Grosse Pointe Woods City Council Candidates Take Part in Forum

The Grosse Pointe League of Women Voters held a candidate forum Tuesday for the four candidates running in the contested city council race at the Grosse Pointe Woods City Hall.

Incumbents Vicki Granger, Kevin Ketels and Todd McConaghy, and challenger 
Robert Sheehy, discussed their background, stance on issues and what were the pressing issues affecting the city.

Among the topics discussed included:

• Cell towers - The incumbents stated if a cellular company met the requirements of zoning, there is a little that can be done to stop the placement in the city. McConaghy said, "if a business meets the requirements set forth by the law, I will not stand in the way." Sheehy was against the addition of towers, and the health effects of the tower.
• Business vacancies: According to figures presented, Mack has about a 92 percent occupancy rate. The incumbents stated that the city has been working with businesses to help them succeed and attract new business to the community. "The city is business friendly," Granger said. Sheehy said he has heard of concerns about a lack of police presence.
• Shared services with the other Pointes: All candidates stated that they support working with neighboring communities to save money.
• Road repair: All candidates agreed that the city's roads need to be addressed, and there need to find federal and state dollars to fund repairs until the local budget could again be used for road work. 
• Privatization of ambulance service: The candidates were against privatization of ambulance service.
• Leaving Wayne County: The candidates stated it would be complex and did not see a need to move to Macomb County.