Next week, the Village of Leonard’s 275 registered voters will head to the polls at Rowland Hall and find something on their ballots they haven’t seen in a while ? choices.
Voters will be asked to elect their village president, treasurer and a couple of trustees.
All positions carry four-year terms and are nonpartisan.
Village president Eugene Mallia, Jr., a lifelong resident of the rural village, is facing a challenge from resident Mike McDonald.
‘I don’t think that change is a big issue (in Leonard),? Mallia said. ‘It’s a big issue everywhere else in the country.?
McDonald disagreed. ‘I felt like there was a need for people to have someone (as president) they could talk to, someone with a fresh perspective, broader experience,? he said. ‘It’s nice to give people a choice.?
Both candidates come well-prepared with years of local government experience.
Mallia’s served on the village council for 16 years, spending 15 of those as president.
‘I’ve been at this game a long time,? he said. ‘I understand the community. I understand the people. I talk to them and I know their needs.?
McDonald, who’s lived in the village for 30 years and is a metal model maker for General Motors, served on village council from 1983-88, spending the last two years as president. He also served as Addison Township’s supervisor from 1988-92.
‘I’m big on communication,? he said. ‘I’d like the village council to have more dialogue with village residents and the commercial aspects of the village.?
For Mallia, who works for Oxford Bank, the big issue in Leonard is working on the infrastructure, from the failing old septic systems leaking into local storm drains to repairing streets and building more sidewalks and bike paths.
‘That’s our biggest challenge today,? he said.
The Clark and Leonard storm drains which run downstream toward Lakeville have been identified as have some ‘unacceptable? levels of e. Coli bacteria over the last two years.
Mallia said the village has been working with Oakland County to study the problem and find funding for a solution.
‘We have a problem and the problem has to be contained,? he said. ‘It’s going to be an on-going project for quite a while due to funding.?
Mallia’s proudest of the 14.2-mile Polly Ann Trail, which he called ‘a gem,? and the fact the small village had one new housing start this year despite the poor economy and rising foreclosures.
‘It’s a shining light at the end of that tunnel.?
The village president said there’s ‘a lot of room? still available in the village for commercial and residential development. ‘We’re always welcoming new folks,? he said.
One of McDonald’s main issues is preserving and upgrading the ‘village atmosphere.?
‘I’d like to see some improvements in the downtown area as far as working with the business people to make it more attractive,? he said. ‘Create a village center so to speak.?
McDonald’s also concerned about the future placement of cell towers. Verizon Wireless is currently proposing to build a 195-foot monopole next to Leonard Elementary.
‘I have some real concerns about those type of uses especially the impact they have on the immediate area around them,? he said.
McDonald noted that he’s not opposed to cell towers in general, he just believes in finding the proper places (away from neighborhoods) and heights for them.
‘I don’t worry too much about whether it’s more efficient for the cell companies,? he said.
As far as recent accomplishments, McDonald is proud of his involvement with the village’s parks and recreation committee over the last six months.
The committee recently drafted a recreation plan for the entire village which will make the municipality eligible for state and federal grants.
‘That (plan) was turned into the state. It hasn’t been approved yet,? he said.
McDonald’s hoping the village will be able to obtain grant monies to develop the approximately 3 acres of vacant land it owns where Forest St. and the Polly Ann Trail meet into a park.
McDonald was village president when the park land was acquired in 1988 using Community Development Block Grant funds.
In the end, Mallia wanted voters to know he’s always willing to listen. ‘I’m not opposed to hearing what anybody has to say,? he said.
McDonald stressed his honesty. He admitted there are times when the way he expresses that honesty is off-putting to some, but he’s not going to stop telling the truth.
‘I’m not going to mislead them,? he said. ‘I’m not going to dodge a question. I haven’t made a career of that.?
Running for the treasurer’s office are incumbent Judith Verse and challenger Liza Bivens. The treasurer’s position is a part-time job that pays $4,000 annually. The holder is not a voting member of the village council and works about 20-25 hours a month, depending on the time of year.
Verse, who’s lived in Leonard since 1985, has served as treasurer for 12 years.
‘I’m not really into politics,? she said. ‘I do the job just to do the job.?
Bivens, a 10-year resident of the village who works as an ultrasound technologist, is running as a way to get more involved.
‘I just want to add to my community,? she said. ‘The last couple of years I’ve been thinking about it. Geno Mallia has mentioned it a few times . . . I thought I’d give it a try.?
Verse’s main goal is to help make sure the village tax rate doesn’t increase beyond the 6 mills it’s been for at least the 12 years she’s been in office.
‘I feel we pay enough taxes for our little downtown area to do what we need to do,? she said. ‘I don’t think we should have a tax increase.?
Verse would also like to see Leonard continue getting help from the county’s Main Street program to improve the downtown area. ‘I’d like us to grow more as a community and fix up our downtown,? she said.
Bivens? main goal is to see the village remain small and rural.
‘In Leonard, we still live like we’re out in the country,? she said. ‘Even though we’re not far from real civilization, it’s more like a country setting.?
Despite her love of the country, Bivens still wants Leonard to thrive as a community.
‘My goal is to do the best that I can for the village to see that the village prospers,? she said.
Although Bivens doesn’t have any experience with municipal finances, she spent about two years doing accounts receivable for a local auto dealership.
‘I run the finances here at home, you know balance the checkbook, pay the bills,? she said. ‘I think running a household, a lot of it is the same as running a treasury office. Everything has to balance.?
Also, running for council unopposed as trustee candidates are incumbents Charlene Sutherby and Pauline Blanka.
Although three trustee seats are up for election next week, only two candidates are on the ballot.
Following the election, the village council will have to appoint a resident to the vacant seat.