BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
City Council will have at least one new face after the Nov. 8 election. Running for three open, two-year seats are two incumbents, council members Sharron Catallo and Michael G. Sabol, and two challengers, Rick Detkowski, Jr. and Sue Wylie.
Catallo’s top three issues are communication, finances, and parking.
The top issues for Detkowski are community polarization, communication, and city productivity.
For Sabol, the top issues are the search for a new city manager, a facility for city DPW, and improved city council and administration relations.
Wylie’s top issues are resolving differences among members of the community, communications, and city productivity and efficiency.

Sharron Catallo said she wants to be re-elected to council to use her experience to benefit the community.
“I have had the honor of serving Village of Clarkston residents for quite a few years, but never before have I felt more committed to what this community represents than I do now,” she said. “I have known changes through the years, welcoming new families and businesses, new little faces on the playground in our beautiful Depot Park. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing families refurbish and maintain our beautiful homes, many of which are historic, and witness our tight-knit neighborhoods thrive. Decades ago, we hoped this would be our future. It took the forethought and planning of many to achieve what the village is today.”
The city has an active communication committee examining the current system to offer suggestions to correct any lapses they see.
“Do we need to tweak our website and communications through it? Maybe. I admit, I prefer telephone or in-person conversations over e-mail, but we need to determine how best to respond to property owners and residents who have questions,” she said. “Also, residents should know that even though our staff at Village Hall is part time, they are very helpful and can often answer questions, so if electronic correspondence through the website seems lagging, consider picking up the phone.”
In 2017, the city should have an increase in revenue sharing for the general fund and a bond payoff for the residents, Catallo said.
“We have a pretty healthy infrastructure and no current plans for any big expenditures. We do owe money to the reserve fund for over-budget expenses in the last fiscal year, but we should be able to repay the fund in a reasonable amount of time. I am in favor of a plan to continue to increase the reserve fund,” she said.
For parking, the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan conducted their study, and Main Street Oakland County also looked at parking within the business district.
“We have a draft report to consult in this preliminary phase to determine if we have a problem and possible solutions,” she said. “We are hoping in the very near future to offer a town hall meeting for public input. Mike Sabol and myself are the council members who live downtown and are both familiar with parking patterns.”
Richard Detkowski said people ask him, “Why are you running for City Council,” and some ask “Why in the heck would you want to run for City Council?”
“The answer to those questions is simple – I want to step up and help my home town in whatever way I can,” he said. “I want to do my part in learning the workings of the city and help it move forward while maintaining the aspects that make it special. But most of all, I want to help redevelop a sense of community amongst residents.”
The biggest issue is the perceived polarization. For various reasons, there’s a feeling in the community that taking sides has stagnated our productivity, he said.
“I want to use my facilitation skills to get people on all sides to move forward in a positive and productive direction,” Detkowski said. “We’ve experienced our share of strongly-worded letters, social media confrontations, and awkward City Council meetings. In the past, I have been guilty of looking at only one side of city issues and letting it cloud my opinions. This is an opportunity to rectify that, and help others do the same in working together for solutions. Throughout this campaign, I’ve learned that people on both sides of the meeting table have legitimate reasons for their opinions and the best intentions in mind. I want to understand all stakeholders and their reasoning in order to produce positive results that benefit the entire community.”
In order to achieve this, improved communication is needed, he said.
“This has been a culprit in many of the gaps, an example being the DPW building plans. It took community polarization to a new level and may have been mitigated with improved communication,” he said. “Why decisions are being made and the data to support them should be made clear, as well as clear reasons for opposing opinions and making sure those voices are heard. Clear communication will identify whether there’s lack of data or a lack of understanding. New and creative ways for facilitating discussion are what I’m committed to.”
Lastly, the city has a productivity issue likely stemming from these points.
“Quite simply, let’s get things done. Let’s get busy with solving the parking issue, generating revenue in new ways, and keeping our city streets looking their best. I want to get to work being a community of friends and neighbors focused on the future, not our past disagreements, Detkowski said.
Mike Sabol said his passion, education and experiences provide great benefits to the city.
“After 11 years of living in the city, I continue to value the life being a resident provides. We have wonderful people and I want to continue to be their voice,” he said. “We need to maintain and grow this naturally beautiful place and yet preserve the historic beauty of the streets, businesses and homes.”
The city manager is the most critical position to the everyday operation of the city, he said.
“The council is responsible for filling this position so we must find a capable and competent candidate. As a former hiring manager at GM, I will use my skills to make sure the right questions are asked and the most qualified candidate is chosen,” Sabol said.
The city still needs to find a permanent replacement for 3 East Church and the space needed for DPW equipment, he said.
“The most cost-efficient methods must be used to meet these needs and protect the budget. I did not and will not support a proposal in which the costs exceed those of the building we vacated. The Facilities Committee needs to be prompted to move quickly and make sure any proposals do not exceed these budgetary requirements. As with my prior efforts, I will continue to be the voice of this viewpoint,” he said.
The city also continues to face an identity crisis, Sabol said.
“Among many efforts, we have formed a Communication Committee to engage residents and businesses but a vocal minority has chosen to create the perception that City government is ineffective,” he said. “The city has a functioning council and administration, Planning Commission, Historic District Commission and other committees working regularly and taking action on city business. The vocal minority chooses to focus on negative points that in some cases they have induced. It is incumbent on me and the rest of the council to make sure that all of the positive aspects are brought forward and communicated. We must fully support the city ordinances and enforcement equally and fairly, and support the Planning Commission and HDC. Social media and emails cannot be the only methods of communication within the City. There are many citizens who do not use them. We must promote methods of communication that will reach everyone regarding City business,” Sabol said.
Sue Wylie is running on a “Have a Nice City” with a Smiley Face campaign.
“We need to resolve the differences among members of the Clarkston community,” she said. “Second, we need to upgrade the communications and transparency between all city stakeholders. Third, we need Clarkston to remain financially independent by increasing our productivity and efficiency.”
Wylie said she wants to serve her city and offer solutions.
“I became involved in Clarkston politics when the city was considering an expansion to the city hall,” she said. “I thought the amount of money the city was considering spending on the addition was much more than our city could afford. I would like to resolve some of the issues I witnessed during that time.”
Improving the culture of Clarkston will require all city officials treat all citizens with respect, plus, citizens and the business community must give city officials the same courtesy, she said.
“During my campaign I have reached out to members of the community to remind them city officials should be treated with respect. I would encourage the council and mayor to lead by example, with both language and mannerisms. Employees and appointees should be instructed to treat everyone civilly and respectfully. The city manager and the mayor would need to ensure that these goals are met,” she said.
Communication and transparency can be improved with more detailed city council, committee, and commission minutes, Wylie said.
“This is the primary way that the city communicates officially with the citizens. Once again, the council must lead by example. The mayor should require all city commissions and committees to submit timely agendas and detailed minutes, which would be available on the city website and at city hall. All spending should be clearly documented. For all communication, the city should expand its use of the city website and social media,” she said.
The third issue is to keep Clarkston financially independent, she said.
“For the last four years, the city has spent more than it has taken in. As a result, the city reserves have dropped,” Wylie said. “The city needs to have a city council, mayor, and finance committee that can develop a long range budget plan, stick to the yearly budget, and look for more efficient methods of maintaining the city. In addition, the city must search out more sources of non-taxpayer revenue.”
Steven C. Percival is running unopposed for a two-year term as mayor of Clarkston.