Candidate Profile: Kathy Crawford Seeks Oakland County Commissioner Seat

Kathy Crawford is running for Oakland County Commissioner this November against Democrat . Both will appear uncontested on the Aug. 7 primary.

Crawford provided this information about herself for a candidate profile:

General Information

Name: Ms. Kathy S. Crawford
Also known as: Kathy
Age: 70
Place of residence: 46275 W. Eleven Mile Novi, MI, 48374

Education

Attended college: Yes
College : classes and CEU's

Employment Information

Job titles held : Employment Counselor, Director of Senior Programming for Community Action Agency, Founder and Director of Novi's first Senior Citizen Center, Novi City Council Member, Oakland County Commissioner
Employers : OLHSA, City of Novi, Oakland County

Political Information

Party affiliation: Republican
Running for a: Local office
Running for position: Oakland County Commissioner
Chamber/district: District #9
Incumbent: Yes
First elected: 02 November 2010
Previous elective offices: Novi City Council
Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: none

Party HQ

Address 24712 Upland, Novi, MI, 48375

Campaign Manager

Name: David Staudt
Title: Manager

URLs

Website : kathyscrawford.com

Other Information

I am a lifelong resident of Novi. Married 48 yrs. to State Representative Hugh Crawford, 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Retired from City of Novi as the founder and Director of the Novi Senior Center, elected to Novi City Council in 2007-served 3 years, elected Oakland County Commissioner  in Nov. 2010.

Owner: Kathy Crawford Communications, author of several workbooks -"Programs With PIZZAZZ" and "Stir Up Some Fun" as well as  memoir: “Two Broads Abroad”. Frequent speaker and workshop presenter on Aging issues. Active and past Board member of Novi Oaks American Business Women's Association,  (ABWA)  Performer in the Novi Civic Theatre, MC and performer in the Novi Senior Theatre productions, Friend of the Novi Theatre, Friend of the Novi Library and member of the Novi Library Fund-raising Committee. I am a certified professional in the Field of Aging, have been a Congressman Appointee to the 2005 National WhiteHouse Conference on Aging, Appointed by Michigan Attorney General to present programs to groups regarding Identity Theft.

As a freshman Commissioner, I was appointed to 3 of the five standing committees of the Board: Finance, Vice Chair of General Government Committee and the Planning-Building Committee.

In addition I was appointed by Board Chair to take his place on the Oakland County Retirees Compensation Board and VEBA Board. 

Appointed by Board Chair to be Vice Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CDBG), Vice Chair of Ad Hoc Webcasting, Chair of the Oak 65 Senior Transportation project, Board 

Chair Appointee to Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) Board, appointed by OLHSA to their Executive Board, Human Resources and Fund Raising committees. Commission appointee to the OC Prescription Drug Program Ad Hoc Committee.

I assist in balancing, approving and implementing the County’s Multi- year rolling budget as well as actively participate in committees which address the concerns and issues of OC citizens and the county’s departments. 

I frequently speak to local groups and organizations in order to provide information relating to county services and resources. I am an ardent promoter of my District, but also economic gardening via, Emerging Sectors, Automation Alley and Medical Mainstreet. I prepare and host a monthly "Commissioners Corner" Cable TV Show designed to acquaint  District #9 residents of the variety of services and resources offered by Oakland County as well as the City of Novi.

I have been particularly successful in bringing together county departments and agencies serving older adults in order to maximize their efficiency and coordination of resources to the dramatically increased number of older adults.

A large number of people have endorsed my campaign for re-election, including L. Brooks Patterson (Oakland County Executive), Novi Mayor Robert Gatt, Mayor Pro-Tem David Staudt, Novi Council members Wayne Wrobel, Justin Fischer, Terry Margolis and Laura Casey. Former Mayors David Landry and Matt Quinn have also endorsed my campaign as well as Senator Nancy Cassis and State Representative Hugh Crawford. Novi School Board members  Vice-Chair Dennis O'Connor and Trustee Jason Manar, Suburban Collection Showplace owner Blair Bowman, Novi Information Network Editor, Scott Olson and many more will be named on my website. kathyscrawford.com.

I have been the recipient of a number of awards and recognition:

•   2011 Novi Information Network Person of the Year
•   Novi's Outstanding Citizen Award
•   Novi's Distinguished Service Award
•   Novi Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Award
•   City of Novi Honoree on the City's Walk of Fame
•   Michigan Governor's Minuteman Award
•   Business and Professional Woman of the Year
•   Novi Parks Foundation "Kathy and Hugh Crawford Award"
•   Optimist Lifetime Membership Optimist International Award
•   Optimist Honor Club Citation Award
•   Michigan Recreation and Parks Innovative Programming Award