Editor’s note: Earlier this month, The Citizen e-mailed questions to candidates in Atlas, Brandon and Groveland townships. Candidates were limited to 30 word responses. Key: Incumbent (I), Republican (R), Democrat (D), No party affiliation (NPA)

Brandon Township supervisor vote for one

Name, age: Jayson W. Rumball, 38 (NPA) (Write-in)

Years in the township:35

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree – Business Admin and Concentration in Insurance (Olivet College Juris Doctor – Business Transactions (Western Michigan Thomas Cooley Law School)

Occupation:

Attorney and Managing Member at Rumball & Wojtkowicz, PLC, Trustee – Brandon Charter Township (4 Years), BHS Golf Coach (Boys & Girls), Small Business Owner and School Board Member – Greater Heights Academy – Flint

Government-related experience:

I have served this community as a Brandon Charter Township Trustee for 4 years.

Why are you running for office?

I am running as a write-in candidate for supervisor, because I see along with many residents that there is vast room for improvement in our Supervisor position. Our community deserves a fulltime Supervisor.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

I fully and adamantly support our Oakland County Deputies/Command. My votes on police matters during my 4 years as trustee show that, while my opponent’s do not. I would absolutely support more officers should the need arise.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?

I love the idea of there being a trail system in our community. However, to date we have zero information as to actual costs of maintaining and policing that type of trail system. The only very rough estimate we have received is nearly $70,000 a year.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

I will be amicable to listen to and explore all such opportunities for the M-15 corridor and lakeside property owners. Businesses taking advantage of the M-15 corridor could greatly increase our tax base, provide employment opportunities to our community.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

In no particular order my priorities are NO wage increases for elected officials, properly funding OPEB, police budget funding ratio, accountability to residents, recreation, fiscal budgeting, dirt road speed limits and adherence to established township protocol.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

I believe that under my fulltime leadership as Supervisor this community can thrive in all facets and become a better Brandon.

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Name and age:

Kathy Thurman, 59 (R) (I)

Years in the township:

29

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Michigan University,

Magna Cum Laude and Master of Arts Degree from University of Michigan-Flint, all A’s.

Occupation:Brandon Township Supervisor.

Government-related experience:

I have served on numerous governmental committees and attended numerous workshops during my 2 terms in office.

Why are you running for office?

I love working in our wonderful Brandon Township community. I would like to continue seizing opportunities to advance Brandon Township toward resident-driven objectives.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

With revenue generated from the Enbridge pipeline the township recently increased police staffing to have two deputies patrolling every shift and extra help in the summer. I would only support hiring another deputy if the call volume warranted it.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?

I support an Iron Belle Trail segment because trail development is in our Master Plan, 543 residents signed a petition wanting trails, it can be built with grant funding and it’s a safer alternative to using the roads.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners?

Please explain. Yes, I would consider a sewer district for the schools, businesses on M- 15, lakeside property owners and sections of the Village only if it was affordable, allowances were made for those with improved systems and it was wanted by the majority in the district.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

If re-elected I will continue to be fiscally conservative while serving the needs of Brandon residents.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

In four years I envision, Sashabaw Road paved from Sherwood to Granger, a non-motorized trail, fewer invasive plants, ball fields at the park and lower speed limits on gravel roads.

Brandon Township Clerk vote for one

Name, age: Candee Allen, 63 (R) (I)

Years in the township:

41 years

Education:

high school graduate

Occupation:

Brandon Township Clerk.

Government-related experience:

I worked for Brandon-Groveland-Ortonville Joint Recreation Commission and Brandon Township from Feb. 1989 to Jan. 2012 and have was elected as Clerk in November 2012.

Why are you running for office?I am running for a second term to help improve the township park, our cemeteries. The senior center and assist with community projects.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?I would be in favor of hiring an additional patrol officer if we levy the millage rate to the maximum approved. We need to build the carry forward fund first.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?I don’t support the Iron Belle Trail in the township because of the high maintenance costs and the location selected.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?I am in favor of a township sewer district with Village of Ortonville, Groveland Township, Brandon Schools, businesses and lake property owners working together to cut costs.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?My top priority will be to educate Brandon School students and senior citizens in the election process and continue to make improvements for our community.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years? I envision the Brandon Township Community Park completed, our buildings modernized, more senior citizens helped. Hopefully, the community will stay a bedroom community for years to come!

Brandon Township Trustee vote for four

Name, age

: Dana M. DePalma (R)(I)

Years in the township:

Resident for 13 years

Education:

Bachelor of Accountancy from Walsh College

Occupation:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Government-related experience:

Brandon Township Trustee since April 2011. I was appointed in 2011 and voted into office for the years of 2013-2016. I worked in Governmental Accounting while working at CPA firms.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for Trustee to continue to utilize my experience and financial skills to help the Brandon Board be fiscally responsible, professional and make good decisions for the residents.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

I would if it was needed and if the cost would not cause property taxes to go up meaning that the current police millage would remain the same for residents.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the Township?

I do support the trail if it is built using only grant funds. My concerns are the future cost of maintaining and insuring it along with safety on the trails.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners?

Please explain. I would consider a sewer district being established in a lake and/or a business district if the residents within that district were responsible for the cost and maintenance of it.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

I would continue to help decrease spending yet maintain mandated services and safety for the residents. I would research and analyze retirement funds to ensure proper payments of these obligations.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

I see Brandon Township as being a wonderful and friendly rural community to live in that is building a healthy fund balance while still providing quality services to the residents.

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Name, age:

Patricia Salter (D)

Years in the township:

15

Education:

Bachelor of Science – Information Systems Management from Buffalo State College, 2002 PMP (Project Management Professional Certification), 2012 ITIL Foundations Basic Certification

Occupation:

Project Manager at Oakland County Information Technology since January, 2002

Government-related experience:

Oakland County employee for 15 years, Brandon Township Public Library Trustee for 8 years (term ends 11/08/16).

Why are you running for office?

To improve community relationships between Township, Village, and library to build a stronger Brandon. Using technical knowledge and PM skills, facilitate providing residents total government transparency on the Township website.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

Yes if recommended by the Brandon substation and money is available in the current police budget. Board is currently considering decreasing the township police millage and building police fund equity.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?

Yes, however Township Hall meetings must be scheduled with Oakland County to redesign the path for the benefit of all residents. By working together we can find a way to provide all residents this recreational activity.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

Yes, if economically feasible and requested by majority of residents. Town Hall meetings should be scheduled to plan. Township meetings for Township business. Town Hall meetings for residents to collaborate and present recommendations to Township Board.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

Facilitate as Project Manager Town Meetings for residents to be involved with their local government and make recommendations to the Township Board. Work together for a stronger Brandon.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

Residents, Township, Village & Library working together to build a stronger Brandon to resolve issues and decide our future as a community.

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Name:

Kris J. Kordella, 62 (at election time) (R)

Years in the township:

12.5 years.

Education:

Wayne State University – Graduated June 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. Also, Central Michigan University – Graduated August 1993 with a Master of Science degree in Management

Occupation:

Retired from General Motors Company with 35 years of service: now do financial planning on a part-time basis

Government-related experience:

During the last several years, heavily involved in getting natural gas into Brandon. Also worked feverishly campaigning against Lansing’s Proposal 1 Tax increase disaster!

Why are you running for office?

To serve all the citizens of Brandon Township by being THEIR voice on the township board and fighting for the Issues important to them.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

Most likely. I would first want to review Lt. Glover’s facts supporting this need. And make sure we have the funding to support it, or better yet, is this hire to eliminate some/most of the excessive overtime the current deputies are working.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?

Because this is Gov Snyder’s “pet project” the Township shouldn’t do anything until 1.) We have in our hands from Lansing the $5 to $6 million to build it. And second, we get yearly mainte

nance funds from Lansing, minimum of $100,000/year guaranteed for 30 years.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

In order to grow businesses and keep our current businesses a reliable sewer system should be in place. Fund it using all available federal and state grants with remaining funding coming from the business owners. The residents can do likewise if they decide to.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

Use my 35 plus years of business experience to reduce taxes! Both for the Township, but also for the Brandon school system which levies 19 mills of our 41 mills property tax rate.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

I envision a more financially healthy township with a lower tax rate. Thus creating economic conditions for business growth and community well-being. Ditto the same for the Village of Ortonville, especially the downtown area.

*******

Name, age:

Elizabeth Scott Waters, 34 (R)(I)

Years in the township:

9.5

Education:

Criminal Justice, and Photography major

Occupation:

Photographer and Office Manager

Government-related experience:

5 years as a Village Council Member, Fire Authority, almost one year as a Brandon Township Trustee

Why are you running for office?

To better my community and continue to make this community a great place to raise a family and live.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

Yes.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township?

Why or why not? I do, in the capacity that would satisfy residents. I am not in support of the current proposed trail routes.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

Not at this time. I worked in much depth with this on the Village and I do not see a way to make this happen for the entire township at this time, there may be special districts in the future that would benefit from small scale sewer progress.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

Working with officials to make this a safe community and keeping our small town feel.

*******

Name, age:

Robert S Marshall, 61 (R)

Years in the township:

17

Education:

BA University of Detroit, Eastern Michigan University Masters Program

Occupation:

Retired Detective/Lieutenant, Currently Adjunct Professor, Oakland Community College.

Government-related experience:

Over 40 years in the Public Safety profession.

Why are you running for office?

I have a career history of serving the community. My interest in the Board of Trustees position is simply a continuation of that service.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township?

Yes I would, if there is a demonstrable need for the additional position.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township? Why or why not?

Only if it incurs no additional expense to the Township and does not negatively impact citizen properties.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

I am opposed to any project that is paid for by all, but only benefits a select few.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

Providing the community with outstanding essential services and ensuring that those services receive priority in the Township budget.

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

I see Brandon Township as a model for fiscal responsibility and a leader in the streamlining of services through, consolidation, minimization of programming and a return to basic governmental functions.

Brandon Township Treasurer vote for one

Name, age:

Terri Darnall and 60 plus years of wisdom.(R) (I)

Years in the township:

25 years

Education

: 2 years of college.

Occupation:

Brandon Township Treasurer.

Government-related experience:

10 years, six years as Deputy Treasurer, four years as Brandon Township Treasurer.

Why are you running for office?

The residents deserve someone they can trust, that is honest, shows integrity, and has the experience needed to do the job of the township treasurer.

Would you support hiring another Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy to patrol the township? Yes, if and when the residents feel the need for an additional officer, and are willing to increase the police millage rate to make that happen.

Do you support an Iron Belle Trail segment in the township?

Why or why not? No. There might be “start up” money, but the perpetual care costs alone are well over $100,000 per year for items like a trail board/manager, a police presence, maintenance, etc.

Would you consider a township sewer district for businesses and lakeside property owners? Please explain.

Not at this time. The financial burden would be too great for those involved to bear.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

To make sure to do the due diligence necessary to make any decisions that affect the township residents

What do you envision for Brandon Township in four years?

With the wisdom of a good township board, a community with not only a friendly rural feel, but with excellent emergency services, good roads and a healthy fund balance.