After years of volunteering with school PTA groups, Andrea Schroeder feels ready for a more formal service.
‘I’ve worked hard to develop my skills,? said Schroeder, candidate for Independence Township trustee. ‘I want to put to good use all of what I’ve learned.?
She studied state and local legislative issues in Michigan State University’s Michigan Political Leadership program, graduating the yearlong program in 2006.
‘If I was going to run, I’d better darn well know what I was doing,? she said. ‘Its purpose is to teach us what we need to know to be in public policy and leadership.?
She and her husband, Mark, moved to Independence Township 10 years ago from Orion Township.
‘We knew we’d be starting a family and would need more space,? she said. ‘We looked all over. We like it here. It’s nice here.?
They have three children, Maggie, Luke, and Grace. The family was featured in The Clarkston News in 2003 when she unexpectedly gave birth to Grace at home, with the help of Independence Township first responders.
‘I thought, if I can have a baby on the kitchen floor, I can do anything,? she said.
She grew up in Farmington, graduating from Farmington High School in 1982. She earned her education degree from Miami University in Ohio and taught kindergarten in Ohio, Boston, Mass., and Birmingham, Mich.
In 1989, she switched careers.
‘I didn’t love it anymore ? that’s not a position a teacher should be in,? she said.
She entered the hospitality business in 1989, as a concierge supervisor for Marriott. She worked her way up to international sales in global housing, providing temporary housing for business travelers.
‘I was good at it,? she said.
The terrorist attacks on New York in Sept. 11, 2001, ended that career.
‘The world stood still,? she said. ‘Everyone decided to stay put for a while.?
She and a friend, Lora Wright, started their own business-consulting firm, Strategic Five Business Solutions.
One role she serves with her children’s parents groups has been legislative liaison, researching upcoming legislation and issues and presenting her findings to the group.
‘I’d educate myself on legislative issues and take them to the PTA ? what they’re talking about and what it means to us here,? she said.
If elected, she would bring her public-policy research experience to the Township Board.
‘I enjoy the development and implementation of public policy,? she said. ‘We don’t operate in a vacuum ? we need resources and opportunities: federal grant opportunities, corridor improvement authorities. How do we take advantage of opportunities offered by Lansing to improve our hometown??
Issues facing the township include declining tax revenue because of falling property values, she said.
‘The economy is troubled,? she said. ‘We’re fortunate ? so many municipalities are in dire strait. But it’s irresponsible to think that’s how it will continue. You just never know what’s coming.?
With declining property values, loss of revenue must be anticipated and addressed, she said.
‘We have to see where we can create cost savings, where we can work together to deal with changes that are going to come, while maintaining the integrity of the community,? she said. ‘We need to be prudent ? find out what’s coming down the road.?
She would provide due diligence, respect, and knowledge needed on the board, she said.
‘I’m a news junkie ? I like it. I like going to Lansing and having lunch with (state Rep.) John Stakoe,? said Schroeder, who is also taking a class on Robert’s Rules of parliamentary procedures.
‘I love this town, the parade, the parks. It’s different here,? she said. ‘We have great parks, great green space. There are so many volunteers in our community. It’s a testament to the quality of life here.?
For more information, check ww.schroedervoter.org.
Seven candidates are running for four trustee seats on the Township Board. All are Republican, so the results of the Aug. 5 primary election will likely determine who will serve new four-year terms starting in January.