Justin Dunaskiss, a lifetime township resident, announced last week that he will be seeking election to the office of Orion Township Clerk in the Aug. 5 Republican Primary.
Dunaskiss pointed to his familiarity with the duties of the clerk’s office through having been involved with local elections, and in working to develop property in his current job with Colliers International. However, he pointed out that the Clerk has other responsibilities as well.
‘People think that the clerk’s job is only about managing the vote count in elections and recording property transactions and the like,? Dunaskiss said. ‘But the clerk is also a vote on the township board and decides how our tax dollars are spent, the level of taxation in our township, regulations on small business, and water and sewer rates.?
On spending, Dunaskiss points to plans for a new township hall as a project that should be put on hold.
‘In these tough times, we need to be looking for ways to save the taxpayers? money, not new ways to spend it. We need to see how foreclosures and the jobs crisis in Michigan will affect our local revenues. This is exactly the wrong time to be spending 12 million dollars on a township hall.?
‘Instead, we should freeze water and sewer rates to give residents a break, and take the necessary infrastructure improvements to lower the rates even further in the future,? he added. ‘Our priority needs to be police and fire protection and making sure those facilities are adequate for our safety needs.?
A Michigan State grad, Dunaskiss is active locally in Knights of Columbus, the Orion GOP club, Orion Historical Society, Orion Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund.
The seat is open because current Clerk Jill Bastian is not seeking reelection when her term ends this year. Current township employee Penny Shults is also running for the position.