The cutoff date for submitting petitions by individuals who are interested in running for office is rapidly approaching. April 19th is the cutoff date. As of today, I am aware of three candidates who have submitted their signed petitions for Supervisor. As I stated in a previous post, there are two editors for this website- myself and Jim Foulkrod. We have differences of opinion regarding who is the best candidate for the Supervisor position. However, we both agree that current Supervisor Gonser is not the best person for the position based on his actions and performance over the past 3+ years.
I have put together a comparison chart that shows the qualities I would like to see in our next Supervisor. I included my perspective on each candidate in those areas. You may have other criteria & perspectives that you feel will influence your voting decision this summer.
Here is the comparison chart (click on image to enlarge):
For even LARGER image, click on following link:
Oakland Township Supervisor candidate comparison chart
Please review the chart, and feel free to comment on the various candidates. Please do not use ‘pseudonyms’ or inappropriate comments
Why is this important to the citizens of Oakland Township? As many of you know, we have had a very turbulent 3+ years since Supervisor Gonser came to office. We need to make sure we select a Supervisor that will prevent our citizens, and surrounding communities, from questioning:
“What in the world is going on in Oakland Township?”
A thoughtful analysis of the candidates and your informed decision, will help make sure that happens.
From my perspective, Mike Bailey is the right choice for that position!
Richard Michalski
Oakland Township Watchers 
Thank you for your input. Do you happen to know the candidate’s positions on tar and chip, limestone, paving, or leaving the dirt roads as they are?
Hi Jeff,
No, I do not know their positions on these issues. We hope there will be some forum for the candidates to communicate their positions on these and a number of other issues.
Dick’s comparison chart says “There have been no ethical related issues associated with Mike during his 28 years of service to Oakland Township.”
In 2013 both Dick and former Trustee Judy Keyes filed formal complaints with the Oakland County Sheriff alleging that Mike Baily, as chair of a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees, Terry Gonser and other members of the subcommittee violated the Open Meetings Act in the matter of the Paint Creek Cider Mill’s Concessionaire’s contract. The Sheriff’s office investigated the facts and referred their results to the Oakland County Prosecutor. On March 26th 2014 Dick wrote a post on this Blog that details the Prosecutor’s findings in which John Slevin, the Warrants Officer pointed out that there was at least one violation but that that were not filing charges because they didn’t find intent. We all know that intent is difficult to prove but I know that Dick thought that the acts were intentional when filed the complaint. I am unable to link to that post in this comment but you can easily find it on the site.
I don’t want to say that my good friend Dick is being dis-ingenuous but…
This is in response to co-editor, Jim Foulkrod’s comments above.
Yes, in 2013, I did submit paperwork suggesting that the subcommittee charged with reviewing the concessionaire’s agreement for the Paint Creek Cider mill violated the Open Meetings Act. The Sheriff’s office investigated the allegations and shared it with the Prosecutor’s office and determined that no violation had occurred.
Open meeting violations are difficult to prove. I did have concerns regarding the matter at the time, but am now satisfied that Mike Bailey did not intentionally try to work around the Open Meetings requirements. He may have made a mistake in having a discussion with Terry Gonser outside the subcommittee, but I believe his ‘ethics’ were not compromised.
No one candidate is perfect! From my perspective, Mike is the best candidate for the position for the reasons shown on the chart. In my discussions with Andy Zale, it became clear that his primary motivation for running for Supervisor was his own personal and political gain. Mike on the other hand has demonstrated through the years (including his efforts on the Paint Creek Cider mill issue), that his service is (and will be) focused on trying to make Oakland Township better.
Terry Gonser’s many actions, documented on this website, clearly demonstrate that he should not be our next Supervisor.
My assessments shown on the chart are not disingenuous, or trying to mislead anyone. They reflect my current beliefs. Others may feel differently, but that is the benefit of having an open and honest discussion about our candidates so everyone has an opportunity to form their own opinion and make an informed decision when they vote.
Richard Michalski