In 2000, Anne Ackerman quit her corporate job and was looking to do something different. Although she had a great career, she was traveling too much and was no longer finding it fulfilling.
Because she had negotiated a good settlement package when she left, Ackerman didn’t have to rush into her next venture. She accomplished one of her goals, competing in an Ironman triathlon, and was wondering ‘now what?’
A resident of Lynden Twp., she was reading the annual newsletter one day when she noticed the township was looking for people to serve on the planning commission. Thinking it sounded interesting she decided to apply.
Fresh from the corporate world, Ackerman arrived for the interview in a pantsuit; she wasn’t expecting everyone else to be in blue jeans. Her extensive business background must have impressed the committee, because 20 minutes after she left the interview they called and asked her to join.
One year later she was asked to consider running for the Lynden Twp. supervisor position that had opened up. She accepted the challenge, was elected, and for the past 18 years has served as a member of the township board, including a number of them as chairperson.
“When you have a management background you learn to be patient, reasonable, open to listening and willing to help,” said Ackerman. “They’re the same things you need as a township supervisor.”
Although she’s helped the township with a number of accomplishments over the years, one of the things she’s most proud of is their website; Lynden was one of the first townships to have one.
“Karolyn Boucher created the township’s first website and was our webmaster for a number of years,” said Ackerman. “Later I spearheaded the move to a more user and mobile-friendly format. It’s been excellent to be able to communicate with residents that way.”
Her personal goal as a township supervisor was to be approachable and accessible, along with helping people understand the board was trying to help them.
Although she enjoyed her time as a supervisor, some things were more difficult than others.
“Most people like to help other people,” said Ackerman. “But the hardest thing you have to do is strike a balance. Help people but still follow the [township] ordinances. It gets tricky when people get upset.”
She would try to counter people’s complaints by educating them.
“What if your neighbor also got to do whatever they want on their property without any zoning?” she said as an example. “They could put up a 10-story apartment building right next to you.”
Ackerman wishes more people cared about their civic duty, stating she feels a township is defined by their board, with the supervisors as its face.
“Government to me is ridiculously cumbersome when you look at the top level,” said Ackerman. “But townships are the one part that are truly grassroots, they’re right in your backyards.”
She’s thankful Tom Plaggerman and Todd Voigt both stepped up to run for her open position this spring.
“They’re dedicated residents, they both would have done well,” she said. “It was fitting the election ended in a tie.” (A card draw ultimately named Plaggerman the new supervisor.)
The death of her brother-in-law three years ago reminded Ackerman and her wife, Kris Miller, that life is short and needs to be enjoyed. They began looking seriously at retirement.
“We realized we didn’t need a lot to get by,” explained Ackerman. “We live simply.”
Along with retiring from the Lynden Twp. Board, she and Miller both left their fulltime jobs, and along with their rottweiler/shepherd mix, KC, enjoy traveling in their camper van aptly named ‘Alice.’
“She’s 10 feet tall and takes us on adventures in Wonderland,” laughed Ackerman.
The couple, who married five years ago after being together 12 years, travel the country and visit breweries; Ackerman herself is a home brewer. They take a picture of themselves with Alice in front of each brewery they tour. Their goal is to visit a brewery in every state they can get to in Alice, to date they’ve made it to 25.
