Atlas Township Supervisor(Choose one)

Name: Teresa L. Onica (R)

Age: 57

Years in the township: Goodrich for the last 23-years. Husband Nick; sons Matt, 31 and Tony, 29; daughter Jamie, 25.

Occupation: Atlas Township Clerk Education: BA, Oakland University. MSU, certified municipal clerk. Ongoing education and professional development through Michigan Townships Association, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. Government experience: Certified municipal clerk 16 years; Genesee County 911 Consortium member 14 years; President Genesee County Clerks & Treasurers Association 9 years; CDBG Grant Administrator 14 years.

Why are you running for office?

Many residents personally urged me to run for supervisor. Other supervisors and officials in Genesee County asked me as well, based on their experience working with me on local issues.

What is your plan to improve the township’s economic condition?

Exercise fiscal responsibility, maintain services and our reputation as a well-planned community with hometown appeal that attracts families to live in Atlas Township. Where do you stand on shared services?

I am dedicated to continue to keep costs down and benefits up saving our hardworking taxpayers dollars through the use of shared services.

What is your top priority in office?

Satisfy citizen’s needs, accomplish governmental purposes legally, fairly, with the least amount of friction possible; take up business in a rational, logical manner in the interests of good township development/service.

What do you envision in the next four years? Our master plan and future land use plan is heavily influenced by our natural features which reflects the type of community and lifestyle desired and defines and drives our vision.

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Name: Shirley Kautman-Jones (I) (R)

Age: 61

Years in the township: 36 years as AtlasTownship resident.

Occupation: Self-employed, business owner, Country Home Creations, 37 years.

Education:High school, some college, no degree. Government experience: Former Goodrich School Board member, former Atlas Township Planning Commission member, Michigan Association of Township Supervisors district representative, Genesee County Roads and Bridges, Genesee County Water and Waste, Atlas Township supervisor, 2008 to present.

Why are you running for office? Seeking re-election to continue representing Atlas Township residents on issues that matter the most to them; health, safety and welfare. Staying informed at the county and state level on issues that impact the township as a whole. What is your plan to improve the township’s economic condition?

The economics of the township (financial condition) as a government agency are excellent. However, we must continue to strive to increase property values for our property owners while keeping our eye on the amount of taxes that are levied. Where do you stand on shared services?Shared services/partnerships are valuable. The township currently works with the Village of Goodrich and Goodrich Schools in regards to the existing bike path. Our police service (law enforcement) is provided under contract by Genesee County Sheriff’s Department as a shared service.

What is your top priority in office? Continue to remain available, accessible and responsive to township residents. Continue to seek funding opportunities similar to the approximate $500,000 recently awarded to improve the Hegel and Gale Road intersection, at no cost to taxpayers.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years: The township is a great place to live and raise families. We will continue to seek opportunities that young families desire. This will be accomplished with partnerships and collaboration with the schools, village and civic groups.

Treasurer (Choose one)

Name: Ann Marie Moore (I)(R)

Age: 49 years old. Years in the township: 22 years.

Education: Graduated from Lakeland High School and have vocational training and education. I am a graduate of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Institute through the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, affiliated through Central Michigan University. I have received my Michigan Certified Professional Treasurer certificate from the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association.

Occupation: Treasurer for Atlas Township. Government-related experience: In 2003, I went to the township office and inquired about a job opening as the deputy treasurer to Sara Bachmann. I became her deputy for the next year. Sara decided to step down as the township treasurer. I became the treasurer for Atlas Township appointed by the township board of trustees.

Why are you running for office? As the treasurer for Atlas Township, I will continue to serve our residents to the best of my ability, to remain diligent in the customer care they receive when they enter our office with concerns. In the last 12 years I have been very conscientious about investing township money and will continue to do so as the Atlas Township treasurer.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition? As the economy continues to recover, continue to budget responsibly and not overspend. To work with investment groups to diversify funds and investments, offering the best returns for our money.

Where do you stand on shared services with other communities? Shared services are a great way to be able to give the most to our residents, for the amount of money it takes to fund different projects in the township; such as the pathways for instance, working in conjunction with Genesee County Parks and Recreation to achieve the goal for safe pathways.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office? To continue to invest the township’s monies in safe secure accounts with AAA rated banks; to continue the high level of customer service our residents have come to expect when they enter our township office.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? Atlas Township and across our state is being able to continue to provide services with less revenue by being fiscally responsible and not overspending our budget.

Clerk (Choose one)

Name: Katherine Vick (R)

Age: 33 Years in the township: 11 years

Education: Associate in applied science-graphic design

Occupation: Public relations/graphic design Government-related experience: Atlas Township Recreational Pathways Committee member, Village of Goodrich Parks & Recreation member, community activist

Why are you running for office? The township clerk position is an opportunity for me to work hard in a positive way for our community. It is exactly the type of meticulous and technical work where I shine. I am by far the most eager, passionate, and fully-qualified candidate to follow in the shoes of our current award-winning clerk.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition?

The Atlas Township Board has a long history of being fiscally responsible. Seeking creative ways to reduce costs is a service I have provided to several businesses in the past and I feel confident I could identify opportunities for cost saving within the township throughout my term in office as well.

Where do you stand on shared services with other communities? If you are referring to shared services with the Village of Goodrich I do believe there is tremendous potential to consolidate several services to save the village residents money without burdening the township. I also believe it is a conversation that must first be initiated by the Village of Goodrich. It is not a township’s role to influence or oversee other municipalities. If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

My top priority will be to fulfill all the duties performed by the clerk including each and every meticulous operation to ensure efficiency and maintain the integrity of the records our township office holds.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? Improvements to our infrastructure must continue to take priority as they are the key to maintaining the value of our community as a whole. Atlas Township residents are very protective of our country setting.

Trustee (Choose two) Name: Nicolas Brooks (R)

Age: 28 Years in the township: 20

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public safety studies, Siena Heights University associate’s degree in fire protection technology (high honors), Mott Community College associate’s degree in general studies (high honors), Mott Community College

Occupation: Firefighter/EMT & small business owner Government-related experience: HazMat technician & several FEMA certifications

Why are you running for office? To properly and accurately represent the citizens who elected me. I believe elected officials need to remember that they are representing their constituents; personal beliefs should not influence their policies.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition? Maintain a positive operating budget using the least amount of taxes. Research grants & other assistance to fund special projects instead of using the general fund.

Where do you stand on shared services with other communities?

I agree with shared services because it will save the most taxpayer money and provide a broader range of services to benefit the residents. If elected, what will be your top priority in office? Preserve the rural atmosphere of our community. That is why most of us moved to the township. I will do everything in my power to ensure development fits that atmosphere.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? The premier place to live with positive growth & road condition improvement. Proper education for our children. Increased transparency & integrity from our local government.

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Name: Amy Cummings (R)

Age: 29

Years in the township: 4 Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, master’s degree in public administration both from Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.

Occupation: Homemaker Government-related experience: Alternate on Atlas Township Zoning Board of Appeals, former office assistant human resources at Oakland County, and wrote the parks ordinance and park rules for Davison Township as part of a master’s thesis.

Why are you running for office? I want to serve the residents and bring a new outlook to Atlas. I have a different perspective from my education and current place in life as a young mother.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition? I will look for innovative options to save money from the budget while avoiding unnecessary tax increases.

Where do you stand on shared services with other communities? I will encourage cooperation between Atlas and surrounding areas to address emergency situations in the most effective manner. I believe shared services benefit Atlas, as well as surrounding communities.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office? Promoting growth while maintaining rural values. The mix of rural and dense zoning is vital to Atlas. I will maintain this mixture while promoting positive growth and improvement within Atlas.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? I would like to leave as a legacy after my term positive growth at a rate the residents are comfortable with while improving an already great quality of life in Atlas.

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Patrick Major (R) (I)

Age: 65

Years in the township: 25

Education: Royal Oak Dondero High School /self-educated.

Occupation: Owner of wholesale food distribution business based in Atlas Township.

Government-related experience: Atlas Township trustee for the past four years. Atlas Township Planning Commission past four years. Served on the Atlas Township Fire Advisory Board and the Atlas Township Zoning Ordinance Advisory Board.

Why are you running for office? It is my turn to give back to the community, I have enjoyed the benefits of Atlas and I hope to help keep the township a great place to live.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition? I will strive to keep the township on its fiscally responsible path by not overspending and continue to look for innovative ways to save the township money.

Where do you stand on shared services with Atlas Township? We should share services when it benefits our township.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office? Maintain Atlas Township as a premier place to live, to keep our rural atmosphere with improved roads, and continue to have a fiscally responsible government.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? I envision Atlas Township as a great place to live, with a responsible, forward looking township board that will still be ahead of the curve.

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Name: Barry June (I) (R)

Age: 54 Years in the township: 44

Education: 1980 Graduate Goodrich High School, 1984 BS in Agricultural Engineering Technology Michigan State University.

Occupation: Deputy director, Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission and farmer, Atlas Township. Government-related experience: Atlas Township Zoning Board of Appeals 1994-2012, Atlas Township trustee, 2004-present.

Why are you running for office? To utilize my knowledge of the township infrastructure and my contacts at the various county agencies to better the condition of Atlas Township and its residents.

What is your plan to help improve the township’s economic condition? Maintain our current policy of embracing business while maintaining a good quality of life for Atlas Township residents.

Where do you stand on shared services with Atlas Township?

I believe shared services are a good thing as long the agreement is spelled out and both sides know what they are getting into. Shared services work best when there is an independent commission or agency that oversees the services without the interference of politics. There are many examples of successful shared services in Genesee County.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office? Maintenance of township infrastructure. We have made great strides in improving roads in the township over the last 16 years. We need to pay attention to the county drains in the community before they become as problematic as the Wheelock Watkins Drain in Goodrich.

What do you envision for Atlas Township in four years? A vibrant active community like we have today with better roads and infrastructure.