Incumbent Sharron Catallo and Clarkston City Councilman Steve Wylie face off at the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7. We sat down and asked each to tell us a little bit about themselves, their contributions to the community and the issues they believe are important. We also gave each the opportunity to ask the other a question and receive the answer in our public forum. Clarkston, meet your mayoral candidates.
What is the best thing about Clarkston?
Catallo: The people. We’re a small community, and most everyone knows everyone else. It’s an eclectic mix of people, and everyone has something valuable to offer the community. We’re like one big neighborhood.
Wylie: Its small town charm.
What are the challenges facing Clarkston today?
Catallo: Maintaining our individuality and controlling our own destiny. Keeping costs down while still providing quality services tailored to our specific needs. And focusing on the larger picture and remembering what’s best for the village as a whole.
Wylie: First, the budget. We have about $55,000 in the rainy day fund, and that’s not enough if we have a problem. Second, the taxes are too high. We’re paying 13.2 mils to fund the general fund, and another 4.5 for the street and water project. That’s compared to 7 mils in the township. I’d also like to make sure that the downtown retains its vibrancy, and that we’re taking care of Depot Park.
What was the most significant contribution you’ve made, or helped to make, in Clarkston?
Catallo: Helping to navigate the long transition to cityhood in 1992. We had to go before the boundary commission, set up a charter committee of residents to write the charter, and finally put it to a vote. We faced a lot of stop-gates, and we were constantly finding new problems, as well as new solutions. We set up the community to meet the needs of the people who live here.
Wylie: I’ve done a lot to reach out to the township to make sure our relationship is a strong and healthy one. The fact is that we are a tiny city in the middle of a very largely populated area, and we depend on Independence for fire, library and midnight police services.
How will you spend your first week in office?
Catallo: Delegating responsibilities and setting committees such as SEMCOG, the police and DPW liaisons, and the Michigan Municipal liaison.
Wylie: There are a lot of positions that need to be filled on various commissions. I’d also talk to key city employees to see what I can do to make their jobs easier, as well as to make sure they are providing residents with the best possible services.
How will you spend the next two years?
Catallo: We redid all the sidewalks in the downtown area, but the sidewalks in the neighborhoods still need to be redone. I’d like to see that happen, and I’d like to get back to our tree planting program, if funds will permit.
Wylie: Increasing the rainy day fund and lowering taxes. Depending upon input from the police committee, we could cut our police costs by three mills.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Catallo: My grandchildren: Clare, Cassius and Coco.
Wylie: My wife, Sue.
What personal characteristics make for an effective mayor?
Catallo: You have to like people. You have to realize that different people have different ideas, and it’s important to be open to feedback. You can’t do anything alone, you have to have the help of other people. That’s how a community works. And you have to have a sense of humor. That’s important, sometimes just for being able to laugh at yourself.
Wylie: A sense of fairness, and good communication skills. The ability to set priorities and run council meetings in an orderly fashion so all members have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
What makes you better qualified than your opponent?
Catallo: Experience. I have a history here and I look forward to using my experience to continue the progress we’ve made in governing ourselves in an efficient and responsible way. Having served with a number of councils helps to sort out the things that have been tried, and to know which ideas have worked.
Wylie: My business background. I’m CFO of my company, Qualis Automotive, and I’ve put together 30 budgets for business and successfully marketed our company to an investment fund. My background is in accounting, and I can make more of a contribution to the city with that background.
What question would you like to ask your opponent?
Catallo to Wylie: Are you committed to protecting the historic district, providing residents with quality services and maintaining cityhood? Why?
Answer: Yes on all three. First, to protect the historic district, I would make sure the best people continue to be appointed. Quality commissioners should stay in place to protect the rights of the district. Second, to provide quality services, I will use our people (Clarkston services) when it makes sense and when it makes sense we’ll use shared services. It is important to provide quality services to the residents. It’s not important who provides those services. Finally,I’ve never considered giving up cityhood.
Wylie to Catallo: Do you think it’s important to lower taxes for the citizens of Clarkston, and if so, how would you do it?
Answer: Yes, it is always important to keep taxes low, but it is not as important as providing the services the people want. The community chose to make improvements to the roads, water, and the downtown renovations. As those improvements are paid off, taxes will lower. We have always run a lean budget. For example, our city manager is also the clerk and treasurer, and our police and DPW heads work shifts along side their staff.