Rochester Hills Election Process Torn

    I received a call this morning from a home owner to notify me that the Puscas campaign sign in her yard had been torn into three pieces and left on her lawn. She said she wanted me to know so I could bring another sign. She seemed very disturbed that someone would do this and didn't want those responsible to feel that they gotten away with something. When I went to replace the sign, I noticed that others in the city had been ripped up or broken as well.
   I too am disappointed that this would happen. I believe in our constitution and the democratic process. I believe in our right to free speech. We should have the ability to express our message to the voters, then they can make educated choices as to whom they would like to support and elect.

    Unfortunately, there are always some who want to win at all costs. In Rochester Hills, there appears to be a contingent that wants to maintain the status quo and control of the city council. The mayor would certainly benefit from this. He is endorsing his college buddy running against me. I can see why they would not want an independent thinker, a person who would be a true representative of the residents to be elected. If so it would cut into the voting bloc of the 5 of the 7 city councilmen who vote together in the majority over 95% of the time.
    I think of our city council as a board of directors for a company. They are there to provide checks and balances. In business when the board gets too chummy with the executives they are there to give oversight to, often times, there are severe consequences to the stock holders. In a city, when the city council members are not performing proper oversight or engaging in open and honest deliberation, then the administration is going unchecked resulting in possible loss to the the taxpayers.
    As a member of the Mayflower Society and candidate in this local election, I hope that this election will proceed as our forefathers who founded this country intended.  I believe these are principles to believe in and stand up for.
Laurie Puscas
Rochester Hills City Council Candidate, District 2