ABOUT KEVIN SPICHER FOR SUPERVISOR
My name is Kevin T. Spicher
and I am a candidate for Genoa Township Supervisor.
I am 53 years old, and first moved to Genoa Township with my parents when I was 9. Aside from 4 wonderful years in East Lansing, I’ve never lived anywhere else. Genoa Township is my full-time home, and I agree that it’s “A Great Place to Live.” Since 1981 I have co-owned Spicher Services, a Property Maintenance Company based in Genoa Township, and live in Oak Pointe with my wife of 26 years, Diane. We have two grown children and 3 grandchildren.
When my parents decided to move to Genoa Township in 1979, they chose longer commutes to work so we could all enjoy the beautiful open spaces and rural feel. They still reside in that home on Mountain Road today, but much has changed since then.
While more change is inevitable, I would like to guide this change to the benefit of all residents, while still maintaining the traditional character of Genoa Township. Thanks to its’ prime location between two wonderful cities, with easy access to freeway travel in all directions, Genoa Township is uniquely positioned to offer many of the conveniences of a larger municipality, while still maintaining a strong rural feel.
I am seeking the Republican nomination in August because, both fiscally and socially, I am a conservative. I’m a strict constructionist with regard to the Constitution, and I mean all of it, not just an amendment or two when it suits my needs. I believe strongly in the ability of a truly free market to determine what is best for the people, not politicians. I support a very limited government, and firmly believe the people who earn the money know best how it should be spent. Government as a whole, from Washington down to the local township hall, is bloated. Politicians spend far too much money, carelessly, with little consequence for poor results. I believe in complete transparency, so “we the people” know what our elected officials are doing and can easily see where our tax dollars are going. When politicians fail to represent the public that elected them, there needs to be accountability.
Why Am I Running For Genoa Township Supervisor?
My opponent says I am running solely because of the Latson Road PUD. While the decision to approve this was certainly an egregious error in judgement, it is far from the only issue I have with the decision making of this board, and as the leader, the Supervisor and sets the tone for the board.
I have always believed that the leadership of Genoa Township rests on the laurels of having one of the lower operating millage rates in the state. While that is true, it is more the result of having a $1.5 billion taxable base, a relatively low population density, and not having any of the costly big 3 public services (police, fire, building department) under their own umbrella. I fully support operating this way, but we are the only top 50 township by population in the state of Michigan that isn’t fully on the hook for at least one of these costly services, so our taxes should reflect that. I believe I can be more fiscally responsible than the current leadership, which would allow for an even lower operating millage rate. The “wants” and “needs” must be separated, and while the “needs” have to be met, sometimes the “wants” have to wait. You and I have to make these choices everyday, why should our local government be any different?
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These are a few expenditures I question that could have allowed for a lower operating millage: we have a Taj Majal of a Township Hall, with 2 soccer fields (one lighted), and a playground park that is the envy of many municipalities. These are beautiful things, but they seem more like city style amenities than those of a rural township. The township recently purchased 23 additional acres adjacent to the existing hall, for a total of 60 acres of land. I love to preserve land, but at a cost of almost $1 million, with extensive renovations of the house on the property for additional office space still to come, I don’t think this was a fiscally responsible decision.
With regard to proposed plans or development, the State tried to put a gravel pit adjacent to some of the most populated developments in the area, and our leaders put up zero resistance. Luckily a group of concerned citizens banded together to stop it. Then an asphalt plant was proposed less than a mile from high density residential areas, and leadership was favorable until another group of citizens banded together to stop that. Now we have a significant change of zoning that was actually approved under questionable circumstances at the height of Covid lockdowns, and the landowner came back for more. Once again, another group of concerned citizens formed. Am I noticing a pattern here? Leaders who are in tune with their community, and regularly solicit feedback don’t repeatedly make decisions that require multiple large groups of citizens to fight to stop such projects.
While it’s clear to me that change and growth are inevitable due to the overall desirability of Genoa Township, I believe responsible management of future growth is of the utmost importance. In Genoa Township we are blessed to have a little bit of everything. There are industrial sites, retail complexes, high density residential housing, medium density housing, large expanses of green, and treasured farm land. Each of these areas currently exist in harmony, often separated by a buffer, mainly I-96. This balanced mix is a huge part of the attraction to Genoa Township. The current zoning was established with strong consideration given to infrastructure, traffic and effects on the natural landscape. While leadership says “shame on us” for not studying the master plan from years ago, I maintain that just because a few people put some ideas of what they wanted to see in the future into a “plan”, when the rubber meets the road, if any zoning is going to be changed, somebody needs rock solid evidence that this change is absolutely needed, can’t happen anywhere else already properly zoned in the township, or a neighboring one, and that the benefit to everyone already in the township will be so immense, nobody could possibly say no. At that point you then invite those who say “no” for a sit down and make sure the proposed change really is the right decision. A big factor many people use when deciding on a home is what is nearby, and how undeveloped land is zoned. Drastic changes to established zoning they have counted on must be made only under dire circumstances.
I believe there has to be far more transparency in Genoa Township governance. Besides meeting the required bare minimums by law for notice and posting, anytime there is a special meeting, or major agenda item regarding a major change within the Township - the meeting time, place and major issue being considered needs to be advertised far and wide, so that all interested residents can have their opinion heard. This goes for both the Planning Commission and The Zoning Board of Appeals, as well.
Just as they do for County Commission meetings, Genoa Township meetings need to be available online. They should be live streamed on the township website, or another widely available platform, and those broadcasts should be saved for public review on demand on the website, or comparable platform. If elected, I will be there to represent the people, and I have nothing to hide from them.
You’ve Never Held an Elected Office Before, How are you Qualified to be Genoa Township Supervisor?
Quite honestly, I believe the fact I haven’t been immersed in the political world is an asset. I’ve been out in the real world, running a successful business. While the goal of a Township is not to turn a profit, it still needs to set a budget based on available funds, then stay within that budget. It also needs to do everything it can to help local businesses thrive.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Financial Administration, so I understand how to manage money. I used this knowledge to help grow the lawn service my brother and I started in 1981 from a nice summer job into one of the largest Property Maintenance Companies in Livingston County, with a total client base of over 1000 properties. Running a business is very similar to running a government office. Both entities have a staff to manage, and the general public to interact with. I have a track record of low employee and customer turnover, so I believe I am good at listening to people and managing situations that arise to benefit everyone involved.
I joined the Oak Pointe Homeowners Association Board of Directors in 2005 so I could see where my dues were going. I was elected President of the OPHOA in 2009, and still hold that position today. The OPHOA is a large collective of homeowners, with a sizeable reserve fund that must be carefully managed. I’ve dealt with budgets, ordinance violations, road maintenance and repair, RFP’s and Bid Review, many of the same things a Township Supervisor must do, just on a much smaller scale. During my time on the board, I’ve also learned it’s not all about me. If an issue arises that I don’t feel strongly about, but a majority of the people that elected me support, it is my duty as their representative to listen. I must use the input of the people, and work with the board to make decisions that deliver the greatest benefit to the most people while maintaining smart fiscal policy.
I was appointed as a Livingston County Road Commissioner in 2020, and serve as public oversight of a $60 million annual budget. For comparison, general fund expenditures in Genoa Township run about $6 million annually. My experience in this position has taught me about the inner workings of a government agency; how local, state and federal funding interact; and that a balance must be struck between public demand and fiscal responsibility.
While Township Supervisor represents a step up in responsibilities, I believe my knowledge and experiences to date qualify me to step in and manage the future of Genoa Township to insure it is both “A great Place to live” and an affordable place to live.
I would like to see our Township continue to keep its’ taxes low, offer the services rural township residents expect (we chose not to live within a city limit for a reason) and also maintain the strong conservative values we have been known for throughout my time here.
Look for me on the campaign trail this Summer, and come show your support.
follow me on Facebook: Kevin T. Spicher for Common Sense Politics
visit my website: Spicherforsupervisor.com
email me directly: Spicherforsupervisor@comcast.net
Paid For By:
Kevin T. Spicher For Genoa Supervisor,
4830 Oak Tree Ct., Brighton, MI 48116