Troy Eccentric: Activist Protests Appointment of GOP Member to Commission

Bob Gosselin must have a desire to be a comedian, calling me a bully. I guess I'll just have to consider the source.

Activist protests appointment of GOP member to commission

By Steve Kowalski • ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER • September 11, 2008

Democratic activist Bruce Fealk showed up at the Sept. 4 public meeting of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to protest the appointment of Republican Glenn Clark to replace Democrat George W. Suarez in District 24.

Suarez died of cancer Aug. 12, and nine days later, the county commission voted along party lines, 13-11, to appoint Clark until the end of the two-year term, Dec. 31.

Clark is a Troy resident, party delegate and 9th Congressional District GOP chairman. Republican Robert Gosselin, the District 13 commissioner from Troy, nominated Clark.

"I come before (the commission) to express my outrage at the appointment of a Republican, Glenn Clark, to replace the recently deceased George Suarez," Fealk read in a statement. "Glenn Clark represents the far right wing of the Republican party."

Fealk, a Rochester Hills resident, described Clark as "a political bully" and said "Bob Gosselin and the rest of the Republicans on this commission should be ashamed of themselves for committing such an open act of partisan politics."

Suarez, who lived in Madison Heights, had been the district representative since 1999. Democrat Gary McGillivray and Republican Daniel K. Milz, both from Madison Heights, are opponents in the November election. With a Republican temporarily filling the District 24 seat, the GOP has a 14-11 edge on the board.

Gosselin called Fealk a "partisan bully."

"Fealk is just a Democrat activist that carries things way over the top," Gosselin said. "He's very offensive, writes bizarre editorials, is looking to pick a fight. It's sad to say that we have bullies in society like that."

Fealk won the Progressive Activist of the Year award earlier this year, given by Blogging for Michigan, and he has been known to confront District 9 Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield), who is running for re-election against Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township).

Gosselin introduced Clark to the Troy City Council at Monday's public meeting.

"He's a liberal Democrat, I'm a conservative Republican," Clark said, when asked about Fealk's protest. "If he doesn't care for me, that's his right. America is a great place and the First Amendment right is a great concept."

skowalsk@hometownlife.com|(248) 901-2571

It's good to see that Oakland County Commissioner and a previous winner of our Worst Oakland County Commisser, Bob Gosselin, will have a Democratic challenger.

Gosselin to face opponent in county commission race
By Steve Kowalski
ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Robert Gosselin, the Republican Oakland County Commissioner for District 13 with a conservative record on social and fiscal issues, will be challenged in the primary by a first-time candidate who describes himself as a moderate.

Frank Johnston of Rochester Hills has filed for Gosselin's seat in the Aug. 5 primary. John E. Levin of Bloomfield Hills is the lone Democrat to file.

Deadline to file is 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 13.

Johnston, 28, said he comes from a political family. His father, Philip Weber, was a councilman in Romeo.

The candidate, who ran for a precinct delegate's seat and lost in 2006, said he is pro choice.

"For every question there is not one answer. There are a lot of people out there and not one answer fits everybody," he said. "We need newer thinkers, forward thinkers. By the time I'm 50, our actions now are going to affect children still being born."

Oakland County Commissioners Meeting 3/20

To be honest, today was pretty boring. It seems like all the real interesting stuff must occur in the committee meetings.

Just a couple little tidbits. First, there was a resolution to support the AARP's Divided We Fail effort. You've probably seen the commercials on TV, with the little kids saying they won't vote for candidates that don't have plans to solve the health care crisis in America or the financial security problem. Well, the resolution passed 22-1. The only commissioner voting against the resolution, Bob Gosselin from Troy. I don't know what his deal is, but I don't pretend to understand the lizard brain of Republicans.

The Divided We Fail Movement asks people to:

• Vote for candidates who will ensure tha tall Americans have access to affordable, quality health care.
• Vote for candidates who will ensure all Americans have peace of mind about their lifetime financial security.
• Vote for candidates who are specific about what they'll do and how, and who stop speaking in generalities.
  

Bob Gosselin (R-Troy) Today's Worst Oakland County Commissioner in the World

Also today there was a plan to increase fees charged by the Oakland County Health Department. There was a bipartisan agreement that had been worked out but when it came up for a vote of the full commission it didn't pass. Eileen Kowall was overheard saying in committee during recess of the full commission, that her husband would be upset if she voted for increasing fees, so she couldn't vote for the plan.

Eccentric: County commissioners plan re-election bids

County commissioners plan re-election bids
By Annette Kingsbury STAFF WRITER

Though the filing deadline is still a couple of months away, the four incumbent Oakland County commissioners who represent greater Rochester have all announced they are running for re-election. One of them is facing a challenge from within his own party.
Sue Ann Douglas, R-Rochester, who represents District 12, Michael Gingell, R-Orion Township, District 3, Tim Greimel, D-Rochester Hills, District 11, and Bob Gosselin, R-Troy, District 13, are all seeking re-election. Republican Frank Johnston of Rochester Hills has filed paperwork indicating he will run for Gosselin's seat. He could not be reached for comment.

Gingell, Greimel and Gosselin are all in their first term on the board of commissioners. Douglas is the current commission's longest-serving member.
All four incumbents said the county is facing tough financial challenges due to Michigan's difficult economy. But they all want to stick around to help solve the problem.
"I've been part of the team that has changed Oakland County government and I plan to be there to finish the job," Douglas said. "We have made Oakland the premier county in the nation by reforming the way we operate. ... I'd like to be there to help guide Oakland County through this difficult time and continue to reform Oakland County operations."
Gingell, whose district includes Oakland Township, said he will continue to work on government efficiency. Click here for the rest of the story.