Thomas Hunter’s resume includes a long and varied history of involvement in municipal issues.
In two weeks, the list will expand as the Clarkston City Council installs Hunter as its newest member.
He’ll replace Kristy Ottman, who on April 29 announced she was resigning from the council due to a move she and her family are making to Independence Township.
‘He’s an outstanding choice,? said Mayor Steve Arkwright, who chose Hunter from a pool of six residents who were willing to accept nomination. ‘He’s soft-spoken and well thought-out; when his name came up, the light bulb went on in my head and I thought ‘He’s a great choice.??
The board approved Arkwright’s nomination of Hunter unanimously.
Although now retired, Hunter maintained a private law practice in downtown Clarkston for over 20 years, and served 33 years as city attorney for the City of Pontiac, with duties including and real estate, planning, zoning, road and property issues and prosecution of violations.
Hunter also served on the City Charter Commission and continues a 20-year tenure with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
His appointment to the city council however, will create a vacancy on the ZBA, as he and Councilman Jim Brueck both currently serve on that board; more than one member of council cannot sit on any other city board, so one of the men will have to step down.
After the meeting, Brueck said he hadn’t had time to give the issue much thought.
‘Tonight was the first I’d heard (Hunter’s) name come up as a possibility,? said Brueck, noting he thought Hunter will make an ‘excellent, positive? addition to the council. ‘I’d like to stay on the ZBA’I haven’t been on as long as he has’but I guess maybe we’ll discuss it and see what happens.?
Although Ottman’s seat wasn’t due to expire until 2010, Hunter’s term’as an appointed, rather than elected member’will expire in November 2009, at which point he must seek election if he wishes to continue with the council.
In addition to other responsibilities, Hunter was also a longtime member of Civitan International’s Pontiac chapter and served on the SCAMP board as well as the North Oakland Council of Campfire Girls and Boys board.
In addition to Hunter, a number of other residents either came forward on their own or agreed when approached by a member of council. They include Les Haight, Tom Stone, Wanda Lohmeier, Craig Frasa, and Chris Werner.
Some council members said other possibilities were also passed around, but declined to give names as the nominees declined interest.
Hunter lives on Middle Lake with his wife Geraldine, who’s served on the Clarkston Planning Commission since 1984. The couple has been married 46 years, has three children and three grandchildren.
‘The city will be very well served,? said City Manager Dennis Ritter after Monday’s meeting. ‘I’m thrilled he agreed to accept; he’ll bring both experience and wisdom to the council.?
Plus, he added, Hunter’s interests aren’t just limited to municipal matters.
‘He and his wife are in the Clarkston Dance Club, along with my wife and I,? Ritter said.
Hunter said he was willing to serve and hopes he can be of assistance to the city.
As a longtime resident, he said, his only immediate concerns were for the city’s financial well-being.
‘With the economy the way it is, everyone, including municipalities, have to be especially careful about a balanced budget,? he said.
Like Brueck, Hunter said he hadn’t had time to give any thought to the ZBA issue.
‘Since Jim’s the council liaison, it might be more logical for him to stay,? he noted.