On February 25, 2015 the 2015 Community Outlook Breakfast and Press Conference took place.  The leaders of Oakland Township, Rochester Hills, Rochester and the Rochester Community School System were given opportunities to respond to questions from the participants.  This is an annual event, and is intended to provide some insight into the current status of each of the communities and the Rochester School system.

During a response to one of the questions, Oakland Township Supervisor Gonser referred to the east side of Oakland Township as “the ghetto side of the Township”, to the shock of the other panelists. Gonser continued by stating that when he moved back into the Township, a realtor told him NOT to move on the east side of Rochester Road and that this area was not desirable.  

He did admit that he does live on the East side of the Township but added:

“but it is a very beautiful area. We’re across from Stony Creek Park.  But I say that (apparently the ghetto comment) in  jest.”

You may recall, as previously reported on this website, Gonser’s reference to people who live in subdivisions as ‘subdivision rats’.  That post can be watched by clicking here.

Gonser’s previous ‘subdivision rat’ comment

I will not attempt to capture all the words Gonser used in his most recent statement.  You must watch the following link to get a complete appreciation of our Supervisor’s opinions.

At the end of the meeting, there were even jokes about having the video team ‘edit out’ Gonser’s “Ghetto” comment.  If you listen carefully at the end, the video editor obviously DID edit something out when Gonser responded by saying:

“That will save my (edited out)”

The moderator responded by saying:

“It should.”

Why is this important to the Citizens of Oakland Township?  I think the answer to that is self evident!  Our Supervisor’s poor attempt at humor, with an apparent self deprecating comment, at the expense of the Township, in a public forum, clearly does not help the image of our Township.

At a minimum, the Supervisor should apologize to the community.

At this point, he can best serve the Township by resigning, saving all of us the embarrassment of his questionable leadership, damaging actions and comments.

Unbelievable!!!!!

2016 cannot come soon enough!!!

Richard Michalski