What type of development will Springfield Township see in the years ahead, and where will it go? Will township leaders continue to protect the area’s natural resources and rural character? How will tax dollars be spent, and what services will’and won’t’be available for residents?
Sixteen candidates want a shot at answering these questions, filing nominating petitions by May 13. Springfield Township Clerk Nancy Strole said her office was very busy as the 4 p.m. filing deadline approached.
‘It’s really not typical,? she said. ‘We seemed to have a higher than usual number of individuals filing on the last day, and close to the last hour.?
Since all candidates are running as Republicans without opposition from Democratic or other party candidates, those who win in the Aug. 5 primary are essentially November shoo-ins.
Voters who wait until November will have a ‘choice? of one candidate for supervisor, one for clerk and one for treasurer.
In the primary, three names will appear as candidates hoping to fill the shoes of retiring Supervisor Collin Walls: Michael Trout; Daniel O’Neill and William Leddy.
Walls, who is retiring after 32 years at his post, is supporting Mike Trout.
‘First of all, he was the only candidate who contacted me to ask about the job and what it entails,? Walls said. ‘That impressed me.?
But Walls also said Trout’s background in planning, public administration, capital improvement planning and budgeting make him a well-qualified candidate for township supervisor.
‘Looking at his background, education and experience, he seems to fit like a glove,? Walls said, noting he also has ‘strong feelings? in support of the three incumbent trustees hoping for a return to the board.
Trustees Denny Vallad, Dave Hopper and Roger Lamont have each filed for reelection.
‘I believe it’s very important they be reelected,? he said. ‘Not only are they very, very good as trustees, but continuing to have them on the board provides the township with some continuity.?
With his impending retirement, as well as that of four-term Clerk Nancy Strole, Walls said it would be crucial to retain those already familiar with current issues and board procedure.
The names of board hopefuls Judith Hensler, Cherylann Shafer and Mark Yovich will appear along with the incumbent trustees on the August primary ballot.
The two low vote-getters will be eliminated in the primary, leaving November voters to choose from a pool of four candidates to fill four seats.
Trustee Marc Cooper will not seek reelection to his current position. Instead, he will run alongside four other candidates vying for the clerk’s job.
Candidates joining Cooper are Donna Clancy; Laura Moreau; Timothy Birtsas and Kathleen Paul.
Strole, who served one term as trustee before she was elected clerk in 1992, said she ‘strongly? supports Laura Moreau’s bid for the clerk’s office.
‘She’s by far the best candidate,? said Strole. ‘She caught my eye when she came before the township board to represent her homeowner’s association. I was very impressed by the professionalism and thoroughness of her research and presentation.?
Strole called Moreau ‘energetic? and ‘a doer.?
‘And she certainly has an appreciation for our natural resources, and that’s very important to me,? she said.
The only one of three elected officials seeking return in November, incumbent Jamie Dubre will face challenger Renee Oszust for the treasurer’s office.
Dubre said she’s ready for the challenge.
‘That’s why our positions are up every four years,? she said. ‘It’s always good to see there are people interested in running for office’that’s what it’s about.?
Dubre said she’s never met Oszurst, and therefore had no idea what the candidate’s position or motives for seeking election might be. She did, however, say she was more than happy to sit down and answer any questions about the treasurer’s office or township board responsibilities.
But Dubre also said she intends to continue her role as treasurer.
‘I plan to maintain my position in office, and I plan on running a hard campaign,? she said, noting she was making an effort to meet with all candidates. ‘You never know what’s going to happen in an election.?
Dubre was appointed to the office in 2002 after then-treasure Lois Stiles passed away, and elected in 2004.
‘I think my record will speak for itself,? she said. ‘Our fund balance had increased even as revenue has decreased. We’ve been very fiscally responsible.?
Again, like in the other races, since both are running as Republicans, only the top vote-getter between Dubre and Oszust will appear on the November ballot.
‘Barring a write-in campaign that would accomplish something that’s never been accomplished before, the entire election will be determined in August,? said Strole, noting she couldn’t remember a Democrat appearing on the ballot for a local office for about 20 years.
Still, she said, of the township’s some 10,000 registered voters, only about 25 percent show up at a primary election.
‘So much is at stake,? Strole said. ‘Who you vote for affects your life. Do we want to become another Rochester Hills, or do we want to go in another direction? What services will we have? How is our tax money going to be spent? All those things are decided by who you select at a local level.?
Candidates without party affiliation can still file for office until 4 p.m. July 17. Those names will appear on the November ballot, but not with the names filed with a political affiliation.
‘Every four years I implore voters to get out and vote at the primary,? she said. ‘If you wait until November, you have basically forfeited your right to have a say in who is elected to the township board.?
Seven candidates also filed for seven seats on the Park Commission. Current commissioners Ron Hudson and Kelly Hyer are not seeking reelection, while newcomers Lisa Sargent and Darryl Wendt have signed on to serve with the group.
The names of incumbents Diane Baker, Dorothy LaLone, Richard Parke, Jean Vallad, and Annette Zemon-Parker will also appear on the ballot.

For additional voter information, call the Springfield Township Clerk’s office at 248-846-6510, or check out www.springfield-twp.us