Dear Neighbor,

My name is Michael Essany and I am running for Center Township Trustee to provide fresh leadership in an office that has been occupied by the same individual for nearly 30 years.

Trustee Chuck Conover is a good man who has served his community honorably. But I respectfully ask you to consider a fresh course in 2010.

Despite a large government salary, the Trustee is presently available fewer than four hours a day for only four days a week. And while the inaccessibility of the office has been criticized for years, few have ever challenged Mr. Conover in an election.

I believe you deserve a choice. And, so, if elected, I will do the following:

• Mandate a 40 hour work week for the Trustee and slash the bloated township government payroll 10% in my first budget.


• Work aggressively with the township advisory board to help our unemployed neighbors get back to work and off of public assistance.


• Modernize an office that hasn't changed hands since the early 1980's with a robust online presence and greater transparency and accountability.

I respectfully ask for your support and encourage any questions you may have.

In 2009, Michael was honored by Valparaiso University as "One of the 150 Most Influential VU Graduates in History"

Michael graduated with honors from Valparaiso University in 2005 with a degree in Public Administration in the department of Political Science.
 
Michael has served as Vice President of Indiana Grain Company since 2008 and is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade.



Michael is a Center Township Precinct Committeeman.
 
In 2008, Michael became a bestselling author with his first nationally published work.
 
Michael, his wife Christa (a teacher), and their 6-month
old daughter, Gianna, reside in Valparaiso.