(Publisher’s note: Due to an email glitch, Sandra Egeler’s responses to these questions arrived after the deadline, but they were sent by the deadline so they have been added to this story.)
By Crystal Hayduk
Sylvan Township voters will see eight names for four-year term board positions on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.
With Supervisor Kathleen Kennedy not running for reelection, current Township Clerk Amanda Nimke (D) is running for the top spot. She is challenged by Republican Scott Cooper.
Newcomer Douglas Jackson (D) seeks the clerk position, but he is running unopposed.
Democrat Sandra Egeler and Republican Trenda Eversole will vie for the spot being vacated by current Sylvan Township Treasurer Rod Branham.
Incumbent trustees hoping to keep their seats on the board include Kurt Koseck and Sandra E. Schulze. Dan Russell has added his name to the ballot, as well, but voters can only choose two of the three Democrats.
Chelsea Update asked the candidates to answer questions about key issues and to provide background information. In alphabetical order organized by office, candidate responses are below.
Scott Cooper (R) – Running for Sylvan Township Supervisor
Cooper did not respond to Chelsea Update’s inquiry.
Amanda Nimke (D) – Running for Sylvan Township Supervisor
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Clerk for Sylvan Township/Small Business Owner
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: 46 years.
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: I have served as the Sylvan Township Clerk since 2021. In that time, I have gained a broad understanding of the most pressing issues the township faces, and how the decisions we make today directly impact our local communities now and into the future. I have also made it a priority to advocate for the needs of our residents and push for transparency and the responsible use of tax dollars.
I also served as Sylvan’s representative on the Washtenaw County Broadband Taskforce and collaborated with other officials to secure over $18 million in federal grant monies to bring reliable internet to every home in the county.
As the Chair of the Chelsea Area Construction Agency, I have spearheaded updating our policies and internal controls to better serve our residents and improve operations.
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
A: In my time on the Sylvan Township Board, I collaborated with another official to champion utilizing township funds appropriately, which has put us in a position to stop collecting the 4.4 mils levy this year. For the average taxpayer this will save approximately $1,000 annually in property taxes.
As Sylvan’s representative on the Washtenaw County Broadband Taskforce, I have advocated for the needs of our residents who lack the crucial service of reliable internet and worked with officials from across the county. Securing $18 million in federal grant monies took commitment, planning and organization to put Washtenaw County in the position to become the first county in the state to provide 100% reliable internet coverage for its residents.
My efforts on the Chelsea Area Construction Agency Board have positioned the Agency to better serve the residents of its coverage area.
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: 1. The township is facing a complex situation with our water and sewer systems. Although we need more users and currently have excess water capacity, we face limitations within our sewer system due to issues with the Leoni Wastewater Treatment Plant. We must consider these limitations when considering any new development proposal to avoid additional taxpayer liability.
- We need to carefully manage development to protect the rural character of the township. I will continue to promote planning strategies that focus higher-density development near the City of Chelsea and preserve farmland and natural areas.
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: 1. We need to continue to monitor the Leoni situation closely and continue discussions with the City of Chelsea regarding a regional approach to utilities.
- I will continue to promote planning strategies that focus higher-density development near the City of Chelsea and preserve farmland and natural areas.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: I will continue to advocate for the needs of our residents, protect the integrity of our communities, and focus on issues that have a direct impact on our quality of life and tax dollars now and in the future.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: Focus on the issues outlined above.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
A: We need a Board who will take a proactive approach to maintaining our sewer and water system and focusing on initiatives that more directly impact our residents.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
A: It has been outlined above.
Douglas Jackson (D) – Running for Sylvan Township Clerk
Jackson did not respond to Chelsea Update’s inquiry.
Sandra J. Egeler (D) – Running for Sylvan Township Treasurer
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Governmental Accountant
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: 37 years. We moved to the Township with our family in 1987.
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: For the last three years, I have served as the Deputy Treasurer of one of the largest Townships in Washtenaw County. In my role, I have learned every aspect of what it takes to fulfill the requirements of being a Township Treasurer. I have worked with all aspects of township finances and human resources. I have collaborated with township staff to prepare fiscally responsible budgets and draft policies to ensure sustainable operations and efficient service to residents.
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
A: I have been a public servant for 35 years and believe strongly in civil service. I have learned the importance of listening to the residents you serve and making responsible decisions that will protect their quality of life today and in the future. I have also learned the importance of working with others to find solutions that balance the needs of diverse groups and perspectives. This experience will be invaluable to help me serve our residents and the complex needs of the township.
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: 1. Improve operations of the Treasurer’s office, conduct a comprehensive audit of our financial accounts, and provide residents with more transparent and easier-to-read financial statements.
- Ensure that development stays closer to the City of Chelsea so that the beautiful rural township we all love stays that way.
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: 1. As a governmental accountant for 35 years, I will use my training and experience to help move the finances forward to better serve the residents of the township. I will ensure a fiscally responsible budget and that all available cash is properly invested to maximize earnings.
- Our beautiful rural character must be protected through thoughtful planning and zoning.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: I have worked for the last 35 years with local governments and officials developing policies and budgets to ensure long-lasting financial success. I also feel strongly that the goal of good government must be to serve the people.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: My goal is to help the township develop strategies that will keep us fiscally sound and sustainable and manage development responsibly to keep our township beautiful.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
A: I believe we need to improve our service to our residents by being more available. I would like to see the township have evening hours once per week.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
A: (No response)
Trenda Eversole (R) – Running for Sylvan Township Treasurer
Q: What is your occupation?
A: I am currently serving as the Deputy Treasurer at Sylvan Township, a role I have held for two and a half years.
I am also the Event Coordinator and Facilitator at the Stock Car Pit Crew Challenge, where I bring together corporate teams to engage in collaborative, competitive team-building activities for over 20 years.
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: My husband Bill and I have lived in Chelsea for 32 years and raised our three daughters here.
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: Yes, along with the Deputy Treasurer of Sylvan Township, I have completed extensive training through the Michigan Township Association (MTA), including Michigan Class investment training. I have also dedicated over 50 hours to ongoing Treasurer training, and I have attended virtually every Board of Trustee meeting to ensuring that I am well-equipped with the knowledge necessary to uphold fiscal responsibility and transparency to the current community needs.
Along with my background in corporate team building equips me with the skills and experiences to understanding the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and goal-oriented collaboration in achieving success in both business and the community contexts.
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
A: Currently, I am serving my township, by working as the Deputy Treasurer and running for the Treasurer position as my way to give back to the community. My commitment is driven by the desire to ensure that my family, and future generations, have the same opportunities to thrive in this community as we have had.
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: 1. Maintaining the township’s fiscal responsibility
- Integrity of Elections
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: 1. I will ensure taxpayer dollars are managed efficiently and transparently by prioritizing essential services and being mindful of budget constraints.
- I will prioritize election integrity by advocating for secure voting systems, expanding voter education and participation, holding the Election Board accountable for clear communication, and ensuring all meeting agendas and minutes are promptly posted on the township website for review.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: I am the best candidate for the position because I am dedicated to serving our community with integrity, honesty, and unwavering commitment. My strong faith, personal morals, and disciplined pursuit of excellence ensure that I will uphold the trust and responsibilities entrusted to me.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: As an elected official, my top priorities are to actively listen to the residents and to preserve a strategic fiscal vision by continuing sound investments that benefit all members of the township.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
A: I would like to see sustainable solutions for the underused water district, ensuring it serves our urban community vision and eases the financial burden on current users. By exploring the options of providing water services under the I-94 highway to expand usage and disperse the cost to the water residents while maintaining urban culture.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
A: I aim to improve civil public communication between residents and the Board of Trustees in our township. To initiate this change, I propose implementing regular town hall meetings or forums where residents can directly engage with the board, ask questions, and provide input on important issues. By fostering open communication channels, we can strengthen community involvement and ensure that residents’ voices are heard in shaping the future of our township.
I would love to hear your ideas and solutions for how we can improve our community together. Your input is valuable, and I am committed to working collaboratively to make Sylvan Township the best it can be.
Kurt Koseck (D) – Incumbent running for Sylvan Township Board of Trustees
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Retired engineer
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: 30 years
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: 10 years as a Township Trustee, 1/2 year as Township Supervisor, 10 years on the Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA).
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
(No response)
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: 1. Continue to make sure that the township is making good financial decisions.
- Continue to work within the Master Plan.
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: 1. Explore all aspects of issues to make sure that all citizens are represented.
- Make sure that citizen input is included and followed in the Master Plan.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: My job is to represent the citizens (all of them), not to have a personal agenda. As trustee, I also provide input so that the township doesn’t make any bad or risky financial decisions.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: Keep the township financially sound by making good decisions.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
A: I’m more optimistic about the functioning of the township than I have been in the past. A lot of good people have helped to make us better.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
A: I’m proud to be a citizen of Sylvan Township. We have so many talented and good people in the township. We are very fortunate.
Dan Russell (D) – Running for Sylvan Township Board of Trustees
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Small business owner (39 years) Corporate and Educational Media Communications and Live Event Meeting Support
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: 29 years
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: While I haven’t held an elected or appointed position on a township commission, I’ve spent the last 39 years running my own business. This experience has provided me with an important set of skills that I believe would be highly beneficial in serving my township, such as financial management, problem-solving and decision-making, leadership and collaboration, and adaptability. As a business owner, I’ve had to manage budgets and make tough financial decisions to ensure the long-term health of my company. I’ve also had to collaborate with my team to make decisions and find consensus when dealing with complex issues. I’ve spent the last five years attending almost every Sylvan Township Board meeting to understand the issues we are facing, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my knowledge and skills as a business owner and longtime community member to serve as a Trustee of Sylvan Township.
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
A: While I may not have traditional public or community service roles, I believe my 39 years of running a business in this community has provided me with a unique form of service experience.
Through my business, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with a wide cross-section of township residents, understand their needs, and see firsthand the issues that impact our community. My business has required me to build relationships with a wide range of community stakeholders—from residents and other business owners to local organizations and community groups. This ability to forge partnerships and collaborate with diverse groups would be invaluable in bringing people together to address township issues and achieve common goals. I believe this approach would be refreshing on the township board, where I would focus on finding workable solutions that benefit all residents, rather than getting bogged down in politics or bureaucracy. I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the township board and work on behalf of all residents.
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: I am running because I am deeply concerned about the rapid pace of development in our community and its impact on our natural spaces and quality of life. The two top issues driving my campaign are land preservation and promoting controlled responsible development.
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: I believe we can have a future that will balance economic vitality and natural beauty. But it will take clear and consistent leadership from our township government to make this vision a reality by implementing appropriate zoning and planning, land preservation strategies, and demanding high standards from developers so projects fit with our community’s character and don’t create more taxpayer costs.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: As a longtime resident, I know our community’s strengths and challenges. I’ll listen to your ideas, and use my experience to turn them into action. I won’t just talk about change – I’ll work tirelessly to deliver results you can see.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: As an elected official, my top priority will always be to listen to the residents I serve. I firmly believe that the voices and concerns of our community members are the most important guide for my actions in office. By actively seeking out and truly hearing the input of residents, I can gain a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our community. This will allow me to make informed decisions that reflect the needs and values of the people I represent.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
A: I would like to see our township government more responsive to resident input.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
(No response)
Sandra (“Sandie”) E. Schulze (D) – Incumbent running for Sylvan Township Board of Trustees
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Retired program coordinator from the International Institute at the University of Michigan
Q: How long have you lived in your township?
A: I first moved here in the 1970s. My children and grandchildren graduated from the Chelsea School District so I have a long history in the area.
Q: Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a township commission? If yes, please explain how it has prepared you for service to your township.
A: I am the incumbent Democratic Trustee. I was appointed to fill an open trustee position in 2020 and was later elected to fill that role. I served on the Water/Sewer Board, an alternate on the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) and currently am on the Planning Commission. When living in a nearby city, I served on the Economic Development Commission, the Brownfield Redevelopment Corporation, and was elected as a city council member. I also served on a statewide municipal finance committee. With over eight years holding an elected office, I have experience dealing with the limitations of government and how exasperating that is, but also how successful we can be by working together.
Q: Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all your township’s residents.
(No response)
Q: Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign. (Why are you running for township office?)
A: 1. I am working to return recycling to Sylvan Township. Any recycling bins that you use are paid for by our neighboring townships, and we should be paying for our own.
- The township could have a land preservation ordinance that would allow us to apply for grants from various entities. While we do have an ordinance, there is no township funding attached to it, so the possibility of attracting supporting grants is lessened.
Q: Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address the two issues listed above.
A: 1. I connected with, and invited the Washtenaw County DPW Director and the manager of Western Washtenaw Recycling to attend a Board of Trustees meeting and they explained recycling, the costs, and the path that Sylvan Township can follow to have and pay for our own recycling bins.
- I invited Barry Lonik, President of Treemore Ecology and Land Services and local land preservation expert, to a Board of Trustees meeting to explain land preservation ordinances and costs. The Board of Trustees has resolved to follow up on this by working with our zoning/planning administrator and our attorney to create an ordinance that will be fair to all land owners.
Q: In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.
A: I feel I add value by looking for ways that I can contribute to whatever effort I am involved with, be it a job, hobby, or elected office. I saw that I could contribute to the township by pursuing some of the issues myself, doing the “footwork” and then presenting the findings to the Board of Trustees so the Board of Trustees could make a well-informed decision.
Local government can be confusing and exasperating. My experience serving on boards and commissions in both a city and a township give me a broader view of expectations.
Q: What are your top priorities as an elected official?
A: I will seek to add a professional staff person to the township. This person will seek solutions to problems and/or pursue projects. Sylvan Township is currently structured in such a way that without professional staff, elected officials are left to pursue resolution to issues as they arise. Elected officials (supervisor, clerk, and treasurer) are scheduled to work very few hours per week to fulfill their statutory duties. However, they work many, many additional hours on projects that are not their statutory duties and they are not paid for nor recognized for the additional hours they work.
Encourage elected officials to attend as many training sessions as possible so they can make the best-informed decision for the township. I attended learning sessions through the Michigan Township Association and the Michigan Planning Association. I made onsite visits to wind and solar installations to better understand the impact on a community. Making knowledge-based decisions will impact the township in a positive way.
Q: Is there anything you would like to see changed in your township? If so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes.
(No response)
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
(No response)
