Township looks to centralize maintenance

Cleaning up a hodge-podge of maintenance responsibilities could save money and improve service for Independence Township. To find out how much, Township Board approved up to $3,000 to Carlisle/Wortman & Associates. “Over the years, township maintenance functions have been spread over 3-4 departments as well as privately contracted,? said Dick Carlisle, planning consultant, at the […]

Keiser’s Role A column by Trevor Keiser

No more snow. Cold.Hats. Gloves. Scarfs.Heavy coats.Long Johns. Barren trees. Gray skies. Icy breath. Bad driving conditions. Bah humbug. Instead think of Blue skies. Green grass. Flowers blossom. Rays of sunshine. Refreshing rains. Smiling faces. Birds chirping. I love how just a few adjectives can paint a picture in your mind and get your imagination […]

Crazy about cars

Independence Township resident Gerald Scarborough and his 12-year-old grandson Austin Santangelo, are revved up about participating in the 57th annual Murray’s/O’Reilly’s Autorama at Detroit’s Cobo Center this weekend. ‘I’m really excited, I’ve always wanted to go down there and have a car down there,? said Santangelo. ‘I’ve been to it every year for the past […]

Township to take a longer budget view

Township officials hope budget planning three years in advance will help them make the most of falling tax revenues. ‘We’re doing our best, but I’m sure as you get out to those further years, we’re going to learn things that we’re going to need to know for next year’s three year budget,? said Susan Hendricks, […]

Township joins suit to stay on the air

Viewers accustomed to watching local government meetings on public access may soon find they have to pay for it. But Independence Township Board joined the fight against higher cable fees, lending its name in support of lawsuits against Comcast and AT&T in hopes of saving public access channels. ‘There has been a lot of activity […]

Historian sees similarties in Lincoln, Obama

A man like Abraham Lincoln comes around once every 500 years, according to local historian Maureen Esther. Or maybe fewer, Esther told Clarkston Community Historical Society at a presentation this past Thursday at Independence Township Library. Esther explained how President Lincoln and newly elected President Barack Obama are similar. Not only did Obama hold the […]

Columbo’s back in action with Clarkston players

Forty years since Peter Falk’s Columbo first asked for “just one more thing,” Clarkston Village Players brings the TV detective back to the stage. The pilot episode for the series, aired in 1968, was based on the play ‘Columbo Prescription Murder,? written by William Link and Richard Levinson. ‘I have always liked Columbo,? said Jan […]

New sheriff (substation) in town?

No formal announcement yet, but plans for a new Independence Township Sheriff Substation are moving forward. ‘When the new fire station (Fire station No. 3) was built approximately 12 years ago, the sheriff’s substation was incorporated into that and the understanding was always that it was temporary because of its lack of size,? said Supervisor […]

Sewer case closed

Nearly three months after a sewer collapse on Washington Street, between the home of Norm Cristea and Clarkston Mills Mall, the issue has finally been resolved. ‘The water is flowing,? said Clarkston City Manager Dennis Ritter. ‘It’s a larger pipe than what was in the ground. It will ease considerably any potential flooding.? Workers finished […]

Tax revenue falls $1.7 million in township

All township services are on the table, when dealing with a $1.7 million loss in taxes this year, with more to come. Township investments, spread out among dozens of financial institutions and the federal treasury, seem secure, but tax revenues are down $145,512.34, said Treasurer Curt Carson in his report to the Township Board, March […]