It is my distinct pleasure to announce that I am a Democratic candidate for the office of Van Buren Township Supervisor.
A successful local unit of government requires highly skilled, highly trained, and well-educated elected officials working hard and making solid critical decisions. It is not enough to only have the desire to be the township supervisor. You have to have a plan, or a road map for success.
We, the residents of Van Buren Township, have witnessed firsthand what township governance looks like when our township supervisor takes office armed with only the desire to be the supervisor, and without a plan to govern.
We need change in Van Buren Township government. We need to move in a 180-degree direction in righting the ship that is Van Buren Township. We need to move forward with a plan to govern responsibly for the benefit of both our residents and our employees. It can be done, but that task requires someone who is skilled in the principles and concepts of government, management, and communications.
That’s why I decided to run for Township Supervisor. Together we can move this township forward. With your help, input and commitment, I will be your next Van Buren Township Supervisor.
My passion for public service spans from a 20-year career in law enforcement, to substitute teaching in the Van Buren Public School District, to serving as the secretary, and then the vice-president of the Van Buren School Board, to currently serving as a Van Buren Township Trustee, and serving on the Van Buren Township Water & Sewer Commission.
I taught public budgeting at Saginaw Valley State University’s, School of Graduate Studies, and currently am teaching speech communications at Wayne County Community College.
I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. I also received training from Michigan State University in Best Practices in Local Government Fiscal Management, Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Regional and National Security, and the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Teaching Diversity.
Vote Aug. 2, for me, Brenda McClanahan, for Van Buren Township Supervisor, a dedicated lifelong Democrat committed to public service through experience and education. An agent for change and stability in our community.
Brenda McClanahan
Van Buren Township
What would be your plan for change Mrs. McClanahan? What would you change immediately upon your seat as Supervisor if you win? Please tell us something of significance that you have done for the township as a Trustee.
I agree we have witnessed first hand what the governance of this township has done, but you were part of (and still are) this very same governance that has done nothing to better the community. Instead we have crooked politics and an impending dark cloud called Visteon Bond that is lurking. We need a WHOLE new board, unless you can convince me that you are better than the others, I will not vote for you.
Lisa, Thank You for your comments. You are accurate with your comments. However, Trustee McClanahan is the only Elected Official voting against the rest of the Board of Trustees on many votes. McClanahan voted against the “misrepresented Public Safety Millage”as presented to the Board. McClanahan has publicly stated she will support a PS Millage Renewal of 4 mills, and along with Trustee Miller, asked Supervisor Combs to put a renewal only on a Board Agenda as an item of discussion. On the Visteon Bond, Hart, Jahr and Sharry Budd (V-3) all voted “Yea” on the original vote at the March 4th, 2003 Board of Trustees meeting. The minutes from that meeting state the bond advisor stated “there is a risk”. Turns out the risk was huge and very real, as we all know today. I have been considering options for resolving the bond payment, especially after the Judge said a shortfall has not happened yet. The January 25th, 2010 Agreement signed by the Township Supervisor and Visteon Officials state, “Visteon hereby agrees to negotiate with the Township in good faith to determine the amount of the shortfall with respect to those bonds and make a non-tax payment, payment in-lieu-of tax (PILOT) to the Township to assist the Township in making timely payments on the bonds.
Now, if a millage is passed to “create a segregated fund to pay the visteon bonds” as stated by Supervisor Combs at a LDFA meeting, then there will not be a short fall. Short story, who pays the bond payment, residents or Visteon. Board action will determine if a shortfall happens. The Aug. 2 Primary is crucial to how this payment happens. Lisa, again, Thank You for having knowledge of township issues. Paul D. White
Trustee McClanahan has shown her strength by voting no against the other six elected officials with regards to the failed attempt for an increase in the public safety millage. Her experience with police work will certainly help as well as her education.
Trustee Miller also has voted no on issues against six. They both show strength and courage by wanting to improve things but don’t forget they face a huge obstacle with the “cancerous clique”.
Get rid of the “Visteon 3”, do not vote for the “Cancerous Clique” and we can then start fresh with a board that actually wants to finally move forward.
I thought I read that McClanahan was an issue with the $650,000 lawsuit against the township for the water getting shut off at the hotel on the Service Dr. She miraculously produced paperwork that was “missing” when she was confronted. Point is, we are in dire need to wipe the whole township board out now. We couldn’t do any worse with a brand new government. I hope people arm themselves with lots of information before voting. This is crucial.
I believe it was the supervisor’s clerical staff that answered Trustee McClanahan’s request for information on this issue by stating to her that he hadn’t paid his water bill. This was not true but I am not sure what type of follow-up happened. There was definitely an absolute lack of communication between the departments at township hall.
McClanahan is the best choice for supervisor. This community is in need of leadership with integrity and a spirit of decency. She has no connection to the “cancerous clique”, no ties to the political machine that currently runs our township and she is not part of the Visteon 3. She has courage and the strong character it takes to unite a whole community.