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 useless shortly after polls closed, town introduced.
“I consider that one way or the other Greg was in a position to know that he gained that election on Tuesday,” Ouellette’s widow stated, in line with a press launch from town on Thursday.
Ouellette was considered one of six candidates vying for 4 seats on the council. He stated he “had a extremely good feeling” about his possibilities main as much as election night time, Auburn Hills Director of Group Improvement Steve Cohen instructed the Oakland Press.
Ouellette acquired 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 presupposed 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’ve got little doubt how proud they have to be that Greg achieved his dream of being elected to Metropolis Council,” Mayor Brian Marzolf stated.
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 advanced developments locally,”
He was honored by town authorities in 2018 for his 20 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 periods supplied 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 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 noticed extra how kindhearted he was. He at all times made a well timed cellphone name or shared a considerate reward with these in want,” fellow hiker Tom Lipinski wrote on Fb.
Lipinski shared he had performed 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 method,” the grieving buddy stated.
