January 3
Competing against eight other schools, the Oxford varsity wrestling team took first place in the Oxford Invitational, scoring a total of 228 points.
Retired dentist Dr. Wallace Lee has written a book entitled ‘Michigan Obsolete Bank and Scrip Notes of the 19th Century/National Bank Notes 1863-1935.?
January 10
Springwood Park LLC has applied for a conditional rezoning of the nearly 1,200 Koenig Sand & Gravel property along Lakeville Rd. in order to build a maximum of 2,500 residential units, no more than 1,000 of which would be attached units.
Carolyn Bennett has been hired as the Oxford Downtown Development Authority’s new executive director.
Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford), 49, began his first two-year term as the Oakland County Commissioner representing District #1.
January 17
A public hearing will be held to discuss the proposed Oxford North shopping center, which will consist of eight retail buildings totalling 183,792 (including a Tractor Supply Co. and Kohl’s). It’s proposed to be constructed on a 24.94-acre site, south of E. Market St. and just north of the village limits.
It appears Oxford Village Manager Joe Young violated the municipality’s credit card policy by charging alcoholic beverages for DDA committee meetings at local restaurants. He later voluntarily reimbursed the DDA $150 to cover the charges after concerns were expressed by officials.
One of downtown Oxford’s larger commercial buildings, the Meriam Building (10 N. Washington St.), is paying the least amount of property taxes of any building in the four quadrants. A combination of Proposal A’s effects and ‘inappropriate assessing practices? appears to be the cause.
Citizens packed a public hearing to strongly oppose plans to transform the 1,200-acre Koenig Sand & Gravel property into a 2,500-unit residential development.
January 24
The Michigan State Boundary Commission determined Oxford Village’s petition to incorporate as a home rule city is legally sufficient to move forward in the process.
After eight years as pastor, Rev. Harvey Fry performed his last service at the Oxford Free Methodist Church.
Linda Didion, of Oxford, won the Leader’s ‘First Baby of 2007? contest with the birth of little Savannah Didion on Jan. 6.
The Oxford DDA authorized spending up to $7,500 for the Troy-based Virtualeyes to construct a 3-dimensional cyber tour of the DDA district complete with interactive business directory and map.
January 31
Randy Bellestri and the Bloomfield Hills-based Talon Development Group have proposed turning a 21-acre site (the old Sea Ray facility) on the west side of M-24, across from Meijer, into an approximately 200,000-square-foot commercial shopping center.
The search is on for a new Oxford Public Library director after Judy Doublestein announced plans to retire May 31 after 23 years.
Preliminary figures indicate that, on average, the overall assessed value of residential properties will increase this year by 1.3 percent in Oxford and 2.21 percent in Addison.
February 7
Pay raises of 3.5 percent have been proposed for Addison Township’s elected officials and full-time administrative employees.
Mark Garavaglia, 37, of Port Sanilac, is the new pastor of Lakeville United Methodist Church.
Residents are invited to tour Oxford Township’s new two-level, 14,000-square-foot office building on Dunlap Rd.
February 14
Oxford Township Treasurer Joe Ferrari has been formally accused of harassment by township employee Patti Durr. No specific details were released, but it was noted by the township attorney the harassment was not of a sexual nature.
Oxford Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro announced plans to retire June 30. She’s headed the district since July 2000.
David Wendt, a 2005 Oxford High graduate and varsity basketball star, died at the age of 19.
Homer G. Lotz, an officer with the Oxford Police from 1973 to 1997, died at the age of 71.
Carla Ann Jepsen is the new pastor of Thomas United Methodist Church.
Fr. Mike Green, founder and proprietor of ‘The Monk Press? at St. Benedict Monastery on E. Drahner Rd. in Addison, celebrated his 50th anniversary in the printing game.
Oxford Village Clerk Christine Burns submitted her letter of resignation with no final date of employment. She was hired in July 2005.
February 21
Craig Peter Rambo, 20, of Addison, was arraigned on multiple criminal charges after he allegedly pointed a bow and arrow at his girlfriend’s face during an argument the day before Valentine’s Day.
Amy Alder, a 1995 OHS graduate, was hired to be the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director.
Oxford’s DDA was certified as an Accredited National Main Street Program for the second consecutive year.
The Oxford Township Board voted to put its vacant old 2,500-square-foot hall and land at 18 W. Burdick St. up for sale. According to an appraisal commissioned by the village, the property is worth $325,000.
February 28
Teachers Judy Bozynski, of Lakeville Elementary, Neil Peruski, of the middle school, and Catherine Woolman, of the high school, are the district’s nominees for Oakland County’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
Addison’s elected officials decided not to give themselves a 3.5 percent pay increase.
About 100 residents attended the Addison Township Board meeting to oppose a proposed amendment to the township’s noise ordinance.
March 7
The Oxford Village Council made it clear that it supports the township’s current zoning of the 1,200-acre Koenig Sand & Gravel property and oppose plans to build 2,500 residential units there.
Oxford Township officials voted 4-2 to adopt a new Residential Equivalent Unit schedule, created by township Trustee Doleen Behnke and Planning Commission/ZBA Coordinator Barb Walkaus, which will translate into higher water and sewer bills for certain residential and commercial users. The new schedule will be effective April 1.
Lakeville Elementary Principal Sharon Karpinski announced she will be retiring from her post in July after nine years here.
Lakeville Elementary secretary Donna Burton was the school district’s nominee for the Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award.
March 14
A recent decision by the Oxford Township Board to effectively raise the capital water and sewer charges for mobile homes has upset Greg Christopher, owner of the Lake Village Manufactured Home Community.
Christopher Michael Martin, 20, of Oxford, was charged with arson after allegedly setting a fire in the basement of the Park Villa apartment complex at 535 Pontiac St.
Oxford Township’s new Oakland County Sheriff’s Department substation commander is newly-promoted Lt. Larry Perry.
Oxford Village Clerk Christine Burns is one of two finalists for the city manager position in Cedar Springs. She submitted her letter of resignation Feb. 13. Council is expected to accept it at its March 14 meeting.
March 21
Charlene Podzikowski announced plans to retire in May after 16? years as the Oxford school district’s transportation supervisor. Prior to that, she worked in custodial maintenance for the schools for 17 years.
Kristy Gibson-Marshall, assistant principal at OMS, was tapped to be Lakeville Elementary’s new principal in September. She’s been with the school district for 12 years.
Oxford Treasurer Joe Ferrari admitted his decision to discuss the harassment complaint filed against him by township employee Patti Durr in a closed session township board meeting was a ‘mistake.?
The Oxford Village Council voted to decline to accept Clerk Christine Burn’s resignation. Burns vows to continue to show up for work everyday until told otherwise. She’s still waiting to hear if she’s got the job as city manager in Cedar Springs.
March 28
A stolen assault rifle and an alleged threat to shoot up the high school led to the arrest of former OHS student Kyle Michael Etherton, 17, and Kyle Reece Knox, 17, a current OHS student.
A mercury spill discovered at the Stor Your Stuf, a self-storage facility at 557 Rochester Rd., just north of 32 Mile Road in Addison, was contained and cleaned up.
Joseph Robert Vestrand, 52, of Oxford, is free on $10,000 personal bond after being charged with five felonies as a result of his allegedly pointing a loaded gun at his 20-year-old daughter.
Oxford Village’s new, official cityhood committee held its first meeting to discuss a variety of issues.
Addison officials are leery of the possibility of Verizon placing a 200-foot cellular tower on property that’s part of Fire Station #1 on Forest Street inside the Village of Leonard.
April 4
Following a closed session meeting, the Oxford Board of Education voted 5-2 to place Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro on administrative leave with full compensation until June 30, the date she was planning to retire. A disagreement over her handling of an administrative personnel issue.
A public meeting to discuss what qualities and characteristics Oxford school district residents want in their next superintendent was held. Someone who lives here and is visible in the community were the main things people wanted to see.
A backfiring lawn tractor started a fire on Honey Bee Lane in Addison Township that resulted in the destruction of an attached garage.
After listening to loads of public outcry, the Oxford Township Board voted to reverse its decision to adopt a new REU schedule effective April 1 and continue using the existing schedule until July 1. A proper engineering study is to be conducted and used as the foundation for determining and assigning REUs.
Jeff Davidson replaced Randy Fox as chairman of Oxford Bank and the Oxford Bank Corporation, the bank’s holding company.
Oxford Village Clerk Christine Burns has accepted the position as city manager in Cedar Springs. Her last day here is April 17. She starts her new job May 1.
Lakeville Elementary secretary Donna Burton won the Oakland County’s Betty Campion Distinguished Support Staff Award.
April 11
The search for a new director for the Oxford Public Library has been narrowed to two candidates ? Bryan Jay Cloutier and Jacalynn Harvey.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision forcing certain girls and boys high school sports to move their seasons around is forcing coaches and players to make some tough choices.
OXBAT (short for Oxford Business Assistance Team) is forming to help downtown business owners with ideas and advice on a wide range of topics from financial issues to marketing to leasing space.
April 18
A bomb threat written on a boys restroom wall at Oxford Middle School was discovered.
The Oxford Township Planning Commission voted to deny a one-year extension of its final site plan approval for Terraces at Watersone, a proposed 424-unit multifamily residential development that was going to be constructed on 56.48 acres south of Ray Rd., between M-24 and Oxford Rd.
At an Oxford Township Planning Commission meeting, residents of Lincoln and Harriet streets expressed their displeasure with proposed plans to build a Kohl’s department store just north of their neighborhood. The commission voted 5-2 to recommend to the township board preliminary approval of Planned Unit Development site plan for the shopping center which would include Kohl’s.
The North Oakland County affiliate of Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ), a new local charity organization consisting of 11 churches in the Oxford/Orion area, opened for business.
April 25
Three of the Oxford school district’s current administrators ? OHS Principal Mike Schweig, Technology Director Tim Throne and Special Ed. Director/Crossroad for Youth School Principal Dr. Jerry Oermann ? have applied for the superintendent position. A total of 26 candidates have applied for the job.
The Polly Ann Trail Management Council rejected a nonnegotiable offer regarding in-kind services from Addison Township forcing the community to withdraw its membership from the council.
The Oxford Public Library Board of Trustees voted to hire Bryan Cloutier as the library’s new director for $65,000 per year plus benefits. A resident of Lapeer, Cloutier has served as director of the Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library in Imlay City since April 2003.
The Oxford Village Planning Commission’s failure to grant a one-year extension of site plan approval for ‘The Oakland Building? ? a three-story, 21,000-square-foot commercial project proposed to be built in downtown Oxford’s northwest quadrant ? has angered developer Charles Schneider, who says he will now just put the vacant property up for sale.
Approximately 97 fifth-graders and 33 adults from Lakeville and Clear Lake elementaries got sick from what appears to be the norovirus while staying at the Howell Conference and Nature Center in Marion Township (Livingston County).
May 2
The Oxford Board of Education has chosen to interview eight candidates for the superintendent position.
After 10 years in business, the Oxford Antique Mall will close its doors downtown later this month.
Plans for a 200-foot cellular tower in Leonard were nixed based on negative feedback from residents.
May 9
The Country Coney at 1040 S. Lapeer Rd. was ravaged by fire when some natural gas was ignited. An estimated $100,000 in damage was caused.
Oxford teacher Robert Wilson was arraigned on four felony counts of criminal sexual conduct stemming from allegations he sexually touched his adopted 14-year-old daughter.
After 31 years of teaching math and coaching basketball in the Oxford school district, Walt Studinger has decided to retire.
Addison resident Harry ‘Red? Seavey visited the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. He was a Navy Seabee in the Pacific from 1943-46.
A public hearing on the village’s petition to incorporate as a city drew a meager crowd at the middle school.
OHS senior Sarah Tomaka was awarded a Congressional Medal of Merit for creating a patriotic display case at the school to honor alumni serving in the military.
May 16
A proposal to charge fees for the rental of various school district facilities is upsetting people.
For his 80th birthday, former Oxford Postmaster Truman Horton was honored with a certificate for his 20-plus years of service and an American flag that flew over the Oxford Post Office on E. Burdick St.
Oxford Township’s second water treatment plant went on line. Located at the corner of Seymour Lake and Dunlap roads, the $3.5 million plant will remove iron and arsenic from the township’s well water.
By a 3-1 vote, the village council approved a resolution supporting the ‘cityhood process? as the ‘last step? to ‘control our own destiny.?
May 23
The Oxford Board of Education has voted to hire Dr. William Skilling, formerly of Weberville, as the district’s new superintendent. He’s been given a three-year contract with a starting annual salary of $131,500 plus benefits.
Oxford’s 3rd Annual Relay for Life raised $62, 363 for the American Cancer Society.
After 21? years with the school district directing the middle and high school choirs, Margaret Payne is retiring.
Developer Dave Weckle is planning to build a bistro at the northeast corner of Center and N. Washington streets. If approved, it’s going to be called the ‘Polly Ann Bistro.?
May 30
Navy Master Chief Gary Mason, a 1976 OHS graduate, was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.
Longtime Oxford resident Helen Smith was presented the G.E. Meads Award by the Rotary Club of Oxford. It’s the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a non-Rotarian who exemplifies the club’s motto ‘Service Above Self.?
After 38 years, Leonard resident and local mailman Joe Kotowicz is hanging up his bag for good.
Oxford Township officials voted 4-3 to place a 10-year, 0.25-mill tax for the establishment, construction and maintenance of safety paths on the August 2008 primary ballot.
June 6
Oxford resident Gordy Dibler, Jr. is still hoping for the safe return of his stepson, Army Pvt. Byron Fouty, who was captured May 12 in Iraq.
The Oxford Athletic Boosters and Foundation honored 94 senior OHS athletes. Samantha Bono and Vinnie Ives won Best Female and Male Athletes, respectively.
Brendon Krug became the 6th Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 108.
June 13
A total of 283 seniors graduated from OHS. Of that, 108 graduated with honors. Mitchell Blose won the Oxford Cup.
Christ the King Church’s new 18,427-square-foot Family Life Center is set to open on Father’s Day.
CC’s Cyber Cafe opened in downtown Oxford at 3. S. Washington St. The cafe offers food, beverages, computers and video games.
A 48-year-old Oxford resident witnessed a rowdy group of middle and high school stu- dents fighting and filming the action on the Polly Ann Trail.
June 20
The school board is expected to adopt a $37.2 million budget with an $1,800 surplus.
Five people have filed for four seats on the village council up for grabs in the Sept. 11 election. Teri Stiles, Chris Bishop, Tony Albensi, George Del Vigna and Mike Hamilton are running for office.
Closures of unpaved portions of downtown’s southeast and northwest parking lots have upset the DDA and business owners.
OHS Junior Andrew Stein scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT Reasoning Test.
June 27
A market study regarding downtown Oxford conducted for the DDA told officials they should concentrate on making the district a regional entertainment and restaurant destination.
About 7,000 people attended the Third Annual Hot Blues and BBQ festival at Scripter Park.
Robert Parenti, a former attorney for Oxford, Addison and Lake Orion, has penned a new book entitled, ‘A Story of Love and War: World War II Recollections from Letters Written to a Soldier’s Sweetheart.? It’s based on the 100 or so letters he wrote to his wife of 61 years, Laurie.
After 46 years of faithful service, Dale Spiker retired from the Oxford Fire Department.
A 79-year-old barn, located at 1430 E. Drahner Road, was burned to the ground by the Oxford Fire Department as part of a training exercise.
Iva Vander Voort and L. Beverly Hill retired together from the Oxford Schools Transportation Department after working there 10 years and 31 years, respectively.
Next week, The Oxford Leader will shrink its page size. It will go from the current 15 inches tall and 11.5 wide to a more manageable 12 inches tall and 11.5 wide.