Dear Editor, With summer upon us, families are preparing to break away and enjoy some quality time doing things that are important to them. If you were the Brandon School Board, now might also be a great time to “educate” the public on your financial needs. The public might be too busy to notice your […]
Dear Editor, I want to sncerely thank all those who sent kind words of condolence or cards of prayers to our community at the time of Sister Mary Martin’s death. The outpouring of support has been tremendous. It has been a great tribute to a great woman. We send our prayers back to all who […]
Dear Editor, Above is a picture I would like to share with “everyone”who participated this past Saturday with the “Stamp out Hunger” campaign sponsored by the United States Post Office. There were 13 mail carts full of food, which had to be delivered in two trips and eight wonderful volunteers to help. Since OCEF had […]
Dear Editor, On behalf of the Ortonville Post Office, I would like to thank the entire community for your generous donations to this year’s “Stamp out Hunger” campaign. On Saturday, May 14, we held our 24th annual food drive. Your mail carriers and volunteers picked up 8,200 pounds of food and delivered to Ortonville Community […]
(In response to: ‘Are you a Trumpster?’ a letter by Bonnie Beltramo, The Citizen, May 7, page 6) Dear Editor, It gets very old dealing with the far left. If you agree with them, fine. If not, you are a bigotted flat-Earther. I guess I am a “Trumpster.” Those in office now aren’t doing a very good job (19 trillion in debt and counting). As far as immigrants go, I have two sons that are half-Mexican, but I still don’t want illegal immigration. My mother was a strong-willed person and I loved her for it. I also have two children that are half-black, so I guess I like people of color. As far as an over-reaching government, they stepped outside of the Constitution years ago. When it comes to a billionaire who failed here and there, we all do, yet he is still a billionaire and knows how to run a company. Maybe that is what our government needs. When it comes to science, there is just as much to show climate change is “junk,” like the polar ice caps growing again. I’ve done the homework and found out more than 50 percent of the population is on some kind of government assistance, which translates to Democrat votes. Rational argument is something the far left never embraces, they don’t want to be confused with facts. Certainly if jobs come back into our country, the high unemployment rates of the ever-trying minorities would plummet. As far as the protests go, it is more often than not that the “Anti-Trump” protests turn violent, just ask our awesome law enforcement. I suppose I could go on and on, but I have to get ready for work to support those who would rather protest and occupy than join me in paying taxes. I guess the reason I’m a “Trumpster” is because I’m tired of watching this country go down the “Dumpster.” Steve Adcock
(In response to: ‘Township plans new and improved parking lots,’ The Citizen, April 9, page 4) Dear Editor, A couple things that just don’t sit very well with me. First, $175,000.00 for a parking lot at the fire station (must be paved)? Most of the people going there to vote have gravel driveways or live on gravel roads.But it’s OK the fire department has the money. Is it possible maybe we are over taxed? I guess they couldn’t find a piece of firefighting equipment that might save a life or property. Then there is the school millage vote in August instead of during the general election. They know that the best odds of getting it passed is when most of the vote is cast by soccer moms, school employees and parents that are involved in schools. And don’t get me wrong, I applaud anyone that is involved with their kids, it’s the number one most important thing you can do. It’s just that the school board doesn’t want the true vote of the taxpayer. I don’t want to call anyone a cheater, but it’s at least tilting the odds in their favor. Is that what they teach in school? Scot Wolfe
Dear Editor, Where do I begin expressing my sincere gratitude for the volunteers that stepped up to organize the Teens and Seniors Rocking and Raking 2016 program? Eight people responded that they wanted to be sure our community senior and disabled residents would have their flower beds, windows, patio furniture and yards cleaned from the fall and winter weather, a 6-person committee was formed only two days after the plea appeared in The Citizen Newspaper. The committee consists of Jayson Rumball, Colleen Collins, Kim Zernec, Sharon Gibbons and Nate Odinga and me. Each committee member took a job and followed through in a very timely manner. Donations of cash, items for lunch and cleaning supplies were received from; Ortonville Ace Hardware, Brandon Family Dental, TSC, Papa Bella’s Pizza, Hamilton’s Propane, Bedrock Express LTD, Dollar General, Chesnutt Outdoor Services, Frosty Boy of Ortonville, Annie MacPhee’s, Ortonville Lions Club, Friends of Jayson Rumball, Rocan, Inc., Rumball and Wojtkowicz, PLC, MDTS Tower Service of Goodrich, Krystal Clear Wash of Goodrich, Pepsi Cola, Home Depot of Lake Orion, Home Depot of Auburn Hills and Brown’s Do-It Center of Goodrich. A few other homeowners donated cash and or food items. Special thanks to Maxine & Bob Stockley for the 200-plus huge homemade cookies and Karen and Bob McArthur for the wonderful taco salad! We are looking forward to the 2017 rocking and raking project and hope for the same response! Thank you one and all that gave of your time, money, food and kind gestures for our deserving seniors and disabled citizens. Candee Allen, TSRR committee
Village of Ortonville Ortonville Village Office 476 Mill Street Ortonville Village Special Council Meeting May 2, 2016 Synopsis Trustees Present: Skornicka, McClerren, Brice, Eschmann, Dylus, Wills Absent: Baker Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m. Approved the agenda as presented. Approved the minutes of the March 9, 2016, meeting as amended. Convened the special meeting with the purpose of updating the Village Council on progress in the hiring process for a new village manager. Discussed the number of applicants who applied and mentioned the criteria used to evaluate the applicants. Adjourned to closed executive session, at the request of an applicant and pursuant to section 8(f) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.261 et seq., to confer on all received applications. Closed session opened at 8:15 p.m. The special meeting reconvened at 9:07 p.m. Voted to direct the Personnel Committee to contact selected candidates to assess their desire for further consideration and negotiation to discuss employee terms to be potentially offered. Special meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Posted by Julie Hanna, Village of Ortonville Clerk. A full copy of the minutes are available at the Clerk’s office located at 476 Mill Street, PO BOX 928, Ortonville, Michigan 48462 or on the Village Website @ www.ortonvillevillage.com. Publish in The Citizen 5-14-16
VILLAGE OF ORTONVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Village of Ortonville Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on June 7, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with its regularly scheduled meeting at 476 Mill Street, Ortonville, Michigan. This hearing will be regarding the proposed amendment of several sections of Chapter 4.3 of the Village of Ortonville Zoning Ordinance. This chapter covers the type, size, and standards of signs placed in the Village of Ortonville. Any further information regarding the above public hearing may be obtained at the Village of Ortonville Municipal offices at 476 Mill Street, Ortonville, Michigan 48462 during the regular office hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or by telephone (248) 627-4976. This meeting is open to the public under the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Persons with disabilities, who require assistance to participate or attend this public meeting, are requested to contact the Clerk at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Contact the Village Offices at 248-627-4976 for further information or special accommodation. Julie Hanna Village Clerk Publish in The Citizen 5-14-16
Village of Ortonville Ortonville Village Office 476 Mill Street Ortonville Village Special Council Meeting May 5, 2016 Synopsis Trustees Present: Skornicka, McClerren, Brice, Eschmann, Dylus, Baker, Wills Absent: None Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. Approved the agenda as presented. Separately interviewed the top two candidates for the position of Village Manager. Voted to make an offer to the selected candidate contingent upon a background check, reference checks, and salary negotiations, and to immediately hire the candidate upon their acceptance of the position. Special meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Posted by Julie Hanna, Village of Ortonville Clerk. A full copy of the minutes are available at the Clerk’s office located at 476 Mill Street, PO BOX 928, Ortonville, Michigan 48462 or on the Village Website @ www.ortonvillevillage.com. Publish in The Citizen 5-14-16