Politics & Government
Five Questions: Bill Dwyer, Candidate - Oakland County Board of Commissioners 14th District
We asked the Farmington Hills Republican about his strengths, his priorities and a book that has influenced him.
1. If you're elected, what will be your top priority during your term?
Maintaining a financially healthy Oakland County is my top priority. This means:
- Creating and maintaining jobs for our residents
- Supporting programs to keep residents in their homes
- Supporting regional transportation to increase job mobility and keep seniors independent
- Continuing the balanced 3 year rolling budget which protects our AAA bond rating and lowers interest rates
2. What concern about county government do you hear most often from local residents?
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Our residents are very concerned about 4 areas:
- Creating and maintaining jobs
- Housing values and fear of losing their homes
- Regional mass transit to mobilize seniors and workers
- Maintaining the high level of services offered by Oakland County without increasing taxes
3. What one personal quality will make you a good commissioner?
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I believe my openness to receiving input and feedback from residents and experts then acting upon this information with integrity and honesty makes me a good commissioner.
4. What strategies would you propose to your party's leadership for working with lawmakers of the opposing party?
Creating common goals for the Commission and/or Task Forces then working as a team to achieve those goals without partisanship. Always keeping the best interests of the residents of Oakland County in the forefront of all decisions and actions. Demonstrating a personal commitment to consensus building among all Commissioners.
5. Tell us about a book that has had a powerful influence on your life.
Watching the World Change by David Friend had a significant impact on me. The book provided a unique and powerfully affecting account of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September, 11, 2001. Shortly after that tragic day in September, I was appointed to the Federal Anti-Terrorism Task Force. The combination of the horrific act of terrorism, the powerful story told in the book and my appointment to the Task Force has served as a valuable reminder of the preciousness of freedom and the importance of dedicating our lives to protecting it.
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