Come late November, newly-retired Nancy Strole and her husband Wayne will climb aboard a shiny new RV and motor south to spend Thanksgiving with family in Georgia.
After serving 20 years in township government’the latter 16 as Springfield Township Clerk, Strole announced this week she will not seek reelection in November.
Strole was first elected in 1988 and served four years as Springfield Township trustee before winning a bid for clerk in 1992.
Making the choice to retire didn’t come easy, she said.
‘I’ve been wrestling with the decision since the last election, especially during the last few weeks,? Strole said. ‘But ultimately knowing there was only one choice.?
Strole’s decision comes just two weeks after longtime Springfield Township Supervisor Collin Walls announced his intention to retire in November after serving 32 years on the township board.
Strole considered staying on as clerk for another year to help smooth the transition when Walls steps down, but eventually decided against the idea.
‘It wouldn’t be fair to Wayne,? she said, explaining with a giggle that her husband has been patiently ‘hanging around? waiting for her to retire so the two can enjoy the RV they bought after years of planning.
As she prepares her exit, Strole explained that given a choice, her ideal candidate for clerk would posses several characteristics: a vision for Springfield Township, a ‘real commitment? to the community, and the motivation to act.
‘Residents have a right to expect that whoever is on the board has a vision and clearly shares it,? she said. ‘It may be a vision different than mine, and that’s ok, just so long as they clearly share it so residents can judge whether (the candidate’s vision) is their vision,? too.
‘You wouldn’t want another me,? she said. ‘It’s a different time. The person who succeeds me will bring their own talents and vision.?
Over the years, a large part of Strole’s vision for Springfield Township was, and continues to be, preservation of the area’s natural resources, and her participation in conservation efforts began shortly after she and her family arrived in Michigan from Virginia in 1985.
‘The township was hit with one challenge after another back then,? she said. ‘Every agency in the world was looking at our little rural community for putting here what was unwanted elsewhere.?
In her early years in Springfield, Strole, recalled, it wasn’t unusual to find herself standing in the state capital one week and viewing a toxic waste incinerator the next as she worked with those fighting to clean up a site known as ‘the Springfield Township dump.?
Industrial waste, hauled in for years from various sources, was one thing to halt; quite another to clean up.
‘When you degrade natural resources,? she said, ‘trying to fix it is like trying to put Humpty-Dumpty back together again.?
‘The greatest assets Springfield Township has are its natural resources,? Strole continued. ‘I’ve walked every part of this township, thousands of acres, and that’s one of the things that attracts people to this are’it’s pretty.?
Therefore, she explained, it’s in the best interest’both economic and quality of life’to protect those resources so Springfield Township doesn’t become ‘Anywhere, USA.?
Over the years, Strole worked on a number of projects targeted at long-term planning and protecting the township’s natural resources.
Citing some of the accomplishments of the previous decades, Strole puts the Shiawassee and Huron Headwaters Project, new planning techniques, a widely-distributed CD on Springfield’s native plants, along with the discovery that Springfield’s resources are not just pretty, but also globally rare, near the top of her list.
‘I didn’t accomplish anything alone,? Strole insists. ‘It took a lot of people working as a team’board members, citizens, planning commissioners’I’m just one person, but I think I was probably the right person at the right time.?
But the township has also worked to balance growth and development with conservation efforts.
Although economic conditions have nearly brought building and development to a halt, Strole believes Springfield Township would be wise to prepare for an eventual rebound. ‘When it happens, how will Springfield Township remain a viable community? she asked. ‘Why will our residents want to stay? Long term planning and development is important. It’s foolish to have such a narrow view that you’re not looking past tomorrow, next week or next year. If you’re faced with a problem and you don’t have the tools in place when that challenge comes knocking, it’s too late.?
Strole has faith that the community will take Springfield Township in a positive direction.
‘There are never any guarantees in life or any guarantees about what a future board might do,? she said. ‘But most of the people who come to Springfield Township appreciate and understand what they have here.?
Supervisor Collin Walls said Strole would be remembered for her conservation efforts in the township.
‘Nancy has been a leader in the preservation of our natural resources and a cheerleader for that cause,? said Walls. ‘She’s a hard worker, and she’s been very, very dedicated. Anyone stepping in will find it difficult to replace her.?