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Name of lone candidate for township clerk won’t be on ballot

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP – Lisa Yeates has many years experience working in business finance, so when she learned no one had filed for the clerk position in Franklin Township, she decided she’d like to try for the office.

Yeates, who lives in Paavola, said she filed Thursday for the clerk position on the Nov. 8 ballot as a write-in candidate. The deadline for write-in candidates is Oct. 28.

She grew up in Detroit, Yeates said. About four years ago, she moved to Franklin Township.

Yeates said she worked for local attorney Donna Jaaskelainen. She also worked for AT&T and Citigroup doing budgets and financial planning.

Currently, Yeates said she works at Xeratec in Hancock as a project manger.

When a cousin of hers told her the Franklin Township clerk position was available, Yeates said she thought it would be a good way to help the community.

“I like getting involved,” she said.

Outgoing Franklin Township Supervisor Glenn Ekdahl said he’s glad someone finally decided to try for the clerk position, because it is such an important part of township government, and he thinks Yeates is qualified for the position.

“She’s the person we’re looking for,” he said. “She has good credentials.”

In a July Gazette article about the Franklin Township election, outgoing Clerk Mary Brunet said although a college degree isn’t needed to be township clerk, knowledge of accounting is helpful. The clerk also needs to know how to use accounting software and have a working relationship with computers.

“I’m responsible for financial accounts the township has,” she said.

Brunet said she oversees the township’s general fund and special revenues. She and the treasurer both are responsible for the township’s finances.

The township recently installed a sewer system using federal funds, and Brunet said she works on that situation.

“That requires being accountable to the U.S. government on a quarterly basis,” she said.

Brunet said except for election time, which requires more time, the clerk position is about 30 hours per week.

“It’s a little more than a part-time position,” she said.

The clerk is also responsible for township meeting minutes, printing notices and reconciling bank accounts, Brunet said.

Yeates said she realizes she got onto the ballot late, so she’s making an effort to make certain people know about her, and urging them to go to the polls.

“We need to get out the vote,” she said.

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