Bill LeFevre
Health issues cited
By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — Longtime Trenton Councilman Bill LeFevre was honored and celebrated following the announcement of his resignation during the Dec. 20 City Council meeting.
His resignation comes after 31 years of service on the council In his letter, LeFevre said the reason was because of his health. Mayor Steven Rzeppa paid tribute to LeFevre and presented him with a plaque that included a resolution recognizing him.
LeFevre said he had a lot of fun during his years spent on council and that he enjoyed serving the city. He also thanked his family who was sitting in the audience.
“I would never quit if I wasn’t sick,” he said. “You know there’s no question that I would quit. It’s too much fun being here and working with you people. I just enjoyed it too much.
“So, it’s just — and hopefully I’ll get better — my goal is to get better and to take care of my kids, grandkids and my friends. That’s what it’s all about.”
Many elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) and state Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), as well as Rotary Club and Civil Service Commission members were in attendance at the meeting.
LeFevre was described as a “Trenton institution” and someone who is going to remain part of the community for a long time.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with you over the last eight years, but you’ve given 31 years now of your life to our community, and it’s really incredible to think about all the chances you’ve had and succeeded tremendously to do the things that make this such a great place to live,” Rzeppa said.
“A lot of people in our roles think about, ‘Are the things that I’m doing make a difference?’ And you’ll never have to worry about that because I think you get to se it around town every single day.”
Rzeppa also told LeFevre what a “great mentor” he was to him and so many others who have been on council or worked for the city, been department heads, served on commissions or volunteered.
“Words just don’t do it justice,” Rzeppa said. “You’re someone that we’ve always been able to count on. I know I always could for any advice and counsel, whether we wanted to hear that advice or it was what we wanted to hear or now.
“More importantly, you’re someone that I know all of us have been able to count on for your friendship and kindness and your unbelievable knack to put a smile on absolutely anyone’s face no matter the situation or how uncomfortable you may make them in the process.”
Councilwoman Timber Baun-Crooks said she is going to miss LeFevre the most and thanked him for the job he did for the city.
“You’ve done a great job for the city, Bill, and you were always the funny guy, always made people laugh and had a good time,” she said. “You made it a pleasure to be on the council. At times things were stressful and we all didn’t get along or we all had differences of opinion. You always made a joke of it and brought everybody back together.”
She also mentioned that in 1990 she was so mad when LeFevre was appointed to the council but said it was the best thing the city ever did.
“I’m so glad and I’m so glad a year later I got to serve with you and it’s been a great run,” Baun-Crooks said. “I know we’re all going to count on your wisdom still to help out through some difficult times and the budget. You’re always a common sense guy.”
LeFevre was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Southgate where his community service as a Cub Scout in the fourth grade began a lifetime of service to others.
He graduated from Southgate High School in 1966, then graduated from Central Michigan University in 1970 and joined his parents in the family business, B & D Vacuum, in 1971.
LeFevre continued serving the community, becoming a member of the Trenton Jaycees from 1971 to 1984 and a Rotarian in the Trenton Rotary Club from 1978 to 2021.
In 1990, he was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the city council then was elected and re-elected over the next 31 years. As a member of city council, LeFevre served as liaison to the 33rd District Court, as a member of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and as mayor pro-tem six times.
“With his larger-than-life personality and sharp wit, Bill has been recognized as ‘Mr. Emcee,’ serving as the master of ceremonies for the Trenton Educational Foundation’s Signature Event, The Downriver Guidance Clinic, ChristNet, Rotary’s Wild Game Dinner as well as countless Christmas and Memorial Day parades,” the resolution said. “In every venue he proudly showcased what was best about the city of Trenton and its residents.”
Dingell spoke about her relationship with LeFevre and presented him with the speech she gave on the House of Representatives floor. She called LeFevre the most decent human being.
“You have done so much for this city, you love the city,” she said. “The good you have done for so many people, carrying that compassion, that empathy, that understanding, and you could take difficult situations — I mean did you all ever think we’d see McCouth Steel come down? But you used your common sense. You brought people together. I could think of a thousand other different issues that in the 40 years I’ve known you, have been front and center.
A tribute from the state of Michigan, was given to LeFevre by Camilleri which thanked him for all of this years of service.
“When I think of you, I think of you as the voice of Trenton,” Camilleri said. “Bill, when I first met you six years ago now, I came to one of these council meetings and you were the one person in the city of Trenton that everybody said I had to get to know because you literally knew everything and everybody and I’m glad that we’ve had that chance to do it.”
To fill the vacancy, the city is seeking applications to complete LeFevre’s remaining term through Nov. 20, 2023.
Applicants must be must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the city for at least two years prior to the date of appointment, not in default to the city, and shall be a qualified and registered elector of the city throughout tenure in office, according to the city charter.
A letter of interest or resume and the application must be completed by 4 p.m. Jan. 3 and submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, 2800 Third St. Letters of interest should include name, address, email address and a daytime telephone number.
The city council will hold a special meeting following its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 3 where candidates are expected to be available for public interviews.
Contact City Clerk Debbie Devitt at 734-675-8600 for any questions concerning the role of the City Council and the responsibilities of a council person.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)