Harmen's Corner

* Any opinions expressed are those of Mr. Guenther and do not necessarily represent the collective view of the CVHA and/or its individual members.

From the City Council Meeting - September 29, 2025

The meeting started out with the Fire Dept. Honor Guard leading the Pledge of Allegiance. 6 new Parametics and fire fighters were sworn in. The big topic of the evening was the opening of a gun shop, on 12 mile, next to a daycare center. 66 people signed up to speak against this. The city planner and attorney said that it was a allowable business in the B3 designation and since it was a retail to retail transaction it was given a permit of occupancy. Nobody understood why a gun shop would want to open next to a day care. There is a 120 day moratorium in place for the city to try to convince the shop owner and landlord to move. Lots of luck on that one. Our planner and building dept. messed up.

There will be a Candidate Forum on October 23 at 6pm at Adler Elementary School . 19100 Filmore Street. As you can see by the lawn signs on my lawn, that these are some of the candidates running for city council. There are also a few write in candidates for city clerk. I recommend Coretta Houge. She is knowledgeable and able to do the work. I am surprised that Janet Jackson is not running. No mayyer your choices PLEASE VOTE. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting - September 15, 2025

The meeting started out with the city getting an award from Metro Marvels for Being the most improved municipality. our Public Works Director gave a presentation of the different Water Relief Programs that are available through the city county and state. The cities Water Leak Relief Program is handled by the DPW. Notify them immediately of the problem, submit prove of repair within 30 days, you should receive an adjustment.

A public hearing was held for the Economic Development initiative for Epic Health to rehabilitate a commercial building at 26250 Northwestern. This will be their world headquarters to house doctors and nurses, PPA's, and support personal. The total development investment will be $3,262,000. This is a big plus for Southfield.

A Brownfield Redevelopment Plan & Tax Increment Plan was established for MAB Real Estate at 30835 Greenfield Rd. This is a gas station on the corner of 13 mile and Greenfield. This is a 3.2 million investment for a new gas station and retail building.

A lot of residents complain the there are not enough programs for kids, seniors, and the public in general. Look in the Parks and Rec. Magazine that is mailed to each household, also go to the Library to find a lot of different programs for everyone.

If you vote by absentee ballot, you will get them in the mail, starting next week. I have a lot of lawn signs on my lawn, these are some of the people running. Choose which one to support.

On the 23rd some teens broke into the old Bussey Center. We saw them break the windows at the back of the building, and called the Police. By the time the Police arrived, the kids were gone. My wife and I gave a report to the Police and I followed up on Mon. by calling the school office, and telling them what happened. It is ironic that the building has been empty for so long, with a buyer willing to renovate it, Yet the School Board won't sell it even though it has been on the market for a long time. What are they waiting for? The next School Board Meeting is on Oct. 14. I will be there. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting - September 8, 2025

Last nights council meeting was held as a Committee Of The Whole. As always, the communications section came first. People complained about the conditions of the bathrooms and sand box at Ingelnook Park. Ms. Fields promised to look into it. Maybe having the restrooms' cleaned twice a day.

The Police Dept. will assign a sergeant to lead the Southfield portion of the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Potential multiple family residential development for Mary's Mantel. This transitional housing for expectant mothers letting them stay 1-2 years. and then move to more permanent housing.

The council authorized the Library to purchase and install components for proximity card building entry system. They also authorized them to purchase new dell computers for public use. The old computers are 5-6 years old and will not work on new operating systems.

Now the good news. We are getting a new fence along 12 mile. It is the Ashforth Style in a Khaki color. $430,454.10 will pay for the removal of the fence and concrete pillars. and replace it with the new. Anther $12,500 will pay for putting caps on the pillars. The work will start in mid October, by sections. Home owners will be notified before the work starts. The city will clear out a 3 ft. space between the fence and any shrubbery, so that the bushes and trees will not push against the fence. It is up to the homeowners to maintain this space. Code enforcement will monitor. I received several thumbs up from some of the council members, as they know how long I have asked for this. Ll in all a good night. Harmen

Healthy Oakland Newsletter - September 5th

Hi there,

The numbers are in, and our Health and Housing Summer Fest on Aug 5 was a resounding success! I want to take a moment to give sincere thanks to our Oakland County Health & Housing staff, partners and sponsors. The event offered a host of health screenings and back-to-school support.

What I witnessed most on this fun summer day was the power of community. Our staff chatting and dancing with residents, gracious excitement by families receiving a needed service or supply, and people helping people. This is public health in action! Here is a snapshot:

More than 600 people attended
Distributed 456 backpacks filled with supplies
101 vision screenings with 40 pairs of glasses provided on site.
50 hearing screenings
23 dental screenings
Children were also treated to 20 fresh haircuts or styles and 70 manicures.

A handful of Immunizations and lead screenings were also provided, and families had the opportunity to enroll in ongoing programs including WIC, Nutrition and Nursing Home-Visiting, Children’s Special Health Care Services, Nutrition Services, the Nurturing Parenting Program, and the Nurse Family Partnership.

This month, Oakland County is encouraging local community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders to submit suggestions by Sept.19 that will help guide how we invest the county’s opioid settlement funds. Beginning in 2014, local and state governments, which incurred significant costs due to the opioid crisis filed lawsuits against pharmacies and pharmaceutical drug companies for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. In 2021, a nationwide settlement of approximately $26 billion was reached to resolve the opioid litigation. As a result of the settlement, Michigan and local governments will receive payments from these entities over the next two decades. Find more information below.

Lastly, I wish our many Oakland County families a great start to the new school year! I leave you with these great tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics that can help our students stay healthy and happy.

In peace and wellness,

Kate Guzmán, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division

Working Together to Prevent Overdose, Support Recovery, and Honor Lives Lost

As we recognize National Recovery Month in September, Oakland County is committed to preventing overdose, supporting recovery, and strengthening the systems that promote health and well-being. These observances highlight the ongoing impact of substance use disorders and the importance of collective action.

As part of this commitment, the Oakland County Opioid Steering Committee is seeking input from community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders through a Request for Information (RFI) to help guide how to invest opioid settlement funds. The Committee is looking for information about community needs and potential solutions around four key priority areas: staffing and infrastructure, harm reduction, recovery services, and opioid use disorder prevention. Submissions will be accepted through Sept. 19.

Additionally, the County’s Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team, gathers public health, public safety, and community partners to review overdose deaths and identify ways to reduce future overdoses. The OFR team released its first annual report highlighting progress made in 2024, including steps that encouraged countywide declines in all overdose cases. The report details common barriers to recovery and new substance use risks, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration and responsive strategies. Findings from the OFR Team shape efforts that improve care, strengthen community support systems, and reduce preventable deaths.

Through efforts like the Overdose Fatality Review and the Opioid Settlement Request for Information, the County continues working with community partners to better understand local needs, address gaps, and invest in coordinated, compassionate strategies to ensure more people have access to the support they need. More information about drug overdose deaths in Oakland County is available on the Medical Examiner Dashboard. If you or a loved one need more information about substance use resources, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Back to School? Protect yourself from respiratory illness!

The beginning of each school year brings the excitement of gathering with friends, teachers and teammates indoors and is also a season when certain illnesses begin to increase. It is common to get sick from respiratory viruses during the fall and winter. But there are actions you can take to protect yourself and others. Learn about COVID-19, flu and RSV, and how to prevent them and reduce your risk of getting seriously ill.

Fight the bite - protect yourself from mosquitoes

On Aug.18, the first human case of West Nile Virus was confirmed in Oakland County in 2025. Most people who are infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches. However, in some individuals a more serious disease-causing brain inflammation or severe symptoms can develop if they do get sick.

Until the temperature is consistently below 50 degrees, it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones by following these instructions:

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water around your home.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Cover holes in window and door screens. Do not prop open doors.

Join us for a suicide prevention community discussion

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, promote hope, and normalize seeking help. Spend the day with us on Sept. 16 at Oakland Community Health Network for a community discussion. Learn about current mental health & suicide-related Michigan legislation, extreme risk protection order laws and the estimated impact on suicide prevention. Participate in safety planning activities and discussion. CEU’s, resources, breakfast, and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register for the event, click HERE.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call, text or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

WIC grocery store tour expands to more locations

Our Oakland County Women Infants and Children (WIC) program began hosting grocery store tours in Southfield aimed at helping shoppers overcome obstacles when shopping for WIC foods. We have expanded to two other locations to assist our families in those areas: Meijer in Waterford and Kroger in Walled Lake.

If you are enrolled in WIC and need help identifying foods that are WIC-approved or want to learn more about eating healthy, join us! We walk through the store and help people shop for the nutritious foods WIC provides. We can even help troubleshoot any benefits issues if they arise. Check out our Shop with WIC guidebook that assists the shopping experience.

Tours are monthly, and any WIC client is welcome. Call 248-858-1272 for more information on grocery store tours or to see if you qualify for WIC.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, marking when several Latin American countries declared independence. Metro Detroit has a strong Latino community both within Oakland County and Southwest Detroit. The Oakland County Health Division partners with community organizations, such as Centro Multicultural la Familia and La Casa Amiga, who provide culturally competent services to Hispanic and Spanish-speaking residents. To celebrate during the month, Oakland University is hosting a series of events honoring the contributions of Hispanic people in arts and culture. And the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is offering several exhibits. One free month-long exhibit is called Ofrendas: Celebrating el Diá de Muertos.

Join our team!

There are some jobs open right now working for Oakland County. Health and Human Services is currently hiring Public Health Nurses, student positions and more! Visit www.oakgov.com/jobs to learn more about these positions and to apply.

More Health Division info

Check out our webpage page for information about our services and various health topics. You can also call our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.

From the City Council Meeting, Monday August 25th:

Last nights council meeting was very interesting. A presentation of the FY 2026 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant award for the nine mile pathway between M-10 and Greenfield by SEMCOG for $1,094,801.

The Southfield Sustainable Abuse Coalition reported that it is making headway in getting students to sign pledges to not use drugs. It is also handing out Narco kits to schools. Melissa Medici will talk to us at our Safety Forum on Sept.23.

Congresswoman Talib gave an up date of the goings on in Washington. Stating that any changes to Medicaid will not happen till 2027. There is a bill going through the process to make FEMA clean up flooded basements, not just replace appliances and furnaces. Her office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She can be reached @ 313-463-6220.

As reported last week after the Committee of the Whole Meeting , all 16 Consent Agenda Items were approved.

There were 2 Public Hearings. The first was a request to renovate and reuse the building at 24260 Telegraph Rd. for used vehicle sales and repair. The second was for Abigail Pierce to operate a Group Child Care Home at 24749 Maryland. She already cares for 6 children and wants to expand to 12 kids and hire another caregiver. Both Items were approved.

Senior Appreciation Was held this past Thursday. It was very well attended. They Gave out over 700 free diners. Councilman Brightwell praise the Total Living Commission for handing out surveys to ask what people want to add or change in the city. On September 7 is grandparents game day. From 2:30 - 5 . Grandparents and grand kids can play games on the front lawn. That is all for now. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting, Monday August 18th:

Last nights Council Meeting was a Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, which means that there were no microphones. As usual the meeting started out with Public Comments. The bad condition of the restroom at Ingelnook Park was mentioned. A request for a phone no. to call Parks & Rec., other than Southfield Solutions was made. Ms. Fields told us that her crew cleans the park and its facilities daily. This election season. Make sure to double check the candidates statements. Attend any candidates forums that you can. The more you know the better decision you can make on who runs our city. Then it was my turn to ask why the monies to replace our fence, along 12 mile, was taken out of the budget. Mr. Zorn never gave me a direct answer, instead told me that the bushes behind the fence are pushing it over, and for us to get the residents to trim their bushes and clean up the fence.

The Fire Dept. named Deputy Fire chief Jackson as Emergency Manager. They also got approval to puchase2 ambulances and a Stuphen Heavy Duty Pumper Rescue Engine. The planning Dept. Was Authorized to purchase benches, trash receptacles, landscape planters, and light poles for the new promenade on the front lawn of the municipal complex. This might be what our fence money is going for.

The Library was authorized to Award Bid for mechanical upgrades- Boiler Replacement. This work has to be done before winter. The committee heading the Aquatic Center has agreed on an architect to design and build project for the new pool. It was a disappointment that the city never had a long term plan to take care of the fence. There was a lot of discussion and lasted a longtime. It seemed that some of the councilmen were giving campaign positions. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting, Monday, June 30th:

Last nights meeting was attended by the AKA Sorority. The consent was approved. It set August 4-10 as national garage sla day. Which our neighborhood will participate in. LTU and the City of Southfield went into a partnership to build an all turf softball/baseball field behind the ice arena.For 2.8 million they will replace the dugouts, back stop, bull pens, and bleachers. Construction will start in Sept. the softball season runs from March to May.

Pupblic Hearing was held for a text amendment to Title V. This would change the the uses permitted in the B!, 2, and 3zoning designations to allow residential and business uses in empty office spaces.

The 4th of July is fast approaching. You are able to set off fire works from the 3rd to the 5th. from 11 am to 111:45 pm on those days. Have a save holiday. Harmen

Posted May 26, 2025

Friend ––

Extreme weather events in our state are becoming more frequent and more severe.

Earlier this year, communities across Northern Michigan and the Eastern Upper Peninsula experienced a historic, devastating ice storm that left as many as 300,000 households and businesses across the region without power.

While our dedicated linemen and utility workers, along with our state and local partners, have worked diligently to restore power throughout the region, it’s clear that more must be done to upgrade our power infrastructure.

That’s why I just introduced the Preventing Power Outages Act to help strengthen Michigan’s power grid. This bipartisan bill would help reduce outages, improve reliability, and ensure folks in every corner of our state have access to affordable power.

Click HERE to watch more.

We know that Michigan’s power infrastructure is lagging behind. In 2024, the Michigan Public Service Commission released a study that found our power infrastructure severely underperformed in terms of reliability and service restoration times. The report emphasized that we need long-term, strategic investments to improve electrical service for Michigan residents.

My Preventing Power Outages Act would help ensure that Michigan has the resources necessary to make these long-overdue electrical grid improvements. The bill supports things like undergrounding electrical equipment, relocating power lines, acquiring innovative weatherization technologies, and more.

I’ll keep working to strengthen our grid to help prevent outages in the first place, lower energy costs, and keep folks safe during a bad storm.

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan

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From City Council Meeting: Monday, May 19, 2025

Mondays meeting started off with complains from residents about flooding streets and basements after the city replaced some of the sewer lines. Next came the consent agenda. The Police dept. can purchase a new vehicle. A 4 million project to replace the water main and reconstruct Mt.Vernon Street from Northwestern to Southfield. The money coming from a grant . Fire Station 5 will get $100,000. to renovate their kitchen. Quality Towing Service received a 2 year contract to provide towing and storage service for the city.

PSLU25-0001, the special use request by Athir Gappy, to demolish an existing gas Station and construct a new gas station/convenience store with alcohol sales and a carryout restaurant at 27050 Lahser Rd.. This is the Shell Station on the north east corner. The new station will also include 2 mechanic bays for car repair work. This is a 1.5 million investment on that corner.

PTZA25-0001 The proposed text amendment will amend Title V, Zoning and Planning Chapter 45, Zoning , of the Code of the City of Southfield by mending Article 9- section 5.103; to update the uses permitted in the OS Office Service zoning district to include limited retail and restaurant uses in certain areas. This means that a building with open office space can lease that space to a small restaurant or retail store.

The Mayor remined us that his State of the City Address will be on June 12 at 7pm. A joint meeting of the city council and planning commission will be held on June 16,2025 at 6pm in room 115 in the Parks and Rec building.

That is all. Harmen

Mayor's Memo Issue #62

(copy/paste the link below)

https://www.cityofsouthfield.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/Mayor%27s%20Memo%20%2362%20May%206%2C%202025.pdf

From City Council Meeting: Monday, April 28, 2025

Last nights City Council Meeting started with the swearing in of Joey Thorington as our new Fire Chief, and Mark Jackson as Deputy Chief. They have over 50 years combined experience to run our department.

They changed the order of business by having a public hearing for the oil change business. Ali Merhi, the owner, talked to the members of Empowerment Church, and the neighbors adjacent to him. It worked. The church endorsed his business and the zoning and special use Requests were passed.

On the consent Agenda two bids were questioned. The service for pest control and the service for window washing. CJB Pest control won the bid for pest control even tho they were not he lowest bid. They have a reputation with the city as being quick

and efficient. The window washing bid did go to the lowest bidder.

Application from RYCACO Development Inc. for a commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate. They want to demolish the Bacco Restaurant and put up a 2 story building with a restaurant and cigar bar. A zoning request of GHG Detroit LLC. to conditionally rezone the parcel at 27600 Northwestern Highway. The parcel sits behind Glassman Automotive. The building has a few tenants, so when their leases are up, Glass man will use it for his auto business.

It was pointed out that Southfield is 67 years old. The Touch a Truck event was a big success. Everybody, especially the kids had a good time. Public Works will have an open house on May 6, Free helmets will be given away. The arts commission will feature chaldean artist starting next week. That was all for this week. Harmen

From City Council Meeting: Monday, April 21, 2025

Last nights council meeting was short, with a few interesting facts thrown in. During the comments portion I asked to have them put in a handicap ramp on the west side of the police building. The city Public Works director stopped me later on to show him exactly where I wanted the ramp. He said he would look into it. Hopefully they will decide to put it in. The 19 c0nsent items were passed with out discussion. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is having a walk and fundraiser on the front lawn on 5-31 at 10 am.

The Mayor mentioned that this Friday is Arbor Day. There will be a tree planting ceremony in front of Parks & Rec. at 11:00 am. His State of the City Address will be given June 12th. at 7:00 pm.

If you want more info of what is going on in our city, check the website for agendas , events and many more useful items. Harmen

From City Council Meeting: Monday, April 7, 2025

Last nights city council meeting was held as a committee .-of-the whole meeting. Which means there were no cameras, or microphones. The communications section came first. I got to mention the need of a handicap ramp on the west side of the police building. Others got up to talk about the rise in HOA fees for her condominium. One young man spoke about the drop in attendance at Southfield High. The lack of students causing half empty class rooms, and not enough participants to play sport.

Presentation and discussion regarding the proposal to rezone 21375 Telegraph RD. from the " Tesla ODD" back o its prior L-1 industrial zoning. This property was zoned previously when Tesla was going to put in a repair shop. This never happened. Now Auto Link, manufacturing , makers of semi conductors, wants to use the building.

Presentation and discussion regarding the proposal to build and operate an oil change business at 244122 Southfield Rd. This was brought before council previously. The petitioner made a lot of changes to the site plan to enhance the property. 2 people from the adjacent church spoke against the proposal., Unfortunately they left before hearing council discussion. The business will have a right turn in and right turn out entrance. They will recycle all oil and other lubricants, maintain a 10ft. buffer between the business and residences. Because the church members left early this will probably pass when it gets to council again for the public hearing on 4-28.

Presentation and discussion regarding the proposal to conditionally rezone 27600 Northwestern Highway from RMU to RS Glassman car dealerships wants to expand its dealerships and repair facilities.

The city bought a vacant land for $5,500. to pay back taxes and demolish a vacant home. The city sold the property For $6,000. to a young couple to build a new home and raise a family.

This is all for now. Most of this will be on the agenda at the next meeting. Harmen

From Police Chief Advisory Committee: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

We met this evening, and had as our guest speaker Laura Rosenberg, from The ADL Michigan Region. Most people believe the ADL just works against antisemitism. They also work with local, state, and federal law enforcement to fight against all forms of bigotry.

The Chief also updated us on several arrests that happened in Southfield. The obvious one was the 61 year old massage parlor proprietor that was caught in the 'act' while being arrested for prostitution.

There are several events coming up in April. April 5 - Easter basket Give away 9 am -11pm. April 7 Yard waste removal will begin. April 27 Touch a Truck from 3pm in the circular drive in front of city hall. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting: Monday, March 17, 2025:

Last nights Council Meeting was relatively short. It started out with a presentation by Robert Wittenberger, Oakland County Treasurer,. March 31 st. is the deadline to pay your property taxes that are 3 years late ie. 2022. Last year 131 properties were foreclosed and went to auction. Most of these were vacant. In Southfield 45 were foreclosed and 11 sold. There is help available in the form of payment plans. call 248-858-0740, 248-858-0672, or email at treasurer@oakgov.com.

Linnie Taylor, Oakland County Commissioner for district 18, Gave a presentation about the workings in Lansing. She helped getting funding for Beechwoods Park and The 9 Mile corridor. She is also on a taskforce working to stop human trafficking. Pointing out that it is not only a sex crime but also laborers that are being trafficked.

Women's History Day was March 8th. Women's History Month is all of March. So Southfield is celebrating the many contributions of the wives, mothers, office workers and female employees in industry.

The consent agenda, items that I mentioned last week, was approved. Parks & Rec received an Award for it's presentation of Black History Month, and the many activities surrounding it. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting: Monday, March 10, 2025:

Last nights meeting was a Committee of the Whole Meeting. Which, if you don't know, this is not televised, there are now microphones, and there is a lot if discussion. The club liquor License Request by the Gjergy Kostrioti Club of the Armenian Church was passed, and given a rule 10 designation. Which is that can go into immediate effect.

A presentation was given to renovate a empty building, the old Pondarosa Restaurant on 11 and Greenfield Rds. into a bar and dog park. Guests would be able to have a drink at the bar and bring their dogs, with proper certifications. There would also be a outdoor play area for the dogs.

It was discussed and approved to vacate a consent agreement by Sherwood Plaza. This would allow the owners to increase the size and amount of restaurants in the plaza, and develop some off the vacant land.

it was approved for the Facilities manager to purchase a Autonomous Floor Scrubber and carpet cleaner for the maintenance of the pavilion.

Each council member was given a chance to state 3 things the wanted in next years budget. the Mayor started things of by requesting that the city owned fences along Evergreen, 12 mile and other roads be maintained. Council woman Houge also asked that the fence along 12 mile be replaced. She suggested that the HOA be given a grant to do this. I was able to point out that the fence did not belong to the HOA but was city property. The previous Public Works Director had requested $100,000.00 to replace the fence with vinyl. This was shut down during budget discussions. Hopefully it will go further this year.

The Neighborhood Service Center had a leak in their baseboard heating system causing a lot of damage. They had to tear out the flooring, repaint the walls and replace the furniture. The receptionist desk will also be moved. The Library has also had issues. The most serious being an infestation of bedbugs. This was taken care of, thank goodness. It was along night. I was glad to straighten them out about the ownership of the fence. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting: Monday, February 24, 2025:

At last nights meeting 4 people were appointed to the veterans commission, and the Board of Review. The City Assessor gave a presentation noting that if you have received your assessments you would notice a 3.5% increase in the value of your home. If you disagree you have to go to the Board Of Review to argue your case. It was also noted that your tax bill is due to the city by 2-28. other wise you have to go to the county to pay, with penalties. Out of every dollar you pay 47 cents goes to the city, 43 cents goes to schools and the rest goes to the county.

The corner of 12 Mile and Northwestern has had many developments brought before the council. the latest is a brownfield Redevelopment Plan & Tax financing plan for El Car Wash. They would demolish the existing vacant buildings and put up a state of the art carwash.

A zoning text amendment was proposed regarding the keeping of animals and bees.

East bound I696 is going to closed for 2 years for reconstruction. The Police are going to watch for speeders using our mile roads as alternatives. Don't get caught speeding.

With all that is going on in our country, Southfield is not backing down from using DEI. Please refer to the Southfield web site for more info. Including dept. agendas. Harmen

Citizen's Police Academy

The Southfield Police Department is excited to announce the return of its Citizen's Police Academy, a nine-week program designed to provide residents with a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement operations. The academy begins on March 8, 2025, and will be held every Tuesday from 6 PM to 8:30 PM., culminating in a graduation ceremony on May 20, 2025, at 6pm.

This interactive program offers participants the opportunity to engage with officers, learn about police procedures, and gain insight into the challenge and possibilities of modern policing. Sessions will include hands-on demonstrations, discussions on community policing, crime prevention strategies, and more.

Applications are available at the front desk of the police department located at26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield and are due by March1, 2025. For questions contact the Southfield Community Policing Unit at (248) 796-5400.

From City Council Meeting, February 10, 2025:

Last nights Council Meeting stared with 4 appointments and 4 reappointments. Next came a presentation of the Food Waste Elimination Study. It is part of Sustainable Southfield. They found that 46% of food waste is generated by residences. They hopeto market their efforts through the communications dept, cable 15 and the Southfield sun. Make food not waste.

Communications came next. Myron Thomas complained that tho his property is zoned RA, He is being cited for a compost pile, not being able to store his tractor outside, and having a green house. Which seems to contradict what the city is trying to with their food not waste effort. Greg Keeler complained that the conference room, where the committee of the whole meets, is not big enough to hold the no. of residence that want to attend. Many having to stand in the hall way. it is difficult to hear speakers because microphones are not being used.

The minutes of 3 previous meetings were approved. 10 items on the consent agenda were approved. Including spending $40,000.00 for one box, containing Narcan and other drug preventive medicines to be placed in schools.

It was mentioned that this Friday was the last day to pay taxes without penalty, The police is accepting applications for the Police Academy. With that I will close. Harmen

From City Council Meeting, January 20, 2025:

The meeting started out with Public Comments. Stacy Jackson asked why neighboring communities were getting more grant monies than Southfield? Fred Zorn replied that the state relies on a grant funding formula and Southfield applies to all grants that they are eligible for. Greg Keiler has asked numerous times to get written responses to FOAY requests and has only received oral responses, He was worried about sewer lines backing up, flooding basements. Mr. Zorn explained that numerous times the home-owner did not turn on their sump pumps, causing the flooding. It was pointed out that the city and council cares about the citizens and will try to fix any concerns we have. 8 items on the consent agenda were approved with the authorization to restore and improve the damaged deck at Carpenter Lake being brought back at a later date due to questions about the financing about the project.

The zoning request to change the zoning for 24412 Southfield Rd. from OS- office to B3 failed by a vote of 3 to 3. This would have abled the owner to construct a oil changing business. This change was opposed by several residents living on Silver Maple. This street is only 10ft. wide. and the residents were worried about the traffic. Coming on to Southfield would be harder and would encourage drivers to use the street as a cut through to Mt. Vernon.

During this cold spell. The pavilion will be open as a warming center. New hope Baptist Church is sponsoring tours of historical black colleges for high school students staring in March.. The meeting ended close to 9pm, after a long discussion about the oil change business. Harmen

From City Council Meeting, January 6, 2024:

Last nights council meeting was a committee of the whole meeting. This means that it met in the council conference room not in the council chambers, also there were no mikes. Under communications a lady spoke up about homeless camps on a vacant lot Meadowood and Greenfield. The city has sent out the police to make the people move. The lot is for sale on the cities' website. Homelessness is a country wide problem that has very few resources to solve.

A lot of time was spent on the authorization to purchase Asset Management Software. The council agreed to a rule 10 so that it could go into affect immediately.

A investor presented a proposal to build and operate an oil change business at 24412 Southfield Road. The council was eager to accept this proposal to build something on a vacant lot. A proposal was presented by a developer to re-use the Guardian Alarm Office Building for retail on the lower level. They also want to demolish the south building and put up a Speedway gas station and store. They wanted to get insight to see if council was willing to go with the idea before they went ahead with the engineering and planning procedure.

A discussion on an amendment to the Animal Control ordinance was also talked about. This would allow the animal control officer more power to oversee the running of chicken coops. It would require owners to get yearly renewable permits to keep chicken coops on their property.

The length of some of the discussions was long and boring. Thats all for now Harmen.

From City Council Meeting October 28, 2024:

Last nights council meeting was interesting and long, not ending until past 11:30. The car wash on Northwestern and 12 Mile was approved, as were the time changes for our 2 cannabis stores.

The zoning change request by Kroger from B2 to B3 caused the most debate by the council. As most of you know, Kroger wants to put gas pumps where the bank building is. They are saying that the revenue from the gas will help them fix the store. They estimate that it would cost them a million dollars. The council remarked that there are smaller stores without gas pumps that are in better condition than this one. The final line was that if you want gas pumps, fix the store first and then we will consider it. The zoning request was defeated.

Unfortunately This was not a public hearing, since that was held in August, so no comments were allowed by the residents. Harmen

Mayor's Memo October 16, 2024 edition:

Please find the link below for the October 16, 2024 edition of the Mayor's Memo. This piece is full of useful information. Please copy and paste the link to your browser:

https://www.cityofsouthfield.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/Mayor%27sMemo%20%2359%20Octover%2016%2C%202024.pdf

From October 14, 2024 City Council Meeting

At last nights committee of the whole meeting, an ordinance change was proposed for owners who keep chickens. This would allow them to keep their coops closer to their homes. Michael Manion gave a presentation on Southfield Branding. It seems that Parks and rec. is not following the rules. It was a long meeting and I did not stay on the presentation on the liquor licenses. This will be on the consent agenda on the 28th. Harmen

From September 20, 2024 - Photo Prize

The 25 pictures that were awarded this year were magnificent. They ranged from the pictures of the whale in front of the Library to a magnificent shot of a sunset over the city skyline. These were all amateur photographers, some of which were first time entrance. The city provided refreshments afterwards.

From September 19, 2024 - School Resource Officers

Greetings Advisory Board Members and Chaplains,

Southfield Police – School Resource Officers inherit a huge responsibility with maintaining safety in our schools. In this instance, SRO Brandon Walker and SRO Arthur Bridgeforth received information from the students and school security that a 15-year-old male was inside of the building armed with a handgun. Both officers along with security acted very quickly, conducted a systematic search, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the handgun.

We are very proud of both of our SROs for their outstanding commitment to school safety!!

Job well done!!!

See the below links watch the video of the incident.

FOX 2 NEWS

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/southfield-police-discuss-arrest-armed-teen-local-high-school

CHANNEL 4 NEWS

http://clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/09/18/student-brings-loaded-handgun-to-oakland-county-high-school-what-we-know/

CHANNEL 7 NEWS

https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/oakland-county/15-year-old-southfield-high-school-student-arrested-for-carrying-a-loaded-concealed-weapon

*Sent on behalf of:

Elvin V. Barren

Chief of Police

City of Southfield Police Department

26000 Evergreen

Southfield, MI 48076

(248 )796-5300 Main Chief’s Ofc.

(248) 796-5305 F.

ebarren@cityofsouthfield.com

www.cityofsouthfield.com

From City Council Meeting August 19, 2024

Last nights council meeting started out with several people complaining about flooded basements after the city changed the sewer system. The consent agenda was approved. The agenda items open for discussion included the extension of operating hours for marijuana retailers. The discussion regarding the construction of a new Kroger fuel station. Kroger would demolish the empty bank building west of the CVS building. Most of the discussion centered about the maintenance of the existing store and parking lot. The Kroger rep was not prepared to answer those concerns since the parking lot is not maintained by Kroger, but by the owner of the strip mall. Don't forget the Senior Appreciation Night on Wendsday. See you there. Harmen

From email 8/1/24

Greetings Advisory Board Members and Chaplains,

Chief Barren will be one of the honorees at the upcoming Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force’s second Justice and Equality Awards Event. The MLK Task force will be honoring various heroes for their continued fight to assure justice and equality every day.

The event is a fundraiser and will be held on August 24, 2024 at the Tapestry located at 24580 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan at 12 p.m.

You are invited to participate by being a sponsor, purchasing a table or purchasing a ticket to support the honorees who have made a significant contribution during their life works to promote justice, equality, diversity or has shown quiet courage.

The proceeds from the awards reception will be utilized to fund activities of the task force including but not limited to a special 40-year celebration in recognition of the task force’s existence and scholarship funds for deserving students.

Tickets are $75 per individual or $725 per table of ten (10).

*To purchase a ticket please click on the link below:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mlktaskforcemi.org/events__;!!C1gFaHTYRD0fXb53fA!uBYuOyPb2U1Nzn5T_aKYD_uIDr4EWW6MKnQuA5qu9ZISWTBzb0YjMSLrAHWakS_k5uzSyThow0m3tk4a94BjT3L742ja$

You may also use Zelle: SOUTHFIELDMLK@GMAIL.COM or send a check to: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, P.O. Box 3189 Southfield, Michigan 48037

Please feel free to contact this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Shandera G. Dawson

Administrative Assistant to

Chief of Police Elvin V. Barren

City of Southfield Police Department

26000 Evergreen

Southfield, MI 48076

(248)796-5300 Main Chief’s Ofc.

(248)796-5582 P.

(248)796-5305 F.

sdawson@cityofsouthfield.com

Have a great day!

From City Council Meeting, Monday July 15, 2024

Good morning, Some interesting information was passed along by Fred Zorn, city administrator, concerning the flooding that occurred on June 6th and July 7-9. He recommended that the affected homeowners file claims with their insurance co. and also with the city insurance co. risk authority. He also reiterated that the land around the house should slope away from the building.

The site plans that were up for discussion I already mentioned in my July 2 posting. They were all passed, except the zoning ordinance text amendment to amend Title V. to change the hours of operation for marijuana sales on Sat. and Sundays. Permitting them to stay open till 9pm on those days. This was postponed to Aug.19th to give Mr. Zorn time to get more info why this change would effect the businesses. That is all for now. Harmen

From Friday, July 5th:

Friday, July 5

Hi there,

After the recent terrible mass shooting in Rochester Hills, I wanted to share my heartfelt concern for everyone touched by this tragedy. I hope those in need have the resources and support necessary during this time.

Visit our website to find mental health resources following a traumatic event. It has local mental health resources as well as resources specifically for children, parents and emergency responders. You may have noticed that this shooting event has caused you to revisit tragic memories of the Oxford High School shooting. Read SAMHSA’s Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Coping with Retraumatization for tips managing and developing resilience to retraumatization.

Continue to check-in with each other through this difficult time. Also, take time to care for yourself and reach out for help if you need it.

Many of our residents continue their Fourth of July celebrations this weekend and may spend more time outdoors. As we experience more frequent extreme heat days, it’s important to know the symptoms of heat-related illness and when to get help. Please see helpful information below and on our website. You can also find a list of cooling centers in Oakland County that open during severe weather events-share this information with those who may need it.

Lastly, World Hepatitis C day is July 28. It's estimated that at least 200,000 Michiganders have Hepatitis C & many don't know they have it. Our Harm Reduction clinic is offering free, rapid Hep C testing in Pontiac (148 N. Saginaw St.) from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on July 26. Feel free to stop in for a test!

In good health,

Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services

Join us for Family Market Day!

Join us on July 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market or July 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oakland County Farmers Market for Family Market Days! Oakland County residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card will receive a $5 coupon to purchase produce from local farmers on Family Market Days. Coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be used during the event. No registration is necessary.

....................

From the City Council Meeting, Monday July 1st

The meeting started with the communications section. Many people living near Greenfield and 9 mile Roads complained about flooding in their basements after the June 20 storm. The main complaint was that Public Works, and the city , did not reach out to them to provide aid. The Public Works Director asked everyone there to add their names to a list and that they would be contacted.

Southfield was given a gold designation in MI Green Communities Award. The Mayor also received a Climate protection Award for his efforts.

All of the agenda items scheduled for discussion will be back in front of council July 15th for public input. These included the construction of a dog park at Lahser Woods Park. The proposal to build a Kia showroom and service building on Telegraph Rd. This would be south of the old Toys'R'Us store. It was also discussed to change the operating hours of the marijuana stores from 6pm to 9pm. Lastly they discussed the height of decorative security fencing. Going from 8ft. to 10ft.

Our Police Chief, Barron, was awarded the Michigan Chronical Man Of Excellence Award. Congratulations. It was pointed out that many of our elected officials attended the ceremony. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting, Monday June 24th

Dogapalloza was a big success, with the weather being perfect. As you can see by the pictures Pat took, everybody had a good time. The storm that wrecked our neighborhood did not stop people from coming out and meeting their fury friends.

At the council meeting , last night, Mayor Siver reiterated that he had a declared a state of emergency to get help from the state to help pay for the clean up. Southfield crews are busy getting rid of all the branches. I saw GSL trucks going through the neighborhood picking up bagged lawn waste along with the regular garbage. On July 1st. we will have Priority Waste as our garbage pick up. Everything will remain the same, Our pick up days will still be on Mondays. The new trucks will have cameras to see that the men do their jobs. The Building dept. will wave permit fees for 90 days because of the storm damage. All other fees will still comply. I also liked to thank the young lady, who was walking her dog, and assisted me by bringing in my garbage cans. I t was really appreciated.

The Detroit MI Pierians Artistic Award to the Friends of Southfield Public Arts in the form of a $1000.00 check.

The consent agenda was passed. This included membership to SEMCOG to gain information from surrounding communities and adhere to best practices for our cities. The fire dept. was authorized to purchase new LIFEPAK CR2 automated external defibrillators from Styker. These will have better technology, the paddles can be used on adults and children, with a lifespan of 4 years.

The Public hearings included the authorization for Farrah Properties to construct a an addition to to an existing gas station for a carry out restaurant. he authorization for Gant 8 LLC to construct a Biggby Coffee with drive through at an existing shopping center. Contour Co. was giving permission to to construct phase 2 of the McKinley Place RUDD development. Which consists of 11 condominium townhouses. This will be completed in the end of 2025. A zoning change was requested by Southfield Christian School and Highland Park Baptist Church for 8.6 acres along Lahser and 12 mile roads. This is an empty field that they want to turn into a multi sports facility. etc. baseball and soccer. That is all for now. Stay cool, Harmen

From the City Council Meeting, Monday June 10th

At last nights council meeting the council approved the cities budget for 24-25. The city gets 61% of our property taxes, the schools, county, and state get the rest. The majority of these taxes goes to public safety, administrative costs, the 46th district court, and general fund.

Several young ladies spoke about the lack of an ordinance covering the actions of landlords, taking care of their properties, leaving them in disrepair while raising rents.

Rashid Talib, our representative in congress, presented the city with a $850,000.00 check to be used on Beechwood Park and Trail. Mayor Siver gladly accepted the check.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included National Garage Sale day. We are joining this with our own garage sale, lookout for our signs and contact Mike Kelly to participate.

The other agenda items that were discussed will come back to council on 6-24-2024 for further action. The one I found interesting was that Hope Methodist Church wants a rezoning for the empty space on 12 mile and Lahser rd.. To develop it into athletic fields. Soccer field, baseball diamonds. etc. The Miracle League is starting their games on Monday nights. Come out and watch the athletes with disabilities. Play.

The Photo Prize pictures were judged by the TLC and the top 25 will be displayed on the walls of city buildings. with on line voting starting in July. The pride awards submissions are being accepted now by the Community Relations Dept. Find directions and more information on the cities web site. All for now Harmen.

From the City Council Meeting, Monday, May 6th

Last nights Council Meeting was very interesting in that I got up to speak in the comments portion. What got me going was that the Judges of the 46th District court took expensive trips out of country for educational purposes. Why do they have to go to Ghana or Dubai when the conferences are offered for free on line. The sad part is the city supports the court with our tax dollars. It is also possible that the judges increase the amount of court costs to defendants to help cover these trips. It was a very interesting article in the Sunday May 5 Free press. I hope you had a chance to read it. I will not vote for Judge Nance or Johnston when they come up for reelection. Mayor Siver and several other court watchers thanked me for my comments.

May is Mental Health Month and May 19-25 is National Public Works Week. We need to thank the people that work in our Public Works Dep. They will replace the fence along 12 mile once the council passes the budget. I also asked them to restripe Webster at Southfield.

5 people were appointed to different boards and commissions. The agenda items that were discussed the receipts of bids for 2 projects to replace water mains and road improvements. The presentation regarding the proposal to operate a fence contractor's office with ancillary showroom and storage. The presentation and discussion regarding a proposal to reconstruct/expand an existing gas station/conveniences store including the addition of beer/wine/liquor sales and a carry out restaurant at 30835 Greenfield Rd. at the southwest corner of Greenfield and 13 mile rd.

Police Chief Barren was awarded the Michigan Chronicle 2024 Men of Excellence Honor. Congratulations Chief Barren. A well deserved honor.

From Tuesday, April 30th

Greetings!

I am excited to share several updates from the Oakland County Treasurer's Office. We have been hard at work with various initiatives, from our ongoing efforts to prevent property tax foreclosure for families, individuals, and business owners to our annual Financial Empowerment Arts Contest and more.

I am also pleased to announce the results of our recent banking RFP and share our local investment strategy, which supports the banks and credit unions investing in Oakland County residents, businesses and communities.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it helpful. If you have any questions or if we can assist you, please contact us.

See you around the county,

Property Tax Foreclosure Prevention

We are committed to preventing property tax foreclosure and helping Oakland County property owners retain their property rights. We understand financial difficulties occur and the stress of possibly losing a home or business due to delinquent taxes.

From December 2023 through March 2024, we held 1,414 one-on-one Taxpayer Assistance Meetings. During these meetings, we worked with property owners to understand their financial situation and develop repayment plans that enabled them to pay their unpaid taxes over time and retain their property. We issued 1,637 repayment plans, helping property owners avoid foreclosure and keep their homes.

In March, we also launched a multimedia campaign—including broadcast, digital and newspaper ads that generated over two million impressions—encouraging property owners with delinquent taxes to contact our office for help. We will continue working tirelessly to support property owners in our community and ensure everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.

I attended 12 city council and township meetings to share information on the foreclosure process, our prevention efforts, and the availability of help and resources, including financial coaching from our office. Additionally, 37 communities shared the information during their city, village and township meetings.

If you or someone you know have unpaid property taxes, we’re here to help! Contact our office at (248) 858-0611.

Announcing Our New Primary Banking Partner

In February 2024, JP Morgan Chase (JPMC) Bank was selected as Oakland County's new lead banking partner after the Treasurer's 2023 Banking Service RFP process. JPMC Bank's technology strength and experience in integrating with the County's software were the main factors in their selection. The County expects to streamline processes and increase efficiencies by automating accounting entries and reducing the number of bank accounts. Our long-term relationships with Huntington Bank and Flagstar Bank will continue.

Local Investing Strategy

Our Office has a simple philosophy on investing our funds - be fiscally responsible and socially consciousness. We combine that with the highest ethical and investment standards to ensure the safety of public funds, proper liquidity and return on investment, in that order.

Our investment strategy also prioritizes local banks and credit unions investing in Oakland County residents, businesses and communities. We currently invest with the following financial institutions:

Chief Financial Credit Union
Choice One Bank
CICB Bank USA
Citizens State Bank
Community Unity Bank
Cornerstone Credit Union
F&M Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Mi Bank
The State Bank

First Independence Bank
First State Bank
Flagstar Bank
Horizon Bank
Huntington Bank
Huron Valley State Bank
Mercantile Bank
Michigan First Credit Union
Waterford Bank

Financial Empowerment Arts Contest

Thank you to the students, teachers, parents and our partners, Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, for participating in and supporting this year’s contest.

This year, 144 submissions from 17 Oakland County public high schools were submitted by incredibly artistic and talented students. The entries were judged on creativity, artistic execution, incorporation of the financial empowerment theme, and answers to the supplemental questions.

Winners will be announced at a private reception on May 2, 2024, and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place and honorable mentions for each grade level. We are excited to share the awe-inspiring artwork in our next community update.

Around the County

The Oakland County Treasurer's Office helps provide financial stability to the County’s 63 cities, villages, and townships. On March 1, local government units transfer their unpaid property taxes to the Oakland County Treasurer's Office for collection every year.

The Michigan General Property Tax Act established the Treasurer Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund (DTRF), which reimburses local government units for unpaid property taxes that are moved to the Oakland County Treasurer's Office. The reimbursement process is called Settlement.

The DTRF maintains a funding commitment of $200 million to ensure Oakland County communities have the necessary financial resources to meet their budgetary needs and provide essential public services.

Protect Your Home from Fraud

The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office offers a free service called Property Records Notification (PRN) to help individuals prevent fraud related to their property records. Homeowners can search for and receive notifications about unauthorized documents recorded against their property in the Oakland County Register of Deeds Office.

This service is designed to help prevent deed and mortgage fraud by allowing residential property owners to verify suspicious documents. If suspicious activity is detected, contact the Register of Deeds office for assistance.

To learn more and register for this service, use the button below.

Learn More

Have an upcoming event that you want me to attend? Please email Zinnia Kallabat at kallabatz@oakgov.com.

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From the City Council Meeting, Monday April 15th

Last nights council meeting only lasted 2 hours. This was a rarity. It started with comments from the public. The notable one was that the city should not be blamed for foreclosures. That is the job of Oakland County. They offer help in avoiding this. Contact the Oakland County Treasurer for help.

There were 3 reappointments. The consent agenda was approved. The ones standing out were the agreement with Kimmie Horn Productions, LLC to arrange The Kimmie Horn Jazz Festival at the Southfield Municipal Campus- August 9 and 10. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation - request use of the municipal campus front lawn and walkways for their annual 2.6 mile run. The capital improvement plan. Which include Fire House renovations and exercise equipment. Replace Police Body Vests, obtain license plate readers. They want to purchase an automatic vacuum and replace some of the linoleum in the Pavilion.

The Public Hearings were approved. the first was for Drifter Vans LLC to open a sales room, to sell custom camper vans already built on site. he vans are being purchased from Ford. The second request was rom Tots Academy Home day Care to operate a group Care Home. This requires a state license. $ people came up in support of this request. There is going to be another marijuana store on Northwestern Highway. Several people got up to speak against it. It was approved by a 5-2 vote.

Jazz in he Library starts tomorrow night. The 66th city anniversary will be celebrate on April 28. That is all I Have to report. Log onto the Southfield City website to find out more events and news. Harmen

From the City Council Meeting, Monday March 25th

Last nights council meeting started off with the Southfield Fire Department Honor Guard presenting the colors. Eleven new fire fighters were sworn in. Chief Menifee gave a moving speech welcoming the new officers. He also mentioned that a hockey match between the Fire Dept. and the Police Dept. will be held on April 7th at 1pm at the ice arena.

During the communications section, some of the owners of liquor stores , and their supporters spoke against gas stations being allowed to sell liquor. `While numerous other people spoke for the idea, stating the convenience of the sale.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, 4 items came up for their second reading. It seems we are getting a Panda Express on Telegraph Rd. Another car wash on Telegraph and 9 Mile rd., A request of the Philippine American Culture Center to refurbish a vacant church on Lahser Rd. A special use request to reuse a vacant former restaurant and bar/lounge on Southfield Rd. This would cater to an older crowed with karaoke and ball room dancing with a live band. Some very exciting developments.

The most discussion was held with the request to permit liquor sales at the gas station on Greenfield and 10 Mile. The owners of the liquor stores and their attorneys gave presentations as did the owners of the gas station with their attorneys. They cited the dangers of people drinking and driving and the idea that minors would be able to get hold of liquor. The lawyer for the gas station rebutted that. Council President stated that our Police Chief has seen no increase in accidents or drunk driving arrests in areas where gas stations have sold booze. Considering that liquor is tightly controlled by the state and a license costs over $400,000 it would seem almost impossible. The council voted to allow the request to move forward. It was a long meeting.

From the City Council Meeting, Monday March 5th

Last nights council meeting was long. They appointed a new deputy city clerk, they reappointed 4 members of the Planning Commission and made an appointment to the city Center Advisory Board. !9 people were reappointed or newly appointed to different commissions. Me being one that got reappointed to the Total Living Commission.

Irv Lowenberg, our city Treasurer, gave a presentation from the county treasurer, on how to prevent foreclosures. If you have not paid your city taxes the bill has been sent to the county. You have till April 1 to pay or your residents will go into foreclosure. You will be charged a 4% administration fee on top of 12% interest. After which time your residence will be auctioned off. The auctions will be held from July till August. Call the county treasurer at 248-858-0611 or http://www.oakgov.com/treasurer to get assistance.

5 items were on the Consent Agenda for discussion. Cornerstone Plaza proposed a Facade renovation to attract new tenants. Panda Express wants to build a new restaurant at 2901 telegraph Rd. The Shell Gas Station at 24839 Greenfield Rd. wants to add alcohol sales. The Philippine American Cultural Center wants to reuse a vacant church at 23800 Lahser. A night club wants to renovate a lower building area of an existing building for a new restaurant/nigh club catering to a older crowd. Finally, the owner of the building at 23055 Telegraph wants to build a new car wash, with solar panels, EV charging stations, and the ability to recycle the water. All these items will be up for discussion again in 2 weeks.

The Police Dept. is looking for volunteers to join its Police Academy. This is a exciting program, where you learn the operation of the department, including the dispatures' job, a demonstration by the K9 unit, and the overall function of the dept. I would recommend this course to anyone. There will be a Job Fair tomorrow ,in the Pavilion from10am till 2pm. These will not only be for city jobs but for some outside co. Om March 8th there will be a senior vendors fair from 10am till noon. On March 20 the DSO will perform at 7pm. Tickets are $15. All for now Harmen.

* Any opinions expressed are those of Mr. Guenther and do not necessarily represent the collective view of the CVHA and/or its individual members.