Local Government

Published June 26, 2019

Grosse Pointe Shores tax rate remains same for 2019-20 fiscal year

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — Grosse Pointe Shores will start the 2019-20 fiscal year July 1 with a budget that reflects the challenges facing many municipalities in Michigan.

Attorney Paul Cassidy, who represents Macomb Township General Counsel and Human Resources Director Tom Esordi, seen here, sent a letter to Supervisor Janet Dunn regarding a “public verbal ambush” launched against Esordi by Clerk Kristi Pozzi May 22.

Published June 25, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Do Macomb Township employee’s 2 positions create a conflict of interest?

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Once again, the issue of a potential conflict of interest has been addressed in Macomb Township.

Published June 25, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak to ban sale of cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets at pet stores

ROYAL OAK — On June 10, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets at retail pet stores in the city.

Macomb Township Treasurer Karen Goodhue on June 12 offered a second option for an ethics ordinance that the Board of Trustees could vote on at its June 26 meeting. The first option would be the ethics ordinance presented by the Ethics Advisory Committee.

Published June 24, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Goodhue presents second option for ethics ordinance in Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Two weeks prior to a highly anticipated vote on an ethics ordinance, a second option was proposed.

Published June 24, 2019

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Chicken ordinance introduced in Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Chickens may officially come to roost in Clinton Township.

Published June 24, 2019

Madison - Park News

Hazel Park budget aims to repair roads, give raises to staff

HAZEL PARK — Despite a steady rise in home market values, current homeowners in Hazel Park will only see their city tax bills increase by about 2 percent in fiscal year 2019-20, which begins July 1.

Residents left wreaths, stuffed animals, flowers, food and other items outside the St. Clair Shores Police Department as a temporary memorial to K-9 Axe, who was killed in the line of duty Nov. 4, 2018. Now the department will construct a permanent memorial to the police dog on the northeast corner of the building.

Published June 21, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

K-9 memorial to beautify police grounds

ST. CLAIR SHORES — To say that the November 2018 death of K-9 Axe hit the community hard would be an understatement.

Published June 21, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

St. Clair Shores City Council considers 4 candidates for city manager

ST. CLAIR SHORES — In a grueling four-hour session, the City Council heard from candidates for city manager from as near as Center Line and as far away as Des Plaines, Illinois.

Published June 21, 2019

Warren Weekly

Council race drama rocks Warren politics

WARREN — Those yearning for major change in Warren politics may soon get their wish.

Published June 21, 2019

Sterling Heights Sentry

Progress to flow on relief drain project

When day after day of rain hits Sterling Heights, the Sterling Relief Drain plays a key role in sweeping the water away.

At the June 12 Board of Trustees meeting, it was unanimously approved for Supervisor Janet Dunn to gather names of potential outside legal counsel to offer an investigative opinion on a grievance.

Published June 19, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Macomb Township board approves supervisor to gather names of outside legal counsel

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At the June 12 Board of Trustees meeting, it was unanimously approved for Supervisor Janet Dunn to gather names of potential outside legal counsel to offer an investigative opinion on a grievance.

Published June 18, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

DTE gas meter and main project continues in Grosse Pointe Park

GROSSE POINTE PARK — A gas renewal program by DTE Energy is continuing this summer in Grosse Pointe Park. Representatives from the utility company addressed the Park City Council during a meeting June 10 to update residents and officials about progress so far and plans going forward.

Published June 18, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak city manager announces retirement

ROYAL OAK — Royal Oak City Manager Don Johnson recently announced his retirement from the city after nearly 14 years. He has held the position of city manager for the past decade, and before that, served as the finance director.

Published June 17, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak marks centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote

ROYAL OAK — For many American women who have enjoyed the right to cast their ballots at the polls, it may seem hard to believe that such a right was only introduced 100 years ago.

Published June 17, 2019

Shelby - Utica News

Utica residents to see large rise in water rates

UTICA — Utica residents will be seeing a hike in their water bills as soon as July 15. A plan has been put into place to eliminate the current deficit in the city’s water and sewer fund within the next few years.

After multiple rounds of review, city staff decided the gateway designs should be modern, internally lit, and made of aluminum and acrylic.

Published June 12, 2019

Troy Times

Troy City Council again pauses plans for gateway signs

TROY — The Troy City Council postponed moving forward on the construction of gateway signs to the city for a second time amid concerns that the signs look dated.

Published June 12, 2019

Troy Times

Troy City Council cements cement contract

TROY — With the road construction season underway and without any evidence that a cement contractor was part of any wrongdoing, the Troy City Council awarded DiLisio Contracting a hefty contract while still waiting for the results of a forensic audit.

Published June 12, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Macomb Township to be reimbursed $66,000

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Almost one year after a petition was submitted, Macomb Township received some welcomed news.

Published June 11, 2019

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Gratiot DDA tax plan renewed following two years of expiration

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority has renewed its tax increment financing, or TIF, plan.

Published June 11, 2019

Woodward Talk

Whitmer, Moss rally in Ferndale to expand LGBTQ civil rights

FERNDALE — At a town hall meeting on Monday, June 3, in Ferndale, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reaffirmed her commitment to the LGBTQ community a day before she and other lawmakers announced legislation to expand LGBTQ civil rights in the state.