For Sandy Dubre, work isn’t about her, but helping other people. That’s why she decided to run for treasurer of Independence Township.
‘What would a treasurer do to help people? My thinking is to educate myself to the best of my ability to inform people of what resources are out there to help them,? said Dubre.
‘There are things out there that will help people as far as their taxes, and properties and things like that,? she said. ‘Somebody needs to be investigating what kind of programs or what kind of grants might be available to help someone who’s in trouble.?
Dubre whose been an Independence Township resident for 20 years and worked as a real estate agent the past 14 years with Coldwell Banker Schweitzer. She is familiar with the area, assessments, state equalized values, and the township, she said.
‘Being in real estate, I’ve already worked with the township on many occasions,? she said.
She considered taking an assessor position at the township eight years ago, but because the real estate market was so good, she turned it down.
In real estate, she sells homes from $30,000 to $1.5 million.
‘Each one of those people I gave equal consideration and the best service that I possibly could because the $30,000 was just as important to that person as the million dollar person,? said Dubre.
She says her biggest accomplishment is being a trust worthy person and doing what she says she will do.
‘Trust comes from keeping them informed and investigating every avenue,? she said.
‘Whether it be local government, state, or federal, I feel like that’s what my job should be as treasurer is to make sure we continuously investigate every avenue that would help people.?
She wouldn’t be taking office during a ‘very good economical time,? but understands there needs to be somebody with the knowledge to keep people here.
‘If they can’t pay their taxes, they can’t make their mortgage payments, and are being foreclosed on. They are going to leave, move to another area, or leave the state,? she said.
Dubre understands there will be many late nights and weekends involved in the job, but she is up for the challenge, she said.
She has already begun educating herself about the treasurer’s position and what is going on in the township.
Before filing her petition, she began attending township board meetings as well as talked with friends who are former treasurers in other townships, and said she is willing to meet with Treasurer Jim Wenger a few days a week to see how things are run behind the scenes.
‘I don’t want to wait until it’s after Nov. 4,? she said. ‘I would like to already be going as far as being prepared to start, not prepared to learn, continue to learn, but start learning now.?
Dubre is also a huge advocate for senior citizens.
‘I am truly concerned for them, that we not forget about them,? she said. ‘They’ve been here a long time and they know a lot of stuff. I need them and I need their knowledge and I need to know what they need.?
That is something she plans to find out as she works on her campaign.
‘When I say I want to cutback or change something, I don’t mean just other people,? she said. ‘I also mean myself, in order to protect the people we’re working for.?
Dubre was born in Waterford, but her father had businesses in Clarkston. He was the founder of Tri-County Power Rodding, and owned Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, with which Dubre helped him, and her brother currently owns ACME Sewer Cleaning.
She has four children, Faith, 28, Amanda, 26, Chad, 21, and Erica, 20. She has been active and involved in Lighthouse for seniors, Senior Christmas, Toys for Tots, fire safety, and Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, organized floats for parades for Coldwell Banker Swietzer, and serves asan auxiliary officer at the Eagles Club.
‘My life has truly been devoted to helping and providing service to people,? said Dubre. ‘I started working at 13 years old and I have good work ethics, self motivated, and I am a leader.?