A chance for change

Sick and tired of the status quo in Michigan? A Constitutional Convention next year could change things. To explain how, Henry Woloson of Independence Township hosts two informational meetings, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., May 12, at Independence Township Fire hall, 6500 Citation Drive. ‘The people that are sitting back saying ‘this is terrible, Michigan […]

Keiser’s Role A column by Trevor Keiser

For the past five or six months I have been covering Tuesday night board meetings of Independence Township and let me tell you they are not getting any better. In fact they’re getting worse. I figured with a new board they would need a couple months to settle in and previous board members would eventually […]

Aliaga plans run for congress in Peru

Jose Aliaga wants to run for congress in 2011, not in the United States, but his home country of Peru. ‘I think it would be good to have a guy with a Republican doctrine underneath him in South America,? said Aliaga. ‘I believe it is a time for a new movement, new ideas, and move […]

Board debates over Dixie Highway

Nearly 60 residents and business owners filled the Independence township hall meeting room at the April 21 board meeting in hopes that the board would move forward in efforts to revitalize the Dixie Highway corridor. Presentations were given by Township Planner Dick Carlisle, Planning Commission Chairman Sam Moraco, Don Bolton of Clarkston State Bank, local […]

Sewer bills could jump 25 percent

With a down economy and less growth in Independence Township, water and sewer funds need more money ? 25 perceent more from taxpayers in water and sewer rates. In the past 18 years, rates went up once, in 2004, said Linda Richardson, Department of Public Works director. ‘The board at that time told me not […]

Dixie Highway renovators ready to roll

Nearly 60 residents and business owners filled Independence Township Hall meeting room, April 21, in hopes of moving forward with revitalizing the Dixie Highway corridor. Presentations were given by Township Planner Dick Carlisle, Planning Commission Chairman Sam Moraco, Don Bolton of Clarkston State Bank, local business owner and resident Jim Eppink, and former township Clerk […]

Citizen committee would review township operations

Looking to make Independence Township function a little smoother, the Township Board voted unanimously to create an Operations Task Force. ‘Surveys that have been conducted in the past have generally indicated that residents are satisfied with the nature and extent of services as provided by the township,? said Richard Carlisle, township planning consultant. ‘However, there […]

Sewer agreement hits sticking point over money

An intergovernmental sewer agreement is close, but a $52,000 sticking point may jam up the works. Clarkston City Council voted May 5 to approve First Amendment reading, but added several changes to the draft document. Two changes are ‘problematic,? said Township Attorney Steve Joppich. Joppich said the city did not include the proposed clarification that […]

Hazmat responds to mercury spill

It was Monday night when Independence Township Fire Department received a call that there was a pint of mercury spilled at a home in the 6100 block off Clarkston Road. The mercury, which had been stored in a pole barn, was spilled during a court ordered eviction. ‘They (the workers) unknowingly broke a vile of […]

Planner’s done

After six years on the planning commission, Chairman Sam Moraco has had enough of township goverment. ‘It has been a lot of fun for me working with the township in the past,? said Moraco, who resigned his appointed post, Friday. ‘But as’I tell everyone the more you know about how our government works the more […]