Paint the Plow and the New Rochester Hills City Council

The New City Council Members

The new Rochester Hills City Council met for the first time on Monday. While four members are continuing their term, the three newly elected members were at their first city council meeting as council members.

Kevin Brown (At-Large), Stephanie Morita (District 1) and Thomas Wiggins (District 4) were sworn in on November 18, 2013 at the Oath of Office. City Council President Greg Hooper welcomed them and said, “I have the utmost confidence in all our new members … and the voters have elected an educated, professional and responsible team that will find solutions and work together.” Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett also welcomed the new members and said, “The three of you are now joining a long list and a long line of engaged and visionary community servants who have all played a role in shaping our township and eventually our city.”

Watch the Oath of Office VIDEO to see Rochester Hills’ three newest members sworn into office with all the fun local fanfare, including Councilmember Mark Tisdel singing our National Anthem.

The First Meeting

New councilmembers had a short first meeting. Committee appointments and nominations were a large part of the first meeting. Most committee nominations had more than the open positions available; therefore, there will be an election next Monday to elect citizen representatives to fill the open seats. Most are one-year terms and Rochester Media will publish the full results of the appointments and nominations next week.

The City Council re-elected Greg Hooper as Council President and Michael Webber as Council Vice-President. Both titles are for one year.

Paint the Plow

Mayor Bryan Barnett was excited to make a few announcements. For the 25^th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association has recognized Rochester Hills for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Transparency. “This award demonstrates the City’s commitment to go beyond minimum requirements in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure,” said Mayor Barnett.

“All the roadwork is buttoned-up for the year,” said Mayor Barnett. This led to his thanking Allen Schneck, Director of the Department of Public Services (DPS), for coming up with the idea of “Paint the Plow.” Art students from most of the Rochester Community Schools participated in the City’s first annual project to paint the snowplows for their respective communities.

Over 100 students, teachers and parents joined in the inaugural event at the DPS garage. Each plow has the artists’ school name on it and Rochester Hills Sherwin-Williams, Lowe’s and Home Depot donated the paint and supplies to make it happen.

Photos are courtesy of the City of Rochester Hills