Letter to the Editor: Rebekkah Pratt Responds to Township Treasurer Race Letter

In response to Sybil Kolon’s Letter to the Editor published on July 28, 2014.

7/31/2014

To my fellow residents of Manchester Township,

Thank you for being involved with your local political system. I am pleased to see many taking time to be informed voters. Manchester is an absolutely wonderful community! It is full of bright and kind people, dedicated to each other.

I understand many residents have not had a chance to meet me, to ask about my qualifications or discuss my plan for the treasurer’s office. To those I have yet to meet please know I hope to soon. I am making the effort to talk with you in person as neighbors should do.

I have learned the political system by being an active participant. I have served on the Washtenaw County Republican board as well as acting as your voice in elections by being a precinct delegate.

I have over 10 years of experience working with finances including taxes and laws. I have worked with payroll, health insurance, investment portfolios and retirement plans. I can work with a budget, making cuts to redundancy and the unnecessary all while understanding risk and how to plan for long-term goals.

I can use all of this experience to better the township and do it all with open accessibility for, and accountability to, the residents of the township.

Some believe the township finances are in excellent shape. What I discovered is anything but excellent and this is with the little to no access to the financial information we residents currently have.

Did you know that $30,000-$36,000 a year is spent by the Township for processing payroll and tax bills? I can handle the task of doing this myself, or perhaps create a job in our community, rather than paying outside vendors. $4000 of your money alone is sent out of our community for the simple task of preparing tax bills. It is accountability and transparency of issues like this that I will be bringing to you as your treasurer.

With me as your treasurer, residents will know exactly where we stand financially. I will open the books to you and deliver detailed monthly expense reports to the township board. My office will be open and available to township residents with convenient daily hours. I will not make this a part time secondary job.

Thank you once again for being involved in your local political process and having a desire to be an informed voter. I look forward to serving as your township treasurer.

Rebekkah Pratt

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.