Now that the election season is finally over, several changes have been taking place in the Independence Township offices.
One important behind the scenes change not to miss is new township Deputy Clerk Paula Heenan. The Independence Township Board approved hiring Heenan at their Dec. 7 regular meeting.
Heenan is a Clarkston High School graduate who originally moved to the area with her family at the age of 15. She has lived near Clarkston her entire life, and now lives back in the township on Holcomb Road.
‘This is my favorite place to live,? said Heenan. ‘I love it here. It’s a nice place.?
Heenan is one of those unique individuals who has remained in the same work place her entire career. After graduating from CHS, she became the legal secretary for a prominent local attorney, and never looked elsewhere.
‘This will be my first job not in the legal field,? said Heenan. ‘Being a legal secretary is interesting work, but I think this will be a very rewarding position as well.?
New township Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen has known Heenan for about 20 years. The former legal secretary jumped at the opportunity to work with one of her closest friends.
‘She’s a wonderful person and I like working with her,? said Heenan.
‘The job’s all real new to me right now, but I’m confident in myself? Heenan later added. ‘I want to learn this job and how to do it well. My biggest goal is to serve the community to the best of my ability.?
Heenan feels her biggest challenge will come at election time. Even though the township resident has voted in every election since of age, she never realized the work going on begin the polls.
‘Pulling it all together and making it all work, that’s going to be the trick,? she concluded.
All in all though, the township’s newest employee is excited about the future.
‘I look forward to serving the community,? she stated. ‘I look forward to a good relationship with the township.?
The Independence Township Board unanimously hired Heenan with a starting salary of $39,500 beginning Nov. 22. The motion called for a review after 90 days with a possible increase of salary to $41,500.