The community of Auburn Hills is processing the bittersweet news following this week's City Council election. Greg Ouellette, whose goal of serving on the City Council was cut short by his untimely death shortly after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 4, secured enough votes for a council seat, as reported by ClickOnDetroit. His wife, Jeanne Ouellette, expressed a poignant sense of fulfillment on his behalf, saying, "I believe that somehow Greg was able to know that he won that election on Tuesday."
Ouellette who had been deeply involved in Auburn Hills politics for almost 30 years through his role on the Planning Commission, died of a heart attack. Despite the loss, his commitment to organ donation continued his legacy of community service. His lifelong ambition to be on the City Council, one he had nurtured through his extended tenure as chairman of the Planning Commission, culminated in what his friend Henry Knight described as a "wonderful" irony since he had finished just after Ouellette in the voting. He was quoted by FOX 2 Detroit saying "The ironic thing is I finished after him in the voting and he got the last position. I couldn’t think of anything more wonderful. It was his desire to be elected to the council, and he was."
Ouellette's contribution as a leader of the Planning Commission was underscored by City Manager Tom Tanghe who referred to him as "well-respected and instrumental" in guiding significant community developments. Tanghe's remarks were included in a statement announcing Ouellette's victory, supplemented by Jeanne's belief that her husband somehow knew of his election success. The story shared by People contained a touching detail from Steve Cohen, the director of community development for the city, who recalled that "Greg called me on Friday and told me that he had a really good feeling that he was going to win this time."
A tribute planned for Ouellette is scheduled for Nov. 17, the day new council members are sworn in. Auburn Hills Mayor Brian Marzolf encapsulated the somber pride of a community in mourning, yet touched by an individual's dedication to public service, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ouellette family, and we have no doubt how proud they must be that Greg achieved his dream of being elected to City Council," as per People. As the city faces the challenge of selecting a successor to fill the vacancy left by Ouellette's death, the council has assured the public that an announcement regarding the process will be made shortly.
