An Open Letter to the Residents of Sterling Heights by David J. Magliulo

Candidate for Mayor of Sterling Heights Mayor David Magliulo released this statement on his website just yesterday. We could use more candidates for public office who are open, honest and speak directly to the people they seek to represent. All citizens of Sterling Heights who care about the future quality of life in their community should cast their ballots for David Magliulo next Tuesday November 3rd.

Here's what he wrote-

To the residents of Sterling Heights:

Here in southeastern Michigan we do not need to be told times are tough. We see our neighbors out of work, homes being foreclosed, businesses large and small going under and taxpayers baring the brunt of government mismanagement. I am a citizen of Sterling Heights, Michigan and I am running for Mayor because I believe I can make the tough decisions necessary to address the coming budget crisis and create new economic growth.

Even in once vibrant suburban communities, like Sterling Heights, there are grave concerns about the financial sustainability and quality of life we as residents have taken for granted these many years. The federal government’s extended role in the restructuring of the Chrysler Corporation has made the closure of plants and dealerships difficult to predict. There have been decisions that have been made that will have a drastic impact on the livelihoods of thousands of citizens here in the city of Sterling Heights. For many years, Chrysler was the cities largest taxpayer, paying nearly five percent of the cities total budget. While Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant has been scheduled to close in 2010, there still remains a possibility that it may remain open.

Should I become Mayor, I will do everything in my power to incentivize the plant’s continual operation in Sterling Heights. Should the plant’s closure be beyond our jurisdiction, we must have a plan of action to stimulate growth and attract new business to Sterling Heights. As the only candidate in this race with a business background, I am prepared to declare that should I be elected Mayor I am prepared to create one of the most business friendly cities in Michigan. I understand that real economic growth comes from the private sector and that government must be more efficient (at all levels) in order to adapt to changing economic conditions.

If elected, I will create a Sterling Heights Business Roundtable, where leaders of all Sterling Heights businesses can meet on a regular basis to discuss ways in which the city can improve the regulatory environment for local businesses and allow them to grow. As Mayor, I will also open my office to Sterling Heights citizens on a scheduled weekday afternoon, for open discussion about issues facing our city. I believe it is my obligation to the taxpayers of Sterling Heights to have a fully transparent administration.

If elected, I pledge to the citizens of Sterling Heights do serve no more than three terms as mayor (six years) and will introduce term limits for all city elected officials. Mayors will be limited to three terms and council members will be limited to five terms (ten years). These term limits will ensure that this “culture of complacency” is removed from Sterling Heights politics for future generations.

I have lived in Sterling Heights for over seventeen years. It has been a great city to live in and to raise a family in. However in these past few years we have experienced unprecedented economic challenges. We cannot rest on the laurels of the past. Moving forward requires leadership, vision and a plan. With that we will be able to lay the foundation to move forward into a more prosperous future. The first step begins on November 3, 2009 and I am looking forward to building that foundation with the residents and businesses of Sterling Heights.


Warmest Regards,

David J. Magliulo