Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield Candidate Round Table Kicks off City Commission Election slated for May 8th.

Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield earlier in the month hosted a round table for the five city residents  seeking two seats  on City Commission.

Editors Note: Items in a color other than black are links that will provide more information on the words so highlighted.

The five candidates in alphabetical order....

1. Michael Dul, (Barden Rd) The Vice Chair Person for Preservation Bloomfield   an organization which seeks to build for the future by preserving that past and raises money for building Historical preservation and long time City resident and business owner also has served an the City's Planning Commission.
2. Mark Kapel, (West Valley Road) a twenty three year  resident who publishes the  City of Bloomfield Hills Blog and member of the City's Zoning Board of Appeal.
3. Sara McClure (Brady Lane) City Commissioner first elected in 2010 and seeking election for a second term. This year she has also served as Mayor Pro tem and a has  chaired meetings when Mayor Zambricki was absent.
4. John Monaghan (Hilltop) a member of the City Planning Commission.
5. Connie Salloum,(Orchard Ridge) City Commissioner appointed to fill the one year vacancy on the Commission created when  former commissioner Robert Toohey resigned lats May.

It is the largest candidates contingent for a Spring election in eight years.The candidates who seek an at large position are primarily west of Woodward (4) and South of Long Lake (4). With the exception of North of Long Lake East of Woodward all quadrants of the City are represented.

Three of the candidates have never run in a city election. Only one has even ever won a city election.

The two  female candidates are current commissioners. The three challengers are male.

Hilltop is also the residence of current Mayor Michael  Zambricki.  West Valley is home to current City Commissioner, and Former Mayor Pat Hardy. Although the mailing address is Rathmor former Mayor/City Commissioner Emeritus Marylin Varbedian also lived on West Valley Road.

The five candidates who attended the Magazine's candidate forum  were asked about the following topics.

1. The Woodlands Tree Ordinance
2. The City Budget
3. Planned Units of Development or Puds
4. The Appointment Process used to fill vacancies on City.
5.  The 2011 Election of Mayor as opposed to rotation based on commission longevity. This  is a very complex topic with various interpretations. Clicking on question #5 will produce "video on demand" of the 2011 May 10th  City Commission meeting during which the decision was made. Four of the five candidates running for election this participated at the meeting and appear in the video. The total running time is 2 hours and 25 minutes but the issue at hand and the fireworks occur in the first 45 minutes.
6. The Candidates Plan and Vision for the future.

To hear the candidates discussion of each topic click here. The conversation is moderated by reporter Lisa Brody. There are also transcripts of what each candidate says but they are somewhat shortened and not always a true rendition of what the candidate really said or emphasized. You can use the transcripts to match up the words with the voices. The actual published Magazine version Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield should appear in your mail box on or around  April 14th. There the transcripts will be shorter and there will be no audio.