Julie Brown

Julie Brown worked at the 51st District Court for over 30 years, including as deputy court administrator. She is currently the regional office manager for Special Olympics Michigan. Brown is also the former treasurer of the Michigan Brittany Club and the current treasurer of the LaDuc French Bulldog Club.

Julie Brown is among eight Republicans running in the Aug. 7 primary election for seats on the Waterford Township Board of Trustees. The four Republicans with the highest vote total will advance to compete against four Democrats in the Nov. 6 general election to fill four trustee positions. Township trustees serve four-year terms and are currently paid $10,976 annually.

The following are questions we posed to Brown, and her responses to those questions.

BUDGET: Years of revenue decline prompted by falling home values and other reasons have forced a variety of budget cuts. What changes in township budgeting priorities or processes do you advocate to deal with these hurdles? Where could the township’s budget be trimmed back? What, if anything, in the budget should be held harmless from the budget ax?

BROWN: The budget needs to be evaluated for efficiencies that may or may not be changed. Each item in the budget needs to be evaluated for cost efficiencies and delivery of services to township residents.

POLICE/FIRE DISPATCH: Some on the township board have come forward with a proposal to contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for police and fire dispatch services as a way to save money. Explain why you do or don’t support the proposal.

BROWN: This is a big issue in the township. Without knowing all the facts at this time, I believe that we need to look at what the township residents want and need. Having the county come in may or may not be in the best interest of the township.

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER: Some people have speculated that the township will be forced to come under the authority of an emergency financial manager (EFM) within the next two years. Please state why you do or don’t agree that such speculation has merit.

BROWN: I do not believe at this time we are in a position to need a financial manager, or in the near future.

WASTE COLLECTION: Waterford currently has a waste collection system under which each individual resident and business is left to secure their own trash collection service, but it’s been proposed that the township change that by carving up the community into waste collection districts and soliciting bids from haulers to serve those districts. How, if at all, should the township’s current waste collection system be changed, and why?

BROWN: At this time I believe we should leave it where it stands. Residents have the right to contract whomever they want and can afford.

SUMMIT PLACE: Essentially vacant and an eyesore, the Summit Place Mall has been the subject of a number of proposals for redevelopment. However, there has yet to be a large-scale redevelopment proposal to come to fruition? What is your vision for the future of the Summit Place Mall site? What would you do, if anything, as a township trustee to ensure that vision becomes reality?

BROWN: We do indeed need to develop the property. We need to encourage developers to come to Waterford Township. Maybe a water park or amusement park, or wherever the developers’ interest lies. The township should be open to any ideas at this point.

TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the township, and how do you propose to address them?

BROWN: I think the above questions have been and are the top issues of Waterford Township.

WHY YOU? Why specifically should voters choose you over your opponent?

BROWN: I have the experience of knowing and working in Waterford Township. After 30 years of working in the township I know the ins and outs and how things work. If elected my main focus is to work for the people of Waterford Township. They need a voice in how this township is run. I am willing to listen and work for them.