Lake Orion’s Downtown Development Authority Director filed paperwork last week to enter the mayoral election in her hometown of Rochester Hills.
Lois Golden said the campaign will not interfere with her responsibilities as DDA Director, and she came to the decision to run after ‘tremendous pressure? from supporters.
There are three other candidates in the running, according to Golden, including incumbent Brian Barnett, who was appointed to the position a year-and-a-half ago.
‘Going up against an incumbent is a tremendous task,? Golden said, noting that a primary election in September will narrow the field to two candidates.
The remaining two candidates include a current Rochester Hills City Councilman and a former councilman.
Golden, herself, served on the city council from 1998-2003 and has been heavily involved in the Older Persons? Commission and the Trails Commission.
‘I’m hoping to stay in Lake Orion and continue doing what we’re doing here,? she said. ‘I just want to get my message across and hopefully make a difference.?
‘I want to be a voice,? Golden added. ‘I want to alert my fellow citizens to some situations.?
The biggest situation, according to Golden, is the failure of the current administration to disclose a $2.5 million liability in their 2005 financial statements.
‘This resulted in an unnecessary cost to the taxpayers of Rochester Hills,? she said. ‘I encouraged the administration to apologize for these actions, conduct a full investigation and give an honest report back to the community. The administration offered only justifications for previous actions.?
Rochester Hills has approximately 70,000 residents and covers 32 square miles.
Among other things, Golden would like to see is the ‘extravagant salary? of the mayor (over $100,000) cut in half, noting that such salaries should be decided on by the voters.
Golden informed both the DDA Board and the Village Council of her decision last week, and said she informed both groups of her intention to stay in Lake Orion.
‘I have a great respect for JoAnn Van Tassel,? Golden said. ‘She demands excellence.?