I am honored to have taken the oath of office, along with Alex and Steve. We were sworn in by Felicia Brabec, our State Rep, at the Washtenaw County administration building then filed with Lodi Township.
We became officially qualified to take office as of Wednesday Nov 20th, at noon. Nov 20th also happens to be Trans Day of Remembrance, and I am taking time and honoring my trans siblings as I also step into this role as the first openly LGBTQIA+ elected official in Lodi Township.
Our first order of business is a special Board meeting where we will be having training on the Open Meetings Act and such:
Fri Nov 22nd 10am
Lodi Township Hall
3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
The meeting is open to the public, as are any where the Board gathers in a quorum, and if you feel called to come learn with us I would be honored to have you join us. There will be time for public comment, as required by OMA. And to be clear - I have been elected by the people and intend to make myself available to y'all so please reach out by email at any time if you have something to share or ask. I will be getting a township email address, but so far I don't have access to it so I am not sure if it's working: [email protected]
I intend to support some changes in our structure to make public access to the whole board easier, and welcome your input directly as we go.
Take care in these days as we integrate from the election, let's support each other.
Warmly, and deep gratitude
Let's do this together
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Tues Dec 3rd 6:30pm at
Lodi Township Hall
3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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After nearly 30 years of residing in southeast Michigan, my family and I settled in Lodi Township five years ago, drawn by the allure of the trees and the promise of a tranquil retreat close to quality food, community, and downtown Ann Arbor.
Our vision was to blend seamlessly with nature, and the trees led us to our current abode—a few enchanting wooded acres on the outskirts of the city in Lodi Township. However, as time passed, we found ourselves facing mounting development pressures encroaching upon our serene surroundings.
Many of you have shared in my advocacy efforts during township meetings, where for three years I've consistently been at meetings and ardently championed the preservation of our forests and land. Nature is not just an external entity to me; it's my spirituality, the medium through which I connect with myself and the world around me.
Having spent years standing up for the voiceless trees, I'm reminded of the profound interconnectedness we share with the earth, its creatures, and its flora. As we navigate the choices that shape our environment, it's imperative that we honor this bond.
That's why I'm stepping up to run for Trustee in our township, aligning with the core values of safeguarding our natural resources, as enshrined in the Lodi Twp Master Plan. Central to this plan are goals to preserve our area's character by safeguarding existing natural features.
With a background in engineering, I bring to the table organizational prowess, effective communication skills, and a commitment to marrying scientific process with ecological consciousness. And with a long lineage of rural farmers in my ancestry, I believe I can offer a connection and listening ear so that our agricultural roots are also honored into our future.
Let's embark on this journey together. I'm running for Trustee not just out of a sense of duty but because I genuinely care about our community—both human and non-human alike. Let's infuse our shared values, as articulated in our master plan and rooted in our agricultural heritage, into our present and future endeavors.
Thank you for your support.
~ Leslie
Click image to Watch video or read transcript excerpts from our conversation.
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We could really use your support! Donate to the group or Donate to us as individuals, if that's in your means, and/or volunteer.
Follow me at @LeslieforLodi for the latest.
And please come regardless, we want to meet you, no one turned away for lack of funds 💜
Photo of six humans smiling in nature on a sunny day in Lodi Township with native trees and plants in the background.
Back L to R: Alex Matelski, Eric Roberts, Finn Roberts
Front L to R: Barry Wauldron, Leslie Blackburn, Steve Marsh
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Headshot photos of Leslie in purple lapels by Xaina Fairy. Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved. Paid for by: "Leslie Blackburn for Lodi" P.O. Box 82 Saline, MI 48176.