They weren’t serving any hot wings, but that didn’t stop about 30 community members from heading to Buffalo Wild Wings on Lapeer Road earlier this week.
The Orion Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Legislative Update on Monday morning, with State Senator Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), State Rep. Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) and County Commissioner Mike Gingell (R-Lake Orion) all in attendance.
The three gave brief presentations on their respective government entities and fielded some questions from the crowd.
Chamber Managing Director Donna Heyniger said the idea for the breakfast/meeting actually came from one of the politicians.
‘Senator Bishop’s office was contacting all of the local municipalities,? she said. ‘We took the bait and thought it was a great idea.?
A leader in the state senate, Bishop said there are issues at the top that need to be resolved. He spoke of his frustrations when dealing with the governor’s office.
‘What I don’t see is cooperation,? Bishop said. ‘When I’m at discussions with that group, I feel like I’m at a dysfunctional Thanksgiving dinner.?
He also talked about the need to explore more cost-saving measures, especially in government.
‘A part-time legislature is something I’m willing to consider,? Bishop said. ‘I think our government should take a look at it.?
Marleau said the economic troubles in the state are obvious.
‘We had a balanced budget in my two previous years in the house, but we don’t have one this year,? he said.
At the Oakland County level, Gingell said things are still stronger when compared to other counties.
‘When times get tough, business owners get creative and they get passionate,? Gingell said.
One issue brought up during the question and answer portion was education, and there were a handful of educators and school administrators in the audience.
‘Public schools in any community are important for the quality of life,? Bishop said.
‘Unfortunately, you can’t get 110 in the House of Representatives to agree on how to fund this,? Marleau said.
‘We’re not getting the money into the classrooms,? he added.
‘The schools are bracing for impact,? Bishop said. ‘We’re going to continue to find a solution.?
Both Superintendent Christine Lehman and Executive Director of Business Services Jillyn Keppler of the Lake Orion Community Schools said they were encouraged by some of the discussion regarding a long-term solution for funding education and the annual problem they face this time each year from the state waiting for action.
‘I’m glad to hear that both sides are beginning to talk,? Lehman said.
Perhaps the state could take a cue from the county government when it comes to working together.
‘At the county, we have a bipartisan board, but we look at what we can agree on to make positive change in our communities,? Gingell said.
Gingell said that the county is looking into offering webcasts of their meetings, in hopes of getting more people involved.
‘It’s a way to start pushing out the availability of government,? he said.
‘Most of the time, what you read about aren’t the real issues,? he added. ‘I encourage you to dig deeper and get involved.?