Vision

Augusta Township needs competent accountable government officials who make fair and wise decisions about conducting township business and who make good decisions about spending your tax dollars.  The Board must put the interests of the current residents of the township first in making decisions which affect our community.  I would like be a part of a Board that works cooperatively in furthering the goals and objectives of the Master Plan which was developed by and for our community and represents the vision of our residents for the community.  I believe that the goals of the Master Plan are attainable.  The Master Plan should be our guide in making decisions, planning for the future of our community and in entering agreements with community partners such as developers, township service providers, school officials, business development interests and other governing bodies.

I decided to run for office because I was tired of feeling frustrated with the ineffective leadership of the current Board and the wasteful spending of tax dollars.  I hope to make a positive impact on the governing of the township for the good of the whole community.

• Protect the rural character of Augusta Township as stated in the Master Plan

• Work cooperatively and professionally with other members of the Board of Trustees to conduct the business of the township effectively and efficiently

• Work to develop relationships with Lincoln Schools officials to create support for a mutual vision for our community.

• Be sure all Board members have the necessary information in preparation for Board meetings so that Township business can be conducted in an efficient, effective manner which does not waste time, money or energy.

• Be respectful of the public’s right for open transparent government which does not waste the public’s time, money or energy.  I will work to avoid ineffectively run Board meetings, unprepared proposals for action and repeated rehashing of dead issues.

• Bring the utilities management under competent effective leadership.  I will work toward an overall long-term utilities strategy/plan which makes sense for our township, is in keeping with the master plan and spends utilities funds frugally.

• Develop written Board policies for managing township business and standardizing Township finance and accounting practices.  I will ensure these policies provide oversight and proper checks and balances between the Clerk’s office and the Treasurer’s office.

• Bring the Township’s financial records up to date so that Township bank accounts, cash resources and investments are accurate, current and balanced to the general ledger accounting system.  I will be sure that income and tax collection is recorded and tracked with 100% accuracy and that the cash accounts are balanced to the township financial statements.

• I will bring respect and professionalism to every Board meeting and focus on conducting the township business at hand as effectively and efficiently as possible.

• I will provide the highest level of customer service to the residents of Augusta Township through quick response to requests or inquiries and by keeping in mind that the residents of Augusta Township are the customers I am elected to serve.

Background

My husband Kreg and I purchased our home in Augusta Township in May of 2003 after researching many possible residences in the communities surrounding Ann Arbor.  Prior to making the purchase, I visited the Township office to understand the community and the area.  I reviewed the township Master Plan and found the emphasis on rural character in line with our desires to own a small acreage home and raise small livestock.  The Master Plan was a big reason we decided to purchase our home in Augusta Township.

I have a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats and am a member of the Michigan Dairy Goat Association, American Goat Society and Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association.  I have also served on the Augusta Township Farmland Preservation Board since it’s creation in 2006 and currently function as the 2008 Chairperson.

Work and Volunteer Life

The majority of my work life has been in the field of Human Resource and Employee Benefit management.  In Nashville (prior to moving to Michigan) I worked as the Employee Benefits Director for a large non-profit business association for over ten years.  In this capacity I managed four employees who reported directly to me and had authority for a department budget in excess of four million dollars.  I also managed an employee benefits budget and retirement plans in excess of fifty-one million dollars.  I developed the respect of my co-workers and staff by making sure the department budget was balanced and employee retirement calculations were accurate and funds were administered properly.  I am currently working part-time for a Tier 1 auto parts supplier in Saline as the HR Manager.

Since moving to Augusta Township I got involved in my community by working as a substitute teacher for Lincoln Consolidated Schools until May 2007.  I have also been an election inspector for Precinct 2 for the last two years.  As a volunteer, I put my personnel management experience to use by working with the Board of Trustees to draft and approve a personnel manual for the Township.  This type of work provided in the open market would have cost the Township approximately $5000 but as a resident of the Township I offered my skills to fill a need by providing the work as a volunteer.

Kreg and I are also involved in the Belleville Community Chorus (BCC) as singers and by filling leadership roles for the organization.  I have led the fundraising efforts of the BCC for the last two years in order to support its financial viability as a community music service organization.  We are members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

I have served as a volunteer for a number of organizations prior to moving to Michigan.  I have served on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations, Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity and the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center where I was also a volunteer certified mediator for the local civil court.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology and minor in computer science from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL in 1985.  I then pursued and completed a Master’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1988.  Ongoing education includes professional development training in mediation and completion of the 4 year Episcopal Education for Ministry curriculum.  I would like to see our community offer more adult continuing education opportunities.

Summary

I hope that you will support me as your Treasurer.  I will bring professionalism and practicality with a down to earth, no-nonsense style and attitude to the job.  My focus will be on getting the job done in a way that best serves the interests of our community.