New Baltimore Councilman Announces Bid for Mayor
Bay-Rama President John Dupray said he's filed paperwork with Macomb County to seek the top-elected office in New Baltimore.
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A New Baltimore councilman and president of the volunteer-ran Bay-Rama group is seeking the city's top-elected position this summer.
John Dupray, who is serving a council position following appointment, announced recently that he will run for mayor. Dupray filed paperwork with Macomb County and was drawing petitions for the race on Wednesday, he told Patch.
"I did pull petitions today and I'm in the race for mayor," he said.
Dupray is expected to square off against incumbent Mayor Larry Smith who did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday. According to the county, the filing deadline for candidates is 4 p.m. May 14 for the Aug. 6 primary election. Other positions on city council will also be on the ballot.
Dupray said he was motivated to run for office because he's a longtime resident who loves the community.
He pointed out several things he would like to accomplish in the position.
"I want to provide what I call respectful leadership," he said Wednesday, adding, "The decision-making process should be community driven."
He acknowledged Smith's decision to fire Planning and Economic Development Director Judy Sproat last December is an example of the direction he wants to move away from. Smith said he did not need to seek council's approval for removing Sproat because she was an at-will employee. He notified councilmembers of her termination in an email.
Smith, a retired law enforcement officer who heads the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, has encountered resistance on council for issues he's championed, such as a potential lease deal with Anchor Bay Schools for recreation and commercial appraisals of waterfront, city-owned land. The school district partnership for recreation was turned down by the city and council has recently scrutinized the appraisal request, leading to heated conversations among the city officials.
Smith also weathered a charter-revision proposal that would have paved way for a city manager form of government as opposed to the current mayor-strong format. At the time, the mayor said the effort was a personal attack on him while others on council said the charter's outdated language was overdue for modernizing.
A majority of residents rejected the charter revision and amendments were expected to take place instead.
Smith ran unopposed for his second term in the last mayoral race.
Dupray said Wednesday he also would like to expand recreation, but his vision includes "untapped" resources in town. Additionally, he aims to create a single vision for the historic downtown if elected mayor.
Last fall Dupray was appointed to fill the council seat left by Zack Stanton. He was among seven candidates for the position.
City officials said at the time that they ultimately decided to go with Dupray because of his knowledge serving on council. Dupray previously stepped in to fill a vacancy left by Carlos Aprea when he moved on to the Parks and Recreation Department. He also served on the Planning Commission. He is president of the Bay-Rama group that runs the popular Fishfly Festival every summer in New Baltimore and president of the New Baltimore Farmers' Market.
Dan D
11:06 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Outstanding! I have found Mr. Dupray very responsive in a professional and genuinely concerned way about many issues--especially the roads in need of repair in our fair city! It is time for a change in so many ways---time for our people to actually care a bit more about local representation and remove some of the out of touch or unopposed people we have running this city. Progress for the city not petty territorialism for mayor and council!
Terry Belden
2:39 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Don't place the Mayor is the same league as the council, he cares about the city and has ideas to progress towards the downtown area we all desire. However the city council blocks him every chance they get. Attend a council meeting and witness the disrespect and hostility the council has not only for the Mayor but the residents as well. Nothing against John Dupray but he is not strong enough to oppose what council will dictate. Remember the charter revision? It was for the sole purpose of getting rid of the Mayor. The residents like Mayor Smith and he is active in the community but he cannot progress with the same old council who forget they are suppose to represent the residents not their personal vendettas. A better outcome would be new city council members who have an open mind and are willing to listen and work with the Mayor. Let's get some new council people to fill the members whose terms are up and see what can be achieved. The Mayor is not the problem, Ken Butler and Flo Hayman are which is why they are going to be managing the campaign for John Dupray. Personally I don't think a council member should be campaigning for a Mayoral candidate, who would then be obligated to those people, it sounds unethical to me.
petey
8:48 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Everything Mayor Smith has done,has been for the city of New Baltimore,and to make it a better place to live.If we depended on our city council we'd never move forward,as they can rarely even make a decision!We have made some nice strides in improving our reputation and the look of our city since Larry has been our mayor,and champion!
Jill Johns
11:26 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Petey and Terry,
I totally agree with you. Duprey is a nice man, i have dealt with him in the past, but he has one flaw. he will never be able to make a sound decision on his own, Council will dictate his every move. Council memebers are already planning fundraisers to get him elected because they do not like it that our current Mayor is making decisions that are best for the city, not whats best for Hayman and Butler. Mr. Smith and all the department Managers, should be commended for the fact that we are one of the very few Cities in Michigan that is running in the black and not red. You should celebrate that fact congratulate each other, rather than working against each other and not looking out for our community. Is it a conflict of interest for Council members to campaign and fundraise for a Mayor for their City??? Sounds like a conflict of interest to me!