Former Shelby town clerk seeks support in campaign for Town Board

Posted 22 August 2017 at 3:34 pm

Editor:

My name is Gerry Zinkievich and I am running to be one of the next Town Council Persons in Shelby. You might remember me as having been in the Town Offices as a deputy town clerk, assessor’s clerk, court clerk, and lastly as the Shelby Town Clerk. These jobs gave me much insight and knowledge to most areas of the workings of the Town of Shelby.

Recently, I decided to run for Council Person as I became aware of several situations that I felt were not fair to the residents of the Town of Shelby. It is not my top desire to get involved in politics again, but I cannot sit on the sidelines and just express concern.

So I decided I had to step up and run for this position with hopes of bringing about some changes which are beneficial to the residents of the Town. I feel there needs to be more transparency with the Board so that Town residents are aware of what is going on and how it pertains to them.

The lack of a local newspaper has made it hard to communicate with residents. The Hub is a great place to read the news, but unfortunately, not all residents have computers. I would like to check in with the Hometown Extra paper that has been showing up in our mailboxes to see if we could get information out that way.  The people need a reminder of when the meetings are so they can attend if they wish. If any major happenings are occurring within the Town, the residents should be kept up to date.

My late husband and I raised our 4 children on a dairy farm on Fletcher Chapel Road. My 4 children have blessed me with 14 grandchildren, and, in turn, the grandchildren have blessed me with 3 great-grandchildren. Three of my children live in the Town of Shelby and are raising their families here. Therefore, my interests in making Shelby a better township are both personally motivated as well as caring for the residents which I used to serve as Town Clerk.

I am a member of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary and attend the East Shelby Community Church.  I have involved myself in the raising of funds for the Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund by doing a Wine Tasting in memory of my husband, brother in law and mother in law. I am not afraid of putting in extra effort to accomplish whatever needs to be done.

I tried to be a Town Clerk that was there to serve the residents to the best of my ability and to give them the work ethic they expected from me when they elected me. I start this venture with the intention of carrying through the same work ethic and service that you, the residents, expect of a person they have put their trust in by voting them into office.

With all this being said, I am asking for your vote in the September 12, 2017 primary. Polls will open at noon and close at 9 p.m. You can cast your vote at the Town of Shelby Hall on Salt Works Road.  Please take a moment to care as much as I do, and even if you choose not to vote for me, at least exercise your right to vote.

Take care and God bless!

Gerry Zinkievich

Shelby