MML #4 – How Crowdfunding Builds Community with Patronicity (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 23, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – “When most people think of cities, they think of buildings, streets and cars. But when I think of cities I think of people… Where people go and where people meet is at the core of community,”…
Sheriff’s Office Hosting Self Defense Class Oct 1, 15 and 29 (EVENT page) The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is proud to team up with the Miss Michigan America Organization, the IGroup Model and Talent Agency, and Common Ground to present the Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month in Oakland County during the month of October. Sergeant Jen…
MML#3 – Cities and Civic Tech, How Local Governments Serve Residents Online (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Cities vary on how much effort they put into their websites, apps, social media, and online presence. Yet clearly the internet is important to residents and those wishing to do business. How can…
MML#2 – Cities Facing Increasing Lawsuits over Fees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Class action lawsuits against municipalities are becoming more common, particularly those over water and sewer billing. Litigation attorney Soni Mithani, a Principal at Miller Canfield in Ann Arbor, took time to educate officials about these types of…
MML #1: From Pork to Pollination, Best Ways to Support Local Development (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Development professionals often use the phrase “attract and retain businesses” as their main job functions. But economist and author Michael Shuman is determined to change that. “You cannot attract a local business,” Shuman…
I-75 to Close this Weekend for Bridge Demolition at Squirrel Road (MDOT, Sept. 115, 2016) Auburn Hills, MI – Weather permitting, both directions of I-75 will be closed this weekend between Crooks Road and M-59 in Oakland County, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The closure begins at 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16,…
Readers Urged to Check Thermostats for Recall Notices after Fire in Troy (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2016) Troy, MI -The folks at Troy Medical Plaza had no idea that the thermostat in their building had been similar to one ordered recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (SPSC) until it caught fire on Wednesday…
Hazel Park Schools Hosting Home Town Huddle Sept. 16 (Event Page) Hazel Park, MI – Come join the Hazel Park Community Engagement Team as we work with our community to once again put on the Home Town Huddle before the football game on September 16th. This free event will have food and activities for families…
What do Low Voter Turnout Numbers Mean for Democracy? (Kurt Metzger, Sept. 1, 2016) Pleasant Ridge, MI – Does anyone care about Voter Turnout any more – especially in the primaries? While it is my hope (though I have grave doubts, especially with primary turnout) that voters realize how often primaries determine most…
Artists from Near and Far Shine at Hazel Park Art Fair (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 29, 2016) Hazel Park, MI – Though his magic wands did not help keep rain away on Saturday, Westland-based artist Logan Frizzell said the Hazel Park Art Fair was a great experience. “I love being able to talk to everybody…
Eye on Oakland Features oc115 Publisher Crystal Proxmire (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 28, 2016) Bloomfield Township, MI – Oakland County 115 News Editor and Publisher Crystal A. Proxmire was recently the guest on Eye on Oakland, a public access program hosted by Dave Potts and Chuck Moss and produced by Bloomfield Public Television. Apart from…
Help Control Rats in your Neighborhood (City of Oak Park, orig. Aug. 31, 2104, republished Aug. 24, 2016) The City of Oak Park sent out the following guidelines to help residents control rats and rodents in the community. The tips are useful for any community: Here are seven actions you can take to control the…
Village of Lake Orion Moves Forward with Human Rights Ordinance (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 22, 2016) Lake Orion, MI – “It’s really time for the village to make another kind of decision – that discrimination is not okay and diversity is welcome in our community.” Attorney Ken Mogill’s words summed up the discussion that preceded…
How to Spot Signs of Domestic Abuse (Guest blog by Beth Morrison, HAVEN, orig. Feb. 27, 2015, republished Aug. 21, 2016) Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior including emotional, verbal and physical abuse, used by an abuser to gain and maintain power and control over a current or former spouse, intimate partner or…
2016 Election: Candidate Interviews and Issues (ongoing main coverage page) Oakland County, MI – Now that the primaries are over, it’s time to think about the 2016 Presidential Election. There are many local races happening as well, plus ballot issues. The official list is not ready from the County Clerk yet, however we’ve been doing…
Troy Community Coalition Gives Safety Tips for Pokemon, Applauds Benefits (Troy Community Coalition, Aug. 10, 2016) Troy, MI – Pokemon GO has taken the world by storm and it’s likely that your children, regardless of their age, are playing it. The mobile phone app has caused a lot of positive effects in communities around the…
2016 Candidate Interview Vicki Barnett for Oakland County Executive (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 31, 2016) Farmington Hills, MI – The race for County Executive is now down to two people. Democrat Vicki Barnett of Farmington Hills is challenging incumbent L. Brooks Patterson for the position. Barnett is the former Mayor of Farmington Hills and…
50 Officials Send Letter to Executive to Encourage Vote on Transit (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 4, 2016) Pontiac, MI – Last week members of the Regional Transit Authority Board from Oakland and Macomb Counties voted no to putting a regional transit plan on the ballot for voters to decide upon. The plan would add many…
2016 Primary Election Results and oc115 Readers’ “I Voted” Sticker Selfies (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 2, 2016) Pontiac, MI – The results are in from the Aug. 2 Primary Election. Scroll beyond the “I voted” sticker selfie photos to check out how the voting went. In Oakland County, 97,506 people cast ballots in the Republican…
2016 Candidate Interview County Commissioner Helaine Zack 18th District (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 31, 2016) Huntington Woods, MI – County Commissioner Helaine Zack is running for re-election in the 18th District, which includes Huntington Woods, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Oak Park and Royal Oak Township. She is unopposed in the Democratic Primary and on Nov.…