk and treasurer will definitely face competition in the Aug. 3 Republican primary election.
However, it’s unclear at this time whether the supervisor will also face a challenger and whether the trustee race will include four or five candidates.
May 11 was the deadline for township board candidates to file nominating petitions for the primary election.
Incumbent Treasurer Joe Ferrari will face challenger Paul Butkis, while incumbent Clerk Clara Sanderson will square off against challenger Patti Durr.
It’s unknown at this time whether or not incumbent Supervisor Bill Dunn will face a challenger. Incumbent Trustee Jerry Dywasuk filed nominating petitions Monday for both the supervisor and trustee positions.
According to Sanderson, Dywasuk has until 4 p.m. Friday, May 14 to withdraw one of his filed petitions.
State law does not permit a person to run for two public offices simultaneously.
?(Dywasuk) has to make a decision,? Sanderson said.
Although he said he hasn’t made his final decision yet, on Wednesday morning Dywasuk told this reporter, ‘I’m leaning toward running for supervisor.?
Dywasuk said it’s a ‘big decision? and he wants to ‘consider all the options? before choosing which office he will seek.
In addition to Dywasuk, incumbent trustees Charles Kniffen and Pat Fitchena and challengers Doleen Behnke and Sue Bellairs have also filed petitions for the four trustee seats on the township board.
Supervisor
Incumbent Bill Dunn, 56, said he’s seeking re-election because he enjoys helping people.
‘I like my job because people come to me with their problems and I try to fix them and if I can’t, I at least try to point them in the right direction,? said Dunn, who was appointed to the supervisor position in June 1999 and elected in November 2000. ‘People want their government to work for them, not against them. I’m not here to be an obstacle to anyone.?
Dunn prides himself on being a ‘hands-on? supervisor. ‘People don’t want a supervisor who sits at his desk all day, shuffling paperwork,? he said. ‘They want somebody who’s willing to put on his boots and slop through ankle-deep mud to look at a problem firsthand. They want somebody who’s going to come to their house and talk to them face-to-face. That’s me. That’s what I like to do.?
From helping the township make a ‘smooth transition? from the now-defunct Oxford Police Department to Oakland County Sheriff’s Department to soliciting donations from the Levy Corporation to get four miles of township gravel roads resurfaced at zero cost to taxpayers to helping set up an emergency hot-line to keep residents informed, Dunn is proud of his many accomplishments over the last five years.
‘I’m here to get things done,? he said. ‘People want to see results and that’s what I try to give them. If the voters choose to give me another four years, I promise to do my best to give them more results.?
Potential challenger Jerry Dywasuk, 43, has served as a township trustee since 2000. He said he may run for supervisor because there are ‘greater changes? he would like to see made in the township, changes which a trustee has ‘limited ability? to accomplish.
One of those changes is ‘greater fiscal responsibility? with the township budget. He described the township’s spending as ‘wasteful? and said someone needs to ‘take control of the budget,? so officials won’t have to ‘continually go back to the taxpayers? to ask for more money.
During his years as trustee, Dywasuk, a township resident for six years, said he’s ‘tried to make better fiscal decisions,? but ‘unfortunately, sometimes I’ve been in the minority.?
Dywasuk said active plans need to be made for the future, plans in which there’s enough money in the township budget for things like a new township hall and more safety paths.
Although Dywasuk said he’s ‘enjoyed? his years a trustee, he feels he can do ‘a lot more on a full-time basis.? He noted that his ‘extensive experience in (business) management? would be a ‘big asset? to the township, if elected supervisor.
‘I hope the voters would give me a chance,? he said.
Treasurer
Challenger Paul Butkis, 63, said he’s running for treasurer because he believes nobody should run for public office unopposed.
‘People should have the option to vote for somebody different as opposed to having someone automatically put into office,? said the 26-year township resident.
This is Butkis third attempt to win a seat on the township board. Butkis ran for both supervisor and trustee many years ago.
One of the main issues Butkis is concerned about is township-village relations.
‘I would like to see the township and village get along a little better,? he said. ‘It doesn’t do either group any good for them to be battling like they area. They should try to get along. I think it would be much more productive for the people and the tax base if they got along and worked together to get things done.?
Although he’s retired now, Butkis said his experience as a senior consultant in the area of applying computer systems to various businesses would be of value as a township official.
‘I was very successful at getting projects done that other people couldn’t and getting people to get along in situations where they weren’t,? he said.
Butkis said if elected, he will work towards making Oxford a ‘progressive community,? which he defines as a place where new people ‘feel welcomed? and there is no ‘negative atmosphere? that keeps people away.
When asked why voters should elect him treasurer, Butkis replied, ‘If they want a change in the way things are running, I will provide a change. If they’re happy with what they have right now, then vote for the people who are in there.?
Incumbent Joe Ferrari, 37, is running for re-election because he feels ‘there’s a lot more in Oxford that needs to be accomplished? and he ‘would like to be a part of that.? ‘It’s a great community and I would like to help it more forward,? said Ferrari, who was first elected in 1992 and is a Certified Municipal Finance Administrator.
Some of those items that need to be addressed according to Ferrari are overseeing development in the northern end of the township, making changes to water and sewer infrastructure and implementing technological improvements in the treasury department such as automatic debiting of bank accounts to make it easier for residents to pay sewer and tax bills.
Beginning with the Winter 2004 tax bill, Ferrari noted residents will be able to pay via credit card.
If re-elected, Ferrari, a 13-year resident, said he would like to work with the village to ensure the ‘vitality? of the downtown and ‘encourage better cooperation? with the village government.
Ferrari said he would also like to work toward ‘improving residents? health? by increasing the number of safety paths, which offer the opportunity for kind of physical activity necessary to help reduce obesity.
As treasurer, Ferrari noted that his financial knowledge has allowed him to ‘prudently invest? township funds. ‘I’ve never lost one penny (of the township’s money),? he said.
The treasurer is also proud of his ‘open door policy,? which means he’s always available to speak with residents with questions or concerns about their tax bills and work with them to correct any mistakes.
Clerk
Challenger Patti Durr, 46, has a simple reason why she’s running for clerk ? ‘To better the community.?
The 10-year township resident is currently employed by the township as the administrative assistant for the Building Department, a position she’s held for nine years.
Durr said she feels it’s time for ‘new leadership? and ‘fresh ideas? in township government.
‘I have nothing but respect for Clara (Sanderson), but I just feel it’s time for a change, somebody new,? she said. ‘She’s been a good clerk for 32 years, but the township’s changing fast and new direction is needed.?
If elected, Durr said she will work to ‘improve our water system? and ‘eliminate (the township’s) high attorney bills? by reducing the number of ‘unnecessary opinion letters? it receives.
As clerk, Durr said she would ‘review township policies and procedures to ensure the efficient management of resources? and ‘ensure tax dollars are budgeted wisely and used to the benefit of everyone in the township.?
Durr has plans to set up ‘citizen advisory committees? to help officials ‘explore how the township can better serve its people.?
Durr believes her nine years experience in township government would ensure a ‘smooth transition? into office, if she were elected clerk. She said she’s been ‘cross-trained? in all the other township departments so she’s very familiar with their inner workings and operations.
Her eight years experience working township polling sites as a precinct chair during elections is another reason Durr feels qualified to serve as a clerk.
Incumbent Clara Sanderson is seeking her ninth consecutive term as township clerk. She was first elected in 1972. ‘I feel my service is still valuable to the community and I hope they would re-elect me,? said the township resident of 44 years. ‘I feel I bring stability. I bring honor to my position. I’m readily available to my constituents. I’m here for them not only in the office, but as a township board member making decisions.?
Sanderson, a Certified Municipal Clerk, said she has the training and qualifications necessary to deal with upcoming challenges to the clerk’s department such as new state election laws making township clerks responsible for school district and village elections.
She said her decades of election experience will be a ‘valuable asset? when implementing these changes.
As a township legislator and policy-maker, Sanderson said she feels she’s done a good job of representing the entire community.
‘When any issue comes before me, I look at the whole picture, not just one group,? she said. ‘What is best for this community is the basis for making my decisions.?
‘All of my decisions haven’t pleased everybody, but you’re never, ever going to please everybody. But I don’t take it personally,? Sanderson added.
Trustees
Challenger Doleen Behnke, ?53 and very proud of it,? is running for trustee to ‘make sure we keep the friendliness and small, hometown feeling? of Oxford Township. ‘I like the small town atmosphere,? she said. ‘I like the friendly people that say hello when you walk down the street.? Behnke moved to Oxford a little more than three years ago from Royal Oak.
The main issues which concern Behnke are safety of the township’s water supply/system and having safety paths for children and parents ‘to play on and walk on.?
As a trustee, Behnke said researching issue facing the township would be her strong suit.
‘I make my living researching things as thoroughly as possible,? said Behnke, who’s employed as the senior vice president for Behnke Consulting, Inc., an assessment firm that does training and documentation.
When it comes to discussion items and board votes, Behnke said as a trustee, ‘I’ll be able to do the research and give a good, fair and honest ‘yes? or ‘no.??
When asked why voters should elect her as a trustee, Behnke replied, ‘I feel I’m trustworthy. I have a lot I can give to the community.?
She described herself as ‘very community service-oriented? referring to her 11-year membership in Kiwanis Club and more recent membership in the Great Oaks Civitan Club.
Challenger Sue Bellairs, 56, is no newcomer to the township political scene. She served as a trustee from 1996-2000. ‘I had my break,? said the 24-year township resident. ‘I’m still interested (in township government). There are areas I’m concerned about.?
One of those areas is ordinance compliance. Bellairs is concerned because the township has so many ordinances and keeps approving more, when the ones on the books are either ‘selectively enforced? or ‘not enforced at all.? Bellairs said it’s a waste of tax dollars to continue having the attorneys draft more ordinances that either aren’t or can’t be enforced.
The former trustee also has ideas about less expensive ways to start building a new township hall with money that’s available now and continue the project as future funds become available. ‘I’d rather not be taxed more,? she said.
Bellairs said she’s also concerned about township spending, particularly the high amount of legal bills.
‘Every time you turn around, it’s ‘Call the attorney,?? she said. Because many of the legal opinions ultimately call for township officials to make a decision, Bellairs said it’s a waste of money to ask the attorneys in the first place. She said officials are the ones elected to make the decisions, not the lawyers.
When asked why voters should elect her as trustee, Bellairs said, ‘I’m honest. I say it like it is. I give my opinion and it doesn’t depend on whether it’s an election year or not.?
Incumbent Charles Kniffen, 68, said he’s seeking re-election to ‘finish off a lot of the projects I started.?
Those projects include getting Oxford Community Television’s (Channel 19) new offices and studio set up, ensuring the new franchise agreement with Charter Communications (the township’s cable provider) is signed and continuing the quality improvements to Channel 19, according to the township resident of 30-plus years.
Improving the township’s water system in terms of quality and pressure is another project Kniffen hopes to help accomplish if re-elected.
When asked what he feels he’s accomplished since being elected to the board in 2000, Kniffen replied, ‘Not as much as I’d hoped to accomplish to be honest.?
Kniffen said he had hoped by now the township would have ended its participation and membership in Oxford Public Fire and EMS Commission, the joint township-village safety authority which oversees the fire department. When asked why voters should re-elect him as trustee, Kniffen replied, ‘Because I represent the people of the township. I represent all the people, not just one faction. I represent you first.?
Incumbent Pat Fitchena, 60, said she wants to continue doing the job she was first elected to do back in 1988. ‘I feel that I have a lot to give to the community,? said the 29-year township resident. ‘I have a record to stand on. I think I’ve been honest and upright with the community. I have been encouraged by many, many people to remain on the board.?
When asked what she feels she’s accomplished in her 16 years on the board, Fitchena said ‘many things? such as acquisition of ‘new parks for the kids? and the purchase of the property at Seymour Lake and Granger roads, upon which the future new township hall will be constructed. ‘The people will see a cost-savings in the long run because we purchased that (property) early.?
Restraining growth and development is another accomplishment, according to Fitchena.
‘The growth has been contained in this area. Regardless of public belief, it has been,? she said.
Fitchena also sees public participation and interest in township government on the rise.
‘I think we have more community involvement than we’ve ever had,? she said. ‘People seem to be more interested and are attending more meetings.?
When asked why she should be re-elected, Fitchena said, ‘Because I have the experience. I have the knowledge of the workings of the township. I understand the governmental bookkeeping. I believe I’m an asset on the board. I represent the people.?
‘I think we’re on the cusp of bigger and better things here,? she added. ‘This is a great place to live. That’s why people want to come here.?