After the announcement of last week’s slate running for the Independence Township Board, Supervisor Dave Wagner fired back with his endorsement for treasurer and clerk at a May 8 fundraiser at Deer Lake Athletic Club.
‘It’s a hard decision between Cheryl Karrick, Curt Carson, and Sandy Dubre because they all three are excellent candidates,? Wagner said. ‘I just felt since the other groups come out with a slate that I had to get behind individuals that I could support for those positions. The hardest one was treasurer because it’s not something I normally do.?
Wagner decided to stand behind Karrick for the treasurer position.
‘It’s huge in the campaign, we’ve got a lot of the local officials and prominent people here tonight and to get that endorsement means a lot to the campaign,? said Karrick. ‘We’re moving forward, we’re winning.?
Wagner is also standing behind Joe Lawrence for clerk.
‘I’m very proud to be associated with Dave Wagner. I’ve known Dave for a number of years and helped him with his Campaign when he was running for township supervisor. I’ve worked with Dave as part of my work on the township Planning Commission,? said Lawrence. ‘I’m very proud and very humbled to be endorsed by somebody who has the moral character of Dave Wagner.?
Candidates running for trustee there in support of Wagner included incumbent Charles Dunn, Sam Moraco, and Mark Petterson.
In response to incumbent Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen’s position on the slate and willingness to work part-time in order to hire a professional manager, Wagner said he believes clerk to be a ‘full-time position.?
‘There is no way that a clerk’s position is part-time,? he said. ‘I would hope that since she’s come out with that platform, that maybe possibly that she would go part-time now and show everybody that it could work and see what happens.?
Wagner said it’s important for the township officials to be available to the people.
‘I think it’s important that the people should be able to come in and see their elected officials and if they want to yell at them and give them personal advice with a loving touch than that’s what they need to do,? he said.
‘That’s what we’re here for, we’re a small community and it’s very important that the people that elect you to office can come and find you tell you how they really feel.?
Other township and Oakland County representatives in attendance were Forrest Milzow of Morgan & Milzow; Dr. James O’Neil, Clarkston medical group; Joan McCrary, former clerk; Dan Kelly, running for state representative; Steve Pearson, Oakland County Sheriffs department; and L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County executive.
Both O’Neil and Patterson have endorsed Wagner. Patterson said Wagner has done a ‘good job.?
‘What I respect about Dave is he said four years ago he was going to accomplish A, B, C, and D, he made some campaign promises,? Patterson said. ‘You look back and he did do A, B, C and D. He balanced the budget, he got rid of outside consultant fees, he was able to do the things he said he was going to do. You hold a politician to his promises and I think Wagner made promises, kept them and that’s good enough for me.?