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Number of years as resident
36
With an MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan and a career as a State Certified Commercial Real Estate Appraiser and Vice President of Commercial Lending, I bring a sophisticated understanding of fiscal management and property value determination. My professional expertise is complemented by years of direct public service: I have served as the Chair of the Lodi Township Zoning Board of Appeals since 2021 and as Chair and member of the Board of Review since 2007. This unique combination of high-level financial acumen and deep, hands-on experience navigating complex local governance, zoning policy, and community consensus-building makes me the best candidate to ensure Lodi Township remains financially sound and well-managed.
My primary goal is to maintain Lodi Township’s fiscal stability while managing inevitable growth. I will prioritize essential services, such as road maintenance and public safety. I am committed to transparent governance, ensuring that residents are informed participants in decision-making processes. With limited resources, I will advocate for intergovernmental cooperation and regional partnerships to share costs for infrastructure projects. By leveraging my experience in municipal finance and zoning, I will streamline administrative processes to reduce operational waste, ensuring tax dollars are invested directly into the services that preserve our rural character and enhance our community's quality of life.
The most pressing challenges are managing the pressure for rapid development while protecting our agricultural heritage and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with planned growth. I will address this by conducting a thorough review of our master plan to ensure development is sustainable and aligns with community values. I am committed to maintaining a strict and fair application of zoning ordinances to prevent haphazard sprawl. Furthermore, I will continue to foster open communication between township officials and residents to address concerns about traffic and environmental impact proactively. My experience working with the previous Supervisor has prepared me to lead responsibly and with the best interests of the citizens in the township.
Lodi Township’s greatest assets are our residents, our rural landscape, and our strategic location. Our community is defined by active, engaged citizens who care deeply about our future. We must treat our open spaces as a vital resource to be managed, not just consumed. I plan to use my leadership to facilitate community-led initiatives to help promote sustainable land use, and support local agricultural businesses. By honoring our past and planning thoughtfully for the future, we can ensure that Lodi Township remains a vibrant, desirable place to live for all generations.
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WEBSITE
BarryforLodi.org
Number of years as resident
12
Being able to communicate effectively is an essential skill for public office holders. I earned a teaching certificate and have 20 years of teaching experience at the high school and college level. I am comfortable leading group discussions and describing complex issues in ways that are easier to understand.
I have a graduate degree in urban planning and look forward to working on the township master plan and zoning ordinance. I have years of work experience as a zoning/code officer, so I understand ordinance language and enforcement well.
I also served as a union organizer for 10 years and have experience with contract negotiations (bargaining).
A primary goal is to improve communications effectiveness and transparency in government operations. There are opportunities to improve our website, periodic newsletters, and make public meetings accessible online.
The process of notification, nominating and appointing residents to serve on township boards and committees also needs to be more transparent and inclusive. Decision making is improved when people of diverse education and backgrounds participate in the process.
For many years our Supervisor chose to assume the role or function of zoning administrator. There are good reasons why an elected official should not serve in this role, not the least of which is the potential appearance of partisanship or political favoritism. The zoning ordinance is essentially local law; it needs to be administered and enforced consistently and uniformly among all residents and property owners.
If elected, I will research the budgetary support for creating a separate zoning administrator position and remove that from the supervisor's responsibility.
Lodi Township's location is one of our greatest assets. We border Ann Arbor, making all it's amenities easily accessible to township residents. Yet, much or Lodi is still rural / agricultural, offering our residents more quiet, less congested living conditions and natural features..
Of course, there is the constant pressure of residential and commercial development encroaching into the township. To maintain the rural identity we value, growth needs to be planned very thoughtfully and local zoning crafted to achieve those goals. There are many resources available for rural economic development that helps rural areas thrive and township government can play a role in making those resources accessible to residents.
