Candidate Profile: Randy Bruce, Farmington Hills City Council

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — There are three open seats for Farmington Hills' City Council in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Randy Bruce is running for Farmington Hills City Council Member. Here's how he filled out his profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

62

Position Sought

Farmington Hills City Council Member

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Jill Bruce, wife

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS, MA and Ph.D. degrees

Occupation

Neuropsychologist 33 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Farmington Hills City Council Member 16 years

Campaign website

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to continue to help make Farmington Hills a destination city for families and businesses, and to position us for future growth. I also want to review and update the ordinances and master plan to be more forward thinking and modern, and keep us a safe, beautiful city.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

It is competing with other cities for residents and business, so that we grow and keep our city financially stable, and managing costs while providing world class city services, especially during these pandemic times.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have 24 years of public service, including 16 year on city council, three terms as mayor-pro-tem, 8 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals including 2 years as chair; 14 year member of the National League of Cities, and 8 years on the Human Development Steering Committee of the National League of Cities, including 1 year as vice-chair and 1 year as chair of that national committee. I have many accomplishments while on council that have save this community millions of dollars while providing world-class public services.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I don't believe the current council has failed at all, I just present a different vision from some of the other challengers, based upon my extensive experience in local government.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think they did as well as could be expected. I might have been more proactive passing ordinances that would have helped businesses cope quicker with the pandemic, such as easing up sign requirements, adding temporary outdoor seating quicker, etc.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We need to ensure our city continues to be financially stable, and to continue to provide excellent public safety and services to keep us one of the safest and best managed cities in the state.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

16 years on Council, 8 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals, 3 terms as Mayor-Pro-Tem; pushing through the Dangerous Animals Ordinance, the Rental Home Inspection Ordinance, and the water tower that now safes rate payors over $3 million per year. Also formed and served on the Intergovernmental Task Force that saved our city hundreds of thousands of dollars; supported the building of our gold LEED-certified city hall; co-founder of Farmington SAFE (Suicide Awareness for Everyone); supported expanding the City's antidiscrimination ordinance to include the LGBTQ community; Also served as the president for the Forestbrook Hills/Pebblebrook Estates, Saratoga Farms and the Colony Park West homeowners associations.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always be honest with people and respectful.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a 35 year resident of the city. I believe in public service so as to contribute to making my city better, and I enjoy making a positive difference.