POLITICS
The County Commissioners
Seven Jewish candidates discuss one of the least
understood boards, the Oakland County Commission.
JENNIFER FINER
Jewish News Intern
S
ome people say county
politics are dull. But
don't tell that to Jewish
Democrats Dennis Aaron or
Lawrence Pernick who have
been county commissioners
for over 20 years, longer than
any of the current commis-
sioners.
Mr. Pernick has been a
commissioner since 1969. He
says he enjoys the challenge
that comes with new types of
programs including his recent
involvement with HIV and
AIDS educa-
tion. He says
he also
would like to
see further
changes in
the county
government.
Mr. Pernick is running in
the 20th District, which con-
sists of the northern half of
Southfield and the city of
Lathrup Village.
Mr. Aaron has been a com-
missioner for 22 years and he
likes his job.
"I am interested in govern-
ment work and I find it is
emotionally rewarding," Mr.
Aaron said.
He is running in the 23rd
District, which consists of por-
tions of Huntington Woods,
Southfield, Royal Oak, and
Pleasant Ridge.
This year, seven Jewish
candidates are vying for posi-
tions in six of 25 Oakland
County Commission districts,
most of which have been
changed because district lines
were redrawn.
According to those seven
Jewish candidates, many peo-
ple do not know what the
county commission is, or what
a county commissioner does.
"Ever since my election to
the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners, the question
most frequently asked of me
is just what does a county
commissioner do," says vet-
eran Dennis Aaron.
These Jewish candidates
define the county commission
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HOT RACES'
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FRIDAY. JULY 24. 1992
as a governmental arm be-
tween the local and state gov-
ernment. County government
is responsible for implement-
ing state programs and em-
ploying a budgetary process
to dispense money for county
services.
Some of the areas the com-
mission is responsible for
funding include county courts,
the sheriff department and
certain parks.
Both Mr. Aaron and Mr.
Pernick are running unop-
posed in the primary.
Some of the issues Mr. Per-
nick would like to address in-
clude consolidation of
operations such as the Oak-
land County Drain Commis-
sion and and public works
department.
Mr. Pernick is also advo-
cating the need for an im-
proved public transit system
and better relationships with
neighboring counties.
Mr. Aaron believes the
county has the ability and
funds to spend to improve
county roads; he is also advo-
cating abolishing the Road
Commission and placing its
duties under the elected coun-
ty officials.
In November, he will face
Republican candidate John
Top row: Lillian Jaffe
Oaks, Lawrence Pernick,
Ben Mayer. Bottom row:
Martin Hollander, Dennis
Aaron, Brigit Green,
Shelley Goodman Taub
Fillicard.
Republican candidate Shel-
ley Goodman Taub will face
more competitors in the pri-
mary than any other Jewish
candidate.
She is running in the 12th
District, which consists of
West Bloomfield, Keego Har-
bor, Sylvan Lake, Orchard
Lake, and the northwest cor-
ner of Bloomfield Township.
The other Republicans run-
ning are: Jerry Kosmensky,
Earl Kreps, and Marcella
Montante.
Mrs. Taub, who is a strong
advocate of women's rights,
thinks one of the biggest is-
sues facing the county is the
health of children, including
mental health.
She would like to see more
care provided for children in
the public schools.
"Schools are the perfect
place to provide immuniza-
tion. The funds are there and
something like this is very
simple and it is good preven-
tative medicine," she said.
She would like to see corn-
posting, complete recycling,
businesses brought up to cur-
rent code, and education with-
in the communities.
Road conditions within the
county usually receive some
attention. Ms. Taub has a pro-
posal to remedy this problem.
She would like to see the con-
tractor who builds the road
guarantee it for two years.
The winner in the primary
will face Jewish Democratic
candidate Martin Hollander.
Mr. Hollander says the
county commission needs to
be more efficient. He also be-
lieves there are personal and
departmental overlaps with-
in the road and drain corn-
missions.
"The growth in the commu-
nity is not going to continue
as rapidly as it has in the
past; therefore, we need to be
more cost efficient because
less tax revenue will be gen-
erated," Mr. Hollander said.
He also says roads and sol-
id waste need to be addressed.
Jewish Democrat Lillian
Jaffe Oaks has been a com-
missioner for the past five
years. She is running for re-
election in the 21st District,
which consists of the south-
ern portion of Oak Park, Roy-
al Oak, and parts of
Southfield. Although she al-
ready represents the district,
its boundaries will change for
the upcoming election.
In the August 4 primary,
she will face Thomas Pride,