10 Years Ago

January 27, 2010
Local officials had mixed reactions to state Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop’s proposal to cut the pay of elected officals and public workers by 5 percent while paying up to 20 percent for their health insurance.
The North Oakland County affiliate of Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) joined forces with churches in the Oxford-Orion area to create an employment networking and career guidance program called Transitions.
It’s not official yet, but it appears next month downtown Oxford will once again be certified as a Nationally Accredited Main Street community.
The Oxford Downtown Development Authority is looking for someone to straighten out its financial records and keep them in order on a month-to-month basis. “As far as we know, the money’s okay, but the records aren’t,” said DDA Chairman Mark Young.

25 Years Ago

January 25, 1995
A six-count lawsuit was filed against the Oxford Emergency Safety Authority, Oxford Police Department, the former police chief and individual officers. It claims the defendents violated Jacqueline Ponke’s civil rights, failing to protect her from “the increasingly violent actions of (her husband) Raymond William Ponke.” Raymond Ponke beat his wife Jacqueline Ponke to death with a hammer in the Farmington dental office where she worked.
Although two weeks ago he said he planned to seek a third term on the Oxford Village Council, village president Peter Burke has changed his mind. “I’m not filing my petition,” Burke said.
Although six Oxford Village residents picked up nominating positions, only two will run for Oxford Village Council.
This week, nearly 40 years after assuming ownership of The Oxford Leader, James A. Sherman, Sr. announced his retirement. His son, James Sherman, Jr. takes over as publisher.

50 Years Ago

January 22, 1970
A fire started in the Oxford Junior High Thursday morning. It started in the shop storage room from an incorrect mixture of hardeners, one fireman said. Shop teacher Jay Allen spotted the flame, ordered the students out, and extinguished the blaze with fire extinguishers.
With the addition of Don Mersino’s name to those taking petitions out for the village council, the number has gone to five. Previously, incumbents Robert Tripp and Robert McMeans had announced for re-election and Leland Lamb and Mrs. Gerald Rossman indicated interest.