Mary Sears, Franklin Township (Houghton Co.) supervisor, will continue to serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, following her election to the position by her peers at a caucus election held during MTA’s Annual Educational Conference earlier this month in Grand Rapids. In her role on the Association Board, Sears represents MTA District 1, which encompasses Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties. Serving Michigan’s 1,240 townships, MTA is the largest municipal association in the state and one of the largest in the nation.
Her service on the MTA Board will benefit the Upper Peninsula communities that she will represent on the board—as well as all of Michigan’s townships. “My role as District 1 director allows me to help guide changes needed to compete in the ever-changing landscape that is township government,” Sears said. “It allows me to listen to the problems and concerns of townships across Michigan, and lobby for their solutions from our state lawmakers—or in some cases relay ideas from one township to another for solutions.”
Serving Michigan residents is nothing new for Sears, who was an intensive care unit nurse for more than 30 years until her retirement in 2012. She has been supervisor for seven years, and previously served Franklin Township as trustee for four years. She was a member of the planning commission for two years. She is president of the Houghton County MTA Chapter and has been involved in many local, county and state organizations, including the Keweenaw National Park Advisory Commission, Houghton County Recreation Authority, Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce and Hancock Rotary, to name just a few. She is a founder and chair of the Upper Peninsula Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) and a board member of the Michigan CPAC.
####
The Michigan Townships Association advances local democracy by fostering township leadership and public policy essential for a strong and vibrant Michigan.