Community Leaders Share Updates at Orion Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

(Liam Feeney, w/ video by Orion ONTV, Oct. 13, 2023)

Lake Orion, MI – This past week Orion Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon focusing on the state of the community. In this luncheon there were a few different topics that were discussed with the main presentations being by Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, Village of Lake Orion President Jerry Narsh, and Oakland County Under Sheriff Curtis Childs.

First to speak was Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett who had a strong focus on investment in the local community. Leading off the speech he mentioned the need for providing the best service for local government as possible. He talked in depth the importance of making sure the government in the community helps the people who plant their flags in Orion township. He talked about the community and bringing it together for the betterment of all of Lake Orion, mentioning the value being brought in from a investment from General Motors.

“Every existing commercial property in the community’s value goes up from this investment from General Motors.” he said while going over the road projects that have been funded and planned for the area. “I tell you about this not only because I am excited about this investment…but to tell you so you can learn and grow from these investments,” Supervisor Barnett said.

Talking about further projects he mentioned the fact that there was almost one thousand residential homes approved to be built in the coming years, sharing excitement with the local companies on the opportunities it will provide. Information about developments can be found at the Orion Township website.

“We are doing these things with what our residents want in mind,” he said.

Barnett then went in depth about the natural resources such as parks and lakes in the area, and talking about the strong focus on expanding these natural resources even more. He also mentioned the Great Lakes Athletics club closing, and the potential purchase of the property to turn it into a community center. “We can get this done without raising taxes or asking for a millage which is the important part.”

He close his presentation by mentioning the launching of the Orion Community Foundation. They are independent of the township and are serving as a “community events, partnerships, scholarships, and improvements” that he said will have work that will be seen soon.

The second presenter was Village of Lake Orion President Jerry Narsh. He was recently elected to the position in November of 2022. He talked about how Lake Orion was his home, explaining that he previously worked in the police department, eventually becoming Chief. He retired as Chief and took a job as Chief in Holly. He was appointed to Lake Orion Village Council, and now is the Council President.

Narsh spoke about the local police department, and how safe the community is because of the hard work that they have put in with building department. He mentioned that Lake Orion and Orion Township are in some ways two separate communities, but also they are one town and one community.

The Village and the Township also share a common interest in nature and the quality of lakes in the community. He went on to talk about the parks in the township and their connection to the downtown area of the township, bringing up the many different lakes and replacement of park structure. He talked about on going projects such as replacing a basketball court, a lake dock, and a few roads and connections to the downtown area.

The last speaker was Under Sheriff Curtis Childs, who shared the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office would be switching from brown to black uniforms, and that patrols would be stepping up in the area as the holidays approached.

The event is part of an ongoing effort to provide Orion Area Chamber of Commerce members with information and access to help their businesses be connected and thrive. Learn more about the chamber at http://www.orionareachamber.com/. The full event is available courtesy of Orion ONTV: