The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for August’s Park Township trustee primary election. We will run all completed questionnaires in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.
Tom Springer filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.
Editor’s note: The formatting and content of this questionnaire are presented as they were submitted. Tom Springer is the incumbent, facing challengers Bill Brislen and Regina Chapman.
Name: Tom Springer
Age: 64
Address: 19012 Moorepark Rd, Three Rivers, MI
Party affiliation: Republican
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Family: Married to my wife Nancy, with two daughters – 21 25 – who live in Chicago.
Background/Bio:
I grew up in Three Rivers and graduated from Three Rivers High School. Studied HVAC at KVCC (it wasn’t for me), then communications/public relations at WMU (bachelors) and environmental journalism at MSU (masters). Have spent my career in corporate communications at Borgess Medical Center, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the University of Notre Dame. Now, in the 8 th inning of my career, am VP for development at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
Outside of work I love to fish in the Portage River, along with writing, gardening and native landscaping. I’ve written two Michigan Notable Books, “Looking for Hickories,” and “The Star and the Sycamore,” and am a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Three Rivers, where I’ve been a lector and jail ministry volunteer. I served 22 years in the Michigan Army National Guard, retiring as an E-8 master sergeant. My job specialties were cavalry scout, airborne infantryman and print journalist.
Why are you running for the office of Park Township Trustee?
I enjoy doing what I can to make local life better for my neighbors and community.
Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role?
I was elected as Park Township trustee in 2016 and was elected to a second term in 2020. Township trustee is the only public office that I have held.
If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments?
My first priority was encouraging Park Township to build a new website that provides a wealth of information to residents, such as the zoning ordinance and updates on public meetings and election. My second priority has been to pursue broadband internet service for our township, which has been sadly lacking. While it has taken nearly three years, our work with Mercury Broadband has paid off. Broadband should be installed throughout the township by fall of this year.
How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?
29 years In Park Township.
In your opinion, what are the three most important issues to the area relative to the scope of the position you are seeking, and why?
The first concern is maintaining the township’s roads, which have seen a dramatic drop in State funding in recent years. Secondly, I’d like to see us pursue the South County Sewer project, which will bring a new sewer treatment and water systems to residences and businesses. Third, I want to continue the constructive rapport we have with township residents. We welcome all viewpoints at our Township meetings and want everyone get a fair and respectful hearing. Township Supervisor Ed English does a great job of setting a civil tone for the board and residents who attend.
What measures will you pursue to address those issues?
I will continue to encourage township residents to vote for millage to support further road improvements. I will also advocate for the South County Sewer project and strive to make local democracy responsive and transparent.
What would you say is your leadership style, and how will you utilize its strengths in your position?
I like to ask good questions and get the information I need to make well-informed decisions. During board meetings, I try keep the audience in mind and provide enough background so that they can understand the decisions before us. I believe that monthly board meetings are a great place for residents to educate themselves about how we spend taxpayer money and make decisions.
How would you work to regain or maintain the public’s trust in your position?
I will be honest, straightforward and listen to citizens to the best of my ability.
Do you consider yourself a candidate with high personal integrity? If so, why?
I will let others be the judge of my integrity. I strive to do the right thing, based on the tenets of my faith, the way I was raised by my parents, and the example that’s been set for me by good leaders in the military and my professional life.
Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?
Editor’s note: This question was asked, but not answered.
