Dolan, Bailey in; Bejma out: Charter amendments OKed, authority to sell land granted

In the Nov. 8 race for Oxford Village Council, the winners were Erik Dolan, who was the top vote-getter with 810, and Dave Bailey, who garnered 545 votes.

They beat out incumbent Rose Bejma, who received 528 votes.

Dolan, who was appointed to council in April, and Bailey, a former councilman and village president, each won four-year seats.

Incumbent Tom Kennis, who ran unopposed as a write-in candidate for a two-year council seat, won with 47 votes.

All six of the village’s proposed charter amendments were overwhelmingly approved by voters. These amendments are designed to update the charter, bring it into compliance with state law and ensure greater accountability in village government.

Proposal 1, which states village public records shall be available under the Freedom of Information Act, passed 1,401 to 225.

Voters approved Proposal 2, which provides for an annual review of the village clerk by the village council, 1,317 to 224.

Proposal 3, which makes people who have village debts that are “more than 90 days past due” ineligible from holding elected or appointed office, passed 1,399 to 206.

An annual review of the village manager by the village council is provided by Proposal 4, which was approved 1,252 to 241.

Council is “empowered to adopt, continue, amend or repeal” ordinances with the 1,018-to-452 passage of Proposal 5.

Proposal 6, which prohibits council and officers of the village from having an interest in village business unless authorized by state law, was approved 1,333 to 197.

Village voters also approved a proposal to grant the municipality the authority to sell two oddly-shaped parcels, totalling approximately 2.1 acres, located off Dayton St., south of Maple St. and west of Pleasant St. Voters okayed the idea of selling this land 805 to 738.

Bejma was very gracious about her defeat at the Nov. 9 council meeting and congratulated the winners.

“I did lose out, but that’s the way it is,” she said. “I appreciate everybody who did vote for me.”

There was no shortage of thanks and praise for Bejma from her fellow council members.

“I want to thank Rose for all her service. You’re going to be missed,” Kennis said.

“I would like to thank Rose for (her) service,” Dolan said. “The community has been left in good hands because of you, to some extent.”

Village President Sue Bossardet, who’s known Bejma for many years, will miss her knowledge of the past, her experience and “her input,” which has “helped greatly.”

“I counted on her a lot,” she said.

Dolan took some time to express his gratitude to the electorate and his thoughts on the significance of this election.

“I would like to thank the community at-large,” Dolan said. “I was unbelievably humbled by the response.”

After talking with and listening to a large number of people during his campaign, Dolan said residents are not apathetic as is often believed.

“The community does care and they are very well tuned-in,” he said. “They are simply frustrated.”

“I consider yesterday to be a mandate election. I believe the community spoke loud and clear as far as what they’re looking for,” Dolan continued.

“I am positive the community wants fiscal responsibility and progress. They’ve made no bones about that and I look forward to delivering that, as a governing body, to the people that pay taxes to this community.”

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *