2 Newcomers Elected to Royal Oak City Commission

There will be two new faces on the Royal Oak City Commission. Voters in Royal Oak on Tuesday elected newcomers Sharlan Douglas and Jeremy Mahrle and re-elected David Poulton.

Two of the three commission seats were left vacant by former Commissioner Patricia Capello, who resigned in May, and Commissioner Jim Rasor, who decided not to run for re-election.

Poulton lead the way with 7,009 votes or 28 percent of the vote followed by Douglas with 6,324 votes or 25.2 percent and Mahrle with 6,221 votes or 24.8 percent, according to unofficial results from the Royal Oak Clerk’s office.

Poulton celebrated his victory with family and supporters at the Oak City Grille.

"I'm excited about the results," he said. "The voters usually get it right. I think it's an endorsement of my first four years and I am looking forward to serving another four years"

At Fifth Avenue, Douglas and Mahrle joined Mayor Jim Ellison - who was re-elected to his sixth two-year term - and supporters of Proposal A - the human rights ordinance.

"I'm very excited," said Mahrle. "I think people accepted my message to continue to move Royal Oak forward and now with Sharlan and Dave we have that opportunity."

Douglas, whose campaign knocked on more than 5,000 doors, agreed.

"The voters I talked to said what I have said all along, which is Royal Oak has great momentum and is moving in the right direction. We have a wonderful downtown that draws young people to want to live in our city. And those young people want a city that is just and fair and equal. And now with Prop A we have that as well," she said. "I think there is nothing but good news coming out of this election today."

City Commissioner Kyle DuBuc is excited to work with the new commission. 

"I think it's confirmation from the voters that they are really happy with the direction that we've been going and they share the vision that this commission is trying to pursue." said DuBuc. "I think our best days continue to be ahead of us."