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Name: Helaine Zack
Party: Democrat
Website(s): http://www.friendsofhelainezack.com/#!home/mainPage
Occupation: Oakland County Commission, part-time as the Manager of Employee Assistance Program at Beaumont Health System
Education: BA (University of Michigan, 1975); Masters in Social Work (University of Michigan, 1977)
Previous and/or current elected positions: Oakland County Commission (2003-present)
Community involvement:
Present:
Oak Park Optimist Club, Royal Oak Township Optimist Club, Area Agency on Aging 1B, Woodward Avenue Synagogue, Jail Diversion of the Mentally Ill, Haven Campaign Committee
Past:
United Way Local Community Board, Community Corrections Board, Citizens Advisory Council, Past President of Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Co-Chair of Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Board Member and Campaign Chair of Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
Why do you want to be on the County Commission?
I am serving my fifth term as an Oakland County Commissioner, during which I have been committed to making a positive and distinct difference in the lives of Oakland County residents. I have worked to protect and foster strong, accessible services for seniors, veterans, families and the hard-working men and women of Southeast Michigan. I am proud of the fact that because of my intimate knowledge of how the County works and the programs it has, I have been able to help my constituents gain access to programs for seniors, veterans and other people who could benefit from County assistance, as well as assisting them in dealing with other County-related issues. As a licensed social worker, I have been and wish to remain a strong voice at the table for health and human services. I also have the knowledge and experience to lead during a period of unprecedented changes in those areas.
Why should people vote for you?
It is undeniable that Craig Covey was a fine mayor for the City of Ferndale and is a strong advocate for a number of good causes. However, I believe that I am best suited to serve as County Commissioner for the newly formed 18th District. In my past five terms as County Commissioner, I have provided excellent and responsive constituent service to the five communities I have had the honor to represent. I have supported and am knowledgeable about all job and economic development efforts to get our communities working again. And despite being a minority member of the Commission, I have shown that I can get things done. I have leveraged my strategic position on the Finance committee to ensure that our County tax dollars are managed efficiently and spent wisely, while preserving needed County services and programs to the extent possible. I chose to run again in this challenging primary because I am the more experienced County Commissioner and because I offer a unique voice, lots of energy and passionately care about helping and serving others.
What do you think are the top responsibilities of the County Commission?
Approving the County budget and serving the residents of the five communities in the new Commission District by helping them to gain access to County services and benefits.
As a previously elected County Commissioner, what are you most proud of?
Although I have served as commissioner for almost 10 years, I never set out to be a politician. What I set out to do ten years ago was to bring my perspective as a social worker to the table. And that is what I have done. For example, I have fought for more resources for the South end of Oakland County. I helped change the philosophy of the County Park system to get a new park, Catalpa Oaks, opened in Southfield. I co-led and published a strategic plan regarding seniors that has improved senior transportation services in the County. For years, I served as vice-chair of an effort to prevent jail overcrowding emergencies and protect public safety. As a result of this initiative, the County didn’t have to spend 100 million dollars on a new jail. I was instrumental in helping the mentally ill get treatment rather than being put in jail. I also pride myself on solving problems for my constituents and the communities that I represent.
If you could pass three resolutions, what would they be?
1. Resolution to fund more job development and entrepreneurial programs
2. Resolution for County wide land bank to save homes
3. Resolution for County wide Smart millage without allowing communities to opt out of service
Anything else readers should know about you?
Please see my website, friendsofhelainezack.com