An election cycle oddity has become clearer. An Independence Township resident, apparently displeased with Township Supervisor Dave Wagner, placed professional looking political signs around the township urging people to vote for David Wilson for township supervisor, a seat not up for election until 2008.
Wilson, 47, is a three-year resident of the township, had the signs made at his own expense to run as a candidate with the United States Taxpayers? Party of Michigan. However, he did not realize that Wagner’s initial term has not expired.
Both Wilson and Ron Monroe, second vice president of the party, admitted a miscommunication between the two led Wilson to believe he would be a candidate for the position.
‘It’s just a misunderstanding,? Monroe said.
‘It’s very embarrassing for him’but we’re both very comfortable he will be on the next ballot,? he added.
Wilson is a retired union representative with General Motors and enjoys hunting and fishing.
He said he is not a politician nor disgruntled with Wagner’s performance as chief of the township. He is, though, unsettled by a lack of public knowledge about the township’s officers.
‘From what I understand, no one knows who’s on the (township) board, nobody in my neighborhood does. Nobody knows who’s the township supervisor. They know who the clerk is, that’s it, because everyone has to go deal with the clerk. But they don’t know anything about anybody in those offices and I would like to fix that if I could,? Wilson said.
‘I don’t really have any problem with our present supervisor?(but) if nobody knows who he is, there’s something wrong (with that),? he added.
There are a couple pressing issues Wilson has in mind concerning Independence Township.
‘They voted down these two millages, I understand why, people are already paying so much in taxes now,? Wilson said.
He is concerned that residents don’t know where their tax dollars are going and why sewer rates for the township are high, compared to neighboring communities.
‘I listen to people and pay attention. If it can be fixed, I try to fix it,? Wilson said.
‘When I see stuff that needs to be fixed, I try and fix it’if I can’t get it fixed, I let them know why I can’t get it fixed.?
Wagner, after hearing about the Wilson signs said he would like to talk to Wilson, because there must be a burning issue urging him to make signs contesting the supervisor’s position.
‘I would still like to talk to him,? Wagner reiterated after the election.
‘There must be something bothering him, maybe he has some suggestions.?
Wagner would not discourage Wilson, who has not held political office, from running.
‘I think competition is healthy and it gives people a choice,? he said.