District gets its $815K back and then some

Christmas came early this year for the Oxford school district as officials approved a settlement that will enrich its fund balance by $680,000. On Monday night, the board of education voted 7-0 to approve a $650,000 settlement with TMP Architecture, Inc., a firm based in Bloomfield Hills, and a $30,000 settlement with Skanska USA Building, […]

Council directs PC to draft ordinance regulating med. marijuana facilities

For the time being, regulation has won out over prohibition in the Village of Oxford. On Tuesday night, the village council voted 4-1 to direct its planning commission to write an ordinance that regulates the growth, distribution and sales of medical marijuana. ‘Personally, I would rather regulate it because if you don’t regulate it, there’s […]

Plan aims to put wind in library’s sails

Stormy economic seas still lay ahead, but the Oxford Public Library is hoping to navigate them unscathed with a new plan designed to pump more wind into its sails. ‘We’re not at a standstill,? said Library Board Vice President Kathy Hoeflein. ‘We’re still moving ahead.? Utilizing input from library staffers, board members, and the community […]

Old administrative offices find new life

A building that was once filled with the sounds of clicking keyboards and ringing telephones is now teeming with the sounds of small children laughing and playing. Last week, the Oxford school district’s childcare and preschool programs opened for business in their new digs at 105 Pontiac St., which is adjacent to Oxford Elementary. ‘Everybody’s […]

Twp. rejects village offer to partner for $70K grant

Too many questions. Too many concerns. Too many uncertainties. Not enough information. In the end, all of these things contributed to the Oxford Township Board’s 4-3 decision to not partner with the village in applying for a grant that could have meant up to $70,000 in planning services and staff resources from Oakland County to […]

Schools lose phones, water

By C.J. Carnacchio Leader Editor Oxford Community Schools became a victim of Murphy’s Law ? ‘Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.? On Thursday, Sept. 9, the entire school district lost phone service to the outside world while Leonard Elementary had no water for its toilets and sinks. Like Robinson Crusoe, it was as […]

My Way

In last week’s column, I focused on what it would take to dissolve the Village of Oxford and why I’m in favor of it. This week I wish to focus on the concept of ‘identity.? Over in Clarkston, people are talking a lot about ‘identity? these days because the city recently got rid of its […]

Public opinion mixed on medical pot facilities

One would expect a public discussion on the topic of medical marijuana facilities to be heated and lengthy. But it was the exact opposite last week as citizens gave their input on the subject to the Oxford Village Planning Commission. Most speakers kept within the three-minute time limit and all were polite. ‘Being given a […]

Oxford selected for Main Street program

Today, the villages of Oxford and Ortonville were officially selected to become Main Street Oakland County communities. ‘I think it’s going to mean great things for downtown Oxford,? said Michelle Bishop, executive director of the Oxford Community Development Authority. ‘I’m really excited.? Main Street Oakland County is an economic development program specifically targeted to provide […]

Fisherman nets car in Tullamore Lake

Every fisherman has his tale of ‘the one that got away? or the old ‘I swear it was this big? story. But not every fisherman can say their prize catch weighed a couple of tons and had four wheels. Not every fisherman that is except for a 32-year-old Clarkston man who spotted a blue 1993 […]