MEET LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER (INCUMBENT)
KAREN L. MILLER
Running for the 4 year term - ending 11/10/2027
I am a thorough, thoughtful decision maker who will continue to work to prevent bad things from happening to our City, rebuild the important things and celebrate the good things.
Check out THE TRUTH ABOUT… me, my votes and what you should know about how I’ve tried to address how our City has been MISMANAGED under the leadership of Mayor Garrett and Pro-Tem Kantor.
The mismanagement and poor decision making, as well as the decline in services and general sense of community that Lathrup Village had long been known for, that we have witnessed over the last 6 years is astonishing. I do not have confidence or trust in Mayor Garrett or Mayor Pro-Tem Kantor. They have been in power together for 6 years, catering only to a small group of residents, while I have only been on Council for LESS THAN 2 YEARS – not nearly enough time to get to the bottom of the tangled mess and damage that has been done. I ran in 2021 due to the gross mismanagement exhibited by this crew; unfortunately they’re all still in place and little has changed in that time. But Garrett is running again in this election - and it’s time to hold her accountable for this mismanagement, which has gotten progressively more negligent throughout her 12 years on Council.
And that is why I am running for another term – this mission is going to take more time to DECONSTRUCT, put an end to the dysfunction and self-dealing, AND REBUILD. Someone must continue to stand up and fight for those of you who continue to be unheard. I am a thorough, thoughtful decision maker who wants to prevent bad things from happening to our City, rebuild the important things and celebrate the good things.
What do Lathrup Village residents DESERVE? Respect. To be heard. A voice in how your tax dollars are spent. I'm running for a second term on the Lathrup Village City Council to continue to serve you. Many of you know me as a 34-year resident, neighbor, friend, mother and committed public servant. If you’ve seen my name in recent propaganda, here are some important things you should know about the woman behind the name and my pledges to you.
MY PLEDGES TO YOU
I remain committed to the prospect that our City leadership can, and must, do better for all of our residents. I will continue to ask tough questions about how your money is spent and will hold people accountable to LV residents. If that’s important to you, I hope I can count on your vote!
1. I work for YOU
My votes are representative of the community. I need and want your input. If you have questions or concerns, I want to hear from you. If you have suggestions or ideas, I want to hear from you. There is no purpose to this position without you.
2. I am transparent, accountable and responsive
Over the past two years I’ve worked to give Lathrup Village residents a voice. I’ve been transparent, accountable and responsive. I do my homework and cast thoughtful votes. I’ve voted “no” often and will continue to vote against anything that negatively affects our future fiscal health or lacks vision to protect our community. I stand behind my votes, welcoming the opportunity for conversation.
3. I believe that connected communities are strong communities built to last
We all know that Lathrup Village has been a strong tight-knit community but we've got problems that are threatening our connection and our future. There is a lack of accountability to residents. Decisions are being made that will negatively affect our future fiscal health. Some City leaders don't understand how Democracy works. I served Southfield Public Schools for 14 years as a member of its school board and know what effective governing looks like. This isn't it.
GOALS
Prioritize residents
Keep decision-making focused on residents, who are at the top of the organizational chart in our City Charter
Remain committed to fiscal responsibility
Set resident and community-based priorities and live within our means
Continue saying no to anything that lacks vision to protect and defend the longevity and fiscal health of our community
Keep fighting to give residents a voice and say in how your money is spent
Strengthen community connections
Focus on children and young people to attract and retain families
Expand opportunities and resources to connect and communicate with residents
Form resident-led committees to identify and prioritize needs, match resources with needs and provide oversight for:
City Services
Infrastructure
Parks & Recreation
Communication: Website, LVTV, CRM, Texting, Social Media, Zoom
Resources: CDBG & other grants; Senior Aid; County & State programs
Take a proactive approach to Community Development
Go after what we want not what comes to us
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree - Community Development/Public Administration
Community leader, advocate, volunteer, mother - 35+ Years
Bussey Center; McIntyre & Stevenson Elementary; Birney Middle; Southfield-Lathrup High
Lathrup Village City Council - 2021 to Present
Southfield Public Schools’ Board of Education - 1993 to 2010
President; Vice President; Secretary; Treasurer
Southfield Public Schools’ Legacy Hall of Fame
Warrior for Education - 2018
Business Owner/Entrepreneur
Realtor® and Mortgage Loan Officer - 2004 to Present
Lathrup Village Supper Club Organizer
Lathrup Village Planning Commission - 2014 to 2019
Co-Chair 2015 to 2019
Lathrup Village Womens Club
Lathrup Village Historical Society Lifetime Member
Lathrup Village 2023 Garden Tour Sponsor
Content on this page approved by Karen L. Miller for Lathrup Village