BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
David Marsh, who is running for reelection to the City Council, said he didn’t respond to candidate questions from The Clarkston News earlier this month because of questions about two lawsuits involving the city.
“We are defendants in both lawsuits and any comments made publicly by members of city council can harm the city and I for one do not want to harm the city,” Marsh said. “I strongly encourage current council to refrain from answering questions that can only be used to harm the city until after the lawsuits are over.”
He made an appearance on Independence Television and responded to questions from The Oakland Press, and has announced hours at the Clarkston bake shop – every Tuesday morning from 7-8 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m., he said.
“I’ve sat outside the bakery for the past two weeks and seen members of Clarkston News coming and going from work and I’ve seen residents who’ve written letters to the editor walk by but never have either one of them stopped to have a discussion with me,” the candidate said. “I would love to have a discussion on any one of these issues.”
He said they should have a town hall meeting where residents can ask members of council any question they want.
“You see, when you have always made the right decision based on the information you have been given and have never lied to the community, it’s easy for us to show up for that meeting,” he said.
Resident Cory Johnston, who has sent letters to the editor about topics including Marsh, admitted passing him by.
“I think we would disagree based on comments you have made publicly,” Johnston said. “I don’t talk to a lot of council people because I find them unresponsive. I sent you many letters, Mr. Marsh, when you were first on council. You seldom responded.”
The candidate also shouldn’t campaign during a city council meeting, Johnston said.
“We talk about transparency, but I can’t find the vote where you say, we want to go to the appeals court and hide information from ourselves and the public but we’ll pay the attorney to do it,” he said. “It’s wrong, it’s absolutely wrong. We should be open. We should be transparent. If you want to keep secrets, get off the council, please – if you are representing the city attorney, the city manager, the city staff, DPW workers, whatever, you are not my representative. You were elected to be my representative.”