By annie gregg, JRN 101 student
Orland Township clerk Cindy Murray has always been an active member of her community. Even as a mother and a full-time accountant, she always enjoyed participating in community events and encouraging her family to do the same.
So, when approached by a group from Orland Township to run for the position of clerk, her answer was clear. Her primary role in this position is as the official record keeper, but she is intimately involved in plenty of the services and events that the township provides.
As election season fatigue plagues the nation, local government offices like Orland Township focus on serving the community.
Although the township works around the clock to make improvements in the lives of community members, these efforts often fly under the radar, Murray says: “There’s a lot of misunderstandings about the township, and a lot of people don’t realize what we provide.”
The township provides health services, senior services, youth and family services, and much more. Officials plan events to help raise money for these programs and to get the community connected and involved around a good cause.
Things like the Pet-Palooza benefit the township’s Pet Pantry, which runs in tandem with the typical food pantry. Another event, Senior American Idol, benefits the township’s local scholarship foundation.
Murray says that her favorites are typically the senior’s events and services, for a very special reason. When her mother, who has passed away, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Murray wasn’t sure where to turn to look for resources.
As she describes it, dealing with parents aging is something you go through once, so it can be challenging. Even though her mother didn’t live within the township, she was still able talk to someone who pointed her to resources for her mom.
As for Orland Township’s services for seniors, Murray says, “It provides them a place to go and keep their identity.”
One of the new events that Murray envisioned and shared with the Youth and Family services is Mind Matters. This event focuses on the importance of recognizing mental health issues. Mind Matters held its first event in May and plans to build upon its initial success.
Politics can be divisive and all-consuming in seasons like these, but Murray wants to remind citizens that local government is there to serve them and their loved ones.
Her message for students and young people?
“Stay involved in your community and vote, make your voice heard, and use the resources your community provides.”
Velocity 
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