Number of twp. trustee applicants ‘exceptional?

The ten applicants hoping to be appointed to a single open seat on the Brandon Township Board of Trustees is an unusual amount, remarks one local political observer. ‘This is quite exceptional,? said Paul Kubicek, chair of the political science department at Oakland University. ‘Two or three would be the average. There is a lot […]

‘It doesn’t change who you thought you were?

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Fitness centers across the country are filled at this time of year with thousands of people who have made it their new year’s resolution to lose weight or get physically fit. At In Motion Anytime, 4 N. Ortonville Road, they could find some fresh inspiration in Barbara Delisi, a member […]

Board eyes return to semesters

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- After less than two years of using a trimester system, school district officials are considering a return to semesters to save money. ‘Just like everything else, trimesters are on the table,? said Superintendent Lorrie McMahon. ‘We’re very pleased with (trimesters) for academics, but we were a good school […]

Recommendation: Busing to home schools only

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- The finance committee is recommending that students in the district be offered bus transportation only to their home schools. The recommendation will be made to the board at their next meeting, planned for 6:30 p.m., Feb. 8, at the central district office, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. ‘We are […]

Smooth ride for Main Street

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Ortonville- There were no major bumps in the road Tuesday as the village received accreditation as a Main Street community. ‘It’s another feather in our caps that we are doing things appropriately in enhancing the downtown,? said Village Manager Bill Sprague. Bob Donohue and Julie Courtney from Main Street Oakland […]

After two years: Township seeks NO-HAZ alternatives

Due to budget constraints, for the second year in a row, Brandon Township is not participating in the NO-HAZ program, leaving residents without a designated place to safely dispose of household hazardous waste. ‘Communities are in these financial crises, I understand, but they have to get alternative information out to the community as much as […]

Ortonville Rotary aids Haitians with Shelter Box

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Hundreds of thousands of Haitians are sleeping outside after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the impoverished island nation Jan. 12. The Ortonville Rotary Club hopes to help ease their suffering with assistance from the community. A Rotary charity, ShelterBoxUSA, is providing disaster relief by sending ShelterBoxes to Haiti. The 49-gallon […]

Retirement incentive offered to Brandon Schools support staff

Brandon Twp.- The finance committee decided during their Jan. 25 meeting to recommend that the school board offer an early retirement incentive to school district support staff. The package would offer $20,000 to be paid over three years to secretaries, bus drivers, custodial and maintenance staff with at least 20 years of service in the […]

Historic township bobsled now on display in Olympic museum

Brandon Twp.- An early 1900s bobsled that spent three decades in township resident Bill Rathburg’s barn has found a new home and glory at an Olympic museum in New York. ‘It’s wonderful,? said Elizabeth DeFazio, curator of the 1932 & 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum, where the restored bobsled is now on display along […]

Gault named new trustee

Brandon Twp.- The township board unanimously approved the appointment of Cheryl Gault as a trustee during their Feb. 1 meeting. ‘I appreciate the opportunity afforded by this appointment to contribute to our community,? said Gault, a resident of the township since 1987. ‘I would like to thank the board for this vote of confidence in […]