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County Issues Loom

Two Democrats wait in the wings while six Republicans duke it
„oat"
outfor seats in the 18th and 19th District County Commissioner races.

,

HARRY KIRS BAUM

StaffWriter

A

s six Republican candidates
vie for two county commis-
sioner seats in the Aug. 4
primary, two Jewish
Democratic candidates without politi-
cal opponents will wait in the wings.
Among the chief points of difference
between the whole pool of candidates,
they said, are who will run the county
mental health services and who will
pay for improved emergency phone
services.
Although a county commissioner
seat does not rank high in most voter's
minds, the 25 Oakland County
Commissioners, who make $25,111
annually and serve two-year terms,
manage a budget of more than $550
million for various services.
One of the services that has become
a hot topic is the Community Mental
Health (CMH) board, a state-mandat-
ed entity which contracts with mental
health organizations for services. Its
budget is $160 million.
Some county commissioners are
pushing to allow an independent
agency to take over the board, for vari-
ous reasons.
Both Democratic candidates favor
the county's keeping control of the
board. Ryan J. Gesund, 26, a candi-
date in the 18th District (Farmington
Hills), said, "We spend a third of our
budget on mental health services. I
think that the more control we have
on this, the better."
The other, Deborah J. Goldberg,
running in the 19th District, which
covers Farmington and parts of
Farmington Hills and Southfield,
agrees: "Many people who need the
help are already unserved and sitting
in jail. If outsiders take over, the prob-
lem will get worse."
She said she sees this as a way to
"limit the liability" of the county.
Some Republicans agree, some
don't.
In the 18th District, incumbent
David L. Moffitt said, "If we get tech-

nical changes in the state law, if we get
fer on whether funding should come
Sever said he would do whatever it
strong representation and participa-
taxes or from increasing an 18-cent
takes to improve 911 service. "I hear
tion in the operating agency, and if we
surcharge on monthly bills that now
rhetoric about existing available funds,
get the state to live by the budget
underwrites the service.
but if there are none," he said, "I will
obligations, then we can handle it. If
Both Democrats said a higher sur-
not hesitate to go to the voters."
not, we'll be forced to give it back to
charge is the answer. Citing efforts to
Marks said tax funds could properly
the state, or transfer to an indepen-
make it a 50-cent charge, Gesund
be used for equipment and airspace,
dent authority."
said, "I think it might take more
but not personnel or other routine
Linda Jolicoeur, one of Moffitt's
money, and I want to bring it before
operating costs." He said the surcharge
opponents, agrees: "We need people
the public."
is called a "user fee" but he sees it as a
working there with experience." The
Goldberg said it might take a 65-
unwanted tax. "I believe in voting the
third republican, Laine Wine, could
cent charge to finance all the needed
will of the people, not your con-
not be reached for comment.
improvements and "people will con-
science."
Terry Sever, running in the 19th
sider this too high." Part of the money
Molin noted that the state had
District, does not want to see the
could come from a surplus in the
mandated the service upgrade by this
CMH go to an independent authority,
county's general operating funds.
April. "I think it's unfair of the state
either.
Moffitt said the issue is how to
to throw it upon us without putting
"The best way to administer tax
allow different agencies to communi-
any money into it."
money is with elected officials hiring
cate with each other by radio. "The
The'Democrats, Gesund and
the right people, the same way we run
county must explore the technical
Goldberg, acknowledge that they will
city government," he said.
solution before we know how much it
be on heavily Republican turf in the
Ben Marks, a Sever opponent, said
will cost. I don't want to ask for
fall general election. Gesund, who has
he supports creation of an indepen-
money before I know how much we
never held office, expects a tough race
dent authority to take over day-to-day
need."
no matter whom the Republicans
operation of the CMH. But he wants
Jolicoeur said she feels "there is
nominate: "I like to think like
an oversight committee to be appoint-
money left in the general fund for
[Detroit Mayor] Dennis Archer does
ed by the board of commissioners to
this. We don't need to get more tax-
in a campaign, and always run like I'm
file fiscal reports on the funded pro-
payer money."
30 points behind."
grams every three
Among the 19th District GOP can-
months, and a full
didates to succeed Donn Wolf, who is
report every six
not seeking re-election, Terry Sever
months.
said his work on the Farmington Hills
JoAnne Molin,
City Council makes him the frontrun-
also running in the
ner. He was mayor in 1989 and has
19th, said, "We need
been a city council member for 13
qualified medical peo-
years.
ple in charge, they
But Marks, 75, a member of Adat
should be held
Shalom and also a former mayor of
accountable to us, but
Farmingtons Hills, said he has a 50-50
as commissioners, we
chance in the primary. And Molin 54,
Linda Jolicoeur, left; Ryan J. Gesund, right;
do not have the edu-
said
that although she's never held
not pictured, David L. Moffitt and Lathe Wine.
cation to deal the
office, she thinks voters want a
right way with these
change.
issues."
As the incumbent, Moffitt is rated
The candidates all
the frontrunner in the 18th District,
said the county needs
but he said he's not taking his
an enhanced 911
Republican challengers lightly. "Every
(E911) system — one
election requires a lot of work." he said.
that would have
Jolicoeur has never held office, but
reduced the police
says name nonrecognition make the
communications con-
primary a tossup. "County commis-
fusion during the
sioner is pretty far down on the ballot,"
shootings at the
she said, "and many people don't know
Ben Marks, left; JoAnne E Molin, middle; Deborah
Wixom Ford plant
the name of their commissioner."
Goldberg, right; not pictured Terry Sever.
last year. But they dif-

18th District

19th District

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7/3

1998

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