Shelby Township

Township trustees declare candidacy for treasurer

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Staff Writer

With Shelby Township trustees Michael Flynn and Lisa Manzella declaring their candidacy for township treasurer in the Aug. 7, 2012, primary, it’s noteworthy on multiple levels.

The trustees’ decision means that in the 2012 primary there will be two trustee seats open to non-incumbents, and second — and possibly most remarkable — it marked a matter of slight agreement between the political rivals.

“I hope we can get good honest people in with a conservative background like myself,” Manzella said of what she hopes for out of the 2012 elections for trustee seats.

“I thought I had a pretty good working relationship with all (board) members, and I would expect that to continue,” Flynn said when asked how he felt about the possibility of himself, Manzella and current Treasurer Paul Viar serving on a board while all three ran for the same position.

“I would hope, that when we’re in the board room, to maintain that working relationship.”

Viar said he had not decided what his plans are for the 2012 elections, but he welcomes anyone who wants the treasurer position to apply for the job.

“I’ve always taken the attitude, (elected) jobs are open for anyone that wants to put their name on the ballot,” Viar said. “And I’m not opposed to Mr. Flynn taking it or anyone else.”

Viar said he would “evaluate the situation” and make his decision whether to run for his fourth term by mid-April.

“It would make a difference to me to see the cost-sharing measures we put in place are continued and would bear on my making a decision,” Viar said when asked what might affect his choice.

“There’s nothing big on the horizon, but I will continue to monitor situations to help me decide more or less if I want to run,” Viar added. “But whoever challenges me will not be an issue.”

Manzella and Flynn agreed that the treasurer office comes with an expanded role in township government and would hope to use that position to ensure their beliefs and practices come to fruition.

“(When you’re treasurer) you’re there full time; you’re really part of the process,” Manzella said. “Being part time (as a trustee), it’s an effort to be part of the process, and full time, you really are part of the process full time.”

“I care about this community, and treasurer, more than any board member, has a direct line to the people in the township,” Flynn said. “That would be a good position for me to continue my history of fiscal responsibility.”

Manzella said she would use her expanded role as treasurer to address issues such as “corrupt spending” and introduce more stringent regulations on elected of officials.

“We have to stop corrupt spending and really be transparent,” Manzella said, citing multiple contracts with consultant Russell Weipert, who was contracted once to investigate the township police auction and another time to re-write the township’s towing contract.

“Things are supposed to go to bid when they are over $5,000, and we get multiple bids from one company for $4,000. I would like to se a solid purchasing policy that everyone has to abide by.”

Manzella said that occupying the treasurer’s office would help her overcome the issues she has faced routinely as a minority voice on the current board.

“I have no say or pull on this board,” Manzella added of her current frustration with serving as a trustee. “I could bring forward anything or anyone, and it’s not going anywhere.”

Flynn said he didn’t feel the treasurer’s department needed to make any significant changes but wanted to focus more on expanding current practices.

“This board has made great strides in terms of fiscal discipline nixing the idea of budget-busting building programs,” Flynn said. “This board has stopped the bleeding, now it’s time to heal the patient.”

Flynn said that he felt it was “premature” to discuss specific plans if he were elected, but re-iterated he felt fiscal responsibility was the strongest asset he would bring to the office, which oversees the township’s budget and tax collection.

“It’s the taxpayer’s checkbook,” Flynn said of the treasurer’s office. “We have to make sure the people get value for their money and that their money is being spent wisely.”

Manzella and Flynn said that their experiences as business owners and trustees have prepared them for the treasurer’s office and agree that the most important aspect of the treasurer’s job is making sure tax money is accounted for and properly spent.

“We have a great financial management staff that really claws up the board on what needs to be done,” Manzella said. “(The treasurer’s office is) the keeper of the funds, making sure all (of them) are well spent with a duty to the people on transparency of those things.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.