Profile Candidate: Robert Leman

Former Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Leman is running against current  

Leman served as police chief for ten years. In 2011, . The 57-year-old resident announced in Febuary he would run for political office for the first time.

Leman has lived in Shelby Township for more than 10 years with his wife, Jean. The couple attend in Shelby Township.

Together they have three children, Kelly, Robert, Christopher, and a granddaughter Kalya, a daughter-in-law Lori, and soon to be daughter-in-law Allison. 

1. What led you to try for the post of supervisor initially?

With 10 years as a major Department Head, I am very familiar with our Township’s government operations. The current supervisor votes for projects benefiting his own special interest group of developer campaign contributors.  I cannot be bought. In my decade of protecting the township, I built up $16 million for future protection costs while expanding police protection. I know how to budget. While I was police chief, Shelby was rated as one of the safest communities in America of its size. I know how to lead. Shelby taxpayers deserve an honest leader. The people of our community deserve much better. I intend to see that I deliver that to them.

2. What do you plan to change if elected?

On day one I intend to restore honesty and integrity to the office of supervisor. I will be a full-time public servant, serving the people and no one else.  I will eliminate no-bid contracts and costly consultants to make daily operation decisions, and I will restore transparency by eliminating backroom deals.

3. If elected, what township issues would you like to focus on?  

I will rebuild and restore public confidence in our ability to serve and protect the public. And by that, I mean delivering all of the services we ought to provide in as efficient and cost effective manner as possible.

5. What personal and professional accomplishments are you most proud of? 

Professionally, I am most proud of leading one of the most professional and well-trained police departments in the state, which resulted in being named one of the safest communities in the country.  Shelby Township consistently had one of the lowest crime rates in the region while I was police chief.  Under my leadership, I was fiscally conservative, built up reserve funds of nearly $16 million dollars, and provided the means to build a new police station with no additional money from our taxpayers.  Personally, I am most proud of my wife of 33 years, Jean.  Together we have raised a beautiful family, having been blessed with very loving and successful children.

5. Is there one person who has been the most influential in your life? Who? 

My wife has been most influential in my life.  She has always strongly supported me in all my endeavors and continually encourages me, especially through the most trying times.  We also rely on each other to stay strong in our Christian faith.

6. What are key ways you would have residents make a difference locally?  

The key to a strong community is by local government building a strong trust and confidence factor with our residents.  The residents must have a voice. This is accomplished by encouraging our residents to voice their thoughts, ideas and opinions, and the board actually listening and acting on the issues for the betterment of our community, not special interests.

7. What do you like most about the Shelby Township community?

I enjoy the peace and serenity of the neighborhoods and our township’s country-like atmosphere in a metropolitan area.  My favorite spot is River Bends Park.  It is a beautiful park that offers many different amenities.