Decision 2009

Bonds, millages high on Metro Detroit city, school wish lists

Voters also to decide mayoral, city council races, school fixes

The Detroit News

When Metro Detroiters head to the polls Tuesday, they'll be casting votes for candidates and a variety of far-reaching measures -- including some hotly contested races for mayor and bonds or millages to revamp school districts and boost emergency services in communities severely tested by the down economy.

The state budget crisis, rising foreclosures and other issues "have all combined to create challenges for our leadership," said Bettie Buss, a senior research associate at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research group.

"The fiscal challenges are huge," she said. "The issue right now for local government is how they're going to maintain services, whether they're going to be able to maintain services, and how to determine the most efficient way to provide services."

Besides the economy, voters also will be focused on possibly changing the face of the public offices in their communities.

Among the important battlegrounds is Southfield, where residents will decide whether to keep their mayor and council members or usher in new leadership after a cloud of controversy.

In the general election, Mayor Brenda Lawrence faces challenger Sylvia Jordan, who gave up her seat on the council in June and got 19 percent of the vote in the primary. Lawrence was the top vote-getter, with 77 percent in a field narrowed from three candidates.

Meanwhile, eight candidates are vying for four seats on Southfield's City Council, including incumbents Joan Seymour, Ken Siver and council President Don Fracassi. They will face Janna Garrison, Salathea Jackson, Stephon Johnson, Chris Terry and Angie Waller.

The top three will receive four-year terms, and the fourth vote-getter will take a two-year term on the seven-member council, where William Lattimore was removed. He pleaded guilty in August to taking a $7,500 bribe to help relocate a pawn shop in the city.

Other key races and issues:

Wayne County

• Brownstown Township: A proposed 2-mill increase will stave off layoffs and rescue a budget with a projected $1.38 million shortfall next year.

• Romulus and Southgate have mayoral elections. In Romulus, Mayor Alan Lambert will face Harry Crout, and in Southgate, Dennis David challenges Joseph G. Kuspa for a two-year term.

Oakland County

• Berkley: A $15 million bond request plus a 1.5-mill tax for operation and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities in the city is before voters. The bond would fund construction of a 40,000-square-foot, two-story facility with more than 20 program areas, including a gymnasium, dance studio, senior center and game room. It would also pay for $1 million in city park improvements.

• Pontiac: Voters choose between former Deputy Mayor Leon Jukowski and Sandy-Michael McDonald, the city's current Downtown Development Authority head.

Incumbent Mayor Clarence Phillips lost his re-election bid after receiving the fewest votes in the September primary.

• Royal Oak: A proposal to enact a two-year moratorium on new liquor license transfers.

• Royal Oak Township: A millage hike -- from 4.2 mills to 8.7 mills, the maximum allowed under law -- to fund basic services such as police, fire and public lighting.

Macomb County

• At issue is whether to adopt a charter proposing the county be led by a single executive instead of the current 26-member Board of Commissioners, which would be halved in 2011.

Voters also will decide whether to dissolve the Road Commission and fold it into the county government.

• New Haven: A 30-year bond proposal that will allow the village to borrow up to $10 million to replace the water supply system.

Officials say the project should cost $5.4 million and allow them to take advantage of a federal stimulus grant covering 40 percent of the project.

• Mount Clemens and Sterling Heights are among the bigger cities with mayoral elections. Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte faces David J. Magliulo for the seat. In Mount Clemens, Mayor Barb Dempsey faces Steve Ferdig.

Livingston County

• Hamburg Township: A tax hike to sustain police services, a first-time increase for parks and a $59.5 million bond to fund technology and building upgrades in Pinckney Community Schools.

Several school districts also have millage and bond proposals:

• Brandon School District: A proposal to renew the district's 17.9-mill operating millage for three years.

• Garden City Public Schools: A proposal to create a 0.5-mill sinking fund for two years to repair school buildings. The measure will cost the owner of a $125,000 home about $31 a year.

• Grosse Pointe Public School System: A proposal to levy 1 mill -- 0.9738 of which is a renewal and 0.0262 an increase -- for a sinking fund for five years to repair and develop school buildings. The 0.0262 increase will cost the owner of a $250,000 home an additional $3.28 a year. A proposal to continue the district's 19-mill operating millage for five years.

• Huron Valley Schools: A proposal to renew a 0.9513-mill building and site sinking fund for 10 years to purchase real estate and construct and repair school buildings.

• Livonia Public Schools: A proposal to renew a 1.12-mill building and site sinking fund for five years to purchase real estate and construct and repair school buildings. No tax increase. A proposal to renew the district's 18.4-mill operating millage.

• Madison District Public Schools: A proposal to approve a 0.6-mill building and site sinking fund for two years to purchase real estate and construct and repair school buildings. The measure will cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $45 a year.

• Oxford Community Schools: A $32.7 million bond proposal to remodel, furnish and re-equip school buildings; equip school buildings for technology; a playfield; and playgrounds. A $635,000 bond proposal to install a synthetic turf athletic field at the high school and storage building. No tax increase.

• River Rouge School District: A $795,000 bond proposal to remodel and replace Sabbath Elementary School's heating and ventilation systems, including related electrical and roof upgrades. The estimated millage will be 0.08 mills in 2010. The measure will cost the owner of $150,000 home $6 a year.

• Warren Consolidated Schools: A $65.7 million bond proposal to replace roofs on school buildings; remodel, re-equip and refurnish school buildings; and equip school buildings and other facilities for technology systems. No tax increase.

In addition to the local races, the two major parties will be looking to the lone state race in the election for momentum heading into 2010.

In the 19th state Senate District, Republican Mike Nofs, a former state representative from Battle Creek, and Democratic Rep. Martin Griffin of Jackson are vying for the district that covers Calhoun and Jackson counties.

It is considered a marginally Democratic district. The winner replaces Democrat Mark Schauer, who was elected to Congress a year ago.