Added on October 12, 2020  Sara Swanson

Manchester Area 2020 November Election Voters Guide, part 2: Township and Village

See part 1 of the voters guide including school board and county here.

Candidates for Manchester Village Council President

(vote for no more than 1)

Audra Schebella (Non-Partisan)

I am running as an Independent for Village Council President for Manchester, MI. Our community has wonderful resources (especially its people) and I want to make it flourish!

A little about ME:

• resident of Manchester, MI since 2018.
• happily married to a United States Marine Corps Veteran with two children.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree; and
• I am a Constitutional Conservative. I believe that the constitution is the law of the land, not an entity constantly evolving.

I am against becoming a city. WHY?

• Manchester is perfect because IT IS a village – not a city, the ideal setting with a more peaceful way of life.  Why change that?
• If it becomes a city, will it need to have its own police and fire departments? As it stands regarding the Manchester Fire Department, the Township could pretty much set a hefty price if they wanted…never heard of County sheriff being the only law enforcement service in a city.
• What city does not have a grocery store, a pharmacy, a dry cleaner, an urgent care, etc.?
• There seems to be three different options for city government (the mayor-council, the commission and the city manager). Has there been a decision on that? Will the Village Council continue to be volunteer elected part time positions? The three options of government all seem like full time positions. Will they be strictly elected volunteer positions or elected PAID full-time positions? Where would those funds come from for the salaries? How would this effect the full-time village staff we have now?
• What about a city income tax? There has been zero promises or guarantees made regarding taxes not going up and/or an income tax. From what we have been told, becoming a city will only save homeowners $70/yr. if homesteaded, $20/yr if not – not a huge savings. When we moved here – we evaluated the taxes – the taxes in the village are still less expensive than Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter and Saline – the cities surrounding the area.
• How will the village and township divide shared assets? Between the township and village from what I have researched, there will need to be a division of assets that could become a costly endeavor.
• Per the plan now, we allegedly are not going to expand our borders. There is always the discussion about growth – but supposedly without an increase in area.
• Contrary to what we have been told, even as villagers we are still members of the township – we do have a vote and say to how the township uses our tax dollars. If we were to become a city – we would lose that input, that right, that voice and would have zero say so if the township were to build or implement something that would affect us.

What I bring to the table:

• Instead of a negative, being a relative newcomer to Manchester is a positive thing. I can see how the established ways of operating and running the village are not working.
• It takes a village to run a village – our community members should have more of a say so – I would like to create a panel/group of advisers that will help me make decisions about what direction the village should go in. I want to get the village involved. Not just with village meetings but with Social Media, newspapers, flyers, etc.
• We need to work on what we have – bring back businesses and activities that made our village be the place to be. I want to create positive relationships with both the township and surrounding communities in order to bring people in and keep them coming back.

I want your input as a community to what you would like to see in our Village. If we can work together, OUR community will only grow stronger and be successful.

Patricia Vailliencourt  (Incumbent, Non-Partisan)

Forty years ago we moved to Manchester. We raised our children here. I worked locally in accounting and sales and marketing for over twenty years. I owned a business on Main Street. I’ve lived in three of our townships and the Village. Investing in our future while protecting our quality of life always has been, and will continue to be, my goal.

Twenty-one years ago, I filled an empty seat on Village Council. For three years I served as a trustee, worked with our Village staff, attended workshops, served on various boards, worked with multiple volunteer groups and built relationships. I understood the responsibilities and was qualified to become Village President.

Investing in our future requires finding ways to reduce the tax burden on our businesses and residents. The Village millage rate was reduced 2 mils this year. Supporting one unit of government provides an opportunity for further reduction. The liability risks associated with being subservient to another unit of government must be evaluated. Planning for our future means allowing Village voters the opportunity to decide how they want to be governed.

Attracting businesses and families to our community depends upon providing services and amenities. Because of our financial stability, we’ve qualified for grants to complete millions of dollars of upgrades to our infrastructure, improve our central business district, and build parks. I will continue to expand the role of our Downtown Development Authority, work jointly with our businesses, and take advantage of every opportunity to leverage our tax dollars.

As we continued to pursue grocery stores, pharmacies, and senior housing opportunities, we found ways to ensure our residents have access to critical services (i.e. free WAVE rides). This year, in spite of COVID 19, four new businesses have come to Manchester, our riverfront park area was extended, we qualified for the State Redevelopment Ready Communities Program, applied for funding for infrastructure upgrades, and collaborated with the County to provide a canoe livery at Sharon Mills.

Protecting our quality of life not only means protecting our Village but includes continuing to work with our townships to protect our farmlands, our open spaces and our beautiful corridors that bring us into our downtown. Serving on the Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments, the Manchester Joint Planning Commission, the Community Resource Center Board, and the Manchester Senior Citizens Board allows me to keep abreast of our community needs. Protection also means supporting our schools with continued joint agreements. My serving on Washtenaw County boards gives Manchester a voice as decisions are made.

The hundreds of meetings I’ve attended, the relationships I’ve built, the experience and knowledge I’ve acquired while serving my community has given us opportunities for grants, partnerships and collaboration agreements. Serving my community is one of my most rewarding experiences.

I am grateful for the confidence you have shown in me by allowing me to help safeguard our community, protect us financially and preserve our quality of life. I will greatly appreciate your continued support in November.

 

Candidates for Manchester Township Treasurer

(vote for no more than 1)

Laurie Carey (Incumbent, Democratic)

Hello Manchester! As the current Treasurer I am experienced in governmental accounting as it pertains to the Township and County. Having worked in this capacity for over 7 years I am skilled in the billing, collecting, and distribution of tax dollars, annual county settlement process, management of all banking and investments, and work with the Clerk for payroll and accounts payable. This form of accounting and accountability is created through a balance of working and reporting to the County, the State and the Township Board. I also bring with me the acquired knowledge from years working towards the best interest of our residents through service on the Manchester Township Board. Retaining my position as Township Treasurer will mean continuing to work with our Board and concerns of the citizens to find new and effective changes for our community. From continuing to work towards finding solutions for police services, obtaining internet access for the underserved areas, continuing the progress with the County Parks on the creation of trails, preserving and promoting our rural and agricultural areas, developing an enhanced citizen concern system, and working with the village to promote Manchester as a destination by getting businesses back in our downtown district for both our residents and as a draw for visitors who may want to also make Manchester their home.

Not understanding the full effect of this pandemic there will be problems that this office and our Township have not dealt with yet, but we are all in this together and when I am aware of a problem I can help. Customer service starts with a smile and I hope to continue that as my priority in my office. This pandemic will change the way that we meet and greet our visitors in the future, and finding creative ways to adapt to these new expectations and best serve the public while meeting the needs of our community and the safety of our residents will come first. I plan to continue to serve our residents with information and education for services available through the Township and County offices and always making myself  available to help residents with financial challenges. My office door is always open to find solutions, answer questions or concerns that property owners have.

I am also a representative for the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority and will continue to  work towards the promotion and ease of recycling more in an effort to reduce the quantity of waste that goes to our landfills.

I am experienced, dedicated, approachable and trustworthy. An independent and strong voice on the Township Board helping preserve the values of Manchester Township while helping bring positive change to accent our community.

Kim Thompson (Republican)

Hello, my name is Kim Thompson and I am running for Manchester Township Treasurer on the Republican ticket.

The current issues I see facing the community in the next two years are the possibility of the Village becoming a City, and how the township decides to handle Agri-tourism; including event barns. I believe encouraging strong community feedback from township residents is very important in every situation. This can be done through various media platforms. Another option could be holding Townhall meetings.

Being receptive to the needs of Township residents would be my highest priority. As your treasurer, transparency and accuracy would also be emphasized. Helping to restore the working relationship between the Township and Village is another important issue to me, should I become elected.

I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. I am a SHRM-CP certified Human Resources Specialist working at Rainbow Rehabilitation. We moved to Manchester in 1988 and have raised our family in the community. I was fortunate to be able to actively volunteer throughout their school years, first with the Manchester Co-Op Preschool, and ending as a board member of the Manchester Athletic Boosters.

My email address is: thompson48158@gmail.com. I look forward to working together to make Manchester a better place for all of us. Thank you for your consideration.

Candidates for Manchester Township Trustee

(vote for no more than 4)

Mike Fusilier (Incumbent, Republican)

My name is Mike Fusilier, and I am a long-time resident of Manchester. My wife, Kathy, and I own and operate a farm and farm market on Herman Road. We have four kids who all attended Manchester Community Schools. Two of our sons are back on the farm working with us, along with their families.

In the 1990’s, I began twelve years of service on the Manchester Township Planning Commission, serving as chair and vice chair for the majority of that time. For the past 25 years, I have served on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors, with 20 of those years spent on the Executive Board. Also, I currently serve as an executive committee member on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance family of companies. In addition to these roles, I am a member of multiple nonprofit organizations, and from 2000-2002, I was honored to serve on the Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve of Chicago.

I believe that these experiences in leadership and service will help me effectively resolve key issues our township faces. As a local business owner, I understand the challenges involved in trying to successfully operate a business. I would like to see our township board become even more accessible to the members of our community, allowing for open dialogue with residents to effectively address and resolve concerns. I feel we have an incredibly unique, rural community here in Manchester Township that should be valued and preserved, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve our community further.

Lisa Moutinho (Incumbent, Republican)

Serving as a Manchester Township Trustee for the past 4 years has been both a privilege and an honor. Our residents are the heart of this community, and I’m proud to have represented you. We’ve worked together to maintain our safe, small-town atmosphere, just as we’ve worked to address our challenges. One of the biggest obstacles facing us right now is the lack of equity in our access to high speed internet. I’m honored my fellow board members designated me to be your champion on this issue, working to help identify broadband solutions. I provided the community an update in the Monday, September 23 online issue of the Mirror. You may find it by clicking here.

As a trustee, I vowed to uphold our national and state laws & constitutions, as well as our own township ordinances by taking an oath of office. This is not a suggestion, but a mandate, and I apply it to all choices I’ve made as your representative. Oftentimes the right thing to do is also the most difficult; not all decisions are straightforward, and some can be unpopular. My vote on any issue, especially those that could polarize our community, is the result of research and contemplation.

Additionally, I’ve been closely monitoring the Village-to-City initiative our Village of Manchester leaders are considering, and while I respect their right to secede from the township and stand on their own, I’d much prefer to have one, stronger Manchester than two divided communities; I am supportive of options that serve to help with the sustainability of a Manchester we can all be proud of. We are living in unprecedented and divisive times; I’d much prefer to set an example of the success that can be achieved through collaboration and partnership than the opposite.

The past 4 years have been humbling, and the lessons I’ve learned have offered immense value. There’s more work to be done though – for a community to prosper, we need a strong foundation that includes our residents, an excellent school system, community-based organizations, and a vibrant, busy business district. Manchester has all of these things, and we need to keep working together to make it even better. I look forward to helping by serving this amazing community as a Manchester Township Trustee for another 4 years. Thank you for your support.

Your thoughts and ideas are important to me, please contact me at trusteemoutinho@gmail.com

John Seefeld (Incumbent, Democratic)

Did not respond in time for publication.

Don Steele (No Party Affiliation)

My name is Don Steele and I am a lifelong resident of Manchester. I raised my son and daughter in this community. I have two beautiful granddaughters. My family roots in this area go back to the early- to mid-1800s. I was a patrolman and a sergeant in the Manchester Police Department from 1976-1986 and then transferred over to the Washtenaw County Sheriff‘s Department in 1986.

In 1992 I was promoted to sergeant and held that rank until my retirement in 2007. One of my responsibilities was to attend monthly township board meetings and present the activities of the sheriff‘s office to the the respective township boards. At WCSD I was on many committees that dealt with community engagement and business improvement. I was also in charge of the Crisis Negotiation Team. I was then employed by the City of Chelsea from 2007 until 2018 as a city police dispatcher. I have been a firefighter/paramedic for the Manchester Township Fire Department for 35 years, holding the rank of lieutenant, and I am currently the Department‘s EMS coordinator.

I have good listening skills. I have experience dealing with adverse situations and creative problem solving. I can work with the public, bringing parties together to resolve conflicts so that everyone feels their needs have been addressed.

I really like the small community feel of the Manchester area! I feel we need to address the current lack of resources we are experiencing in the Manchester area. We need easier shopping options for our senior population who are unable to commute extended distances. I will work towards expanding retail options for our community. I feel my past experiences in my professional life qualify me for the position of Manchester Township Trustee. I encourage you to vote for Don Steele on November 3.

Krista Jarvis (No Party Affiliation)

Did not respond in time for publication.

Township Proposals

Bridgewater Township Proposal

Shall Bridgewater Township impose an increase of up to 0.5 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for four (4) years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, to maintain the township’s contracted fire services, which 0.5 mills increase will raise an estimated $50,762.58 in the first year the millage is levied.

Note: Manchester area residents who live in the Clinton and Chelsea School Districts will be voting on operating milage renewal proposals.