Candidate Q&A: White Lake Clerk Candidate Laura Vogel

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 White Lake Clerk candidate Laura Vogel. Vogel, a republican, will be running against incumbent Terry Lilley (R) and republican Kelly Knight.

Patch: How long have you lived in White Lake?

Vogel: I have lived in the area for sixteen years. Within White Lake itself, only the most-recent eighteen months.

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

Vogel: I am a long-standing pro-bono (meaning "free legal services") volunteer for domestic violence victims' services. I remain an active member of both state and local legal and business organizations, for which (in years past) I served as officers. Likewise, I have served in several school district strategic planning committees and commissions, and most recently was a panel member for the Center for Michigan community discussion regarding education issues.  

Patch: What drew you to run for Clerk?

Vogel: Over the years, my friends and family have always urged me to seek elected office because they believed that I could be a positive force for change.  Until recently, my life and family situations were such that I knew I could not have devoted my best and strongest efforts towards serving my community as it deserves to be served. Now, fortunately, I am blessed with the opportunity to devote myself to public service as a full-time calling, in addition to continuing to serve as an involved volunteer.  

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

Vogel: I have managed multi-million dollar budgets for global corporations, and have a wealth of experience in negotiating business deals and in navigating collective bargaining contracts. Through my involvement with legal and business groups, I have been involved in state and county policy and legislative activities, and I understand the importance of finding solutions so that the work of governing can move forward. 

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

Vogel: As with most municipalities in the post-2008 economy, the primary issue is ensuring that the level of services sought and delivered are best-matched to the ability of the taxpayers to fund such services. One key to this is having a long-range plan, so that contingencies can be anticipated well before there is a crisis. The continued use of special millages in our township can be viewed as a failure to adequately budget and plan long-range, and failing to make that vision known and shared. It is difficult to manage in a fiscally-responsible manner if the bulk of the tax dollars are ear-marked for special interests. This doesn't mean that the voice of the community should be ignored in prioritizing what money are spent to support; having so much of our ongoing revenue stream restricted in its use, however, can be viewed as an indication that tax-payers feel their wishes can only be honored by tying the hands of their elected officials. Better transparency and an open and honest dialogue with all citizens are what is needed. 

Patch: In recent years there has been discussion about contracting either police services or dispatch services with the county. Do you think the police department should be turned over to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department? Why or why not?

Vogel: This question has been the subject of quite a bit of discussion lately, but unfortunately there has been little evidence of movement towards gathering actionable facts. Decisions need to be made using solid information, not merely feel-good statements and personal opinions. It would be irresponsible of me to opine on such an important question without first having an objective basic for evaluating the pros and cons both in terms of costs, levels of service and response times, and the impact to those who took an oath to protect and serve their community.   

Patch: What is your vision for White Lake 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?

Vogel: White Lake, like our surrounding communities, needs to be vigilant to protect what makes our area so attractive -- that being, the rural beauty and abundant resources which surround us and give us the ability to find solace and peace in our daily lives. Good stewardship of our land and water means that our ordinances and strategic plans should be in harmony with fostering the kinds of development and businesses that support rather than detract from this. There is nothing wrong per se with, for example, excavating or other forms of heavy industry, but there is a great deal wrong when those activities are eyesores that unfairly exploit our resources and detract from the quality of life of those around. We need to control blight and ensure that our hard-fought freedoms to live as we choose are not sacrificed through neglect and inattention. We need to work in partnership with our K-12 schools and with the state and private colleges in the area to ensure we have the kinds of future workers and leaders who will provide a vital and entrepreneurial local business community, so that we can enjoy the best of all worlds today and well into the future.