Tyler seeks Berrien clerk

Published 8:11 pm Friday, November 11, 2011

By AARON MUELLER
Dowagiac Daily News

Berrien County will have a new clerk in 2012, and it might be a familiar face.
Current Clerk Louise Stine, who has served in that role for 21 years, this week announced she will not seek re-election.
Then, Dowagiac’s state Rep. Sharon Tyler, R-Niles, announced Friday she will not run for re-election to the House of Representatives but will pursue the county clerk’s post.

Rep. Sharon Tyler

Tyler said she has always had an “admiration and respect” for the office of county clerk and has wanted to serve in that role at some point in her career.
“What I have seen is the Berrien County Clerk’s office seat doesn’t open very often,” she said in a phone interview Friday. “So I decided it was time.”
Tyler said she was recently approached by Stine, who asked her to consider running for the office.
“I’m honored to have Louise’s support,” Tyler said. “It will be a tough role to replace Louise because she has brought so much…I am prepared to continue that legacy if elected.”
Tyler, who serves on the House Redistricting and Elections Committee, has worked on legislative reforms to expand transparency in government and elections. She has sponsored several pieces of legislation currently before the committee.
“Michigan residents deserve to know the truth when it comes to ballot initiatives,” Tyler said. “I have been working closely with local clerks from across Berrien County to make common sense changes in Lansing.”
Tyler said she accomplished one of her main goals as a state legislator in helping to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax, which she calls “a job killer.”
“The Michigan Business Tax is gone, and now we’re reinventing Michigan for jobs,” she said.
She said she is now ready for a new challenge.
With her background in economic development and state and local government, Tyler says she is a well-rounded candidate for clerk.
“I know how to communicate well and the meaning of being a public servant,” she said. “I will make sure we put the people first.”
Tyler spent 18 years with the Berrien County Economic Development Department and 12 years with the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance. She also served as interim Niles city administrator and Lincoln Township trustee.
Tyler plans to complete her current term as representative.