Priorities

Township government should have the wellbeing of its residents at the core.  Our two Harris Township parks provide a free, open environment for encouraging healthy and active habits.  I would prioritize the continued safe operation of our parks, ensuring they are clean, accessible, and well-maintained.  Moving toward 4-season operation of the parks would be a long-term goal with quick changes including plowing in winter on the table.  Water and sewer is also a part of wellbeing and a key issue in our area where many properties use wells and septic systems.  The county may be contemplating changes to water and sewer in the future, and I have advocated to the County Commission and Redevelopment Commission to involve and prioritize local perspectives on this question.

Harris Township is primarily a residential community with single-family homes.  Promoting quality of life and quality of place means taking steps to ensure the township remains an attractive and valuable place to live.  Zoning, roads, utilities, public education, and public safety are all important and I would prioritize strengthening relationships with county, school, and private sector leaders to ensure the township's voice is well represented in major decisions.  Economic development should be purposeful and clearly beneficial to township residents.  Harris Township should be as vocal and influential as possible at all levels of government.  I would ensure that someone representing township government made comments representing the local point of view at all significant county Commissioner and Council meetings.

We are members of the Clay Fire Territory, which includes several units of government.  As Republican-led cuts to services driven from the state level filter down to our local level, we must ensure that we properly fund and organize our emergency services.  As new fire territories take shape, we should be proactive in retaining our experienced first responders and ensuring that levels of service do not diminish as decision-making gets shared with more and more elected officials across the county.  I would use my experience in healthcare and benefits to review the total compensation package being provided to our first responders and finding opportunities to be as efficient as possible with these funds. 

Townships are required to provide Township Assistance funds to residents in need.  I would look for opportunities to organize Assistance to help people who are experiencing major disruptions in their lives.  I would collaborate with other local organizations to understand unmet needs and consider what role the township could play.  I would initiate a review of the criteria in place for assistance which have resulted in very few residents qualifying for assistance to ensure they are up to date with rising costs of living.

Almost all residents in Harris Township live in unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County including Granger.  With no city or town government, the township represents the most accountable, most local level of governance.  At the same time, township government is often deprioritized in financial funding formulas and decision-making.  On Day 1, I would initiate an internal audit to ensure that Harris Township stays in compliance with new state laws assigning points to townships (points are bad) if they do not meet very specific criteria.  I would also increase the frequency of public meetings from twice yearly to monthly and provide a virtual option for residents who want to join but cannot attend in person.  Many people are unfamiliar with the role of township government, requiring ongoing engagement and education particularly for newer residents.  Attending public events, participating in online forums, and giving people a reason to care by earning trust are all important for the next township government.