Phillip C. Hart, Democrat, has announced his candidacy for Supervisor of Van Buren Township and has filed the required nominating petitions to place him on the ballot for the Aug. 2, 2016 primary election.
Hart said he believes that the need for qualified, effective leadership will be an important issue in this election.
“We now have a budget of over $14 million and 150 township employees,” he said. “Managing such an organization requires a leader with the proper background, experience, and leadership skills.”
The township is facing several significant challenges, but with proper leadership Hart said he believes that these issues can be resolved.
“We must also look to the future,” he said. “We must recognize that we are a desirable community in which to do business and to live and raise our families. Our location has many advantages for development and future growth is inevitable, with this understanding I have earned a Citizens Planner Certification in planning and zoning through Michigan State University. Qualified leadership is vital to manage, control and take advantage of this expected growth.”
Hart said he believes that he can provide this leadership. His education, private-sector management experience, governmental experience and a clear record of dedicated community involvement has prepared him for this role.
Hart has been a resident of the township for 33 years. He and his wife Karen married in 1984 and they have two daughters, Ashley and Blair, and both are graduates of Belleville High School and Eastern Michigan University.
Hart received a Bachelor in Business Administration degree from Northwood University and an associate’s degree in Commerce from Henry Ford Community College.
He has also attended numerous seminars and training sessions on management and leadership skills. Hart is enrolled in the Michigan Township Governance Academy.
Hart recently left Ford Motor Company after a 38-year career. He held multiple technical and management positions.
“As a New Model Launch Specialist, I was responsible for leading the Launch Team in the introduction of new models,” he said. “Team members included design, manufacturing and quality engineers, as well as global suppliers. Budgets and human resource management were also important areas of responsibility.
“My employment experience has taught me the value of a ‘team approach,’ a concept that I will bring to the Supervisor’s office.”
Hart is now completing his fifth term as Van Buren Township Trustee.
“I am very humbled and grateful to the residents for their continued support and confidence in me” Hart stated.
Hart’s record of governmental services include: Board representative to the Public Safety Committee, Environmental Commission, Cable Commission, Lake Committee, Solid Waste Negotiation Committee, member of the Public Safety Millage Committee and member and past chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
“I am a member of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Township Association, St. Anthony’s Church and the Belleville Yacht Club. I believe that I have established a true record of dedication to the community and I have built relationships with other elected officials on the local, county and state levels which is valuable to our community”.
Hart said he believes he has been effective in representing the community and that there is more work to be done. He said he has always been an advocate for our community and represents Van Buren Township in a positive and professional manner.
Hart said he believes that communication is vital to effective leadership and that a healthy debate on important issues facing Van Buren Township benefits all the residents.
“As Supervisor I will work closely with the entire board and will continue to seek input from each board member, as well as from employees, residents and the business community” he stated. “It is important to provide the highest level of services to our residents in a cost-effective manner and to eliminate unnecessary expense. Working together we will move Van Buren Township forward toward our goal of becoming a premier community.
“I hope that the residents will give me the opportunity to continue to serve our community by voting for me as Supervisor in the Aug. 2, 2016, Primary Election. I will need your help and support. I will truly appreciate any assistance that you can provide to my campaign.
“I can be reached at [email protected] .”
Philip C. Hart
Mr. Heart will not get my vote for supervisor. He has 3 strikes against him at the outset. Number one: he is part of the “Visteon three”. I agree in the letter about challenges in the future but those challenges are thanks to the Visteon debacle.
Number two: he knew the recall attempt was unnecessary and costly but he did not have the courage to stand up for what he knew was right. Number three: He now claims he was “neutral” during the recall.
Mr. Heart speaks of leadership many times in his letter but to turn the other cheek during a time when there was an attempt to thwart the democratic process shows a lack of compassion for his community. This was not the positive or professional representation he speaks of in his letter.
Hart is part of the problem , not the solution. I do not reward failure! We need proven leadership as we are forced to face the visteon financial debacle create by Hart and the King regime. Kevin Mcnamara represents proven leadership and the demeanor needed to navigate out of this financial storm we face.
Mr. Heart used “I”, “I”, “I” several times in his candidate announcement letter but we watched the board meeting during the Recall in which White was ridiculed and confronted for saying “I”. Mr. Heart contributed to this ridicule and also you can see him texting on his phone to assist the recall group with cruel statements. Mr. Tackett is correct, Phil is part of the problem. As Trustee he has not done anything significant for his community, rarely attended events, but he is responsible, in part, for the Visteon financial issue. His true character came forth during the Recall, turning the other cheek and participating in the back stabbing and counter productive behavior. He is responsible for not standing up for what was right for our community, did not attempt to bring unity, instead creating factions and division in our community. To now pretend he was “neutral” is shameful.
McClanahan is the best choice for Supervisor. She is not a member of the “cancerous clique” so therefore she will not be beholding to the political machine that currently runs our township, she is not a member of the Visteon 3 and she has proven her courage to stand up against 6 board members to vote for what she truly believes in. She will bring to our township something we have needed for a long time: Unity.
This announcement is Ludicrious. First you helped create a hostile environment in our community. The old hide your hand and throw the rock trick is not working. Now you expect us to vote you into office and pay you too! You need to put that crack pipe down. You have done nothing but get the TWP in debt. No thanks Phil we don’t need your brand of Politics.