Monday, October 8, 2012
Officials say a long-vacant shopping center space in Farmington and the former Roosevelt's space in Farmington Hills will soon be occupied again.
Good business news came out of Monday's Farmington planning commission and Farmington Hills city council meetings. In Farmington, code enforcement officer John Koncsol said a True Value Hardware store is moving into a portion of the former Harvest Fresh market space that anchors the Crossroads shopping center at Nine Mile and Farmington Roads. He said the business will take up about two-thirds of the space. He said the space won't require a large amount of work, so he estimated the business could be open by the end of the year. Koncsol said a second business, Ollie's, will also move into the center. Owners described it to him as "Big Lots on steroids", he said. According to the company's website, Farmington will be the third Michigan …
42.45505
-83.37597
W 9 Mile Rd & Farmington Rd, Farmington, MI
True Value Hardware and Ollie's
/articles/new-business-activity-on-tap-in-farmington-and-farmington-hills
/locations/7979884
42.49921
-83.3587
W 12 Mile Rd & Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Bailey's Pub & Grille
/articles/new-business-activity-on-tap-in-farmington-and-farmington-hills
/locations/7979885
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Did you miss Monday night's meeting? Get gavel-to-gavel coverage on the video sharing site, thanks to SWOCC Studios.
From Farmington High junior drum major Elise Newcomer leading the Pledge of Allegiance to a little election talk, you can now see all of Monday night's Farmington Hills city council meeting on YouTube.com. Council meetings are broadcast live and re-broadcast on Channel 8 for Bright House cable television viewers and are also available on the SWOCC Studios website. If you're getting out and about today, click on the links below to learn more about events happening in Farmington and Farmington Hills. We've also included a list of future events for which you'll need to register or buy tickets. Check our calendar for even more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the week. If your event isn't listed, feel free to add…
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Take our poll: Will you vote for Proposal 3, which aims at getting 25 percent of Michigan's energy from renewable resources by 2025?
While Farmington Hills city council members generally support the idea of increasing Michigan's use of renewable energy, they'd rather not see a goal of 25 percent by 2025 enshrined in the state's constitution. "I like the idea of renewable energy, I'm just not sure this is the way to get there," council member Ken Massey said at a study session Monday. Officials learned more about the ballot proposal from Hugh McDiarmid, Jr., a Farmington resident and communications director with the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC). He said the ballot question came about because the state legislature has had no interest in the proposal. "The only movement in the legislature is to repeal the 2008 law," McDiarmid said, referring to a requirement for …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
City council members await results of a court challenge to Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's decision to add a citizenship verification box to ballots.
Long-time Farmington Hills city council member Nancy Bates sees the new citizenship verification checkbox on Michigan ballots as an important safeguard for voters. But she appeared to be the only official at Monday night's city council study session who felt that way. Most feel the new requirement is nothing more than a solution in search of a problem, at best, and possibly an impediment to voters. The biggest problem, Mayor Barry Brickner said, is that Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a proposed law that would have required people to reaffirm their citizenship at the polls. City clerk Pam Smith said the issue is already in court, and state Director of Elections Chris Thomas "thinks there will be a decision on this" before November's general …
Junior drum major Elise Newcomer invites officials from Farmington and Farmington Hills to attend a future performance.
Farmington High School (FHS) Junior Drum Major Elise Newcomer would like to see a little more school spirit among Farmington-area city officials. Over the past week, she visited both the Farmington and Farmington Hills city councils, inviting officials to attend an upcoming FHS football game to see the band and enjoy a tailgate dinner before the game. She hopes to coordinate a date when both councils can attend.
Monday, September 24, 2012
City council members will also hear about the renewable energy ballot measure during their 6 p.m. study session.
A controversial move by Michigan's Secretary of State will be among the items discussed during a Farmington Hills city council session today at 6 p.m. in the community room at city hall. Officials will discuss the citizenship checkbox on Michigan ballots, as well as the renewable energy ballot proposal, before taking up a light agenda at 7:30 p.m. Today's historical photo shows a group of men standing in front of T.H. McGee Druggist, a store built after a devastating fire that swept through downtown Farmington in 1872. The building was torn down in 1916; it sat next to the Exchange Building, which is now home to Pniewski Insurance Agency. Follow the links below for more information about the meeting and other events going on today, along …
42.484682
-83.359687
City of Farmington Hills Municipal Offices
31555 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
/articles/first-thing-farmington-hills-officials-talk-about-ballot-citizenship-checkbox
1527486
/locations/7899628
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Farmington Hills city council members got their first look Monday at a proposal that could add a narrow median, wider sidewalks and other changes between 12 and 13 Mile Roads.
Farmington Hills planning commissioners unveiled a proposal Monday that would make the area of Orchard Lake, from 12 Mile to 13 Mile more pedestrian friendly. Planning consultant Rod Arroyo laid out the vision, which would include creating areas for "mixed use" development, such as 3-4 story buildings with retail on the bottom floor, and office or residential uses above. Buildings would be moved closer to the front lot lines, with parking in back. Council members questioned whether that would drive traffic into residential areas; suggestions included diverting some parking to the side or underground parking. Arroyo said the plan also includes "the potential for a narrow, landscaped median" to calm traffic and help pedestrians cross the …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Farmington Hills Police Benevolent Association is sending $5,000 to the family of Officer Patrick O'Rourke, killed in the line of duty early Monday morning.
The Farmington Hills Police Benevolent Association (PBA) has authorized the donation of $5,000 to the family of West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke, who was killed in the line of duty early Monday morning. PBA president and former Farmington Hills Police Chief Bill Dwyer, who serves as Oakland County 14th District commissioner, announced the donation at Monday night's Farmington Hills city council meeting. The PBA was formed following the deaths of two Farmington Hills police officers and has grown to include the Farmington Hills Fire Dept., Farmington Public Safety and Franklin Police departments. Dwyer attended the council meeting to talk about county activities and to accept a proclamation recognizing his 50 years of public…
42.484682
-83.359687
City of Farmington Hills Municipal Offices
31555 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
/articles/farmington-hills-pba-donates-to-family-of-slain-west-bloomfield-officer
1527486
/locations/7762448
Monday, September 10, 2012
A new ordinance limits use of the weapons to an approved range or a homeowner's property, with an artificial target.
Farmington Hills City Council members unanimously approved a firearms ordinance amendment that tightens up restrictions on the use of bows and arrows within city limits. Though the new rules restricts use of the weapons except on practice ranges or on a homeowner's own property, one resident believes the ordinance did not go far enough. The new ordinance allows the use of bows in a safe manner, shooting only at artificial targets, and in a manner that prevents arrows from landing on someone else's property. The previous ordinance did not restrict use of bows and crossbows within city limits. City Attorney Steve Joppich said the draft included language banning "razor tip" arrows, added when the amendment was introduced Aug. 27. But …
Today's photos takes a look at downtown Farmington 80 years ago.
Farmington and Farmington Hills are communities rich in history, and we aim to share some of it first thing this morning. Today's photo looks west on Grand River in 1930. On the right side, you can see the Cook building (home now to Salon Legato, Mike Greer Photography, the Farmington Downtown Development Authority and Basement Burger Bar), which is still a familiar landmark. Earlier this year, we profiled a sale to settle the estate of a member of the Cook family. One of today's most iconic buildings is missing from the picture; the Farmington Civic Theater was built a decade after this photo was taken. Below you'll find links to today's events, along with information about events happening later this week that require advance …
John Doe
6:14 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
So people cant go look up pictures of me at Kettle Point sipping coffee with a big goofy bow on head and a matching grin on my face. What else is there I can dig up? more ›