Politics & Government

On the Ballot: Mike Fournier, City Commission

Royal Oak Patch looks at the candidates seeking a four-year term in the Nov. 8 election.

Age: 32

Family: Mike and his wife Niki have one daughter Avelin and another daughter due in December 

Years Resident: 9 years

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Occupation: Fournier is the Treasury Director for a national company Previous

Civic Experience: Fournier serves as a Royal Oak Public Library Trustee and is a member of the Royal Oak Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

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Answers to Key Issues

Here are Fournier's answers to questions asked at the League of Women Voter's Forum on Sept. 28.

What is the right retail/restaurant mix for downtown?

“Our downtown is a true asset and anyone that says otherwise is just kidding himself or herself. My wife and daughter and I have the privilege of living just outside of downtown and we enjoy going to the library, and and the to buy our vegetables for the week. The downtown is more than just bars and restaurants. It needs to mean something to everyone in the community. Bars and restaurants are not going to be our demise but they are necessarily going to be our savior either.”

How do you feel about the Fresard Property/Kroger issue?

“As it relates to the process, I think it played itself out. It didn’t pan out and the fact is we have an empty site there that isn’t generating its highest and best use. We need to let the market decide what the highest and best use for that property is.”

What is your opinion of the non-motorized plan?

“I support the idea but we’ve got to do it the right way. Benchmark, benchmark, benchmark. There are communities across the state that have done similar things with success, some with not so much success. With public safety being our No. 1 priority, we want to do things that bring value to the city, that create demand for our properties. Making getting to downtown more accessible will open up the marketplace for things more than bars and restaurants. If people can ride their bikes, take their kids in a wagon, we may see other sorts of retail open up that really meet the needs and services of everybody.”

Here are responses to questions from the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee.

What compelled you to run for the City Commission and what issue would you like to address first if elected?

I believe we all desire to serve others. My background, experience, education and skill sets lend me to serve my community best in the capacity of commissioner.

Everyone agrees that it is important to bring jobs to Royal Oak. What three specific changes would you propose to implement job creation?

  1. Eliminate unnecessary policies, processes, approvals, etc. that slow or prevent local businesses from growing or expanding.
  2. Encourage development that grows business, not dilutes it.
  3. Market our City for the value it can bring to businesses - centrally located, downtown for entertaining, etc.

It is important to stimulate all business corridors, including those outside of the downtown area. What specific actions would you undertake to accomplish that?

Identify corridors that can be the nucleus for a specific type of growth. Foster corridor associations like the 11 Mile Corridor that channel ideas and energy to advise, plan and achieve results.

Contact Information

Phone: 248-786-7276

Email: info@votemikefournier.com


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