Laura Moreau says she’s never been one to walk away from a problem or wait for someone else to solve it.
Instead, she’s inclined to roll up her sleeves, gather facts and find answers.
‘I didn’t ever think I’d run for public office,? said Moreau, 38, explaining her bid for the clerk’s office in Springfield Township. ‘But hearing that we’re losing Nancy Strole and Collin Walls’that was probably the biggest factor in my decision.?
Strole, the township’s current clerk, and Walls, the current supervisor, both plan to retire in November.
As potential clerk, Moreau lists development of the Dixie Highway Corridor and revitalization of the Davisburg Hamlet among her priorities’both projects, she said, will help bring a much-needed sense of community to Springfield Township.
‘I’d love to see something like a VG’s Market’a fruit and vegetable market’along with some restaurants and other mixed-use development,? she said, careful to point out that she’s not an advocate of sprawling development and believes it’s best to contain growth to the Dixie Highway Corridor between I-75 and Davisburg Road area, and, additionally, to the area immediately surrounding the East Holly Road interchange.
In the Hamlet, she said, a little work could go a long way.
‘I know there are challenges with the septic and the high water table, and the area is surrounded by nature preserves,? she said. ‘But it would be nice to revitalize it a little bit, maybe see a coffee shop, or a sandwich shop’a place to gather and meet.?
It’s important, she continued, to establish such gathering places.
‘Our identity is that we have this gorgeous natural rural community,? Moreau said. ‘But when you finish at church, you don’t go to the coffee shop or go and gather anywhere. There’s no clear identity’it’s something we’re missing and we have a big opportunity to change it.?
Fire and police protection, as well as road safety, are also priorities.
‘As much as I love hitting just one traffic light between my home and the I-75 interchange, I have seen too many accidents and near misses around Dixie and Davisburg Road,? she explained. ‘As we plan for redevelopment along the Dixie Highway Corridor, we need to take a serious look at adding a light by the Kroger complex.?
Moreau and her husband Pete moved to Springfield Township from Rochester Hills several years ago. The couple has a 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
‘When my family moved to Rochester in 1976, it was the country,? she said. ‘I grew up there, and thought I’d never leave. But I watched it change’today, you step outside your lot and you’re surrounded by traffic congestion and strip malls.?
Although the family escaped the daily bumper-to-bumper grind, the move wasn’t seamless.
But faced with issues like second-story doorwalls leading to nowhere and residents who wanted to mow beyond lot lines and into protected areas, Moreau got involved with her homeowners association and took an interest in learning about Springfield’s long-term planning efforts, ordinances and natural resource protection.
Her interest and dedication to her neighborhood paid off as Moreau, serving as president of the association, presented thorough research and coordinated between the builder, developer, and township board to resolve a number of problems.
Moreau’s efforts were recognized and appreciated by the board, and in October she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the planning commission.
Although the process has been learn-as-you-go, Moreau said she’s picking up information quickly and enjoying the work.
‘I don’t want to lose what we have in our township,? she said. ‘The more you get involved, the more you see how much has already been accomplished. The township already has a comprehensive forward-thinking master plan in place, and I would hate to see the pendulum swing the other way.?
While the township board recently discussed reducing supervisor, clerk and treasurer positions to part-time and hiring a full-time manager to handle day-to-day operations, Moreau is running on a full-time platform.
‘I think anyone who takes a close look at what is put on the clerk will see that the list of responsibilities is impressive,? she said. ‘And not just because Nancy made it her interest’the statutory responsibilities alone are a full-time undertaking.?
Moreau did say she would remain open to discussing the possibility of part-time elected officials in the future if the board decided a manager format was absolutely what we need.
‘I’d be open to look at it,? she said. ‘But I don’t see how there’s any cost savings. You’d need to hire more people to make up for work not getting done by a full time clerk.?
Current Clerk Nancy Strole has announced she ‘strongly supports? Moreau to succeed her.
Moreau has a Bachelor of Business Administration, as well as a Master of Arts in Communication, and previously worked as a circulation manager at a local publishing company, an admissions counselor/recruiter at Wayne State University and as an adjunct faculty member at Oakland Community College.
She is involved with the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, sits on the board at a local preschool and serves as an active member of her church.
Like each of the other 15 township board candidates to appear on the Aug. 5 primary ballot, Moreau is running as a Republican.