A longtime Michigan politician pursuing his lifelong dream of turning into a metropolis councilor died hours earlier than he gained his election on Tuesday.
Auburn Hills Councilor-elect Greg Ouellette, 69, suffered a deadly coronary heart assault and was pronounced lifeless shortly after polls closed, town introduced.
“I consider that by some means Greg was in a position to know that he gained that election on Tuesday,” Ouellette's widow mentioned, in line with a press launch from the city on Thursday.
Ouellette was one among six candidates vying for 4 seats on the council. He mentioned he “had a very good feeling” about his probabilities main as much as election evening, Auburn Hills Director of Group Growth Steve Cohen instructed the Oakland Press.
Ouellette obtained 1,278 votes, or 15.15%, the fourth-highest vote complete, and was elected to a two-year time period.
The 69-year-old, who spent 28 years serving on the planning fee of the suburban metropolis 26 miles north of Detroit, was pursuing his second try at a seat on town council after his unsuccessful run in 2023, in line with the outlet.
He was speculated to be sworn in on Nov. 17, however now town council will honor the councilor-elect when it convenes, leaving his seat empty, together with a tribute to Ouellette.
“Our ideas and prayers are with the Ouellette household, and we have now little doubt how proud they should be that Greg achieved his dream of being elected to Metropolis Council,” Mayor Brian Marzolf mentioned.
Ouellette had spent the final 17 years serving because the chairman of Auburn Hills' planning fee.
“Greg was a well-respected and instrumental chief of the Planning Fee the place he helped information among the most complicated developments in the neighborhood,”
He was honored by town authorities in 2018 for his twenty years of “devoted service” with the fee.
“Greg has professionally represented the Metropolis throughout his 20 years of service, exhibiting the utmost respect to each the residents and companies which have introduced growth associated points and proposals earlier than the Board. As a volunteer, he has constructed his information base in planning and management by attending quite a few coaching classes offered by MAP and different organizations,” then metropolis planner Shawn Keenan.
Outdoors of his devoted profession in public service, Ouellette was a decided hiker and a part of a weekly mountain climbing group, reaching the summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington — the best peak within the Northeast.
“As I talked to others who knew Greg, I spotted extra how kindhearted he was. He all the time made a well timed telephone name or shared a considerate present with these in want,” fellow hiker Tom Lipinski wrote on Fb.
Lipinski shared he had completed over 430 hikes with Ouellette in 9 years, and the 2 would meet up for espresso earlier than their weekly adventures.
“I'll miss these drives, however I consider they're more likely to proceed in a non-physical approach,” the grieving good friend mentioned.
