Just prior to President George W. Bush delivering his State of the Union address Jan. 23, another George with the title of president gave his report about how things are going locally.
‘The State of the Village is good, very good, as we enter the year 2007, with the prospect of continued improvement over next several years, with increased housing units and commercial development and continued infrastructure upgrades,? said Oxford Village President George Del Vigna.
Del Vigna delivered his first State of the Village report before council, a small audience and the Channel 19 camera.
Here are some highlights of what the village president reported:
Public Safety ? ‘The Village Police Department … (has) continued to improve the safety here in the Village as the crime rate is down again from a year ago. Police Chief (Mike) Neymanowski is pleased, as we all are, to see the low crime rate get even lower.
‘On the traffic safety front we have a 35 percent reduction in traffic accidents (76) in 2006 from the prior year (116). A factor that helped reduce the accident rate (was) the issuance of 126 more tickets this year than last year, a 3 percent increase.
‘Police vigilance on our roads and in our neighborhoods is paying off in safety dividends. This included speeding tickets, drunk driving arrests, and increased commercial truck enforcement on M-24 which helps (make) it safer for pedestrians crossing at the traffic signal on M-24.?
Business Growth ? ‘We have two new high end beautiful commercial buildings under construction in the downtown area along M-24. They will supplement and enhance the character and desirability of doing business and living here in the Village of Oxford. The total of 34,000 square feet of first and second floor space in these two buildings will have a major impact on the vitality and visibility of the downtown.
‘The development of the east alley south from Oxford Bank towards the Market Place Plaza is also expected to be a catalyst for new business development and vitality with a new commercial retail office district. The expansion of the central business district zoning to the east of M-24, which would include the former James Lumber site and several other parcels would be enhanced by (the) potential (for) a ‘second? main street east off of M-24 along the gravel east alley tying into Mill Street.?
Transportation Service Expansion ? ‘A pilot bus shuttle service through the North Oakland Transportation Authority is expected to be pursued with DDA involvement (to create) a route starting north at Meijer and going south to the Kmart in Lake Orion. Possible Thursday through Saturday service is being discussed. The Shuttle service could alleviate some of the parking congestion in the downtown as well.?
Parking Lot Improvements ? ‘The DDA is addressing parking improvements for the downtown quadrants that would increase the number of spaces and better manage the use by having a few spaces in each area marked for limited time parking.
‘Lighting improvements with a local company, Relume, are being pursued that will provide brighter lighting at a lesser energy cost. The improvements (together with) employees/(business) owners parking (in) the back of the lot will allow for more customer parking closer to the businesses.?
Recreational Opportunities ? ‘A prospect of having a new major recreational activity in the Village at the recently purchased building at 98 Glaspie Street, adjacent to Scripter Park, is being reviewed by a national BMX bike organization which could include skateboarding and other recreational activities. An indoor soccer and roller hockey organization is seeking to locate in the area as well.?
Financial Stability ? ‘The Village is managing the taxpayers funds to provide the highest level of services while maintaining healthy fund balance reserves and keeping tax rates down. Our recent audit report for fiscal year 2006 showed a General Fund unreserved fund balance of over $940,000 which represents 33 percent of our annual operating expenses.?
Village Water ? ‘A new (third) water well, scheduled to be put online later this year, will provide emergency backup and (meet) future growth demands. The possibility of a new water treatment plant that would replace (the existing plant), which is over 30 years old, is being considered (to help) maintain the high quality water and water pressure we enjoy here in the Village.
‘The Village well water is filtered and softened and it is said to provide some of the highest quality and best tasting water in Michigan.?