ATLAS – Atlas Community Baptist Church has ministered for more than 150 years in this unincorporated community. With a new pastor, the congregation has taken radical steps to continue the tradition. When they called Rev. Jim Combs to be their new pastor, they also voted to withdraw from the American Baptist Churches USA, become an […]
BRANDON TOWNSHIP – The northeast corner of Oakland County often feels removed from the arms of regional government. Brannon Brown wonders how many people are even aware of the entity called Oakland Schools. The local resident is among those calling for major reform of the intermediate school district structure, especially in light of recent financial […]
BRANDON SCHOOLS – Superintendent Bart Jenniches has little sympathy for those involved in alleged scandals at Oakland Schools. “It’s a shame these other issues overshadow what they do well,” Jenniches said. The controversy over former intermediate superintendent James Redmond’s involvement with the MINDS Institute gets his harshest rebuke: “Of all the controversies, that’s the most […]
Local school officials were bracing for a state aid freeze in the 2003-2004 fiscal year. They were surprised, however, when Governor Jennifer Granholm announced a reduction in the promised state funding for the current year. The Michigan Legislature had until Friday, Feb. 14 (after The Citizen’s press deadline) to pass an alternative package, but figures […]
It’s not buying votes, but it is possible to “buy” a spot on the ballot for local school boards in the Monday, June 9 election. A revision to Public Act 431 now allows a candidate to pay a $100 fee instead of filing the traditional nominating petitions. “You don’t even need to go out and […]
BRANDON TOWNSHIP – The fire department’s new ambulance is in, and plans for their new fire station are close to being off the drawing board and into the hands of builders. The 2002 Ford 450 chassis was augmented by Wheeled Coach of Wichita, Kan. With equipment, the total cost of the new rig came to […]
Have we had the discussion about how true journalistic “objectivity” is a myth? The summary: objective, impossible; fair and balanced, absolutely. Anyway, your humble editor is hardly objective about the Boy Scouts of America, which celebrates its birthday in February. As a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer, I continue to view the experience […]
GOODRICH – “I’m fed up,” said Van Richards. A Thursday, Feb. 6 incident in which his six-year-old son suffered a gash to the head has Richards livid – not necessarily because it happened, but because of how it was handled. “They’re trying to shove this thing under the rug,” he said. “That driver didn’t do […]
Random, arbitrary and otherwise miscellaneous ramblings from your friendly, neighborhood editor. . . It’s been awhile since we have been able to offer the shotgun approach to the news and other stuff. Hang on; it could be a bumpy ride. w w w So, anyone fed up with the shenanigans at Oakland Schools? Curious as […]
GROVELAND TOWNSHIP – A shorter, less detailed off-street residential parking ordinance was still too much, according to many residents, so the planning commission will try again. “It’s still too restrictive,” said Commissioner Jean Sova at a Tuesday, Feb. 25 meeting which drew almost as many people as the Jan. 28 public hearing that led to […]