New township officials take oaths
Plymouth Township Clerk Jerry Vorva and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley
Dec. 4, 2016 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
Plymouth Michigan News
Don Howard
Staff Writer
New Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise received thunderous applause from a standing-room-only audience during his official swearing in last week.
Heise spoke to the assembled crowd of residents, police officers, fire fighters and township officials last Tuesday as he and the other members of the board of trustees officially swore to perform their elected duties.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley administered the oath of office to six of the seven board members, five of whom are first-time office holders.
Heise who was elected as a write-in candidate, addressed the assembly with an emotional testimonial calling for “healing, tolerance and co-operation,” prompting a standing ovation from the crowd.
“In the last two years I could not have survived without the steadfast support of my family. We have suffered the most negative, expensive campaign in the history of this township. This is a time for healing and healing takes time,” he said.
Heise praised the team of professionals who now comprise the board of trustees which consists of four lawyers, two who have earned Master of Business Administration degrees and a management executive.
“You sent us here to find solutions and that is exactly what we’ll do,” he said.
New Township Treasurer Mark Clinton, who replaced long-time office holder Ron Edwards, thanked fellow board members and “everyone in this room,” and praised the many police and fire firefighters in attendance.
New Clerk Jerry Vorva introduced newly-appointed Deputy Clerk Sandy Groth who was credited as one of the residents who fostered the grassroots political revolution two years ago.
“You asked for open and honest government-then you took action,” Vorva said. “You have a right to expect great things from us.”
Among the officials in attendance were Wayne County Commissioner Joe Barone,
Plymouth Mayor Dan Dwyer and City Commissioners Colleen Pobur and Dan Dalton.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Pobur said her face hurt from smiling. Pobur, Dalton and Dwyer endorsed Heise during his campaign for supervisor.
“You say it was hard for us to do this…ha! It was the easiest thing I ever did for Heise, I mean that absolutely sincerely,” Pobur said, looking at Heise. “It’s true I feel that way.”
“I didn’t do it for political gain, I didn’t do it for party, I did it because it was the right thing to do for our one community and look at the beautiful thing you voters did-you should be so incredibly proud of yourselves. We’re so optimistic and we’re so looking forward to working together and the BS crap going down the sewer system,” Pobur said.
Plymouth Voice.
Photo © Don Howard / Associated Newspapers
