Editor’s Note: Last week, the Oxford Leader submitted questions to the four Oxford Village Council candidates who appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. All, with the exception of Maureen Helmuth, responded. There are also five write-in candidates running. Four of them ? Bonnie Staley, Tanya Heuser, Denise Kabalka-Chesney and Dave Bailey ? were profiled in an Oct. 15 article. The fifth write-in candidate, Tom Kennis, is featured on Page 5. All five Oxford Village Council seats are up for election.

Name: Bryan Cloutier
Age: 37
Number of years lived in the village: Approximately 7
Past and current government experience: Library Director & CEO, Oxford Public Library (current); Village of Oxford, Councilman (current); Village of Oxford Planning Commission, Chairman (past)
Current occupation: Library Director & CEO, Oxford Public Library
1) Why are you running for council?
I am not actively running; it was never really my desire to run for office. Given the complexity and severity of some of the issues the Village is working through right now, I was asked to reconsider. I approach this commitment with the understanding that this may not require a whole term in office for me’but let it be known that during the time I do serve our community I am committed to making a difference and to bringing what I hope to be a more positive influence to the way the Village operates and functions.
2) If elected, what are your main goals? What do you hope to accomplish on council?
I will not set arbitrary goals. There are very serious issues the Village faces both legally and financially. As someone with a proven record as a successful change agent and public servant, I am certainly not afraid to make difficult decisions even if they are not popular. This is not a popularity contest, nor is it a hobby’it is a very serious responsibility. I am not sure everyone running for this office completely understands this.
3) What do you feel you bring to the table? In other words, in what ways do you believe your skills, talents, knowledge, experience, etc. would benefit council and the village in general?
I have been in public service for nearly 20 years and in executive-level administration for just more than half of that. I have a very simple and practical approach to government’treat it like a business. As your Library Director I have reduced our annual operational overhead and long-term liabilities by nearly $400,000. I honestly believe my record speaks for itself.
I am a graduate of the University of Michigan’Flint, with a BA degree in English and History. I also subsequently hold a MLIS degree in Public Library Administration and Management from Wayne State University’Detroit.
4) Is there anything else you wish to add?
I believe the time has far surpassed us that we start viewing Oxford as Oxford’instead of the township and the village. I could care less about the political baggage of the past; both parties need to start thinking about the future and the people who live here today, and less about what happened years ago. It is time to let go.
Name: Susan Bossardet
Number of years lived in the village: 69
Past and current government experience: Village Council, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Oxford Area Cable Commission; Northeast Oakland Historical Society Board, Design Committee, ER Committee, Promotion Committee, Concerts in the Park Committee, Lone Ranger Posse Committee and previously was on the Township Planning Commission.
Current occupation: retired 3 years after working for 46
1) Why are you running for council?
I previously served on council several years ago and have always continued to be interested and maintained an active interest in the village and village government. I believe in openness and representation for the entire community and not (just) in one area. When you sit on any board you must make decisions based on what is best for the entire community even though the special interests don’t feel that being done. You need to be sensitive to what people are saying while also realizing it is a whole lot different sitting at the table, having listened to all previous discussions, than sitting in the audience attending one meeting that has an item on the agenda a person is interested in or never attending a meeting and being critical of decisions being made or made that a person has not heard all the discussions. It is a constant struggle to encourage people to come to the meetings and a constant battle to fight the attitude ‘that why bother, council will do what they want anyway.? Not true ? it is discouraging to meet month after month with only 1 or 2 people in the audience.
We have serious financial challenges ahead for the village in the coming months and administrative policies and procedures that need serious attention.
We have a distrust and disgust from our citizens, who have every right to be, that needs attention. Some have been addressing these but change does not happen overnight.
2) If elected, what are your main goals? What do you hope to accomplish on council?
Make changes to the Charter for the Village of Oxford and are working towards that end.
Continue to work at keeping the millage as it is currently or below, while also realizing that Oxford is an old village and as such needs constant attention and updating.
We need to set aside money each year in restricted accounts so that we have money set aside for water mains, roads, parking, etc.
All of this does not come inexpensively and requires managing money so we have available or some payments for these improvements.
Continue to improve our administrative/office procedures and record keeping; keeping our staffing levels at part time.
Investigate scanning our building records/other records as the township did so records are organized and correct.
Get more of the village owned property back on the tax rolls and are currently working towards that end. Decisions need to be made on either bringing 18-22 W. Burdick up to code and the cost associated with this and leasing or selling the entire complex ; if staying costs (more) for updating the entire complex, HVAC replacement, carpeting, handicap access etc
Fee and permit increases/adjustments
Continue working on M24 MDOT Safety Grant and plans
Ordinance enforcement
3) What do you feel you bring to the table? In other words, in what ways do you believe your skills, talents, knowledge, experience, etc. would benefit council and the village in general?
My love for the Village of Oxford; my honesty, accountability, integrity and expectation for an honest government; the fact that I adhere to the ordinances and am not in debt/in default to the village; the fairness which I try to bring to every decision even thought special interest does not feel I may do; my common sense and my high ethical standards.
I would never violate the public trust and those that do should not be on council. I have a problem with those who run for office who don’t consider these qualities important both in the past, present and future. I don’t believe serving is a game but a privilege. I have no agenda and I believe that my time on council, planning commission, DDA and attending these meetings has given me an unique education and understanding of what goes on and how all these interact. I am respectful and fair, taking my time about making a decision.
4) Is there anything else you wish to add?
Right now and for several years there has been a cloud over the village council. People need to do the right thing to dispel this!

Name: Rose Bejma
Age: 65
Number of years lived in the village: 38 years
Past and current government experience: Worked for the Village of Oxford from May 1975 until June 2005 in various Administrative roles. Since retiring from the Village, I have been retained three (3) times by the Village to aid in balancing their financial accounts (Most recently leaving in March 2014).
Current occupation: Retired and enjoying my family
1) Why are you running for council?
I have always been very civic-minded and feel that the most effective way to improve my community is to be active in it. There are a number of challenges a community like ours faces and I want to be part of the solution.
2) If elected, what are your main goals? What do you hope to accomplish on council?
I feel a strong, consistent fiscal policy must always be at the top of the list for any council member. I would work to maintain a balanced budget through prioritization of current Village necessities. Looking to our future, I would help create a ranking structure so that we can evaluate and prioritize needs like improvements to Village infrastructure, etc.
3) What do you feel you bring to the table? In other words, in what ways do you believe your skills, talents, knowledge, experience, etc. would benefit council and the village in general?
With my blend of municipal financial experience and my ability to work well with others, I believe I will bring a unique perspective to the council. Throughout my professional career I have had to take on a number of roles on various teams in and outside of the Village. Whether I was acting as an adviser, a team member, or as team leader; I have always been able to remove emotion from my decision making and help maintain focus on my teams.