Cantankerous old publisher gets roasted

‘I’m afraid I’ve known Big Jim for over 50 years . . . and it’s finally time to give him some grief publicly.? That was how Roastmaster Tom Offer kicked off the Rotary Club of Oxford’s Roast of James A. Sherman, Sr. ? affectionately known as ‘Big Jim? to family and friends ? held Saturday […]

High winds, hail and no power, oh my!

A powerful storm containing high winds and hail blew through the Oxford area Saturday night, knocking down trees and power lines. Meterologist Dan Thompson, who works at the National Weather Service office in White Lake, reported wind gusts were ‘mostly in the 60-to-70-mile-an-hour range.? Accompanying the strong winds was a high volume of hail that […]

Twp. approves ballot language for $20M community center

Ballot language asking voters to support the construction and operation of a community center in Oxford was approved last week 7-0 by the township board. When voters trek to the polls for the Aug. 5 primary election, they will face two questions. The first is a bond proposal that, if approved, would give the township […]

Potential water, sewer rate hikes subject of April 22 meeting

The average residential water/sewer bill for Oxford Village customers could be increasing by as much as 50 percent, according to Manager Joe Young. Village water and sewer customers are invited to learn why, provide input and voice their opinions at a special 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 council meeting. The meeting will take place in […]

OCTV: New channel, new equipment, new attitude

Oxford Community Television (OCTV) has a new channel, some top-notch new equipment and a new attitude that invites viewers to not only watch shows, but become part of them by working both ends of the camera. ‘We’re stepping up the professionalism,? said Production Manager Teri Stiles. Beginning Tuesday, April 22, Oxford and Addison residents who […]

Twp. kicks in $425K from reserves for fire station addition

Thanks to a series of money-moving motions approved by the Oxford Township Board last week, residents won’t be asked to increase their tax burden in order to add living space to Oxford Fire Station #1. Township officials voted 5-2 to transfer $425,000 from their general fund reserves (i.e. fund balance) to the fire department for […]

Council authorizes attorney to draft ballot language for dispatch millage

After an hour’s worth of discussion, the Oxford Village Council last week voted 3-2 to authorize attorney Bob Davis to draft ballot language for a millage question pertaining to dispatch services for the November election. ‘It’s about allowing the people to make the decision,? said Councilman Elgin Nichols, who raised the issue. ‘We’ve discussed the […]

Village property loses a bidder, gains a tax exemption district

Two new developments have occurred regarding the fate of the 98 S. Glaspie St. property owned by Oxford Village. Last week, the village council voted 3-2 to create an industrial facilities tax (IFT) exemption district for the site and Raven Engineering, Inc., one of the parties interested in buying the property, withdrew its previous $250,000 […]

Proposed village budget contains no tax increase, 1 percent pay raises

Oxford Village residents should be pleased to learn the municipality’s proposed 2014-15 budget contains no property tax increase. In the budget he submitted to council last week, village Manager Joe Young proposed keeping the tax rate at 10.62 mills. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Under the proposed rate, […]

Snow record is broken ? now go away!

Only in Michigan can the temperature exceed 70 degrees on Sunday and by Tuesday morning, there’s snow on the ground. Spring may be officially here according to the calendar, but Old Man Winter got in one last lick as he dumped about 2-3 inches of snow on the Oxford area beginning Monday night and into […]