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In this edition:

1) Chamber plans candidates forum
2) McDaniel statement
3) Plotnik statement
4) Grzech statement
5) To slate or not to slate
6) Y takes High Road
7) On your mark
8) Get set
9) And they're off!
10) Buzz position
11) In your face!
12) 'Not Ready for Prime Time'
13) Bond business
14) Lanzetta support thin
15) Vote! Or else!
16) Comment: Farmers' Market off to great start

Campaign briefs: Sept. 11, 2003

1) Chamber plans candidates forum

The Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Birmingham City Commission Candidates forum at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Townsend Hotel.Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard will moderate. The forum will be taped for replay on public access TV. Visit http://www.birminghamareacableboard.org for a list of dates and times.

The Philip R. Seaver Title Co. will providing one complimentary drink to all participants; a cash bar will be open after that. There is no charge for the event. Seating, however, will be limited and is for chamber members.

2) McDaniel statement

The following statement from Candidate Tom McDaniel is taken from a letter announcing his Aug. 23 fundraiser:

"I have been a Birmingham resident for 33 years and have lived in the immediate area for 49 years. I am married and have five children, four of whom graduated from Birmingham public schools. I retired from General Motors in 1995 after a 29-year career.

"As you know, Birmingham is a special place. It has beautiful neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown and a strong tax base that funds public schools and municipal services that are second to none. Birmingham is also fortunate to have a professional and dedicated administration that contributes greatly to making our city an enjoyable place to live, work or visit. It is, in every respect, a city that works.

"It is also a city that needs continuous residential, commercial and infrastructure investment, as well as successful businesses, to maintain what we have all come to enjoy. Until recently, the majority of those who have served on the City Commission and appointed boards seemed to understand this reality and governed wisely. Unfortunately, that is now changing, and what has made Birmingham so successful is under serious threat.

"We need to preserve the charm and character of our city, but we also need to let our neighborhoods and downtown evolve sensibly. We have a 2016 Plan that is an excellent roadmap for downtown development. We have sufficient controls on house size and lot coverage to to allow our neighborhoods to retain their character. Why then do we have a group of commissioners and appointed board members for whom this is not enough? Why do they treat investors with such disdain and disrespect? Why do they jeopardize Birmingham's financial stability and outstanding bond ratings through micromanagement and wasteful spending? These and many other concerns have motivated me to get in the election fight."

3) Plotnik statement

The following statement from candidate Julie Plotnik is taken from a handout distributed among Birmingham voters:

"Birmingham is a wonderful community, and it takes all of us working together to keep it that way.

"That means we must work to preserve the character of our neighborhoods at the same time as we enact policites that keep our downtown thriving.

"Our neighborhoods and businesses are complementary communities, two parts of the same whole. It is essential to have thriving downtown businesses to help pay for our schools, police and other city services.

"We hope you will support our campaign as we seek to encourage progress in our communities, while preserving our neighborhoods -- without eroding our tax base.

"As your City Commissioner, I will only support policies that benefit ALL of Birmingham. Together, we can keep Birmingham moving forward."


4) Grzech statement

The following statement from candidate Denise Grzech is taken from her website, http://www.electdenise.com.

"I am running because I have the time, energy, dedication, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to handle this responsibility. I enjoy living in a community with such vitality, and I would like to assist in helping others to achieve the future vision of this city. There are many individuals throughout the community that are experts in their fields and volunteer their services. By listening to each other, respecting all opinions, keeping an open mind, and working together, I believe that we can continue to strive for excellence, improving the quality of life for all residents through intelligent change.

"I am looking forward to talking with everyone personally regarding his or her ideas about the future of our city. I am committed to the citizens of Birmingham."


Campaign briefs: Sept. 9, 2003

5) To slate or not to slate

All indications are that Lanzetta, Chafetz and Grzetch are running as a slate, but at least one of the three denies it. Chafetz declared himself "independent" on Sunday during a brief chat at the Farmers Market. "We're all running independently," he told the Buzz. Later that day, of course, he showed up at the same block party where Lanzetta and Grzetch campaigned earlier. All three, and no other candidates, were invited to a so-called "candidates forum" arranged by Tom Elliott (you remember ... the bird-watching photographer) scheduled for this evening at the YMCA. (More on that below.) So we'll leave it up to savvy observers to decide if the group represents a slate. We suppose we'll know for sure if Chafetz and Grzech add their names to our Dump Dante list...


6) Y takes High Road

Organizers of a planned "candidates forum" at the YMCA this evening were given an ultimatum by the Y after it was discovered that the forum included only Lanzetta, Chafetz and Grzech. Invite all the candidates -- including Dixon, McKeon, McDaniel, Moore and Plotnik -- or move the meeting elsewhere, YMCA Executive Director Parrish Underwood told organizer Tom Elliott. "We're a community organization and a non-profit; we have to be inclusive," Underwood told the Buzz. Elliott, who planned to rent the space, told Underwood he'd move the event into St. James Park, which is adjacent to the Y.

Campaign briefs: Sept. 8, 2003

7) On your mark

Filing deadline for candidates for the Birmingham City Commission is Sept. 16.


8) Get set

Candidates for City Commission, as of this date, include (in alphabetical order): Seth Chafetz, Russell Dixon, Denise Grzetch, Dante Lanzetta, Tom McDaniel, Dianne McKeon, Scott Moore and Julie Plotnik.


9) And they're off!

Candidates have been out and about getting face time with voters. Tom McDaniel was seen knocking on doors Saturday, and he was joined at Sunday's Farmers Market by Dianne McKeon, Seth Chafetz and, of course, market organizer Julie Plotnik. Naysayer Lanzetta, who led the opposition to the market, was a no-show, as were Lanzetta lackeys Gordon Thornsby and Don Carney.


10) Buzz position

The Buzz will announce endorsements closer to the election. But you can guess who won't get our support: Lanzetta tops our hit list, with Chafetz coming in second. But more on that later.


11) In your face!

Lanzetta and Grzetch showed up at the Villas of Birmingham block party Sunday afternoon, unofficially invited by resident and HDDRC member Marcia Rowbottom, but hardly welcomed by the likes of Buzz editor Chris Longe and others. Seems Longe felt politics had no place at a social occasion, and seems neighbor and candidate Russ Dixon, who attended but refrained from campaigning, agreed. As if the Lanzetta/Grzetch appearance wasn't enough, soon after their departure, Rowbottom reappeared with Chafetz. That was more than Longe could take, so he angrily confronted Rowbottom like Sparky Anderson charging an ump. Rowbottom will be hearing (officially) from the neighborhood association's board.


12) 'Not Ready for Prime Time'

We borrow the phrase from the lexicon of our nemesis Lanzetta to describe his running mate Grzech and her new website. Check it out at http://www.electdenise.com. Why anyone would hitch her wagon to the runaway train led by Lanzetta is beyond us. Chalk it up to the same inexperience that makes her Not Ready for Prime Time.


13) Bond business

Speaking of the runaway train, it took aim recently at the Birmingham School Board and its campaign for a $135 million bond issue. Apparently, the train was none-too-pleased with publicized calls for him to step aside by Buzz editor and school board member Shelli Weisberg. She should be ousted, he told School Board President David Garrett, who was sufficiently shaken (by the prospect of Lanzetta opposing the bond issue?) to pressure Weisberg to curtail her after-school activities. Is an investigation by the new Ethics Board in order?


14) Lanzetta support thin

Lest anyone think the Buzz is alone in calling for Lanzetta's ouster, the list of respected Birmingham residents and politicos publicly calling for his retirement is a long one. Incumbent commissioners and others who backed his re-election four years ago are noticeably absent from his current roster of supporters. Add your name to the list of courageous Birmingham residents calling for Lanzetta's retirement: Send an email to info@bhambuzz.org now! We'll publish the list.


15) Vote! Or else!

The Buzz will continue its short tradition of publishing the list of voters who participate in the November election. Don't believe us? Check out the list from November 2001 by visiting http://www.bhambuzz.org/pdfs/voter_list.pdf.

***** Vote Nov. 4*****


16) Comment: Farmers' Market off to great start

Sept. 8, 2003

The first Birmingham Farmers Market exceeded expectations in almost every respect Sunday. The weather was spectacular, the turnout was phenomenal, and sales were through the roof. It showed what good people can do when they put their heads together toward a common, worthwhile goal.

Organizers Julie Plotnik (a Buzz editor and candidate for City Commission), Stephanie Jacobson and others deserve our thanks and congratulations. They overcame some minor organizational headaches -- not the least of which was a harrowing appearance before naysayers at the City Commission -- to put on a truly first-class event.

Most of the concerns about noise, traffic, cleanup and rats -- yes, rats -- were unfounded and should be put to rest. Even neighbors who experienced heightened traffic in their neighborhoods seemed delighted overall with the event. Doubts about the market's location should also be put to rest.

Parking Lot #6 was a perfect location, close to downtown and right in the middle of the under-exposed gallery district. Tightly enclosed by the Rouge River and surrounding buildings, the market had a warm and cozy feel, something we can't imagine achieving in the Eton Corridor, which was a suggested alternative.

The challenge now is to smooth out all the wrinkles and begin to approach the market as a regular weekly occurrence. Marketmaster Don Hobson needs to bring in the right mix of vendors to attract the most customers. And organizers need to deal with any perceived traffic and parking issues. What seemed to be minor inconveniences on Sunday could take on greater significance as the event becomes a regular weekly thing. Some signage and a few strategically placed traffic directors could solve most of those problems.

We can't resist the temptation to remind our readers that Commissioners Dante Lanzetta, Donald Carney and Gordon Thornsby all voted against permitting the market. All were noticeably absent on Sunday. Lanzetta is up for re-election, and those who enjoyed the market should remember his opposition when they go to the polls in November.


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