Five candidates are on the Nov. 6 ballot running for four seats open on the Belleville Area District Library Board.
Incumbents on the ballot are Mary Jane Dawson, Sharon Peters, and Tanya Stoudemire. Incumbent Lachelle Reed Caver is not seeking re-election.
Newcomers on the ballot are Barbara Gates and Linda Priest.
The Independent sent out questionnaires to get information for voters and these are the results.
Mary Jane Dawson
Mary Jane Dawson, 70, 155 E. Columbia Ave., City of Belleville, has lived in the library district for 30 years.
She and her husband, Rick Dawson, have six sons, five daughters-in-law and 12 “amazing” grandchildren: Jim (Melinda) Baird, Scot (Deb) Baird, Jason (Rachel) Baird, Brad (Jill) Dawson, Ryan (Dulcy) Dawson, and Burke Dawson. Grandkids from the Baird gene pool: Nathaniel, Anna, Abby, Alison, David & Dahlia. From the Dawson gene pool: Riley, Vanea, Spencer, Eli, Owen, and Claire.
Dawson is a retired Registered Nurse. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1965 and earned an ADN at Washtenaw Community College in 1986.
This is the third time she has run for office: all for Library Board Trustee. She was appointed to the first Belleville Area District Library Board in 2010 by Mayor Richard Smith and unanimously approved by the City Council.
“I have been an active member of my community, serving on various committees and boards, including President of the FRIENDS of the Library, Trustee on the Belleville Area Historical Society, Recording Secretary for the Belleville Area Council for the Arts, and as one of seven appointees for the first Belleville Area District Library Board on April 17, 2010. I served as Chair for the first six years: Now serving as the Vice Chair. I also have Chaired the Marketing and Policy Committee for the library board and am a current member of the library’s Art Committee. I am a member of EAGLES Aerie Auxiliary 3996 and a Life Member of VFW Auxiliary 4422.”
“I like to knit and crochet. I love reading a good book, favoring mysteries and history genres. I enjoy walking around the downtown area and my favorite walking companion is Ziva, my pedigreed mutt who is a rescue. I spend as much time as I can with our adult children and grandchildren. Boating is another hobby. I really enjoy hanging out with my husband, Rick. We spend as much time on the lake as is possible during the boating season.
Why I am running for re-election:
“I believe very strongly that libraries are an integral component of our communities. I am running for re-election because there is still more to do to ensure that our tri-community has the type of library the residents deserve. In April of 2010, the original library board was charged with the job of researching and planning for a new main library building as well as locating a media center in the southern portion of the library’s service area. The service area for the Belleville Area District Library consists of Belleville, Sumpter Township and Van Buren Township. The current building is woefully inadequate to provide the measure of services the residents need and deserve. Currently, construction is under way in downtown Belleville to erect a new building which will be a beacon, drawing people in to take advantage of books, media, programs, and opportunities to connect with other members of the community. I was there at the start in April of 2010 and I want to be there for the completion of this very important project for our tri-community.
Do you have any goals once you are re-elected?
“The most important task at hand is to keep the main library construction on track and to bring the project to fruition within our budget guidelines. I am a member of the library’s Building Committee and have spent many, many hours planning, revising, and overseeing the library being built downtown as well as working with the elected officials in Sumpter Township to develop a plan to locate a media center in the township. I look forward to being able to serve the residents of the library district for another four years and would be grateful to have the local voters support me on November 6th when they go the polls,” Dawson said.
Barbara Gates
Barbara Gates, 77, 88745 Vine St., Van Buren Township, is a retired Registered Nurse, and has lived in the library district for two years. Her children are Robert Washington, Jr. and Rosalyn Ware.
Gates has a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
She has run for office in the past for the River Rouge Board of Education and homeowners associations in Detroit and Van Buren Township. This is her first bid for public office.
She is active in multiple church organizations, Delta Sigma Theta Inc. sorority, and enjoys travel, reading, and crafts.
Why are you running for this office?
“Give back to my community by promoting literacy. Use some of my experience to support new programming.”
Do you have any goals once you are elected?
1. To continue the progress the library makes in the community by joining the team of past and new board members making the library a welcoming space.
2. Suggest action themes such as: Traveling through Reading and Books are Our Friends.
Sharon C. Peters
Sharon Claytor Peters, 67, of 13795 Christina Ln., Van Buren Township, has lived in the library district for 11 years.
She is married to Melvin T. Peters, Ph.D. and their children are Troy A. Peters, Shani V. Peters, and Haile A. Peters (all grown).
Peters is a retired non-profit executive, retiring as CEO of Michigan’s Children, this state’s statewide child advocacy organization. She takes occasional jobs as consultant, currently with Claytor Peters Consulting.
She has a master of arts in Cultural (Medical) Anthropology from Michigan State University and a bachelor of arts from MSU.
She was elected to the Lansing School District Board of Education in 1993 and served from 1994 to 2000 as member, treasurer, and board president.
She was elected to the Belleville Area District Library Board in 2014 and served 2015 to present as member, vice chair, and chair of the board.
She was appointed by the Mayor of Lansing to the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority and served 2000-2007.
Peters was appointed by the Governor of Michigan to serve on the Michigan Teacher Tenure Commission and served 2003-2009. She also was appointed by the Governor to the Michigan Council for Labor and Economic Growth and served 2006-2010.
Peters belongs to Trinity Episcopal Church, Belleville; NAACP; Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club, executive board; and enjoys reading, gardening, and yoga.
Why are you running for office?
“I am running for re-election to the BADL Board because I continue to be passionate about our library and I am in the middle of a job I want to complete. I am especially proud of the progress we have made in developing a new library for our community. I worked hard with the rest of the board and our community to develop a plan for the new downtown library, to take that plan to the people on the ballot, to gain passage of the library proposals, and to contract for the construction of the library.
“I am currently deeply involved in that construction effort, which is well under way, to see that the quality project comes in on budget and in a timely manner. I have a lot of experience in civic activity and greatly enjoy the work of setting direction for the Belleville Area District Library, which already is a gem of our community and will soon be even more so.”
Do you have any goals once you are elected?
“Bringing the new library plan to fruition is my number one goal in running for re-election. That effort will not only involve continued work with the library board, staff, and construction team, but also includes sustained engagement of the entire community. During my first term on the board, I was also involved in assuring the continuation of strong leadership in our library with the selection of our current Director Mary Jo Suchy. Working with her to maximize the robust programming and vast services offered to our patrons is also high on my goal list. Our library is our information center and community hub and I am excited at the prospect of helping take it to the next level.”
Linda Priest
Linda Priest, 72, of 311 East Huron River Drive, City of Belleville, has lived in the library district for 18 years. She and her husband Randy have three sons, Jason, Eric, and Seth.
She is a retired public school teacher with a bachelor of science degree in Natural Science from Madonna University and a master’s degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University.
She taught elementary school for five years in Detroit and was a middle school science teacher in Wayne-Westland for 15 years. She also was a substitute teacher in Farmington Public Schools for two years.
This is her first bid for elective office.
Priest has been a member of the Friends of the Belleville Area District Library since 2015 and its president for 2016-18. She is now vice president. She is a member of the Northwest Wayne County League of Women Voters and she and her husband are members of the Belleville Yacht Club.
“I am running for the BADL board because of my continuing involvement with the library over the past few years. As I have worked with the library staff and Friends of the BADL members and with the citizens of Belleville, Van Buren, and Sumpter, I have become increasingly passionate about the library and its future. I am interested in making sure the public is aware of all that the library has to offer and how they may best avail themselves of library services. I also want to make sure there is continued funding for the wonderful programs that the library offers. With the new building now under construction, I want to help facilitate access to the library as the process continues to completion. This is an exciting time for the Belleville Area District Library and I would very much enjoy being a part of it.
“Libraries are changing and becoming centers for community life. I want to help our community best utilize the library as we move into the future,” Priest said.
Tanya Y. Stoudemire
Tanya Y. Stoudemire, 55, of 42755 Winding Pond Trail, Van Buren Township, has lived in the library district for 15 years.
She is married to Adrian Phillips and their children are Kyron, Evan and Blake Phillips.
Stoudemire serves as Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director for the City of Detroit. She earned a juris doctorate degree from Wayne State University.
She has never been appointed to public office but she was elected to the Belleville Area District Library Board and is seeking re-election.
She enjoys boating with family and friends and travelling with her husband.
“I am running for office because building a new library is a tough job and I have the financial skills and legal aptitude needed to assist the BADL board with decisions that will impact the community for the next 30 years.
“Once I am re-elected, my goals are to continue to provide financial guidance to the BADL board and to look for additional opportunities that will allow the district library to enhance the lives of the people who live, work and visit our community.” Stoudemire said.