Views on Key Issues Impacting the Township

Currently, there are no independent senior living housing for our citizens. As our residents reach their senior years and want to remain in Armada, their options are limited. We have two small apartment centers which are not designated as senior housing. There are several future housing plans for residential housing throughout the Township, without any new accommodations for senior housing. We need to look out for our aging population that want to remain in the community. 

Michigan Right to Farm Act, Act 93 of 1981 was enacted to protect and preserve all types of farming and farmers. Act 93 established guidelines and jurisdiction of authority. As a Township, we need to comply with Act 93 by having ordinances aligned with and approved per the Township guidelines, allowing the policing of this act to remain within the departments specified. The Board of Trustees must stop infringing on the rights of farmers, and turn any issues over to the appropriate authority.

In 2020, our agreement to provide Fire Service to 6 square miles of Richmond Twp ended due to the current Supervisor’s inability to work with others. As Supervisor, I will work with the current Richmond Twp. Administration to renew our service agreement, resulting in the following benefits: 1) an increase level of safety; 2) reduced home insurance costs; 3) increased Fire Department revenues, offsetting increasing operational costs. We need to work with surrounding communities to share services.

Currently, the Board is working against itself. I would work to create and foster an environment in which the Township Board of Trustees worked collaboratively with each other. This would be an immediate goal of mine so that our time would be used on the needs and wishes of Armada residents.

I have successfully worked across municipal lines, along with County, State, and Federal officials. As Supervisor, I will use my experience and connections to rebuild relationships with neighboring municipalities. We can do better!

Over the course of my tenure with the fire department, I was able to build relationships with board members from both the Township and the Village, as the fire department serves both. These relationships have led to Village board members supporting my candidacy for Supervisor. We are ready to work together and create positive working environment for both municipalities on day one. 

As supervisor, I will work to have a seat at the table at county and state committees, and I will actively attend county and state Supervisor meetings – an expectation of the job. With the Supervisor being on committees, it provides insight to grants and programs that will benefit our community, thus, OUR tax dollars benefiting us, while allowing Armada have a voice on policies that will affect or benefit our community. 

If you elect me as your supervisor, residents will have access to the Supervisor's office. I would have scheduled office hours, which would include accommodation to have appointments for those who cannot meet during business hours due to work conflicts. It’s important to me to provide a physical place for all residents to come and share their concerns or ideas.

As Supervisor, I will communicate updates through monthly Board meetings, e-mail, and in-person gatherings/forums. I will provide information to fellow board members and trustees in a timely manner so that all members have time to process the details and/or ask questions for clarity. I will make every effort that ALL board members are fully educated on the items so we can make informed decisions to benefit the residents served. 

It's the people's office, so the people should know how and what their money is being spent on. Transparency in operations and financial reports, paired with my desire to talk with residents about what's important to them drives this needed change for the Township. I’m happy to have a conversation with residents about Township business matters. There are many subject matter experts in the community, and we need to make sure their knowledge appreciated and use for the betterment of the residents.

Over the years, Armada has been fortunate to see the growth of one of it’s own – Blakes Cider Mill. With this growth, Armada Center Road hasn’t been able to keep up with the growing demands of the business, creating traffic issues, including delays in emergency service response. As Supervisor, my goal is to work with the county and state to find ways to modify roads to ensure safe travel patterns for all users while benefiting Blake’s significant investment in their business and our community.

This goes back to the principle of collaboration, and ensuring the Township and Village Boards work together to maximize tax payer dollars. As Supervisor, collaboration is one of my main priorities upon being elected.

Over my 30 years in public service, I have worked on and secured millions of dollars in county and federal grant funds for the organizations I’ve worked for. I have also assisted throughout the county and state with preparing firefighter grants. This knowledge can be leveraged and used to benefit the Township with new applications during my tenure. This year, after I retired, I assisted nine local communities, including Armada Twp, to apply for over $6 million to benefit their Fire Departments.

In my four years as Fire Chief, I carefully managed our budget. I found ways to reduce costs by joining purchasing groups, rolled up my sleeves to do building repairs and remodeling myself and worked to find lower cost items and services. I individually worked with each board member to fully explain the budget prior to study sessions. I was prepared at each meeting with a drafted budget and discussed each item line-by-line. In my four years, there was never a publicly unanswered question. 

In the four years as chief, we increased our reserves by nearly 50% and aggressively worked to pay off debt, lowering interest costs. We were awarded $1.5 million in grants, helping us to make capital purchases and reducing the burden on the citizens. As Supervisor, with the collaboration of the board, will put in the same effort so that we can move the Township forward and assure responsible and conservative use of tax dollars. 

In regard to the Master Plan and long-term financial planning, I find it imperative to be part of the yearly budgeting process so we can forecast and budget for major purchases. We need specific savings for these items/projects so we do not burden our residents with interest on unneeded loans.

Currently we have a great Parks and Rec director who does a great job! Our parks are excellent and the baseball fields are the best around. We need to continue to provide support and look for grants and partnerships to improve and maintain the site. It's important to maintain our parks. 

One thing I’d love to work on as a long-term plan during my tenure is a community center. Currently, the only assembly area in the Village or Township is a small senior center with limited hours. Efforts need to be made to find grants or businesses to partner with and investigate an all-inclusive community center. This center would be a safe place for all ages, families, clubs and groups. It would be a place for residents to use as a place for learning, exercising, and/or gather in groups or as

People choose to live in Armada because they desire a certain way of life. As Supervisor, I’ll ensure any economic development project does not impede the things we all love about our community. Growth is inevitable and often needed, but we need to maintain the culture, agriculture and character of Armada.