A Howell Township home repair specialist is running for the Livingston County Commission to bring more openness and transparency to the body.
Glen Miller filed his nomination papers for the Democratic nomination for the County Commission District 5 seat in January and announced Wednesday that he will apply for the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Donald Parker.
“I don’t think many people really know who is on the county commission and what the commission does. I want to put the commission into closer touch with the average folks in Livingston County who go to work and pay their taxes but never hear anything from the county except at tax time,” he said.
Miller, who describes himself as a “different kind of Democrat,” said his background as a blue-collar worker fits better with the average person in the district than if he were a lawyer like Parker or others seeking the seat. “The commission can hire lawyers to give it legal advice. What it needs from commissioners is the same type of common sense that the average person in our district has,” he said.
The current commission is tied too closely to a handful of well-connected interests, he said, adding “Livingston County has its own version of a ‘swamp.’”
Miller said he would hold regular coffee hours in the district to hear what is on residents’ minds and to let them know about the commission’s activities. He would also share information on his Facebook page about openings on county committees and encourage residents to apply for them. He also would push hard to make sure the broadcasting of county commission meetings is reinstated and not discontinued again.
He said he would work for more services for senior citizens, making sure a wide array of veterans services are made available to every veteran who needs them, and support robust programs for fighting the opioid epidemic.
“These are the types of programs that benefit everybody. You may not be a senior citizen, but chances are you have a relative who is older and may be providing care to an elderly spouse. Some of our services for senior citizens have perpetual waiting lists and we need to do better.
“Not everyone is a veteran either but many of us know people who are veterans and we need to make sure they get the help they need when they need it. The taxpayers have already provided the money for veterans services and the commission needs to exercise strong oversight to make sure services are delivered.
“The opioid epidemic has touched far too many people here in Livingston County and I will work to make sure those programs have the resources to meet the need.”
Miller serves on the Howell Township Planning Commission.
He has lived in Livingston County for 15 years, including the last eight in Howell Township. He is a licensed builder and has operated Glen Miller the Home Doctor, a home remodeling business, for more than 30 years.
He is a member of the Commerce Township Masonic Lodge #121 and a former member of the United Auto Workers Local 235 as an employee of the former Detroit Gear and Axle.
He and his wife Michelle have been married for 42 years and have one grown son.
People wishing more information may visit Miller’s Facebook page at Glen Miller 4 Livingston (https://www.facebook.com/Glen-Miller-4-Livingston-115639823315474/i) or email him at glenmiller4livingston@gmail.com.
County Commission District 5 includes the townships of Howell and Cohoctah plus the city of Howell.
(Paid for by Livingston County Democratic Executive Commitee, 8028 Grand River, Woodland Plaza Suite 7, Brighton, MI 48114. Labor donated.)
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