Kucera Sits in Council Seat for First Time

has attended almost every City Council meeting for the past eight years as a spectator. On Tuesday, Kucera wasn't sitting in the audience.

Tuesday, for the first time since being elected Nov. 8, Kucera sat at the Clawson City Council table. He replaces former Councilman Samuel Moore, whose term ended this year.

Kucera was sworn in Monday at an organizational meeting along with Councilman Howie Airriess and Mayor Penny Luebs, both of whom were re-elected. Council terms are four years and the mayor two years.

Kucera said he looks forward to "working with everyone on the (city) budget." Before he was elected, Kucera told Clawson Patch that declining property values, a low tax base and the conditions of City Park were the biggest issues the city faced.

Kucera is no stranger to leadership roles in the city.

Tuesday's council meeting was "nothing dramatic," he said. "I've been on the Zoning Board of Appeals before."

News You Can Use

• The council had a brief discussion about the city budget at Tuesday's meeting. City Manager Mark Pollock said Clawson has lost $100 million in its taxable value and lost $1.3 million in revenue from property taxes. In order to avoid laying off city workers, council members say they will likely need a millage increase. There will be a special budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
• There are two openings on city boards — one on the Compensation Committee and another on the For more information call City Hall at 248-435-4500.