Sumpter candidates introduce themselves for Aug. 2 primary election

The Independent sent out questionnaires to the 16 candidates for Sumpter Township elective offices so they could tell their stories in advance of the Aug. 2 Primary Election.
Fifteen are Democrats and one is a Republican. The candidates submitted their information and this is what they said, in alphabetical order.
At the top of the Sumpter ticket, two candidates are running for four-year terms as supervisor: incumbent John W. Morgan and newcomer Jay Bardell, II. Each of the supervisor candidates is running as a part of a team carrying their names.
Jay Bardell, II for Supervisor
Jay Bardell, II, age 59, of 22161 Elwell Road, has lived in the township for 35 years. He and his wife Roxanne have four daughters: Sarah Sinclair, Kelly Murphy, Sarah Kovalak, and Mandy Martin and five grandchildren: Jackson, Madelynn, Noah, Charlie and Olive.
He has announced he is running as part of a six-member team.
He graduated from high school and has some college credits. Bardell is retired and unsuccessfully ran for trustee in the past.
He is an appointed member of the Sumpter Township Planning Commission and the Sumpter Township Parks and Recreation Commission.
His hobbies are farming, camping, gardening and fishing.
“I have very specific goals if elected Township Supervisor: Integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
“Under my leadership I will save the township over $300,000 during my four-year term. If elected as Sumpter Township Supervisor, along with my team (Lydia Graber, Deb Callison, Jerry Anderson, Ron Robinson and Jane Stalmack), the very first meeting once we take office, will be to rescind the medical reimbursement that the current board receives in lieu of taking the medical insurance that none of them need, which is costing our taxpayers over $75,000 a year for the part-time board.
“Cell phones that are being used by board members that our taxpayers are paying the bill for will be eliminated, saving another $10,000 a year for our seniors and youth. We don’t need the residents paying for our cell phones.
“My goal is to bring Sumpter Township up to date for the disabled members of our community. I will make sure we follow state and local guidelines for the disabled and promote accessibility to our township buildings, grounds, and transportation.
“I will work closely with Conference of Western Wayne and Wayne County. I want to get out there and meet with our surrounding communities and work toward making our community the best for our residents. Let them know we’re stopping at nothing to get our roads, ditches, drains taken care of once and for all.
“Transparency is key. I will have an open-door policy. Any concerns or problems a resident has will be addressed, discussed and investigation, which will result in resolution. As Supervisor, my door will always be open.
“At the board meetings, the residents should know what each item on the agenda is and how it will impact the township. Expenses should be discussed during the board meeting not just unanimously approved.
“Grants and anything else we can do for the community, we’re going for it. Our township has a lot of potential and we have to find ways to improve it for all.
“Our residents deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy. As a resident of Sumpter Township, and living here for over 35 years, I want to make it clear to the residents I will potentially serve, that I am NOT a politician. I am a community member looking to make positive changes to my own community. To make it a better place for my children, grandchildren, and yours,” he concluded.
John W. Morgan for Supervisor
Incumbent
John W. Morgan is seeking election as township supervisor, a position he was appointed to in 2014 when the elected Supervisor Johnny Vawters resigned for health reasons.
Morgan, 83, has been living in Sumpter Township for 40 years. He is married to Beatrice and their children are Jacqueline and Gary.
Morgan retired from the Romulus Community School in 1997. He is a U.S. Army veteran and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from EMU.
Morgan was elected Sumpter Township trustee in 1978-1980 and appointed Sumpter Township Treasurer in 1982 and elected treasurer in 1984-2012.
He is a member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Michigan Democratic Party, Southwest Wayne Democratic Club, NAACP, and Sumpter Progressive League. He has a gym membership and does regular workouts. And, he loves to golf.
“I strongly feel that more than ever this township needs experienced, qualified leadership to meet the complex problems facing most communities now and in the future,” Morgan said. “I feel that I have the skills and the experience to meet these challenges. Under my leadership I can facilitate creative strategies that offer new, effective approaches to these challenges.
Once re-elected, “I will continue to maintain a balanced budget. Continue to provide essential services to our residents without asking for new millages. I will continue to improve upon these services by putting qualified and motivated leadership in place and give them the training they need to best do their job.
“The township board has not raised taxes. Any millages are always voted on by the residents! I will continue a working relationship with state, federal and county officials in order to keep our roads, ditches and drains in properly working condition,” he concluded.
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Three candidates are running for Sumpter Township Clerk.
Deb Callison for Clerk
Deb Callison of 49250 Willis Road has lived in the township for 17 years. She is married to Dave, who she calls, “the love of my life for over 45 years and the hardest working man I know, a great father and fabulous papaw.”
She is a business owner and accountant.
Callison is very active with the Wounded Warrior Project, Thin Blue Line, and rides a Yamaha 1100 Silverado motorcyle. She enjoys camping, helping with numerous charity events, and her family and friends.
She said she is running for office, “to be able to insure Sumpter Township that we are doing and receiving the best representation available. My willingness to help and sometimes go against what is proposed.
Once elected, her goal is to, “Have an open-door policy; improve Sumpter Township any way we can to always be better; Listen to our residents, without judgment, to help resolve issues; and Define how business growth and country can work as one,” she said.
Esther Hurst for Clerk
Esther Hurst, 61, of 46323 Arkona Road, has been a township resident for 56 years. She is a widow and has two children James and Jennifer.
Hurst holds a high school diploma and retired earlier this year after 14 years as Deputy Clerk. This is her first bid for elective office.
She is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club. She enjoys crafts and quilting.
She is running for office because, “I have worked for 30 years in the clerk’s office. I am a certified Elections Clerk. I have been secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation. I would like to make changes to the clerk’s office.”
She said with her years of experience, she knows the inner workings of the office and the township. She said she is knowledgeable regarding the township ordinances and rules regarding the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Once elected, her goals are to: “Update the PA system and cable system in the board room. Look into programs that would help seniors be able to stay in their homes. I will strive to bring more business to help the township have a stable financial future,” she said.
“I have lived in Sumpter Township all my life. I am very proud to say that this community is a safe place to raise the next generation of children,” Hurst said.
Clarence J. Hoffman, Jr. for Clerk
Incumbent
Clarence J. Hoffman, Jr., of 45100 Dunn Road, is running for re-election as clerk.
He is married with four children and four grandchildren and has been a Sumpter resident all his life. He retired from the Ford Motor Co. after 44 years of service.
Hoffman is a veteran, 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner.
Hoffman has a long career of public service in Sumpter Township. He served as supervisor for four years, clerk for 14 years, treasurer for two years, and trustee for four years. He was a member of the Constable Association for 10 years and was vice president of the Wayne Division. He is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, Sumpter Seniors, Lions Club, and Association of Wayne County Clerks.
Hoffman is one of the founding members of Nourishing Gardens Food Bank and Outreach Program, developed in 2003 to help low-income residents in Sumpter Township with emergency food and other services provided at no cost. He points out it is the only program of its kind in Sumpter Township.
He also is a member of CAF5, the Community Assistance Foundation, program started to assist families in need in the five communities served by the 34th District Court.
Hoffman reports he has worked to improve the fire and police departments, complete water lines so everyone can have safe drinking water, extend sewer lines, add new “radio meters”, and worked to bring emergency warning sirens to the township.
Hoffman said he is running for office “to continue to work for and support the people of Sumpter Township.”
Hoffman said among his goals are: “We need to seek out Economic Development to improve the tax base and keep our property tax as low as possible. I will focus on the spirit of what is best for Sumpter Township and continue to improve the services and activities for all Sumpter Township citizens.”
He also will work with the other board members to continue to make improvement in Sumpter Township.
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Two candidates are running for treasurer.
Alan D. Bates for Treasurer
Incumbent
Alan D. Bates, 72, is seeking election as Sumpter Township Treasurer, a position he was appointed to in 2014.
He was elected to four-year terms as Trustee in 2004 and 2012.
Bates, a retired builder, has lived in the township for 36 years. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Eastern Michigan University.
He is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, Southwesterrn Wayne Democratic Club, Sumpter Seniors, Sumpter Parks and Recreation Commission, and serves as Sumpter Township Parks Administrator.
Bates said he is running for office because, “I have built many houses in Sumpter Township and in 2004 I was asked to run for the office of Trustee. I felt it was time to give back to Sumpter. I have taken pride in what I have built and want to keep that pride by serving on the township board as your Treasurer.
“We have a good group of Trustees that work well together to govern the township, solve its problems, and move Sumpter forward. To me, Sumpter Township and its citizens are what is the most important. I want to keep serving the citizens with any new technology that will help everyone. I will keep improving the township website in order to keep the citizens informed. Keeping our current services and maintain a balanced budget continues to be my goals. That is why I am seeking to keep the position of Sumpter Township Treasurer.”
Lydia May Graber for Treasurer
Lydia May Graber, 65, is seeking the office of Sumpter Township treasurer. She and her husband Marvin Graber have lived in the township for 22 years.
She is a retired mortgage banker. She has a high school diploma and two years of college.
This is her second time seeking elective office. The first was running for National Secretary of the Little People of America, Inc.
Graber served as chairperson of the Michigan Governor’s Commission from 1992-2005; chaired the Volunteer Committee at the National President’s Committee Disability Conference in 1996, where she was recognized for her outstanding contributions.
A member of Little People of America, Inc., since 1960, she has held several district, regional, and national offices and was presented the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service and dedication to LPA and its members.
She volunteered with the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) and the Michigan Wheelchair Athletic Association and remains active today. Graber competes in DAAA, bringing home several Regional, National, and International medals. Serving as the first woman president of the Pontiac Optimist club, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award and J.C. Penny honored her with the state Golden Rule Award for volunteerism.
A former member of Northwest Airlines Advisory Board for travelers with disabilities, she currently serves as chairperson of the Training & Compliance Committee on Delta’s Advisory Board. A member of Michigan Paralyzed Veterans, a consultant with the new construction of Comerica Park, Ford Field and University of Michigan football stadium and the new Detroit Red Wings stadium. She works as an advocate doing disability awareness and sensitivity trainings in her community and volunteers at her church as a member of the Financial Committee and the Youth Group.
Graber said she is running for office because: “Since the early 1970s, decades before Congress sought to pass any legislation pertaining to persons with disabilities, I was at the forefront of the struggle. Working with local government and corporations to adapt policies to aid people with disabilities with something as simple as being able to board an airplane gave me insight into the creation of public policy. I have sought to create effective policy, working not on issues for persons with disabilities, but for the underdogs, the common and overlooked people, the people who for so long have had no voice. With the support of my family, I believe that the time has come for me to bring this passion to serve the people of Sumpter Township, bring common sense solutions to the table in an uncommon way,” she said.
“I believe that my experience in both the private and public sector as an advocate for the common sense approaches makes me uniquely qualified to tackle some of the issues we have here in Sumpter Township. Foremost among these issues being education. I believe that with support, we can find workable solutions that will benefit the citizens of Sumpter Township and create a positive dialog between the elected officials and the people in dealing with issues important to us all.
“My goal is to ensure accessibility for all, support programs for everyone from children to our seniors, all while maintaining common sense and responsible fiscal accountability. Paraphrasing a much more talented writer, I believe that all persons are created equal, and should be treated as equals; that elected officials should demonstrate care of the public trust and should demonstrate the highest levels of integrity.”
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Nine candidates are running for the four, four-year trustee seats.
Jerry Anderson, Jr. for Trustee
Jerry Anderson, Jr., 53, has lived in Sumpter Township for more than 40 years. He is married to Marie and he has a son Jay and stepchildren James, Samantha, and Daniel.
He is a business owner with a high school diploma and this is his first run for elective office.
He belongs to the NRA and just joined the Southwestern Wayne County Democratic Club. He enjoys fishing, boating, and ORV-ing.
He is running because the “township needs change, new growth, activities for all ages. I want to get the community back involved in their own township. The residents of Sumpter Township are asking for accountability.”
Once elected, he said, “I want to see what more we can do to help the seniors, more activities for our youth. Open-door policy. Tired of hearing about residents asking for help and not receiving it.”
Don LaPorte for Trustee
Incumbent
Don LaPorte is seeking to be elected as Trustee, a position he was appointed to following the death of Trustee Bill Hamm.
LaPorte of 19240 Sumpter Road has been married to Robin for 28 years and they have two adult children, Don, Jr., a public safety officer, and Samantha, in college. He has lived in Sumpter for 46 years.
After graduating from Belleville High School in 1984, he began working at L&W engineering, starting as a production operator and progressing to a tool maker. After eight years of service, I hired into Ford Motor Company in 1994, working production then skilled trades in 1995. He spent 22 years at Ford.
While working at Ford he was able to get his state medical certification to provide community service by working for Sumpter Fire Department starting in 2006. Since working for the fire department he has earned several certifications in fire-related training, including fire instructor.
He is past president of Michigan Association of Fire Fighters Local 343, Sumpter Fire Department, and is a past member of the Sumpter Planning Commission.
LaPorte is a Medical First Responder, fire fighter, and has been fire instructor for Sumpter Township for 10 years.
Since being appointed to the township board in late 2015, LaPorte has taken classes through the Michigan Township Association on being a trustee, learning of his responsibilities.
“I have great pride in learning all that I can and sharing what I have learned with the residents,” he said. “I believe in being fiscally responsible with our money and I also believe it is paramount to be transparent in spending. Things that are personal in nature between the employee and the township should be kept private and only discussed between the two parties.”
His goal is to “continue to strive to make a better police and fire department with hands-on training, to oversee the fiscal responsibilities of the township for both elected and employed persons, and to keep the country-like atmosphere within Sumpter Township with rural zoning in mind.”
He also said he wants to increase the business base within the commercial area of the township to provide residents with convenient and local resources.
Also, he wants to continue to be the very best husband and father that he can be for his wife and children.
Peggy Morgan for Trustee
Incumbent
Peggy Morgan, 57, of 46330 Claxton Drive, is running for reelection as Trustee.
She first ran for Sumpter Township Trustee in 2003 and lost by 39 votes. Since then she ran in 2004 and won — and won again in 2008 and 2012, and has served three terms.
She attended board meetings for about ten years before running for office.
She is married to Richard E. (Bud) Morgan and they have two sons, Richard E. II and David W., and four grandsons. She has lived in the township for 31 years.
She graduated from Garden City East High School in 1977 and took Living Skills training at Schoolcraft College and Nurse’s Aide training at Garden City Hospital.
She took RESA training for driving a school bus and retired from the Van Buren Public Schools after more than 20 years of driving.
Morgan served on the Sumpter Township Board of Review, the Economic Development Committee, and volunteered for Neighborhood Watch in the 1990s.
She is a sponsoring member of the USA, a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, member of Sumpter Seniors, and member of Women of the Moose Chapter 1135.
She loves spending time with her family, playing with her four grandsons, and doing yardwork. Morgan is a big NASCAR fan and football fan and enjoys camping, hunting, and traveling.
She is running for office because, “I have lived in Sumpter Township for 31 years, this is my home, my children and grandchildren all live here. I want to continue to bring my leadership and vision to Sumpter Township to build a brighter future for Sumpter working families like mine. I have the character, integrity and leadership experience necessary to continue to move Sumpter Township forward.”
Morgan lists her goals. “I will prioritize road projects and ensure accountability. I promise to work tirelessly to deliver results for the hardworking taxpayers of our township. I will listen to all residents’ concerns. I will continue to represent all taxpayers and residents. I will continue to maintain Sumpter Township’s balanced budget. I will continue obtaining grants for our fire department, thereby saving the township money. I will continue to keep our essential services and will always look for any suggestions to improve them.”
Matthew Oddy for Trustee
Incumbent
Matthew Oddy, 48, of 17638 Odyssey Drive, has lived in Sumpter Township for 36 years. He has been married to Elizabeth (Baker) Oddy for 18 years and they have two children, Mikayla and Madilyne, attending Van Buren Public Schools.
He and his wife are both graduates of Belleville High School and their family has been residents of Sumpter Township for 36 years and living in the Sumpter-area for 46 years.
He has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in Accounting and Strategic Management from Eastern Michigan University. He has worked in accounting and management for the same company for more than 23 years.
This is his first bid for elective office. In 2008 he began serving the residents of Sumpter after being appointed to the planning commission by then-Supervisor Johnny Vawters.
In 2014 Oddy was appointed as Sumpter Township Trustee when Trustee Alan Bates vacated the seat after Bates was appointed Treasurer. This was part of the shifting of duties on the board following the resignation of Supervisor Vawters for health reasons.
In 2014 he also was appointed liaison to the Zoning Board of Appeals and chairman of the Sumpter Marijuana Committee.
Oddy was a Van Buren Soccer coach for 10 years and is an avid scuba diver and golfer.
When asked why he is running for office, Oddy said: “I believe that you need to do more than just live in a community. You must take responsibility for the direction your community moves in and to do that you must actively participate in its management, planning, and development.
“Being a lifelong resident of the Sumpter area, I have an understanding of the type of community that the residents desire. I enjoy serving the residents of Sumpter Township in an oversight capacity to ensure that the township continues to operate efficiently, economically, and provides the best Police, Fire, Water, and general services possible.
“My education, 23 years of management experience, and eight years of public service experience make me a highly qualified candidate to provide the leadership, experience, and trust that the residents deserve from a Sumpter Township Trustee,” he said.
“Looking forward, if elected I want to represent the residents in the highest capacity and be their voice and advocate in developing a future for our community with the highest standard of living possible.
“To reach that goal I will continue to dedicate myself to maintain and improve the township’s financial stability, work to secure alternative revenue sources, implement best practices to improve township services, analyze expenditures and implement cost-saving measures, lobby for road funding and maintenance, improve our parks and recreational activities, and design and plan future growth that balances country living and urbanization and meets the changing culture and environment.”
Jennifer Price for Trustee
Jennifer Price, 43, of 21000 Martinsville Road is running for Trustee, her first bid for elective office.
She has been married to Brent Price for 20 years and their daughter Taylor is 19. She is a 2015 graduate of Huron High School in New Boston and currently is attending Michigan State University.
The Prices have lived in Sumpter Township for three years. Jennifer has lived in the 48111 zip code for her entire life.
She is at 1991 graduate of Belleville High School and is celebrating 20 years of employment as an Account Clerk for the Charter Township of Van Buren.
She belongs to Wayne County 4-H, AFSCME Local 236, AFSCME negotiation team, AFSCME Union Steward, AFSCME Local 236 vice president, Wayne County Fair Association, 100 Club, Eastern Michigan Arabian Association, new member of the League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County, and a family member with the National Rifle Association.
Her hobbies are gardening, remodeling their home, enjoying their property with the horses, and most important, family time.
“I am running for Sumpter Township trustee because I moved to the community three years ago. I had a very difficult time moving from my previous home. Acclimating to Sumpter Township, to my surprise, was quite easy. The rural atmosphere has been amazing; people actually stop, smile at you, and even say hi! Our family achieved our goal of building an indoor arena and horse stables for our horses. Being part of this community made me realize that I really enjoy it and that I want to be a part of a team that will focus on making something good out of our community, being involved, participating with the board in making sure that we were mindful with the growth of our area and fiscally responsible. Through working with local government for 20 years I have extensive experience of the internal operation. I also have background with grants, understanding both the writing of grants as well as the reimbursement,” she said.
As far as her goals: “I would like to see that we have more detailed conversation at our work study and board meetings of the items that are on the board agenda so the public is familiar with what exactly is being voted on.
“As a township board, it is our duty to serve our residents. I will make sure that if something is on the board agenda and it affects certain areas of our township that those residents within a generous distance are notified to be able to come to our meetings and share concerns and/or receive detailed information about the project.
As a township trustee, I will strive to be involved at the highest level to make sure communication with our residents is at its highest. I will also aim high to make sure that communication is also at its highest within the board of trustees.
“As a township trustee, every item that I vote on will be re searched, questions asked and answered before I will vote. I am an independent thinker and will vote in favor of what is best for our entire community.
“As a township trustee, I would like to address the blight in our community. I will aim to make sure that we put our ordinances to work for us. If that means altering the ordinances, then we must take action to achieve that goal. Through campaigning I have learned this has been a concern with a lot of our residents.”
Ronald Barrington Robinson
for Trustee
Ronald Barrington Robinson of 333 Utah Street has lived in Sumpter Township for 19 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science Criminal Justice.
He is retired from the State of Michigan Department of Corrections.
He ran for office before in the 7th Ward City Council, Flint, MI, and vice president of the NAACP in Flint, MI.
Robinson said he has never been appointed to public office because, “I don’t believe in appointed positions – only elected positions. Democracy must prevail at all times.”
He belongs to the American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center and the NAACP.
When asked why he is running for office, he said: “To instill transparency, integrity and financial responsibility to the taxpayers of Sumpter Township, Michigan.”
Once elected, his goal is: “to bring back honor and trust to the citizens of Sumpter Township, Michigan.”
Tim Rush for Trustee
Tim Rush, 59, of 28941 Martinsville Road (that is in the New Boston zip code area) has lived in Sumpter for 27 years.
He is the only Republican on the Sumpter Township part of the ballot and is not opposed in the Aug. 2 primary election. He previously was elected Sumpter Trustee in 2004 and served his term.
Rush is a graduate of the National Institute of Technology and was the 1986 class valedictorian. He is a licensed Federal Communications Commission engineer.
For the last 22 years he has been working as a corporate/private Security Consultant. For the last 26 years, he also has been working with Washtenaw County Emergency Management. He is on the directors’ “On Call” staff. His duties include maintaining/design of critical emergency communications systems and Emergency Management Planning.
He has been a member of the American Radio Relay League since 1982 and is an Endowment member of the NRA.
Rush said he is running because of pressure from citizens of the township to run again.
“I was elected as trustee in 2004 and served my term. Sumpter Township is a diamond in the rough. It needs qualified, experienced people in elected office to assure that the township is run like a business and elected officials that understand the law and abide by it.
As far as goals, he said: “The fiscal health of the township is by far the most pressing issue. The township currently enjoys a beneficial revenue stream from the Carleton Farms landfill. This revenue will not continue forever. The township needs to have long-range plans for when this revenue ends. We need to make sure that we have alternate income by enticing small business and light industry to increase our tax base while at the same time maintaining the rural atmosphere that we all value so much.”
He also wants to establish a better policy for addressing blight in the township.
“The township’s water infrastructure is getting very old and needs repairs and upgrades. It is an accident waiting to happen and needs to be addressed now,” he said.
“The township needs to establish a ‘Rainy Day/Building Fund.’ For far too long past administrations have been reactive instead of proactive. Establishing this fund in a ‘Lock Box’ would insure that we are never caught off guard. Foresight and planning will help assure that the residents of the township will not have to bear the burden of increased taxes and millages.”
He wants to use his knowledge as a Security Consultant and in Emergency Management preparedness to help educate the board and citizens of the township about manmade and natural disasters that could affect Sumpter Township.
“I can promote positive change in Sumpter Township by utilizing my problem-solving abilities that I have acquired through education and experience,” Rush said.
“For Sumpter Township to overcome these challenges of the future it should not be the officials that make critical decisions alone. The people of the community need to get involved. I can work with anyone’s ideas on the board or from the community as long as the ideas are backed up with sound foresight and planning for Sumpter Township’s future. We ALL have a vested interest in our future. Sumpter is our home and together we can make it the finest township in Wayne County!”
Jane J. Stalmack for Trustee
Jane J. Stalmack, 67, of 48066 Willis Road, has lived in Sumpter Township for more than 60 years, pretty much since birth.
She holds a Special Education degree from Eastern Michigan University, with some work on a master’s degree. She presently works as a substitute teacher in the Van Buren Public Schools.
She has been on the Sumpter Township Planning Commission for three, four-year terms and is serving as chairman for the sixth year. She also served on the planning commission for two years in the early 1980s.
She has served on the Marijuana Ordinance committee from 2014 to the present and on the Sumpter Board of Zoning Appeals for two terms and two years as chairperson.
She also served as secretary of the Friends of the Belleville Area District Library, on the executive board of the Adirondack Red Cross, Society of Human Resources Management, Police Commissioner of Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and steering committee and board member of Career Horizons at EMU,
When asked why she is running for office, she replied: “As a member of the township board I would be able to be an advocate for change and growth in Sumpter. I feel my educational, professional, and personal experiences and background could and would be an advantage to the growth and oversight capacity needed in our community.”
Her goals once elected are: “Improve township services, review existing records to identify and install cost-saving line items, improve senior services, expand recreational and educational services for all residents, define how business growth continues the ‘marriage’ between our desired country living and urbanization, and have an open-door policy.”
Don Swinson for Trustee
Incumbent
Don Swinson, 53, of 46490 Claxton Drive, is running for reelection as Trustee. He has lived in and around Sumpter Township most of his life.
He is married to Holly Swinson and they have a daughter Selena, age 20.
Swinson is employed at Atchinson Ford and has been on the sales team for 19 years.
As a Trustee, Swinson is liaison to the Sumpter Township Parks and Recreation Commission, and appointed to the Belleville Area chamber of Commerce to represent and be the voice of Sumpter Township. He served as chairman and co-chairman for Parks and Recreation and served for five years on the Planning Commission.
He is a member of the Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club, an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police, member of BYC (Belleville Yacht Club) and went from applicant to candidate for Washtenaw Sportsman’s Club.
He is a graduate of Belleville High School, Master Certified through Ford Motor Company, and achieved a Level #3 Employee Excellence Award. He graduated from Dale Carnegie, majoring in effective speaking and human relations; completed Dynamics of Personnel Leadership; and Industrial Engineering Methods programs.
Swinson enjoys spending time with his family, fishing with his daughter, golfing, going Up North, and community volunteerism.
He said his objective is to maintain a high level of effectiveness and productivity by contributing his talents and efforts to a community that encourages productive thoughts and positive results.
Swinson said he possesses integrity, strong moral beliefs, common sense, objective thinking, self-motivation, excellent communication skills, organization and a goal-oriented philosophy. He said he is a well-disciplined individual who is very personable and conscientious toward others.
Swinson said his goals are “to keep an open forum for residents to be able to have an integral involvement in township issues/concerns and decisions, to maintain financial stability for the township, to seek new businesses for a solid tax base, to continue to focus support for the township’s police and fire departments, and to find a way to integrate renewable energies for our township and our residents. Work on a better plan for recycling within our township.”