Uncontested races for local commission seats

By Lisa Brody

At the candidate filing deadline for the November election at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, for Birmingham City Commission and Bloomfield Hills City Commission candidates, each race will be uncontested, with four candidates filing for four open seats on the Birmingham City Commission, and five candidates filing for five open seats on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission.

For the Baldwin Public Library board, four candidates filed for three open seats.

In Birmingham, incumbent commissioners Clinton Baller, Brad Host and Therese Longe filed to run for second four-year term, and Anthony Long filed to run for a first four-year term. Incumbent commissioner Pierre Boutros, who is completing his second term in office, did not file to run again.

Birmingham city commissioners serve four-year terms. Commissioners meet twice each month, on the second and fourth Monday nights at 7:30 at city hall. Commissioners are paid $5 per meeting.

As there are four candidates for four open seats, all four candidates will be elected to the positions.

In Bloomfield Hills, current city commissioners, Bradly J. Baxter, Alice I. Buckley, Lauren G. Fisher and Susan McCarthy have refiled to continue serving on the commission, with newcomer David W. Fisher filing to serve on the commission. Longtime commissioner Sarah McClure did not file to continue on the city commission.

There are five open seats on the Bloomfield Hills city commission. Bloomfield Hills city commissioners serve two-year terms. They meet once each month, on the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at city hall. Commissioners are paid $5 per meeting.

For the Baldwin Library Board, current board president Jennifer Wheeler and trustee Karen Gilbert Rock have filed for another four-year term, as have Wendy Friedman and Curtis Trimble. There are three open seats. The library board is comprised of six elected members who serve a four-year term.

Candidates have until Friday, July 28, at 4 p.m. to withdraw, or their names will be on the November 7 ballot.