Fowlerville News and Views
September 2010
Cindy Denby is seeking a second two-year term in the Michigan House of Representatives. The Fowlerville legislator represents the 47thDistrict which covers western Livingston County, the northern part of the county and the southern part (a horse-shoe shaped geography).
She was unopposed in the recent Republican Primary. Facing her in the November General Election is Democratic candidate Garry Post of Hamburg.
Cindy with one of her younger constituents.
Discussing her first year-and-a-half in office, Denby said, “The most important accomplishment, I feel, is that I have demonstrated a commitment to the importance of the job. I have taken the responsibility of representing my constituents seriously and maintained a 100 percent voting record, something few legislators in Lansing have done.”
She feels her record as a conservative legislator is why several organizations have endorsed her re-election. They include the Small Business Association of Michigan, Farm Bureau, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, and Michigan Association of Police Organizations. “These are only a few,” she added.
Denby listed a couple of specific projects she has worked on that she feels are important. “I am co—chair of the Equine Caucus along with Rep. Hike Huckleberry (D) of Greenville. We formed this to address some of the issues facing this part of the agricultural economy in Michigan. We feel, along with many other legislators on both sides of the aisle, that it is seriously threatened by some policies that have been put into place in the state. People involved with the horse industry in Michigan employ over 12,000 people with quite a few of those in Livingston County. We need to be sure we keep those jobs here in Michigan.”
She noted that she also chaired the Republican Task Force on Agriculture last summer when many in the legislature took a break. “Traveling to many locations in Michigan last summer, we held hearings and toured many different facilities representing agriculture in the state,” she said. “Being able to get the perspective of these experts in agriculture enabled us to present a report with recommendations for legislation and changes in the way we support and regulate agriculture in Michigan.
Agriculture is the second largest economic driver here, not far behind manufacturing. The last solid numbers we have are from 2007 when agriculture was responsible for over $70 billion in economic impact and has been a growth area over the last five years.”
Denby also pointed to her participation on the Republican Jobs Task Force last year that held one of its hearings in the county. In addition, she was the co-chair of the Bipartisan Caucus Committee on Education Funding. “We worked over the course of several months at the request of the Speaker and were able to formulate several action items to be taken that would help alleviate the crisis we are facing in funding K-12. This is of grave importance considering our school districts in Livingston County are at the bottom levels in state funding.”
She noted that she’s also been involved in an effort to balance the budget at an earlier date. “I was part of a group of legislators who have presented a balanced budget back in early spring of last year and again this year,” she said. “The Republican caucus in the House presented this plan early enough so that those relying on state funds would have the appropriate numbers to set their budgets in a timely way. I have been ready and waiting to work on the budget both years. Not being in the majority in the Michigan House, though, has meant I have little or no control over the timetable or items that are presented for a vote.”
Denby said what she’s most proud is “her office’s response to and work on behalf of the thousands of residents who have contacted her with problems or concerns or questions. “My office’s number one function is to take care of constituent issues and we have a great record of helping as many people as possible. I have an experienced legislative staff and as a former legislative aide myself, we quickly know who to call to cut through some of the government red tape or get answers to questions that people have.
“I’ve always tried to work on behalf of the residents of the District,” she said. “I have made it a priority to ensure I am out in different areas of the District regularly and seek opportunities to visit and listen to the concerns of different constituent groups. I try to attend as many functions as possible while spending the time needed in Lansing to represent them. An example of this is that I just learned I received a 100 percent on the Senior Scorecard from the Area Agency on Aging. Talking with senior citizens in the district ensured I voted representing their concerns.”
She has memberships in several area groups, including the Farm Bureau, the Fowlerville Business Association, the Hartland Chamber of Commerce, the Howell Chamber of Commerce, the Pinckney Lakeland Hamburg Hell Chamber of Commerce, and the Michigan Equine Partnership.
Denby was born in Howell and attended school there until ninth grade. Her parents, Chuck and Barb Keesler, at that time bought the furniture store in Downtown Fowlerville and the family moved here. She graduated from Fowlerville High in 1974 and then took a two-year business program at Lansing Community College.
“I worked for the family business for 10 years,” she said, “and then owned and operated Office Management Systems, doing bookkeeping, for 10 years. I was also the part time recording secretary for Handy Township for several years.”
It was that latter experience that led her to elective office. She was elected to two terms as Handy Township Clerk, serving from 1992 to 2000. She then was elected as the supervisor of the township and served in that office from 2003-08.
While serving in those offices, she was a member and past chair of the Livingston County Economic Development Council, as well as serving on the Fowlerville Downtown Development Authority, the Fowlerville Local Development Finance Authority, and the Fowlerville Fire Board.
From 2003-2008 Denby was the legislative aide for state Rep. Joe Hune who served six years in the House, representing the 47thDistrict. She then succeeded him in 2008.
“My relevant experience as a Livingston County business owner and elected official gives me a well-rounded background to understand what businesses and families in our area are facing,” she said. “My first priority is continuing my work to bring and keep jobs in Michigan for the residents of the 47th District.”
Denby and her husband, Fred, have been married 34 years. They have two grown children: Anglea who resides in New Jersey and Brandon (Tina) who live in Holt. The couple resides in rural Handy Township.
For those wishing more information about Denby’s candidacy, go to her web site: www.CindyDenby.com
Original Article: http://www.fowlervillenewsonline.com/component/content/article/724-denby-seeking-second-term-in-michigan-house-of-representatives