All of the candidates for Van Buren Township offices are Democrats and are unopposed in both the August and November elections.
Supervisor candidate:
Kevin McNamara
Kevin McNamara, 44714 Greenbriar Dr., has lived in the township for 14 years.
McNamara, 66, and his wife Aida have a son Cullan.
McNamara is Van Buren Township’s current elected supervisor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and attended the Harvard Kennedy School as a part of the Senior Executives in Local Government program.
He was elected and served as a Schoolcraft College Trustee, 2000-2006, and Wayne County Commissioner, 2006-2014.
McNamara belongs to the Mental Health Governance Board, Belleville Area Council for the Arts, Sierra Club, Eagles, and BYC (Belleville Yacht Club).
He said he is running for reelection to this office because, “I believe I can make a difference by bringing federal, state, county, and regional governments together to help Van Buren Township become a premier community with premier public safety and recreation.”
Once reelected his goals are to: “widen Belleville Road, build a park at Belleville and Quirk roads, and develop the Ford Land property. There are a lot of other, smaller projects like Belleville Area Museum garage, Denton Road bridge, Iron Belle Trail, etc.”
Clerk candidate:
Leon Wright
Leon Wright, D., 9961 Andover Dr., is running for reelection to the position of clerk, a position he has held since 2008.
Wright, 63, has lived in the township for 30 years. He and his wife Janice have two sons, Leondre and Jabari.
He served in the U.S. Air Force. He has an Associate’s Degree and is a Master Municipal Clerk.
He is a board member for the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. He belongs to the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Association of Wayne County Community Clerks and the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.
His hobbies include golf and spending time with his family.
“I am running for re-election a Clerk to continue ensuring that our elections are conducted with the highest standards of accuracy, integrity, and transparency,” he said. “Every voter deserves the right to participate in the electoral process, and I am committed to making voting as accessible as possible.
“My goal is to uphold the democratic process, guaranteeing that every vote counts and that our community’s voice is heard loud and clear. I am also running again to continue my efforts to make Van Buren Township the premier community we all know it can be.
“Once elected, I wish to further the progress and development of Van Buren Township, with the goal of continuing to transform it into a community where people can be proud to live, work, and play.
“I wish to enhance the quality of life for all residents by improving on and expanding upon the township’s amenities, as I did with the Community Center. By investing in and upgrading our community resources, we can create a vibrant and thriving environment that meets the needs of everyone in our township.”
Treasurer candidate:
Sharry A. Budd
Sharry A. Budd, D., who has lived in the township for 60 years, lists her occupation as treasurer. She was first elected in 1996 and ran successfully every four years since. This will be her eighth run for treasurer.
She and her husband Bill, who died in 2016, raised three sons: Jim, Jeff, and Jay.
Budd graduated from high school and took some college and has been a Certified Municipal Clerk and then a Certified Professional Treasurer from 2000 to the present time.
She ran for a seat on the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education and served on that board for 7.5 years.
In 1994, she was appointed Deputy Clerk by Clerk Cindy King.
She was a member of the VBT Civic Fund until it decided to disband and donate a little over $900,000 to the Van Buren Community Center project.
She also, as a representative of the township, was a member of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Michigan Treasurers Association and the Association of Public Treasurers in the U.S. and Canada.
She loves to read in her spare time and enjoys her family and all the grandchildren.
She said she is running for this office, “to be a part of the decision-makers to keep Van Buren Township a great place to live, work, and raise families. I believe I have the ability and drive to continue serving the community.”
Budd said her goals once elected are: “to continue addressing roads, storm water management, new development, keeping VBT safe with our Public Safety Department and Fire, and making sure VBT is where folks want to come and live, work, and raise their families.”
Trustee candidates:
Donald Boynton, Jr.
Donald Boynton, Jr., D., 13237 Dover Ct., has lived in the township for 19 years. Boynton, 61, is married to Karen Boynton.
His occupation is COO, Detroit Talent Hub, Sr. V.P. D-Vised, LLC., Security Division. His education is from Northwood University, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University.
His current seat on the township board is the only elective position he has sought. He was appointed to the Van Buren Township Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
Boynton is a golf/cigar aficionado and belongs to the Country Walk III Homeowners Association, as well as the Michigan Association of Planners, Michigan Township Association, Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments, and Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club.
“I am running for township trustee because I believe that the smaller the community or district one represents, the better one can understand the issues that matter most to the people. Along with overseeing the budget, being involved in the community allows for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by our schools, the conditions of our parks, and the state of our roads, etc. This knowledge enables me to identify the appropriate individuals and organizations, including small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and community volunteers who can collaborate to address these issues effectively.”
His goals once elected are “To continue to make our township a place to work, play and live for all persons, residents and visitors alike. Whether rezoning of an area to meet residential or commercial needs, or the repair and expansion of water and sewer lines and roads, I am proud to be a part of these accomplishments. Additionally, it is often said that local governments serve as incubators for innovative approaches. While state and federal offices hold significant power and influence, local governments have the unique opportunity to experiment with new ideas and observe their effects firsthand. Furthermore, the daily interactions with the people who benefit from our work provide a constant reminder of the purpose and importance of public service.”
William Frazier
William Frazier, D., 271 Holly Ln., has lived in the township for 41 of his 52 years.
He is a paraprofessional in the Van Buren Public Schools and a VBPS graduate. This is his first bid for elective office.
He is has been a member of the Wayne County Democratic Club for three years and his been a Belleville High School assistant coach in boys track, wrestling, and boys tennis for three years.
When asked why he is running for this office, Frazier said: “While working for VBPS for over 33 years, I have seen the need for cross-community development. My understanding and knowledge of our township has allowed me to develop community connections. As a resident, I have the ability to address and process our township’s needs.”
Once elected, his goals, “are to obtain knowledge and understanding of the Van Buren Township governmental service provided. With this gained knowledge, I intend to address the areas that are over-looked and would serve the residents more effectively.”
Bryon Kelley
Bryon K. Kelley, D., 49202 Peninsular Dr., has lived in Van Buren Township for 20 years. He is married to Jennifer Kelley, a nurse midwife at Trinity Ann Arbor, and they have a daughter, Grace Kelley, and a son, Luke Kelley.
Kelley, 47, is an attorney. He attended Eastern Michigan University with a double major: public law and government/communication. His Juris Doctorate is from the Michigan State School of Law.
“I have not served in the military,” he said. “However, I was raised in a family that prides itself on military service. My father served in the Army in Vietnam and both of my grandfathers served as well. One served as a ball turret gunner during WWII and the other served in the U.S. Army. My grandmother is an original Rosie the Riveter, and we will celebrate her 100th birthday this November.”
This is his first election for public office.
“Prior to being appointed to the Van Buren Board of Trustees in 2023, I served on the Van Buren Township Planning Commission for approximately eight years.”
He belongs to the BSA National Eagle Scout Association, Sons of the American Legion, Southwestern Democratic Association, Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, Belleville Yacht Club, Belleville Lake Waterski Club – vice president, Cub Scouts committee member, Michigan Fireworks Club, Great Lakes Flag Football coach, and Van Buren Area Little League assistant coach.
The Kelleys participate as a family in mountain biking, water and snow skiing, camping, sports, and fishing.
When asked why he is running for this office, he replied: “I have proudly called Van Buren Township home since 2004, where my wife and I have built a strong family. As a local small business owner with young children attending Van Buren Public Schools, I am heavily invested in our area. I am committed to giving back to the community that has given so much to our family.
“My decision to initially seek to be appointed as Trustee and now run for election stems from a deep-seated commitment to improving the lives of our residents and ensuring a thriving future for our citizens and businesses.
“I want to continue building upon our successes by fostering growth in Van Buren Township. Through prioritizing innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development, we can strengthen our foundation and set benchmarks for other communities to follow.”
As to his goals, once elected, he said: “I believe Van Buren Township has been on a promising path, with notable technological interests and development. I am passionate about ensuring our citizens’ access to government, its services, and addressing housing needs. I am committed to working collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges we face.
“By continuing my service as a Trustee, I will work to encourage further growth and promote our township’s direction of fostering trust and collaboration, ensuring that our residents feel heard and valued. Community involvement is vital to meet the needs of residents and businesses and to strengthen our township’s core.
“My background as an attorney for 22 years, combined with the years of experience I gained on the planning commission, has served me well since being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees in 2023. I am amazed at the steps that our Township and its leaders take to ensure that our community is provided with the best leadership possible and that our community’s diverse desires and needs are met.
“I am dedicated to further increasing my skills through continued training and listening to voices of our community, allowing them to guide us into the future. Integrity is central to my efforts, and I am dedicated to giving back to the Township that has given so much to my family.”
Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin, D., 9405 Madison Dr., has lived in the township for 27 years. He is married to 34th District Court Judge Lisa Martin.
Martin, 68, is retired from General Motors. He earned his education at Henry Ford College. He served in the United States Navy.
He ran successfully for trustee in 2016 and 2020.
He belongs to the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists – Canton Chapter, UAW Region 1A – Regional Advisory Council on Civil and Human Rights, Michigan Association of Planning – ex officio.
His hobbies include reading and watching football.
“I am running for reelection so that I may continue to serve the residents of Van Buren Township by working with the other elected officials and dedicated staff to provide premium services to our residents. During my time in office, I made a commitment to work to expand the existing community services building and move to a full-time paid fire department. These ideas were realized with the re-opening of the Van Buren Community Center in June 2024 and the expansion of the full-time, paid fire fighters.
When asked about his goals once he is elected, he replied:
“The goals that I share with my fellow board members for the next term are the reconstruction of the Denton Road Bridge and exploring the health and depth of the housing stock in the township. Residents’ concerns about the bridge and time needed to have it re-opened are heard loud and clear and there is room to improve both the conversation regarding the work under way and the work that must be coordinated and executed to re-open that vital link.
“Additionally, with the growth of our population and opening of new businesses, we must be mindful of the housing options available and our role in making sure that we have room for new residents and those expanding their households and options for residents looking to downsize while remaining in the township.”