By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Running against current Niles Charter Township Treasurer Jim Ringler in the primary election coming up Aug. 5 is Tammy Youngs, a former business owner and teacher.
Youngs owned and operated Galaxy Scrapbooking from 2000 to 2007. The Brandywine High School and Brigham Young University graduate is finishing her masters of arts in teaching at Andrews University.
Youngs is a substitute teacher for the Brandywine School District, has served on Brandywine's Strategic Planning Committee and Pride Bond Committee. She has also served as the chair and treasurer for the Concerned Citizens for Niles Township and Niles Ward Primary President.
On her website, Youngs says education is her passion – and she lists the township's business future and safety services as issues she's focusing on.
Why have you chosen to run for the seat of township board treasurer?
"Business has always been a part of my life. Growing up in a family that ran a small business, it was only natural for me to take business classes in college. I graduated from Brigham Young University in 1998 with a minor in business. From 2000 to 2007 I owned and operated Galaxy Scrapbooking in Niles Township. I enjoy the accounting aspects, creating budgets, and making projections. The treasurer's position, not only as the treasurer, but also as a voting member of the board, utilizes these activities."
What kinds of qualifications do you feel you bring to the position of
township treasurer?
"As stated in the previous question I have a minor in business, as well as seven years experience running my own successful retail store. The combination of my education and years as a storeowner has given me the opportunity to gain many skills necessary to be a successful treasurer. I also have a teaching degree for secondary education in Social Studies. This education has allowed me to thoroughly study areas like political science, state, local, and federal government, as well as geography which includes many areas of development studies.
"Besides the education and business experience, I am also very involved with the community. I have had the opportunity to be a part various committees. Some of these include the Brandywine Pride Committee, the Brandywine Strategic Planning Committee, and I served as the treasurer for the Concerned Citizens for Niles Township Committee. This experience has allowed me to become more in tune with what is needed and wanted in Niles Township."
What is ahead for the township in regards to its financial standing? Concerns?
"While in attendance at a recent Township Board meeting, the auditor stated that the books were in good financial order but the Board was cautioned to not take on any new expenditures. Our township is at a crossroads. We can either move in a positive direction and have this caution relinquished from our auditors' statements, or we can continue as we are and run the risk of a more negative audit. For the last four years, our Township has faced the same challenges that it faced when my opponent came in as the incumbent candidate. What has his experience done for us? It is this issue that I am most concerned with. It is my hope that I can bring in new ideas to make the township more attractive to businesses and families. All facets of our community are linked together. When we have a strong local government that can bring in businesses, our businesses will help bring in more residents to the area. These two improvements together will help to ease the tax burden placed on the current residents who are having their homes reassessed on a continual basis to help bring in more revenue for the township. When this occurs it will not only help our local taxes but will help support our schools as well. As stated, Niles Township is at a crossroads, we need to make a positive change!"
What are your solutions to these issues/concerns?
"The issues discussed are not problems that can be fixed over night, and many of the solutions require initial investments. When problems occur in schools, there are places to turn to for help through the use of grants and other federal funds. A township is no different. This is the best place to start. The next step is to look for areas of development that are compatible with the master plan as well as with the type of businesses we hope to see in the township. In geography there is a concept of development that works on the basis of core and periphery. This concept helps to define where it is logical to build an industrial business verses a retail store in regards to residential areas. This type of urban planning and development is needed in the township. Great cities are created on a foundation of solid organization. Once these businesses' areas are identified, and companies are sought after, it is then important to give them incentives for doing business. This also means that it is important to make sure there are requirements made, like a certain number of jobs created, and that these requirements are met. As this happens, like a well-structured domino trail, everything else will begin to fall into place."
What are your thoughts on the police millage that is up for vote?
"In 2004 I actively campaigned to pass a millage to help support an autonomous Niles Township Police Department. A township of our size needs to have a local police department, however with finances being what they are at this time it is not an option. I do not believe that a millage is necessary while we are contracting with an outside agency. This is especially true since there has been no time taken to seek after competitive bids. Who has returned to a car dealership and bought the first car they were shown never asking about the price? Any frugal person knows that "shopping around" is a must. My opponent has falsely accused me of standing in recent board meetings openly supporting the Niles City Police Department. I have, however, stood up and asked about recent break-ins and questioned the lack of information being shared with the community."
What do you feel the people of the township should be informed of regarding current issues/your position and your opponent's position – that they may not be aware of now?
"My opponent is afraid of inexperience. I offer the township years of successful business experience. I, neither personally nor in my business career, have ever filed for bankruptcy. I have a degree in business, education in political matters, and more importantly fresh, new thinking. Just as one could be leery of giving over the reigns to a new person, even if they are qualified, one should fear leaving the same person over township monies for such a long period of time. I am very technology savvy. Taxes currently are being conducted via computer. It is at times more important to know about technology than business matters. There is a season for everything, and it is a season for change!
"I find that it is unfortunate that the only negative things my opponent can find about me is my supposed lack of experience, and the fact that I am Jim Kidwell's daughter. While nepotism may be a threat with two people who share the same bank account, I have not lived under my father's roof since I was 17, more than a decade ago. While my family values are very strong, I, like most children, do not do everything my father tells me to. This election is not about who I am related to; it is a question of whether the Niles Township residents believe that I am better suited for the job of treasurer. Currently, and in its past, Niles Township has had family members successfully working together for the good of the township. When politics becomes personal, it simply means that the opposing candidate has no negative professional issues to address.
"State and Federal government positions have term limits. This is set to keep things fresh and to avoid becoming stagnant. While our township government does not implement term limits, our elected officials suffer from the same problems. Our township needs to have fresh new ideas and new perspectives. I offer a diverse, new viewpoint that can help take our township to further heights."