Taking the road to retirement

Oceana County Road Commission Clerk Sandy Griffin receives her retirement award from Managing Director Mark Timmer.

Road commission employee retires from career that began in 1969

HART — An icon with the Oceana County Road Commission is taking a new route — retirement.

Sandra Griffin started working at the Oceana County Road Commission in 1969. She worked there for a year and then went to work for Michigan State University from the end of 1969 to 1976. After that, she returned to OCRC from 1981 to 1984. She then went to work at the Oceana County Courthouse from 1985 to 1990. In 1990, Sandy returned to OCRC where she worked continuously until March 8, 2024.

“Sandy had a work ethic and dedication that was second to none,” said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer. “She always came to work early with a smile on her face ready to work. She rarely stopped working for lunch, but instead ate at her desk while working on the computer. She was extremely helpful in printing reports or making spreadsheets for topics like brine or road projects, and would produce these things when they were needed without being asked. She always seemed to know the right time a document would be helpful.

“Sandy was a walking encyclopedia of Oceana County. She knew seasonal roads, unimproved right-of-way, and could talk in detail of various road projects that were done even years ago. She was also like a librarian and historian and could find anything that was filed at the road commission. She was also very knowledgeable about road work and the various road treatments like crack pour, chip seal, overlays, wedging crush and shape gravel upgrades and more.

“She and I would often go on ride-alongs, and she could tell me different intersections where there were water issues, and I used that knowledge many times to make road improvements when doing projects. I doubt there are any road commission board clerks in the state that have the road knowledge and understanding that Sandy has.

“Sandy performed her job at a high level. Shortly after I began working here, our payroll clerk resigned to spend time with family, and Sandy never missed a beat, taking over payroll, paying bills, doing trunkline and ACT 51 accounting by herself. She was a tireless worker who would come in on weekends if she needed to without being asked. I can never remember her taking a vacation even though they would have been well-deserved.

“Sandy was passionate about roads, the road commission, and Oceana County. We got along famously and became good friends as well as coworkers. She supported me from day one and always had my back and helped me to do my job at a high level.  All of our annual audits were given the highest reviews by our auditor. The road commission was always in good financial hands due to her honesty, integrity, work ethic, knowledge, professionalism and dedication.

“Sandy never wanted any attention or glory for herself. She went about her job in the most professional manner without seeking any recognition. True to form, she chose to retire privately, after a career that spanned 39 years at the road commission, in addition to her time at the county and MSU. About a month ago, she expressed the desire to retire; spend some time with friends; and travel. After working with our current office staff and training them in all areas of our specialized accounting, she was finally satisfied that she could leave and the road commission would be in good hands.

“On behalf of the road commission, I would like to congratulate Sandy Griffin on a well-deserved retirement. I, as well as the road commission, and Oceana County owe her a debt of gratitude for a life of professionalism, hard work and dedication that is second to none. Happy retirement, Sandy!”

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