Politics & Government

City Commission Candidates Talk Crime, Empty Storefronts at Forum

The Oakland County League of Women Voters hosted a voters forum Wednesday night at Baldwin Public Library.

Seven of the eight candidates for the Birmingham City Commission faced off Wednesday night in a forum hosted by the Oakland County League of Women Voters at .

, , , , , and (candidate was unable to attend) answered questions from league member and forum moderator Tara Moon. Knox, Walsh, Weaver and Foxley are challenging incumbents McDaniel, Dilgard, Moore and Rinschler.

Following are highlights of what the candidates had to say on issues ranging from the 2010 Census to medical marijuana and other issues important to those who would aim to lead the city in the years to come.

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Should newly hired city employees receive benefits?

The city operates with a defined contribution plan to provide benefits to most of its employees. Several candidates, including Knox, stressed that the city should continue providing these benefits, noting a healthy benefits program is crucial for attracting new employees.

However, Dilgard said defined contribution programs are the trend for public and private industries and a way to combat rising legacy and health care costs. McDaniel said pensions and health care costs cost the city $5 million each year, and he hopes the city's several unions — including those that represent police officers and firefighters — will soon switch over to defined contribution as well.

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Weaver said the city could incentivize healthy lifestyles to help cut down on health care costs, but stressed he isn't a union breaker and isn't interested in putting undue pressure on the police and fire unions. Walsh echoed that sentiment, noting that she understands the perspectives of those in the law enforcement community.

Birmingham's policy banning medical marijuana clinics

All candidates came to the consensus that the problem isn't with Birmingham's ordinances, but a vague and confusing state medical marijuana law.

Birmingham's city code prohibits marijuana dispensaries, as well .

Moore said that in voting to pass the 2008 Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, Michigan voters made it clear they were in favor of "compassionate medical care." How that happens and how dispensaries fit into that plan, however, has not been defined properly, making the issue a public health problem.

In addition, some candidates — including Walsh, Knox, Rinschler and Weaver — said medical marijuana dispensaries have no place in Birmingham. "We don't have room for anything more that is difficult to control," Weaver said.

Do you think crime is increasing in Birmingham?

Many candidates said that despite recent incidents — including the — crime is decreasing in the city. Most of the worst incidents, they said, are isolated.

McDaniel noted the City Commission has stregthened its liquor license review process, which now takes crime into account, while Rinschler said the city's police force is not only effective at preventing crime but following up with the incidents that do occur.

Moore said the city's success is dependent on how safe it is while Rinschler said the City Commission should be proactive in discouraging bad behavior.

Weaver said the assaults at various establishments are worrisome, noting that he's isn't in favor of more nightclubs until the issues there can be resolved.

Knox, however, said he believed it was unfair to identify nightclubs as the scapegoats in this issue, noting there's always been crime in the city. Walsh, on the other hand, stressed that crime in Birmingham has changed over the years and the city should consider increasing its police force.

More restaurants or more variety in businesses?

The majority of candidates stressed that any empty storefronts are bad for the city and never should the city intentionally keep them empty.

Walsh said she had nothing against more bistros, though Rinschler and Dilgard spoke of the commission's current efforts to promote retail and bistro development throughout the city — specifically in Birmingham's Triangle and Rail districts.

However, retail is important, many candidates noted. Rinschler pointed to the work done by the 's retail consultant Julie Fielder. Knox stressed the need for more variety in Birmingham's retail scene, though Walsh and Weaver discussed reasons why the city's retail scene may be struggling: high rents and outdated infrastructure.

Mass transit plan along Woodward

For Walsh, when it comes to a mass transit system along Woodward Avenue, the questions are: Who is going to pay and who would use it?

"Birmingham will likely have to pay for most of it," she said, a point echoed by Weaver.

Other candidates, such as Dilgard and Rinschler, said they liked the idea of mass transit but neither believed such a system would have enough activity to warrant the cost, particularly considering Detroit's declining population.

For such a system to exist, Moore said it would have to be largely financed by state or federal funds, noting that mass transit is primarily a regional issue — not a city issue. Knox, meanwhile, said he foresees mass transit becoming the norm in the future but now may not be the time for such a project.

Consolidate services for additional funds from state

Many candidates pointed to the ways Birmingam has already worked to consolidate and share services with neighboring communities — whether that's water services, trash pick-up or mutual aid for fire and police.

However, Rinschler noted that of Birmingham's $2.5 million budget, the most the city can receive from statutory revenue sharing in 2011-12 is $200,000. Right now, the city is budgeting to receive none of these funds from Lansing, Rinschler said, despite being in a good position to receive almost all of it.

While service sharing and consolidation can be a good thing, Walsh and Moore said the city should pursue such opportunities only if those services are improved by collaborating with other cities.

What do census results say about the city and how would you cope with those changes?

Several candidates said the illustrates Birmingham's aging population and the need to provide housing for this growing population of seniors.

A slight growth in population since 2000 — from 19,291 to 20,103 — means residents aren't leaving, Walsh said — a good sign Birmingham should be proud of.

In addition, several candidates, notably Moore, said decreasing property values has resulted in a growing population of young professionals and young families. While taking care of its seniors is important, he said this is the demographic the city should be focusing on to attract and maintain.

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