Planning commissioner Cheryl Karrick is seeking elected office, as treasurer on the Independence Township Board.
‘Jim Wenger is not running again in this election,? she said. ‘This is a vacated seat. That’s why it’s a good time for me to get involved.?
Karrick’s goals include finding ways to run a ‘leaner government? with the best use of tax dollars.
‘We need to find innovative and creative ways of maintaining the current level of services we provide without further burden on the residents,? said Karrick. ‘Our state is faced with many economic problems. With that said, we are receiving less revenue sharing from the state than ever.?
Her business experience includes real estate since 1999. She is involved with the Government Affairs Committee at the North Oakland County Board of Realtors and was honored with ‘Active in Politics? award in 2006.
‘Much of my business is of the banking nature. I handled properties for Wells Fargo, US Bank, TCF, Countrywide and LaSalle,? said Karrick. ‘This provides me with much accounting experience.?
She grew up in Brandon Township and graduated from Brandon High School. She became a resident of Independence Township when she married in 1987.
She has two sons, Spencer, 16, a junior at Clarkston High School, and Kendall, 12, a seventh grader at Sashabaw Middle School.
Karrick was appointed to the Planning Commission in January, 2001.
‘Since my appointment I have been chairman for four years and earned my ‘Citizen Master Planner? designation from Michigan State University,? she said.
In addition, she was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2003 and has been chairman of the ZBA the last three years.
‘I am the first person in Independence history to chair both the planning commission and zoning board of appeals at the same time,? she said.
If it’s allowable, she would like to be the liaison back to planning, zoning or both.
‘I would be willing to give my time to those things still as well,? said Karrick. ‘I just don’t know if that will be allowable still through township or state government as a full-time elected employee.?
Karrick also enjoys helping out the community. She donates time to the Good Fellows Newspaper sales campaign, which helps supply local children with boots, hats, and gloves.
She volunteers with ‘Christmas in Action,? a program set to help rehab or ‘mini makeover? homes for low income seniors in the township.
Karrick, who is also a huge San Francisco 49ers football fan, has been involved with youth football as a director for many years. Both of her boys participated in Clarkston Chiefs Football.
She would enjoy her service on the township board, she said.
‘When you are elected as treasurer, you also have the privilege to sit on the township board, which allows you voting privilege on important things that happen here in our community,? she said.