Groveland Twp.-Shirley Scramlin says collecting taxes was the easy part of the job’perhaps retiring after more than 25 years will be the most difficult.
Scramlin, 69, announced on Monday that she will not seek a seventh term as township treasurer.
‘I’ve absolutely loved my job, this is a great environment and staff to work with’I’ll miss many of property owners that come in to the office’but it’s time I started doing what I wanted to’spend more time with our grandchildren, relax and travel.?
Scramlin began her career in 1982 as deputy treasurer when then Township Treasurer Bill Brondige moved the office from his home to the current building on Grange Hall Road.
‘I knew Bill from church, and he asked me to work for him,? said Scramlin. ‘I worked two years with him before I ran for treasurer in 1984. There were two candidates that challenged me at the time for election’that was the only time I ever ran opposed.?
Scramlin would go on to win six consecutive terms.
‘Perhaps the biggest change was our first computers in 1986,? she said. ‘Before, we entered by hand in large ledgers, and even hand wrote all the checks. Today, our computers do just about everything for us’still it takes a lot of data entry.?
During her years at the township, Scramlin remembers several significant changes in the community.
Scramlin recalls the battles with Stablex Corporation, an England-based corporation, in the 1980s. The clamor drew the ire of township residents when the company proposed a waste disposal plant in the township at a meeting at the Holly Hotel. The target area for the chemical plant dedicated to neutralizing toxic industrial waste into inert matter was the junction of Grange Hall Road and I-75 in the township.
Another significant change was the construction of the natural gas line through the township in 1999.
‘We secured bonds for the gas project,? said Scramlin. ‘Many people are benefitting from that gas project.?
‘Until the recent economic downturn, the township has grown at a decent pace,? said Scramlin.
‘Right now growth and development are at a standstill’this is the worst time I’ve ever seen in the area. I’ve never seen so many foreclosures, it used to be if we received two per year it was a big deal. We’ve had 39 foreclosures over the past few months.?
Scramlin is a member and organist at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. She and husband Richard, of 50 years, have two sons, Brian and Kevin.