Politics & Government

Meet Chesterfield Township Clerk Candidate Jan Uglis

Learn about the people vying for public office in Chesterfield Township in this series of candidate profiles before the Aug. 7 primary election.

New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch is profiling candidates for Chesterfield Township's elected positions. Learn about them here in a series of profiles every day this week.

Name: Jan Uglis

Age: 65

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Political Party: Democrat

Years Lived in Chesterfield: 38 years, became a homeowner in July of 1974.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Occupation:  Chesterfield Township Clerk

Position you're seeking: Chesterfield Township Clerk

How many terms you have served: 1984-1988 Township Trustee; 1992-1996 Township Clerk; 2008-2012 Township Clerk

What are your biggest accomplishments while serving on the board?

My biggest accomplishments in past terms is bringing the Secretary of State into the township and changing our voting system over from the punch card system to the electronic voting system.

In my present term as township clerk, I would have to say attracting new businesses to the community; I am a big pusher for bringing new businesses in Chesterfield and also keeping them here. Improving the licensing registrations in the Clerk’s Department, saving the township $120,000 with our township liability insurance and being a part of a negotiation team who work with the unions to freeze all employees’ wages until the economy picks up.

If reelected or elected for the first time, what specifically would you like to see done during your term?

During my term, I would like to see (base housing) developed into a dog-friendly park at the Sugarbush entrance and a township cemetery at the Donner entrance making sure that there is an area for military burial only. 

I would like to make sure that our police and fire departments are kept up to the ratio we need to protect the residents and businesses.

What do you think the community’s biggest challenges are and how can the community overcome them?

Police and fire protection will be the biggest challenge for the new board.  The community needs to support both departments. I hate to say it, but both ways of funding need to be looked at whether it’s by an additional special assessment for the police or a millage and an additional millage for the fire department.

How would you propose making the police and fire funds financially stable?

As I stated in the previous question, we need to look at a possible increase in our police special assessment or go with a millage. The fire department is meeting as we speak. They are planning on requesting an increase in their millage rate through a vote of the electors in the November General Election.

Most importantly, we must maintain the status quo of our police and fire departments making sure that they do not overspend and keep within their approved budget, this goes for all township departments. With the economy the way it is today, we all have to tighten our belts.

How would you make changes, if any, to community services?

One of my biggest passions is keeping our Police K9 Unit intact and I am hoping that the supporters, sponsors and donors will make a huge financial difference to the future of the K9 Unit.

I would also like to see our seniors get the funding to develop an addition to their already over-crowded center; a gymnasium would greatly help with their ongoing programs.

I would like to see a parks and recreation center constructed to help fill the needs of our growing programs.

All of these changes or wishes need money and dedicated volunteers, supporters and an involved township board to help bring them to fruition. 

Describe yourself:

The Lord blessed me with three beautiful daughters, Sheryl, 43; Christine, 39; and Michelle, 34, all graduates of and active participants in the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation programs during their childhood.

I am also the proud grandmother of four wonderful grandchildren, Taylor, 18; Isabella, 9; Brody, 5 and Nikolas, 3 ½.

I have always had the best interest of the community in mind and as a current and previous elected official, I have made decisions that were not always popular, but I believe were right for the community and not any special interest groups.  Electors of Chesterfield will find that I am straight forward when it comes to my opinion.  I speak my mind, but I do consider the opinions of others.

We need to reach out to the public and make them aware that they are important for the betterment of the community. As township clerk, I have always maintained an open door policy for both township employees and residents. I will continue to keep stability and integrity in the office of the township clerk.

I am very proud to say that I have, through the support of the township board, received my Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) status  I am the only township clerk in the history of Chesterfield Township to have (IIMC).

In the past four years, I have served the Macomb County Clerks Association (MCCA) in the capacity of Trustee, Secretary, President and now Ex-Officio Trustee.  As an elected official and member of the Michigan Township Association, I am now serving as the treasurer for the newly formed Macomb County MTA.

What is one fact about you that would surprise people?

Although I am very dedicated to my community, my elected office and my family, I love finding time to take road trips. To be able to get behind the wheel, set the cruise control and drive is something that I enjoy. It is not always the destination that I end up at, but the journey along the way that makes the driving worthwhile. It’s my quiet time, my time to relax and a time to put the events of the day behind me.

Check back with Patch for more candidate profiles throughout the week.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here