VOTE411 Voter Guide

I believe that my experience and education leave me highly qualified for the role of township clerk. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University. My graduation from Eastern Michigan University Staff and Command school prepared me with skills in planning and organizing. My career at the police department included command of the records division, responsible for Freedom of Information Act requests and Records Retention. I have experience in budget and grant oversight, hiring and background investigations. My work with the U.S. Census involved training and leading a team of over 40 census enumerators, working in several mid and northern Michigan Counties. This required a high level of teamwork and organization.

I believe that the responsibility for providing secure, fair, and accurate elections is likely the most important responsibility of the position of clerk. With all the questions and media attention over the past 3 years regarding election fairness, I think people need and deserve to feel that the polls are conducted fairly and honestly, and that their vote counts. In addition, I strongly believe that a local government should be responsive, transparent, honest, and accountable to the public it serves. I see the position of clerk as having a critical role in ensuring that those standards are met. I believe that officials should not just meet the legal minimum required by law but rise above to meet the spirit of the law, whenever possible.

In Edenville Township, four years after catastrophic flooding, there are many people still facing struggles and uncertainty with their housing situation. Many of those that were able to rebuild are carrying double mortgages, or mortgages that were unexpected when planning for retirement. I believe that the next census survey will find the township population decreased. Our township should encourage and facilitate rebuilding, advocating and supporting residents where and how we can. I believe that our township government has a responsibility to reevaluate the assessments we have in place, and our spending priorities. I believe that when it is necessary for our citizens to become more frugal, our government should respond accordingly.