Howell attorney Tara Black Pearson is challenging District 6 commissioner Roger Deaton in the Aug. 4 Republican primary, taking the board to task for micro-managing, degrading employee morale, petty bickering and infighting, and partisan gamesmanship with the county’s purse strings.
Pearson said her election will bring “desperately needed changes” to the board, which she describes as “defunct with petty and personal-minded agendas.”
“The antics of some board members are an embarrassment. Their micro-management of departments is not just a waste of resources, it degrades employee morale,” Pearson said. “There is a reason talented and loyal employees are retiring early or just leaving, and that those positions are not being successfully filled.”
She also sees that at least half of Livingston County isn’t represented on the county board.
“There are no mothers or female small business owners on the board,” Pearson said. “There hasn’t been been a woman on the board in two years and the community can’t risk another four years with no voice and perspective from such a significant part of our residents.”
A lifelong, third-generation resident of Livingston County, Pearson graduated from Howell High School, attended the University of Michigan and Cleary University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate accounting. She earned her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and operates her own law firm. She is the wife of a Marine, and the proud parent of two Western Michigan University graduates.
Pearson has been an active community member throughout her life, volunteering in numerous roles with First Presbyterian Church of Howell, Howell Elks Lodge 2168, Howell American Legion Auxiliary, Howell Optimist Club, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of American, and the Robert and Maxine Parker Foundation. She has also supported Livingston County’s local libraries, the Howell Nature Center, Gleaner’s Food Bank, and Blue Star Service Dogs.
“I am rooted in Livingston County,” Pearson said. “I have seen the changes in our community, and there are decisions being made and actions being taken that are not in step with Livingston County values and traditions.”
Pearson said her agenda is “Livingston County as my home and the place I love, not Livingston County as the rung on a political ladder that I will only be looking down at later.”
She doesn’t believe taxpayers are receiving the full benefit of services to which they are entitled. In addition to disparate treatment in budgeting decisions that limit available services, Pearson believes the failure of board members to be cooperative and rational with other government entities negatively affects the allocation of services to residents from state and federal sources, pointing to the county not receiving more road funds from the Southeast Michigan Council of Government.
“I look forward to seeing some changes on the board,” she said.
District 6 includes includes Brighton Township Precinct 2 and 6, Genoa Township Precincts 1, 2, 3, 5, 9-12, and Oceola Township Precinct 2.
