04/24/2026
So I asked Adobe AI, just using the applications submitted in the Council packet, who was the most qualified applicant.
The results from my simple question are below. Your results may vary, but I believe the result is obvious. Our community's future is at stake. It's vital to place someone on Council who has the experience, knowledge, and vision from having lived and served this community for many years, someone who knows the people and history of our city and who knows our potential.
Based on the candidate applications in the April 23, 2026 special meeting packet, we can compare prior city governance experience, municipal finance competency, length of residency/continuity, and community involvement to identify the strongest overall fit for a vacant City Council seat.
Summary conclusion
The most qualified candidate is Glenn Shepard given a combination of direct City of Clawson Council experience (4 years), extensive Planning Commission service (12 years, including 2 as Chair), demonstrated involvement in city budgeting and ordinance work, and 22 years of residency with broad community engagement.
How the candidates compare
Direct Clawson governance and continuity
Glenn Shepard: Four years as City Councilmember; twelve years on Planning Commission (two as Chair); liaison to Clawson Public Schools; deep involvement in zoning, the Master Plan, and landscaping/green infrastructure ordinances; 22-year resident.
George Georges: Prior service on Planning Commission and service on City Council by appointment; 14-year resident; emphasizes transparency and long-term financial stewardship (e.g., attention to $65,000,000 bond communication).
Scott Manning: Clawson boards/commissions participation (Fourth of July Committee, Compensation Commission, ZBA) plus prior service on a Planning Commission and multiple Boards of Education in other communities; 4-year resident.
Ethan Haan: Strong municipal finance leadership (Finance Director/Treasurer roles, budgeting, audits, bargaining). Residency listed as 5 years; experience appears to be in other municipalities rather than direct Clawson council service.
Alex Aprile: Public sector and community outreach leadership (Public Works community services director; extensive congressional office experience). No explicit Clawson governance roles or residency duration listed.
Adam Duberstein: Former elected library board trustee (not specified as Clawson), professor, small business owner; 1.5-year resident; strong governance and policy/ethics background but shorter local tenure.
Other applications (e.g., partially legible entries) lack sufficient detail to demonstrate comparable qualifications.
Financial stewardship and policy capacity
Ethan Haan: Direct municipal finance leadership (budget development, audits, treasury, tax, payroll/AP, bargaining, bids/contracts) across multiple roles, including oversight of multi-million-dollar general funds.
Glenn Shepard: Familiarity with prior city budgets, zoning/ordinance expertise, and development of green infrastructure policy indicates capacity to participate in complex policy and budget deliberations.
George Georges: Accounting background (bachelor’s in accounting, continuing taxation studies) and multi-year management experience, with a stated focus on transparency and bond communication.
Adam Duberstein: Budgeting/operations as a business owner; governance experience through elected board leadership; policy/ethics expertise.
Alex Aprile: Public administration experience in outreach, intergovernmental relationships, and procedural development.
Scott Manning: Budgeting and HR oversight within church administration; governance experience on education boards and planning commission.
Why Glenn Shepard stands out
Breadth and depth of Clawson-specific governance: Prior service on both City Council and the Planning Commission (including Chair) equips him with procedural fluency, institutional memory, and working knowledge of Clawson’s zoning, ordinances, and Master Plan.
Budget-season readiness: Shepard explicitly notes knowledge of previous city budgets—valuable given the agenda’s budget discussion context and the need for continuity during a budget cycle.
Policy and implementation record: Led updates to landscaping ordinances and spearheaded a tree planting program focused on biodiversity, road protection, and stormwater mitigation—showing the ability to translate goals into policy outcomes.
Community roots and collaboration: 22-year resident with sustained engagement across schools, youth sports, and city departments; this continuity supports trust and effective collaboration.
Notable runner-up profiles
Ethan Haan: Exceptional municipal finance skill set directly relevant to council work (budget and audit oversight). While not listed as having Clawson council/commission roles, Haan’s finance leadership would strongly complement the Council—particularly on budgeting and long-term financial planning.
George Georges: Prior City Council (by appointment) and Planning Commission service, plus accounting/tax background and focus on transparency. A solid governance and finance-oriented profile.
Overall, considering direct and extensive Clawson governance experience, policy accomplishments, budget familiarity, and long-term local commitment, Glenn Shepard is the most qualified candidate for the vacant City Council seat.
— Generated using Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant
