The Nov. 8 election is drawing closer every day, but what do you really know about those names on the ballot?

Patch will interview candidates for the Birmingham Board of Education, the Baldwin Public Library board and the Birmingham City Commission during the ramp-up to the election, bringing you the stories behind the names and the issues they think are important for Birmingham.

For the Birmingham City Commission, incumbents George Dilgard, Tom McDaniel, Scott Moore and Mayor Gordon Rinschler are running against Doug Weaver, James Foxley, Steve Knox and Vicki Walsh for four spots.

The Oakland County League of Women Voters will hold a voters forum and meet-the-candidates night at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Baldwin Public Library for those running for City Commission.

George Dilgard

Age: 62

Family: Dilgard is married to his wife Susan and together they have two grown children, Elizabeth and Rob

Occupation: Dilgard is a financial analyst with Ally Financial

Previous elected experience: Dilgard is wrapping his first term as a city commissioner. Before being elected four years ago, he served five years on the Planning Board and one year on the Board of Zoning Appeals

Why are you running?

Dilgard is proud of the city commission's accomplishments during his tenure, including managing the budget while property values fell, hiring a new city manager and finishing the Shain Park expansion project.

Now with four years under his belt and a thorough understanding of the governing process, Dilgard is looking to continue doing that good work.

"After putting in a great deal of effort over the last four years, I now have the experience regarding the inner workings of city operations, from budgets, capital planning and personnel matters (to) development issues."

What do you bring to the city commission?

Dilgard said he works well with his fellow commissioners, as well as city staff, which helps the group as a whole more effectively govern and manage the city.

In addition, Dilgard said he's an active listener and is responsive to the needs and issues of residents and business owners.

"I listen well and propose practical solutions," he said.

What issues are important to you?

What's coming up for the city of Birmingham? According to Dilgard, commercial and residential development in the city's Rail and Triangle districts will be key going forward.

"These are areas with significant potential," he said."The development standards we have implemented over the past few years are progressive and allow for flexible, quality project design."

In addition, the city commission must continue working alongside Birmingham's relatively new city manager, Bob Bruner, in order to prioritize projects that will increase Birmingham's value as an attractive place for people to live and work.

For more

Check out Patch's profiles for all candidates running for the Birmingham City Commission:

• Gordon Rinschler
• Steve Knox
• Scott Moore
• Tom McDaniel
• Vicki Walsh
• James Foxley