Letter to the Editor: Police Millage

How does a community like Rochester Hills sustain strong city services and maintain a consistently low tax rate among its Oakland County neighbors? It takes planning and preparation with a multi-year budget approach. It takes innovation from city leaders and residents who come together to solve complex issues. It takes dedication – a strong commitment from everyone to prioritize wants vs. needs and sustain those needs into the future. The Police Millage ballot proposal on August 7th is … [Read more...]

Citizen Opinion: Show Me the Money

Citizen Opinion by Scot Beaton Fiscal Responsibility, Rochester Hills Hats off to all those who worked on the police millage proposal: Don Cline, Dale Hetrick, Walter Johnson, Linda Raschke, LeAnne Rogers, Nancy Soisson and Thomas Stephens. (hundreds of hours of work NO compensation from the city) but because of the current economic condition the nation is currently in, threats of a fiscal cliff etc., a straight up renewal would probably be the only millage the residents of Rochester Hills … [Read more...]

Is OPC compromise in view?

There may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. When the Rochester Older Persons Commission’s governing board meets Thursday, it appears the members are ready to take another look at one controversial item in the proposed 2012 budget, which has yet to be formally adopted. After two years in which OPC employees received no increases in compensation, last year the board approved an increase in the payment in lieu of health insurance for full-time employees. The payment was increased from … [Read more...]

Readers want to know: Q & A on the OPC

In an attempt to answer readers’ questions about the current OPC budget dispute, we consulted the Interlocal Agreement that governs the OPC, budget documents, meeting minutes, the most recent audit and relevant officials. WHO RUNS THE OPC? The OPC was created as a separate public corporation in 1983. The municipalities of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township jointly fund it and share authority under the terms of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA). The OPC does not have taxing … [Read more...]

Rochester’s alternate OPC budget rejected

The governing bodies of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township this week rejected the request of Rochester City Council to change some line items in the 2012 budget of the Older Persons Commission. In denying Rochester’s request, members of the Rochester Hills City Council and the Oakland Township Board of Trustees said they believe the structure that has governed the OPC since its inception is working, and they want the OPC governing board to remain independent of the communities’ … [Read more...]

Michael Webber Runs for re-election for Rochester Hills City Council

Michael Webber seemingly came out of nowhere four years ago to win an at-large seat on Rochester Hills City Council. Now finishing his first term, he is seeking re-election. “I decided to run for re-election to the city council because I want to continue to be a part of the solution in order to move our city forward,” he said. “While I am proud of the record that has been established over the last four years – multiple-year balanced budgets, single waste-hauler program, job growth and low … [Read more...]

No More Water Reservoirs For Rochester Hills

After a five hour City Council meeting that had a few hundred extra citizens in attendance, the Rochester Hills City Council voted to suspend further conversation about building water reservoirs in the City.  This conversation started with the current council about a year and half ago, according to Councilman Vern Pixley. He states, "I was a supporter of the plan, the business model worked, the idea was solid, but at the end of the day the concern about the future of the Detroit Water Board and … [Read more...]

Pit Bulls: To Ban or Not To Ban?

Recently the Rochester Hills City Council and administration discussed the need for a breed specific pit bull ban following a few occurrences of pit bulls attacking other dogs. This debate drew much discussion from community members on the pros and cons of banning a specific breed from the community. It is important during any emotional debate to take a step back and review the facts so that a knee jerk reaction does not cause an over reach of government. Councilman Webber's Response … [Read more...]

Rochester Hill’s Economic Development Team Succeeds

Given these trying economic times for our state and region, every community has turned their focus towards Economic Development. The City of Rochester Hills has been at the forefront of this focus with our Economic Development team led by Dan Casey. The focus of the Mayor's administration and the City Council towards Economic Development is beginning to pay off with some great companies deciding to come or stay in Rochester Hills over the last few years. Our city has been aggressive in … [Read more...]