The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Colleen H. during the 2007-2008 League.
Interview With a Local Leader #5 - Mark Graham, Delta Township Planning Director
Q: How long at your current position?
A: 30 years
Q: What motivated you to seek your current position?
A: I was seeking employment in the field of Urban Planning after having attended graduate studies at the Michigan State University School of Urban Planning.
Q: How did you reach your position?
A: I was hired by Delta Township to fill the vacant Planning Director's position.
Q: What training do you think is important for your position?
A: A technical understanding of urban land use planning which would normally be required through completion of a degree in urban planning. Experience in municipal government would be very helpful as well as supervisory & communication skills.
Q: What are the greatest rewards of your job?
A: Being able to help a citizen who has a problem with a neighbor. Being involved in a project go from the site plan review stage to actual construction. Responding to a request by Township officials to draft an ordinance, subject it to the public input process and have it adopted into law.
Q: What are the biggest challenges?
A: Remaining open minded when I'm often in the middle of two quarrelling neighbors. Keeping up to date on new technology. (I'm 57 years old and computer challenged!) Staying on top of new trends in Urban Planning, Environmental Issues, and Land Use Law.
Q: What role, if any, does your faith play in your profession?
A: My faith instills in me the duty to treat everyone with respect and attempt to help them as best I can in spite of the effort which may be required.
Q: What advice do you have for a young person that wants to be involved in politics?
A: Listen first, talk later. Do your homework before you take a position on an issue. An individual can receive a lot of personal satisfaction from public service to others.
