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| Ellen Craig-Bragg |
Now, they can prove it.
Romulus City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg has been named the City Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. She was to be honored yesterday at a luncheon during which Michigan Secretary of State Joceyln Benson was scheduled to present her with the award in response to her long list of accomplishments in the Romulus community.
Craig-Bragg said she was “deeply honored” to have been nominated for the prestigious honor.
Craig-Bragg began her public service career in 2005 when she was elected to the Romulus City Council. She was only the second African American to serve as an elected city council member in Romulus.
At the time, she was employed with the Romulus Community School District where she worked for 12 years before leaving in 2009 when she was first elected as Romulus City Clerk. She has been overwhelmingly re-elected by voters at every election since.
During her 12-year career as Romulus City Clerk, Craig-Bragg has worked to improve community relations, streamline processes, increase efficiencies and transparency in her office. She created a “TEAM” concept work environment and was able to rebuild the clerk's office after major budget cuts, reducing the overall budget by 24 percent. Craig- Bragg has worked to codify city ordinances and the city charter using Municode; re-established the Romulus Charter Review Committee; implemented the BS&A Business License Software and implemented new software to create electronic council packets. All while making service to the residents her priority.
Her list of accomplishments and improvements in city governance includes service to the public in every service her office provides.
Craig-Bragg consolidated city voting precincts from 18 to 12; implemented EPB, including dual EPB; overhauled election inspector training, created a comprehensive handbook; implemented Public Service Announcements to educate voters; oversees mock election demonstrations for middle and elementary school students; created a newsletter with voter information and updates and frequently visits with senior citizens to assist with the absentee voting process.
In addition, Craig-Bragg also established a Cemetery Board of Trustees, Cemetery Ordinance, and Cemetery Rules & Regulations pamphlet. She implemented the Pontem Software to manage cemetery records and online burial searches.
Craig-Bragg worked with “Wreaths Across America” which provided wreaths to place on the graves of veterans in the Romulus cemetery, and helped generate $1500 for a disabled veteran and his family. She also assisted the Cemetery Board of Trustees with fundraising to purchase trees and three Victorian gates for the cemetery.
Craig-Bragg's accomplishments are enhanced by her drive to always make it a priority to be involved in local and community activities and affiliate with local, county, and state organizations that address community improvement and social causes.
She volunteers on the Romulus Drug Task Force, Dr. Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, Pumpkin Festival Committee, and she is the director of music for the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Craig-Bragg is a member of the Association of Wayne County Clerks, Wayne County Executive Urban Alliance of Michigan Task Force, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Black Caucus, MAMC, IIMC, and Michigan Association of Municipal Cemeteries. She holds her MiPMC and CMC credentials and said she believes “There is and always will be room for improvement.”
Craig-Bragg and her husband, Stanley, have been married for 34 years. She is the mother of three, and grandmother of four.
