New from the Patch Mailbag: Rochester Hills Mayoral Race

(The following letters to the editor reflect the opinions of the authors, and do not represent an editorial position by Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch. They have not been edited for content.)

Time for New Leadership

Over the last year I have been attending city council meetings to learn about the oil/gas drilling in Rochester Hills after a public relations person from the oil company knocked on our door.

While respectfully asking legitimate questions to Mayor Bryan Barnett and the City Council, I have never been so rudely spoken to and seen such unprofessional behavior. If any of the residents talked to their customers at their jobs that way, we would be fired. The negative ads and robocalls that are coming from the Barnett camp scream of desperation and unprofessionalism.

I cannot support the mayor or any City Council member twho voted for oil/gas drilling. It should have been put to a vote of the residents, “We the People,” not “me the Barnett Agenda.”

Instead of writing letters to Madonna, perhaps listening to residents is a better use of time.

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Let’s be honest, Mayor Barnett is only running for a third time to buy time before a run for higher office at the state and/or national level after 15 years of serving Rochester Hills, and will sell the city and residents out on his way there. This is not representative government.

It’s time for new leadership in Rochester Hills and I believe Ravi Yalamanchi has the vision and skill set to bring the city together on a new professional level.

— Jay Arnold, Rochester Hills

Keep a Good Thing Going

I have been a resident since 1984 when we were still Avon Township.

This is the best place to live. Mayor Bryan Barnett has been proactive about keeping our city safe, property values stable and tax base low. We have great schools, parks and bike/walking trails.

It only makes sense to keep things going. He knows and loves our city. He has contacts and good relationships with the adjoining cities and especially with Oakland County.

Both Rochester Hills and Oakland County have AAA bond ratings. That doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work, fiscal responsibility and a determination to make hard, but correct choices.

Bryan Barnett fulfills the Leader’s Imperative: Ethics, Integrity, and Responsibility. Let’s keep a good thing going.

— Michelle Carpenter, Rochester Hills

Turn Out ‘Good Old Boy System’

As Nov. 3 approaches and the all-important election for mayor of Rochester Hills nears, I reflect on the campaign and see the contrasts between the candidates.

One side continues to try to trick the public by using false negative tactics of providing disinformation and tries to justify not following the intent of the city charter that calls for only two elected terms.

In contrast, Ravi Yalamanchi, who respects the city charter, maintains a positive campaign of integrity and honesty. I know Ravi. I know his background both professionally and personality. I know his work ethic, and he always listens to input from the residents of Rochester Hills.

Having observed him during his eight years on City Council, I have seen how he takes the budget process very seriously, and how he supported the needs of the city while not wasting our resources.

Ravi’s campaign is based on his education, reputation and knowledge and has remained positive and open, focusing on the future and not the past. He will protect the residential character of our city that has attracted us here in the first place.

It is time to bring honesty and integrity to the mayor’s office. Elect Ravi Yalamanchi mayor on Nov. 3.

— Bill Windscheif, Rochester Hills

Barnett Championed Needed Changes

I was born and raised in the city of Rochester Hills and have been blessed to work for the city for over 27 years. During that time I have seen many changes.

On Nov. 3, residents will cast their votes for mayor for the next four years.I would like to encourage you to write in Bryan Barnett for mayor.

Bryan has been the mayor for the last nine years. Under his leadership, the city has experienced unprecedented successes:

• AAA bond rating, the highest possible
• Lowest tax rates for similar communities
• Safest city in the State of Michigan
• High technology companies that added 5000 new jobs in our city
• Historically low unemployment rates
• No. 1 recycling community
• Outstanding roads and parks
• One of the fastest rising property values
• Top 10 best places to live in the nation by Money Magazine.

I have worked for many mayors over the years and can honestly say none has cared more about our community and the people who live here than Bryan Barnett. He is a smart business man with integrity and iron clad moral values. He is a family man and the most approachable guy you’ll ever meet.

I am proud to say I’m from Rochester Hills and a graduate from Rochester Adams High School. Please consider casting your vote for Bryan Barnett by writing him in and filling in the circle next to it.

— Karen Somerville, Rochester Hills

The Best is Yet To Come

I have lived in Rochester Hills my entire life: all 23 years, 2 months, and 16 days. I remember as a child driving south down Adams Road every morning to get to school. Many times the sky was still dark but one could make out rays of light from the rising sun offering the first of many beautiful views of the day. The dew from dawn set heavy on the trees and grass and, the landscape was so tremendous it reached farther than the eye could see.

As a Rochester Hills resident who is also a young voter, local politics was not my first avenue for fun or interest on a Sunday afternoon.

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However, it was the egotistical behavior and selfish actions taken by Mayor Bryan Barnett and the Rochester Hills City Council that pressed me to become involved in order to find and support a candidate who is interested in the constituents of Rochester Hills and not the greed of a few dirty men.

It begins with the oil drilling leases signed by the Council and mayor in 2013 without the ballot proposal or voting approval of the 70,000 citizens within our great city. The lease gives Jordan Oil the invitation to rape our parks and cemeteries on the surface and poisons our water below, merely for corporate greed and profit.

There is no place for large, greedy corporations oiling Barnett and the council to sign unnecessary and dangerous leases that only serve those in power rather than those who are the voters and laborer — the people that made this city great and intend to keep it that way.

Dismayed, I did my research and discovered a candidate who is honorable, humble and intelligent — three qualities I find to be of utmost importance when leading a great city of Rochester Hills into the future. This candidate is without a doubt Ravi Yalamanchi, because he embodies all the traits I find to be most important when leading a good city back to greatness.

Concrete evidence proves Mayor Barnett and our Rochester Hills City Council lied to us and ignored the worries, suggestions and disputes from the constituents about every kind of oil drilling. Instead of presenting a ballot or heading with commonsense, the mayor’s office time and again has chosen ignorance and greed (for a few) over the group thought and transparency for the many (the very basis of our democratic republic).

Let’s get back to our roots. Vote for Ravi Yalamanchi Nov.3.

— William Chundrlik, Rochester Hills