Politics & Government
UPDATED: Five Challengers Enter Race for City Commission Seats
Tuesday was the last day for potential candidates to file with the City Clerk's office to run for the Birmingham Board of Education and Baldwin Library Board.
It's going to be a crowded field this election season, with several challengers stepping up to face a field of incumbants in the Birmingham City Commission, the Birmingham Board of Education and the board after the deadline to file petitions passed at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
City commission
The seven-member Birmingham City Commission is responsible for setting the policies for and governing the city of Birmingham. The commission sets the city budget, is responsible for hiring a city manager and approves certain projects within the city. Commissioners are elected for four-year terms.
There will be four open spots on the Birmingham City Commission this fall, with all four incumbents running for re-election against five challengers. Running for those spots so far are:
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- George Dilgard
- Tom McDaniel
- Scott Moore
- Gordon Rinschler
- Doug Weaver
- Nicole Blank
- James Foxley
- Steve Knox
- Vicki Walsh
Dilgard, McDaniel, Moore and Rinschler are all incumbents this year, with Rinschler and Dilgard seeking their second terms. Rinschler is mayor, a position for which one is selected by the rest of the commission. New mayors are appointed once a year.
Library board
The six-member Baldwin Public Library Board is responsible for controlling the expenditures of all library funds, adopting an annual budget, appointing directors and setting library policies. Board members serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that three positions are elected every two years.
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There will be three open spots on the library board during the fall election. Running for them so far are:
- James Suhay
- Robert Tera
- Ruth Ploski
- David Underdown
Underdown, who serves as library board secretary, is the only incumbent this year. President Michael Earl and Ann Conigliaro, whose terms end this fall, do not intend to run for re-election.
School board
The Board of Education oversees and sets school policy, hires and works in partnership with the district superintendent and oversees the district's budget. Board members are elected for four-year terms.
There will be two open spots on the Birmingham Board of Education this fall. Running for them will be:
- Christopher Conti
- Robert Lawrence
- John Connelly
Both Lawrence and Conti are incumbents. Conti is seeking his second term on the school board while Lawrence is seeking his third.
On the ballot
The city of Birmingham has two charter amendments on the November ballot, including:
Changing filing deadlines: The proposed amendment to section four of the Birmingham Charter would change deadlines for filing nominating petitions from the seventh Tuesday to the 12th Tuesday before an election. This makes the City Charter consistent with state law.
Changing city election ballots: The proposed amendment to section 12 of the Birmingham Charter would bring the city's election ballots in compliance with state ballot production standards. This change requires that voters darken an oval instead of checking a square to cast their vote for a candidate or issue.
Operating millage renewal: . If passed, the millage would be renewed for the next five years and residents would pay $7.98 per $1,000 in taxable value — the same rate they do now.
For more information, call the Oakland County Elections Division at 248-858-0564 or visit www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections/
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