2008: The Year in Review Part II

July 2
New and improved ISO fire ratings in Addison and Leonard will mean big savings on homeowner’s insurance.
Rising delinquent mortgages lead Oxford Bank to enter into a formal consent agreement with its federal and state regulators.
The Oxford-based RLM Industries made 500 stainless steel crosses for wounded verterans at the North Chicago VA Medical Center.
Holly Bills, of Lapeer, is the new executive director for the chamber of commerce.
Oxford residents Dennis and Vicky Winkler have an albino groundhog living in their yard. They named him ‘Gobi.?
Leonard residents Harry and Connie Seavey celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
July 9
Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy announced he’ll be retiring at the end of October after 37 years of public safety service.
Oxford High School teacher Margaret Keely and her husband, William, were arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old Oxford girl.
NOTA Director Pat Fitchena hired an attorney at her own expense to fight ex-employee Danny Poole’s unemployment claim.
Italia Gardens opens its doors at 1076 S. Lapeer Rd.
Built around 1850, Oxford’s famous Octagon House at 2246 Oxford Rd. is for sale.
July 16
OHS teacher Margaret Keely allegedly tried to illegally acquire a 16-year-old student’s school records. The student was allegedly sexually assaulted by her husband, William.
Mary Stein, a professor at Oakland University, was appointed to the Oxford Board of Education.
Oxford Township employee Sue McCullough saved a 3-year-old boy’s life while on vacation in South Carolina.
The remains of U.S. PFC Byron Fouty were found in Iraq and are being shipped home to rest in peace. He was missing for more than a year.
Oxford Twp. Employee Margaret Wiltfang retired from the treasurer’s department.
The Oxford Twp. Board voted to enter into contract negotiations with Deputy Chief Pete Scholz to become the new fire chief when Jack LeRoy retires at the end of October.
July 23
A case evaluation panel awarded the Knauf family $425,000 for the northeast quadrant parking property.
Dan D’Alessandro is negotiating with Oxford Village to turn the vacant industrial facility the municipality owns at 98 Glaspie St. into an indoor, year-round sports facility.
Six candidates have filed as independents for Oxford Twp. office in the November election. Running for treasurer are Larry Banachowski, Ed Hunwick, William Bishop, Gerald Mouch and C.J. Carnacchio. Rudy Reyes is running for trustee with no party affiliation.
NOTA employees aired their grievances about Director Pat Fitchena.
July 30
Addison resident Chris Lattin is upset with Supervisor Bob Koski for not refunding his unnecessary ZBA fee in a timely manner.
Attorney Tom Ryan addressed the village council and residents about the upcoming cityhood vote facing Oxford.
Oxford resident Jan Heyse shot two hole-in-ones at Boulder Pointe.
A circuit court judge ruled the Knauf family cannot be the defendant in the northeast parking lot case. He brought the Grove family back in as the defendants.
August 6
Cityhood for Oxford Village and a safety path millage for Oxford Township failed in the primary election.
A parks and rec. millage renewal passed in Oxford while two fire millages were approved in Addison.
In Oxford, Curtis Wright was elected clerk while Mike Spisz, Joe Bunting and Melvin Cryderman were elected as trustees.
In Addison, Bruce Pearson was elected township supervisor and John Boehmer and Linda Gierak were elected as trustees.
Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ in Oxford welcomes a new interim pastor, Paul Kuntzman.
August 13
Even though she lost by only one vote, Addison Trustee Christine Sypitkowski won’t request a recount.
Amish Attic Furniture (17 S. Washington St.) is now open in downtown Oxford.
August 20
To help pay for some of the water budget deficit and the proposed new treatment plant , the Oxford Village Council voted to eliminate treasurer Maureen Helmuth’s position.
Sidewalks will be installed along a section of Pontiac Street across from Oxford Elementary despite residents? objections.
OHs grad Dave Rayner is temporarily kicking for the Detroit Lions.
August 27
A delivery truck tangled in some cable and phones lines behind Carla’s Fresh Market destroyed a utility pole knocking out power to 500 DTE Energy customers in Oxford.
The Oxford Village Council approved a 5 percent hike in water rates.
Oxford Schools welcomed 18 new staff members.
An 18-year-old Oxford pedestrian was rushed to the hospital after being hit by a Jeep on W. Drahner Rd.
September 3
With the start of this school year, Clear Lake Elementary marked its 50th anniversary.
An SUV plowed into the home at 1480 Ray Rd., seriously injuring a 22-year-old pregnant woman.
Independent candidate for Addison supervisor, Sereal Gravlin, was arrested after allegedly making a threat against TCF Bank in Lake Orion.
The Oxford DDA recently approved $11,500 in grant money to help Patterson Prescription Pharmacy improve its facade and doorway.
September 10
Michigan Renaissance Festival Queen Caroline Jett and some members of her realm visited Oxford resident Kelly Morrison at her home.
Addison Clerk Pauline Bennett said Republican VP nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stole the show at a recent GOP rally in Sterling Heights.
The Oxford Public Library’s quarterly newsletter earned a national award.
September 17
Unattended frying pan sparks house fire at 1880 Lowood Trail in Addison.
The Oxford Jr. Wildcats football team played a scrimmage at Ford Field in Detroit during halftime at a Detroit Lions game.
It appears seeds from a Datura plant got a 19-year-old Oxford man high. Village police found him staggering in the middle of M-24 with his pants around his ankles.
Oxford Post Master Joe Wilson, 55, of Livonia, retired after 24 years of service to the federal department.
Heavy rains have damaged local pumpkin crops.
September 24
Oxford parents Jorg and Kelly Linke believe the school bus stop for their 5-year-old is difficult to get to and unsafe.
A break-in at Isola’s Pizzeria in Addison resulted in two stolen cash registers and about $3,500 in damage.
Addison Postal carrier Barbara ‘Bobi? Jablinskey retired after 30 years of faithful service.
OHS Choir Director Chris Card is making singing cool for the fellas.
October 1
The school district gained 44 new students for a total of 4,388.
A jury ruled that the portion of the northeast parking lot fought over by the village, Knaufs and Groves since 2002 is worth nearly $268,000.
The school district brought tenure charges against OHS teacher Margaret Keely for her alleged role in the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old student by her husband.
Oxford ranks fifth in deer-car crashes in southeast Michigan.
The DDA put a $300,000 price tag on the three vacant lots it owns along E. Burdick St.
October 8
A resident’s petition to recall Oxford Village Councilmen Mike Hamilton, Chris Bishop and Tony Albensi was rejected by the county.
The Leader won four awards from the Michigan Press Association.
OHS sophomore Mallory Skilling won the Oxford Idol singing contest.
Police say village Councilman Mike Hamilton was physically assaulted by his brother outside JonMarx Steak and Seafood.
October 15
OHS seniors Geoffrey Charles and Sarah Kessler were elected Homecoming King and Queen.
About 900 DTE customers lost power in Oxford due to high winds.
A celebration of OHS teacher Lynda Munro’s life was held. She passed away at the age of 58 after a long battle with bone cancer.
Curves owner Suzanne Ardelan is taking on breast cancer with support from her family, friends and the community.
The church at St. Augustine’s Lutheran monastery in Addison was formally dedicated.
October 22
Fearing he might not be re-elected in November, Oxford Twp. Treasurer Joe Ferrari went job hunting in the Village of Holly. He said he rejected the offer, while Holly officials said they rescinded it.
The DDA hired Madonna Van Fossen as its new executive director.
Brandon Gentry, 12, of Oxford, lost his battle with cancer.
The OHS Equestrian Team snagged its first state title since 1978.
October 29
A 35-year-old White Lake man, Jay Bartoy, is accused of attempting to murder his wife, a 36-year-old Oxford woman, by shooting her in the head.
Oxford’s varsity football team secured a playoff berth and a share of the FML title with a 24-3 victory over Holly.
The Oxford Middle School yearbook recently earned two awards.
November 5
Oxford Twp. Treasurer Joe Ferrari survived the challenge of five opponents to be re-elected for another four years.
Voters ousted long-time Leonard Village President Geno Mallia, Jr. and elected Mike McDonald to the job.
Oxford students voted for Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain in mock elections held across the district.
OHS teacher Margaret Keely was held in contempt of court after she mouthed the words, ‘I love you. I miss you? to the 16-year-old Oxford girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her husband, William.
November 12
The Oxford school district is contemplating asking voters to approve a $90 million bond issue in the Feb. 2009 election.
Friends of Audrey Tenaglia, 42, of Addison, are rallying to fulfill the dying mother’s last wish to take her family to Disney World.
Oxford Superintendent Dr. Bill Skilling reported on his recent visit to China.
Goodwill is planning to open a store in the Oxford Mills Shopping Center.
November 19
Winston, the large Pacu fish at the Oxford Public Library, celebrated his 20th birthday with a party and snacks.
Oxford teachers got a three-year contract with pay increases.
November 26
Plans to put a 195-foot cell tower next to Leonard Elementary were denied.
Descendants of the Sherwood family celebrated their 100th Thanksgiving together.
Singer/songwriter Kerri Lee Smith, a 1995 OHS grad, is coming to town to promote the release of her first CD.
Copper Hills Golf and Country Club’s ninth hole honored as beautifully brutal by John Deere Credit.
December 3
School officials have decreased their bond proposal from $90 million to $70 million.
Oxford hunter Dallas Nolin bagged a six-point doe near Almont.
The approval of a village recreation plan means Leonard is one step closer to turning a vacant 3.1-acre parcel into a nature park.
December 10
Leonard, Lakeville and Oxford elementaries are all finalists for the state’s Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools Award.
Two men stole more than $8,000 in jewelry from the Oxford Meijer.
Doug Noaker, 54, was appointed to the Leonard Village Council.
Work on downtown Oxford’s northwest parking lot has been delayed until spring due to winter weather.
Carla’s Fresh Market and CC’s Cyber Cafe are closing due to the poor economy.
December 17
The school board approved placement of a $70.135 million bond proposal on the Feb. 24, 2009 ballot.
Oxford resident Michelle McLean is now a world champion equestrian.
Filmmaker Jeff Jones, a 1997 OHS grad, is making a documentary about urban legends and haunted places in and around Oxford.
Oxford Twp. employees and firefighters will get a 2.5 percent pay increase next year.
Oxford Twp. voted to downsize its planning commission from nine to seven members.
December 24
Despite an erroneous headline in The Oakland Press, Oxford Bank is not receiving a federal bailout. The bank announced a new insurance program to make deposits more secure.
Oxford resident William Fischer was reunited with his World War II Marine buddy, Eris Cade, after 63 years.
The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce honored former Fire Chief Jack LeRoy as Citizen of the Year; The Red Tag Store as New Business of the Year; and gave the Coffee News the Community Enhancement Award.
Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance Caseworker Hank Szlenkier was honored as the Oakland County Circuit Court Employee of the Year for the Family Division.
December 31
Declining revenue and mounting overhead forced Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub in Oxford to close suddenly after nearly nine years in business.
Chase Bank has submitted plans to Oxford Township to build a 4,454-square-foot banking facility at the southeast corner of M-24 and Ray Road.
Ten members of the Oxford Free Methodist Church recently toured biblical and historical sites in Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
OHS chemistry teacher Brian Agar retired after 37 years of juggling test tubes and students.