New mayors in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills

Following recent local elections, new mayors were selected by their fellow commissioners in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, with Andy Harris becoming the new mayor in Birmingham, and Sarah McClure in Bloomfield Hills.

At the Birmingham city commission meeting on Monday, November 13, commissioner Rackeline Hoff nominated Harris as mayor. “I first became aware of Andy as a member of the parks and recreation board, and later as a member of the Baldwin Library board. Andy is a lifelong resident of Birmingham and a graduate of Seaholm High School,” Hoff said.

“I humbly accept the honor,” Harris said, who was elected to his first four-year term as commissioner in 2015. “Birmingham commissioners, I look forward to working with all of you.”

Fellow commissioner Patty Bordman was elected mayor pro tem.

Oakland County officially certified the Bloomfield Hills city commission election on Monday, November 13, clerk Amy Burton said, with write-in candidate Will Hosler, a member of the city’s planning board, winning the commission’s fifth seat, with 122 write-in votes, over candidate Mark Kapel, who received 51 write-in votes.

At the city commission meeting Tuesday, November 14, all five commissioners were administered the oath of office and commissioner Sarah McClure was chosen as the city’s mayor by her fellow commissioners. This will be McClure’s second time as Bloomfield Hills Mayor. Commissioner Susan McCarthy became mayor pro tem.

“I think in addition to a terrific staff, we have a great commission,” McClure said. “Hosler will be a great addition. His law practice includes a great deal of municipal and real estate work, and his experience on the planning board are great skills to bring to the commission.”

McClure said the commission will begin setting goals for 2018 at their next meeting, with an emphasis on continuing to tackle the city’s roads.