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.