Michael Flynn Announces Plans to Run for Shelby Township Treasurer

Shelby Township Trustee Michael Flynn is hoping residents have taken note of his fiscal policies and will vote him in as treasurer during the 2012 elections.

Flynn has until May 15 to turn in signed petitions to officially enter the race, which he said he plans on collecting once the weather breaks.

However, he told Patch he formed a candidate committee last year and already has a star-studded fundraiser planned to help fund his political campaign.

The campaign will officially kick off March 14 with a dinner at the Palazzo Grande. For ticket information, click here.

Flynn, 41, was voted in as Trustee in 2008, along with Supervisor Rick Stathakis and Trustee Doug Wozniak.

“I care about this community. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t,” said the 14-year Shelby Township resident, who has been the subject of two separate .

Flynn, who owns Shelby-based pneumatic equipment supplier Plant Maintenance Direct, said he believes his work in the private sector gives him an understanding of “real world” financial responsibilities. 

As a trustee, Flynn said he has worked hard to rein in out of control spending plans by previous township boards.

“We put a stop to outlandish building projects, and balanced the budget without layoffs or tax increases,” he said.

Since the current Shelby Township budget is balanced, Flynn said his primary focus would be on dealing with pension and legacy issues.

“At this point we need to deal with some of those long-term problems. ... It’s something that has to be addressed because the current business model is not a sustainable one,” Flynn told Patch.

Current Treasurer Paul Viar has not announced whether or not he’ll run for office in the next general elections.

Former police chief Robert Leman is the only other person who has announced his candidacy for the Shelby Township Board of Trustees. Leman has entered the supervisor’s race, and already filed the petitions necessary to run in the November general elections.