Had Joe Young made the cut on the Central Michigan University baseball team, he might have had a career in major league baseball instead of local government.
‘I wanted to play for the (Detroit) Tigers,? said Young, who began his job as the new Oxford Village manager Monday.
But despite the strong pitching arm he developed dipping ice cream at his father’s roller-skating rink, Young, who currently lives in Hazel Park, didn’t make the team.
Instead he followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a bookkeeper by trade, and became an accountant for the City of Pontiac in June 1969.
What followed was more than three decades worth of experience in local government in positions ranging from from finance director of Kalamazoo to city manager of Hazel Park to deputy mayor of Pontiac.
‘I enjoy working in the public sector,? Young said. ‘I’ve always liked public service, helping people, getting things accomplished, doing good things and working together.?
While Young was considering Oxford’s recent offer of the village manager position, he was also contemplating an offer from Pontiac Mayor Willie Payne to become deputy mayor ? again.
Even though the offer from Pontiac meant more money and a larger community, Young said he chose Oxford because ‘I could have a bigger impact in a smaller community.?
Young is no stranger to small town life as he grew up in the City of Niles, located in southwest Michigan.
‘Four of my neighbors were my aunts and uncles,? said Young, noting he comes from a large, close family.
Young said he saw Oxford as a chance to use his extensive background and experience to help the community accomplish its goals, such as cityhood, and face its challenges.
One of Young’s best attributes in his opinion is ‘bringing out the good in people.?
‘I think one of my strong points is working with people, helping to facilitate cooperation and resolve issues,? he said.
Young said he has an open-door policy when it comes to residents, business owners, employees, whomever.
‘At any time anybody can come in and if I’m not in a meeting, I’ll certainly talk with them or they can call me,? he said. ‘I want to be out in the community, visiting businesses and organizations, letting them know there’s somebody who does care and is concerned and wants to help make things better here. That’s what I strive to do.?
Young said he’s very interested in seeing what can be done to ‘promote? or ‘market? the village to ‘bring more people into town to work and live, spend money and time here, and invest in the community.?
He said he noticed the village’s logo, which depicts an outline of the village against an outline of Great Britain, and wants to pursue capitalizing on Oxford’s sister city relationship with Oxford, England.
‘Anything that can add to the community’s uniqueness,? he said.
When he’s not busy make the wheels of local government spin, Young said he enjoys playing basketball, softball, tennis, listening to music and occasionally roller-skating.
‘I was raised in a (roller-skating) rink,? he said.
He’s also looking forward to spending time with his new grandson, Dain, who was born last week. This is Young’s first grandchild. He has two grown children, a daughter, Amy, in Saginaw and son, Jeff, in Warren.
Young is also a regular church goer. He was raised as a non-denominational Christian and attends both Catholic and Baptist services.
‘To me, they’re all the same God,? he said.
Young noted he’s ‘open to any invitations? local churches may wish to extend to him.
He’s also a member of the Kiwanis Club and has asked to transfer his membership to the Oxford/Orion club.
All in all, Young is most optimistic about his future in Oxford.
‘I’m very thankful and glad to be here and am looking forward to working with everyone and moving this community forward for many, many years,? he said.