Senator Nancy Cassis: A Pattern of Success
That is Not Just a Coincidence
by Bernie Fratto
August 2003

When Nancy Cassis was sworn in last January as the Republican State Senator representing the 15th Senate District in Western Oakland County, she couldn’t help but recall an event that had taken place during her senior year at Ohio University.

A professor approached her to let her know she’d been selected as the lone senior to participate in a prestigious internship in Washington D.C. Her response was short and sweet… "Thanks, but I can’t because I’m getting married."

At that time a career in politics was not really on her radar screen. However, her passion for wanting to help others, especially children, was strongly developed. After graduating from Ohio University Summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1966 with a BA Degree in Education, she began teaching in Cleveland, Ohio. She taught for two years in the Ohio Public School System.

During this time her love for educating, working with people, and genuinely striving to make a difference in the lives of the others was really beginning to take form.

In August 1968 Nancy and her husband relocated to Southeastern, Michigan, where she has lived ever since. Her odyssey continued when she made Novi her home in 1980, as she was a School Psychologist for Novi Community Schools for 16 years. While Novi was a burgeoning community, the expansion was accompanied by growing pains, and soon Nancy Cassis became the leader and President of P.L.A.N.

P.L.A.N. was an acronym for “People Looking After Novi.” During her tenure she was instrumental in getting an ordinance passed that would ensure diversity in style and design for residential development. This went a long way in contributing to the esthetically pleasing image that Novi enjoys today. Interestingly, the decree was entitled “the Similar-Dissimilar Ordinance,” and it passed in 1983.

This seminal event would prove to be the first of many successful ventures for Nancy Cassis and it was a clear indicator of her abilities to have positive impact on the citizens of a community. “In addition to my passion for educating children, I also discovered a passion for Public Service, finding solutions to problems, and working with people to find out what’s most important to the community,” she added.
As part of her quest, she literally went door-to-door soliciting input from Novi residents.

In 1985, at the behest of her growing constituency, she ran for City Council, and was elected. This was the same year Hugh Crawford was chosen and they served together for nine years. During this period she worked tirelessly as her mission was to help “make Novi a model community.” “Plenty of shopping, nice safe residential areas, and close proximity to roads, services, etc., were all priorities,” Nancy stated.

As 1994 rolled around, she fielded an interesting phone call one afternoon, and was beckoned to attend a meeting in Lansing. The caller was State Rep. Bill Bullard and he informed her that State Senator Dave Honigman would be stepping down, and he would be seeking that challenge.

As such, he would be moving on and strongly urged Nancy Cassis to run for State Representative to fill his vacated seat. Much like the overture the professor at Ohio U. had made over 25 years earlier, Nancy could feel that fate was once again tapping her on the shoulder, and this time her radar was locked in. To someone that has the gift of impacting the lives of others, it only stands to reason that serendipity would dictate the more lives affected, the better it would be.

“I think there is a pattern to life,” Nancy Noted. “Be sensitive and alert to things that happen along the way, especially the things that really motivate you.”

The pattern had become clear. This was not the first time that someone of influence, power, and achievement had noticed that Nancy Cassis offered many qualities that could truly help to make a difference. Her passion for public service and problem solving was well documented.

Nancy served in the state legislature with honor and distinction from 1996-2002 before becoming term limited. It should be noted that Nancy Cassis was Novi’s first ever, state representative. This clearly indicated that the old No.6 Postal stop had truly become a city of “stature and standing.”

Now, as a State Senator her tireless work ethic and commitment to excellence remain her calling card. Among her many responsibilities, she acts as the Chairman of the Finance Committee in the State Senate, Vice-Chair for the Education Committee, the Chair for the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and she’s a member of the Energy & Technology Committee as well as a member of the Govt. Operations Committee.

And, Nancy Cassis is emphatic when she relates the things she believes are very important to the people she’s been entrusted to serve.

There has been much emphasis in lowering the tax burden on residents and businesses, and they’ve done that. In addition, “promoting fairness in the tax code” has been an effort that she’s undertaken.

Nancy believes in working to foster a “strong economy, one that creates jobs and that is attractive to business.” “Good safe roads to travel on go hand in hand with a growing economy, and lead to good economic development,” Cassis pointed out.

And of course, “encouraging successful kids and successful schools,” are of paramount importance.

As Nancy enjoys her 35th anniversary as a Michigan resident, and her first year in the State Senate, the record shows her pattern for success is no happenstance.

Let the record also show her passion for serving others is recognized and congratulated. Recognized by those that had the insight to see her untapped talents, and congratulated by those that have enjoyed the fruits of her labor.

The resultant pattern has been a wonderful tapestry, and it’s not just a coincidence.