BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Staff Writer

Rachel Loughrin was elected an Independence Township trustee in November 2016 and served in that capacity until July 1, when she took over as treasurer for the township.
Paul Brown had resigned as treasurer in May, but later rejoined the board as a trustee, taking Jim Tedder’s spot after he resigned due to new employment.
Loughrin was appointed treasurer at the June 4 Board of Trustees meeting and took the oath at the June 18 meeting.
“I have spent a great deal of time working in different facets of municipal government throughout my career and have very much enjoyed the time that I have spent working in the township as a township board member,” Loughrin said. “I chose to apply for the treasurer position because I saw it as an opportunity to put my skills to good use and to become more active in the community in which I live.”
Loughrin’s financial background includes time serving as the city of Pontiac’s director of economic development and as an Oakland County business development representative, in addition to serving on various planning and land use positions in the state of Arizona. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Michigan.
She noted that being on the board has been a rewarding experience, and Loughrin anticipates that continuing. Her appointment ends Nov. 20, 2020, but she has plans on running as treasurer.
“What I have seen on the board that makes us a very cohesive group could maybe be better answered by talking about what I have not seen on the board,” Loughrin said. “What I have not seen is a bunch of political wrangling. I have not seen board members talking over each other or trying to outdo one another for political gain. This board is a cohesive group because it is made up of citizens whose only interest is to work together to make our community a better place to live.”
Loughrin said that her primary responsibilities as treasurer are to collect all real and personal property taxes and to invest township funds following the rules and regulations of PA20. The treasurer is also responsible for deposits and the issuance of checks.
Working with a solid group notwithstanding, Loughrin said there will be obstacles to knock down in her new role.
“One of the challenges I see ahead of me as treasurer is to build on the successes of the prior administration and work to continue to keep Independence Township standing as one of Oakland County’s gold-standard communities,” she said.
With Brown taking over Tedder’s trustee seat and Loughrin assuming the role of treasurer, one trustee spot remains vacant.