It's official, I am now a Lodi Township Trustee! 💜
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, 2024 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: leslie@loditownshipmi.org
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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We did it y'all! I am honored and grateful to be elected to be one of your next Lodi Township Trustees. Together let's Protect the Land, Share the Process and Empower the People. Join us at the first regular Board of Trustees meeting that myself, Steve Marsh and Alex Matelski join four incumbents to become the new board (we're like City Council, only for Townships):
Tues Dec 3rd 6:30pm at
Lodi Township Hall
3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
💜
January 2024
Dear friends,
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
Oct 2024: Leslie Blackburn, running for Lodi Township Trustee, and Z share a conversation about Leslie's campaign in the upcoming election and addressing some of the concerns that are coming up in our community and taking a moment to address them in a grounded way.
Click image to Watch video or read transcript excerpts from our conversation.
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Come join us Sep 28, 2024 for our Fall Fundraiser:
You're invited! Come join us Saturday Sep 28th, meet the candidates, pick up a yard sign ... Or six!
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 💜
UPDATE from Aug 5th Primaries:
I am honored to be the top vote-getter for the Lodi Township Trustee race and that our whole Team of Six have earned the opportunity to advance to the general election Nov 5th for six of the Lodi Twp Board positions. I, and we, couldn't have done it alone, thank you.
Yard signs are sprouting!
Wanna be part of the garden? Come pick one up at open hours on Saturdays (see below) or Contact me by email, FB or IG and ask for a delivery :-)
We are excited to announce our new Campaign Headquarters at Copper Leaf Crossing. June 29th thru July you can join us every Saturday from 12 to 5pm to learn more about the upcoming election, share your thoughts, and get to know The 6! You can find us over by the picnic tables behind the education building at 4940 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. See you there!"
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
I am so grateful to be running with the support of this amazing group. The six of us have all committed to protecting and restoring our environment, strengthening communication with residents, and helping our neighbors thrive here in Lodi Township. When you vote on August 6th, make sure you vote for the 6.
