Candidate Profile: William Barnes, Royal Oak Commissioner

ROYAL OAK, MI — There are three open seats for Royal Oak Commissioner 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.

William Barnes is running for Royal Oak Commissioner. Here's how he filled out his profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

71

Position Sought

Royal Oak Commissioner

Party Affiliation

Nonpartisan Position

Family

Single, no dependents

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS Social Sciences (Michigan State, East Lansing, MI); MA Global Management (Thunderbird, Phoenix, AZ); MA Systematic Theology (SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, MI)

Occupation

Former PBS Television Broadcast Journalist, Producer and Director. Currently, Professional Narrator; Educator; Coach (Total 35 years experience)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

n/a

Campaign website

www.ElectBill2021.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I was drawn into the race to address and rectify the following three injustices. 1. Financial Woes: According to the city’s financial director, the city is $250 million in debt and operating at an annual deficit of $7 to $9 million. Bankruptcy is projected in two years. 2. Unlawful voter disenfranchisement: The city commission illegally stripped the RO Veterans of their legal ballot petition. The Circuit Court and the Court of Appeals ruled that the RO commission broke the law. 3. Violations of freedom of speech: Scrubbing winning veterans’ attorney’s comments on NextDoor.com; Scrubbing citizens’ comments on NextDoor.com with which they disagree. Therefore, I have joined a team of candidates that will uphold the U.S. Constitution, the City Charter, and act with fiscal integrity.

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

The single most pressing issue is that our very way of life is being more seriously threatened than ever before in the 100-year history of our city because the current city council has been redrafting the document that guides future development (Master Plan) to remove the protection of single-family zoning and invite multi-family dwellings.

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

I expect true leadership on the City Commission.
I don’t see the incumbents as independent-minded, critical thinkers who value their neighbors’ well-being and rights.

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

The current commission misleads the public and refuses to put up important issues for a vote. They are not receptive to resident input.

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

The local officials simply followed the governor’s directive for coronavirus. I would have challenged the state’s overreach into local governance.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Other issues include: Road improvements are not completed on schedule. Flood and storm drain management is inadequate. Use of parks is limited by standing water. Infrastructure has been neglected. Specifically, purity of drinking water is below state standards.

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

What an office of public trust needs is honesty, without individual self-absorption, and the determination to do what is right for the common good, soliciting and addressing residents’ concerns to provide the social conditions whereby the people can find fulfillment more easily and more fully. As a former PBS television director-producer-writer-editor, I have been focused on community concerns, achievement, creativity, problem-solving, directing resources where they can do the most good and promoting cooperation between factions. I consider what is best for human development. As a tennis coach, I led teams to high accomplishment, developed character, good sportsmanship, and an attitude of striving for excellence. As a high school teacher of 20 years, I guided the development of young men in the crucial areas of Ethics and Morality whereby they could become good citizens of our democratic republic.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Be sure you are right, then go ahead.” Davy Crockett.

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

The best leaders bring about the best in their people. The current commission created problems by going off in their own direction. Surprisingly, the solutions to many of our current commissions’ problems are already known by the community - but the citizens are not heard. The community contains in the genius of the people innovative solutions to many of the problems we are facing. And, I believe in mining that vein of gold. For the talent is in our community. The present commission is operating as a tyranny with tax payers’ money. They avoid bringing issues to voters. Our representative government in Royal Oak has failed. The cry of our forefather’s is applicable today, “No taxation without representation.” Refer to the front page story in the Detroit News (Saturday, October 16th) for a general summary of issues with Royal Oak races.