Vicki Mitchell: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 46Family: Married for 22 years. 2 children.Occupation: Stay-At-Home and Homeschool MomEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Monmouth College, 1988 Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, 1993Civic involvement: Christ Community Church, GOP Precinct Committeeman, Chair: Batavia Fireworks City-Wide Garage SaleElected offices held: Batavia Township Clerk, 2005-2009 GOP Precinct Committeeman 2004 - PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 We have to be more creative in how the township serves the taxpayers and honestly look at the shrinking role of our township here in Batavia. We are not elected to save our jobs but to serve the people and I think we could serve them better by looking at doing those tasks more efficiently which may mean putting ourselves out of a job.Key Issue 2 Maintain roads more efficiently - either outsource or contract with another municipality.Key Issue 3 Need new leadership.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.Have to stop doing business as usual and seriously look at how inefficient our township is with the job we are required to do.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I believe township government is important in some rural areas, but not in Batavia. At the very least, we should re-join with Geneva to gain some efficiencies. Many years ago, we split the Geneva/Batavia township in half, but the truth is we could save a lot of taxpayer money by combining them again.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Being better caretakers of taxpayer money. Just because the township is a small portion of the tax bill does not mean it can be overlooked. We need to make sure properties are assessed correctly, the roads are maintained adequately and the General Assistance is paid appropriately. But, I believe we can do these mandates more efficiently.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?We have a huge road budget for so few miles left of road that has not been annexed. Certainly we can do this more efficiently.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?Degrees in Accounting and Administration. Prior experience as CFO of a hospital. Familiar with township government as clerk for 4 years.