Vote YES on Addison fire millages

Addison’s fire millages seem a little complicated at first glance, but it’s real simple. Yes, technically both are tax increases because they’re asking residents to authorize two 0.75-mill property taxes at the original voter-approved rates from 1972 and 1988. So yes, if the full 1.5 mills were to be levied should both taxes pass, homeowners […]

Vote YES on parks and rec. renewal

Here’s an easy one. Oxford Township Parks and Recreation is asking folks to simply renew its already low millage for another 10 years. Nobody’s looking for a tax increase here. They just want what the taxpayers have been giving them, nothing more. We can see no valid reason why taxpayers should stop funding their parks […]

Local contractor may seek legal action over village’s handling of bids

It was difficult decision, but choosing which company’s going to build Oxford Village’s new water treatment plant certainly shouldn’t have been a controversial one. Unfortunately, in this community, it seems as if any decision has the potential to become fraught with controversy. Last week, the village council voted 5-0 to enter into negotiations with the […]

Nice day for a bike ride

Saturday was a great day for a nice long bike ride and that’s exactly what the 243 cyclists who participated in the 10th Annual Rural Pearl of a Ride did. The fund-raising bike ride that began on the Polly Ann Trail raised $4,986 for Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance and Orion Area Youth Assistance. Although there were […]

Court panel awards Knaufs $425K for parking property

After years of legal wrangling, the controversy over downtown Oxford’s northeast parking lot could finally be over ? or it could be starting yet another chapter. Last week, a case evaluation panel appointed by the Oakland County Circuit Court awarded Knauf Family Properties the sum of $425,000 (which includes interest and attorney fees) for the […]

Old industrial building could become indoor sports facility

An Oxford resident with an idea to turn a dilapidated old industrial facility owned by the village into a privately-operated indoor sports training facility is currently negotiating a lease agreement. ‘It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,? said Dan D’Alessandro, who recently approached council with a proposal to use the village-owned facility located at […]

Brother, sister kick their way to Jr. Olympics

Brittany and Jacob Loder’s young lives revolve around punching and kicking their way to trophies, medals and championships in their parents? dojoe. Or should it be called by its Korean name dojang. Probably the latter, since the two Metamora residents practice the Korean martial art known as tae kwon do. Their superior skills earned them […]

Ex-NOTA employees talk about Fitchena

Former employees of the North Oakland Transportation Authority came forward last week to complain directly to the authority’s board about Director Pat Fitchena’s behavior and abilities. ‘There (were) a lot of things there that could have been a lot better while I worked there,? said Belinda Cox, of Oxford, a former NOTA dispatcher who resigned […]

Why was attorney hired without NOTA approval?

Pat Fitchena’s hiring of an attorney to represent the North Oakland Transportation Authority at a June 16 unemployment hearing did not sit well with some board members who knew nothing about it until they read the newspaper. ‘I’m not saying we probably wouldn’t have taken this action. We probably would have,? said NOTA Board Member […]

Candidates file for Nov. 4 ballot

Oxford Township Treasurer Joe Ferrari went from facing zero challengers in his bid for re-election to five opponents. Last week, Larry Banachowski, Edward Hunwick, Gerald Mouch, William Bishop and C.J. Carnacchio (see My Way column for an explanation) all filed valid qualifying petitions to run for the treasurer’s position in the November election. All five […]