Guest Column: The Value of Street Trees (Robert J. Gibbs, AICP, ASLA, July 15, 2016) Trees are an indispensable component of good neighborhoods. When the right species are planted in the right place and cared for properly, many benefits are realized. Street trees soften hardscapes, buffer pedestrians from moving vehicles, and create “outdoor rooms” that…
Celebrity Softball Helps Raise Money for Boys and Girls Clubs (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 11, 2016) Ferndale, MI – Abraham Lincoln taking a selfie. Boxing legend Thomas “the Hitman Herns” sitting in the bullpen of the neighborhood park watching local TV anchors playing softball with 1968 Detroit Tiger Ike Blessit and Royal Oak Mayor Jim…
Eat to the Beat Concert Series in Southfield 7/14, 8/11 and 9/8 (Event) (SOUTHFIELD, Mich.) – The city of Southfield, in partnership with the City Centre Advisory Board, has expanded the Eat to the Beat lunchtime food truck & concert series to include Eat to the Beat After Hours on Thursday, July 14 from 12…
FOIA Turns 50. Here is Why That Matters. (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 4, 2016) Washington DC – The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the law that requires the Federal Government to operate with transparency and to disclose information that is requested by the public (including the media). There are exemptions to what information can…
Police Chief’s Recommendations for Avoiding Traffic (Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko, July 2, 2016) We are all looking forward to a fun holiday weekend, I know I am. One concern we share with you is about traffic. Last weekend we heard from folks who got caught up in traffic northbound on I-75 north of…
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish (Guest blog, Nkenge Burkhead, Prevention Education Specialist, HAVEN, July 1, 2016) People often ask, “How did you get involved in this work?” This is a question advocates working to end domestic and sexual violence have been asked countlessly. Their answers are often filled with personal experiences. Many advocates identify as both survivor…
Summer Food Program for Kids Locations (SE Michigan United Way, June 21, 2016) Meet Up and Eat Up – Summer Meet Up and Eat Up is a collaborative movement to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals 3 times a day, 365 days a year. For kids who rely on free and reduced…
2016 Candidate Interview 35th District State Representative Jeremy Moss (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 20, 2016) Southfield, MI – Democratic Incumbent Jeremy Moss is running for re-election to be State Representative for the 35th District which includes Southfield, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Franklin and Lathrup Village. He has been in office nearly two years. …
Walk for the Future Raises Money for Boys and Girls Clubs (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 12, 2016) Royal Oak, MI – Dozens of adults paid forward their own success this weekend as they made an investment in the lives of children through the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb Counties Walk for the…
2016 Candidate Interview Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 10, 2016) Huntington Woods, MI – Democratic Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is seeking re-election on the Nov. 8, 2016 ballot. He was first elected to the position in 2012. Republican John P. McCulloch is running against him. Meisner talked about…
2016 Candidate Interview: Robert Buxbaum for Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 9, 2016) Oak Park, MI – In the County-wide race for Water Resources Commissioner (formerly titled Drain Commissioner), the Democratic Incumbent Jim Nash faces Republican challenger Robert Buxbaum on the Nov. 8, 2016 ballot. “I’m an engineer and I…
2016 Candidate Interview: Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 9, 2016) Farmington Hills, MI – In the County-wide race for Water Resources Commissioner (formerly titled Drain Commissioner), the Democratic Incumbent Jim Nash faces Republican challenger Robert Buxbaum on the Nov. 8, 2016 ballot. Nash was elected to the position…
Southfield Using Cured in Place Pipe to Replace Old Water Mains, Minimize Cost & Disruption (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 16, 2016) Southfield, MI – With the costs of failing infrastructure and matters of public health on the minds of municipal leaders, communities are on the lookout for solutions to water system issues such as deteriorating…
Massive Annual Effort Keeps Rouge River Clean and Flowing Nicely (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 1, 2016) Southfield, MI – The Rouge River has come a long way since organized community cleanups began 46 years ago. Cyndi Ross was one of about 300 people who came out to the annual Friends of the Rouge clean up…
1.2 Mill Proposal to go on Nov. 8 Ballot for “Rapid, Reliable, Regional” Transit (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 1, 2016) Southfield, MI – The RTA unveiled their Regional Master Transit Plan on Tuesday, including information on a proposed 1.2 mill tax to fund it. Voters in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties will have their…
Suicide Prevention Efforts Grow Across Oakland County, Training Available (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 27, 2016) Troy, MI – Southfield Police Officer Mark Zacks used to have trouble asking the question “Do you think about hurting yourself?” or “Have you thought about suicide?” With 28 years on the force including 15 on the special entry and…
2016 Candidate Interview: Lisa Brown Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 26, 2016) West Bloomfield, MI – Former State Representative and current Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown is seeking re-election. Brown faces challenger Michael D. Smith in the Aug. 2, 2016 primary. The winner of that race will face…
2016 Candidate Interview: Bill Bullard for Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 26, 2016) Highland Twp, MI – Longtime Republican politician Bill Bullard is running for Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds, a position that he had been appointed to for 2010-2012 before losing the position to Democrat…
MDOT Shares View of Plaza Reconstruction Over 696 in Oak Park (C. Proxmire, May 26, 2016) Oak Park, MI – As the rebuilding of a plaza and community park goes on above, cars zoom along underneath on I-696 without most drivers realizing that a large project is happening over them. MDOT is redoing the plaza…
Birds of Prey Wow Youngsters at Southfield Library (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 7, 2016) Southfield, MI – Nancy Sloan of the Howell Nature Center likes bringing a taste of the wild to groups of children, and on May 2 the Southfield Public Library was graced with her expertise. But the stars of the evening were…