Politics & Government
Terry Gonser Announces Candidacy for Oakland Township Supervisor Position
GM retiree hosts open house Wednesday night, letting supporters know he hopes to unseat current supervisor Joan Fogler and push for changes.
Oakland Township residents attended an open house Wednesday night at to support supervisor candidate Terry Gonser.
Gonser was raised in Oakland Township, graduated from and is retired after working more than 30 years as an engineering manager for General Motors. He serves as president for the Rochester Area Republican Club, is a member of the Greater Oakland GOP and formerly worked for the U.S. Army Weapons Command.
Now, Gonser hopes to put the "trust" back into the Board of Trustees, according to his campaign.
Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
During Wednesday's open house, Gonser gave a speech and highlighted some of the things he would change and focus on if elected this year, including:
- Gonser wants the township meetings televised and more information posted on the township’s website.
- He would like to establish a three-year running budget, reflecting the budget Oakland County operates with.
- Securing liberties and private property rights for residents are at the top of his agenda.
- He noted he would work hard to bring tourism to the Goodison area, preserve the historic district and get water back in the millrace.
Oakland Township resident Nancy Salvia was one of the many people at the event in support of Gonser. “I understand his values and I like what he stands for,” she said.
Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Tom Barkham of Dryden, who owns the and , said he hopes to see some change in Oakland Township and believes the only way there will be change is if there are new members appointed to the Board of Trustees. Barkham noted the decision to remove the as one of the faults, in his opinion, of the current board.
Likewise, residents Gus Smerczak and Roger Schmidt said they are longtime residents who have never felt the need to get involved in township operations until now. Schmidt said he was fed up with the current government and many of the decisions that have been made and would like to see changes, in particular with some of the board’s private property ordinances.
“He’s a good man, very honest,” Schmidt said of Gonser.
