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Health & Fitness

Commissioner Crawford Announces Candidacy for State Representative Seat in 38th District

NOVI, MI – “Relentless Positive Action” may be Governor Rick Snyder’s signature slogan, but Oakland County Commissioner Kathy Crawford (R-9th District) takes that moniker to a whole new level when she connects to her grassroots constituency.

 It's all about ACTION and solving problems for the taxpayers in my district,” Crawford said.

It’s this kind of energy and ‘never give up’ attitude that Crawford offers to local residents as she embarks on yet another challenge – she hopes to serve her loyal constituency as the next
State Representative for the 38th District in Lansing.

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 "I’m results-driven,” Crawford explained when she announced her candidacy for the state seat. “When I see a problem, I want to get it fixed.  I want to bring my optimism, common sense, passion and attitude to Lansing.  That’s how I approach public service, and that’s why I believe I’m the best person for this job.”

Voters in the State’s 38th District will elect a new representative at the November 4, 2014 general election.  Currently, the 38th District, which includes Novi, Novi Township, Walled Lake, South Lyon, Lyon Township and part of Northville, is represented by Republican Hugh Crawford, Kathy’s husband.  Because of Michigan’s term-limit law, Hugh will complete his third and final 2-year term as State Representative on December 31, 2014, leaving the seat open in 2015. 

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Both Kathy and Hugh are life-long Novi residents, who have devoted their time and energy to public service.  After more than 30 years of public service in the Field of Aging for both Oakland County and the City of Novi, Kathy launched her political career six years ago when she was elected to the Novi City Council.  After serving three years, she was elected in 2010 to her current position as Oakland County Commissioner, representing the Novi Community. 

Now, she sees her quest to serve in Lansing as the next step to assuring that her constituents lead a better quality-of-life.

“The 38th District seat is an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and experience, so I can influence public policies, statewide, to help the local citizens who have been so loyal to me,” Kathy explained.

“Over the years, I have demonstrated what Novi, Novi Township, Walled Lake, Northville, South Lyon and Lyon Township residents expect from a public servant I’m a hard-working, grassroots ambassador for our growing communities,” Kathy added.  

“Voters deserve the type of independent, critical thinking that I bring to all issues.  That’s why I was overwhelmingly re-elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners last year.”

Kathy Crawford also brings to Lansing a solid record for “common sense conservatism.” This record has helped her develop a solid reputation for being genuine and authentic to her loyal voters. Kathy believes in economic opportunity and freedom, along with fiscal responsibility.  She also has been endorsed by the Right to Life of Michigan organization during per two previous campaigns for her Oakland County Commissioner position.

“I have an outstanding track-record as a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Kathy said. “I want to bring that same fiscally-conservative philosophy to Lansing and continue Hugh’s great record for public service by ensuring that everyone’s tax dollars are invested properly…in education, economic development, transportation infrastructure and health-care services.”

Kathy believes that citizen involvement in local, regional, state and national issues is critical to successful governance and problem solving.  That’s why Kathy serves as a member and/or officer on a variety of volunteer committees and boards, in addition to her current Oakland County Commissioner responsibilities. 

 Her “Community Involvement” resume reads like a “Who’s Who” list in the local region:

·         Michigan State Fair Steering Committee

·         Executive Board, Area Agency for the Aging

·         Novi Oaks Charter Chapter of the American
         Business Women’s Association (including past
         Secretary)

·         Novi Senior Theater cast member and
          Master of Ceremonies for its annual Variety
          Show

·         Novi Retirees Association (including past
          Chairperson)

·         Novi Historical Commission

·         Novi Pavilion Shores Historical Committee

·         Novi Library Fundraising Committee

·         Novi Library Friends volunteer

·         West Oakland Republican Club

·         Oakland County Republican Executive
          Committee

 

If voters honor Kathy with the 38th District seat in Lansing, she pledges to continue her work on “quality-of-live” issues for senior citizens.  Just as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has a long-range transportation plan for non-motorized vehicles and facilities, Kathy believes that’s only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to representing older adults. Based on demographic shifts in the 38th District, Kathy wants to spearhead a comprehensive “Master Plan” in Lansing for all older adults over 50 years of age.  She believes an all-inclusive strategy is needed to ensure our state offers the proper programs and services for this growing group.

“We need to be smarter about planning for the future for this large group of older adults who stay here and spend huge amounts of disposable income in our local areas,” Kathy said.  “That’s what helps to keep Michigan’s economy stable and strong.”

Kathy is not shy about discussing low tax-rates and efficient government, especially when it comes to helping attract more businesses and corporations to the state of Michigan. But Kathy also places a premium on “business retention” as part of an overall economic development strategy.

Kathy is a tireless worker, who serves with tenacity and a can do philosophy. She’s proud of her solid record as a respected Leader at both the local and county levels. Currently, she actively serves on numerous committees as an Oakland County Commissioner.  They include:

·         Vice-Chairperson, General Government
          Committee

·         Vice Chairperson, Ad-Hoc Webcasting
          Committee

·         Finance Committee

·         Legislative Committee

·         Drug Card Committee

·         Area Agency on Aging 1B

·         Oakland County Retirees Compensation
          and Event Board Member

·         OLHSA Board and Executive Board Member

·         Oak 65- Senior Citizen Issues

·         Planning & Building (Former Member)

 “I am very proud of my record as a Leader,” Kathy said. “In order to be a good Leader, you need to learn the art of persuasion, and I’ve developed that skill over the years.  Now, it’s time for me to leverage my skill-set in Lansing.  There are a lot of good ideas out there, but you need to be willing to act on them.  I’ve been action-oriented my entire career. That’s what I offer to the residents of the 38th District.”

Kathy demonstrates the kind of attributes that we need in Lansing: she listens; she cares about issues; she’s a problem solver; and she’s a grassroots activist who knows how to get things done.

An example of that Leadership is when Meadowbrook Commons, a residential community for active older adults, was built in 1999 on Meadowbrook Road, just south of Grand River, in Novi.

 ____________________________________

Having the vision is no solution…

Everything depends upon execution.

____________________________________

This famous lyric from Stephen Sondheim’s theatrical masterpiece, Art In The Park with George, is the best way to describe Commissioner Kathy Crawford’s Leadership style.  It’s a Leadership philosophy that she wants to infuse into the culture of Michigan’s state government.

In the early 1990’s, Crawford had a “vision.” She clearly saw – and understood – that demographics were shifting to older, active adults in Novi and the surrounding western Oakland County communities.  Crawford instinctively knew there was a need for a senior center, so she focused on getting it done before the end of the decade.

While she’s modest about this accomplishment, it’s clear to all western Oakland County constituents that Crawford’s passion, persistence and Leadership led to the success of this project.   “It’s not about me,” Crawford explained. “It’s about understanding the decision-making process and getting things done for the hard-working taxpayers in western Oakland County.  That’s the kind of Leadership-style I want to bring to Lansing.”

How did she do it?

First, Crawford leveraged her existing position in Oakland County where she was a Program Director for 35 senior citizen centers sponsored by the Oakland/Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA).   She left OLHSA, wrote the job description for a newly-formed position called, Novi Senior Citizen Director, and convinced Novi city officials to hire her.

“It was only a 20-hour position at the time, but I told city officials that they needed to hire me to build a Novi Senior Center with affordable senior citizen housing,” Crawford recalled.  “I was very confident I could get it done because I knew there was a need in our community for this kind of project.”  So, Crawford went to work: 

·         She began to gather data to validate the need 

·         She assembled a team of experts and
          specialists to develop a comprehensive
          construction plan

 ·         She acquired and managed State and
           Federal grants for the project

·         And, she persistently lobbied Novi
          Councilmembers to approve and build
          a Novi Senior Center

It took some time and patience, but Crawford’s passion (and vision) for this project eventually became a reality when Novi’s Senior Center, called Meadowbrook Commons.

The facility now houses more than 200 active older adults – and there’s a waiting list to get in.  The center is a true “residential community within a community” that hosts numerous activities and special events all year-round for senior citizens.

Kathy also has earned and received numerous state and local awards for her community service and innovative program ideas. In 2011, she was named “Person of the Year” by novi.org.  Other awards and recognition include the following:

1.      Honorary Lifetime member of the Optimist International Club
         (Honor Club Citation Award)

2.      State of Michigan “Minuteman Award”

3.      Michigan’s “Governor Millikan Award”

4.      Michigan Recreation and Parks “Innovative Programming Award”

5.      Business and Professional “Women of the Year Award”

6.      Novi Parks and Recreation Foundation “Hugh and Kathy Crawford
         Award”

7.      Novi Rotary Foundation “Paul Harris Fellow Award”

8.      City of Novi Honoree on the City’s “Walk of Fame”

9.      Novi’s “Outstanding Citizen Award”

10.    “Distinguished Service Award.”

Kathy and Hugh have been married for 49 years.  They have three grown children, Doug, Amy and Kelly; and two grandchildren, Alexis and Devin.  Kathy and Hugh were baptized and married at the Novi Methodist Church, now located on Beck just south of 10 Mile Road.

For more information about Kathy Crawford’s bid for State Representative, please visit her website at kcrawford.org, or email her at kathy@kcrawford.org.

 

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