Kathy Paul decided to make a bid for the Springfield Township clerk’s office, she said, after circumstances in her own life brought on a first-hand education in the workings of local, state and federal government.
‘My closest friends and comrades have said ‘you know, you should get involved in politics,?? she said.
‘They’ve told me ‘you should be an advocate because you know where to go, you know how the system works, and how it doesn’t work. You’re a digger, you will search and search for things, and you like to help people.??
So when she heard current clerk Nancy Strole was planning to retire, Paul decided it was time to step up.
Over the years, Paul has volunteered in Clarkston schools, at the polls, and is a member of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, and the Bloomfield Woman’s Republican Club.
She cites management and development of $300 million-plus budgets, achieving a consistent increase in revenue and profits, among her qualifications.
In 1992, Paul and her son moved to Springfield from Harrison Township.
‘I liked the ambiance and the country feel of Springfield Township at that time,? she said. ‘And I loved the water, I loved being on the water, and I found a place that had a beautiful view, which is now gone.?
Paul, who for years has been embroiled in a battle over a tall, view-ruining fence installed by her next-door-neighbor, said her main goal is to enhance and develop lacking or weak ordinances needed in the community.
Her ongoing encounter with the neighbor, she said, has given her broad experience in dealing with the policies, procedures and programs of government agencies on a local, state and federal level.
Township ordinances, she said, should be reviewed every 5-10 years.
‘That was not being done and because it was not being done, it caused a major issue,? she said. ‘When somebody wants to do something on their property that damages and lessens somebody else’s property value, that’s not right.?
Paul said she wants Springfield Township to remain the rural country setting it is, and also aims to keep the community ‘clean and healthy,? as well as to ‘restore the civility? she feels has been lost.
‘I feel like I would be able to put myself in an individual’s position to understand what they’re going through or the assistance that they need,? she said. ‘We don’t want (Springfield Township) trashed and quite frankly, that’s what’s been going on.?
Paul said she’s heard plenty of complaints along the campaign trail.
‘This is mainly a residential area, however when you drive through it’s getting a feel that it’s industrial, and that it’s commercial, and the people don’t want that,? she said. ‘There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason, or a smooth transition into the commercial in the Dixie Highway Corridor. And in the neighborhoods, people are upset because of all of the construction material and junks that are accumulated.?
In addition to evaluating and updating ordinances, Paul said if elected clerk she would encourage citizens to get involved, develop and maintain ambience in residential and commercial areas, and bring back and maintain property values
Paul, who cites tenacity, organization, accuracy and communication skills among her attributes, is currently working on a certificate from Central Michigan University’s program for forensic accounting.
Contact Kathy Paul at electkathypaul@yahoo.com