January 2003
Goodrich school district bought
property:
The Goodrich Board of Education bought 50 acres, located on Coolidge Road, which was dedicated for future school use because of rapid growth in the Goodrich and Atlas areas.
Student population grew by more than 80 students in 2002 a rate Board President Michael Thorp said would necessitate expanding school facilities within the next 10 to 12 years.
‘This purchase is to ensure that when that happens we are not caught off guard,? said Thorp.
Area businesses experience
slower spending
One week after Christmas area businesses reported more people waited till the last minute to do their Christmas shopping in 2002 and purchased more gift certificates than usual.
Grace Geisler, owner of Willow Pointe Florest said the buying season had a different trend with people making a mad dash for wire orders and Arlene Thompson of Thompson’s Hardware said shoppers purchased more seasonal items than usual.
Brandon Seniors get new van
The Brandon Senior Citizens Center took delivery of a 21 foot Eldorado Community Transit bus, free of charge, after getting a SMART grant of more than $57,000.
Brandon Chamber welcomes
new board
Former chamber president Sharon Williams turned over the oath of office to the 2003 board which included new Trustee Paul Zelenak, Secretary Bridget Hughes, Treasurer Midge Bauman, Vice President Fred Waybrant, and President Robert Renchik.
February 2003
Groveland vehicle ordinance tabled
Groveland Township tabled a proposed ordinance discussion of off-street parking that would impose restrictions on parking and storage of vehicles on residential property.
Planning Commissioner David Ax said if the ordinance was accepted he, himself would be in violation of the law.
The ordinance called for a minimum of two parking spaces at every residence and a maximum of one ‘parked? vehicle for every licensed driver in the household.
Village Clerk/Treasurer leaves after
12 years
Clerk/Treasurer Cindy VanMergroet resigned from Ortonville Village Offices after accepting a Treasurer position in Davison. At Davison, VanMergroet is working with former village manager, Pete Auger, who is currently the City Manager in Davison.
Atlas added to mobile home
regulations
The Atlas township board added a condition to the mobile home park master plan that would require, in newly-built, single family residential dwellings’including mobile homes, basements must be included.
According to Township Clerk Tere Onica, since 1978 all single family homes must have basements. Onica said a recent FEMA geological study convinced the township that the same should ring true for mobile home parks.
MDOT OKs funds for South Street
bridge
After almost three years of talking with MDOT, village and township officials got word that the South Street bridge will get critical bridge funding from the state.
Village Manager, Paul Zelenak credited the widespread community support for getting the bridge on the critical funding list and said the estimated cost of the bridge repair will be more than $720,000, MDOT will cover up to 95 percent (around $500,000) of the total cost of the repairs.
March 2003
Goodrich residents protest
condos
Developers sought approval to build thirty five condominiums, that were scheduled to be built off Dutch Road and Cemetery Streets. The Warren developers however, ended up seeking approval for single family dwellings instead, based on public displeasure of the project.? It was obvious the residents were not in favor of the first few plans, so we basically changed the concept,? said Mark Wiedemann who also said they eventually changed the plan because he was sick of fighting with the residents and the zoning commission.
Village hires new clerk/
treasurer
After more than a month of screening more than 45 applicants, the Ortonville personnel committee hired Mary Clark to replace Cindy VanMergroet.
Clark spent more than 20 years working for Oxford Township as a department assistant, clerk, deputy clerk, deputy treasurer, and treasurer.
Parents work for
playground equipment
A playground committee was formed in Goodrich to raise funds for new playground equipment at both Reid and Oaktree Elementary schools.
The group which started with a dozen volunteer parents, along with both principals was organized by Joy Moll who has twin sons at Reid.
The group’s goal is to raise approximately $100,000 to use for both schools. Moll said most of the equipment is satisfactory but the group would like some things replaced with more durable equipment.
April 2003
Atlas OKs convent
Atlas Township Planning Commission has approved a site plan for a convent to be built on Coolidge and Washburn roads.
The Queen of All Saints convent and Mary Help of Christians Academy have plans to build a 21,670 square foot facility that will house 25 nuns and up to 80 students from grades K-8th. The chapel will seat more than 120 people.
A conditional use permit was granted followed by the site plan.
Goodrich High School
opens new auditorium
After voters approved a $26 million bond issue, which included $4 million for a new auditorium, more than 300 invitations were sent our for the ribbon cutting, grand opening of the ‘Ray Green? auditorium.
The board of education chose to name it the ‘Ray Green? auditorium after the school district superintendent because of his dedication and commitment to the schools and community for more than 20 years.
Residents scrape out of
ice storm
In the worst ice storm in ten years, some Oakland County residents went without power for more than a week.
Within 24 hours of the storm Brandon Township officials applied for State of Emergency status in an effort to recoup more than $30,000 emergency work force clean up expenses. Governor Janet Granholm ultimately refused the funding.
Groveland Fire Chief Steve McGee said his emergency crews worked 80 hours straight to clear roadways of fallen trees and power lines.
Nature trail led to dead
end
After deliberating the Brandon Natural Area Task Force proposed nature trail for more than two years, the Brandon Township board motioned to table any further discussion of trail development until January 2005 because Township Supervisor Ron Lapp said he was sure the idea would never pass through the existing board.
Pumps silent in
Groveland Twp.
The dewatering pumps at Midway Sand & Gravel in Groveland Township were turned off indefinitely following a meeting with attorneys representing the mine owner, Homer Tolliver, the Oakland County Drain Commission, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Midway pointed out that since a court action was pending and the township’s revoking of their license, the pumps will stop, for now.
Hadley swears in new
postmaster
Although Margaret Colley has been filling in as Hadley’s postmaster for more than a year, the 26-year veteran was officially sworn into her position on April 30, 2003.
Colley said she hopes to spend the next 20 years there.
Brandon joins NO HAZ
consortium
Brandon Township and Ortonville joined the multicommunity NO HAZ consortium to ease residents safe disposal of hazardous materials.
NO HAZ contracted with a licensed waste disposal expert in order to prevent hazards from being disposed of in landfills or illegal dumping into the environment.
Township OKs off-road
ordinance
In an effort to bring peace and quiet to residents, township officials drafted an off-road vehicle ordinance after a proposed noise ordinance was turned down by both the residents and the township board.
After reviewing the draft with the study committee, Building and Planning Director Tim Palulian said the draft was workable for the community stating he did not think the plan was out of the ball park of enforcement.
The land use and location enforcements were taken direcly from the state’s off-road vehicle ordinances.

Groveland OKs parking ordinance
Groveland township residents now have a new off street parking ordinance to follow.
In a unanimous vote, trustees approved the ordinance that allows two vehicles per household.
If a violation does occur, township officials typically send a letter informing residents of the problem before action is taken..