News photo by Josh Jambor Alpena Township Treasurer Laura Ellery-Somers works in her township office Monday afternoon. ESomers announced she is retiring after nine years with the township and 23 years overall in local government.

ALPENA – Alpena Township Treasurer Laura Ellery-Somers has announced she is retiring at the end of May after nine years serving the township.

Prior to being elected into her current role with the township, Somers spent 15 years serving Alpena County as secretary for the board of commissioners.

Somers said she has enjoyed her time serving the people in Alpena County and Alpena Township, but added she is also looking forward to having more free time to dedicate to her family and enjoy new adventures.

“I am ready to retire, enjoy life, travel, and spend time with my family, friends, and especially my grandchildren,” Somers said. “They grow up before your eyes. Nothing makes you feel young like spending time with your grand kids,”

Somers thanked the voters who allowed her the opportunity to represent them and appreciates the support she received.

“I would like to thank all my constituents that have voted for me as Township Treasurer over the last nine years and placing their trust in me to represent them,” Somers said.

Leaving any career after many years is difficult. Somers said the one thing she will miss most about her job is the relationship she has built at work and outside of it.

“I will miss the people, our customers, the people I work with, and my fellow Alpena County leaders,” Somers said. “I have made a lot of friends and contacts throughout my governmental career.”

Somers said she hopes her time in office will be remembered for the values she brought to the position.

“Just serving the people of our community and being honest and having integrity and being as heartfelt as I can be,” she said. “I always tried to do the right thing and look out for the people I serve.”

Throughout her career Somers has formed many relationships with those she has worked closely with. Those are relationships she will always be fond of, she said.

“I was involved in the Michigan Township Association as secretary and president for many years and I always attended the intergovernmental council meetings that brought all the county leaders together,” Ellery-Somers said. “Because of that, I feel like I know these people because I have worked closely with them for so many years.”

Being an elected official, Somers said it was important for her to be approachable, patient, and understanding. She believes she was those things when dealing with the public.

“It is important to be out there, so people feel like they can come to you with a question or a problem,” Somers said. “A lot of times you become friends with the people who come in to pay their taxes or their water bill, or whatever it may be.”

Somers last official day as Alpena Township Treasurer is May 31, her last day in the township office will be May 29.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.