Auto Exec Seeks County Seat
An automotive executive is running for the Livingston County Commission with a goal of bringing more affordable housing to the county.
Pam Bethune became the Democratic candidate for county commission district 3 as a result of the Aug. 6 primary.
“There is a critical need for housing that is affordable for the people who work in our community in important jobs like teaching and public safety,” she said.
“People who work in service jobs in our schools, restaurants, retail establishments, and more serve important functions for our community and deserve to be able to afford to live here.
“For too long, outdated zoning laws have restricted our ability to grow and hindered the development of affordable housing options. It’s time for a change.”
Bethune suggested “infill housing options” in towns and villages that would allow duplex, multi-family housing, cottage clusters, and accessory dwelling units, as well as single family dwellings.
By increasing the density of towns and villages, the county could preserve farmland and reduce urban sprawl, she said.
For too long, Bethune said, the county commission has ignored the problem of affordable housing. “Our current county board of commissioners spends time on political theater such as declaring Livingston a ‘constitutional county’ rather than working on making the county work better and provide the opportunity for all our citizens to afford to buy or rent dwellings at a reasonable price,” she said.
She has been endorsed by the Sierra Club.
County Commission District 3 includes the townships of Unadilla, Iosco, and Putnam, plus precinct 1 in Handy Township and precinct 6 in Hamburg Township.
Bethune, of Unadilla Township, is lead auditor for IATF Automotive. She and her husband, Robert, have been married since 1977 and have lived in the county for 10 years.
She has had several positions at Kelsey-Hayes/TRW Automotive including plant manager and was director of quality for TRW. She also has been quality director for Johnson Controls and Faurecia.
She has an MBA from the University of Michigan, a BA from the University of Maryland in South Korea, and a BS from Michigan State University.
She is active in the Embroiders Guild of America in Ann Arbor and the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild.
More information is available on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561178454131, and her website, https://www.bethuneforcountycommissioner.com/.
(Paid for by Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee, 8028 Grand River, Suite 7, Brighton, MI 48114. Labor donated.)
