By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
Orion Township Clerk Penny Shults is looking to remain at 2525 Joslyn Road in the office she has held for the past eight years.

The incumbent clerk, who first took office in 2008, said she’s been an instrumental figure in getting many of the township’s documents converted into digital records. She said getting the online board books up and running has been a tremendous accomplishment for her and her office.
The board books allow residents to follow along, document by document, as to what’s on the township agenda for that given week.
“Allowing the viewers at home to see what the board sees, I think that’s very important for transparency. The board is able to look at the documents electronically,” Shults said. “We’ve got the transparency that’s so important. People want to be able to go online when they have time.”
Looking back on her two terms as clerk, she said conducting the 2010 census was a key accomplishment because it allowed for increased revenue for the township during the recession of 2008. Shults, who’s been with Orion Township government since 1989, said if reelected, she will continue to do what is necessary.
She said she’s going to continue to maintain a balanced budget and continue to receive excellent audits. She said that every year since she’s been in office the township has received great audit ratings.
Shults said she’s also looking forward to the 2020 Census which again would provide additional revenue for the township.
“It’s really important that people know that I’ve been a good steward of what’s been entrusted to me and I’m very much involved with the financial accounting for the township dollars,” she said.
Last year, Shults received her master municipal clerk certification which she said is the highest certification you can get as a clerk. She’s also president of the Oakland County Clerk’s Association and has been on their executive board for four years.
But despite having to campaign and be elected in order to serve, the 32-year resident of Orion Township maintains that she’s definitely not a politician.
“The reason I’m running again is that I love the people, I’m not a politician, I’ll be the first one to tell you that,” she said. “I’m a public servant, I get in there and work and I’m just here to serve the people.”
Her campaign kickoff family fundraiser is Thursday, June 9 at 5:30pm at Friendship Park.