Canton Twp. Supervisor Candidate Profile: Anne Marie Graham-Hudak

Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, a Canton Township resident is running for Canton Township Supervisor.

Age: 58
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Family:Husband Hadley, Children at home: Hadley and Elise, grown children: Martin and Jonathan
Occupation:Automotive Engineer for 25 years, currently at Ford, Aviation Communications engineer at FAA and MDOT for 5 years
Previous elected experience:Currently a Canton Township Trustee elected in 2016
Family members in government:Sister is a civil engineering manager with the National Forest Service
Campaign website: https://www.VoteAnneMarie.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Canton needs leadership to put families first in meeting the COVD-19 challenges. Quality of life starts with protecting the health of our residents and employees, and it is also important to safeguard our economic well-being. It is also imperative to create a program that continually reaches out to our vulnerable community members and neighbors to ensure no one falls through the cracks. This should be accomplished with continual phone outreach programs and partnerships with organizations and faith groups who have their ear to the ground. Extensive outreach and partnerships with our businesses through our Chamber, including those businesses who do not belong to our Chamber is also important in meeting the challenge of COVID-19.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Canton needs a forward-thinking supervisor and compassionate leader that has been a voice for residents for over 25 years, and has the technical experience to bring jobs, technology and partnerships to serve Canton. Canton has looked too much into the past and it is important to move forward to serve residents and keep them safe. I have been working to bring this diverse community together through many avenues for over 25 years. As Chair of the Plymouth-Canton Citizens for Diversity and Inclusion (PCCDI) in 2008, I led a progressive group of community members to make this community fair, just and inclusive for all. I began speaking and pushing for inclusiveness before it became a popular phrase. I will always speak out against divisive and hate speech that divides our residents and country.
When the recent kidnapping plot against our Governor occurred, or when Muslim bans occurred, I publicly spoke against them and stood for our residents, while my opponent did not. As a resident of Canton, I stand for leaders who represent the best interests of my community, versus supporting a political party and policies that do not.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As an engineer in the automotive industry, I assembled and led public/private/educational partnerships in various capacities to move business and technology forward to serve the companies I worked for, as well as bettering customers lives. Most recently, working in the sustainability group, I have worked to reduce company emissions and improve our environment.
As Trustee I worked to improve infrastructure, spearheaded a strong ethics ordinance and push for a connected walkable community as planning commissioner. I located grants that the township utilized to save residents money and reduce waste going to landfills through recycling. I also pushed to reduce traffic in development areas and worked with Senator Stabenow to require the railroads attend meetings to stop unsafe track blocking in Canton. I led sessions to protect seniors against ID theft with Attorney General Dana Nessel, and with our police leadership on youth diversion program. Together, this will be the best place for families to call home.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
Funding should come from the federal government to bolster the states ability to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses. Grants should continue to be offered to businesses to keep their doors open. Local and state governments should review their business policies to ensure they are not placing hardships on local businesses. Canton relaxed its sign ordinances to help businesses have the ability to place signs near the street to advertise their hours. However, we still need to review our sign ordinances into the future as many businesses find them restrictive, and policies should be business friendly.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
Our community has been proactive and worked with our public safety departments since 2008, including when I chaired Plymouth-Canton citizens for diversity and inclusion (PCCDI). Frequent communications and education are vital in eliminating racial bias and building an inclusive community. PCCDI, the interfaith outreach group and The Beloved Community have partnered with faith groups, public safety leadership and Michigan Roundtable to educate township and community stakeholders on cultural and racial competence. These conversations must continue with more organizations. Some of these group members have also assisted in some public safety situations requiring cultural sensitivity.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
As Michigan's 11th largest municipality we have to stop living in the past and become leaders in 21st century technology that protects and serves our residents, reduces traffic and congestion and increases transportation options to keep residents safe. I'm looking forward to Governor Whitmer's recently announced mobility corridor which goes through Canton on Michigan Avenue. This has the exciting possibility of bringing jobs, economic development, smart development, as well as technology and safety to serve our residents far into the future. We can do all of this, but not alone, it's going to take 21st century business and education partnerships and grants, which I have experience with in my career.
With suicide and opioids on the rise, it's more important now than ever that we have good public safety partnerships. With my path of working with public safety in community organizations and trustee, I am the right person to bring this about. As Supervisor, I will strengthen the bonds that hold our diverse community together, I will make sure we hold elected officials accountable. I will prioritize accessibility by creating the first ever green walkable community plan for Canton township.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Canton is where my husband and I chose to raise our kids and build our future. We believe walkable neighborhoods, strong schools and the diversity that helps our children locally and globally are invaluable.
I'm proud to have the endorsement of many of the working men and women in local and state organized labor, including our own police officers. I am also proud to be the first supervisor candidate that has been endorsed by the MEA. I am the only candidate in this race who has refused campaign contributions from developers and contractors. A practice I've seen for much too long in this township.
Working to make our diverse community stronger and more cohesive has been one of my passions for most of my life. My husband and I believe walkable neighborhoods, strong public schools and the diversity that helps our children locally and globally are invaluable.
What we build and what we leave for future generations must last; it is our obligation and our legacy.