With Election Tuesday, Pontiac 
Activists Try to Drive Home Votes
(C. Proxmire, Aug. 2, 2015)
Pontiac School Board President Brenda Carter wanted to remind people to get out and vote on Tuesday. There is a 2.87 mil sinking fund millage proposal on the ballot to be used for building repairs in the school district. So Carter and a team of supporters took to the streets to drive home votes with a caravan through the neighborhoods.
School Board Member WA Carrington led the way with Pontiac City Councilperson Kermit Williams in the back of his pickup truck with a microphone and sound system. Williams’ voice was amplified up and down dozens of streets “Stand up Pontiac. Every vote count. Come vote and support the children of Pontiac,” he said.
A line of several cars followed, with volunteers that included teachers, elected officials and parents. For nearly two hours they wove through every corner of the city, showing
off Vote Yes signs and waving to the people as they passed.
At issue is whether voters want to have buildings that are functional for the youth of the community, Carter said. If the millage passes it will raise $7 million over 5 years for repairs such as fixing heating systems, roof repairs, security systems, lighting, bathrooms and other repairs. “Our children are over-achieving. All they’re asking is to be educated in buildings that are not too hot or too cold,” she said.
The current proposal seeks to replace a levy that recently expired that was 3.87 mills. The proposal was also on the May 5 ballot, where it failed with 4938 no votes and 3401 yes votes.
The effort for this vote has been significant compared to in May. “We’ve got a headquarters now, and we’ve had people call our entire list,” Carter said.
City Council President Patrice Waterman also made the rounds. “I live in
the city and I believe in our children,” Waterman said. “I’m praying with everything I’ve got. City Council has been working with the We Care group because we care and we are all working together.”
Waterman had also volunteered at the Back to School Rally held the day before, where backpacks were given to the children. “We had about 200 people go to City Hall that day to vote,” she said, noting that folks could vote absentee.
Social Studies teacher Maryann Bowie also helped get out the vote. Though retired from the district, Bowie continues to care about the kids. “When you know kids from k-6 and the kids get older, you know them and you care.”
The We Care Movement can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023731747655513/. Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 4. For the latest news, sign up for daily headlines from oc115 at https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=Oakland_County_115_News.
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