FeedsDecision 2006
Board appointee to seek election
Newly appointed Van Buren Township Trustee Lianne Clair said she has committed herself to the position.
“I’d like to finish the job. That’s always something I like to do,” she said.
Clair, 44, will have to face Van Buren Township resident Larry J. Fix in a run-off if she wants to fill the remainder of the term through Nov. 20, 2008. She was appointed April 13 and will serve as trustee until noon on Nov. 20, 2006. Voters will elect one of the two at the Nov. 7, 2006 general election.
“I’ve knocked out a good portion of the learning curve so far with my time on the board,” said Clair. “I’ve learned the board and crowd dynamics of the meetings and personalities of the board members. There are still a number of small things to learn, though.”
A major issue in the township has been managing growth, she said.
“There’s a fine balance between developers and homeowners in trying to get interests satisfied,” Clair said. “Some don’t want the rural farmland to grow, but on the flip side we’re located between two airports, a railroad line and the Huron River, so growth really can’t be stopped. A tool such as the master plan can assist, but current zoning ordinances and property owner rights must be considered.
“Trying to keep the infrastructure at a level that’s consistent with the growing population and revenue sharing has been something we’re currently dealing with,” Clair added. “We’ve certainly had to be prudent about spending money. Luckily, I’ve had experience with finances in my previous jobs.”
Clair worked for Schlumberger Technologies as a contract administrator, she’s been a controller for the Library Network, as well as for a governmental entity and she’s a self-employed administrator and consultant. All jobs where she dabbled in accounting, reporting, audits, insurance, computer training and human resource matters, she said.
Clair also recently completed 16 credits in the Top Governance Academy program and volunteers on many area organizations and associations.
“A lot has prepared me for sitting on the township board,” she said. “I comprehend and understand budgets, weighing the issues and being able to prioritize expenditures.”
Managing finances in a stressed economy also factors in. It includes preserving annual audits, managing landfill funds, exploring grant opportunities and providing the most cost-effective services to residents, she said.
“In a world where the economy is dwindling, things are going well in the township,” said Clair. “When the auditors are coming through with a great report card each year a main concern would be to keep that up. What happens when the dump closes, though? There will be no more tipping fee. That’s something to look into for the future.”
Clair said preserving the community—by handling growth and managing finances—is also a necessity.
One example is the economic development idea anchored by the airports in Wayne County: the aerotropolis project.
“It’s exciting and scary when you realize it’s one of the few places that’s suited for such an endeavor. However, I’m not sure if I want it in my backyard,” she said. “It’s exciting to see prosperity, but scary to see the acreage go. Planning land use will be the key to maintaining sanity. Maybe we can strike a balance between growth and nature preserve.”
Clair looks forward to continuing to serve the township.
“I can bring my perspective, which all my life experiences have molded,” she said. “My dad never had electricity or plumbing and my grandpa was a farmer so I’ve seem the extremely rural portions. I also have an understanding of how advanced we really are, too.”
