N
Fashions From
Head To Toe
• Steven Franklin Optics
• Tressa's Boutique
• Chico's
• Rear Ends
• Hersh's
• Marguerite
• Solomon & Son
• Sundance Shoes
• Running Fit
Ica
liuntington Woods
Two incumbents face one challenger for two commission seats.
JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR
t llama
rolmilk
ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD
GOING
SOMEWHERE?
SHOP ON-LINE:
WWW.IRVS.COM
Our Chicagoland customers
have been getting fabulous
deals for 52 years.
• Great Service
• Deep Discounts
• No Pressure
LUGGAGE
4s
WAREHOUSE
Your Source for Factory-Direct Prices!
I 888-300-IRVS (4787)
NO SALES TAX on out-of-state shipments.
Grandparents &
Seniors Sale!
NOT A GRANDPARENT OR SENIOR?
BRING SOMEONE WHO IS & SAVE TOO!
20%
OFF
PRACTICALLY
EVERYTHING
STOREWIDE
•Best Selection of the Year
• Relaxed Shopping
Quality
Old Fashioned
74:— — e )
Toys &
Collectibles
0
111
Call for Details
(248)543-3115
3947 W. 12 Mile • Berkley
M-SAT 10.5:30 Fri 10.8
www.dollhospital.com
DETROIT
JEWISH NEWS
10/29
1999
TO
SOLDIER
SHOP
CLASSIFIEDS
GET
RESULTS!
Call
(248)354-5959
Special to the Jewish News
T
kings are looking pretty rosy in Huntington
Woods right now what with a beautiful new
recreation center and pool, not to mention dou-
ble-digit property value increases.
But prosperity doesn't last forever, warn the three candi-
dates seeking two city commission positions. The mayor,
Ron Gillham, is running uncontested.
For one, the candidates worry that good times and great
city services today will call for creative financing to maintain
those items into the future.
The Headlee amendment and Proposition A, both past mea-
sures to curb taxes, have meant that Huntington Woods gets
less tax-based revenue. Additionally, the city is fully developed
— save for less than a handful of buildable lots — meaning no
new revenue is expected from that source. Finally, a relatively
high percentage of residents stay for decades in one home, leav-
ing tax changes to occur only after they sell their homes.
Mary White, a current commissioner, said the problem
will become apparent in the future when city residents, used
to a high level of city services, see their city unable to afford
that level of services due to a decline in tax revenue.
"We have a decline in real revenue and what we face is
escalating costs," White said, noting that she has found cre-
ative solutions to funding in the past. "Huntington Woods
residents expect a high level of city services, which they do
experience right now. Maintaining a sound, long-term finan-
cial structure for the city is a challenge in a fully developed
city, and that is going to be our challenge."
Jeffrey Jenk, a contender in the race, says he is concerned
about the issue as well.
"The big question here is, 'where do we get the money to
continue quality services?" he asked, adding that he would seek
finding through some inventive government programs. "We
can't raise taxes to do it. We are limited in the traditional ways
of raising fund, so we have to look to other available sources."
Ron Gillham, the current mayor, said other challenges in
the future include the Twelve Town Drain, an environmental
project affecting many communities in Oakland County.
The additional cost from that project, coupled with the
demand for a high level of services, will be difficult.
"The challenges that I find we are facing the most — and
it is not a new challenge — is being able to provide the ser-
vices people expect and want at a price they can afford,"
Gillham said.
On the other hand, Leon Pratnicki, the other city com-
missioner, said maintaining the current atmosphere and
character of the city will be a struggle in the future.
"This is a very, very unique community. It is a communi-
ty with a high ratio of professionals, something you don't see
in every community," he said. "The real issue here is to keep
the flavor of this unique community and at the same time be
dynamic enough to accommodate the changes in progress. It
is a question of balance."
All of those running said they are not in the race for the pay.
The salary for all three four-year terms is a whopping $1 per
year. The 1.5-square-mile city is home to 6,415 residents. ❑
Leon Pratnicki
Jeffrey Jenk
Lots of people sweltered in the July heat and humidity. Not
Julie Winham, 5, who got a laugh from her swim instructor;
Katie Boelio, at the new Huntington Woods swimmingpool.
The pool is part of a $5 million upgrade of recreational
facilities. It includes a water slide with an 89 foot flume and
six lanes for races. "Zero-depth entry" makes it easy for small
kids and people with physical disabilities to get into the swim.