VOTER GUIDE – NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
POLLS ARE OPEN 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OAKLAND AREA
Website: www.lwvoa.org
E-mail: contact@lwvoa.org
Phone: 248-594-6602
1 Candidate for TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR for ONE 4-year term
GARY WALL 3450 Alco Dr., Waterford, MI 48329
(Candidates running unopposed were not sent questionnaires.)
2 Candidates for TOWNSHIP CLERK for ONE 4-year term
CANDIDATES for
CLERK
ONE 4-year term
Vote for no more than ONE
Republican
SUE CAMILLERI
5544 Ashby Ct.
Waterford, MI 48327
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
I have worked for Waterford Township for
20 years. 16 years in the Building
Department where I became familiar with
many aspects of Township governance. The
past four years I have served as the Clerk.
Summit Place Mall is the first issue. A
Dangerous Building Hearing was initiated in
April, 2016 to force the owners to bring the
property into a safe condition. In my opinion
this means demolishing the structure. I will
stay on top of this process so that it will
reach a conclusion as early as possible.
During my first term as Clerk I organized
and implemented scanning all the documents
my office is required to keep. This not only
makes them faster and easier to locate for
reference, but also creates a critical back up
in case of loss of the original documents.
Second is to keep a tight rein on spending.
Even though property values are climbing,
our tax revenues are flat and our expenses
are increasing with inflation. We must
remain vigilant in keeping spending in
Blight has been a major area of focus the last check.
four years. To eliminate blight volunteers
joined to locate and report blight in the
Finally, I am working toward a Township of
neighborhoods, which increased the number Excellence Award for Waterford. This
of blighted properties that were brought into review process looks at every department
compliance. Also, dangerous building
and procedure to help us identify best
hearings were initiated to deal with the most practices in all the services offered to the
derelict buildings in our township. To date
residents. The process is about half done and
seven houses have been demolished, many
we have found most of our procedures are
using federal grant money not tax dollars.
best practices, but we have found room for
improvement.
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 1 of 7
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
CANDIDATES for
CLERK
ONE 4-year term
Vote for no more than ONE
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
Democrat
RITA HOLLOWAYIRWIN
DID NOT RESPOND IN TIME FOR INCLUSION
433 Beverly Island Dr.
Waterford, MI 48328
1 Candidate for TREASURER for ONE 4-year term
MARGARET BIRCH 419 Gateway Dr., Waterford, MI 48328
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 2 of 7
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
8 Candidates for TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE for FOUR 4-year terms
CANDIDATES for
TRUSTEE
FOUR 4-year terms
Vote for no more than FOUR
Republican
ANTHONY
BARTOLOTTA
2915 Voorheis
Waterford, MI 48328
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
I have been a Waterford resident for 18
years with his wife Mary, and am very
active in the community, serving on many
boards. I have managed a successful
business here in Waterford for 23 years.
First, would be to keep the budget
balanced, by finding new ways to
consolidate services within the departments.
Another idea would look into changing all
healthcare co-pays to $20.00 across the
board. These items alone would keep the
Township’s budget intact for years to come.
First elected to the Township Board in 2010,
I ran for Waterford Trustee promising to
fight runaway government and balance our
budget. I have kept those promises, and
continue to strive to represent the citizens of
Waterford with a strong, responsive voice on
the board. I have proposed reforms that will
save Waterford millions of dollars, and our
budget has been balanced for 4 years. As a
local businessman in the township, I talk to
the citizens on a daily basis and hear their
concerns.
This experience brings a real world common
sense to the Waterford Township Board.
Waterford needs to keep this kind of real
world thinking on the job for taxpayers.
Second, would be to improve public safety
by maintaining the police department with
Township control. With consolidating
services, I would want to and put more
officers on the streets where they are
needed.
Finally, the blight of Waterford. We need
more code enforcement officers on the
streets. I would like to cross train
employees from other departments to serve
as code enforcement officers. We can also
train citizens of Waterford who wish to
volunteer to work as part time code
enforcement officers. My biggest target
being Summit Place Mall, ticketing the
owners more for violations until there is a
resolution to this eyesore.
Republican
MICHAEL HEALY
6458 Lotus Ct.
Waterford, MI 48329
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
DID NOT RESPOND IN TIME FOR INCLUSION
Page 3 of 7
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
CANDIDATES for
TRUSTEE
FOUR 4-year terms
Vote for no more than FOUR
Republican
KAREN JOLIAT
4181 Lakewood Dr.
Waterford, MI 48329
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
I have a four year college Business
Administration degree. I have worked in the
business world (profit and non-profit) for
over 15 years and now in government as a
Trustee for 4 years. (Including:
Pharmaceutical Representative at Bristol
Myers Squibb, Account Executive at
Detroit Newspapers, President of Oakland
County Children's Foundation) . As a
business territory manager, I learned how to
analyze geographic areas and look for
growth opportunity. As the president of a
Foundation, I've learned how to be creative
in maximizing services and appropriating
funding on a limited fluctuating budget. I am
running for Trustee re-election because I
have been a creative, effective and
participating board member. I believe that
the citizens of Waterford deserve a
progressive youthful voice on the Board
with leadership. As a resident of Waterford,
raising my children here, I have a vested
interest in helping the community grow and
prosper.
The biggest issue for Waterford is budget
that is shrinking faster than the tax base is
growing. Priority issues stemming from this
are (1) deriving plan for most efficient use
of existing dollars, (2) promoting programs
to entice businesses & developments (3)
eliminating the blight, including Summit
Mall.
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 4 of 7
As a Trustee, I research possibilities to save
money. For example, hiring a contract grant
writer would positively impact budget.
While also, providing additional funding for
programs that could otherwise not have been
afforded.
I’m researching tactics on increase revenue
through enticing new and current businesses.
Director of Chamber and I created a grant
through Waterford’s Economic
Development Corporation for businesses to
apply for façade improvements.
I’m working on engaging relators to
highlight empty buildings & homes for sale.
As a Board, we are pursuing the owner of
Summit Mall to be court order to demolish.
He has destroyed numerous purchase offers.
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
CANDIDATES for
TRUSTEE
FOUR 4-year terms
Vote for no more than FOUR
Republican
STEVE THOMAS
2597 Elsinore Dr.
Waterford, MI 48328
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
Resident of Waterford Township for over 40
years. Received a degree in Interior
Architecture from Wayne State University.
Architecture and Interior Architecture
professional for 35 years. Currently an
adjunct professor at Oakland Community
College teaching in the Architecture
Program for over 9 years at the Auburn Hills
Campus.
I have experienced over 4 decades living in
Waterford. We have a wonderful community
with many wonderful amenities. Also as
most towns there are always a number issues
that must be addressed . My observations
have resulted in the following 3 as my
priorities.
After observing the direction Waterford has
moved in the past several years I decided to
run for Waterford Township Trustee. I am
civic minded, with a vision to move our
Community forward. Having experience in
Project Management within the Architecture
Profession working with various Planning
Commissions, Building Departments and
Public officials, I find my qualifications a
natural fit for seeking this office.
Waterford is blessed with the beautiful
lakes, parks, golf courses along with a state
of the art International Airport. I will work
for the people and be "your" voice.
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 5 of 7
1. Summit Place Mall: At one time it was
the jewel of Waterford and now stands as
an eyesore to say the least. I will be
involved with finding new alternatives
for development to return the revenue
lost.
2. Community Blight: Driving through
Waterford and viewing the deterioration
of residences and businesses must and
will be addressed and remedied.
3. Increasing Revenues to reduce taxes: I
will be active to market the advantage of
doing business in Waterford. Taxpayers
in Waterford have been hit hard over the
years and it is time to move our
community forward.
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
CANDIDATES for
TRUSTEE
FOUR 4-year terms
Vote for no more than FOUR
Democrat
KENT DOUGLAS
2191 Kohler St.
Waterford, MI 48329
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
I am a 34-year-old, 20-year resident of
Waterford I bring a wealth of experience
working in various political and community
organizations, both locally and abroad;
while living and working in Waterford
Township. A recent grad of the University
of Michigan – Dearborn, I believe I possess
the patience and analytic skills needed to
help Waterford Township as a Trustee. I
bring an open and innovation-centered
mindset to the table which can be of great
benefit to the community.
a. We need to be more effective in selling
Waterford as a middle class community
to younger college grads, 40 – 50% are
leaving the state every year and to be
competitive we need to incentivize
bringing them into our community;
bringing their innovative mindset with it.
b. Commercial blight and vacancy is a
problem that is very evident within our
community, between Summit Place Mall
and the various vacancies at commercial
sites all over Waterford we need to place
greater incentives for investment and
sweat equity.
c. The Township board needs to take steps
to more closely involve the citizens of
Waterford Township in governing
processes; we need to create a culture
that is more intimate with people in the
township as officers; tighter knit
communities beget better local
economies.
Democrat
DONNA F. KELLEY
5918 Dwight Ave.
Waterford, MI 48327
I have lived in Waterford most of my life,
went to school here, raised our family here.
Over the years I have been involved with
many organizations, booster clubs in
schools, waterford coaches association, I
was the first woman president for that
organization, worked for and with Waterford
parks and rec. I have been the manager for
VFW Post for 26 years and am a strong
advocate for Veterans. I also have
coordinated the Waterford Memorial Day
parade for 24 years. I enjoy talking to
people, getting their ideas. Over the past 4
years I have learned a lot about how the
township works and feel the experience I
have gain will make me even more effective
in the coming years.
Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 6 of 7
The majority of the population in Waterford
is expected to be over 60 by 2020.
Waterford will have new needs as we
approach this milestone, transportation
issues, mental health issues. We have 2
excellent facilities to assist seniors, but the
need to combine and save may need to be
studied. Waterford has a lot of unused strip
malls and buildings and we need to find out
what we can do to motivate business to want
to refurbish these buildings rather then just
build new. I recently sat on a strategy group
trying to work on this thought. The summit
mall is a thorn that everyone would like to
see go away, but it's very hard to control
something you don't own, but we continue to
pursue this and hopefully will be able to
conclude the situation soon.
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ELECTION (Continued)
CANDIDATES for
TRUSTEE
FOUR 4-year terms
Vote for no more than FOUR
Question 1 (150 Words or less):
Provide biographical information and
explain why you are running for Township
office and relevant qualities and skills you
would bring to the position.
Question 2 (150 Words or less):
What are the top 3 Priority Issues facing your
township and what actions would you, as a
township official, take regarding each of
them?
Democrat
MATTHEW K.
MCCLURE
DID NOT RESPOND IN TIME FOR INCLUSION
5324 Sara Ln., Apt. #8
Waterford, MI 48327
Democrat
ROBIN MCGREGOR
2629 Caterham
Waterford, MI 48329
I moved to Waterford Township when I was
12. By the time I graduated from Kettering
High School I had met my husband, Rudie,
with whom I have two daughters, Elizabeth
and Alexandra. Growing up here led me to
fight to close the landfill that was once
polluting our community’s water. After
getting the landfill closed, I continued to
volunteer in our community by serving as an
officer in the PTA (for over 10 years),
Waterford Youth Assistance, Destination
Imagination, United Way, Waterford Youth
Coalition, and UWUA Local 105.
Throughout my many experiences I was able
to testify to Congress about infrastructure as
well as start programs like Meet the
Candidate (a program that teaches high
school seniors about voting). Eventually
this led me to run for and be elected as a
Precinct Delegate and member of the
Waterford School District Board of
Education, where I served for 5 years.
My top priorities as trustee would be to
1. Remove Blight
2. Increase Community Income
3.Improve Infrastructure (including roads)
Many people do not know that 43% of the
land in our township is not taxable. When
you add to that the fact that 89% of the land
that can be developed is already developed it
is easy to see that our Township has a
resources challenge. Therefore, as a trustee
I would work to procure alternate funding
for our township in the form of grants. I
would also work to build relationships with
organizations like the Community Economic
Revitalization Board, which works to find
funding and solutions for infrastructure
revitalization. Lastly, I would develop one,
three, and six month plans to eliminate
blight, like that at the Summit Place Mall.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan national organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through
informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League never supports or opposes any candidate or political
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The inclusion of candidates’ statements and
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Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2016
Page 7 of 7
Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund