The self-appointed Mayor of Lakeville celebrated his 90th birthday last week with a party at the Addison Township offices.
Robert Smith, a Lakeville resident since 1969 and daily visitor to the township offices, received cards, hugs and birthday wishes as people filed in to honor this beloved local character.
During his daily strolls around town, the always genial Smith, who technically turned 90 on March 15, loves to chat with everyone he encounters about everything from local politics to the weather to their families.
‘I’ve just been a nuissance around here that’s all,? joked Smith, who arrived in Addison in 1946. For 26 years, he managed the Travis Farm ? an 800-acre spread that used to be located on Mack Rd. ? where turkeys and sheep were raised.
From smiles and jokes to compliments and pleasant banter, he never fails to lighten the mood of those around him with his old-fashioned charm, quick wit and gentle manner.
So what’s the most important thing Smith’s learned in his 90 years on the planet?
‘To forgive everybody and not carry a grudge,? he replied. ‘Just forgive and forget.?
One thing that does upset Smith is when he hears people complain that township employees and officials sit around all day doing nothing.
‘I say you should come in and sit for half-an-hour and see what they do,? he said.