Candidate Q&A: White Lake Trustee Carol Burkard

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 current White Lake Trustee Carol Burkard who is running to retain her seat in the Aug. 7 primary.

Patch: How long have you lived in White Lake?

Burkard: I have lived in White Lake for 37 years.

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

Burkard: I'm a member of the WL Historical Society, member of Friends of the White Lake Library, Township Trustee serving on White Lake Township Board, Elections Commission in White Lake, Member of the Michigan Townships Association, Oakland County Republican Party.

Patch: What drew you to run for Trustee?

Burkard: have been on the Township Board for 16 years, I have enjoyed representing its citizens, always asking the questions I feel they would want me to ask. I research each and every situation brought before the board and discuss the issues with my fellow board members before making my decisions. Good communication between board members is essential to this position of Trustee, we are the overseers and fiduciaries on the Township Board, 'always questioning,' I usually use the (Who, What, Where, When and Why's) when investigating an issue. There are numerous reasons I am running for Trustee again, mainly my knowledge and experience of all previous and on going issues facing our township, and because I so enjoy giving back to the great community I live in.

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

Burkard: Well, first of all I was a single mom who raised five very successful and happy children. Running a single parent household takes a lot of work and a lot of multitasking, I am no stranger to either of these. I worked as a public servant starting in 1989 at the White Lake Township Library, it was there when I started really getting involved in my Township. I became Co-chairperson for White Lake 2000, getting citizens involved in creating an identity and Town Center - a vision for its future. From there the White Lake Business Association asked if I would come onto their board, representing the businesses in White Lake, the same year Twin Lakes Village Association Board elected me to be on their Board of Directors - I served as Social Director and Village Patrol. One of my most rewarding board positions was serving on the Board of Directors to the Open Door Outreach. I was the Chairperson for a fundraising event which raised the $15,000 needed to help the Outreach move into a new facility and continue serving our residents. I believe with a great team of volunteers almost anything is possible. I love the challenges and that is why I want to continue as trustee - It is to represent you, be your voice using my experience and skills.

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

Burkard: There are so many issues that are important. It is a difficult question to answer as I feel there are so many different categories - but your question is what is most important. Well after 9/11 I would have to say that safety, health, and welfare has to be at the top of the list. My Nephew is head of Homeland Security for the City of Detroit so I hear plenty of his stories and know that we need to be prepared, always keeping vigilant. I feel we need to be more informed. In the event of an emergency or terrorist attack we all need to be aware of what exactly we need to do now. We should have an "EMERGENCY NEWSLETTER" mailed to each household and also on our website as to what to do and where to go stating different scenarios that might occur. Asking that the newsletter be kept in a secure spot at home in case of electrical failure and computers were down. Again the who, what, where, when and why's should be given out to our residents. We need to share information better to our residents, we need to know what actions are in place currently, are there any lessons to be shared to improve our Townships' security. I believe a volunteer group should be formed just to represent each section of the township, we live in an uncertain world, but we certainly can have our citizens be prepared for extreme emergencies with a written plan in place and known by all residents and able to be executed if needed. Public safety, emergency responders, and safe drinking water are my top priority.

Patch: In recent years there has been discussion about contracting either police service 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?

Burkard: I see no need at this time to have the county or state police but if the majority of residents felt the need for a change then I believe that should be decided as a ballot question. We have many new commercial developments and beautiful residential housing developments and I know for a fact that before they decide to invest their money into an area they check out the police departments statistics as they do not want their investment going into a high crime area. With that said, looks like our department is doing a fine job. As far as the Dispatch question, I have been looking further as to what they really do, to my surprise I think the word (DISPATCH) is inadequate as White Lake's Dispatcher's have about 20 different activities they attend to, so when you ask the question, the answer has to be apples to apples and the county just does not have all the apples we need to cover all the duties performed by our local DISPATCHERS. The police department is working on a power point program to more adequately explain all their functions. Again I want to mention Homeland Security, I personally would want our own Police and Dispatcher's in emergency situations.

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?

Burkard: My vision for White Lake Township would be to have a safe, clean, welcoming community where all age groups can have activities suited to their needs. Where there is a Township Gazebo with local Schools performing and activities bringing our residents together young and not so young. Where education is a priority, where walking and bike pathways connect to destinations of shopping, working or just a leisurely walk. Working together with volunteers, brainstorming ideas to accomplish these goals - also working with County, State and Federal Agencies to see what programs are available to help us reach our goals. Future Boards have a lot of decisions to make so be selective of who you want representing your ideas for the future. Monies may be scarce in our country, but remember we have plenty of people and with volunteer groups "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE" for this Township's future if we all work together.