Lindquist Aims for Hills City Council Seat

When officials decided to remodel City Hall as a , Erik Lindquist wasn't really concerned about the project itself.

"I was less concerned about the expansion than that they were depleting their reserve funds," said Lindquist, who is running for one of three council seats on the Nov. 8 ballot. "They assured us at the time it would not increase our millage."

While officials did not raise the millage in the first year, he said, "they have now." Lindquist doesn't buy the argument that property taxes are lower than two or three years ago. Actual bills may go down, he said, "but the property tax rate goes up. That's disingenuous."

Lindquist is quick to add he loves Farmington Hills and is a resident "by choice," having bought a home in the community in 2006 with his wife, Dina, a lifelong Farmington Hills resident and 1990 graduate. An attorney, he is inside/outside counsel for a Detroit-based financial institution.

He is currently vice chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (since 2007) and the Eight Mile Boulevard Association. He also served on the committee, having been appointed by the .

"I know the council members in Farmington pretty well," Lindquist said. "Merger (of the two cities) should be constantly revisited, especially with the mandate from the governor's office." Gov. Rick Snyder has tied a portion of state aid to increased cooperation among local governments.

Lindquist strongly supports allowing voters to decide whether the city remains part of the SMART bus system, which serves communities in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Communities have the ability to opt out of the system, and some—including neighboring Livonia—have. Hills officials have examined other ways to provide bus service to residents. Lindquist said "having the bus service here is critical. I don't think the alternatives are realistic."

The long-awaited dog park will have Lindquist's support as well, even though he doesn't own a dog. He feels if it's located in the southwest corner of the city— at —"I would be in favor of more than one."

Another of Lindquist's concerns is citizen participation at meetings, particularly when there's a neighborhood issue. He cited resident concerns over the recent approval of plans for a storage facility on Orchard Lake Road. After neighbors raised objections, the issue was tabled to allow the developer time to work on those concerns.

"If I say I'm in opposition to this, I shouldn't have to go to three, four or five meetings to oppose it every time," Lindquist said. "I don't think you should put that sort of burden of people. Let's popularize what takes place at these meetings even more."

This is Lindquist's first bid for public office, and if elected, he may end up marking a "first" in the City Council's history books.

"My mom was born in Nicaragua," he said. "I think I would be the first Hispanic member of the Farmington Hills City Council."

To learn more, visit eriklindquist.com.

Correction: Based on information provided by the candidate, Lindquist's term of service on the ZBA was incorrectly reported. He was first appointed in 2007.