Khederian Sworn in as Newest Bloomfield Township Trustee

Longtime Bloomfield Township political activist Corinne Khederian was sworn in as a township trustee Monday night before a throng of supporters that included local and state elected officials.

The vote to appoint her to the open seat vacated when Leo Savoie became supervisor last month was unanimous and not unexpected. Four board members publicly endorsed Corinne Khederian, chairwoman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, following presentations at a special study session last week.

Finalist Scot Goldberg, chairman of the township planning commission, congratulated Khederian after that meeting and said last week he would not attend Monday's official vote.

There was no discussion by board members Monday and there were no questions or concerns about the process raised by members of the audience. The crowd included about a dozen of Khederian's family members and supporters like State Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, and State Rep. Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham.

"I'm so pleased to have the support and am really excited to get started," Khederian said while clutching a few thick binders filled with the township's strategic plan and other initiatives.

"There's a bit of a learning curve, obviously, but I have a good working relationship with everyone on the board."

Several board members said they appreciated Khederian's commitment to the township and work in local political circles. She moved to the township 19 years ago and has been active in several political campaigns and Republican Party causes over the years. She's served as Pappageorge's director of district affairs since 2007.

Township resident Hagop Alexanian said he could have supported either candidate but understands why the board members believed Khederian can help the township, particularly with getting next year's critical public safety millage passed.

"Both of them are volunteer heroes for the township and I salute them," he said. "Corinne connects to people, she really has that down. And with her knowledge and experience I think she'll really be an asset."

Savoie announced that Khederian's seat on the ZBA and another belonging to Sherry Stefanes, who resigned her posts there and on the planning commission, are now available. One will be filled by a current alternate member of the ZBA. The other, and the planning commission seat Stefanes surrendered, will be open to applicants that submit a letter of interest to the township in the next two weeks.

To anyone critical of the trustee appointment process, Stefanes, who was also the first woman appointed township trustee in the 1990s, offered this perspective:

"I was appointed to a position that had been filled by the same person for 40 years, and my appointment process was lunch with (Former Supervisor) Fred Korzon and (Former Township) Clerk Wilma Cotton," she said. "It was a totally different situation and I'm so proud we've made this transition to be much more open."

Khederian's term expires in November 2012.