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...]
RARA seeks new HQ
February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
For the past decade, the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority has been feeling the need to expand beyond its rented headquarters on East Second Street in downtown Rochester. Though spending $130,000 a year on rent and taxes, the RARA board has been putting aside money towards a future facility. Now, with new Executive Director Ron Jewell on board, RARA is ready to plot its next move. In January, Jewell appeared before both the Rochester and Rochester Hills city councils. “For over 10 years … [Read more...]
Rochester’s alternate OPC budget rejected
December 13, 2011 by 1 Comment
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...]
No More Water Reservoirs For Rochester Hills
February 3, 2011 by 1 Comment
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...]
Green Space – It’s Ours To Enjoy
November 11, 2010 by
If there was one thing that I learned in business school, it was not about the undeveloped value of green spaces. In fact, from my experience at Wayne State University, “green space” was many times viewed in the context of future-developed value. I’m not picking on business schools or my alma mater; obviously the purpose of those exercises was to teach concepts using something simple and relatable. One thing I did learn in my studies though was that when making decisions, business leaders should … [Read more...]
Water Reservoirs in Rochester Hills
August 4, 2010 by
I believe the proposed water reservoirs will save our residents money. Residents and council members have raised some concerns about the locations but so far nothing has been determined. My goal in the site location process is to support feasible locations that will burden our residential neighborhoods the least. Because of the need to connect the reservoirs to existing water mains and the geographical elevation requirements there are not many locations to choose from. Over the past few months … [Read more...]
Roundabouts; Cheaper to build and safer.
July 13, 2010 by
Does that mean we should have one at every intersection? Definitely not. In fact there are many intersections in our city where a roundabout would not make an improvement. Even with federal grant dollars we need to continue to use discretion. The infamous roundabout at 18 1/2 and Vandyke is a perfect example of why civic leaders and engineers need to exercise careful consider. It’s important to note however that while many motorists have been reportedly uncomfortable maneuvering through the … [Read more...]
