Candidate Profile: Pat Williams For Canton Township Supervisor

Pat Williams, a Canton resident is running for Canton Township Supervisor.

Age: 59
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family:Pat was born in Detroit Michigan in 1960. He and his wife of 38 years Nancy Williams, chose Canton Township 34 years ago for Canton’s great location, its excellent school district and a relatively low tax base. Pat and Nancy raised their three children Erin, Sean and Joseph in Canton. All three attended Plymouth Canton Community Schools and have gone on to have their own successful careers. Pat and Nancy were recently blessed to become grandparents to our 2nd grandchild.
Occupation:Canton Township Supervisor the past 4 years. Previously a Commercial Sales Manager with a Tier I automotive supplier that acquired the Saline Plant from Ford Motor Company. He is also a partner in a Michigan-based manufacturer of pet grooming products.

Prior to his current position, Pat was employed with a family-owned operation based in Canton. This business grew to become six separate business entities located in Canton and Livonia. Pat went on to become the Vice President and General Manager of the heat-treating division. Williams and his partners sold the company in 1998.
Previous elected experience:Township Supervisor 2016 - 2020
Township Trustee 2008 - 2016
Canton Tax Review Board
Canton Chamber of Commerce Past Chairman
Appointed by Past Gov. Snyder to Michigan Trial Court Funding Commission on behalf of Michigan Township's Association
Appointed by Past Gov. Engler to Workforce Development Board of Directors
Other local Community Based Organizations in Leadership positions
Family members in government:No
Campaign website: https://www.patforcanton.com/index.php/about-pat/family

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The number one issue today is guiding our community safely through the current pandemic. To protect Township employees and residents and other stakeholders by closely following CDC guidelines and reacting appropriately to the ever evolving situation we find ourselves in today. Also continuing to deliver the highest level of service to those who rely on Canton Township for their health and safety and other various needs. Priority still remains Public Safety, Clean Water delivery and Sewer and waste disposal. Also ongoing is the providing locally and quality of life opportunities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
True Community servant for the past 4 decades:
Canton Township
Elected Canton Trustee 2008-present
Canton Township Hall of Fame Award, 2013
Canton Commission for Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission member – 2009-present
Precinct Delegate – 2008-present
Recipient of the Canton Township Community Supporter Award, 2006
Canton Township Tax Review Board Member
Appointed Wayne – Monroe County Workforce Development Board

Community-Based Organizations
Canton Lions Club Foundation – President, 2015
Parishioner at Resurrection Catholic Parish and previously at St. John Neumann
Canton Commission for Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission Member 2009-present
Canton Chamber of Commerce –Member (Former President and Education Chair)
Canton Good Fellows’ “No Child Without a Christmas” Committee
Leadership Canton Program, Graduate of 1994-95 (Inaugural) Class
Canton Partnership for the Arts and Humanities, Sub-committee Member 2008-2016
Canton Lions Club – Board Member, 2000–2020
Wayne 11th Congressional District Republican Committee serving western Wayne County
Participant in annual BAPS Walkathon and Health Fairs for charity
Participant in Interfaith Outreach efforts
Supporter of Canton Relay for Life teams, Educational Excellence Foundation, First Step and Canton Community Foundation, among others

Plymouth Canton Community Schools
Attend regular meetings with Superintendent and local principals
Participant in 3 Superintendent Searches and Long Range Planning and Parent’s Day Planning Committees
International Exchange Student Programs Area Rep, host Family, and student (Brazil)
Field of Dreams Soccer Project, Team Leader, JV soccer field and facilities
Salem High School – Booster Club Member for football, lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling

Neighborhoods
Buckingham Place Subdivision Past President and Board Member, Transition Team Member and Architectural Review Committee
Pickwick Village Subdivision Past Board Member (Key participant in Parks rehabilitation project)

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER MY LEADERSHIP AS
CANTON SUPERVISOR
• Passed Bi-Partisan Roads Millage to fix Canton roads
• Reduced water/sewer rates the last two years after 20 years of
increases
• Introduced large bin recycling and extended landfill life
• Lead Canton community in Rescue Recovery Program
• Supervisor’s office worked with CSX (with assistance from our
Congresswoman) to radically reduce significant delays at railroad
crossings in Canton Township
• Radically reduced un-funded liabilities for community over past
several years
• Founded Canton Cares Fund
* Chairperson for SEMCOG's Transportation Coordination Council, Past Chair of Legislative Platform Committee
*Board of Directors of W.T.U.A. and 35th District Court
*Leadership Committee Member of the Conference of Western Wayne

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
The first priority would be to cease arbitrary restrictions on small businesses. The Business community is very capable of following the C.D.C. guidelines without the politicians politicizing the pandemic.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
Canton Township is a leader in this area in terms of proactively focusing Police Department and the organization to embrace the diversity that is the fabric of the Canton Community. We shall continue to work to ensure all residents have an opportunity to be involved and always feel welcomed. Canton Public Safety is a partner with N.A.A.C.P. and the Conference of Western Wayne County in our information sharing and outreach efforts as well as engagement with the local Jack and Jill Club.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
We need all facets of our community to continue to work together, and as Supervisor, I will continue to represent the citizens of Canton Township through the following actions:

I will continue to ensure that Public Safety – Police and Fire departments continue to protect our citizens in an efficient manner. I will ensure funding is in place to maintain the best Teams and employ the latest proven technologies.
I will continue to only support budget and expenditure decisions that are fiscally sound. I will provide transparency of Township spending to ensure that tax payer’s hard-earned dollars are put to best use. I will promote viable long term plans that will not require tax increases.
I will continue to only support Township Board actions that are taken on behalf of our citizens that will preserve or improve our property values, quality of life, and the attractiveness of Canton as a place to work and live.
I will continue to promote working with our State, County and neighboring City, Township Governments, and local school districts to produce positive results for Canton.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Go to www.patforcanton.com for more information