[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6467112,"mediaKeyId","5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e","parentId",5810447,"title","Clawson candidates split over May special election that revisited charter expansion","audioSeconds",264,"startMs",2308000,"endMs",2572000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e&start=2308&end=2572","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e/thumbnail_2308000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467112/Clawson/Oakland-County/Michigan/Clawson-candidates-split-over-May-special-election-that-revisited-charter-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467112-bfc8fc7d925d75a2870e06d0c3e815e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843057&Signature=mZK8lUithMR8ewU8rQWZCuJqrMCGmVkEy4nsRpWciNx3ejPG3KZVFFMnpI71ZAh-~0IQIA79a5VxnD9p-e7K2~XD9tGwWdih7rdvoG~67p4vr6vprMZQX8-k3evhFEtxwu9P3ybeKbNaTU0eAK2cVrq3ykTy6SOe9lLUzQgEBV7ICPqo787aZRpHyGwjCRHEFHjAyOnMNOPW0-P8Tf9SzjrAWecMX4kqrGgwbzJkjo~AgVj3u9rDj5c7RDZK4hay2uyuiaIfdHBrwnJkQJV80CsCU2-XOTWWsxfJI4R8UBwgX33o3pu3WgK9xLRtbgm1U3zpjBLNlZ0HwoZSmiMybw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clawson","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Candidates at the League of Women Voters forum revisited a May special election that gave Clawson voters another opportunity to approve or reject a recent change to the city charter expanding the council from five to seven members.

Some candidates said the special election was an unnecessary expense and argued the charter revision had already been approved in a prior process. One candidate called the election an “enormous waste of money” and said voters had already expressed their will. Several others said the optics and cost — candidates discussed figures in the range of $20,000 to $25,000 — made the special election questionable.

By contrast, other candidates defended the decision to hold the special election as a democratic remedy for a specific change some residents found controversial. A candidate who supported rerunning the question said the election “gave voters an opportunity to share their voice” and argued the expenditure was justified to protect voters’ right to decide the issue.

Context: Candidates noted that other posts and commissions in Clawson carry larger memberships (for example, the planning commission) and some questioned why council membership should be limited to five. The forum presenters also noted the special election’s fiscal hit was relatively small in the context of larger budget items but said the principle of re-litigating a recently adopted charter raised procedural questions.

Ending: The special election and its cost remain a point of division among local candidates: some viewed it as a wasteful revisit of a finished process, while others said it was a legitimate democratic correction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 17, 2025 League of Women Voters Candidate Forum","oneSentenceSummary","Candidates at the Sept. 17 forum differed on the May special election that revisited a change to the city charter expanding council seats from five to seven; some called the special election a waste of roughly $20,000–$25,000 while others said it was a democratic check worth the cost.","taxTitle","Clawson, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",70836,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467117,"Renshaw Apartments and senior services emerge as a key issue in Clawson forum",511,2669000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e&start=2669&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e/thumbnail_2669000.jpg","/articles/6467117/Clawson/Oakland-County/Michigan/Renshaw-Apartments-and-senior-services-emerge-as-a-key-issue-in-Clawson-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467117-4dce8b62375f1dcdc825e75b927b3ab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843057&Signature=DVIWSiUZRZbH~jYDywjwl~aRKTBBnTJ52gMRxU7qYUgnK1Y-b3cMtsDB2wujvf5eekdGhybPm72LRQpWR0Y~5EdmwAzu6Jj0X-ZlqjISzTrioUs2faj9dCt~2mEiea3MUfPQhcAfoaxPWqFrcH0ZGdjbrdIbMfFUqZiaphSLY-h~OKhCzQDj2q0Ty98lBqRWn1l6qQjONvBDGMHCPpf8GknibeM6ttBIxPZlxC3juJZdivMkEtPvDpvCbULjmn~ROsXDr-~8yHGbAg4wmUhHHakFMe0iVRejGvXTeZdiVVO31RqJC8ufBjF00qCgncY32g-mZ6oZIuhckimQRe1pkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates at the Sept. 17 League of Women Voters forum described senior services as an important local priority and offered differing views on the future of the city-owned Renshaw Apartments.

Multiple candidates said Clawson has a strong set of senior programs led by city staff (candidates named Scott Jenix and Lisa Ball in praise), including discounted lunches, outings and social activities. Several candidates said the senior center has improved and noted residents’ appreciation for programming.

On Renshaw — a city-owned apartment property that candidates said currently provides subsidized rent to a small number of residents — there was broad agreement that any decision about a sale should include a plan for current occupants. One candidate said the building currently houses about 15 residents who receive subsidized rent; another candidate said proceeds from any sale should be reinvested into senior programs for the wider community.

Several candidates opposed placing a sale on the ballot without a plan to protect tenants. A candidate who served on council when the question first arose said they would not vote to put Renshaw on the ballot “until we have a plan in place for what we’re going to do for those 15 human lives.” Other candidates said the ultimate decision should rest with voters but urged the council to develop and publish a relocation and assistance plan before any referendum.

Why it matters: Renshaw implicates housing, senior services and municipal asset management. Candidates said planning, transparent budgeting and clear protections for existing residents are prerequisites to any sale or disposition.

Ending: Forum participants largely agreed both that Clawson is active on senior services and that disposition of Renshaw — if pursued — should be preceded by explicit plans for current residents and a clear statement of how proceeds would be used.","Candidates debated whether to keep or sell the city-owned Renshaw Apartments, repeatedly saying any ballot question should be paired with a clear plan for current residents; candidates also praised senior programs and urged planning before decisions affecting residents are made.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467122,"Candidates call for Robert’s Rules training, debate balance between free speech and decorum",442,1224000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e&start=1224&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e/thumbnail_1224000.jpg","/articles/6467122/Clawson/Oakland-County/Michigan/Candidates-call-for-Roberts-Rules-training-debate-balance-between-free-speech-and-decorum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467122-64d1bbccf0e93aa00dbe010ca556598a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843057&Signature=D26ya7EMsoRp9g6of6Wec2nJulW~LZTuXZQ5s46g62Qh7hooM5XkIG45ntaIr71ekjiEipStPDQuLPP11sXD1rDgrDiM21MtKs~pWcFLiuXS5tgVIB92ZOWJ5tpR2udSUiXbq7fCqQJQxsdNKTrUmRHNLJiAf-4QWrJarHL50pkGJoutArbucOU-S-uRjmEEenK7MhipekzXxKP4XjU6qAuZi23MrKrr2fusu7wUZ3Qr~OefHfKjT75j009uYP6ZGY7glEDkwTDFNF6hZODQYzxYBMai1qqOzelMCAl8Sq-C285C2-3u-g7HojgxmAJo-9RnAxhTbdqLbzFMtpf7OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates at the Sept. 17 forum endorsed training on Robert’s Rules of Order for new and returning council members and debated how to balance protection of free speech with maintaining decorum.

Scott Manning, a candidate and pastor, said training should be part of a newly elected council’s onboarding: “One of the pieces after election should be a training on Robert’s Rules of Order,” he said, adding that respectful two-way communication is essential. Multiple candidates echoed that view and named the Michigan Municipal League (MML) training as a useful resource.

Mayoral candidate Paula Milan said the mayor sets the tone for civil dialogue and urged creating “the proper environment” for residents to speak. Milan used a metaphor drawn from popular culture, saying that when people yell it can reflect strong civic engagement, and emphasized that respect “goes two ways.”

Other candidates argued training should be supplemented by an available parliamentarian (the city attorney) to call meetings back to order when needed. A number of participants said they supported formal MML training; in the second session several candidates said they had taken or would take MML courses.

Why it matters: Candidates tied decorum to the council’s ability to deliberate effectively on the city’s business. Several said better shared understanding of meeting procedures would reduce interruptions of public comment and help protect residents’ opportunity to criticize elected officials.

Ending: While free speech was uniformly defended in principle, candidates differed on whether Robert’s Rules should be applied strictly or adapted as a “living” guideline to meet the needs of the community; most supported mandatory or strongly encouraged training for newly elected members.","At the Sept. 17 League of Women Voters forum, Clawson mayoral and council candidates generally endorsed training on Robert’s Rules of Order, highlighted the mayor’s role in setting tone, and discussed protecting public comment while maintaining meeting decorum.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467127,"Clawson candidates split on how to spend $65 million bond; concrete vs. asphalt debate resurfaces",1363,850000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e&start=850&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810447-2cc727fe116e8f34a94b98c65d7aba4e/thumbnail_850000.jpg","/articles/6467127/Clawson/Oakland-County/Michigan/Clawson-candidates-split-on-how-to-spend-65-million-bond-concrete-vs-asphalt-debate-resurfaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467127-ea54a2ce4c673b02970e91b1df832314/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843057&Signature=PgV4r7q8Zmi1VT626FSYwxf9MyjeMJgA3rwxnz-0evq8pV8PpShm3MQp7XnaYKZ9Ou6n2MxcdwxETxsqABwlDdD3rg8V1dfkJhXeGWsQ1bhsx1hZYj6NrEbXCjm0n6lW5oGlQI5YKVJZYegnaa7yWcPIwFcXi11wiabiussROx787Jdpr2AHz3EBafitKhtvqVRCNKLgeEPLS4iemGE1VDtT1viDK523zM9UYZHo0aN5ngcheAeXl6ZZpMS3s5PEplxNxjf2F0nk4uQqq5H-KOMfPbtnAHaK2dSNlD6uy9GFBdj7AiC5u8~uGSnC5lY0zGnL4w73WzylhmggFqcEiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates in Clawson’s Sept. 17 League of Women Voters forum said the city must closely monitor spending of a voter-approved infrastructure bond — frequently cited at about $65,000,000 — and pursue grants and development to stretch local dollars.

The question of pavement type dominated parts of the discussion. George Georges, a candidate who has served on the city’s planning commission, argued that using asphalt on low-volume residential streets could cut costs “as much as 30 to 40%,” freeing up “approximately 15 to $20,000,000” for other work. Georges said the city’s current engineering approach emphasizes concrete and urged the council to re-evaluate materials choices.

Why it matters: The bond is the largest near-term source of capital for streets and related infrastructure in Clawson. Candidates said choices about materials, sequencing and contract oversight will determine how far the money stretches and whether backlog maintenance is addressed.

Several candidates said grants and economic development must be part of the strategy. Bruce Anderson, who identified himself as a member of the Clawson City Council, told the forum the city manager has secured federal and state awards, saying the administration has obtained “approximately $1,100,000 in federal grants, and just under a million in state grants.” Candidates called for continued, proactive grant-seeking and better grant-writing capacity.

Glenn Shepherd, a council member and former planning commission chairman, said infrastructure should be prioritized in bidding and contracting: “Make sure that when we’re getting quotes, that we look at the quotes and we understand them and we hire the best people for the job,” he said, adding that lowest price should not be the only factor.

Other candidates tied long-term fiscal strategy to development. Scott Tillman, a former council member and current planning commissioner, said expanding the tax base through planned downtown development is necessary to maintain services without overburdening homeowners.

Candidates also raised maintenance and complementary needs such as sewer, water and localized flooding mitigation when discussing how to deploy bond proceeds. Several urged transparency to help residents track where bond dollars are spent.

Ending: While all candidates named infrastructure as a top priority, their proposed approaches varied: some urged re-evaluating engineering specifications for cost savings, others emphasized careful contracting and grant pursuit, and several argued both tracks must be pursued to maximize the voter-approved bond.","Candidates at a Sept. 17 forum urged careful oversight of a voter-approved roughly $65 million infrastructure bond, argued over whether concrete or asphalt should be used on low-traffic residential streets and discussed grants and development as additional funding paths.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clawson candidates split over May special election that revisited charter expansion

Renshaw Apartments and senior services emerge as a key issue in Clawson forum

Candidates call for Robert’s Rules training, debate balance between free speech and decorum

Clawson candidates split on how to spend $65 million bond; concrete vs. asphalt debate resurfaces