Some look at the 2008 political cycle as a year of change. For Addison Township residents, change is something very visible at the township offices.
Gone is 16-year supervisor Bob Koski, who was ousted in the August primaries. Retired Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Bruce Pearson now serves as the township supervisor.
Following the race between Pearson and Koski , Pearson said he prefers to look forward to the future and serving the needs of Addison residents.
What’s Pearson’s primary goal for 2009?
Two words: financial solvency.
‘We’re already looking at the future, so that three years down the road we’re in good shape,? he explained. ‘I’m trying to get different departments to give me ideas for saving money.?
By doing this, Pearson hopes spending township money responsibly will help ensure Addison doesn’t face a serious financial crisis a few years down the road.
Upcoming projects for 2009 include opening up the local park, informally known as Watershed Park or No Trespassing Park, with a parking lot and driveway and making it handicap accessible. Pearson would also like to see Lakeville Road’s Arnold Auditorium, built in the mid-19th century as a one-room schoolhouse, restored and moved to the township park as a welcome center.
Township officials are holding a contest where area students can suggest names for ‘Watershed Park? in hopes of coming up with a permanent moniker.
Pearson hopes to put gravel on the township roads using Tri-Party money (the township puts in $20,000 while the Oakland County and the Oakland County Road Commission put in matching funds).
According to Treasurer Dan Alberty, it costs about $19,000 per mile to install new gravel. Pearson’s plan is to do four miles annually, focusing first on the bad ones. Some roads have no gravel at all and haven’t been updated in years.
‘We’re working to put a base on them first,? Pearson explained. ‘By just putting gravel it’ll last only a short time and will become potholed again.
Other road improvements include Rochester Road from 32 Mile Road and north to Betts Road. ‘Rochester Road’s in pretty bad shape,? the supervisor said.
Pearson is working on a community newsletter to keep residents updated on the latest news from the fire department, township office, library and cemetery auxiliary, something that’s never been done before.
While there are many projects in the works for 2009, Addison officials have already gotten started on some projects–most notably making office renovations.
Twp. offices and bathrooms are being cleaned up and repainted. In the bathrooms, light fixtures have been fixed up, new sink fixtures added, new mirrors installed while re-caulking has been done.
Supplies have been purchased through township funds while the labor to do the renovations has been entirely through volunteer efforts.
‘In my door-to-door campaign, so many times we were told, ‘Please clean up the offices and restrooms,?? Pearson recalled. ‘We want to be proud of our township. When people come in to use the restroom they’ll see they’re clean, bright looking and presentable. They hadn’t been painted in 20 years or so and they had some wear and tear on them.?
Besides the repainting and remodeling, the township removed five truck loads of paperwork that was either old or not of any value. Some was already on computer and already had duplicates. Officials also washed and waxed the floors.
With the renovations to the township offices, Pearson feels it gives a more professional appearance and has turned the township offices into a hub of local activity.
A professional-looking office gives Addison Township an advantage in doing business, Pearson noted.
‘In this world we’re not only competing against China and other countries in the world market, we’re also competing against neighboring communities,? he said. ‘When they come in and see a professional place they say this is where they want to be and where they want their kids to go to school. We take a lot of pride in our community.?
Improvements to the township building looks to be an ongoing task in 2009. Pearson would like to see the building make better use of its space (his office is down the hall from the other township offices) by knocking down walls to move the supervisor’s office closer to the others.
They would also like to make the door into the main office more wheelchair accessible.
The supervisor added they have an architect donating time to draw up plans for the proposed renovations (which would have to be approved by the township board).
With the changes going on, Pearson hopes they reverberate in the community.
‘I want to promote this place,? he said. ‘If you have a hub of activity it brings in more business . . . We want to take pride in who we are.?