Candidate Q&A: White Lake Trustee Candidate Mark DeGroff

To kick off election coverage, White Lake-Highland Patch has sent out a survey to candidates running for office in White Lake and Highland. The following is the Q&A response from White Lake Trustee candidate Mark DeGroff. DeGroff, a republican, will be facing off against several other candidates in the August primary election.

Patch: How long have you lived in White Lake?

DeGroff: I have been a lakes area resident for 30 years and a proud White Lake resident for 18 years.

Patch: What community and civic organizations are you currently involved in?

DeGroff: I have been a Board Member, Instructor and Volunteer for Michigan Adaptive Sports for 10 years enabling children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities to participate in Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Kayaking, Golf and many other sports. We are waterskiing and kayaking at the Pontiac Lake Beach on the last Friday each month during the summer and I would encourage all interested to come see what we do and volunteer.

Patch: What drew you to run for Trustee?

DeGroff: My desire to run for Trustee was born out a desire to serve and be a voice for my White Lake friends and neighbors. As a rather social guy talking to my neighbors about local, statewide and national issues, it is very apparent there is a feeling of a strong disconnect between our leadership and the citizens they serve. With my background I feel I have a lot to offer my fellow residents and bring their voice to the Township Board.

Patch: What personal and professional experiences make you qualified to hold that position?

 DeGroff: Building a business from the ground up, I have had to work hard and make the decisions necessary to market my company’s products, grow the business and meet budget. I have also had the experience of running a nonprofit which includes fund raising, budgeting as well as instructing participants and managing the efforts of volunteers and employees.

Patch: What is the most important issue facing the township and what do you intend to do about it during your term in office?

DeGroff: In my view, the most important issue facing the township is the necessity to fulfill the obligations and commitments of the township with the diminished tax revenues due to the economic downturn. It is my desire in this down market to work hard to meet these obligations that citizens of White Lake want and not waste taxpayer money. We must do our best to maintain a high level of public safety as well as position our Township to be attractive to new business and grow our tax base through new development.

Patch: In recent years there has been discussion about contracting either police services or dispatch services with the county. Do you think the police department should be turned over to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department? Why or why not?

DeGroff: I firmly believe a high level of local public safety, both Police and Fire, is vitally important in attracting new business and residential development. Optimally, local control with our own Police force is preferable however, if the financial need arises, all options must be looked at. I understand the arguments for and against the issue. My mother was a Police Dispatcher in a small Ohio town. I know her duties were not limited to simply dispatching calls. Contracting this service must be carefully studied as some many shared duties must still be done and cost savings may not come to fruition. Contracting public safety services to the Sheriff has worked well in other communities and, although not optimal, I would not be afraid to consider this option. It really comes down to public support, financing and our local Department’s ability to work within the financial framework that exists.

Patch: What is your vision for White Lake Township, where do you see the township in 10 or even 20 years, and what does the township need to do now to realize that vision?

DeGroff: The attraction to White Lake Township is in its diversity. People are attracted to areas that are appealing to live with easy access to services and shopping. Where the people go, so goes the business development. White Lake has many attractive and diverse resources with its lakes, expansive parks, beautiful subdivisions, rural and forest areas. Frankly, I consider my home here the perfect place to live. With these resources, our home is appealing to a wide range of people and should be taken advantage of to draw development. As our Township develops and as more businesses come to the area, I would like to see emphasis continued to be placed on attractiveness, ease of access and taking advantage of the natural features of the land to keep that up north feel. With this I can see our Township becoming a destination where people want to come for their entertainment, shopping and raising their families.