State House Passes Unusually Specific Redistricting Bill

The State House of Representatives passed HB 5187 today. If the bill progresses through the Senate and is signed by the Governor, it would cap the number of County Commissioners in any county to 21. It would also take away the authority of the current body to draw the new district lines. If passed, Oakland County would then have 30 days to jettison four elected officials and re-draw the District lines.

Town Hall to Discuss Heating Assistance Funding

State Rep Ellen Cogen Lipton will be hosting a town hall meeting to discuss changes to home heating assistance programs on Friday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) in Ferndale. She and Congressman Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) and Gilda Jacobs, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services will be on hand to talk about these programs and proposed changes at the State level that will affect funding.

Community Meetings on School Bond Issue

The Ferndale School District is moving forward with plans to put a $22,825,000 bond on the February ballot. The bond is an extension of current bonds with the taxes collected to be used for improvements to the School’s multiple buildings and property. There will be several meetings over the next two months to discuss the needs of the District with members of the public. Superintendent Gary Meier will be on hand to share information about the District moving forward.

Get Your Motorcyle Ready for Winter with Class

The classes are a new way for the creative experts who use Paper Street to share knowledge about whatever they do that is useful. On Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 it will be Todd Ethridge teaching “Intro to Motorcycle Maintenance, Care & Winterizing Your Bike.” Ethridge is the owner of McBee’s Motorcycles, located in Paper Street. The class runs from 6:30pm-8:30pm and costs $30. The class is appropriate for beginners and even though with years of experience can benefit from a refresher and tips from a pro. More information and tickets at http://welovepaperstreet.com/#classes.

No Election Necessary: Chamber Fills Uncontested Board Seats

The Ferndale Area Chamber did not hold elections for the Board of Directors for 2012 because they had exactly the number of applicants as was needed to fill the seven member board. On Nov. 28, The Chamber announced welcoming back incumbent Board Members – Pamela Bellaver, Ryan Meray, Gary Meier, Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo, Jay McMillan, and Rita Van. John Kozich of Credit Union ONE, who served on the Board from 2002 through 2009, is also back on the Board.

Silent Night of the Lambs

As she sits in the hole topped with blocks of ice, rubbing ice cream on her skin, Macy Penny, played by Genevieve Jona, cries about how her mother, JC Penny, has the money to give her captor anything they want.

But what does this madman, er, mad snowman, really want? Why have girls who sell matches and boys with crutches been going missing? And what do the ladies with the beaver fur jackets know about it?