With the primary election just under a week away, I believe it useful to provide a summation of the stark differences in approach to governance between me and my opponent. To begin, why should anyone “Pick Drick”? What has Jay Drick actually done to warrant placing trust in him to represent the residents of Marion Township and the City of Howell?
Drick’s campaign has been singularly focused on the county’s low tax rate — but that low tax rate was with us well before he joined the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and it’ll remain long after he departs; afterall, there’s no question that a low tax rate keeps more money in household budgets, is an incentive for business capital investment and job creation.
His singular fixation on our low taxes prevents critical financial analysis. He willingly bad mouthed an entire elected city council for daring to try to fix a significant financial problem. Apparently, simply trying to restore tax rates to pre-recession levels caused by the 2008 economic downturn and inflamed by the dysfunctional Michigan fiscal model is worthy of an attack. He either doesn’t understand the dynamics of Michigan’s broken fiscal system, or he simply doesn’t care.
Being a fiscal conservative requires honest budgetary assessments. Budgets should always reflect community priorities, ensuring a balance between revenues, expenditures, and needs. It also requires spending wisely available revenue and accepting external funding that can alleviate any pressures on the county budget. He failed in the following instances:
- He placed his personal interests before that of the community in late 2020 by spearheading salary increases for the Board of Commissioners – all during state ordered pandemic shutdowns with many in our community unable to work. Again, he was more interested in lining his own pocket than keeping the money in the county budget where it could benefit the entire community.
- He voted to needlessly expend our tax dollars for an external search for a new director for the Livingston County Health Department when a qualified candidate who knows our county already exists in the department.
- He voted not to accept $1.5 million for the Health Department last September (Resolution 2021-09-156) but reversed course and voted to accept those funds this past March (Resolution 2022-03-040). Yet, he doubled down in recent press reporting on why he voted to reject the funds. Either he has no idea that he eventually voted to accept the funds, or he doesn’t want to admit to flip flopping.
- Since he’s apparently fixated on low taxes, he has failed to publicly support the men and women of the Howell Area Fire Authority in their millage renewal — an essential millage that directly impacts our public safety.
So, by “Picking Drick,” we can expect more decisions absent honest analysis and common sense, driven solely by a fixation on low taxation or eliminating them all together. We could expect additional decisions that are more self-serving than decisions serving all residents.
This Aug. 2, we have a choice in the Republican primary on who will possibly represent the people of Marion Township and the City of Howell. It is a tale of two candidates, two different type Republicans with differing approaches and leadership styles.
My opponent is blinded by ideology and an obsession with cutting taxes while I am pragmatic and realistic, willing to tackle problems head-on. My opponent will represent only those who agree exactly with his way of thinking while I pledge, as I did as Howell’s Mayor, to represent all residents. He is willing to demonize those that don’t precisely align to his ideology while I seek inclusivity and diversity of thought by reaching out to include an array of different ideas.
The opportunity for change is now. If voters place their trust in me, I will continue to be active in and be seen around the community, available to all residents to identify and work on issues together. I will bring pragmatic, common-sense conservatism and leadership to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners.
Nick Proctor is the former mayor of the City of Howell, and a Republican candidate for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners’ 5th District, which encompasses the City of Howell and Marion Township.
