By Stacy Jenkins
STAFF WRITER
The city of Farmington Hills looked a little different 12
years ago, when Vicki Barnett was first elected to the City
Council.
The fire department was all paid-on-call staff and the
city contracted with Community EMS for ambulance services.
Now, the department is a combination of paid-on-calls and
full-time firefighters and runs its own Advanced Life
Support emergency transport fleet.
The Costick Center had just been purchased. The myriad
programs for youth and seniors were not offered and there
was no After School Program for youth.
"We were moving from a rural to a robust city in 1995 and
transitioning into a mature, developed city," said Barnett.
The councilwoman and mayor reflected on her tenure this
week, as she led her final meeting as mayor of Farmington
Hills.
But, she didn't go out without a proper send-off.
"I'm very proud to have served with her for the past 11
years," said Councilman Jerry Ellis, who will be the next
mayor following the uncontested Nov. 6 mayor's election.
"She's done a phenomenal job, both as a council person and
as a mayor. Hers will be hard shoes to fill."
Ellis, along with other council members, city employees
and members of the public, attended a farewell reception for
Barnett prior to Monday's council meeting at Farmington
Hills City Hall.
"She's always been an outstanding person who truly cares
about her community," said Nancy Coumoundouros, cultural
arts supervisor for Farmington Hills.
Throughout her tenure on council, Barnett was a known
supporter of the arts in Farmington Hills - and a supporter
of senior programs, noted Lew Cantor, chairman of the
Commission on Aging.
"We'll miss her," she said. "She's been very proactive
for the seniors. She's been a real activist for senior
issues."
Barnett led the probe of the city's long-range economic
stability.
"We needed a holistic approach to our economic master
plan and our sustainability," she said.
The city commissioned a project known as the
Sustainability Study, but Barnett prefers to call it an
economic master plan. The study reveals several
possibilities to grow the tax base through redevelopment in
certain commercial and industrial sections of the city.
"If we don't have a viable commercial base, the burden of
taxes will fall disproportionately on residents," she said.
Overall, she's pleased with the scope of the study and
the work that was done by the consultants.
"There are a lot of wonderful items in the Sustainability
Study," she said.
Barnett leaves the City Council feeling good about her
accomplishments and her work for the city.
"It's been a great 12 years and a really fun four years,"
she said. "When you put all that package together, I
wouldn't have changed a thing."
While she hasn't formally announced yet, Barnett, a
Democrat, plans to run for election to the state House of
Representatives next November.
sjenkins@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2131
Source
