As stated in an earlier post on this website, the Oakland Township Board’s November 7th meeting had an agenda item to appoint a temporary replacement for Judy Keyes, who resigned from the Board on October 21st. More can be read about her resignation by going to:
The Board had 30 days to replace Judy Keyes after her resignation. If they did not fill the position by a Board appointment, the seat would have to be filled through a special election. The appointment is only official through November of 2014.
An election will have to take place in November of 2014 in order to elect a replacement to fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which is November of 2016. There will be primary election taking place in August of 2014 to determine the candidates that will run in the November 2014 election.
At the November 7th meeting, Trustee Thalmann made the recommendation to appoint Robin Buxar. They did not announce the names of all the other people that had submitted their names for consideration for the position. Robin’s nomination was unanimously approved.
Robin Buxar has been very active in participating in various Township meetings. She has been a very vocal supporter of the current Township administration.
Based on a request from one of our readers, Patricia (see below), I have added copies of all the applications from citizens that were interested in the open Board seat. Here is that link:
Trustee Applications 2013_11_07 .
You can read more on Buxar’s involvement in Trustee Thalmann’s attempt to “ambush” the Blossom Ridge development by reading an earlier post on this website. Here is the link:
https://oaklandtownship.info/2013/08/28/trustee-elect-thalmann-sets-up-ambush-for-blossom-ridge/
After Trustee Thalmann nominated Robin Buxar, and citizen comments, Thalmann said “I am glad to call her friend!”
An example of “who you know – not what you know????”
Richard Michalski
Oakland Township Watchers 
Hmm, even if it is a Board Appointment, all candidates application for the position should be available to the public—even if the taxpayers have no voice in the appointment, it allows the public to see the attributes of all candidates–usually, this would be vetted and comments by the public even taken although they would have no vote. After all, this person serves them and not the Board, right? I think the public trust is served better with transparency, like shining a light in dark areas. Need a flashlight?
Thanks Patricia! You are absolutely correct. I have added the applications for all of the residents that applied. Their names and applications had been included in an earlier Post titled “IMPORTANT Board Meeting Thursday November 7th – 7PM”. Sorry for not including it on this Post to make it easier for the readers.
Regarding the vetting of the candidates, there was ABSOLUTELY NO DISCUSSION regarding ANY of the other candidates. It appeared to me that the Board knew who they were going to appoint going into the meeting. It is that type of behavior by our Board that has contributed to both a Civil and a Criminal investigations into Open Meeting Act violations by our Township Board members!
Your comment about “needing a flashlight” is very appropriate. This website is intended to provide some “light” on what has been going on in our Township since the new Board took office last November. We hope it informs the citizens enough to get them more involved in our Township’s governance.
Thanks Again!
Richard Michalski
Just a question, Robin Buxar sits on the Board of Directors for Blossom Ridge. Is this the same Blossom Ridge that is currently in discussion? If so, does she abstains from input to the Board and of course would not be voting correct? i just wonder about conflict…
I am not sure what “Blossom Ridge” she is a Board member for, but she is DEFINITELY NOT on the Board for the Blossom Ridge Development that is being proposed for Oakland Township. She was part of the organizing group that was OPPOSED to the development.
You can read more about her involvement in Trustee Thalmann’s attempt to “ambush” the Blossom Ridge development by reading an earlier post on this website. Here is the link:
https://oaklandtownship.info/2013/08/28/trustee-elect-thalmann-sets-up-ambush-for-blossom-ridge/
After Trustee Thalmann nominated Robin Buxar, and citizen comments, Thalmann said “I am glad to call her friend!”
An example of “who you know – not what you know????”
Your question on whether she votes on the Blossom Ridge matter is still a good one!
I don’t know Robin. However, she did appear before the most recent Parks Commission meeting and her comments and questions were very well formulated and thoughtful, I felt. Most commendable is that she was respectful in all her remarks which goes a long way in my book these days. Hopefully she will do a good job on the Board of Trustees. I wish her well.