3 Newcomers Elected to Royal Oak City Commission

Voters in Royal Oak on Tuesday elected three newcomers to City Commission, re-elected Mayor Jim Ellison and approved by a wide margin continued funding for curbside recycling and waste hauling.

Here's a look at what happened at the polls:

City Commission

In the race for city commission, , , and were the top vote-getters for the three seats left vacant by Commissioners Terry Drinkwine, Michael Andrzejak and Chuck Semchena, who each decided not to run for re-election.

Goodwin, 49, the only woman in the race, received 17.89 percent of the vote.

"I have a long history of working in the community," Goodwin said. "I have specific ideas on how to move forward."

Goodwin, celebrated with her supporters at . She acknowledged that all the candidates want what is best for Royal Oak.

"If we can have a civilized dialogue, we will get a lot done," she said.

Voters seemed to dismiss complaints filed with Michigan Department of State on Oct. 27 alleging DuBuc, Fournier and violated campaign finance laws. Fournier received 17.74 percent of the vote; DuBuc 16.90 percent.

DuBuc, 33, and Fournier, 32, celebrated their victories at the .

"I am really excited to work with the mayor and fellow commissioners to move the city forward," said DuBuc.

Mayor

Mayor  was re-elected easily and without official opposition.  Ellison easily beat write-in challenger for the city’s top elected office. Ellision received 95.66 percent of the vote.

Proposals

All four ballot proposals easily won voter approval.

Voters said yes to (82.28 percent) a 1-mill authorization for curbside recycling and other waste services, including curbside leaf collection, brush collection, hazardous waste drop-off, street sweeping and emergency storm cleanup. The millage was first approved in 1991.

, and were largely housekeeping measures brought to the attention of voters by the Royal Oak Charter Review Committee, which reviews the charter looking for ways to make it more efficient.

Proposal B passed with 83.04 percent; Proposal C with 92.25 percent; and Proposal D with 87.70 percent.