Bill Conklin OUSTED Ron Van Zee, winning the August primary election. We are so thrilled that a competent legal professional is on the ballot who will lead our new Board, bring back professionalism, conduct township business openly, respect the residents, and who will prioritize the legalities and obligations of the Township. 

But he needs competent board colleagues to do the job. In the November election, it is okay to cross party lines, and in fact, we want you to!

Watch our interview with Bill here.

Bill is an attorney who worked in private practice, representing families and small businesses, as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Michigan’s Department of State, and even in construction, building houses for a few years, as well as in work with oil and gas abstracts. He and his wife Diane moved to Hayes Township in 2015 from Elmwood Township near Traverse City, where he witnessed exploding growth leading to congestion and a “bedroom community.” Bill wants to maintain the rural character of our community and is against the Township’s efforts to revise and weaken the zoning ordinance, and was against the approval of the Laws’ “boathouse.” He is a member of the Charlevoix Rod and Gun club. Bill would conduct township board meetings with integrity. He believes in independent thinking, with the whole board bringing together their own research and ideas. He sees the current board treating the residents with disrespect. He is opposed to the conflict of interest the Township currently has with the township supervisor also being the zoning administrator. Join us in voting for BILL CONKLIN on November 5.

Sherry Baker-McCary is running as a write-in candidate for treasurer. Watch our interview with Sherry here.

Sherry brings the right skills and experience to this role, having worked for 38 years for the Little Harbor Club, in Harbor Springs, as the bookkeeper and later office manager, responsible for accounts payable and payroll. Sherry has lived in Hayes Township for 39 years. A reason why she is running for office is because she loves Hayes Township, and the beauty and quiet peacefulness of our area. And when one is not happy with an organization, she explained, “you need to jump in and you need to be part of that organization to help it be better. And that’s how I feel about Hayes Township right now.” She feels there are a few things that are really upsetting, she would like to see everybody come back together, be respectful to each other, and she wants to “be the change that Hayes Township needs.” The recent Hayes Township audits indicating numerous improper and illegal procedures were alarming to her. With her vast experience and life’s work in accounting and bookkeeping, Sherry would bring Hayes Township’s financial procedures back to what it should be in following the state laws. In her work, she notes, her company was audited every year, and she has never seen an audit like the ones Hayes Township recently received. We are pleased that fellow Hayes resident SHERRY BAKER-McCARY has stepped up to run for office and serve the community. Join us in writing in a vote for SHERRY BAKER-McCARY on November 5.