By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Groveland Twp.- Diane Howell wrapped up 19 consecutive years of service as a township trustee by indulging in pie at the board’s Nov. 14 meeting.

It was a delicious change from the traditional cake that is often offered at meetings. Serving on the board has not always been a piece of cake, as rewarding as it may be.

“Several people were trying to put a dump out here for years and with the (Oakland County) park going in now, that will not happen,” said Howell, a 44-year township resident. “I’m proud of fighting that all these years. We are guaranteed now of never having a dump site in Groveland.”

She has other work to be proud of as well– from helping bring natural gas mains to the township, to road improvements, including the paving of a one mile gravel section of Oakhill Road, and the repaving of Groveland Road.

Howell moved to the township with husband Chuck in 1972. The couple raised two daughters, Debbie and Colleen, and were married for 48 years before his death five years ago.

Diane Howell was also the bookkeeper for her husband’s landscaping business for many years, and says she came into the political game late. She had volunteered for many years with various organizations, including the Jaycees, Youth Assistance and the 4-H Fair. That volunteerism led Merilyn McGee, who recently won the trustee seat vacated by Howell, to encourage her to run.

Howell first ran for office against Clark Morgan in 1996 and lost by just two votes to the 20-year incumbent. When Morgan retired a few months later, Howell was one of 12 people interviewed for the trustee position to which she was subsequently appointed. She was elected as trustee the following year and has retained the position all these years.

As a trustee, she has also always served on either the planning commission or zoning board of appeals.

One goal that Howell was not able to accomplish is bringing senior housing to the township, but she said it is in the works. She is retiring from the board because she plans to downsize, selling her township home and moving to a condominium complex in Grand Blanc.

Howell achieved her primary goal as a trustee by keeping taxes low.

“I don’t think we’ve raised taxes in my entire time on the board,” she said. “We were fortunate to have outside projects come along, between cell phone tower leases and mining of township property so we didn’t have to raise taxes.”

She enjoyed working with the same board for most of her tenure, and calls them good stewards of their positions and also liked working on behalf of her community.

“I think I’m going to really miss it,” said Howell. “It feels good to serve the community…It’s very interesting work and you have a sense of accomplishment.”

The grandmother is looking forward to spending time with the love of her life, great-grandson Braxton, continuing to stay active with swimming three days a week, and traveling, including a trip to Hawaii next year.