Letters to the Editor: Both Sides on Mayoral Race Hope to Sway Voters

(The following letters were not edited for content and represent the opinions of the authors only.)

Three Strikes Against Mayor

Rochester Hills has been a great city to live the last 5-plus years for our family. We love our community, the schools and have made lifelong friendships here in our community.

That being said, I am very disappointed in the negative campaign that has been put forth by our mayor. The attack ads are disingenuous and using scare tactics such as the ones the mayor has endorsed just goes to show that our mayor has his sights on higher office in Washington, where this type of negative politics and campaigning is welcomed and business as usual. The ads do make great use in our fireplace, though.

Mayor Bryan Barnett has well over three strikes against him but let’s look at just three:

Strike No. 1, Oil & Gas drilling: Even if the issue is “dead,” according to the mayor and City Council members Hooper and Tisdel, many residents don’t trust them or believe them (why should we?) The lack of transparency has been deeply concerning. Many are expecting drilling to move forward if the mayor wins re-election or oil prices spike (they will eventually).

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So saying we are beating a dead horse as fellow resident Lee Zendel said at this week’s city council meeting is misguided at best. Again, if residents had an option to vote on this issue from the start, and have a voice in representative government, perhaps there wouldn’t be so much disappointment in this administration that prefers to rubber-stamp almost anything in front of them.

Strike No 2, not sticking to facts on fire/police budgets: Saying that Ravi Yalamanchi voted against the police/fire budget is just wrong. As a financial services professional who currently works with police/fire/EMS on daily basis, I find it personally insulting to say Ravi voted against the fire/police budget.

Anyone who has worked on a public budget knows you don’t vote line by line; you vote on the entire budget. If there was waste in the first budget, I would vote no on the budget, too. Just because you go jogging with the firefighters to show support doesn’t mean you have their best interests at heart. In fact if you did, the cameras wouldn’t have been there.

Strike No. 3, the Hamlin Road disaster: The many problems that uprooted a family was just the latest of issues with this mayor. This is proof that city has bitten off more than they can chew and our resources are choking at the mistakes being made. Whether the contractors are to blame or not, the city is the agent responsible and the city’s response to the family shows how much they actually care for the residents as a whole.

Until they need you to vote yes on a millage that serves their needs, they simply look at residents as a tax revenue source, nothing more.

You have well over three strikes Mayor Barnett, and as they say you’re out!

— Jay Arnold, Rochester Hills

Keep Positive Momentum Going

I am writing to express our strong support for Mayor Bryan Barnett and the things he has done for our city. As long-term residents, we have seen our city go through many changes. We have seen fields become subdivisions and dirt roads become paved, yet through it all, we have managed to maintain the family friendly, small-town feel that attracted so many to Rochester Hills in the first place.

My wife and I would like to see these positive trends continue and are happy to have the opportunity to write-in Bryan Barnett for Mayor this November. As we see it, term limits were put in place to eliminate ineffective elected officials - Bryan Barnett is the complete opposite - he gets things done and we sincerely appreciate the things he does.

— Vern and Lori Pixley, Rochester Hills

Take Back the City

I have been a resident of Rochester Hills for nearly 30 years, raising three children who are graduates of Rochester Community Schools and now five grandchildren are attending the schools their parents attended.

I have been a chairman of the board of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce as a 20 year small business owner. I have spent my work and family life in this community — I am more than vested.

Last evening my husband, granddaughter and I gathered with a group of residents to keep attention on an issue that is continually disregarded by the term-limited mayor and his hand picked City Council. It’s time to take our city back, Rochester Hills.

We are a community that has invested, worked and built a life in a 75 percent residential community. We cannot have this community be put in jeopardy by an individual who discounts our voters rights and disdains our city charter, but more important, puts our families’ health and well being at risk for what purpose — for greed, power and control.

I cannot believe that an educated, well informed community can buy into the illusion that all is well. I learned a long time ago to speak and fight what is right for your community. Ask yourself this question: Why would anyone spend hundreds of thousands dollars to keep a term-limited position? Why would someone continually lie to the public and disrespect residents? At what cost?

I, for one, for the health and well being of my family and community will continue to fight this gross injustice to our rights as citizens. I believe in my heart and soul “the best is yet to come” with Ravi Yalamanchi, a man of high integrity that always stood for residents and community.

This country was founded on the premise of letting our voices be heard against injustice. Now is our time. Vote Ravi Yalamanchi for our future.

— Linda Davis-Kirksey, Rochester Hills

Mayor Led City Through Tough Times

As a resident and business owner in the city of Rochester Hills, I would like take this time to share my strong support for Mayor Bryan Barnett in the upcoming election.

I am confident Mayor Barnett will continue to lead our city in the right direction and use his considerable experience, knowledge, and expertise for the betterment of both residents and business owners.

Mayor Barnett clearly understands the importance of having a strong business community and the intrinsic value that comes with jobs and opportunity.

Under his leadership, the city weathered the economic downturn and business is booming in Rochester Hills. I take it as a very good sign to see our retail establishments growing, renovating, and preparing for what appears to be an even better year in 2016.

The mayor is asking us to keep a good thing going and I am supporting him 100 percent . Join me in showing we support his positive leadership by writing in Mayor Barnett on Nov. 3.

— Brandon Shaya, Rochester Hills