State accepts cityhood petition

LANSING ? Oxford Village’s bid to change its form of government will move forward in the legal process. In a 3-0 vote, the Michigan State Boundary Commission Jan. 18 determined the village’s petition to incorporate everything within its existing boundaries as a city was legally sufficient and set a public hearing for 4 p.m. Thursday, […]

Real estate brokers say 2007 going to be better

Contrary to reports from major media outlets, the real estate market isn’t all doom and gloom. ‘We all say the market’s slower or its down, but you still don’t see any less cars on M-24,? said John Burt, owner/broker of John Burt Realty/GMAC Real Estate in Oxford and Lake Orion. ‘There are still people moving […]

Pastor who united church says goodbye

If one of the goals in life is to leave things better than we found them, the Rev. Harvey Fry has succeeded admirably at the Oxford Free Methodist Church. When Fry first arrived here as a ‘troubleshooter? in July 1999, he found a church suffering, a church divided against itself, a church where the focus […]

Contracted administrators save school district money

Even though they’re officially retired, two Oxford Schools administrators continue to work for the district as contracted employees providing both valuable experience and a significant cost savings. ‘It’s not an uncommon phenomenon, but it’s new to Oxford,? said Oxford Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro, commenting on the district’s Retire/Rehire Program. Dr. Jerry Oermann, director of special education […]

Downtown headed for cyber space

Soon people will be able to tour downtown Oxford from the comfort of their home or office. The Oxford Downtown Development Authority last week authorized spending up to $7,500 on a contract with the Troy-based Virtualeyes to construct a 3-dimensional cyber tour of the DDA district complete with an interactive business directory and map. ‘It’s […]

The State of 35 Park St.

Now is the time of year when it seems like every head of every unit of government is giving their ‘State of the (Fill in the Blank)? address. From the President of the United States to Michigan’s Governorette to the Oakland County Executive, the big cheeses at every level give these self-congratulatory, blue sky, everything’s […]

Wrestling team finishes third in Imlay City

Oxford’s grapplers did well at a 10-team tournament held in Imlay City Saturday. With an overall score of 152 points, the Cats finished third behind Ogemaw Heights (153) and first place Durand (200). Individually, the grapplers also did well. Bobby Rhodes was the 135-pound champion while John Logan took first place in the 215-pound class. […]

Manager’s alcohol charges appear to violate village policy

It appears Oxford Village Manager Joe Young violated the municipality’s credit card policy on two or three occasions by charging alcohol for Downtown Development Authority committee meetings. ‘It’s certainly not intentional,? Young said. ‘I didn’t even realize (it) or else I certainly wouldn’t have done it.? The manager used his village credit card to purchase […]

Shopping center plan includes Kohl’s

A proposed shopping center just north of the village could bring a Kohl’s department store to Oxford and another traffic signal on M-24. Preliminary plans for the ‘Oxford North Shopping Center? were brought before the township planning commission last week by Joseph Kosik, Jr., of the Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investment Company. A public hearing to […]

Meriam Bldg. pays lowest taxes downtown

One of downtown Oxford’s larger commercial buildings was assessed a combined $707 on its three tax bills from the township and village last year. In 2005, this same building had village and township (summer and winter) tax bills totalling $704. Owned by Dave and Joan Weckle, the historic Meriam Building at 10 N. Washington Street […]