Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved this week in the U.S. Senate, and is headed to the Republican-controlled U.S. House for consideration. Both Michigan's senators voted for the bill, which would require merchants to collect state taxes on internet
Michigan's U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, voted in support of a bill that requires merchants to collect state sales taxes for online purchases. The Marketplace Fairness Act passed the U.S. Senate 69-27 on Monday. Next up, the legislation goes to the GOP-led House. President Barack Obama has previously said he supports the bill. Supporters say the bill would level the paying field for traditional local retailers and collect much needed tax revenue for state. Opponents, including anti-tax activists and retailers, say it will be overly burdensome on small businesses and would effectively result in a tax increase. Neither Levin nor Stabenow issued public statements after Monday's vote explaining their support of the…
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
About 16 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls to pass Tuesday's sinking fund millage; last fall's turnout was 74 percent.
About 16 percent of West Bloomfield School District's 25,740 registered voters turned out to vote on Tuesday's sinking fund millage, which passed by a 190-vote margin. By comparison, the November 2011 school board election drew 19 percent of registered voters, and the last sinking fund millage request, on the ballot with the presidential and state-wide elections in November of 2012, failed by more than 800 votes with about three-quarters of registered voters going to the polls. West Bloomfield Patch reader Richard Goldman, commenting on Facebook, called the turnout percentage "horribly low." "The major problem here in this economy is that so many homes are now abject worthless that homeowners can nary afford an increase let alone being …
City council member Bill Galvin calls redevelopment of the Maxfield Training Center in downtown Farmington a 'hundred-year decision'.
Whatever happens to the Farmington Public Schools Maxfield Training Center (MTC), redevelopment of the property is expected to have a powerful impact on downtown Farmington. The 65,000-square-foot building sits on Thomas Street just north of Grand River, the heart of the city's central business district. Vacant for about three years, the property lies within the Farmington Downtown Development Authority Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. Moving it from public to private ownership will boost tax revenues and likely influence how the city develops in the future. "Whatever's going to go there, it's a hundred-year decision," mayor pro-tem Bill Galvin said during a discussion at Monday's city council meeting. "We've got to hit a home run…
42.464129
-83.372697
33000 Thomas St, Farmington, MI
/articles/farmington-school-officials-work-together-to-redevelop-vacant-properties
/locations/9361292
42.44594
-83.36947
32600 Flanders St, Farmington, MI
/articles/farmington-school-officials-work-together-to-redevelop-vacant-properties
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
While election results are unofficial, Oakland County's elections website reports millage supporters score a 190-vote victory.
Update 8:46 p.m. With all precincts reporting, voters have approved the sinking fund millage by a narrow margin, 2,224-2,034. Elections results remain unofficial until they are certified. We'll have additional coverage and an in-depth look at precinct by precinct results Wednesday morning. Update 8:36 p.m. With 10 of 16 precincts reporting: Yes, 1982, No, 1805. Update 8:30 p.m. With half of all precincts reporting: Yes, 1763, No, 1521. Update 8:15 p.m. With four of 16 precincts reporting: Yes, 949, No, 753. If it was up to West Bloomfield Public Schools voters in Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and Orchard Lake, there would be no sinking fund millage; all three voted it down. Update, 8:09 p.m. With two of 16 precincts reporting here's where …
Monday, May 6, 2013
The freshman member of the State House, who represents a portion of West Bloomfield, will meet with constituents on the heels of votes on drug testing; Detroit Zoo funding.
Do you agree with State Rep. Mike McCready (R-Bloomfield Hills) that welfare recipients should be drug tested and have children that are not truants in order to receive benefits? Do you support his decision on a two-bill package that ensures local municipalities cannot capture millage funds intended for the Detroit Zoo or the Detroit Institute of Arts? McCready, who serves a portion of West Bloomfield in Michigan's 40th District, was among the overwhelming majority of Republican legislators to support each of the bills mentioned above during votes in Lansing this week, according to Michigan Votes. Whether you agree or not, McCready wants to hear from you and invites constituents in Birmingham and Bloomfield to discuss it personally with …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
West Bloomfield Patch invites you to share your opinion about the May 7 election by submitting a blog post.
West Bloomfield Public Schools voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a a 14-year, 1.25-mill levy proposal that would provide funding for building upgrades and repairs. If you have an opinion about the millage, in support or opposition, share it with a blog post! Your submission will be featured on our site and in our newsletter, and we'll close election-related blog submissions after Friday. Ready to share your thoughts? Start here: Start a Blog. Read our guide to the May 7 election to find links and more information about the ballot question.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The 14th District Congressman says voices 'from every corner of Michigan' encouraged him to run for retiring Sen. Carl Levin's seat.
With a nod to retiring U.S. Senator Carl Levin, 14th District Congressman Gary Peters announced in a Wednesday morning email to supporters that he will run for Levin's seat. Praising Levin as "the best of what it means to be a true public servant," Peters said that supporters around the state asked him to consider running for the senior Senator's seat. "Following Carl’s decision, I have been humbled by the voices from every corner of Michigan who have enthusiastically encouraged me to run for the U.S. Senate," he wrote. "This is a critical time for Michigan, and our main streets and middle class need an independent voice fighting for them." He said his independent approach "is exactly what Michigan needs in the Senate right now." …
With a 4-3 vote, officials send a $222 million bond question to voters, including those in West Bloomfield Township precinct 9, on Aug. 6.
West Bloomfield Township voters in Precinct 9 will be among those asked to decide a $222 million Farmington Public Schools bond issue Aug. 6. Board members voted 4-3 to approve the special election, which will cost the district about $65,000. Board members Sheilah Clay, Howard Wallach and Murray Kahn voted against the measure; Frank Reid, Priscilla Brouillette, Karen Bolsen and George Gurrola voted in favor. Clay and Wallach both said they support the bond, but wanted the election held in November – as did those who testified during public comment taken before the vote. Kahn said the visioning and capital finance committee plans left out Farmington Central High School, early childhood education and administrative facilities. "To go out …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Voters will decide the fate of a 14-year, 1.25-mill levy proposal to provide more than $30 million in repairs to district buildings.
West Bloomfield Public Schools (WBPS) voters will decide whether to approve a 14-year, 1.25-mill levy proposal in a May 7 special election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at WBPS precincts in West Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake and Sylvan Lake. If approved, the $1.25 per $1,000 of taxable valuation would increase property taxes $125 per year on a home with a taxable value of $100,000, starting July 1, 2013. (If your home has an assessed value of $200,000, it has a taxable value of $100,000.) The millage is expected to raise a total of $30.25 million for use primarily on upgrades or repairs. The district's school enrollment and facilities committee identified $23.1 million in needed repairs, including $4.1 …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The West Bloomfield Township Board votes Monday to approve Town Center Task Force recommendations.
West Bloomfield Township officials voted on Monday to look at hiring a consultant who would help make changes to the township's Downtown Overlay District. The district includes the commercial area along Orchard Lake Road, between 14 Mile and Pinehurst Court, near Maple. The hiring recommendation came from the Town Center Task Force, which spent the last four months gathering information about possible changes to the district. Officials say the zoning rules have created problems for businesses wanting to locate or redevelop property in that area. "We have lost opportunities for businesses coming into this township because of this overlay district," trustee Larry Brown said. Other task force recommendations include exercising flexibility …
42.52841
-83.36012
Orchard Lake Rd & W 14 Mile Rd, West Bloomfield, MI
/articles/township-officials-may-hire-consultant-to-re-do-downtown-overlay-district
/locations/9290751
42.54806
-83.36096
Orchard Lake Rd & Pinehurst Dr, West Bloomfield, MI
/articles/township-officials-may-hire-consultant-to-re-do-downtown-overlay-district
/locations/9290752
Norm Platt
7:35 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
(Speaking on a totally different subject here). For about the 4th year in a row there has been a great deal of effort and expense expended on mounting a huge "Farmers Market sign with hours & days of operation flown over 14 mile rd in Clawson. This is a very good idea (!BUT!) the dates can't be read because of the wind/sail effect problem!! Maybe " Clawson Patch could run a free public service … more ›