Politics & Government

Treasurer Karen Goodhue Talks Customer Service, Township Ties and Election

Macomb Patch recently spoke with Karen Goodhue to learn more about the lifelong Macomb Township resident looking to retain her post as township treasurer.

A lifelong Macomb Township resident, Karen Goodhue, 62, was appointed to her current post as treasurer in 2010. She will run for election to retain that post in the August primary.

When former Treasurer Marie Malburg retired from the post in 2010, the board of trustees selected Goodhue, her daughter, from a pool of 19 candidates to hold the post until the next general election.

Goodhue, who is running as a Republican, will face fellow Republican Thomas Christ in the August primary.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A past vice president and president of the Macomb County Treasurer’s Association, Goodhue also served 15 years on the New Haven School Board, but resigned when she was appointed township treasurer.  Goodhue is also the mother of five and grandmother of 11.

Macomb Patch recently spoke with Goodhue to learn more about the lifelong resident looking to continue serving Macomb Township as treasurer.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: Why did you apply for the position of treasurer initially?

Goodhue: I was appointed two years ago from a position as the deputy treasurer. My credit union background and school board experience have been very beneficial in the transition to Treasurer. I had already started taking classes toward becoming a certified public treasurer and also had started to investigate some services our residents had been requesting such as online banking. Because this was something I was very familiar with I understood the convenience it would provide to our residents. I was able to implement those services as well as automatic withdrawal of water payments and the collection of summer taxes.

Patch: Why have you chosen to run for election?

Goodhue: I decided to run for election because I enjoy serving the residents of Macomb Township. I am a working treasurer as in I work the counter and process water bills when needed to help the department stay efficient. I write letters for residents that have mortgage or escrow issues. My customer service background reminds me how important it is to help people as much as I can.

Patch: What changes or improvements do you intend to make if elected?

Goodhue: If I retain the position as treasurer I will continue to improve on services to our residents and stay fiscally conservative. I will make educated decisions at the board level realizing it is impossible to please everyone but working for the safety and welfare of the majority.

Patch: Of what personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud?

Goodhue: The personal accomplishment I am most proud of is raising my five children, helping them receive college educations and now seeing them raise families of their own.

My most recent professional accomplishment is receiving my . To receive that certification I took classes over a three year period that covered every aspect of being a treasurer. That was a goal I set for myself and I have more goals if retained as treasurer. I feel education is the key to improving and keeping myself abreast of the changes in legislation that affect our residents.

Patch: Is there one individual who has been most influential in your life?

Goodhue: The person that has been most influential to me has been my mother. She was not afraid of hard work: raising 12 children, working on a farm, doing whatever it took to help pay the bills and then finally becoming Macomb Township Treasurer, serving 22 years. She had to make tough decisions that kept her up at night, but she used common sense and the moral decision of what is right. She was not politically motivated, just wanted to do what was right. I can only hope that I can follow in her footsteps.

Patch: What are key ways Macomb residents can make a difference locally?

Goodhue: The key ways residents can make a difference are to educate themselves on decisions and reasons behind the decisions the board must make. Please ask questions or contact your local officials. Remember there are always two sides to every story.

Patch: What do you like most about the Macomb Township community? Do you have a favorite place in Macomb?

Goodhue: Macomb Township is my home, I have lived here all my life and cannot think of anywhere else I would want to be. My favorite spot in Macomb is my backyard. I still see wildlife and enjoy the peacefulness.

Patch: What are your hobbies, or interests?

Goodhue: I'm passionate about quilting and sewing, especially for my grandkids.

Macomb Patch intends to interview all candidates with ties to, or oversight of Macomb Township. Find interviews with the township's candidates for supervisor, and Goodhue's challenger, , in the Election 2012 Guide.

All candidates are also scheduled to participate in a , open to the public, on July 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library main branch.


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