Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you so much for supporting my reelection campaign! I am honored and proud to continue to be your independent voice on the Berkley City Council. Together we will make Berkley an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

As your councilperson, I will be accessible to you and consider your views fairly. I will work hard to help our community thrive even in these challenging economic times. In collaboration with the new Council I will manage our finances with diligence, make the tough decisions that our city deserves, and maintain the high-quality services that prove Berkley is truly the City that Cares.

Again, thank you for your continued support!

Dr. Phil O'Dwyer
November 3, 2009

Nov. 1, 2009

The South Oakland Eccentric newspaper has endorsed Dr. Phil O'Dwyer for re-election to Berkley City Council.

"He has been active in the city on the public safety committee and with the Berkley school district on the strategic planning committee," wrote the editors. "Voters should place the future of the city in the hands of Phil O'Dwyer."

Dr. O'Dwyer, resident for 29 years and current City Council Member, said the three leading challenges that he will confront on the next City Council are managing diminishing resources, delivering quality services, and investing in our infrastructure.

"I will continue to ensure the prudent management of our community funds and I will seek to attract valued businesses to fill our empty buildings. Financial security is key to our future. Careful budgeting accompanied by spending restraint will deliver that security. I am committed to excellence in management so that quality services will continue to be available to all our families," he said.

"I will work to encourage property enhancement initiatives and tap the pool of talented people in our community to donate their technical expertise in meaningful projects. Our neighborhood spirit is a valuable asset that contributes to making Berkley distinctive. We all value that quality of life and I seek to preserve it by investing in our parks and improving our downtown parking."

It is a tribute to his principled and passionate leadership for the past four years that Dr. Phil O’Dwyer will be unopposed in his bid for re-election to the City Council in November 2009.

Shortly after the filing deadline in August 2009 Dr. O’Dwyer said:

“I am thankful that a re-election campaign will not be necessary in the fall. At every level of government - as well as in every home - these are trying times but working together we can stimulate our economy, restore our confidence, and preserve a quality of life that reflects our values.

“We must continue the wise management of our resources, make difficult decisions as they arise, and carefully plan for our future needs. Berkley is on a solid financial footing today because we have been willing to make the hard decisions that put The City of Berkley first.

“In that context I appreciate the leadership of Mayor Stephan and the current Council, who collaborated with our dedicated employees and generous volunteers to create a better Berkley.”

Dr. O’Dwyer went on to express his expectation that Steve Baker and Lisa Auensen will add new energy and creative ideas to the next Council.

Dear Neighbor,

I am running for Berkley City Council because I want to be your independent voice at the table. Our city needs a council of independent thinkers in which each member can present the diverse views of the voters. I will use that input to establish and maintain a vision, strategy, and plan that will ensure Berkley's successful future.

I am a 28-year resident of Berkley and have years of involvement in various aspects of our community life, including: Berkley City Council, Founding member of Berkley Youth Soccer, Coach for Berkley Soccer and Hoops, Strategic Planning Committee for the Berkley School District, Public Safety Committee, and Berkley Citizens Committee, among others.

The most critical issue for Berkley, as for most municipalities, is Financial Security. Diminishing resources that result from the combination of Proposition A and the Headlee rollback require careful budgeting and spending restraint.

I will ensure prudent management of our limited funds, investment only in projects that contribute to the long-term security of Berkley, and I will seek to attract valued businesses to fill our empty buildings. I will work closely with our representatives in Lansing to ensure that Berkley gets its fair share of revenue.