Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The master plan — estimated to cost the city $75,000 — would help Birmingham figure out how to implement the city's Complete Streets policies.
To help Birmingham decide how it wants to tackle the issue of Complete Streets in the coming years, the city is looking to hire a consultant to help pen a Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan. But first, the Birmingham City Commission thinks a proposed request for proposal (RFP) needs a little work, ensuring that prospective consultants know Birmingham is looking for someone to help capture a vision. "I think it's time to do planning like this," Commissioner Gordon Rinschler said. "But the part that we need is the vision first and then get to the details." The 18-page RFP presented to the city commission at its May 7 meeting noted that "The City of Birmingham, Michigan, is seeking a consultant to develop a citywide multi-modal …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Representatives say the state should restore nearly $1 billion cut last year from K-12 funding.
A group of Michigan House Democrats gathered in Southfield Monday morning to level charges that Republican lawmakers and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder are leaving school children behind when it comes to funding education. During a press conference held at University Academy, a school for gifted and talented students on the Southfield High campus, lawmakers said the proposed budget continues a $470 per pupil funding cut currently in place. What's more, they said, the omnibus legislation lacks transparency and makes it more difficult for citizens to see exactly how tax dollars are being allocated. In Birmingham, that amounts to a loss of more than $2.4 million under the Republican budget, according to FightSchoolCuts.com, which pulls its …
Friday, May 4, 2012
The five-term Oakland County executive and founder of The Brooksie Way is seeking another four years.
In an effort to continue what he calls a "legacy of leadership" in Oakland County, L. Brooks Patterson filed for re-election as Oakland County executive Thursday morning at the county clerk's office. Patterson, a 73-year-old Republican, is seeking his sixth term. Huntington Woods resident and business executive Kevin Howley has filed as a Democrat to run against Patterson in the November election. "My administration has a legacy of leadership that is unmatched," Patterson said in a statement Thursday. "Our economic diversification initiatives and budgetary innovations were in place long before others began to see the necessity of adopting similar programs. Plus, we have embraced the effective use of applied technology and enjoy a quality …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Dogs are allowed, an updated set of rules says, as long they're on a leash.
Have you ever wondered whether Fido or Spot were actually allowed at city parks? Now you don't have to worry: at the April 23 meeting of the Birmingham City Commission, commissioners voted to clarify the rules regarding dogs in parks, noting all dogs are allowed in public parks (with a few exceptions) as long as they're on a leash. Under the revised rules, dogs need to be restrained by a leash or chain that can be, at max, six feet long. The dog must also be under "reasonable control" and everyone — including dogs and their walkers — must comply with city ordinances. Keeping some restrictions in place, however, was important, Department of Public Services director Lauren Wood noted. The updated rules also include a list of areas where dogs…
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
At Wayne State University in Farmington Hills, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters gathers advocates to urge support for legislation that will prevent Stafford loan rates from doubling.
If federally subsidized Stafford student loan rates double this year, thousands of dollars in additional interest may hit Walsh College student MiVida Burrus' family doubly hard. During a news conference Tuesday at Wayne State University Oakland Center in Farmington Hills, the Troy mother of three said her daughter has chosen to follow her example of seeking higher education. Both rely on Stafford loans to cover the cost of tuition. "Raising the interest rate hurts me, and it hurts my family," Burrus said. "It kind of dampens our dreams and keeps us from believing that we can ever reach the goal that we set out, which is to have that degree, to have that job and be a productive society member." The family is, by no means, alone. …
42.498509
-83.382553
Wayne State University-Oakland Center
33737 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
/articles/congressman-students-ministers-urge-action-on-student-loan-interest
1526951
/locations/6945508
Baldwin Public Library's 2012-13 budget will be one to consider as a joint city committee continues to study potential renovations plans for the library building.
After years of budget woes, Baldwin Public Library is back on its feet again — and library administrators already are looking ahead. In a presentation to the Birmingham City Commission April 21, Library Director Doug Koschik outlined a budget for 2012-13 that balances the budget just as the library returns to full service hours and requests a smaller millage from the city. Meanwhile, a joint committee made up of library board members and city commissioners continue to discuss the renovation possibilities for the aging library building at 300 W. Merrill St. According to Koschik, the outlook for 2012-13 is bright, especially as the library expects to balance its budget for a second year in a row. During the next fiscal year, Baldwin expects …
42.545149
-83.217138
Baldwin Public Library
300 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/library-presents-balanced-budget-struggles-with-smaller-staff
711566
/locations/6912349
Monday, April 30, 2012
Arear barber shop owner says a proposed law could help ease the 'bandwagon' effect of barber shops coming back into popularity.
The iconic rotating red, white and blue pole found outside traditional barber shops is now at the center of new legislation in Lansing. State Sen. John Gleason, D-Flushing, is pushing for legislation that will allow Michigan to join 10 other states that regulate the display of barber poles for only licensed barbers, according to The Detroit News. The lawmaker said he would like the pole to continue to be a symbol of traditional, fully-licensed barbers, rather than any place that offers haircutting services. The bill was introduced in November, according to michiganvotes.org, and would prohibit establishments like hair salons from using the barber pole unless there was an accredited barber offering services there. Barbers must complete 2,…
42.54613
-83.213735
The Barber Pole
164 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI
/articles/poll-should-state-regulate-iconic-barber-poles
711341
/locations/6900421
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Internet users can now get online at various city building and public spaces using free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Love hanging out in downtown Birmingham but ever wish you could be online while you're there? Now, you'll be able to get online at various public buildings and parks throughout Birmingham thanks to several free Wi-Fi hotspots, courtesy of the city. Wi-Fi hotspots include the meeting rooms at Birmingham City Hall and the Department of Public Services, located on Eton Road. Other hotspots are located in Shain Park and the lobby and portions of the stands at the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena. "We are able to offer a service, at a very minimal cost to the city, which will allow residents and visitors to get some work done while enjoying a nice day in Shain Park or to send a quick email before watching their kids figure skating practice or hockey…
42.545199
-83.216029
Shain Park
200 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/birmingham-goes-wireless-hotspots-now-include-shain-park-city-hall
1509222
/locations/6877381
42.545944
-83.215532
Birmingham City Hall
151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/birmingham-goes-wireless-hotspots-now-include-shain-park-city-hall
710964
/locations/6877382
42.54132
-83.19564
Birmingham Department of Public Services
851 S Eton St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/birmingham-goes-wireless-hotspots-now-include-shain-park-city-hall
711507
/locations/6877383
42.539169
-83.19197
Birmingham Ice Sports Arena
2300 E Lincoln St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/birmingham-goes-wireless-hotspots-now-include-shain-park-city-hall
1767572
/locations/6877384
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Mike McCready, a Seaholm High School graduate and principal at Birmingham's McCready and Associates, formally announced bid to replace term-limited Chuck Moss Wednesday.
The race for the Republican Party candidate to represent Birmingham in the State House of Representatives just got a little more crowded. Bloomfield Hills City Commissioner Mike McCready formally announced his bid for the 40th District in Lansing next fall on Wednesday afternoon. The 40th District is composed of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and Orchard Lake Village. Current Rep. Chuck Moss, (R-Birmingham), is term limited and is expected to run for state State Senate in 2014. Oakland County Commissioner David Potts, and Birmingham Board of Education member Robert Lawrence announced their candidacies for the house seat earlier this year, while West Bloomfield attorney David Wolkinson declared …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The tentative plan, as presented to city commissioners Saturday, is highlighted by growing revenues that still fall behind expected spending.
It's budget season in Birmingham, and city commissioners are considering a $64 million budget for 2012-13, which includes rising property values and a city staff that's growing smaller by the year. "The worst may be over, but we're not out of the woods yet," City Manager Bob Bruner said at the city's budget presentation Saturday at City Hall. At the five-hour Saturday meeting, Bruner and various department heads laid out tentative budgets for the upcoming year before the Birmingham City Commission. With big projects on the horizon, Bruner made sure to note that expenditures continue to exceed revenues for another year. "These last several years of economic and revenue decline have forced communities to ask the question: 'Is there a better …
42.545944
-83.215532
Birmingham City Hall
151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI
/articles/city-considers-smaller-budget-for-2012-13
710964
/locations/6862755
Yorkshire resident
7:56 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
The thought of reducing the lanes on maple road is impractical. With the recent temporary closure of one of the two west bound lanes between Eaton and Adams, the cut thru traffic was insane. The speeding cars and constant traffic on Yorkshire waiting to turn onto Adams made me feel like I was living on Maple. Not safe for the neighborhood or a family. more ›