Rusie Wants To Continue 'Fiscal responsibility' On City Council

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Tuesday’s primary election will see seven candidates vie for three open seats. The Patch sent questions to the candidates to find out a little bit about them and what their plans for St. Clair Shores would be if they won.

The Patch will run the answers provided by the candidates that responded on Friday, Sunday and Monday. What follows is a verbatim transcript of candidate Candice Rusie’s responses:

Please provide basic biographical information

My name is Candice Rusie. I’m 36 years old, and I’ve lived in St. Clair Shores since I moved here with my family when I was in 4th grade. I graduated from Lake Shore High School, from Wayne State University summa cum laude with a BA in psychology, and from MSU College of Law magna cum laude. I am an attorney.

I was first elected to City Council in 2009, and I was re-elected in 2013. Being on Council is an honor, and I believe that active community involvement is a vital part of a council member’s service to the residents. I volunteer for numerous local organizations, including schools, the Kiwanis, the Goodfellows, the Waterfront Environmental Committee, and the Women’s Civic League.

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I donate raffle prizes to many local fundraising events each year. I’ve “adopted” a portion of a City road through our “Adopt-a-Road” road cleaning program. I sponsor a Little League team. I am Council liaison to several of our City committees, including the Memorial Day Parade Committee. I attend St. Isaac Jogues church.

Please reach out to me on my personal Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CandiceBRusie, email me at CandiceRusie@aol.com, or call me at 586-612-3098.

Why are you running for City Council?

It’s been an honor to represent and serve our residents at the City level. As a member of City Council, I’ve worked with my colleagues throughout these past years to ensure that our City thrived throughout tough economic times, and to ensure that, despite financial hardships, the City still provided residents with the quality City services that they expect and deserve. The economy is improving, but this work is not done.

As a Council member, I have had the ability to ask questions and to demand answers when agenda items are presented to Council. My legal education and background has allowed me to identify and raise issues with draft ordinances, contracts, and other proposals.

As a Council member, I’ve been able to assist residents and business owners with City-related issues. Oftentimes this means working with administration, but sometimes it means having to advocate against administration on the resident’s or business owner’s behalf. I recognize that council members are the people’s representatives in local government, and that sometimes this advocacy is necessary to get the right thing done.

I am running because I would like to continue to represent the residents and to serve the city in this role.

What are your top priorities for your term if you win?
1. Continue fiscal responsibility and conscientious stewardship of City resources – smart budgeting and spending while maintaining and increasing the services residents expect and deserve – including Police, Fire, DPW, Library, Parks, Senior, and City Hall services. No “no-bid” contract extensions; ensure fair bidding processes. Continue addressing structural budget issues and non-essential spending while protecting the “rainy day fund.”
2. Continue investment in infrastructure, including road improvements and water projects. Continue improvements to City facilities and our City parks, including the ongoing Blossom Heath improvement project.
3. Continue fairness in decision-making - decide issues strictly upon the issues themselves and their fit with residents’/businesses’ best interests and our City’s long-term goals. Insist on complete information and analysis. Prepare for meetings fully, research, and ask questions. Concentrate on making right decisions, not decisions “right now.”
4. Continue resident- and business-friendly services, policies, and initiatives that balance competing/complimentary needs of all taxpayers. Continue to focus on business attraction and retention. Promote accountability, fairness, communication, and “customer service” at City Hall – recognizing that residents are our bosses, not our customers.