County Watch
17th District seat stirs
issue-oriented campaign.
one of rates," he said. "At a time when
he two most important issues
homeland
security is a major concern,
facing Oakland County are
the
entire
region
is dependent on one
maintaining a balanced budget
water
system.
As
we learned in the
and supporting programs that keep resi-
blackout
of
August
2003, water supplies
dents healthy and safe, says the
are
critical."
Democratic contender for county com-
Court orders, he said, have forced the
missioner from the 17th District.
Oakland County Jail to release prisoners
"Oakland County is facing greater
early to eliminate overcrowding. "Non-
financial demands and shrink-
violent crimes and small drug pos-
ing revenues," said Marcia
session charges for first-time offend-
Gershenson, 54, of Beverly
ers are just two examples that might
Hills. "It will be important to
be better handled through tethers
try to generate new sources of
and treatment programs," he said.
income while maintaining
"The alternative is for taxpayers to
existing ones. Careful and
fund the construction and opera-
continual review of the budg-
tion of additional jail facilities."
et will help identify areas
Gershens on
Richards says his consulting work
where changes can be imple-
assisting
financially distressed busi-
mented."
nesses
is
well suited to a seat on the
John Richards, 49, of
board
of
commissioners.
"I pledge
Bloomfield Hills is
to
keep
property
taxes
low;
at 4.19
Gershenson's Republican
percent, our tax rate is the third
opponent for a two-year term
lowest in the state," he said.
on the 25-member board.
He says he'll focus on human
The district covers Beverly
services,
responsible development,
Hills, Franklin, Bingham
maintaining,open
spaces, local con-
Farms and sections of three
trol
and
recreation
opportunities.
townships: West Bloomfield,
Gershenson is a founder of Gilda's
Bloomfield and Southfield. Richards
Club Metro Detroit, active with the
sees water and sewerage services and jail
National Council of Jewish Women and
space as top county issues.
a board member of Camp Mak-A-
Current commissioner Thomas Law,
Dream and the Michigan League of
a Republican, did not seek re-election.
Conservation Voters. "Because of my
Gershenson, who has lived in the dis-
extensive work with nonprofits in our
trict for 17 years, serves on the Beverly
community," she said, "I understand
Hills Strategic Planning Committee.
the necessity of fiscal responsibility. I
She says keeping the county's drink-
strongly believe there is a natural transi-
ing and recreational waters clean is an
tion from my volunteer work for
urgent concern. "There are several steps
Oakland County residents to initiating
that can be taken to ensure that our
public
policy that affects that same
sewers do not overflow and affect the
community."
quality of our water," she said. "The
She promises to seek balanced, non-
county could implement alternative
partisan
solutions.
strategies such as rain barrels to help
Gershenson
and her husband, Kevin
reduce damaging overflow."
Robinson, have one son. She also has
Other concerns, she said, include
five stepchildren. The couple have three
finding creative ways to support pro-
grandchildren.Gershenson earned a
grams that address seniors, mental
B.A., University of Michigan- in 1971.
health assistance, children's fitness and
Richards and his wife, Kay, are mem-
healthier lifestyles.
bers
of St. Regis Catholic Church,
Richards has been a district resident
Bloomfield
Hills. He earned a B.S.,
for 11 years. He is on the Oakland
Management,
Oakland University,
County Parks and Recreation
1977, and an M.B.A., Wayne State
Commission.
University, 1981. He is president of the
He says that, at the very least, an eco-
Bloomfield Area Republican Club.
nomic study could be undertaken to
County commissioners are paid
determine if water and sewerage rates
$30,618
a year.. ❑
could be reduced. "The issue is not just
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