This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Our Choice : Diane Hargan

As is our usual election process, we try to meet and ask each candidate and ask the same questions to get a feel as to how they will reflect the wishes of the public they will represent. Starting this ritual all candidates file with the county that they are seeking election to a "nonpartisan" office. If elected they will take the oath of office that states they will be "nonpartisan" and represent "all the people."  Then they will take their seats and be as partisan as is usual in Royal Oak city government. As stated in Mr. Versagi's  blog, we even elect representatives who will attempt to create a personal legacy. Is this what our city politics have become?
To not realize that partisan politics and the magical 4-3 majority in Royal Oak city government are alive and well one must live in a cave, under a rock, totally uninformed,
or all the above which seems to be the case. After decades of being active in this process, I worry about our lack of representation. The biggest reflection of this in  our city is the foul smell of apathy especially in the electoral process. We will have approx. 17-20% vote in this election and then a few days latter, on 11/11, we will honor the millions of people who sacrificed to enable 80% of our city population to stay warm and do nothing!
Reflecting back on the last weeks of this election at the public forums and personal communications we have the usual cast of characters who have served on various city committees and espouse to have moved mountains for the city. The exception to the rule and a breath of fresh air is Diane Hargan. She admits to having little or no experience but has an extreme desire to learn. And I believe her! For decades we've had promises from well experienced people we elected who created the terms "status quo," "kick the can down the road", "pay as you  go."
Discussing the problems of the city with the candidates, Diane is the only candidate who understands our ever increasing problem of "unfunded liabilities" and has the presence to have a few suggestions and solutions regarding the number one problem. The others had the group mentality and ability to paraphrase the mayors State of The City address. After 10 years of the same- old same-old how long can we keep this up.
In her short time in the lime light she understands that our city financial condition using Johnsonian accounting voodoo, must stop. She suggested that the city elected officials and administration spend as much time and effort to educate the citizenry on our financial plight as they did on the public safety millage. Wow, now there's an idea!
Diane realizes that to fix our financial plight somebody has to get hurt. Will it be the residents, employees,  or everybody. We must start to grapple with the problem but what if you "owe" big contributors, businesses, and labor support. Diane has attempted to run on her own finances. I feel we've seen the impact of decisions made by these pressures. She deserves a chance to bring about change.
Can Royal Oak survive a 5-2 commission? Diane seems to have the desire, drive, and sheer love for this city to make a change.
Give her a chance!!!
Regards,
Bill and Dorothy Shaw              

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