Politics & Government

Candidate Q&A: Highland Clerk Candidate Linda Vance

Linda Vance (R-Highland) is running for Highland Township Clerk in the August election.

To kick off election coverage, White Lake-Highland Patch has sent out a survey to candidates running for office in White Lake and Highland. The following is the Q&A response from Highland Clerk candidate Linda Vance who is running for the position in the August election.

Patch: How long have you lived in Highland?

Vance: I’ve lived in Highland for 12 years.

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Patch: What community and civic organizations are you currently involved in?

 Vance: I am not currently involved in any organizations but I volunteered as treasurer and board member for seven years for Joel-Jeremy Memorial Fund, a non-profit organization helping families in the Huron Valley area with expenses related to medical conditions. I had to resign from this organization due to increased time demands while completing my college degree. 

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Patch: What drew you to run for Clerk?

Vance: I am running for the position of Clerk because I believe that I have the skills and passion to advocate for the best interests of the whole community.

Patch: What personal and professional experiences make you qualified to hold that position?

Vance: I have 12 years experience performing Clerk’s department functions working at three municipalities including ten years at Highland. These functions include budget, financial statements, payroll, audit, elections and human resources. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, while working full time and raising two daughters. In addition to my college education I have completed specialized courses offered by the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association to increase my skills in governmental budgeting, auditing and financial statement reporting. I have also completed several grant writing courses which led to grant awards at both Highland and my current employer. At Highland I wrote grants to equip Duck Lake Pines with a security system, protective netting at ball fields and to repair the ice/skateboard rink. My degree in Business Administration has also prepared me to foster an improved customer service environment within the township offices.

Patch: What is the most important issue facing the township and what do you intend to do about it during your term in office?

Vance: The priority issues facing Highland are maintaining Public Safety, in a declining revenue environment caused in part by vacant commercial and residential properties. Public safety is a priority in any community. Our police force has lost 5 officers in the last three years due to budgetary shortfalls.   The police fund is running with no reserve and a .75 mills millage request is on the ballot in August, without this increase further cutbacks are possible.

In light of declining revenues from the state and mandates without funding I will work hard with SEMCOG in championing our cause to state legislators for increased funding and grants. I will further use the power of organizations we belong to including the Downtown Development Authority to leverage our assets to be attractive to incoming residents and businesses. This will increase the tax base benefiting both the township and public safety budgets.

Patch: How do you plan to address the vacant buildings in Highland including the former Highland Middle School building?

Vance: The township has stated to review regulations and processes that impact businesses in order to simplify the process, but much more can and should be done. The Highland Downtown Development Authority should be encouraged in its role to attract and retain businesses, but the Board cannot assume the DDA will do all the heavy lifting. The Board should focus on improvements that raises our quality of life and tell the story of “Why choose Highland?” 

With regards to the Highland Middle School, as a township representative I will have little influence over what the school board chooses to do with their building, although I can be present during their discussions to voice the concerns of the Highland Township community. I hope that the school board changes their mind on trying to sell and demolish the Highland Middle School and chooses to re-purpose the building for other school and community uses like the Apollo School. The location is ideal as an anchor for our revitalized downtown.

Patch: What is your vision for Highland Township, where do you see the township in 10 or even 20 years, and what does the township need to do now to realize that vision?

Vance: I see a new vibrant Highland with a fully developed downtown district, trails and pathways that both residents and visitors can enjoy. Highland has good “bones”, with its heritage of­ lakes and rural open spaces. We have passionate advocates in the equestrian community, churches and other community groups. Listen to those who love this community—they want trails and connectivity, more entrepreneurs attracted to the Highland Station District and clean maintained parks. 


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