New Fenton Council Member Cites Issues with 'Be Closer'

Citing some challenges with Fenton’s campaign, a new city council member wants to help ensure the campaign’s success. “We are hearing about it and reading about it,” Councilwoman Patricia Lockwood said.

When the city has a contract and campaign it’s invested a lot of money in, it wants to make sure the campaign is successful, she said. She asked about the best way to approach the issue, and whether the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has a marketing committee.

DDA Director Michael Burns said the DDA had a committee for marketing in the past, but it does not have one anymore. There are checks and balances in place through the DDA board, he said.

Lockwood said council can discuss the Be Closer campaign at its work session on Monday. It would be a good opportunity for a couple of council members to “get their feet wet” and work on issues, she said.

There might be additional help council can give the Be Closer campaign. Some people, not a lot, have misunderstandings about the campaign, Lockwood said.

Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl King said some might not understand the campaign. Many people have approached her, asking what “Be Closer” means.

Council members could meet with the city’s marketing consultants from New Moon Visions, of Milford, and discuss issues, Lockwood said.

Mayor Sue Osborn asked whether the DDA would be involved as well.
Lockwood said it would.

In Brief

* Lacking the support of Councilwoman Patricia Lockwood and the required unanimous vote, a motion to appoint Cherie Smith as the citizen representative to the Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance failed, 5-1. City attorney Stephen Schultz said, because Smith’s husband, Benjamin Smith, is a council member, section 5.14 of Fenton’s charter, on nepotism, applies. According to the charter, the vote on appointing Cherie Smith to the unpaid position needed to be unanimous.

Lockwood said she supports the work Smith does as chairwoman for the Beautification Commission, but she believes it’s somewhat of a conflict of interest to have a council member’s spouse serve in any capacity on any committee.

Councilwoman Cheryl King, who voted to appoint Cherie Smith to the alliance, said not many people step up to the plate and take initiative.

* After the vote on the citizen representative to the Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance, Councilman Bradley Jacob made a motion to appoint Councilwoman Cheryl King as mayor pro tem, to lead when Mayor Sue Osborn is absent. Councilman Leslie Bland said he believed there should be a full, seven-member council to vote on the mayor pro tem. Council plans to appoint a seventh member at (see related story). The vote to appoint King was 5-1, with Councilwoman Patricia Lockwood voting no. King said she has served as mayor pro tem in the past, and she will respect and work with everyone.

* Council approved the city’s $125 membership to the Genesee County Metropolitan Alliance, for 2012. Councilwoman Patricia Lockwood is Fenton’s primary council representative to the alliance, and Councilman Leslie Bland is the alternate.

* Council approved its $1,563 membership to the National League of Cities, for 2012.

* The council appointed Lockwood to the oversight committee for the 5-1. Ben Smith voted against it. Osborn said former Mayor Pro Tem John Rauch previously served on the committee.

* Council approved spending $11,150 for an actuarial valuation of the city’s retiree health care plan. Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company will perform the work, which will determine the cost of retiree health care benefits to Fenton, City Manager Lynn Markland said. A 20-year benefit projection will be included with the base study.

* Fenton Kiwanis Club will collect donations for food baskets for less fortunate members in the community. They will be on the corners of Adelaide Street at North Road and Adelaide Street at High Street from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday. Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl King said she doesn’t support donations being collected in the streets, due to how busy traffic is. She had a donation for the Kiwanis Club’s cause, though, she said.

* Oakwood Cemetery Board President Doug Tebo said the Memory Tree, donated by a Fenton Township woman, is in place at the cemetery. Community members can visit the cemetery, located off Shiawassee Avenue, and hang an ornament on the tree in memory of someone or in honor of a person in the military, for example. Oakwood Cemetery will remain open until 9 p.m. during the holiday season, so visitors can see what the Memory Tree looks like at night, Tebo said.

* Caretel Inns of Linden has volunteered the use of its trolley for city council members to ride in during the Jinglefest parade, said Scott Grossmeyer. The lighted parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. The annual Jinglefest is held by the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce, with Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation. For more information on Jinglefest and its parade route, see http://fentonchamber.com/pages/Jinglefest

* The Fenton Beautification Commission will be giving away at least 400 cups of hot chocolate during Jinglefest, at the north side of city hall, said Chairwoman Cherie Smith. In addition, after the 6 p.m. parade on Saturday, there will be free pictures with Santa at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center.