Jeff McGee is running for Independence Township Treasurer because he sees a need for change.
‘In 1985 the board elected to go to a charter township and we haven’t changed anything since then and we’ve now grown to 35,000 people and over a $25,000 budget,? said McGee. ‘I’m passionate about the fact that we need to add the services of a professional municipal administrator.?
McGee said current Treasurer Jim Wenger and his staff have done a ‘tremendous job navigating the township through investment troubles of the early 1990’s?
With controls implemented and enforced by the board since then, however, treasurer responsibilities have diminished, he said.
‘I believe there is significant room for reduction in responsibilities and ultimately a reduction in compensation,? McGee said.
That’s why McGee, along with Dan Travis and Shelagh VanderVeen pledged to reduce compensation voluntarily, in order to bring in a professional manager (see ‘Candidates pledge pay cut,? page 6A.)
‘I’ve watched the township board struggle with infighting and political posturing over the years,? said McGee. ‘My goal is to get the board back on track with policy and oversight issues by implementing consistency in HR and manager practices through the municipal administrator.?
He says the budget has room to pay for a professional manager, add effective operations to the township, and provide consistency in management practices and human resources.
McGee, who has a background in real-estate lending, said reductions in home values will have ‘profound effect? on revenues to the township.
‘As a treasurer, I think we need to be preemptive in dealing with what effect the reduction in revenues is going to have on our budget process,? he said.
‘The earlier we can acknowledge the problem exists and incorporate thoughtful planning process, the more likely it is we will end up with a balanced budget minimizing the reduction of services to citizens in the township.?
Controlling development should not be labeled as ‘anti-growth,? he said.
‘I happen to be a big property rights advocate, but I also recognize that proper planning is a balance between reasonable defining our community as developed and individual property rights,? said McGee. ‘If that means revisiting our Vision 2020 plan to evolve our master plan, then that’s what it means.?
He favors hiring a professional administrator, having a ‘thoughtful budget balancing process,? with citizen participation, and providing ‘honest, efficent level of communication.?
Winning elections does not mean public officials are qualified to run the township, he said.
‘If you’re running the day to day operations in this $27 million budget, pushing 40,000 people, and you just happen to win the popularity contest, I don’t think that’s a justice or a good service to the community,? he said.
‘I think it’s foolish of us not to consider the fact that we need to have an administrator who is schooled and experienced.?
McGee was born in Birmingham, did most of his schooling in Rochester Hills, lived in Canada for five years, and graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Business Finance in 1985. He and his wife moved to Independence Township in 1989 and have two children, ages 13 and 10.
McGee has served on three local lake boards, is vice chair on the Township Zoning Board of Appeals, and served two terms as trustee on the township board from 1992 to 2000.
He also served two years on the board of directors for Postal Employees? Credit Union. McGee is currently a partner in Watson Group Financial, and owns a building company and property management firm.
‘This town has been good to me and I’ve never moved since I’ve been an adult; I’ve been here for 19 years,? he said. ‘I feel that I’ve made a significant contribution to the township and the time has come to continue that contribution based on a passionate plea for evolution. We need to get this township on track.?
Primary election is set for Aug. 5. Independence Township Board’s seven seats are all up for a vote, with 17 candidates running. See ClarkstonNews.com for candidate profiles.