Dear Editor:
We, the candidates for the Dexter Township Board of Trustees, are writing to introduce ourselves.
We are seven Democratic women with diverse backgrounds and varied viewpoints who share a love of public service and our thriving community. We bring real expertise to the table, with decades of volunteer and professional service, ranging from cleaning up roadside trash to maintaining our roads to getting grants to helping write legislation.
Our team brings a mix of deep local connections with experience in the wider world. Three of us were born and raised in Washtenaw County (some right here in Dexter Township) and six out of seven are native Michiganders – just like many of our neighbors.
We stand for three things:
One – Effective, Efficient and Ethical Use of Taxpayer Dollars
The taxes we already pay can support higher levels of service – services that will improve our day-to-day lives, like better local roads. We have the tools and knowledge to give taxpayers more for their money by bringing in resources and using existing revenue to get more value for the Township.
Two – Setting Priorities with Citizen Input
Our tax dollars should be put to work for the services that are important to us, while still meeting requirements for sound township management. Members of our team have devoted their careers to understanding public wishes, negotiating win-win solutions, and putting your priorities into action.
Three – Making Transparent, Policy-Driven Decisions
Our decisions should be driven by our published policies, developed with your input and using data. It’s not about who you know: it’s about making lives better right here in our community. We understand that it’s unethical to use our public service positions to help ourselves, our friends and our families. . We will enact citizen priorities, even when those priorities aren’t in our personal interests.
Dexter Township is a place of beauty and respite, a destination for Washtenaw County residents because of its many parks, trails, lakes, and the Huron River. As Trustees, we will work with you, the community, to ensure that Dexter Township thrives into the future.
Sincerely,
Diane Ratkovich, candidate for Supervisor – www.diane2020.com
Michelle Stamboulellis, candidate for Clerk – www.michellestamboulellis.com
Maris Metz, candidate for Treasurer –
Karen Nolte, candidate for Trustee – www.karennolte.com
Mary Beth Michaud, (WRITE-IN) candidate for Trustee – www.marybethmichaud.com
Laura Sanders, candidate for Trustee – www.peopleforlaurasanders.com
Karen Sikkenga, candidate for Trustee – www.ksikkenga65.wixsite.com/mysite
Let me lend my endorsement!
–Roy Schmidt
former Sylvan Township trustee
How about lowering our taxes? Letting us decide how to best use our own money?
I find it interesting that everything the 7 new-comers say they are going to do has been the practice of the Dexter Township Board for many years. The policies and practices of the Township Board have contributed greatly to making Dexter Township the type of community that has attracted those candidates, so we must have been doing things right. I’ll add that many of those candidates are new to Dexter Township, with the candidates for Supervisor and Treasurer having only lived here for two years, and the candidate for Treasurer isn’t even a property owner or Dexter Township taxpayer. Only one of the above 7 candidates has ever asked to serve on any board or committee in Dexter Township government and NONE of them have any experience in managing a township government.
The laws that govern township government and elected officials are vastly different than those that govern private businesses. State statutes also drastically limit the power of local elected officials. Having a practical, working knowledge of those laws is critical to the efficient and effective operation of township government, and for the Supervisor, Treasurer and Clerk is an absolute necessity from day one.
I have personally witnessed the destruction of many townships when an entirely new and totally inexperienced “management team” was elected. Dexter Township has been my home for many decades and I would hate to see that happen to Dexter Township – one of the best managed and most fiscally responsible governmental units in Michigan.
I am endorsing the above candidates. I appreciate knowing what they stand for and what their goals are. There is certainly something to be said for experience, and even more to be said for character and vision. I can personally speak to the character and intelligence of my neighbor, Karen Nolte. We have lived in Dexter Township for 13 years and she was a resident in our neighborhood before we were. She cares deeply about this area and our state. She works to continuously improve our private roads in the neighborhood, seeking the involvement of everyone in the neighborhood, and also investing countless hours of her own time and labor. She recognizes an individual’s responsibility to make their community a better place in which to live. She approaches challenges with common sense and intelligence. She approaches differences of opinion with good listening skills, curiosity and a sense of humor. She is hard working, generous and unfailing in her support of her neighbors. When I heard she was running for office, I was thrilled for our township. I endorse her candidacy without reservation. If she is considered a newcomer after living in the township for over a decade, perhaps we would do well to recognize that newcomers can bring new energy, insight and vision for this local government.
I am writing in support of Karen Nolte who is running for Dexter Township Trustee. Karen is an intelligent, committed, and concerned member of the community. Karen is an excellent listener and she always demonstrates empathy, a great sense of humor, and kindness when dealing with others. Karen has many valuable business and community experiences which I feel will make her a huge asset as a Trustee.
I read Mr. Harley Rider’s comments in the Chelsea Update with some concern. I have worked with Laura Sanders in the past, and can’t imagine a more qualified person to take on the co-role of Dexter Township Trustee. Laura has taught for 24 years at the University of Michigan in the School of Social Work as well as maintained a private psychotherapy practice for 30 years. She has always been an advocate for her community, neighbors and students. Besides being very capable in organizational matters, Laura Sanders is articulate and capable of responding to a wide range of concerns in a fair and honest manner. She was well respected among judges and advocates when representing cases in family court. I believe the township will only benefit from new voices in positions of leadership.
Marijo, I’m not disparaging Laura in any way. She is running for Trustee, which is a good place to start in local government to learn the laws, procedures and policies before moving up to one of the three executive positions. Current Treasurer Libby Brushaber and I both started as Trustee and gained valuable knowledge and experience before moving to executive positions. I can only imagine the potential consequences to the Township if new-comers with absolutely no experience in local government or in government finance are elected to one of the executive level positions.
I am writing in support of Karen Sikkenga who is running for Dexter Township Trustee. I have known Karen for almost 30 years as a close friend and colleague. We attended public administration graduate school together and subsequently worked for several years as local government consultants reviewing budgets, legislation and government operations in order to provide recommendations for improvement to local governing bodies. Karen quickly understands the issues, works to develop workable solutions to problems and projects, and is passionate about public service. She loves living in Dexter and will work hard to improve upon an outstanding community.
I just have to say that I have known the Democratic candidate for trustee for many years and can attest to her honesty and integrity. Additionally, she is a small business owner and as a management consultant specializing in municipal government brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.
I should add that I forget to mention my favored candidate for trustee is Karen Sikkenga. She is the municipal consultant I mentioned.
Change is constantly with us and as a property owner in Dexter Township for the last 17 years, I would love to see some new ideas and plans for the community.
Karen Nolte would be a good asset as a trustee.
As a 12 year property owner in Dexter Township, having served on the Dexter Township Planning Commission, I assure all voters that the forward-looking attitude and community commitment of candidate Karen Nolte would be a welcome and positive change to the Board of Trustees.
I have resided in Dexter Township for 40 years. This year I appreciate the opportunity to have choices for the positions of Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. This letter is to attest to the qualifications of Karen Nolte and Mary Beth Michaud for trustees. These women live in my local community and have demonstrated excellent listening skills, creative problem solving, and perserverance to the benefit of all living here. They seek input from community members regularly. Karen Nolte has also applied funding for road improvement responsibly. Mary Beth has a history of collaboration with agencies and resource aquisition and allocation. Since I respect these people I can also trust they have aligned with other outstanding candidates and will vote for all these qualified individuals.
Good Morning, I am writing this in support of Maris Metz, who is running for Dexter Township Treasurer. Maris has worked for C and N Home Care for a little over a year. The company has been very pleased with the care Maris has given our client. Maris is always on time, trust worthy, and communicates very well. Maris is a long time resident of Dexter, and has told us on multiple occasions that she loves the community she resides in. Maris is excited about taking on this new challenge, and we know she will strive in this position. Dexter would be honored to have her on the Township board.