He told The Oaklandside he's running because he's passionate about resolving inequities and providing . Why are you running again for county commission and why should voters re-elect you? In the Republican primary for treasurer, Susan Anderson, owner of a bookkeeping agency and treasurer of the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees, is running against Joe Kent, an Oxford . Your money is best to be in your pocket versus the governments. He's also president of the California Association of Black School Educators and he previously was a member of the Alameda County Public Health Commission.. It is time to start investing in public education again. Budget, infrastructure, health and human services are three priority issues. Health and human services include our safety and quality of living. Current job: Southfield City Councilman for nine years and tenured professor of political science (20 years) at Oakland Community College, Education: Bachelors and Masters in political science from Clark Atlanta University, Doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Wayne State University. I am a retired state youth services caseworker and have been a small business artist for 45 years. Clerk - Karen Reilly. Friedman was a Board Member at Levi Strauss & Co. from 1990 to 1995. I bring political relationships and experience that other candidates do not have. Gained approval for additional resources for Prosecutor and Sheriffs office for ongoing support to investigate threats throughout Oakland County after the Nov. 30. Secretary-Kiwanis; 2016 & 2005 Chamber Citizen of the Year, Finance Council-St. Joseph Catholic Church, Deputy Grand Knight K of C Council 7586 & Past Secretary K of C Assembly 3099 Milford-monthly Flag replacement on Veterans Graves; Member-Lyon (Twp.) I currently work at the Michigan State House of Representatives where I am the Chief of Staff for Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills). by admin Jan 30 2023. I will continue to promote Small Business Stabilization grants & programs to keep small businesses open and continue the work-force development programs that attract and stimulate quality jobs and employment opportunities. Mental health resources and easier accessibility The Board of County Commissioners just passed a huge investment with matching grants for Oakland County Schools to provide grants to increase mental health professionals and increased accessibility in our schools. The need for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leadership is to examine the conditions of the work environment and actively work to remove barriers that hinder residents and employees in the county. I live in Rochester Hills, went to high school in Pontiac and got my first real job as the Public Events Coordinator at the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) in Royal Oak. Gained approval from the BOC for $500,000 to support co-pays to Oxford School district for mental health support after the Nov. 30, 2021 incident. Vote for not more than 3 - 6 Year Term. Sponsored a resolution approving $1 million in emergency grant assistance for veterans, service members and eligible family members. Like so many others, I felt that my voice was not being heard in local, state and especially federal government. He has been a consistent voice for wise spending of our tax dollars and living within our means. Sponsored Oakland County Mental Health grant for Oakland Schools, which provides $175,000 to each school district in the county to address students mental health needs. I believe the marketplace, not politicians and bureaucrats, should determine which jobs are essential and which are not. Over the years I have also been a substitute teacher, a certified state transporter, a youth art instructor at inner city outreach programs, and a Meals on Wheels driver. Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: I have a diverse background so I can relate to others. Public Safety Oakland Democrats are asking Sheriff Bouchard to cut his budget by $1.5 million after cutting it $1.5 million last year. For years, the attention to the northern portion of the county has seemed to take priority. Second, focus on rebuilding our small businesses and create incentives for entrepreneurs to want to open small businesses in our county. And now sadly we must to be concerned about the safety of our families. 2022 Candidate Interviews and Election Information. Gwen Markham, Trustee. Born and raised in East Oakland, Jenkins graduated from Oakland High School and attended Laney College and College of Alameda. The focus of our team is to build: Thriving communities, happy and healthy people, and smart business. We also distribute native plants, free of charge, twice a year. My background and professional training is in diplomacy and national security, and I have previously worked for the U.S. State Department in Madrid and for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. The Elections Division is responsible for the supervision and certification of all elections that take place within the county. OCRP MENU VOLUNTEER JOIN OCRP ABOUT THE OCRP. I enjoy working with and for people. Community economic development. The people flourish only when they are in control of their own destiny, not when they are serfs of the state. I know what its like to be an employee and an employer, and I also know what its like to be unemployed while overreaching government saps private opportunities from a community. I am a member of Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, HVCA, and contributor to many charitable needs. Rob has learned to maximize funding with limited and fluctuating budgets. I am a wife and mother of two amazing daughters and work within my community on various endeavors to ensure local government works for everyone and that those who are often overlooked have a voice. 2111 Pontiac Lake Road Waterford, Michigan 48328 Fax: 248.209.2206 Email. Three candidates are running for the District 2 seat on the Oakland Unified School District board this year. Secretary-Kiwanis; 2016 & 2005 Chamber Citizen of the Year, Finance Council-St. Joseph Catholic Church, Deputy Grand Knight K of C Council 7586 & Past Secretary K of C Assembly 3099 Milford-monthly Flag replacement on Veterans Graves; Member-Lyon (Twp.) The three priority issues for a first term would be employment and mentoring programs for youth. I believe that county government is where I can affect the most change in my community. I have lived in the City of Troy for over 27 years and lived in Oakland County for over 48 years. Generally be a voice for the unheard and raise righteous hell in support of racial, social, economic and environmental justice. I am committed to be a part of that change. Why are you running for the Board of Commissioners? Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less: Im a lifelong Oakland County resident, born and raised in the District I represent. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin for Congress, District 8. Im in my third decade now in Oakland County. . Water and development. County government needs to return to serving the people of the county, not bullying them or making them dependent. Why are funds going only to so called crisis centers as Planned Parenthood when there are other local pregnancy crisis centers based in Oakland County? Oxford resident Rick Donovan is one of nine people running to be a member of the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees. The recovery of our economy from the pandemic is my priority. Gretchen Whitmer signed the wrong bill into law. Through those two actions, a new Board of Commissioners will go a long way toward realizing a third priority, which is restoring responsible management to Oakland Countys government. I am a graduate of Avondale High School and earned a bachelors degree in business, with a concentration in information technology from Oakland University, which is also located in District 4. Not only do schools help to build well-educated citizens who are ready to meet the future challenges of our community, but schools are also a source of employment for residents and we know that school performance directly impact property values, making public schools a monetary investment for all residents. I make decisions based on facts and data, not emotions. What are the top three priority issues that Oakland County faces and what actions would you, as commissioner, take regarding each of them? Most of my time on the commission is spent in oversight and planning for Oakland Countys $1 Billion budget each year. My work has allowed me to engage people with hard core needs. The board are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis by voters living within the college district, of Oakland County. I am currently working on efforts to increase the salaries of child care and home care workers. Among the Republican hopefuls, Susan Anderson, a bookkeeper and treasurer of the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees, is the choice over Oxford businessman Joe Kent. . On a personal note I was raised in a home with many uncertainties yet I knew I was fortunate to be living at a time in America with many possibilities. Was invited to the White House to represent Oakland County at the Summit on Human Trafficking in 2020. Maintaining our hometown values common-sense decisions need to be made locally from input from the people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions. The heart of our communities lies in our homes, churches, businesses and schools. I know how to leverage the talents and expertise of subject matter experts and work with them to come up with positive solutions. The pandemic identified many areas to county officials that needed more attention. In 2013 I became a member of the Novi City Council, and was re-elected in 2017. Retraining the workforce to respond to emerging job sectors, Creating incentives to bring new businesses to Michigan, Protecting business owners who were affected by the pandemic, Supporting local municipalities with economic development, Maintaining the AAA bond rating for the county, Establishing mental health funding for residents and schools, Fighting for womens rights and LGBTQ+ members, Partnerships with businesses, colleges and trade schools, Helping residents to attain affordable housing, Educate residents on the resources the county offers, Better access to health care for veterans and those in need, Addressing our roads and infrastructure needs, Addressing our need for safer water for residents, Developing better practices for maintenance and construction, Developing a more robust regional transportation system, Conserving and protecting open spaces, parks, water, Current job: Co-Founder of Metro Detroit Medical Waste. Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Jenkins serves on the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees, which he was elected to in 2020. People now come from neighboring communities to dine, shop and conduct business. I will be steadfast in living up to the duty of an elected official, by being the voice for the voiceless and doing what is right and just for all citizens. Jan. 24The Oakland Community College (OCC) Board of Trustees recently welcomed newly elected trustee, Edward D. Callaghan of Royal Oak, and also elected new officers at the first board meeting . During most of that time, Oakland County was the envy of the nation for its competent, business-like management. LEARN MORE. Joseph Rozell, Chairperson (Term expires December 31, 2026) Jeffrey Phelps, Vice Chairperson (Term expires December 31, 2023) Dave Woodward, Trustee. Jun 3 2022. Current job: Board Certified Behavior Analyst. 4200 Telegraph Road, P.O. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. As a sitting member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2018, I currently serve as the Majority Caucus Chair, Chair of the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee, Chair of the Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, and I am a member of the Public Health and Safety Committee. I have been a proud public servant for the past 18 years where I have worked for Oakland County, the City of Clawson, the Village of Wolverine Lake, and currently at the City of Berkley in many roles such as city clerk, city manager and village administrator. The members of the board are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis by voters living within the college district, an area that generally coincides with the boundaries of Oakland County. ; Kensington Valley/S. I have been appointed to Oxford Township Planning Commission since 2014. Dozens of individuals attended Lakeland Community College's Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 29 to voice fervent opposition regarding a motion to form a special trustee-only committee seeking to . With the social climate, mass shootings, threats and overall anger in our communities we cannot afford to reduce funding of our law enforcement agencies. Established a program to increase marine safety patrols on Oakland County lakes during the 2022 boating season, Created a new policy requiring Oakland County restaurant inspection reports to be available in a searchable and easily accessible online database, Published Oakland Countys Blueprint for Successful Aging, in partnership with AAA1B, which identifies strategies for creating age-friendly communities while identifying unmet needs and gaps in current services, Founded the Native Plant Initiative that provided residents with native plant kits to restore damage caused by invasive and non-native plant species while promoting the benefits of native gardens, Created Oakland Together Lifeline Program that provided residents in selected senior living facilities Amazon Echo Show devices (and training) to stay connected with family and friends throughout the pandemic, Launched the Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose Program, featuring two solar powered mobile boat cleaning stations to empower water enthusiasts to be active participants in the fight to protect our lakes and waterways from the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species, Married to Pam and 30-plus year resident South Lyon; Past Chair-SEMCOG and current delegate to SEMCOG. , free of charge, twice a year is responsible for the and... 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