It pleases me to announce that I will be seeking the office of Treasurer of Van Buren Township on the Democratic ticket on the Aug. 2, 2016 primary ballot.
My wife Edith and I moved to this beautiful community 11 years ago. After working 35 years at Great Lakes Steel as an engineer, my work experience included various management positions in operations, quality control, and technology departments. I have learned that success involves respecting and supporting others. By sharing ideas, raising questions, and finding a common ground we can achieve our goals.
Since retiring, I have been on the Board of Review for Van Buren Township for the past five years and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program in our community.
For the past 20 years, I have been on the Board of Community Focus Federal Credit Union in Brownstown, MI and currently the Board Chairperson.
If elected, I will be looking for ways to address the upcoming debt that is soon due. Mistakes have been made in the past. It is up to all of us to start working together on the solutions. I realize that the Treasurer must work along with the Board without conflict to resolve our current problems. While attending various VBT Board and committee meetings I have discovered how dysfunctional the Board comes to decisions and their lack of respect for one another.
During a discussion at an April Township Board meeting, we were told that the township Administrators had decided that 6.5 mils would be on the November 2016 ballot to provide funds for public safety. This would be an increase from the current 4 mils. They never disclosed where the increased funds would be used.
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tri-State College, Angola, IN. My qualifications for the Treasurer’s position are supported by work experiences and volunteering at the credit union. I have taken numerous classes through the Michigan Credit Union League, including courses in budgeting, accounting, internal controls and developing writing and implementing policies. Work experiences also include budgeting, tracking variances and working with Auditors and Regulators.
If elected, it will be a pleasure to serve the community of Van Buren Township.
Harry Roesch
Finally a candidate that addresses the concerns of the Visteon Bond. Thank you for not dancing around the elephant in the room Harry, we need someone who isn’t afraid to face the real issues. You have my vote sir.
Let’s not forget all of the other issues that have been swept under the rug by the current board. Let’s get rid of these leftovers and vote in a brand new board. A brand new board for a brand new Van Buren. We can be a wonderful community under new leadership. Ps please do something about the eye sore that was once Farmer Jack’s.
I agree with Lisa, finally a candidate that is not afraid to face the issues and to encourage talking about them. A Treasurer that will actually be involved and willing to speak out on issues. Mr. Roesch has good qualifications and experience, he has no axe to grind, is not a political machine and he recognizes the dysfunction of this current board.
I have watched many board meetings and have read plenty of articles online to know that the root of many issues are directly related to Mrs. Budd our current Treasurer. She has lots of blood in her hands but blames others. She is not good for our township and she needs to be replaced. Harry seems like a very viable replacement. We need this as a township we really do.
Mr. DelRay is correct; many issues are directly related to bullybudd. This is just about the last remaining “cancerous clique” member and we will never move forward as a “premier community” as long as she’s in office. Mr. Roesch has no “blood on his hands” and therefore will allow our community to rise above the spitefulness and political power that has kept us in a stranglehold for so many years.
The current treasurer has a lot of bad history at township hall: She is part of the Visteon 3, she was responsible for the failed recall and refused to work with the newly elected supervisor creating a horrible working atmosphere at township hall. This showed a blatant disrespect for her community and for the residents that voted for a new supervisor. She is aware of the complete history of the Riggs Farm and so far has not lifted a finger to save this historic home or give a reason as to why it needs to be demolished. What has she or anyone else on the Board done to address the issue of the derelict vacant Farmer Jack? I hope they are not going to lease it out to that carnival again, the carnival workers do not stay at our local hotels, they set up tents and campers behind the store where there is no running water or restroom facility.
Harry Roesch is an excllent candidate for VBT Treasurer. His time is now!!
Knowledgeable voters understand the importance of electing VBT Officials representing the values of our community. Politics be damned when tough decisions are necessary to achieve the necessary goals to accomplish and confront the tasks and issues at hand. Elect candidates willing to step forward to work together to attain the goals for our beloved township. Fiscal Responsibility, Honest, Integrity, Simplicity. Be sure to vote the August 2 Primary. Tshe seven Democrats winning the Primary will be the next Board of Trustees for our Van Buren Township. Paul D. White.
Nice letter Mr. Roesch. I’ll be interested in you, McNamara and Woodford. I plan to really follow what you 3 say as I feel like I want to give you my vote. Thanks for speaking up about the imminent debt we shall soon see in our township. We need to plan now and not later.
Candidate Roesch has the ability and willingness to work well with others for the sake of the residents of Van Buren Township and the community as a whole. With his maturity, education and experience and lack of political machinery, the stranglehold on this township just might be loosened after all these years. VOTE FOR ROESCH.
Below are Harry Roesch’s qualifications, experience and goals. I agree with others comments, VBT needs a board that can work together. All the Visteon 3 (Hart, Budd and Jahr) need to retire from politics. Besides the Visteon disaster, they have also brought us the blended rate police officer program, and millions of lost tax dollars awarded to businesses in tax abatements.
Qualifications:
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical engineering from Tri-State College, Angola, IN. My qualifications for the Treasurers position are supported by work experiences serving on the Executive, Supervisory and Budget Committees at Community Focus Federal Credit Union.
I have taken numerous classes through the Michigan Credit Union League including courses in budgeting, accounting, internal controls and developing writing and implementing policies.
Working at Great Lakes Steel for 35 years I was in charge of budgeting, tracking budget variances and working with auditors and regulators.
Community Involvement:
• Member of the Board of Review Van Buren Township for 5 Years.
• Volunteered for the Meals on Wheels in Van Buren Township for 4 Years.
• Past 20 years a volunteer on the Board of Directors for Community Focus Federal Credit Union.
My Goals as Treasurer:
• Find ways to reduce the Visteon debt without raising taxes.
• Work with the Board of trustees and other elected officials, sharing ideas and forming the best solutions for Van Buren Township.
• Respecting and supporting all Van Buren Township employees.
• To be a source of support and information to the residents.
• If elected I will donate 10% of my salary to local Organizations.
All,Red the last line again. And again!!
The goals of Mr. Roesch is exactly what this township needs for this election year. The Visteon 3 expect the taxpayers to pay for their mistake. Mr. Roesch wants to finds ways to reduce this debt without penalizing the residents. After all we had no vote on that decision to pledge full faith and credit of VBT.
The residents should know that the treasurer salary is nearly $100,000. per year and to donate 10% to a worthy cause is a very generous pledge.
I like the idea of pledging 10% of the salary. It is an honorable thing and shows that he has the right intentions.
I also want to know if he would be on board in collaboration with other members of the board to get rid of current directors who do not fulfill their positions? Specifically the current Fire chief and Director of PS? They have failed and need to go, just like the current board.
Mr Roesch, Thanks for getting in the race. I hope you will not use the Township check book like it belongs to you. This Township needs accountability. No bid contracts should be a thing of the past. Picking relatives for Public safety jobs and are clearly not educated or suited for the positions. Honestly, Mr Woodford seems like he is well suited for the Public Safety Director. I know he is running for Trustee. He will make a excellent Trustee too.
Thankful to Mr. Roesch for his willingness to mount a good campaign against the current treasurer. It’s time to rotate the crops!!! Budd has been known to say “my accounts”, “my fund balance” and “my budget”. It is long past the time for bullybud to retire especially when you forget the residents are truly the owners of the fund balance, the accounts, etc… In her letter, bud put residents and business owners in quotes; as if we do not exist. We need a new vision!!