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Page 30 2016 Voter Guide League of Women Voters COUNTY EXECUTIVE The County Executive prepares an annual budget for approval by the Board of Commissioners and keeps them informed on the county financial conditions. The Executive appoints and supervises heads of county departments and enforces county ordinances. The Executive has veto power over the Board of Commissioners, but can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of the full board. ONE 4-YEAR TERM - Vote for no more than ONE Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for County Office and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position. L. BROOKS PATTERSON, Republican P. O. Box 300542, Waterford, MI 48330-0542 L. Brooks Patterson is transforming Oakland County with his 21st Century vision and no-nonsense leadership. His mission is to make Oakland County one of the best places to live, work, play and raise a family. Oakland County has reached full employment because of Brooks’ successful business attraction strategies in the knowledge-based economy. His Emerging Sectors, Medical Main Street, and Tech 248 initiatives have attracted $3.5 billion in private investment creating and retaining 62,100 jobs. Under Brooks’ leadership, Oakland County continues to retain its coveted AAA bond rating. Investment ratings firms recognize Brooks’ six-term administration as the best among counties in the United States because of its multi-year budget - which is balanced through 2021. Brooks presides over an $826 million annual budget and a county workforce of nearly 4,300 full and part time benefit eligible employees. He also served four terms as Oakland County Prosecutor. VICKI BARNETT, Democrat 29271 Glencastle Ct., Farmington Hills, MI 48336 A lifelong resident of Oakland County, I know the many challenges we face. Since 2005, the county has lost 16% of our jobs, family income has declined, homelessness among our school children has skyrocketed and our poverty rate has soared 76%. Livingston County surpassed us as the wealthiest county in the state and our county health ranking fell to 25th out of 83 counties last year. As a former state representative, city council member and mayor, I have the experience in government to work effectively with citizens and county officials to stop our decline. As mayor of Farmington Hills, I guided the city during a period of rapidly declining state funding and revenue sharing without cutting city services or raising taxes. As a longtime financial planner and public official, I understand the fundamentals of government accounting and how to structure Oakland County’s priorities to address the problems we face. COUNTY SHERIFF Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top 3 Priority Issues that this county office should address and what actions would you, as an elected official, take regarding each of them? Brooks’ top three priorities are to provide a highly-trained work force for the knowledge-based economy; continue a balanced, multi-year budget while maintaining a AAA bond rating; and to face regional challenges in a way that protects Oakland County. Work force: Brooks’ administration has conducted three work force skills needs assessments with Oakland County companies. They’ve shared this information with colleges so they can develop curriculum to meet the requirements of the modern workplace. Budget: Though on the path to recovery, Brooks’ administration continues to look for budget innovations that save taxpayers money and provide more efficient services. Regional challenges: Patterson’s approach to regional governance, including the Regional Transit Authority and Great Lakes Water Authority, continues to be, “If it’s good for the region and good or neutral for Oakland County, I’ll support it. If it’s good for the region but bad for Oakland County, I’ll fight to protect my taxpayers.” 1) Economic Development (County has lost 16% of its jobs since 2007): expand to include agriculture/urban farming technology; invest in job training; require “claw backs” of corporate tax subsidies when promised jobs are not created; institute county purchasing guidelines to support women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned small businesses in Michigan; support RTA so workers can get to jobs and encourage redevelopment around transit hubs. 2) Poverty (County poverty rate is up 76% since 2005): Increase access to health care; improve support for Community Mental Health; invest in programs to end homelessness (average age of homeless person is 8!); expand pre-school education. 3) Infrastructure and Environment: Test drinking water in our schools and child care centers for lead; enact “fix it first” policy for roads and bridges; ban deep injection fracking around county lakes and streams; institute inspection and repair schedule for all private underground transportation pipes. The Sheriff must operate a county jail, serve and execute all civil writs and criminal process, and cooperate in the operation of a Marine Safety Program. Additional duties include providing contracted law enforcement services and supplemental police investigative support services throughout the county. ONE 4-YEAR TERM - Vote for no more than ONE Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for County Office and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top 3 Priority Issues that this county office should address and what actions would you, as an elected official, take regarding each of them? MICHAEL J. BOUCHARD, Republican 344 Fairfax, Birmingham, MI 48009 My experience includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration, 30 years in law enforcement, and eight years as a State Senator which makes me uniquely qualified to lead one of the largest police agencies in America. I was recently selected out of over 3,000 sheriffs in the country as the Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association. I received the ‘Executive of the Year’ by the Detroit Executive Association and was Syndicate Director for Leadership in for Counterterrorism International. I hold a Certified Homeland Security Professional Certification and am a FBI NEI graduate. I am humbled by the support of my fellow law enforcement professionals receiving the endorsements of the Police Officer Association of Michigan, Oakland County Chiefs of Police Association, along with the Southeast Michigan Chiefs of Police Association. It’s an honor to work with some of the best officers in the country as we protect our county. CRAIG S. COVEY, Democrat 276 W. Breckenridge St., Ferndale, MI 48220 Oakland County needs new fresh engaged leadership in the Sheriff’s office, someone to bring progressive ideas and policies to keep our residents safe in this modern era. We should recognize the increasing diversity of our county and embrace new techniques to address emerging issues. Always a strong law and order advocate, I also believe in guarding our liberty and freedom as well as protecting our citizens. I was a City Councilman for 8 years, an Oakland County Commissioner representing Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Hazel Park, and was elected twice as Mayor of Ferndale. I’ve worked in public health and education statewide, founded and managed several charitable organizations, and won state and national awards for advocacy, human rights, and communication. As County Commissioner, I helped oversee the Sheriff’s Department, and as Councilman and Mayor, I provided oversight and leadership to the Ferndale police department for eleven years. I’m a moderate Democrat. We will focus on the heroin epidemic, deepening community relations, and creating safe communities for economic development. Our communities and families have been hurt by heroin addiction. I called for and spearheaded legislation that allows Deputies to carry and administer opioid antagonists that reverse the effects of overdoses. We have saved 25 lives since the start of our program. Our Narcotics Team has placed an emphasis on going after heroin traffickers. Additionally, we continually launch community programs to help build trust and relationships with our citizens. Expanding these initiatives and shedding new light on law enforcement’s role in our community will be a priority. Lastly, we will focus on keeping crime down across Oakland County in order to continue to bring economic development and a high quality of life. When the economy is healthy, crime remains low and reaffirms Oakland County as a safe place to work and play. Society has failed after 45 years to win the “war on drugs” using arrests and prisons. The worst drug problem today is opioid addiction (prescription painkillers) which lead to heroin use and death. Our youth are at risk from pills obtained from doctors and pharmacies, not “South American drug lords”. Sheriff Bouchard is still fighting Nixon’s 1970 war on marijuana, arresting grandmothers baking pot brownies. We should decriminalize marijuana, allow medical use of same, and fight against hard drugs using education, prevention, and treatment. A new Oakland County sheriff should demonstrate leadership statewide in promoting law enforcement careers among women and diverse ethnic groups so our police look like the communities they protect. This will help them do their job better and lead to a safer county. I would also start a task force to provide leadership and protect the elderly and others from identify fraud.
League of Women Voters 2016 Voter Guide Page 31 PROSECUTING ATTORNEY The Primary duty of the Prosecuting Attorney is to insure that the state’s criminal laws are faithfully executed and enforced in Oakland County. The County Prosecuting Attorney represents the people of the state of Michigan in issuing criminal warrants and in subsequent court proceedings. ONE 4-YEAR TERM - Vote for no more than ONE Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for County Office and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top 3 Priority Issues that this county office should address and what actions would you, as an elected official, take regarding each of them? MIKE GOETZ, Republican 3079 S. Baldwin Rd., Suite 122, Lake Orion, MI 48359 I want to be your Oakland County Prosecutor because I want to make Oakland County safe. Career politicians cannot protect our families. My wife, son and I live in Orion Township where I am a part-time Firefighter/ EMT. I graduated from Brother Rice High School, Michigan State University and The Detroit College of Law. I am a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Knights of Columbus. Before becoming a senior assistant Attorney General, I was a major crimes prosecutor with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and worked on the Oakland County Violent Gang Task Force. I have personally tried hundreds of Jury trials. The current prosecutor has never tried a jury trial as a prosecutor. Inadequate training and the loss of senior personnel must stop. Please visit www.VoteMikeGoetz.com for more information. My priority is your safety! JESSICA R. COOPER, Democrat 31115 Stafford St., Beverly Hills, MI 48025 • Elected Oakland County Prosecutor 2008- reelected 2012. – First woman to hold that office • 28 years: Judge, District and Circuit Courts, Michigan Court of Appeals • Founding Member National Association of Women Judges • Adjunct Professor of Law : University of Michigan, Michigan State University , Emory University • Certified Trainer National Institute for Trial Advocacy, ICLE, National College of Advocacy • Founding Member/First President American Constitutional Society Michigan Chapter • Master, American Inns of Court • Life fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation • Wayne State University Law School “Treasure of Detroit” Alumni Award • Recognized:” Best of Best” power lawyers, Crain’s Detroit Business News • Champion of Justice Award, Michigan Association of Justice • Prosecutor’s Foundation for Kids, Founder and President • “One Tough Cookie Award” Girl Scouts of Southwestern Michigan • Honoree: Esteemed women of Michigan • Recognized: Most aggressive prosecutor of cold homicides in the state,” Free Press • 97% felony conviction rate; 99% appellate affirmance rate. STEVE AFTON, Libertarian 788 Bolinger St., Rochester Hills, MI 48307 I’ve been a licensed attorney since 2001. I previously worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office in the drug / prostitution asset forfeiture department, and also as a criminal defense attorney. I saw first-hand the damage caused to the community by cruel and unfair laws criminalizing and punishing non-violent drug, gambling, and prostitution activity, or other victimless vices, the same as if they were violent crimes like rape, murder, or burglary. Philosophically I’m a “live and let live” libertarian in the vein of Jefferson, Thoreau, and slavery abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. I’m running for County Prosecutor because I agree that “civilization is the triumph of persuasion over force,” and it’s time for government, police and prosecutors at all levels to stop using force to cage and punish human beings for their vices, and instead get back to prosecuting true “crimes” involving victims of violence and aggression. Trained Assistant Prosecutors. I will incorporate free trainings through the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and National College of District Attorneys, in-house classes for all assistant prosecutors, and re-enforce professional communications when dealing with victims, courts and attorneys. Vacancies will be filled with experienced attorneys, and I will lead by example by personally continuing to try cases on behalf of victims. Court Supported Programs. Our prosecutors shall use the Canine Advocacy Program to support children and other victims. The office will participate in Veterans, Sobriety and Treatment courts for non-violent offenders. Addiction is deadly. The current administration does not participate in these programs. Communication. Electronic transmittal of documents will reduce waste in time and resources. Police departments, defense attorneys, and others will receive input from the office relative to new laws. 1. Safety of the Community. a) Maintaining an attitude of aggressive prosecution crimes, especially those involving violence to children and seniors; b) Preventing crime by educating the public, especially children and seniors, about abuse, drug and alcohol use, criminal sexual predators, fraud and the available support and law enforcement assistance available. c) Maintaining positive working partnerships with law enforcement. 2. Ethics, Skill, Professionalism and Fairness a) Maintaining existing office with focus on law enforcement not politics; b) Emphasizing ethics, justice and fairness in all case dispositions c) Emphasizing excellence in the courtroom and appellate court by conducting intense, low-cost, in-house attorney training and education seminars and workshops. 3. Economic and Effective Resource Usage a) Constant preparation, review and adherence to $19,000,000 three year budget; b) Cutting expenses without cutting personnel to maintain productivity and safety; c) Reallocation of personnel throughout office to meet judicial calendars and docket control. STOP PROSECUTING VICTIMLESS “CRIMES”: The U.S. has only 5% of the world’s population but is the world’s leading jailer with 25% of the world’s prisoners—more even than Syria, Iran, or North Korea. Most U.S. incarcerations are from the “war on drugs.” As Prosecutor, I won’t prosecute victimless crimes not involving violence or aggression against persons or property. JURY NULLIFICATION: Jurors are the final barrier to unfair laws, prosecutors, and judges. As Prosecutor, I will never oppose an attempt by a defendant or lawyer to inform jurors they have the right to refuse to convict if a criminal law seems unfair--even if the judge instructs otherwise. END CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE: Asset forfeiture laws for drug and other victimless crimes simply transfer money and property to the police and government. As Prosecutor, I will never seize or forfeit property or money related to a victimless crime.
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