Curt Carson of Independence Township is running for township treasurer.
‘I’ve been the treasurer for a number of different organizations and I’ve run my own companies and handled all the financials on those,? he said. ‘I’ve been very successful every time.?
Carson grew up just outside of Birmingham. Both of his parents were teachers, his mother an elementary school teacher and his dad was the first band director at Southfield High School.
Later his father was a successful businessman, owning and operated Carson Business Interiors.
Carson said he picked up much of his business experience in the family business growing up, before he branched out into his own endeavors in 1988.
Carson moved to Independence Township in 1989 and started his first company in 1990. He opened RE/MAX Today, Inc. before merging with another RE/MAX office in 1999, having offices in Independence Township, Rochester Hills, and Bloomfield Village.
Several years later the offices were sold. His businesses never operated at a loss while under his management, he said.
‘Anytime I have taken over as treasurer, I have always found lots of ways to become more efficient, to save money, and to provide at least the same services that we’ve always provided,? he said. ‘Typically I’ve been able to lower cost, dues, or what have you and run the same programs.?
Carson said the township should remain strong and take the burden off the people the best it can without reducing essential services.
‘Just as in business, to be successful you’re constantly looking at new approaches and trying to be more efficient to do things for less money ? we need to do the same thing in government,? said Carson. ‘Government needs to run like a business, but it has to provide all the services required by the residents. They pay taxes for us to provide services that they want and we need to do that.?
Carson said he also believes in community involvement.
‘Overall, I believe when people in the community are involved, the community has a higher standard of living,? he said. ‘Children with more support tend to be better educated, you have good communication and you have fewer problems.?
Carson has been happily married to his wife, Michelle, for 23 years. Michelle works at Springfield Plains Elementary. They have three children, Christine, a 2007 Clarkston High graduate, Amanda, junior at CHS, and Rob, seventh-grader at Sashabaw Middle School.
Curt and Michelle met at Central Michigan University, where he graduated with a major in Management and Marketing. The Carsons are long time members of Pine Hill Congregational Church.
Curt Carson was involved in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s millage campaign for the new high school. Afterward, he was on the pool/ natatorium committee at the new high school.
From 1998 through 2006, Curt and Michelle co-chaired the March Reading Month at Springfield Plains Elementary. Also, from 1993 through 2000, Carson’s company organized and sponsored the Hot Air Balloon Festival to benefit Children’s Miracle Network at Springfield Oaks County Park. He and his daughters have been involved in several CMN telethons.
Curt spent six years as a board member of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce and four years as a corporate sponsor of Concerts in the Park in Depot Park. Also, while a board member, he was the first chairman of the Heart of Clarkston Holiday Festival, bringing in people regionally to support local businesses.
‘I enjoy my involvement with the Clarkston Optimist Club the most,? he said.
Carson joined the club in 1990 and, as parade chairman, the organization has received numerous awards, including five first place awards for parade entries.
In 2003 he was elected to the club Board of Directors and in 2006 was elected vice president. He is currently treasurer and president-elect for 2009.
Carson has also been co-chairman of the High School Scholarship Program with Maria Mark for the past two years.
‘In that time, the Optimists have provided more scholarships to area, college bound seniors than any other local service organization,? said Carson.
He has also been an advocate for homeowner’s rights. He has been actively involved with the Government Affairs Committee at North Oakland County Board of Realtors for more than 15 years, and in 2003 and 2004, was the Ethics Committee chairman. Carson was also honored with the ‘Active in Politics? award in 2005.
‘I think just overall being in the community and just having so much contact with people in the community. You really get an understanding of not just how close this community is, but really where their needs and their wants are, which is nice,? said Carson. ‘I think those who haven’t been involved really wouldn’t know that.?
Editor’s Note: The Clarkston News is featuring all candidates running for local office this fall. Check www.Clarkstonnews.com for completed stories.