Bids are in and workers ready, but sticky negotiations are clogging up resolution of a collapsed storm sewer situation. “We need the easement before we can work on this,? said City Manager Dennis Ritter, at the Jan. 12 Clarkston City Council meeting. Three construction companies submitted two bids each to repair Washington Street resident Norm […]
When it came time for City Council to approve the final stimulus plan package, Councilwoman Kristy Ottman wanted no part of it. ‘As much as I love the idea of us going through and getting this grant money, I am opposed to the actual stimulus plan. I think that it’s a band aid on a […]
After collecting nearly 2,800 pairs of old, unwanted eyeglasses for the poor, Michael E. Inch has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. ‘It felt good,? he said. ‘I know that a lot of people in developing countries need glasses to see and if they can’t see very well they won’t be able to get jobs, […]
This past Friday I showed up at Coats Funeral Home in Ortonville to pay my respects and to give my support to the family members of a gentleman by the name of Bill Cobb. Mr. Cobb passed away on Jan. 11 at 92 years old. He was a 71-year resident of Independence Township. He served […]
Despite the upcoming inaugeration of President Barack Obama, the Clarkston area still faces economic troubles. Bob Daddow, Oakland County deputy county executive for special projects, explained them to Independence Township Board, Jan 6. ‘I would strongly suggest you plan two or three years out in your operating budget,” Daddow said. “If you don’t, you’re going […]
What was intended to be a quick update on the new Independence Township Hall turned into another debate. Trustee David Lohmeier asked why no bids were brought to the Township Board. “I don’t find anywhere in the minutes where the bid policy was waived,” Lohmeier said at the Jan. 6 meeting. “I believe it should […]
When Trustee David Lohmeier tried to make a formal motion at the Jan. 6 township board meeting, Supervisor David Wagner would have none of it. ‘It hasn’t been advertised,” Wagner said. “If we start doing that, then we might as well forget about publishing anything in the newspaper. This (opening comment) is not when you […]
The City of the Village of Clarkston is hoping to cash in on President-elect Barack Obama’s Federal Economic Stimulus plan. “Some of the numbers we have heard in this first round could be $300-$350 billion,? said City Mayor Stephen Arkwright. ‘Michigan may get up to 25 billion, it’s significant.? City Council gathered for a special […]
When city officials checked a sewer running through Washington Road resident Norm Cristea’s property in 2003, they said it was sound. Six years later, the sewer broke, causing a sinkhole in his yard. “It’s an old plain pipe sewer that’s cracked and broken,? said Gary Tressel of Hubble, Roth, and Clark engineering firm. ‘It’s probably […]
In this age of government bailouts, Independence Township Parks and Recreation requested and received its own. The department spent $120,000 this past year, but took in $40,000 in revenue. The extra $80,000 will come from other township departments. ‘We were trying to put in cost containment methods this year, which resulted in some departments being […]