Royal Oak mayor, allies raises big bucks thanks to special interests, critics say

Royal Oak Mayor Mike Fournier and a political group of three allies raised practically 5 instances as a lot cash as their political opponents — thanks partly to main donations from political motion committees and assist from marketing campaign work by the pinnacle of the Oakland County Fee.

The 4 collectively raised greater than $125,000 and spent practically $75,000 because the begin of the 12 months, newly launched marketing campaign finance knowledge present. That pales compared to the roughly $26,200 acquired by the 4 individuals making an attempt to defeat them in subsequent week’s election for mayor and seats on the Royal Oak Metropolis Fee.

Whereas marketing campaign supplies for Fournier and his allies say they’re addressing points necessary to native residents, critics say the massive audits are an try and affect metropolis fee selections.

“Sadly, it looks like the present regime is promoting out our neighbors to particular pursuits,” stated Trish Oliver, Fournier’s opponent within the mayoral race.

“We act because the voice for the unheard in Royal Oak – the ‘peculiar’ individuals like us, who will not be beholden to particular pursuits. I’m deeply involved for the way forward for Royal Oak if Royal Oakers doesn’t regain management of our metropolis.”

Fournier and Metropolis Commissioner Brandon Kolo are looking for re-election. They’re campaigning with Royal Oak Planning Fee member Woody Gontina and Royal Oak Zoning Board of Appeals member Paul Bastian, who’re looking for two seats the place the present metropolis commissioners are not working.

Fournier, Kolo, Gontina and Bastian didn’t reply to emails or phone messages from the Free Press.

All 4 have ties to Pivot Level Methods, the political consulting agency run by Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Woodward and former Royal Oak Metropolis Commissioner Kyle Dubuc. Fournier, Gontina and Bastian paid the corporate a mixed $8,400 thus far this marketing campaign season; Though Kolo’s information present no latest fee to the corporate, he employed the corporate for a earlier marketing campaign.

Woodward didn’t reply to a message from the Free Press, however has stated prior to now that his marketing campaign work has not offered any battle.

Fournier and Kolo beforehand defended the partnership with Woodward, saying every part was above board and nothing offered a battle of curiosity.

“I’m assured {that a} battle by no means occurred, and I used to be by no means knowledgeable of it. I’m happy with the outcomes the Metropolis Fee has achieved for Royal Oak, from document investments in parks to stronger neighborhoods and expanded providers that assist residents thrive,” Kolo stated in a September e mail.

Information launched late final week present Fournier raised $38,000 and spent lower than $25,000. That features receiving $7,500 from the political arm of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters Union and a slew of $1,225 checks from individuals concerned in improvement, development, structure and actual property firms.

Fournier grew to become mayor in 2016 and efficiently retained the seat many instances. In 2023, he beat Oliver by 17 share factors – one other race during which he earned and spent drastically greater than his challenger.

Kolo, a metropolis fee member since 2020, raised $36,000 and spent $12,000. Gontina raised $26,400 and spent $18,400, whereas Bastian raised $25,000 and spent $19,500.

As well as, a political motion committee that helps actual property brokers spent practically $28,000 on flyers endorsing all 4 candidates. Some advertisements include particular messages, saying the 4 help reasonably priced housing and wish to defend “parks, inexperienced areas and bushes.” One other argues that the slate is greatest positioned to make Royal Oak ‘safer and stronger’.

Oliver is working with committee candidates David Buzynski, Carolyn Martz and Eric Smethurst. Mixed, they raised simply over $26,000 and spent about $19,000.

“It is virtually absurd that elevating and spending $25,000 or $35,000 for one metropolis fee seat is taken into account ‘regular,’” stated Buzynski, who has raised $4,800 and spent $3,800.

Mark Grebner, a longtime Democratic political guide in Michigan and an Ingham County commissioner, agreed.

“You may spend 11, 12, 13 (a thousand {dollars}) fairly rapidly. When you begin spending greater than 20 (a thousand {dollars}), you are mainly simply burning cash,” Grebner stated.

He stated that whereas he has dumped bigger quantities of cash into smaller breeds, it’s normally as a consequence of a serious looming downside involving a rich company in a neighborhood. Whereas he acknowledges he does not frequently comply with Royal Oak politics, he stated he suspects on this case that one political slate is supported by builders and the opposite is just not.

Fournier’s opponent and different critics say that is precisely the case. Chuck Semchena, a lifelong Royal Oak resident who beforehand served on the town fee and as metropolis legal professional, stated he thinks the mayor and Woodward injected some huge cash and politics into native races for seats that have been beforehand “held by neighborhood leaders who thought-about themselves volunteers.”

Like Oliver, he argued that Fournier and his allies work too carefully with particular curiosity teams.

The Free Press lately examined the ties between members of the Royal Oak Metropolis Fee and Woodward as a part of a broader investigation into Woodward’s non-public companies.

Information present Woodward routinely voted on points associated to Royal Oak after working for Fournier, Kolo and everybody else on the Royal Oak Metropolis Fee. Woodward additionally works for Sheetz, a gasoline station and grocery store empire seeking to broaden within the area. Earlier this 12 months, the Royal Oak committee voted to approve a brand new Sheetz location, regardless of some vocal opposition. Woodward spoke to members of the Royal Oak Metropolis Fee, his personal political purchasers, about Sheetz earlier than the vote.

Along with defending his partnership with Woodward, Fournier additionally beforehand praised his work with native builders.

“Once I communicate with builders, I ask questions, share neighborhood considerations and guarantee we get a proposal that advantages the individuals of Royal Oak,” Fournier stated in a September e mail.

“I’m not a mayor who sits on the sidelines and hopes good issues occur. I do my greatest and construct relationships to ship outcomes for my constituents. Because of this Royal Oak has among the best economies within the state, is among the many greatest locations to reside and has the best high quality developments.”

The polling stations open on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00 am.

Attain Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com and at X @Dave_Boucher1.