By DANIEL HERATY
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – City Councilwoman Janet Badalow announced Tuesday that she will run for city clerk.
“I am committed to making the clerk’s office responsive to the needs of the residents,” she said in a statement. “Elections, record keeping and other clerk’s office functions are changing due to the increased use of technology.”
Judy Dudzinski, who served as clerk since 2005, retired Thursday. Walter Prusiewicz was appointed by the council March 22 to fill the vacancy until her term expires in December.
“I intend to build upon the strong foundation that was created by Clerk Dudzinski, while continuing the excellent service that Dearborn Heights’ residents deserve,” Badalow said.
Badalow said she told Dudzinski that she would consider running only after she retired.
The filing deadline for all city positions in the November election is May 10. The terms of council Chairman Kenneth Baron and Councilors Elizabeth Agius and Ned Apigian expire Dec. 31.
Dudzinski supports Badalow, saying she would be a good candidate and has good ideas for the office. Dudzinski also said she and Badalow have talked about it for some time, even before Prusiewicz’s appointment.
“She has an idea of how (the office position) works,” Dudzinski said.
Badalow, who has served on the City Council since 2001, also said she is determined to make voting easier and more accessible.
“Sadly, many residents do not vote,” she said. “Many more forget when and where to vote. Young people want to get involved in the process, but do not know how. I want to address all of these issues and find low- or no-cost solutions that will work.”
Badalow said she would like to implement more technology, including text messages and email alerts, in an effort to make residents more aware of elections. She also would like to make information available on the clerk’s Website.
“I would like to have a mechanism in place to keep the people informed,” Badalow said. “I would also like to have a newsletter go out to the people. With the census, there may be some redistricting for voters.”
Dearborn Heights was one of many metropolitan Detroit communities to lose population in the 2010 census.
Badalow holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Lawrence Technological University and a master’s in business administration from Wayne State University.