Council candidate wants to do his part

Dear Editor,
My name is Rick Detkowski and I am running for City Council.
I was raised in Clarkston and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1992, always enjoying the easy-going sense of community that I grew up in.
The thought of that changing never crossed my mind.
But not too long ago, someone asked me “Which side are you on?” Then another person asked my wife “What’s it like living in the village with all of that going on?”
Once I finally understood what those questions meant, I knew that our easy-going community had taken a wrong turn somewhere. Things have become polarized and they don’t seem to be getting better.
And so it hit me; I’m passionate about our city and folks around town are looking for something new.
Why not run for City Council? I want to do my part in getting us back to the basics of being a community.
At the same time, a like-minded friend announced her candidacy, that being Sue Wylie. Sue also has deep roots in the community and is passionate about promoting healthy, productive change.
As we discussed our views on the issues and our goals as potential council members, we realized that it made sense to deliver our message as a team.
So with the support of our collective families, our campaign began. And it wasn’t long before our main goal became clear – to bring positive change to the city.
How would we do it? By promoting improved culture, clear two-way communication, and increased productivity.
As we talk to our friends and neighbors, we hear a community that is fed up with the polarization and conflict that has gone on for too long.
It has caused an unproductive environment and diminished the kinship that we should have in the CVC.
Many citizens want to see things get done. Many more want new ways to generate revenue, improved city services, and fresh approaches to solving problems.
Others just want the bickering to stop and allow City Council to do their jobs.
This is where Sue and I come in. After listening to and understanding all sides of the conversation, we know that the only way forward is to work towards having one voice.
It’ll take hard work to get there, but we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get going.
With your support we can absolutely get back to being the easy-going town that we call home – and allow us to Have a Nice City.
So we ask for your vote on Nov. 8. Even if you don’t normally get involved in local elections, please get out and vote. Change comes with new choices.
For more information about our campaign, you can find us on Facebook at Detkowski/Wylie for City Council.
Rick Detkowski
Clarkston

Reader has high hopes for new manager

Dear Editor,
Carol Eberhardt’s resignation is good news for the residents of the city of Clarkston and the surrounding community (“Manager resigns,” Sept. 29).
Let’s hope that city council doesn’t replace the city manager with another “insider” who’s main job is to obfuscate on the city’s behalf.
Residents deserve a city manager who gives quick, truthful answers to any simple questions about city business posed to them, and not a city manager who is a defensive “wall of misinformation.”
Michael Powell
Independence Township