Dear Crabby, Do I Need to Go to the Polls?

Dear Crabby, Since 2017 is an Off-Year Election, Do I Need to Go to the Polls on Tuesday?

Sincerely, Justin Case

Hello Justin,

Well, there sure isn’t a lot going on at the polls on Election Day this year for our readership area. No new tax proposals – that’s a relief since we tend to say to “yes” to taxing ourselves to death whenever we can. No school board elections. No proposals of any kind. And of course, no state or federal elections … I think we need a break from all of that since last year.

However, we do have city council elections in Rochester and Rochester Hills, as well as a Library Board election. So, if you’re like me, you need to go vote in EVERY election so you can complain afterwards.

The candidates for library board, Mary Jean Lawson and Chuck Stouffer, are an easy pick – both – where you vote for not more than two. So, they’ve already won. They have both been on the board since 1999 and will continue to serve for the next six years.

Then, for the City of Rochester, there are six candidates running for four open seats. Two are incumbents and four are newcomers. Ann Peterson (councilmember since 2015) and Stuart Bikson (councilmember since 1999) hope to retain their seats on city council. Dean Bevacqua, Nancy Salvia, Tammy Byers, and Lynn Campo would like a chance on council. The top three vote getters will receive 4-year terms and the fourth highest vote getter will receive a 2-year term. So, if you’re a Rochester resident, you’ve got a few choices. I always like to vote for any old people running – they may just see things my way. But you can’t always tell who those are. Here’s a thought, four of the six candidates come to a forum held by the League of Women Voters – maybe pick the ones who made an effort to show up (Ann, Dean, Nancy and Stuart).

Video of the Candidate Forum for Rochester

Now, when you get to the City of Rochester Hills, it’s a little easier. District 1 and 2 only have one candidate each running. So, just like the library board folks, they’re already in. But District 4 and the At-Large position have a real race going on (as real as a city council election can get). In District 4, there are two guys looking to grab that seat – I suggest you vote for Ryan. And for the At-Large seat, I suggest you vote the person who used to serve in the Navy.

Video of the Candidate Forum for Rochester Hills from October 5, 2017

So, if you like to complain and crab about those in office and how they do things, then get to the polls on Tuesday, November 7, and express your freedom and liberty. It’s always fun to find one of the candidates at the polls asking for your vote. I like to chat up a storm and chew the fat with them before I go in to vote – really take up some time to make them think they’ve earned your vote. Then, on the way out I yell out to them: “I voted for the other guy, sorry.”

Sincerely, Dear Crabby