Local Government

Published November 12, 2019

Birmingham to host forum on new water standards

BIRMINGHAM — Just a few weeks after the state of Michigan said that Birmingham had high lead levels in water at certain homes, like several other municipalities sampled under new testing standards, the city has invited residents to a community water forum to discuss the issue.

Published November 11, 2019

Shelby - Utica News

Planning Commission denies landscaping company from operating at Telly’s

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Planning Commission unanimously denied a local business’s request to allow a landscaping company on its agriculturally zoned property.

Published November 8, 2019

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Fifth sculpture dedicated in Harrison Township

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The North Star is the anchor of the northern sky, an inspirational signal using its glow to help guide humanity toward a purposeful direction. And now it’s also an artistic fixture in Harrison Township.

Published November 5, 2019

Troy Times

Mayor Slater gavels out

TROY — Mayor Dane Slater thanked the students attending the Oct. 21 Troy City Council meeting and had a message for them.

A motion unanimously passed Oct. 23 for Macomb Township to release all documents related to a legal bill and waive attorney-client privilege.

Published November 5, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Macomb Township Board of Trustees votes to waive attorney-client privilege

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, process sometimes can be tricky to navigate, as demonstrated at a recent township meeting.

Published November 5, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

Elements restored to plans for new Grosse Pointe City facilities

GROSSE POINTE CITY — Some elements of Grosse Pointe City’s new public safety, public works and municipal court buildings have been added back into the project.

Published November 5, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Park purchase agreement draws crowd, criticism

GROSSE POINTE PARK — It likely wasn’t the reaction Grosse Pointe Park officials were expecting. During an Oct. 28 council meeting, a real estate purchase agreement that’s part of a forthcoming new art center was met with boos from a packed council chambers.

Published November 5, 2019

Woodward Talk

Ferndale sets $15 minimum wage for city employees

FERNDALE — A recent resolution approved by the Ferndale City Council will establish a $15 per hour minimum wage for full-time and part-time employees of the city, except for seasonal workers.

Published November 4, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Amid protests, city manager awarded raise, new contract

BIRMINGHAM — Most of the folks gathered in Birmingham City Hall Oct. 28 agreed that City Manager Joe Valentine does a great job. Lots of them were in favor of a proposed 3% raise, which was part of the consent agenda for the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting that evening.

Published November 4, 2019

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Fall blood drive returns to Clinton Township Nov. 13

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The 30th annual Clinton Township blood drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Clinton Township Senior Center Gym, 40730 Romeo Plank Road. The township partners with the American Red Cross.

Published October 30, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Clinton Township board again says ‘no’ to marijuana facilities

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A split vote and an impending ballot proposal have put marijuana proponents and detractors on separate sides of the aisle.

Macomb Township Ethics Advisory Committee member Tom Sokol addresses the Macomb Township Board prior to its vote on an ethics ordinance. The board unanimously approved the ethics ordinance Oct. 23, nearly two years after an ordinance was first proposed.

Published October 30, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Macomb Township ethics ordinance approved, takes effect in November

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Nearly two years after the creation of an internal ethics policy that would govern elected officials was proposed, the Macomb Township ethics ordinance was unanimously approved at the Oct. 23 Board of Trustees meeting.

Published October 30, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Property appraiser hired in Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At the Oct. 9 Board of Trustees meeting, it was decided to hire a property appraiser in the assessing department.

Published October 29, 2019

Rochester Post

Rochester Hills wins state planning award for public outreach

ROCHESTER HILLS — The city of Rochester Hills was recently recognized for its excellence in engaging the public during its most recent master plan update.

Published October 29, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

Outgoing Grosse Pointe City councilman honored with resolution

GROSSE POINTE CITY — When the Grosse Pointe City Council holds its next regular meeting Nov. 18, it will be without City Councilman Andrew Turnbull.

Published October 29, 2019

Woodward Talk

Pleasant Ridge to have 1 voting precinct in 2020

PLEASANT RIDGE — Starting in 2020, the city of Pleasant Ridge will be converting to one precinct for its elections.

Published October 29, 2019

Woodward Talk

Ferndale amends ordinances to allow recreational marijuana businesses

FERNDALE — Ferndale has approved ordinance language to allow recreational marijuana businesses.

Published October 28, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Despite overall wealth, experts say poverty is rampant in Oakland County

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — “I don’t care how big someone’s house is. You just never know what their situation might be,” said Gilda Jacobs, the president and CEO of the Michigan League of Public Policy.

Published October 28, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

‘You’re pitting neighbors against neighbors’

BIRMINGHAM — There’s one thing most Birmingham residents can agree on: If residents are going to be handed a bill to fix residential roads, it’s better direct their anger to City Hall than at each other.

Published October 28, 2019

Shelby - Utica News

Utica and Shelby to discuss water double charging issue

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The city of Utica and Shelby Township are discussing a change to a long-standing practice between the two communities involving water charges.