School Board President Seeks Election to Novi City Council

Three Novi city council seats and the mayoral seat are up for re-election on Nov. 5. Novi schools board of education President Dennis O'Connor is running for one of the spots.

O'Connor answered questions from Patch about his campaign platform for city council. 

Could you tell us about your education, relevant to this position?

• MBA: Marketing & Management, Wayne State University, Detroit
• BA: Journalism & Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Secondary Teacher Certification: University of Michigan Education School
• Fellow:  National Security Forum (NSF), Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, 2011
• Fellow:  Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2010
• Award of Merit-School Board Member:  Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), Lansing, MI,  2009
• Certified Focus Group Moderator:  Burke Institute, Cincinnati, OH, 2006

Could you tell us about your personal or professional background, relevant to this position?

I have been a small business owner in Novi for 13 years. I develop training, marketing and promotional campaigns and programs. My “skill set” will be a welcomed addition to the Novi City Council.  I continually help promote our Novi Community to people, small businesses and corporations outside the area.  We have a great story to tell!  

We need to attract more businesses and families to our community.  Prior to opening my own business, I served 10 years as the News Editor for the West Bloomfield Eccentric in the Observer & Eccentric Newspaper group. My agency experience includes 15 years at Maritz, Inc. where I served as a Vice President-Training Director in the Detroit Region.

Public Service Experience

• Re-Elected Trustee:  Novi Board of Education in November, 2012
• Elected Trustee: Novi Board of Education in November, 2008                         
• Elected Trustee: Oakland County School Boards Association (2013)                
• Appointed:  President, Novi Board of Education (2013)
• Appointed:  Trustee, Novi Educational Foundation (2011-2013)
• Appointed:  Vice President, Novi Board of Education (2011 and 2012)
• Appointed:  Treasurer, Novi Board of Education (2010)
• Appointed:  Novi Community Education Advisory Council (2004-2010)

Civic & Non-Profit Organization (Past) Participation

• Communications Director, Save Novi Roads Bond Committee (2012)
• School Bond Proposal Citizens’ Committee  (2007)
• School Utilization & Redistricting Committee (2006)
• Long Range Planning Committee (2004-2005)
• Novi Athletic Boosters, Vice President and Publicity Director (1998-2004)
• Novi High School Band Boosters (1998-2004)

Endorsed By Community Leaders

• Bob Gatt, Novi Mayor; David Landry, Former Novi Mayor; David Staudt, Novi Mayor Pro-Tem; Wayne Wrobel, Novi City Councilmember; Peggy Casagrande, President-Walled Lake Board of Education; Mike Kowall, Michigan State Senator; Hugh Crawford, Michigan State Representative; Kathy Crawford, Oakland County Commissioner; Nancy Cassis, Former Michigan State Senator; Willy Mena, Vice President-Novi Library Board; Shari Lebo, Secretary-Novi Board of Education; Jason Manar, Trustee-Novi Board of Education; George Kortlandt, Trustee-Novi Board of Education; Bruce Bagdady, Former President-Novi Board of Education

Could you summarize why you are running for city council?

Economic Development:

The City needs to collaborate with neighboring school districts on all new economic development opportunities.  High-tech, research, engineering and medical industries should want to come to Novi because of its great location, and because our schools support businesses by offering great academic,
skilled-trades and internship programs. 

Shared Government Services:

City and school officials need to focus on protecting taxpayer dollars by working better – together – to enhance existing programs, to develop more recreation fields and to eliminate duplicated government services and expenses.  I’ve led the charge to STOP the waste.  The “culture” for sharing government services is beginning to change – but we’ve got a long way to go. 

What questions do you have for O'Connor? Tell us in the comments.