Just to clarify, are the incumbents on the school board running NOT for their seats?

Looks like a strong group of candidates to challenge Mayor Cooper and his cronies! Could this be the end of the Cooper era in the Shores?

Brian Geraghty and David Galbenski should be labelled as as appointees, as they gained their access to the Shores council by virtue of appointment when Brian Hunt and Fred Minturn resigned rather than let the voters have their say in the recall election.

There are several highly qualified candidates running for council in GP Shores and there are some others associated with the same group who helped instigate the failed recall attempt and ludicrous, costly recount in the Shores last year. Robert Lee's name calling and unfortunate commentary are classic examples of what's wrong with our political scene these days. Instead of reaching out to find common ground, develop meaningful solutions and build consensus, it seems to be more about condemnation and ridicule with some people. All one needs to do is read the article in GP Patch today, about the latest bogus recall attempt against our State Representative Tim Bledsoe, who had the integrity and courage to speak out against Lee et al's recall debacle in the Shores, along with the Mayors of all the other Grosse Pointes, who stood together in solidarity with Democrat Bledsoe and our former State Representative, Republican Ed Gaffney, against this type of politically motivated, divisive activity. GP Shores residents did have their say in the recall election last year. The answer to Lee and his associates was no thank you then, just as it hopefully will be again this fall.

Both of my friends and neighbors, Bob Lee and Harry Kurtz, have noted that we have a "strong group" of "well qualified" candidates seeking election in Grosse Pointe Shores this fall. It is a credit to our City - and especially to our residents- that we have so many individuals willing to step forward and volunteer their time to help lead GPS into the future. It will be critical for all of us voters to take the time to identify those candidates who express the most positive vision to address the concerns that we have today - and to guide us into tomorrow. I sincerely hope that all of our candidates will focus on the issues we face and not demean our City - and each other - with personal attacks or a rehash of things that have happened in the past. It is time for all of us to work with each other to meet the challenges that lie ahead and to ensure that Grosse Pointe Shores is the premier destination for young and professional families for many years to come.

What name calling, Mr. Kurtz? The dictionary defines crony as a close companion or friend. Speaking of name calling, Harry, weren't you the one that told a fellow resident to blow it out his rear orifice at a recent council meeting?

The recall was not a debacle, it sent a strong message from Shores voters that Cooper his group seemed not to have heard about what citizens think about accountability and taxes. Don't forget the citizens of Precinct 1 voted to recall the mayor and his group, who just managed to survive by winning a few more votes in Precinct 2. And as many voters said at the time, they will be more open for change come the next regular election!

While you label my above commentary as unfortunate Harry, I merely asked one open ended question, and stated several facts. In fact to go deeper into the facts, Ted Kedzierski and Dan Schulte are the only two of the six Shores council members who gained their initial access to the council by vote of the people rather than being annoited by the mayor. Victoria Boyce and Robert Graziani join Geraghty and Galbenski as appointees. But looking at the strong field of candidates, I am confident that we will see other new and independent voices come seated at the Shores council table come this November!

I see we have a resounding, negative response to Dr. Rahi's conciliatory suggestion, from the leader of the pack on that side of the aisle. Another barrage of unfounded allegations, combined with more hearsay and innuendo, along with a facetious explanation for the ongoing name calling and personal attacks on our dedicated, volunteer (unpaid) elected officials.
The true definition of the word "Crony", in the negative context so frequently used by Robert Lee and some of his "friends", provides another example of the unfortunate approach a few people choose to take in their quest for political advantage, notoriety and who knows what else.
For the record, Graziani and Boyce were duly elected in 2009 and both successfully rebuffed Lee's and Co's failed recall attempt. Galbenski and Geraghty were actually both endorsed for their seats by Lee's champion, Ted Kedzierski and unanimously approved by the council, following the procedures outlined in our City Charter, that was voted for by an overwhelming majority of the residents.
Contrary to Lee's unsubstantiated insinuations, they have all done an outstanding job for our community, despite the unfounded attacks, that have fortunately died way down over the past year, with the exception of a few die hard contrarians who can't seem to give it up.