Township Supervisor's Resignation Sinking in as Process to Determine Successor Begins

After Dave Payne's surprise announcement Monday that he will resign as Bloomfield Township supervisor, focus turned Tuesday to finding his successor.

Though Payne announced his retirement at the tail end of Monday’s township board meeting, Payne won’t officially step down until Aug. 1. The 45-day window for the Board of Trustees to appoint a new supervisor begins that day, said township attorney Bill Hampton, who said he expected a decision from the board well before then.

“I’d be surprised if we didn’t know within a couple of weeks,” he said.

Whomever is selected will serve until Payne’s term expires in November 2012 and would then face re-election. If a current member of the board is selected, then that candidate’s current board seat would be considered open.

Citizens interested in serving on the board could then submit applications, and the board would select a finalist to serve the remainder of that term, which also expires in November 2012, township documents show.

The township has been through this before — ironically, when Payne became supervisor in 1999. He was serving as township treasurer at the time when Supervisor Fred Korzon retired. Payne, a former administrative assistant to Korzon before becoming treasurer, took the reins in 1999 and was elected in 2000. He was re-elected twice more and will conclude what many believe is a record 41 years of service with the township.

“When I started working here in 1970, I had no idea my career would take such an exciting and rewarding path,” he said. “I remain committed to the welfare of the township and will do everything in my power to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. I’ll forever be grateful.”

In the short term, Payne said he will enjoy the rest of his summer in the Harbor Springs area after the transition process is complete. He said he has no long-term plans.

The impact of his announcement was starting to sink in Tuesday among community leaders.

“Dave Payne has been an outstanding leader for Bloomfield Township and a very respected voice in Oakland County,” said Joe Bauman, president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. “He worked tirelessly to promote the township as a great place to live, work and raise a family. He will be sorely missed — and leaves very large shoes to fill.”