Saturday, August 30, 2008
News
Ash faces Gray for Bennington Twp. super
By NATHAN BRUTTELL, Argus-Press Staff Writer
BENNINGTON TWP. - Republican incumbent Supervisor Leonard Ash seeks re-election, but must face-off against Democrat Patrick Gray in the Nov. 4 general election.
Ash has served on the township board for 18 years - 14 of them as a trustee and one term as supervisor. He also has been on five other boards - including the Perry Area Fire Department, Bennington Planning Commission and the Bennington Township Board of Review.
This is the first time Gray, a maintenance specialist for Owosso Public Schools, has run for a township position, but he has experience on several other boards. He was president of the Owosso Education Personnel for three terms and two terms as president of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
During his tenure as supervisor, Ash, co-owner of Ash Farms in Owosso, said he has taken steps to better the township.
“I have kept our road projects going,” Ash said. “We rebuilt two roads and started a third.”
Ash also said he headed up a project to make the township cemeteries and town hall respectable.
Gray said citizens approached him about the position.
“I talked to residents in the township and they convinced me to run,” Gray said. “I have lived in the township for 23 years and I wanted to give back something.”
Gray said he is the more qualified candidate because of his education - he has leadership certificates at Michigan State University - as well as his willingness to listen.
“I will look and listen to things with an open mind,” Gray said. “I also would've done some things differently (than the board).”
The major issues Gray wants to address are the roads, budget and township involvement.
“We need to be spending money more wisely,” Gray said. “I can't fault Mr. Ash entirely for that. I would also like to get more people involved, even if I have to knock on every door.”
Ash said during his service, he has always kept an open-door policy and is “definitely open to answering concerns from the people.”
To make himself available, Ash said he responds to every call and message he gets. To answer budget concerns, Ash said he worked to raise funding for the township during his term.
“I work with a very adequate board,” Ash said. “We know how to make the budget work. I think in the past 18 years, we have done an excellent job for Bennington Township.”
Ash has served on the township board for 18 years - 14 of them as a trustee and one term as supervisor. He also has been on five other boards - including the Perry Area Fire Department, Bennington Planning Commission and the Bennington Township Board of Review.
This is the first time Gray, a maintenance specialist for Owosso Public Schools, has run for a township position, but he has experience on several other boards. He was president of the Owosso Education Personnel for three terms and two terms as president of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
During his tenure as supervisor, Ash, co-owner of Ash Farms in Owosso, said he has taken steps to better the township.
“I have kept our road projects going,” Ash said. “We rebuilt two roads and started a third.”
Ash also said he headed up a project to make the township cemeteries and town hall respectable.
Gray said citizens approached him about the position.
“I talked to residents in the township and they convinced me to run,” Gray said. “I have lived in the township for 23 years and I wanted to give back something.”
Gray said he is the more qualified candidate because of his education - he has leadership certificates at Michigan State University - as well as his willingness to listen.
“I will look and listen to things with an open mind,” Gray said. “I also would've done some things differently (than the board).”
The major issues Gray wants to address are the roads, budget and township involvement.
“We need to be spending money more wisely,” Gray said. “I can't fault Mr. Ash entirely for that. I would also like to get more people involved, even if I have to knock on every door.”
Ash said during his service, he has always kept an open-door policy and is “definitely open to answering concerns from the people.”
To make himself available, Ash said he responds to every call and message he gets. To answer budget concerns, Ash said he worked to raise funding for the township during his term.
“I work with a very adequate board,” Ash said. “We know how to make the budget work. I think in the past 18 years, we have done an excellent job for Bennington Township.”