City Council told a subcommittee made up of two City Planning Commissioners and two Historic District Commissioners to seek bids for four signs estimated to cost $5,000, April 22. ‘Something the city has needed for a while is a designation to let people know that this is a historic district,? said Historic District Commission Chair […]
Township residents could pay 7 to 8 percent more for sewer services to pay for a new sewer system to Pontiac. According to the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, Tim Prince, diversion to Pontiac will cost $24.4 million. Independence Township’s portion of the cost will be $1,886,400 with $461,860 interest. Construction of […]
Like many ten year olds, Maysie Jean Madison sings along with Katy Perry and Justin Beiber. She loves writing, bike riding, painting her nails, and Sponge Bob Square Pants. But since March 7 when Maysie was medically-induced into a coma due to seizures in her brain, she hasn’t woken up to enjoy the usual things. […]
As he looks back on his tenure, Dennis Ritter feels he’s accomplished a great deal, but wishes he could have done more. In particular, Ritter is proud the city ‘managed to grow our fund balance.? He pointed out, ‘It was a huge accomplishment considering the massive drop in property values.? In addition, Ritter refers to […]
Part II of a two-part story on oil and gas exploration from start to finish. Oil and gas extraction Once oil and gas companies Jordan Exploration or their partners West Bay Exploration have identified where they want to drill using seismic testing, and they have drilled into the earth and placed steel piping, they are […]
Part I of a two-part story on oil and gas exploration from start to finish. BY MARY KECK Clarkston News Staff Writer The lease Jordan Development offered Independence Township is ‘non developmental,? which means no drilling or mineral storage will occur on their property. The same may not be true of leases signed between Jordan […]
‘I feel like I’m coming home,? said Carol Eberhardt, who was recently hired to be the City of the Village of Clarkston’s city manager. ‘How lucky am I? I get to live where I work and do what I love,? she added. Eberhardt, who was elected to the council in November, will resign from her […]
The Independence Township Board will outsource Human Resources and payroll services, but the cost of doing so included laying off an employee. On April 2, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to hire Human Capital for one year for $62,280. Independence Township’s HR and payroll department’s budget currently totals $177,514; therefore, the township will save […]
Two Independence Township building inspectors received a 27 percent increase in pay after the Board of Trustees cast a 5-2 vote on April 2. Clerk Barb Pallotta and Trustee David Lohmeier opposed the motion. In 2012, inspectors Merle West and Ron Shelton were paid a total of $52,000, and they completed 2,030 inspections. In 2013, […]
Driving along White Lake Road just before the Indian Springs Metropark entrance, you wouldn’t know there was a drilling operation behind the line of black plastic sheeting unless you take a right onto Teggerdine Road. Once around the corner, you’ll see a dirt drive closed off by a gate where a security guard is posted. […]