Walled Lake/City Council - Vote for three. Four-year term. The Candidates On The questions Please provide biographical information. Why are you running? What do you see as some of the key issues? How do you plan to address these issues? Rebecca Williamson William I. Burke Heather Hill Bachelor of arts from University of Michi- gan; juris doctor from Detroit College of Law. Served on Walled Lake City Council since 1986. Veteran of World War II. Fam- ily-owned real estate in Walled Lake since 1927. Active in the practice of law in Lin- coln Park. Dental instnictor for 25 years at OTC, for- merly SWOUEC Dental Clinic, in con- junction with Oakland Public Health. Council member 1975-81,1987-present. Mother of a 15-year-old son; Walled lake resident for 28 years. Bachelor of science degree from Madonna University; mem- ber of Kappa Gamma Phi. Linda Ackley , . I have been a lifelong resident of Walled Lake and graduated from Walled Lake Western High School. I earned a bache- lor of arts degree in political science and economics from Albion College as well as a master's in public administration from Wayne State University. I have a love and deep commitment to the city of Walled Lake. My educational back- ground and 16 years with the city can of- fer guidance and continued progress in the city. For a city to survive in the current eco- nomic times, we must continue road im- provements and alleviate traffic congestion; to keep the current businesses in the community, we have to help the businesses we have grow and encourage new businesses and development. I believe sound budget policies and inno- vative financing can help Walled Lake con- tinue to provide good services to its people. If a positive image is presented, growth will continue in Walled Lake, thus increasing the tax base and allowing the city to grow and be financially sound. Traf- fic improvements have been ongoing with the Pontiac Trail improvements and the future expansion of Maple Road. The cit- izens must continue to have a council with a positive attitude and concern to do what is right for Walled Lake. I feel I am that type of person. I feel that my past experience in city gov- ernment gives me insight on city problems. I would like to see 15 Mile Road extension completed and further expansion of the business district. At present, transportation will have to be provided for the community. Cost will ne- cessitate a program involving neighboring communities. Meetings with the neighboring communi- ties to discuss costs and types of services that are needed for citizens who need transportation. For the last several years, I have been able to see my interests and promises to the citizens come to pass. The city still has more to do and I want to continue these projects to the end. Watch-dog the people's money, making sure it is spent in the right places, such as the fire department. Transportation is a major concern for those who do not have a car at their disposal. As Wailed Lake grows, the parking problem continues to mount, especially in the old downtown area. I will continue to do what I have been do- ing which is fighting an uphill battle in our spending. Looking at other transporta- tion companies and what they have to of- fer or encouraging privatization. Downtown Walled Lake has made some major changes, as has all of Walled Lake. We must invest in parking so our busi- ness community can continue to pros- per. It would not be an impossible taskto privatize this item as well. Lifetime resident of Walled Lake. 1978 graduate of Walled Lake Western High School. Attended Oakland Community College/Michigan State University. Real- tor-Max Broock Inc. in West Bloomfield. Michigan Association of Realtors, politi- cal involvement and public policy com- mittees; chairperson for local association (WWOCAR) political affairs committee— member since 1988. 1994 Realtors polit- ical action committee fund-raising chair. City of Walled Lake Council 1989-1993; City of Walled Lake Zoning Board of Ap- peals and Downtown Development Au- thority; 1988 City of Walled Lake Building Authority; Chamber of Commerce Mem- ber since 1991. It is time for me to again be involved in the political arena in Walled Lake. Walled Lake is my hometown and I am excited about the opportunity to return to the council to finish the work that was started during my first term. Remaining active on the ZBA and DDA have kept me in tune with the city's progress in improving our down- town area and improving the access and road situation within the city. Community service has al- ways been a strong priority for me. To improve the ability to redevelop existing com- mercial and industrial building to improve streetscape, create jobs, and increase tax base by utilizing unproductive real es- tate. To create a positive environment for developers by examining closely, and re- vising where necessary, current zoning ordinances that have the ability to deal effectively with the many non-conform- ing sites we currently have. To make Walled Lake a "walkable" community and improve parking access. To make Walled Lake a "user-friendly city." Utilize the op- portunity to apply for county, state and federal funding whenever available to re- duce tax burden to residents. The city is considering creating a Com- mercial Planning Development way of zoning to make it easier for new investors to work with existing nonconforming parcels. Continued improvement of the site plan review process. The city is look- ing at additional parking near downtown and at the cooperation of businesses ad- jacent to each other in the sharing of available parking. The completion of the Maple Road extension will add great re- lief to the flow of traffic into the city. Work with county and surrounding communi- ties; vigorously continue the marketing plan developed.by Hyatt Palma; encour- age staff to make themselves aware of all grants available. 47