Browse Collections

Bloomfield Blossoms: p. 36-37

Smith, Kay, 1925-

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Bloomfield Township (Mich.) -- History

Little, Deloris V.

GB01a020

part of 'Bloomfield Blossoms' by Kay Smith

text, image

jpeg

DELORIS LITTLE- THE TOWNSHIP'S FIRST ACTING CLERK Deloris V. Little first came to the Township offices in 1954. At that time the population was 3,200 and five people ran the government. "In those days all five of us did every- thing," Deloris recalls. "We worked as clerks, did building department jobs and even operated the police and fire radio." Up to the time Deloris became clerk, the position had been a rubber stamp one, with the clerk coming in now and then to sign papers. In 1960, it became obvious that the expansion was going to continue and the Township needed a full-time acting clerk. Realizing this, Clerk Robert Dudley resigned so that Deloris could be appointed, and she's run in every election since that time. Deloris was also immediately appointed to the planning commission, the first woman ever to serve on any board in the Township. She feels she was always accepted as an equal, and because she was involved in the day-by-day operation of the government, the board needed her information and opinions. Deloris and her husband John were co-founders with nine other couples of the Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church pictured gn page 149. Her strong faith in Christian principles is at the base of her attitude toward filling the needs of the residents of the Township. "If you can't help people, you have to wonder what it's all about" she says. "The people of this area have overwhelmingly indicated that the quality of their life here is their top priority. We've all worked to see that this quality is maintained, and our residents have an area primarily of homes, where they can enjoy life and bring up their children in the atmosphere they prefer. They want to live in Bloomfield and we want it their way too."