Cissell Found Guilty of False Address on Petition (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 4, 2014) Did Andrew Cissell, 25, knowingly give a false address when he turned in petitions to legalize personal amounts of marijuana in Ferndale? That was the determination made by a six-member jury Tuesday who found him guilty of making a false statement…
Mode Shift’s Road Map To Understanding SEMCOG (David Sands, Mode Shift, Feb. 2, 2014, orig. wearemodeshift.org/mode-shifts-road-map-understanding-semcog) It was a noteworthy 2013 for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. The organization not only helped jumpstart the new Regional Transit Authority, but it’s been busy developing a regional non-motorized transportation plan and conducting an analysis of rapid transit…
Education Advocacy Trip to Lansing Planned for Feb.19 (Ferndale Schools, Jan. 31. 2014) Join the Ferndale Board of Education, administration, union leaders, municipal leaders, PTA and your neighbors and travel to Lansing to advocate for the fair funding of our schools. Although legislator schedules are tentative, this schedule is being designed to allow participants maximum…
Jazz Bands Play at Treat Dreams for Blues Fest (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 31, 2014) As part of the annual Ferndale Blues and Music Festival, Jazz Bands from Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School played a special concert at Treat Dreams. Parents and supporters enjoyed the student performances, as well as the custom…
Jazz Bands Play at Treat Dreams for Blues Fest (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 31, 2014) As part of the annual Ferndale Blues and Music Festival, Jazz Bands from Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School played a special concert at Treat Dreams. Parents and supporters enjoyed the student performances, as well as the custom…
Jazz Bands Play at Treat Dreams for Blues Fest (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 31, 2014) As part of the annual Ferndale Blues and Music Festival, Jazz Bands from Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School played a special concert at Treat Dreams. Parents and supporters enjoyed the student performances, as well as the custom…
Snow Sculptures Decorate Oak Park Lawn (Staff Report, Jan. 29, 2014) Sculptures in the snow have caught the eye of passers-by at the corner of Kenwood and Forest in Oak Park. The City of Oak Park posted a photo of a large green alligator along with a person, presumably the artist, on Jan. 9. Neighbor…
Cold Prompts School Closings for Tuesday (C. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) School administrators across SE Michigan have declared Tuesday a “snow day” due to temperatures and wind chills below zero. Classes and events will be cancelled in many districts, including Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Public Schools, Pontiac, Rochester Schools, Royal Oak,…
40 Under 40 Announced, Public to Pick Top Winner (Oakland County Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Starting Jan. 27 the public can cast an online vote to choose the winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2014. More than 500 applications and nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges,…
Oakland Chamber Network Learns From National Trends (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) Collaborating to improve the environment for business success is the core strength of Chambers of Commerce in general, and the Oakland Chamber Network doubles up on that principle by bringing 27 local Chambers together. At their annual meeting on Jan. 22, OCN…
Group Seeks Ballot Measure to Increase Minimum Wage (Mothering Justice Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Community organizing, social justice and labor groups today formed a committee to explore a ballot campaign to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. The minimum wage in Michigan –currently $7.40 an hour – hasn’t been raised since 2008, leaving many…
The Return on Investment from Michigan Passenger Rail (Dan Sommerville, Michigan Environmental Council, Jan. 26, 2014, orig. Michigan by Rail Blog) Passenger rail has been booming nationwide and in Michigan. Record-breaking ridership was recorded in 10 of the last 11 years (1) (2), and there has been a whopping 78% growth in Michigan ridership since…
Oak Park Daddy & Daughter Dance Feb. 7 (Oak Park Recreation Press Release, Jan. 23, 2014) Daddy & Daughter Dance “Princess on Parade” When: Friday, February 7, 2014 *(Registration is limited to the first 100 people)* Dance Time: 7:30 – 9pm (Doors open for Photo Booth at 7pm) Where: Oak Park Community Center Fee: $20…
Details of UAW Contract with Ferndale Schools (Ferndale Schools Press Release, Jan. 20, 2014) EDITOR’S NOTE: Ferndale Schools is currently negotiating with all unions in hopes of wage concessions. Read a letter from School Board President Jim O’Donnell at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/19/letter-from-ferndale-school-board-president-jim-odonnell-on-budget/, and a story on picketing at the School Board meeting at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/14/proposed-pay-cuts-to-teachers-and-staff-spark-protest-at-ferndale-schools/. The union agreement…
Letter from Ferndale School Board President Jim O’Donnell on Budget (Jim O’Donnell, Jan. 19, 2014) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was submitted by School Board President Jim O’Donnell and also appeared in the Ferndale Schools e-blast. This is in response to public questions about ongoing negotiations with district employees, discussed in this article: https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/14/proposed-pay-cuts-to-teachers-and-staff-spark-protest-at-ferndale-schools/) Ferndale Public…
Jennifer LaTosch Gets Vacant School Board Seat (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2013) Attorney Jennifer LaTosch was sworn in Monday night to begin a one-year term on the Ferndale School Board. The position was left vacant by 20+ year veteran and longtime past President Chuck Moeser when he resigned to focus more on retirement.…
Proposed Pay Cuts to Teachers and Staff Spark Protest at Ferndale Schools (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2014) Dozens of union members – teachers, secretaries, bus drivers and maintenance workers – held signs and chanted about fair wages as they looped around Burdette Street in front of the Ferndale Schools Administration Building before Monday night’s…
Barbara Mahan Passes Away (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 13) At the age of 84, Ferndale resident Barbara Mahan has passed away. Mahan was incredibly supportive of Ferndale Schools, joining her husband Joe in many activities. Joe, who passed away last March, was known as “The Voice of the Eagles” because he was a regular announcer…
Three Applicants to Vie for Open Ferndale School Board Seat (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 10, 2014) The Ferndale Public Schools Board of Trustees will hear from three applicants on Monday night, and decide which one will fill the seat left vacant by longtime Trustee and Board President Chuck Moeser when he resigned in mid-December. Lakesha…
Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…