august 4 primary election voter guide
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP CLERK/REPUBLICAN ABSENTEE VOTING
MALISSA BOSSARDET
Bossardet is a graduate of Indiana University, majoring in theater, and is a self-employed specialty pharmaceutical consultant. CLERK DUTIES/QUALIFICATIONS As one of three full-time elected positions in the township offices, along with the supervisor and the treasurer, the clerk has a full load of statutory duties. Explain what the duties of a township clerk are. What kind of experience and qualifications does an individual need, besides the basic requirement of being a resident over the age of 18, to be a good township clerk? The township clerk is responsible for many vital tasks that are essential to the community. The clerk is the custodian of all township records, so government transparency begins with that office. Maintaining the minutes of meetings, ensuring the publication of ordinances, compliance with records retention laws, and acting as the Freedom of Information Act coordinator are just a few of these duties. The clerk is the chief election officer for our community. This responsibility includes maintaining voter records, training of election workers, establishing polling sites, processing absentee ballots, and administering all election day operations. The office maintains neighborhood association contracts, processes a variety of licenses, and provides residents with convenient notary service along with acting as a passport agent. The next clerk should possess a working knowledge of Bloomfield Township's election process, have careful attention to detail, and an extensive history of customer service – all qualities I possess. 26B
Michigan voters in 2018 approved changes to state voting law. What are the key changes that voters approved? Have local communities like Bloomfield Township adhered to the new voting changes? Please be specific. In 2018, voters amended the Michigan Constitution with the passage of Proposal 3. This amendment changed several critical points in Michigan election law: requires overseas military and civilian absentee voters receive their ballots 45 days before an election, changes deadlines for voter registration, allows for straight-ticket voting, requires automatic voter registration with address changes, and, most importantly, permits "no-reason" absentee voting. No-reason absentee voting opened the door to all voters being able to request a ballot without justifying their reason why to the election authority. This change serendipitously paved the way for a legal vote-by-mail alternative to voters wishing to avoid the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Clerk Jan Roncelli has complied with the requirements of this constitutional amendment and the administrative rules promulgated by the Michigan Secretary of State. There have already been several elections since the adoption, and Bloomfield Township has met the challenge each time. MICHIGAN FOIA Many changes have been made to the Freedom of Information Act over the last few years. What are your views on government transparency? Does FOIA go too far or not far enough? The public pays for the creation and archiving of all public records, and, with very few exceptions, I believe that information belongs to the public. In too many cases, the custodians of public records around the state treat these records as their own. In recent years, Michigan legislators and courts have done more and more to frustrate the transparency initially intended by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Government units hide behind layers of bureaucracy designed to discourage the release of information. Fees to review and copy records have, in many cases, become prohibitively expensive. Some government units deny FOIA requests as they (correctly) anticipate that many people are unable to afford prohibitively expensive litigation to fight denials. Even when the government loses a FOIA case, courts
seldom award full the penalties specified in the act. I am a firm proponent of open and honest government and will not block the people from what is rightly theirs. MASTER PLAN/ORDINANCES How familiar are you with your community's master plan and zoning ordinances? Is there a part of the master plan or an ordinance that you feel needs to change? Residents of Bloomfield Township continue to benefit from years of solid planning practices and sound zoning ordinances. The planning commission's authority comes from the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (2008). The commission is responsible for adopting a master plan for the community – a guide of future development goals for the township. The current plan was last approved in 2007, and has since been twice reviewed (2012, 2017). The commission also serves as a recommending body to the township board after providing an initial review of development issues such as commercial site plans, rezoning requests, and residential development plan reviews. It also recommends to the township board any text amendments to the zoning ordinance – changing the requirements of any given zoning classification. These requirements include permitted uses, setback, and frontage requirements. The zoning board of appeals must review any requests for a variance to the requirements of the zoning ordinance. TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENT This past year, a township trustee introduced the concept of a township superintendent, who would supersede the supervisor and act similarly to a city manager in running the township. What are your thoughts on this idea, and why do you think it would, or would not, work for Bloomfield Township? A township superintendent (or township manager) performs the administrative duties typically performed by the elected supervisor. This position is akin to a city manager appointed by the community's governing body and serves at their pleasure. Several dozen Michigan townships have created this position, including the nearby communities of Oakland Township, Northville Township, and, most recently, Redford Township. This management structure change has worked best in townships where the elected officials, including the supervisor, agreed to it and planned for its implementation. The
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
recent transition in Redford Township occurred more like a coup than a thoughtful management change. The rest of the township board imposed an administrator mid-term. Michigan law forbids the reduction of an elected official's pay level during a term without the consent of that official. Redford Township is therefore stuck with two full-time salaries and considerable acrimony in town hall. While I am open to studying any concept, I will not support that change in the management structure of Bloomfield Township during the next term. REUNIFYING THE COMMUNITY There has been an increased lack of civility at township board meetings and social media postings, contributing to a divisiveness and lack of respect and cordiality. Given the very public struggles that have taken place in the township, what would be your plan to unify the community and the staff? I have spent years working with people both professionally and in a volunteer capacity. In every case, I have encountered difficult personalities, each having individual wants and needs in any given situation. Throughout my work life, I have listened to each point of view before taking action. It is not realistic to offer a vague "unity" plan when that unity depends upon the willing participation of every single party. I will work with every stakeholder in the community, regardless of their political affiliation or personal disposition. I have never subscribed to the unfortunate belief that someone is either 100 percent with me or 100 percent against me. I hope to lead by setting an example of cooperation and refusing to engage in petty fights and intrigues. As clerk, I will make the residents of Bloomfield Township my number one concern. I'll leave the infighting to more accomplished practitioners. WHY VOTE FOR YOU Why should voters select you over your primary opponent? Please be specific in drawing your comparison. I'm the only candidate for the office of clerk with election training and the hands-on experience of being an election worker for the Bloomfield Township clerk's office. I've received extensive training in the use of election day processes, understanding the Michigan Qualified Voter File, and the Electronic Poll Book. As the clerk is the chief election officer in the township, my training and experience give me an AUGUST 2020 PRIMARY
