Questions About Ballot Issues? New Law Signed by Snyder Prevents Discussion (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 6, 2016) Cities, school districts, libraries, police departments and other groups rely on tax funding that comes from millages, which must be voted on by the public. There are also ballot proposals that directly impact governing bodies, for example, the…
Local Government Leaders Ask Snyder to veto SB 571 (Michigan Municipal League Press Release, Jan. 5, 2016) Lansing, MI – Local government leaders from across the state today joined to ask Gov. Rick Snyder to veto Senate Bill 571, which would gag local officials seeking to provide constituents with factual information on election matters 60…
No More Straight Ticket Voting in Michigan as Governor Signs Bill into Law (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 5, 2016) Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill into law that eliminates straight ticket voting in the State. Because the bill has a $5 million appropriation attached to it, voters can not reverse the law on referendum.…
oc115.com – Best Stories of 2015 (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 1, 2015) Ferndale, MI – 2015 was an amazing year for the Oakland County 115 News as we began growing in new communities, and as we tackled some challenging stories. We also got some nice recognition in other publications, including The Detroit News, Downtown Publications,…
Southfield Opposes Drilling Permit (City of Southfield Press Release, Dec. 30, 2015) Southfield, MI – Recent media reports have resulted in questions about the City of Southfield’s position regarding oil and gas exploration. These questions arose because Jordan Development filed an Application for drilling in the City on November 4, 2015. This Company is an…
US Postal Service Raising Shipping Rates, Service Fees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 30, 2015) Washington, DC – The price of first class stamps will stay the same, but the costs of shipping and other services offered though the United States Postal Service (USPS) are going up. The increases, approved in October, begin Jan. 17, 2016.…
Step Forward Program Helps Save Homes from Foreclosure (Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner Press Release, Dec. 28, 2015) Southfield, MI – With foreclosures causing as much as an 8 percent loss in property values of neighboring homes, according to the Federal Reserve of Boston, and Oakland County losing $14 billion in taxable value during the…
Resources for Adults Seeking Counseling (Nan Kerr-Mueller, Dec. 28, 2015) Oakland County, MI – Last month I started a quest to find some counseling help for a young adult in my life. They did not currently have health insurance and were having trouble finding someone that would see them. I started with Easter Seals as…
LGBT Community Considers 2016 Ballot Initiative (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 8, 2015) Ann Arbor, MI – In Michigan it is illegal to discriminate against people based on factors such as race, religion, age and disability. However, discrimination continues against people in the LGBT community because it is legal to do so. In Michigan people…
Berkley Celebrates the Season with Hometown Holidays (Leslie Ellis, Dec. 6, 2015) Berkley, MI – The holiday season marched into town Saturday during the Holiday Lights Parade in Berkley. Children of all ages crowded along 12 Mile Road to cheer as the procession of fire trucks, horse-drawn carriages carrying city officials, community groups, marching bands…
Judge Debra Nance Finds Inspiration on the Way to the Bench (Wayne State University Press Release, Dec. 1, 2015) Southfield, MI – The legal career of Debra Nance has been touched by synchronicity – seemingly small, unrelated events that resonate and become meaningful. A 1999 alumna of Wayne State University Law School, today she’s a…
Science of Sound at Southfield Library Dec. 7 (EVENT page) Science of Sound @ the Southfield Public Library The Southfield Public Library will host the Cranbrook Science Center on Monday, December 7 at 7 p.m. for The Science of Sound with Musician Ryan Cox! The Cranbrook Science Center introduces the Scientific Process. Students will discover…
Things Most People Get Wrong About Trees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 15, 2015) Trees. Everyone has them or lives near them. Yet there are many mistakes people make in their care. Pleasant Ridge residents were recently treated to a seminar on trees that can help people in any community understand the nature of these beautiful,…
Clerk Launches Alert System for Property Owners to Help Prevent Fraud (Oakland County Clerk Press Release, Nov. 7, 2015) Oakland County has launched its new Property Record Notification system to enhance its Super Index, simplifying property record searches and allowing activity notifications for residents, professionals and law enforcement. “We’ve taken our Super Index, a property…
League of Women Voters Michigan Discusses Redistricting (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 6, 2015) “The problem,” said Michigan League of Women Voters of Michigan President Judy Karandjeff, “Is the politicians are drawing their own voting maps to manipulate elections and keep themselves and their party in power.” Karandjeff spoke to over 50 people at a recent…
Analysis of Voter Turnout in South Oakland County, 2015 (Guest View: Kurt Metzger, Mayor of Pleasant Ridge, Nov. 5, 2015) Now that the results are final and the celebrations are over, it is time to reflect on Tuesday’s election results across communities in southeast Oakland County. As one would expect in an off-year election, the…
2015 Election Results (oc115 Staff, Nov. 3, 2015) Election Results will be updated as they become available. The results listed below come from the Oakland County Clerk’s Office, and are unofficial until verified. For more detailed info on any of the races go to the Oakland County Clerk’s Election page at https://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections. Auburn Hills In…
Election Day! Share Your Stickers and Poll Worker Pictures! (Compiled, with much thanks to Cheryl Weiss, Nov. 3, 2015) Election Day is one of our favorite holidays! Let’s spread the Election Day spirit by sharing pictures of poll workers and folks with “I voted” stickers. For the best oc115 Election Stories go to https://oaklandcounty115.com/2015/11/02/2015-election-stories/. Check…
Redistricting Presentation in Southfield Nov. 10 (EVENT page) Redistricting Presentation in Southfield Nov. 10 Tuesday, Nov. 10 6:30pm at Southfield Parks & Rec Building, 26000 Evergreen, Southfield, MI 48076 The League of Women Voters of Michigan is hosting over 30 Town Halls across the state of Michigan this fall to educate voters on the importance…
2015 Election Stories (Compiled, Nov. 2, 2015) Nov. 3 is Election Day and several cities have local elections and ballot issues. The Oakland County 115 News Hub does not endorse any candidates, and we respect everyone who puts themselves out there to take on the challenge of local governance. This year we tried something new…