UPDATED: Savoie Gets Nod As Next Bloomfield Township Supervisor

Leo Savoie was selected the next supervisor of Bloomfield Township following a long and, at times, heated meeting Monday.

Savoie, a trustee since 2004, beat out Treasurer Dan Devine in a 4-2 vote among board members to replace Dave Payne, who retires next week. Devine and Trustee David Buckley cast the dissenting votes. Payne abstained from voting to avoid any conflict of interest.

“I’m pleased, I’m humbled and it starts tomorrow morning. Who’s going to let me in at 6 a.m.?” Savoie said, demonstrating the work ethic he made the center of his presentation to the board and the standing-room only crowd on hand for what was the township’s first-ever televised public meeting. 

Though Payne’s announcement last month to resign with more than a year still left on his term took many by surprise, Savoie said he anticipated Payne would not seek a fourth term in 2012 due to health concerns and his ability to retire after more than 40 years of service. Savoie said that he began scaling back his work priorities accordingly to prepare for a campaign.

With the microphone in one hand and a remote control in the other, Savoie gave a personable account of his self-made business success in a PowerPoint presentation full of photos, lively graphics and details that he said made him the best candidate. He also focused on his blend of experience and community involvement.

Savoie grew up in the township and returned with wife, Sally, in 1995. He served on the Township Board of Review from 1997 to 2004 and was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals from 2001 to 2004. He also pointed to his tenure as president of Oakland Hills Country Club during high profile PGA events as examples of his ability to work under pressure. He said he would bring the same characteristics to the supervisor’s post and use them to maintain financial stability and spur future growth.

“To be a leader you need character, innovation, work ethic and someone that can build consensus,” he said. “I’m someone who will lead by example.”

Devine’s presentation focused on his experience as a top township administrator since 1999, and as an active member of the Oakland County Republican Party. The next supervisor, he said, would have to be politically strong enough to mount their own election campaign while also spearheading the public safety millage renewal in 2012.

He said he felt so strongly about the importance of leadership heading into the millage that he would accept an interim appointment to the supervisor’s role while still being paid only as the treasurer, and then agreed to not pursue the supervisor’s role in 2012.

“I’d be willing to keep job and commit to not run in 2012,” he said. “Its not about me beating Leo Savoie, it’s about the township.”

The other board members nixed the idea after Township Attorney William Hampton explained that although not outlawed, the notion of a single person acting in both capacities raised legal concerns.

If chosen, Devine said he would televise all public meetings, demolish the failed Bloomfield Park development and would establish a dog park by perhaps working with the Bloomfield Hills School District. He also said his first task would be to distribute a resident survey of expectations and services to help guide policy.

Buckley was the only board member to question the candidates, asking them each to layout their plans for Bloomfield Park, reaction to possible court consolidation involving the 48th District Court, and plans to work in the private sector.

Savoie said true ownership of the buildings at Bloomfield Park needs to be established before moving forward and that he favored a plan to control the site’s salvage rights to help offset any demolition costs. He also said retaining the local court would be a priority and that he plans to continue his work as a certified appraiser on the weekends. He said he would not evaluate properties in Bloomfield Township to avoid possible conflicts, and that working more than 60 hours a week is common for him.

Devine said that he relinquished his attorney practice upon appointment to the board in 1999. He said he believed the time was right to approach Pontiac about the demolition of Bloomfield Park.

More than a dozen residents addressed the board, including some that offered personal endorsements of the candidates. Others asked for more transparency and or that the process be delayed to accommodate applications from the public. Several used the full three minutes allotted to speak and were cut short by Clerk Jan Roncelli.

She and other board members took several minutes to discuss their concerns with the process, and specifically denounced the actions of Devine and his supporters in recent days. Some chastised him for a letter to the editor to Patch, in which he alleged Savoie’s appointment was a forgone conclusion partly engineered by Payne, who intends to be a paid consultant after retirement.

Payne publicly denounced the allegation again Monday night, and said he would consider helping the township even on a volunteer basis under the right circumstances.

Devine equated himself to a whistleblower and was the first to congratulate Savoie. He also pledged to work with the new appointee and other board members that voiced concerns.

That may be easier said than done.

“The past two weeks have been an embarrassment,” said Trustee Neal Barnett, referring to Devine’s allegations outlined in a letters to the editor to Patch and related press releases. “He’s shown that he can do almost anything to get ahead for himself, and that scares me. Despite all the outstanding background and strengths, you have flaws that concern me.”

To be sworn in as supervisor at the next meeting Savoie had to formally resign his post as trustee, leaving an open position on the board. Payne said the newly configured board would have to decide on the process to fill that position at it’s next meeting Aug. 8.