Meet the Candidates: David Underdown Notes 'I Love the Library'

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 , the board and the during the ramp-up to the election, bringing you the stories behind the names and the issues they think are important for Birmingham.

In the Baldwin Public Library board race, four candidates are running for three open spots: incumbent David Underdown and challengers James Suhay, Robert Tera and Ruth Ploski. Board President Michael Earl and member Ann Conigliaro, whose terms end this fall, do not intend to run for re-election.

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.

The Oakland County League of Women Voters will hold a at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of for those running for the library board.

David Underdown

Age: 68

Family: Underdown has been married to his wife, Linda, for 43 years. Together, the pair have two children, Amy and David.

Occupation: Owner and operator of in Birmingham.

Previous elected experience: Underdown has been on the library board for the past four years. He is a member of the Birmingham Rotary Club, the Senior Men's Club and the .

Why are you running?

According to Underdown, he's running again for the library board in order to give back to the community he loves.

"I want to give something back to a community that has supported our family since 1949," he said. "I love the library and have used it extensively for many years."

What would you bring to the library board?

Underdown said being on the library board for the past four years has given him the skills he needs to take the library forward.

"The skills and qualities I bring are four years of experience as a board member," he said. "I think I have the business acumen, a collaborative and enthusiastic personality with a long — and hopefully strong — business background."

What issues are important to you?

There are three main issues facing the library in coming years: finances, technology and cooperation with city government.

Underdown said maintaining strong finances is crucial to providing the highest-quality services to Birmingham residents as well as to those in its contracting communities. 

He is also dedicated to expanding services to the residents of Bloomfield Hills, noting that making the city a contract community is of benefit to both communities.

"I will work to help and encourage Bloomfield Hills voters to pass their November ballot millage to become a contracting community," he said, referring to the Nov. 8 ballot proposal to allow Bloomfield Hills residents to use Baldwin Public Library.

Underdown said the library also needs to improve its technology in order to give residents and library users the tools they need in a changing world — while also working to improve its relations with city government.

"This is in our mission and long-term plan developed last year," he said. "My action is to give support and help and to encourage and enhance what is being done. We will do this as many times as we have good opportunities."

Learn more

Check out Patch's profiles for all candidates running for the Baldwin Public Library board: