Regional Transit May Not Make it to the Ballot (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 27, 2016) Pontiac, MI – Efforts towards a regional transit plan could be stopped in their tracks if representatives on the RTA Board from Oakland and Macomb Counties do not vote to put the 1.2 mil question on the ballot. Oakland County…
Federal Judge Blocks Michigan Ban on Straight-Ticket Voting (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 21, 2016) Detroit, MI – US District Court Judge Gershwin A. Drain placed four preliminary injunctions to prohibit Michigan from enforcing a new law that bans straight-ticket voting. According the The Detroit News, “the real question the court must answer, Drain wrote, is…
Patterson Presents Proposed Budget, Announces New 911 System (Office of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, July 21, 2016) There is a major public safety enhancement in County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s recommended three-year budget covering fiscal years 2017-2019. Oakland County provides for replacement of its 911 copper network which has reached the end of…
Renew for the Zoo Offering Free Animal Themed Signs to Promote Detroit Zoo Millage (Renew for the Zoo, July 20, 2016) ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Penguins, frogs and tigers are staking out their territory on lawns across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to encourage support of the Detroit Zoo millage renewal. The signs read, “Renew…
2016 Candidate Interviews & Ballot Issues (Frequently Updated) The oc115 believes in giving all political candidates a voice and a chance for readers to meet the people who want to represent them. So here is a series of video interviews. Not all races are listed, only those where we have an interview or story. “*”…
Photos from the 2016 Oakland County Fair (C. Proxmire, July 16, 2016) Davisburg, MI – The Oakland County Fair is not just a day of rides, shows and animals. It’s actually a 9 day fair with many people camping at the fair itself for the whole experience. Kids from all over Oakland County come to…
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…
League of Women Voters Hosting Candidate Forums Through the Area (Compiled, League of Women Voters Oakland Area, July 6, 2016) The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Here are candidate forums through the area:…
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 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…
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…
Claws and Paws Brings Doggie Fans Together (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 22, 2016) Clawson, MI – Jennifer Seidl of Farmington found Bat Girl tied to the fence of a shelter in Redford with a little black cat at her side, also tied. The ebony colored bulldog with large ears that look like bat wings had…