The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Former supervisor, current trustee vie for Clerk position
By Sotirios Adamopoulos, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: July 24, 2008
There are two Democratic candidates running in the Aug. 5 Primary Election for Ypsilanti Township Clerk position: David Ostrowski and Karen Lovejoy-Roe. There are no Republicans filed, barring a write-in candidate victory the position of Supervisor will be determined in the Primary
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Name: David Ostrowski
Residence:
Ypsilanti Township
Political experience:
Ypsilanti Township Trustee (1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1992), Ypsilanti Township Trustee (2004 to present).
Why are you running?
It's pretty simple — I feel that my talent, education, and experience is being underutilized as a township trustee. I want to use what I have learned to help the residents of my community on a full-time capacity.
What are the major issues affecting the area?
Right now there are quite a few issues. State shared revenue is decreasing. Real estate tax revenue is being reduced through the mortgage crisis - the sale of property and foreclosures. Basically when you talk about revenues, it affects the type of services and programs that you fund within the community.
What services do you mean?
We're talking about parks, infrastructure, roads, sidewalks - a lot of this money is dedicated from the general fund budget. We have our set rates for police and fire departments.
How do you plan on approaching these issues?
As far as the foreclosure rates go, I don't think there is anything local government can really do. We certainly can be sympathetic to all the needs of the residents. The banks and home loan companies have put them in that crisis. The responsibility doesn't just lie on the state, but also our national economy. Employers are closing up their facilities and relocating them to places like Mexico. Downsizing also occurs - you have to look at the entire picture.
Here in Michigan - especially in Ypsilanti Township - we're probably very entranced with the auto industry. A lot of the residents rely on it in some way.
Speaking of which, you currently work for Ford, correct?
Yes, I have been a Gage and Layout Inspector at the Rawsonville plant for the past 10 years.
Have you noticed the effects of the industry's current dilemma at work?
We've seen a lot of different changes happen with the type of products we were able to secure. With the closures of the Ypsilanti and Sandusky plants, we're picking up products they were manufacturing there in our facility. By losing the high-volume production capacity in manufacturing for certain parts a lot of that contract has depleted. Some of it has been outsourced. We have to deal with that.
What importance does Ypsilanti Township hold for you on a personal level?
I started in politics in 1976 - the first time I was elected as a township trustee. I have aspirations of moving up not only in the township, but in the state as well. I want to run for state representative one day - to gain experience and support of my community and surrounding ones.
If you could give a personal message to voters, what would it be?
Everybody has the Constitutional right and freedom that we gained over the years - the right to go out and vote. As a candidate I offer to continue my years of public service to the community. I want to represent them with good, honest leadership. When you're in office you don't ever put yourself, friends, or family before the community you're chosen to represent. I want to do the best I can for the residents of my community - that comes from the heart.
Name: Karen Lovejoy-Roe
Residence: Ypsilanti Township
Political experience: Ypsilanti Township Trustee (1988 to 1996), Ypsilanti Township Supervisor (1996 to 2004), Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners D-4 (2006 to present).
Why are you running?
As much as I like working as a county commissioner, I really miss the township. You're more involved in helping people on a daily basis, whether it's dealing with water, road conditions, or any other issues. I really miss that interaction.
What major issues are affecting the area?
The same that face the whole state in general, the economic situation we find ourselves in. Jobs -in my opinion - is the number one issue. When I was supervisor, we had an economic development coordinator. It's a position I worked with the board to create. We need someone to focus on bringing in new jobs and businesses.Another big problem we have in the area is mortgage foreclosures. Most are in Ypsilanti Township. Eighty percent of people affected are seniors. We have people who fought in World War II who are losing their homes, and that should not happen.
How could the township benefit if the economic development coordinator position is filled?
We have three major international research and development companies over here: Asahi Glass, General Dynamics, Toyota. We've got what they want in terms of the labor market. We have one of the lowest tax rates in Michigan. We've got all we need, we just have to tell our story. That's why we need a full-time person to do that.
How do you plan on approaching other problems in the area?
By working full time with Washtenaw County, SPARK, local property owners and speculators to bring businesses here. People in other areas invest money in economic development and we should be doing the same.
We need to team up with the mortgage foreclosure specialists out of the MSU extension program so we can develop our own little special outreach program here to reach out to seniors and young families facing foreclosures. From the bigger perspective of the township, it doesn't just affect the people who are losing their homes.
Who else does it affect?
When you have a foreclosure on a street, it drastically reduces property values in the area. It's like a sore that grows into a disease or cancer. It affects every single one of us who pays taxes in the township.
What importance does Ypsilanti Township hold for you on a personal level?
Ever since I graduated from college and even a little bit before, I've always found myself in a helping field. When I see something's wrong, I want to get involved - I want to fix it.
A tremendous amount of satisfaction comes from helping people on a daily basis.
If you could give a personal message to the voters, what would it be?
If you care about what happens in your township, you have to vote on Aug. 5. If there are any problems within your community, call and complain. Get involved.
Editor's Note: Ypsilanti Township Treasurer Larry Doe is running unopposed for the Aug. 5 primary election. There are no Republicans filed for the seat, barring a write-in candidate victory, Doe will win the Democratic nod and run unopposed in the general election. He was not profiled because of space constraints. For more information, visit www.twp.ypsilanti.mi.us
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