Adam Duberstein Appointed to Fill Clawson City Council Vacancy

(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 7, 2026)

Clawson, MI – Officials in Clawson have selected Adam Duberstein to fill a short term vacancy on Clawson City Council. Duberstein is taking on the seat vacated by Heather Rinkevich when she resigned last month, and he is expected to serve until the Nov. 2027 election.

Duberstein was one of four residents that council members interviewed at a special meeting on May 4. Jennifer Burney, Ethan Haan, and Glenn Shepard were also considered.

Mayor Sue Moffitt thanked everyone who had applied. “We’re so lucky to have such a great candidate pool,” she said.

Duberstein lived in Hazel Park before deciding to make Clawson his long-term home. There he served on the library board for four years, three of which he was the President. He works as a clinical psychologist as well as a professor of psychology ethics at Saybrook University.

“I’m a newer resident to Clawson and I think that gives me a chance to see Clawson through some very fresh eyes,” he said during his interview. As far as bringing change to Clawson, he hopes to listen to ideas from others. “I’m not Yosemite Sam with the guns a blazing, I want to come in slow, careful, and steady so that I understand the ramifications of any policy that I might propose change to, what that would do,” he said.

Though there are a few things he’s seen in other cities that he might ask fellow council members to consider. He admires the Wellness Commission created in Farmington Hills, known as Commission on Community Health. He also would like to see an employee recognized at each council meeting, and possibly also the creation of a Youth Commission.

But his main priority is listening to others and having good discussions. “I love to create dialogues because I’m a psychologist and a teacher,” he said. He also described himself as “a diligent researcher,” who is “fiercely organized.”

When asked what the top three issues in Clawson are, Duberstein said infrastructure, economic development, and the budget. He said the city needs to “maintain quality services without over-burdening the taxpayers,” and that “Attracting new business to Clawson is important, but we don’t want to disrupt the character of the neighborhoods in which we live.” He added that “I want to make sure the businesses are services the residents will use.”

Council member Laura Slowinski said “One of the things I liked most about Adam is he’s an ethics professor, so that was very important to me.” She also valued that he not only lives in the city, but works there as well.

Council member Alec Speshock also supported Duberstein for the position. “He already comes to meetings and participates in events. I see him around all the time,” Speshock said.

The City Council had narrowed their selection down to two – Duberstein and Haan. But in the end, Duberstein was unanimously approved to fill the vacancy.

Learn more about City of Clawson at https://www.cityofclawson.com. For more Clawson news and events visit the Oakland County Times Clawson Page.