DEARBORN — Dearborn City Council Candidate Colette Richards says Dearborn’s diversity is what makes it unique. She is running for office because of her admiration for the City and her aspirations to help make Dearborn a better place to live for future generations. 

“I absolutely love the City and its diversity,” Richards said. “The Arab community is what makes Dearborn different.” 

Richards says that serving on City Council will give her the opportunity to voice the concerns of residents, by bringing them to the attention of other council members. “I want to be a voice for the people,” she said.  

Richards.

Richards has been self-employed, as an independent consultant, since 1999.  She has lived in the City since 1998. She has a 13-year-old son, who was born in Dearborn and who attends Dearborn Public Schools, and a 12-year-old step son. Her husband, Scott Starks, is a lifelong Dearborn resident and graduated from Edsel Ford High School. 

Richards has been active in the community for years. She currently represents Dearborn on the Wayne County Parent Advisory Committee. She was also vice chairperson for the Parent Advocate for Families in Dearborn Public Schools, from 2007 through 2012. 

As the mother of a special needs child, Richards served as president of the Dearborn Special Education PTA. She has also been heavily involved and has served on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Dearborn for a number of years.  

She currently serves as a board member for the Dearborn Rotary Club, and was elected to her third term in December 2012; is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Southeast Michigan Blood Services Division and is serving her second term on the Dearborn City Beautiful Commission. 

Richards takes great pride in her work with the PTA, which she has served in various capacities, including president from 2004-2012. During her tenure with the organization, she worked to bridge the divide between residents on the City’s west and east side, so that they may work collaboratively on issues of concern. 

In 2008, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Dearborn PTA Council and, in 2012, the Council Member of the Year Award from William Ford PTA. 

She was the campaign manager for Dearborn School Board Member Roxanne McDonald in 2011, and also worked on State Representative George Darany’s campaign in 2010. 

Richards said that the support she has received for her campaign from the community has been overwhelming. To learn more about her campaign, visit her Facebook page, or website: www.coletterichards.com.