Letter from Ferndale School Board President Jim O’Donnell on Budget

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)

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

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

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

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

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…

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors

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…

Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors

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…

Shelters for Homeless in Oakland County

Shelters for Homeless in Oakland County (City of Oak Park, Jan. 5, 2014) The City of Oak Park released the following information via email to help those in need of shelter during the cold.  For a printable pdf. go to http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1113800372963-61/OC+Warming+Centers.pdf. Please also call the Housing Resource Center at 248-928-0111 for additional specific information related…

Twenty Notable Michigan Books for 2014 Announced

Twenty Notable Michigan Books for 2014 Announced (Library of Michigan Press Release, Jan. 3, 2014) The Library of Michigan today announced the 2014 Michigan Notable Books – 20 books celebrating Michigan people, places and events. “Michigan is rich in talented writers, history, and resources,” said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Our Notable Books for 2014 express…

Pleasant Ridge Seeks Input on Parks Plan, Including Gainsboro

Pleasant Ridge Seeks Input on Parks Plan, Including Gainsboro (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 26, 2013) Plans for Gainboro Park and others in Pleasant Ridge are wrapping up, and the City Commission is looking for final input from residents before sending the plans off to Lansing in hopes of getting grants to make improvements possible. As…

Ferndale Second Graders Take Virtual Trip to Japan

Ferndale Second Graders Take Virtual Trip to Japan (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 25, 2013) Second graders from Roosevelt and Kennedy Elementary Schools in Ferndale boarded an imaginary plane bound for the far off land of Japan for a “virtual trip” Thursday.  In this annual tradition, teachers and volunteers plan a day’s worth of cultural lessons…

Christmas Tree Recycling in Oakland County

Christmas Tree Recycling in Oakland County (Oakland County Press Release, Dec. 23, 2013) Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free Christmas Tree Recycling at 11 park locations. Dec. 26, 2013 – Jan. 20, 2014 Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please remove all decorations, metal, plastic and string. Locations: Addison Oaks near…

More than Just a Pretty Trunk: How Trees Enhance Complete Streets

More than Just a Pretty Trunk: How Trees Enhance Complete Streets (Jeff Prygoski, orig. Transportation for Michigan, Dec. 19, 2103) Roads and sidewalks have undergone dramatic transformations in communities with complete streets policies. More than 90 Michigan communities have passed complete street policies, which contain a variety of design elements that foster a safer, more…

DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video)

DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Between the Lines, Dec. 18, 2013) As Republicans continue to condone the hateful, anti-gay comments of their Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, Democrats brought out the big guns for a community forum at Affirmations featuring Democratic National Committee Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “In…

Moeser Resigns, Ferndale School Board Seeks Applicants

Moeser Resigns, Ferndale School Board Seeks Applicants (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 18, 2013) Charles (Chuck) Moeser turned in his resignation Tuesday night after over 20 years on the Ferndale School Board, including ten as Board President. The Board has 30 days to find someone to appoint who will fill his position.  The partial term ends…

Pleasant Ridge Picks John Zech For Interim City Manager

Pleasant Ridge Picks John Zech For Interim City Manager (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 13, 2013) After interviewing five potential candidates, the Pleasant Ridge City Commission has chosen former Wayne City Manager John Zech to serve as Interim City Manager while a long-term replacement for Sherry Ball is sought. Zech retired from Wayne in 2010, after…