Q. What does the Supervisor do?
A. In addition to attending and voting at meetings like other Board of Trustees members do, the township supervisor has some extra duties.
The supervisor helps set the meeting agenda, moderates and facilitates the Board of Trustees meetings, works with the township manager, maintains records, helps develop the budget, signs any new ordinances that are approved by the board, and acts as the agent for the township.
Q. What experience do you have?
A. I have many years of experience running a profitable small business, serving on the boards of non-profits, volunteering, and working in start-ups (where I filled many roles at once on a day-to-day basis, regardless of my titles). I am good at listening, finding commonalities where opinions differ, building consensus, and finding solutions.
Q. Why are you running for Supervisor?
A. I believe it’s important for all voters to have a choice on the ballot, rather than only one option for an office. I love this place and believe that local government matters! I am a frequent attendee at township meetings, and want to be even more involved. You can read about my priorities here.
I believe party affiliation has no role in governing our township. Residents deserve elected officials who truly care about them and want the best for our township. We can work together regardless of party affiliation (or lack thereof) rather than making it a partisan thing.
Q. Are you part of Ottawa Impact?
A. No, I am not affiliated with Ottawa Impact in any way, and I do not support them. It should also be pretty clear that I am not a politician, because here I am giving straight answers to simple questions.
Q. How can I vote for you?
A. You can vote for me on page 2 of the ballot for the November general election! To vote for me, turn to page 2 and select Jackie Beck in the Partisan Section under Supervisor. You can select my name there even if you have otherwise chosen to vote a Straight Party Ticket and it will count. Be sure to vote both sides of your ballot in November so you can have your say in all levels of government! Local candidate offices will be decided in this election.
Q. When can I vote for you?
A. Election day is Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. To find your election day polling place, go here.
In-person early voting at a different location is available starting October 26th and ending November 3rd. Early in-person voting locations and hours are available here.
You can also vote absentee if you prefer beginning September 26th. Doing so allows you to get your ballot early and take a little more time in filling it out. Then you can either mail it back, drop it off at the township drop box, or bring it with you in person to the polls. Information on absentee voting is available here. Good websites to research candidates are Ballotpedia and Vote411.
Q. Are you in support of maintaining public lake access?
A. Absolutely, and there should be more of it!
Q. How do you feel about what happened with the airport?
A. I’m sad it’s closed.
Q. I’d like to put a sign up of yours. Where can I get one?
A. Thank you! Just fill out this form and I will place one in your yard. (I’ll pick it up after the election is over as well.)
Q. What is your stance on short term rentals?
A. I believe it’s in the hands of the court now regarding grandfathering in the old ones, and that new ones are prohibited except in the C-2 Resort Service District. (Park Township passed an ordinance in March 2024 that made that clear, so it’s not something that’s being debated.)
Personally I believe a small number of them is fine and can be beneficial to our community. If any change is made in the future, it should be a voter decision so that everyone has a voice. I think it’s important to hear from everyone in the township.
We live next door to someone else’s STR that has been here for years, and I now have one. Because of that, if elected and the topic came up again, I would recuse myself from any future board votes on whether or not STRs should be allowed in residential areas, as that would be a conflict of interest.
Q. Are you part of PTN?
A. Yes, I am part of the 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, which was founded with the idea of improving neighbor relations. Unfortunately it is currently engaged in a lawsuit against the township.
If elected, I would recuse myself from any votes or township discussion related to the lawsuit after taking office on November 20th, as that would be a conflict of interest. The case is set to go to trial one day later on November 21st, so it would likely be in the court’s hands by then anyway.
Q. Are you part of any other organizations?
A. Yes, I am a volunteer with the Ottawa County Medical Reserve Corps and the Plutus Foundation. (Links do not imply endorsement; they are for your reference only.)
Q. What are your other interests?
I am a personal finance blogger and an artist, and I love DIY, travel, and photography. I’m also a huge fan of the outdoors, hiking year-round and kayaking in the summer.