FeedsMcLaughlin cites wealth of township experience
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Melissa McLaughlinMelissa McLaughlin said she’s looking for a new role in Canton Township.
McLaughlin, a resident since 1962, is seeking election to the treasurer post rather than fifth term as a township trustee.
She said her role as a long-time planning commissioner and trustee—in which she had her hand in the approval of the past 15 township budgets—makes her ideally suited for the switch.
“I probably know more about the township than anyone,” she said. “I have a huge, in-depth background.”
McLaughlin, who has a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus on the emotionally impaired, got into politics through her role on the Historic District Commission. That was in the late 1980s when she and others on the commission helped preserve the Cherry Hill School and eventually set up a plan for additional historic preservations.
She was appointed to the township planning commission in 1991 and has remained there as the board representative after she was elected as trustee in 1992. She has also served on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board, most recently as chair.
She said she would focus on infrastructure, efficiency and economic development if she’s elected to the full-time role as treasurer. She pointed to past successes such as partnering with developers and working with Wayne County to get the many road needs addressed.
“We’ll have to continue with these partnerships to get things done,” she said.
She said she also hopes to implement new technology in the treasurer’s office—a process that is just getting under way and that the incoming treasurer will be heavily involved with. Through it, she hopes to provide more information to residents and make things more user friendly.
“We need to make more information more easily accessible,” McLaughlin said, referring to programs the township has to offset potential tax problems. “People need to know what they can do in order to plan appropriately.” She said she also wants residents to be able to pay taxes through electronic transfers and change policy to make taxes mailed by the due date non-delinquent. Right now they have to be received by the due date.
She said better promotion of township facilities and programs will help keep property values up, as well. The township board has little authority over tax assessments, but they can make sure residents get value for their money, by pointing out facilities like the Summit on the Park, township parks and more.
“These are ingredients we’ve been fostering for the past several years,” she said. “We need to actively market them to residents. They help keep the property values up.”
McLaughlin is also a former bank accounting clerk who has run a successful family business. She said that would help in her new role, as well.
“I’ve had a lot of experience working with people and I’ve had a lot of experience working with money,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of experience working with volunteers and I haven’t had a problem with any of it.”
