Priorities
Good Governance
For too long, the Scio Twp. Board of Trustees has been marred by infighting that impacts the Board’s ability to effectively govern. When I was appointed, I promised to work collaboratively with all Trustees, and it is as important as ever that we listen to all sides of an issue before voting on behalf of the best interests of Scio Twp. residents. Additionally, the Board of Trustees must continue to work with our clerk to protect the integrity of our elections. Together, we must ensure that the ballot box is safe from undue interference, misinformation, and other forms of election tampering that could decrease trust in our institutions and threaten our democracy.
Basic Services & Infrastructure
At its most basic level, local government provides residents with basic services—such as water, trash, and recycling—and quality infrastructure. As Trustee, I have been and will continue prioritizing an increase in funding to improve these basic services and to update our infrastructure, including roads that have fallen into disrepair. To protect the safety of our water, it is important that we continue to contain the Gelman dioxane groundwater plume that impacts portions of the Township, as well as to take further steps to ensure that our stormwater and sewage systems are climate resilient. Furthermore, as one of the only townships in Washtenaw County with a fire department, we must take steps to ensure that fire-related services have a sustainable funding stream as well as access to the best equipment, resources, and staff to keep our community safe.
Land Conservation
Building off of the 2018-2022 Paths, Preserves, Parks, and Open Space (PPPOS) Master Plan, the Board of Trustees implemented the 2023-2027 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan that seeks to preserve and expand Scio Township’s network of parks and outdoor recreation space. I was proud to support the PROS Master Plan, and I continue to believe that it is essential to promote land preservation for our community to enjoy. Moving forward, we need to ensure that outdoor recreation space is accessible to all members of the community, as well as develop an open space system that bridges the gaps between parkland, farmland, nonmotorized transportation, and public and private amenities. As a Trustee and member of the Land Preservation Commission, one of my top priorities will always be to provide Township residents with ample greenspace that can be enjoyed and accessed by all, and I look forward to continuing our work together to achieve this goal.
Fiscal Responsibility
One of the core functions of local government is to ensure that local finances remain strong. In Scio Township, this means making sure that we follow state financial regulations in addition to protecting our bond rating. In order to be compliant with Michigan’s rules and regulations surrounding the treasury, we need to hire a permanent Finance Director that is able to adequately verify the Township’s finances. With the downgrading of the Township’s bond rating in 2022 before my appointment to the Board, we must take immediate steps to come together and work collaboratively to address the Township’s financial situation, both through exploring the hiring of additional financial staff that are versed in local fiscal responsibility and through ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately.
Responsible Development
Economic development is essential to Scio’s future, especially along the Jackson Road corridor. On the Board of Trustees, I promise to support initiatives that bring businesses to the area and incentivize residents and visitors alike to take advantage of everything our community has to offer. As we support economic development, it is also important that we increase housing throughout the community, so that folks from all walks of life are able to afford living in Scio. One of the key ways we can accomplish this goal is through a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which allows us to create a cohesive, flexible, and responsible plan for increasing the number of homes and businesses in the community. However, supporting development cannot come at the expense of preserving our township’s most important asset: the friendly and family-oriented culture of our community. With the right policies, I believe that we can grow Scio Twp in the future while simultaneously protecting existing property values, continuing to deliver excellent basic township services, and keeping up Scio’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and play.