Clinton Township Candidates Answer Residents' Questions at Forum

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Various Clinton Township political candidates discussed local and national issues with residents in person and over local cable access on Oct. 4, thanks to the nonprofit and nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Grosse Pointe. C & G Newspapers reported on the forum.

Residents in attendance wrote down their questions on index cards, and Maria Rivera asked each candidate. Candidates seeking the office of supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustee were present.

The candidates running for trustee were asked questions first, starting with why each of them were running for trustee. Republicans Catherine Kirk and Leo Melise, and Democrats Mike Keys, Ken Pearl, Jenifer ‘Joie’ West and Diane Zontini took the stage.

Questions and answers with these candidates lasted for an hour, and mainly touched on: business growth, improving local roads, success of areas like The Mall at Partridge Creek, beautifying neighborhoods, improving safety, and the Regional Transit Authority.

Next, the following candidates took the stage: Current Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon and Democratic candidate, Trustee Dean Reynolds for supervisor; Republican Phil Rode and current trustee Democrat Paul Gieleghem for treasurer; and current Republican Clerk Kim Meltzer and her Democratic challenger George Sobah for clerk.

These candidates discussed issues such as: daily jobs, the township’s cultural diversity, business development progress, and the lack of recreation centers in the township.

Reynolds removed himself from all Township functions after he was arrested by the FBI Oct. 13 for alleged bribery charges. This happened one week after the forum.

To read more about the forum, check out the C & G Newspapers article.

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