Jeremy Mahrle Candidate for City Commissioner: 2013

About Jeremy Mahrle 

• Born and raised in Royal Oak
• Attended Royal Oak Schools – Whittier Elementary, Keller Junior High, Dondero High School – and Oakland University
• Employed by the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Sander Levin – Community Outreach Coordinator and Caseworker helping veterans and military service members get the benefits to which they are entitled for their service 

Community Involvement

• Royal Oak Planning Commission
• Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce
• Woodward Avenue Action Association
• Royal Oak Inter-Club Council
• Precinct Delegate, Royal Oak Precinct 24
• Madison Heights Community Round Table
• Oakland County Youth Assistance – Board Member in Ferndale and Madison Heights
• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions – Involved with Royal Oak and Southeast Oakland (Ferndale School District);  Board Member in Madison Heights

Position Paper 

The Detroit Zoo, Woodward Dream Cruise and Arts, Beats & Eats bring millions of people to our city every year.  Great events like the Outdoor Art Fair, Royal Oak In Bloom and Spooktacular bring tens of thousands more annually.  We’re home to families, young people, auto enthusiasts, foodies, musicians, artists, gardeners and so much more. 

Our unique and diverse culture combined withour central location on the Woodward corridor and our vibrant, thriving downtown make Royal Oak an asset for the entire metro Detroit region.
Last year we passed a public safety millage that will help fund adequate staffing levels in the Police and Fire Departments.  The city has partnered with the School District to install a fiber optic network that will reduce operating costs for both.  A non-motorized vehicle plan was passed that will allow Royal Oak to become a walkable, pedestrian-friendly destination for everyone – whether they’re driving cars, riding their bikes, or walking. 

We have implemented an innovative Adopt-A-Park program to help us maintain our magnificent parks and playgrounds.  A number of projects have been proposed and are in development to helpenhance the landscape of our downtown.  And, after many years of decline, home values are beginning to improve.

Despite all that our city has a lot going for it, this is a critical time for Royal Oak.

Basic city services beyond public safety are at risk because of cuts in revenue sharing from the State.  The Personal Property Tax, another important source of revenue for municipalities, was eliminated by the state legislature without a firm plan to replace the lost funding.  There is a non-discrimination ordinance on the ballot that, if it fails, will allow residents to be discriminated against on the basis of age, gender, height, weight, sexual orientation and pregnancy status.  And, along with municipalities all across the country, we are faced with legacy costs that may prove unsustainable without reforms. 

While addressing these issues and the many others that face us, we need to continue the work of moving the city forward and rededicate ourselves to the future of Royal Oak. 

We need to continue investing in our neighborhoods to keep them strong and safe.  We need to responsibly grow our downtown – with a new Central Park as the cornerstone – in a way that will keep young people and families in the city and attract those who live elsewhere to move here.  We need to continue to provide excellent city servicesso those moving here – and those already living here – will stay and invest in their homes and the community.  And while doing this, we need toprotect our great community assets that have made Royal Oak such a great place to live, such as the Senior Center, Public Library, Tenhave Woods, the Farmers Market and others.

Royal Oak’s challenges – and opportunities – lead me to want to continue to serve our community, but in a different way – representing you on the City Commission. 

Website: www.jeremymahrle.com
Email: jeremy4royaloak@gmail.com
Phone: 248-677-1460
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeremyTMahrle

Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.