The charge to each Washtenaw County commissioner is not only to represent the unique interests of the segment of the population that the commissioner represents, but to best serve the interests of the county as a whole. Mark Ouimet has met and exceeded that charge with his extensive and productive service record.

I am disappointed that the superior service of a good man has been distorted by party lines. Commissioner Mark Ouimet should be commended -- not condemned -- for his efforts.

However the meeting-reimbursement issue is resolved, the mathematics of Mark’s diligence remains clear: On average, Mark Ouimet has attended a meeting every other day to address and resolve our communities’ concerns about county-level issues. Mark’s visits to our local township and regional meetings have served the interests we all value: Safety and a strong economy.

We have benefited from his advocacy as part of the police-services-steering committee, and we have gleaned economic insight from his leadership of Ann Arbor SPARK; Mark was the only county commissioner who voted to keep the full extent of police services in place without increasing the townships’ tax burden to pay for a separate contract with the county sheriff’s department; and, Mark has counseled local officials on how our own local budgets would be affected by changes in the county, state, and federal budgets.

Mark’s service record is the real deal—Mark has personally returned many phone calls to answer questions that stemmed from meetings that he attended and spoke at. His offer, “Let me know what I can do to help you” is sincere and open to all whose path he crosses.

As Mark Ouimet completes his term as Washtenaw County commissioner and seeks to serve as our state representative in the future, I know that his diligence will remain the same. Jolea Mull Bridgewater Township supervisor