Outgoing Officials Say Goodbyes

Jim Rasor

Rasor, first elected in 2009, opted not to run for reelection so he could concentrate on his Royal Oak law firm. 

"Mr. Rasor has been up here for four years and to say the least it has been a very interesting four years," said Mayor Jim Ellison. "Jim came to this table with a passion for this community and a passion to get things done with an energy and drive that caught some of us by surprise."

In noting Rasor's accomplishments, Ellison listed the passing of a human rights ordinance, which he called one one of the city's "crowning achievements," and pushing forward the idea of a central park.

"That is really actually starting to get some traction here," said Ellison. "There's been serious discussions about getting a central park now."

Ellison joked that he doubted that it will be named Jim Rasor Central Park.

"But you can always look and say that was my idea," he said.

In his remarks, Rasor said he spent most of his 40s serving the city of Royal Oak, including stints on the Zoning Board and Planning Commission. He pointed out that he's renovated a couple of houses in town and is in the process of restoring a historic office building that is home to the Rasor Law Firm.

"I really enjoy being active and engaged in this community. It's just a terrific place," he said. "I've met so many great people and I am not going anywhere."

One of the things Rasor listed as important during his tenure was the changing culture of the commission.

"I haven't heard any fights in past couple of years about dancing," Rasor said.

Gone is the divisiveness, he said.

"I think people deserve good government that gets over the desire to want to get somebody else in trouble and focuses on what we can do as a community to move forward."

In the spirit of compromise, Rasor said the city was able to sit down with workers and unions and streamline City Hall, "figuring out how to do more with less" and avoiding financial calamity. 

"As a team we managed to salvage this for this community and really put us on a firm footing," he said

In closing, Rasor said he knew the voters of Royal Oak would pass a human rights ordinance.

"It's very heartening to know that we live in a community where decency and fairness, and not discrimination and prejudice, rule."

Carlo Ginotti

Royal Oak City Commissioner Carlo Ginotti, who was sworn in by City Clerk Melanie Halas before a special meeting of the commission in June, also said farewell. Ginotti was asked to fill former Mayor Pro-Tem Patricia Capello's empty chair at the table after she resigned in May.

"One of the first people I thought of that could fill that opening and hit the ground running was Commissioner Ginotti," said Ellison. 

The mayor praised Ginotti, who was previously elected to the Royal Oak City Commission in 2001 and served eight years, for the years of knowledge he brought to the table and his service to the city.

"I did try to hit the ground running," said the good-humored Ginotti, "but you caught me."

In his brief remarks, he thanked the city for the opportunity to serve his community once again.

"It's been an honor," he said, adding the city is in good hands. "You've got a good group of people up here."