The Record provides brief summaries of crimes in Oakland Township each week in a box. This week the box is on page 2. We have more than I thought.
Also in this issue of The Record is an interesting editorial on page 13 asking for our help in pushing the legislature to pass FOIA laws that include the governor’s office. Apparently we are one of only two states exempting the governor’s office from Freedom of Information requests. (Think Flint Water Crisis.)
Also on page 13 is the paper’s perspective on its nine years of service.
This bears watching. This appeared on the Township Website a couple of days ago. It did not get communicated via email to township subscribers. At least I did not get it. That’s why I check the Township website every day for any surprises.
Tonight November 20, 2024. Left to right, Emily Campbell – New Trustee; John Giannangeli – returning Treasurer; Robin Buxar – returning Supervisor; Dave Mabry – returning Clerk; Jeanne Langlois – returning Trustee; John Casadei- new Trustee; Absent – Jack Elder – returning trustee.
The oath and some information about it can be seen here
At this Tuesday’s Board of Trustee’s meeting, I plan to edit the report at the link below to fit into my alloted 3 minutes at “Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda”.
Article on Board deliberations on what type of LED bulbs to use now that DTE has phased out mercury bulbs (considering dark skys, traffic safety and health). See also October 22, 2024 Board of trustee minutes and video.
One legal notice
Rochester Post – October 31
Article on current library negotiations
New draft minutes and/or videos of Government meetings posted during this past week.
October 22, Board of Trustees, Special Meeting, Mostly Closed
Contrast these facts with this incorrect information provided in August 8, 2024 approved Library Board minutes. These minutes say on page 3, paragraph 3 referring to a Library Board Member.
“She stated that the higher value of Oakland Township homes results in hundreds of dollars more per resident paying for library services.”
If we want voting representation on Rochester Hills Public Library Board, we must convince our legislators to revise the Michigan State Law titled Act 164 of 1877. Rochester Hills Public Library Board cannot legally allow it under current law even though in 2018 they wanted to.
Note that this “old law”, as some have characterized it, has been amended at least 15 times since 1877, most recently in 2014.
Our Library Board under leadership of former President Michael Tyler (resigned August 2024) has attempted to get this law changed. They first approached our state legislators. Legislators were uninterested to the point they did not respond to several emails, snail mails, and hand delivered messages on this topic. Our Library Board then sought support from our Township Board of Trustees; asking them to approve a resolution supporting the Library Board’s position and forwarding it to legislators.
President Tyler presented the Library Board’s case to our Board of Trustees at their October 23, 2018 meeting. Our Township Board declined to take action. See their minimal minutes below.
You should view the 30 minute discussion (1:56 to 2:27) including three public comments on the meeting video at agenda 7/5 at this link: BOT – 10/23/18 – October 23, 2018. I urge you to watch this if you have any interest in this topic.
My terse summary of Board and public comments follows.
Trustee Frank Ferriolo felt is was unnecessary to have a seat on RHPL Board as there were no problems and we have great power as a customer of RHPL. There are other options if we don’t like RHPL in the future such as Lake Orion library. He very strongly objected to the phrase “taxation without representation”.
Trustee Robin Buxar essentially supported Ferriolo
Treasurer Jeanne Langlois said the Library Board is fully authorized to request changes in legislation and saw possible confusion with the proposed arrangement.
Trustee Lana Mangiapane supported President Tyler’s request.
Supervisor Michael Bailey, Clerk Karen Reilly and Trustee John Giannangeli did not comment.
Three citizens who spoke all supported Mr. Tyler’s request
Henry Carels (also Library Board member)
Reg Brown – frequent library user
John Markel – follows the Board closely and comments often
Oakland Township Sentinel 