York Township, Michigan



Sandra Richardson, nee Pogany, was born December 26, 1935 on Milan-Oakville Road in the southeast corner of York Township. Her mother, Belle was a junior high school English teacher and her father, John was a chipper in one of three foundries located in Milan at that time. She graduated from Milan High School in 1954, attended Eastern Michigan University for two years, and was appointed York Township Supervisor on April 23, 1975. Eleanor Benjamin, York Township Clerk during Sandra’s tenure said, “She was concerned about people. If she heard you had a problem, she'd be on your doorstep that day to see what she could do to help."As supervisor, Richardson "always tried to do what was fair for the township," Benjamin continued, adding that she worked tirelessly toward this goal.During Richardson’s term in office, the State of Michigan offered York Township (for $1) two tracts of land, 37.29 Ac on Warner Road and 150 acres on Platt Road, from the abandoned Ypsilanti State Hospital facility. A 2.29 Ac parcel on Willis Road was tentatively approved, but transferred later. Sandra valued the open space of York Township, pursued the land transfer from the state, and on September 23, 1982 Governor William Milliken signed Act 246 into law which conveyed the two large tracts to York Township. Following her death on June 4, 1984, and in honor of her work to acquire the property, the Township Board voted to name the largest parcel the Sandra Richardson Park.Benjamin recalls, "Before her death, Sandy asked that a fund be established to beautify the grounds around the township hall." The hall, built in 1972, "(stood) in an open field with no trees.” Saline Reporter June 6, 1984York Friends, Officials Mourn ‘One Special Gal'By Gail Slaughter Sandra Richardson, supervisor of York Township for the past 10 years, passed away Monday morning at her home in Milan. She had undergone surgery for a malignant brain tumor in December, and also had been receiving radiation therapy for a second tumor on her lung. Cremation has taken place and no services will be held.Richardson, 48, also was president of the local chapter of the Michigan Township Association, a member of the executive council for the Saline and Milan v Fire Department, and on the Liaison Committee for the Huron Valley Men's and Women’s prisons. She was employed as a systems analyst in the University of Michigan Housing Department. Her illness did not stop her from continuing work on all fronts."WE WILL MISS HER," said Eleanor Benjamin, York Township clerk. "She was a beautiful person to work with and also a close friend."She was concerned about people. If she heard you |had a problem, she'd be on your doorstep that day to see what she could do to help."As supervisor, Richardson "always tried to do what was fair for the township," Benjamin continued, adding that she worked tirelessly toward this goal. In fact, Richardson used vacation days from her job to handle township business. "I only know of one time in the past eight years that she took a long vacation for herself." RICHARDSON'S most recent priority was keeping a proposed Children's Forensic Center from being built in York Township, which already contains six units of confinement. In an interview with The Reporter three years ago, Richardson admitted that the job of supervisor caused her much worry and stress. "A couple of times I've felt like hanging it up, but then somehow the fortitude comes back and things look brighter. "I try never to lose sight of my goal as-supervisor, which is to make this the best possible place to live for our township residents."BOB PERRY, supervisor of Saline Township, said Richardson "will be sadly .missed—not only by those in her own township, but by those in the MTA and other groups. She was a natural leader and mediator, and in any case, a very good friend."He recalled that Richardson had attended the Saline Township annual meeting and a reception at his home this spring."It was a joy for our township to listen to her," he said. "She had a unique way of expressing things. I'd think, '(wish I'd thought of that.)' PERRY'S WIFE Lucille agrees that Richardson was "one special gal. She seemed to have radar telling her when someone needed help, and she was right there." When Mr. Perry underwent surgery April 6, Richardson was at the hospital at 6:30 a.m.—despite her own illness. She stayed with Mrs. Perry all day, "till Bob was out of the woods."(Perry entered the hospital to correct a deviated septum; during the operation, a large tumor was discovered in his sinus cavity. It was not malignant.) "Sandy was bedridden when Bob had his second surgery May 25, but she asked her daughter to call and Check on him. I can't praise her enough. She was just wonderful," said Mrs. Perry. ?SANDRA RICHARDSON was born December 26, 1935 ip Ypsilanti, the daughter of John and Belle Connor Pogany. She graduated from Milan High School and attended Eastern Michigan University for two years. Surviving besides her parents, who live in Milan, are one daughter, Jeanelle Richardson of Ann. Arbor; two brothers, Gary Pogany of Eagle River, Alaska, and Eric Pogany of Clinton; one niece and two nephews. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may send it to the Sandra Richardson Landscape Fund, in care of the York Township Treasurer, 95 Judd Road, Milan, Ml 48160. "Before her death, Sandy asked that a fund be established to beautify the grounds around the township hall," Benjamin explained. The hall, built in 1972, "stands in an open field with no trees."Sandy loved trees and shrubs," related Benjamin. "Her yard at home was full of them. She was very in-tune with nature." ................
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