The Year in Review 2014

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Editor’s Note: Oh, what a year 2014 was. Join us as we look back at the highlights in Part I of our Year in Review. Enjoy.
January 1
The Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department is investigating the feasibility of building a community/senior center that would include everything from a swimming pool and fitness center to multipurpose rooms.
‘The Anonymous People,? a documentary about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction will be screened at the Oxford 7 Theater.
Oxford High’s varsity wrestling team finished second at the Oakland County Championship Tournament held at the middle school.
January 8
A winter storm blanketed the area with approximately 15 inches of snow, causing school closures and power outages.
The Oxford Public Library is preparing to spend an estimated $212,000 to revamp its lobby area and circulation system to increase efficiency and make things more user-friendly for patrons.
Neil Maskill, a 2010 OHS graduate, was on the sidelines as Michigan State University won the Rose Bowl by beating Stanford 24-20. He’s a student assistant for the Spartan team.
Consumers Energy is bringing natural gas to Addison residents. So far, about 160 households have signed up.
January 15
Oxford Township indicated to village officials that it wants two dispatchers manning the local dispatch center 24-7 or its going to contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to handle the community’s fire and EMS calls.
‘I HATE WINTER!!? That’s what Oxford Village artist Larry ‘Sinister? Stephens spray painted on a large mound of snow outside his home on Mechanic St.
Oxford Township officials adopted a curfew ordinance for minors. Curfew hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and apply to minors under the age of 17.
The Oxford Public Library is using a $14,000 donation from an anonymous donor to enhance its youth and teen departments.
January 22
Oxford Village resident Gary Szuch requested the village council look into passing an ordinance requiring landlords to address radon issues.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has determined arson was the cause of a fire in the Hidden Lake Estates mobile home park in Addison Township. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of whoever is responsible.
Oxford Township has accepted a proposal from the village that would allow it to terminate its dispatch contract without any legal dispute. The township plans to contract with the sheriff’s office for fire/EMS dispatch services.
Kyle Rowley, a 2004 OHS graduate, has been hired as the new head football coach for the Hazel Park Vikings.
Oxford Township Supervisor Bill Dunn will appear on the television program Michigan Out-of-Doors in a segment on ice fishing. He was filmed catching blue gill on a local lake.
The North Oakland Transportation Authority is asking Oxford, Addison and Orion townships to place a five-year, 0.25-mill property tax to help support it on the August primary ballot.
January 29
It was a tale of two community centers as Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett and Ray Turczyn, Lapeer’s director of parks, recreation and cemetery, spoke with the Leader about their experiences in light of the fact that Oxford is looking into possibly building one.
Abuse in teen relationships is the subject of a DECA project being spearheaded by OHS seniors Alexis Waple, Beth Downs and Breeze Muscarella.
Fire chiefs from Orion, Addison, Brandon, Oakland and Independence sang the praises of Oakland County dispatch center. Oxford Township is planning to switch to the county in a few months.
February 5
A group of local businesspeople donated a combined $7,000 to the Oxford Village Police Department for the purchase of brand new video systems for three patrol cars.
Addison resident Don DeFalle is hoping to recover his 1968 Perry High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) ring and his 1985 University of Pittsburgh ring. He believes both were stolen by a man he had befriended and was trying to help get back on his feet. They were of great sentimental value.
Twenty-two OHS students who are members of the Business Professionals of America will compete at the state level in Grand Rapids next month.
On Groundhog Day, Oxford’s weather-prognosticating llama, Tutor, told Windstar Far owner Mark Harries that he did not see his shadow, so get ready for an early spring.
Don Brantley, superintendent of the Oxford Village Department of Public Works, reported that his agency’s war with winter is going well.
OHS students are celebrating the Chinese New Year with traditional decorations and foods.
Oxford’s varsity wrestling team earned its eighth straight league title.
February 12
Oxford Village’s planner has suggested expanding the list of adult uses in order to limit where they can go. He suggested adding tobacco stores and pawn shops to the list.
Genisys Credit Union is hoping to transform two houses and a vacant lot on M-24 in Oxford Village into a brand new 3,300-square-foot branch complete with drive-through area.
Daniel Axford Elementary Principal Chad Boyd got hit in the face with plates full of whipped cream thrown by 33 students. It was a reward for their fund-raising efforts.
Cary Smith, customer service supervisor at the U.S. Post Office’s Oxford branch, is advising customers to please shovel the snow that piles up in front of their roadside or street-side mailboxes.
Oxford Village attorney Bob Davis has determined there’s no legal way to exempt a potential millage for the North Oakland Transportation Authority from having a portion of it captured by the Downtown Development Authorities for Oxford Village and Lake Orion.
The Oxford Middle School Drama Club is presenting the comedic play, ‘Wait, Wait . . . I Can Explain.?
Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski and Lake Orion Village Police Chief Jerry Narsh are both happy with their new dispatch services arrangement. Oxford’s center began handling all of Lake Orion’s 9-1-1 calls and police calls on Jan. 6.
A study by Bridge Magazine ranked the Oxford school district 357th in student proficiency out of 540 in the state.
February 19
For the fourth consecutive time, Oxford Village was turned down for more than $300,000 in federal aid to repair and improve a badly-deteriorated stretch of W. Burdick Rd. commonly referred to as cemetery hill.
Showing either a driver’s license or state-issued identification card is now a requirement for visitors to Oxford Schools.
The Oxford-based Puritan Magnetics has offered $300,000 to purchase the village-owned property at 98 S. Glaspie St.
Plans for a drive-through pharmacy at Meijer were approved by the Oxford Township Planning Commission, but one of the conditions was the store must improve its landscaping, which officials described as poor.
Holly Bills has been terminated at the executive director of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. She had held the position since July 2008.
The Oxford School Board is eyeing extending Superintendent Dr. William Skilling’s contract to 2019.
The Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department is asking folks to fill out an on-line survey designed to gather their input regarding the prospect of building a community center.
Oxford Township hired the Lake Orion-based Stephen Auger & Associates Architects to provide services for the proposed 8,375 square-foot addition/renovation project at the township hall on Dunlap Rd.
Oxford Township’s three full-time elected officials were given pay raises in a 4-3 vote. Supervisor Bill Dunn’s salary was increased from $66,054 to $68,000, while Clerk Curtis Wright and Treasurer Joe Ferrari will see their salaries increase from $55,794 to $59,000.
A fire destroyed a 2,400-square-foot barn on N. Coats Rd. between Seymour Lake and Granger roads. It caused an estimated $260,000 in damage.
February 26
State Rep. Brad Jacobsen (R-Oxford) is working to get Oxford Village the funding it needs to repair W. Burdick St.
Addison’s State Equalized Values increased by an average of 13.79 percent, the highest in Oakland County, while Oxford’s increased by an average of 9.01 percent.
The Huntoon Funeral Home building in downtown Oxford is for sale. The building has been a funeral home since 1956.
Oxford Village Planning Commissioners stated they have no interest in creating regulations that govern human signs.
Tobacco stores and pawn shops will not be added to Oxford Village’s list of adult uses.
Water damage and flooding have prompted calls for a new government office building in Addison Township.
March 5
Oxford Schools? winter count shows it’s down 83 full-time equivalent students from its fall count.
The Oxford school district’s MEAP test scores are a ‘mixed? bag, but officials say they’re ‘trending up.?
World War II veteran Richard Faulkner will finally receive his Purple Heart, 70 years after he was wounded.
Oxford’s varsity basketball team captured its first league title in 30 years.
Jim and Diane Hughes, of Oxford Village, are the proud parents of a couple of English cocker spaniel puppies named Cooper and Becky.
Oxford Middle School Choir Director Jan Flynn was named ‘Teacher of the Year? by the American Legion, Department of Michigan.
March 12
The Northeast Oakland Historical Museum in downtown Oxford has undergone a major remodeling and will host a grand reopening this week.
Downtown Oxford has failed its annual Main Street evaluation and as a result, will not receive accreditation from the National Main Street Center in Washington D.C. Among the reasons for the failure was the lack of a DDA director.
The Rotary Club of Oxford is preparing to host a roast for retired Oxford Leader Publisher James A. Sherman, Sr. in April. It will serve as a fund-raiser for the club’s scholarship fund.
Genisys Credit Union’s plans to build a 3,296-square-foot branch, complete with drive-through area, on M-24 received final approval from the Oxford Village Planning Commission.
Anna Clinton saved her family and her Addison home when she woke everybody up and alerted them to an electrical fire in the living room.
Volunteer ambassadors are being sought to help represent, promote and enhance the Polly Ann Trail.
March 19
Oxford Township Parks and Rec. Director Ron Davis was given the go-ahead to compose the necessary ballot language to ask voters for the funds to build a $25.5 million community center in Stony Lake Township Park. The question would be on the August ballot.
The Oxford Fire Department is planning to seek a property tax renewal, plus a 1.4-mill increase on the August ballot. That would bring the total rate up to 3.9 mills. The increase would be used to hire additional personnel and build an addition to Fire Station #1 in the village.
Dave Bailey was elected by council to serve as the village president and Maureen Helmuth was elected to serve as president pro-tem. Given the other three members of council were appointed, not elected, and therefore ineligible for the positions, Bailey and Helmuth were the only options.
The Oxford American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 108 honored Oxford firefighter Carl Rose as the ‘Most Outstanding Firefighter of the Year.? Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Ostrander and Oxford Village Police Officer Clint Ascroft received plaques for being the ‘Most Outstanding Police Officer of the Year.?
Oxford Schools is partnering with AquaClub to run programs at the high school swimming pool.
Oxford and Lake Orion’s DDA boards have both agreed to capture their respective portions of the North Oakland Transportation Authority millage should voters approve it in August.
The Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department is very concerned about the school district’s desire to charge fees of the use of school facilities.
March 26
OHS seniors Mike Smith and Adam LaBarge will compete in the state finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition.
The Oxford school district estimated the harsh winter resulted in a $200,000 budget shortfall stemming from increased gas and electric bills.
The proposed Oxford DDA budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year includes $25,000 for hiring a part-time director.
Lake Orion resident Joe Zikewich, a World War II veteran, passed away at the age of 90. He was the creator of the Peacoat Monument that’s part of the Orion Veterans Memorial and a member of North Oakland VFW Post 334 in Oxford.
NOTA has finalized the ballot language for the five-year, 0.25-mill property tax request that will appear on the August ballot.
April 2
The Addison Township Public Library plans to ask voters for a 10-year, 0.25-mill property tax increase on the August ballot.
A pro-NOTA millage group, led by Orion Township resident James Barnhart, is seeking donations and volunteers.
A car hit Orion resident Kimberly Davis, 47, in downtown Oxford. Fortunately, she only sustained a sore knee. She’s known to many has the human billboard who advertises for the Pit Stop Barber Shop.
Oxford resident Kate Logan, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and a 2000 OHS graduate, is cochairing a networking event for female veterans at Oakland Community College.
Oxford American Legion Post 108 received a $5,600 grant from Home Depot to renovate its building on E. Drahner Rd.
April 9
As a reward for raising $7,862 during its Jump Rope for Heart fund-raiser, the students at Lakeville Elementary got to cover Principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall and Brian Luba, a physical education teacher, in ice cream sundae toppings.
The Oxford School Board voted to extend Supertindent Dr. William Skilling’s contract to 2019. It also gives him the option of becoming superintendent emeritus if he decides to retire.
Oxford resident Melissa Morrison is organizing a shooting contest to raise funds for the annual Lone Ranger parade.
The Blessings in a Backpack program is expanding to Leonard Elementary. It provides free food to students who are in the government-subsidized free or reduced hot lunch program.
Scott Eschelbach and Debbie Meyers, owners of the Sweet & Savory Bake Shop in downtown Oxford, are savoring their fourth win at the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan’s annual Cookie Gala.

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Editor’s Note: This week we wrap up our trip down memory lane with Part II of The Year in Review 2014. Let’s all hope for a fantastic 2015 full of good health, prosperity and love. Happy New Year!
April 16
Friends, family members and fellow Rotarians delighted in roasting retired Oxford Leader publisher James A. Sherman, Sr. at Boulder Pointe. The event raised more than $7,000 for the Rotary Club’s scholarship fund and delighted Sherman to no end.
A powerful storm containing 60-to-70-mile-per-hour straight-line winds and hail brought down trees and power lines, damaging homes and leaving nearly 2,500 DTE Energy customers in the dark.
Oxford Township officials approved ballot language asking voters to approve funding for a proposed $20 million community center in Stony Lake Township Park. It will be on the August ballot.
Things are looking up for Oxford Community Television. The station has a new channel, new equipment and a new attitude.
Oxford Township officials agreed to kick in $425,000 from their reserve funds to help build an addition to Fire Station #1. It will include sleeping quarters, kitchen, dining area and exercise room.
The Oxford Village Council voted 3-2 to authorize attorney Bob Davis to draft ballot language pertaining to dispatch services for the November election. Officials are looking into ways to give residents a choice between keeping their local dispatch center or contracting with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oxford-based Raven Engineering, Inc. withdrew its $250,000 offer to purchase the 98 S. Glaspie St. property from Oxford Village.
April 23
The Oxford Public Library will ask voters to approve a 10-year, 0.4518-mill property tax increase to offset revenue losses and maintain services. It will be on the August ballot.
Oxford Village officials are discussing raising the water and sewer rates in order to pay debts, cover increased operating costs and finance future system improvements.
Oxford resident Stephanie Bland once again ran in the Boston Marathon and she finished in 3 hours, 45 minutes. She ran in it last year, but didn’t get to finish because two bombs, planted by terrorists, exploded.
Oxford resident Austin Bryant, 21, won the first bout of what he hopes will be a successful career in Mixed Martial Arts fighting. He did it in Kalkaska, Michigan.
Bill Keenist announced his resignation from the Oxford Board of Education. It will be effective May 1. A replacement is being sought.
Oxford varsity basketball coach Stephan Henning was named ‘Coach of the Year? in the OAA Blue Division.
As of April 21, all of Oxford’s fire and EMS calls are being handled by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center.
The Oxford Public Library’s $350,000 renovation project will begin next week. It includes re-carpeting all of the building’s public areas, implementing a new checkout system for materials and renovating the lobby area.
April 30
Approximately 40 young people with various mental and physical disabilities attended a prom of their very own at the Merge Studio & Gallery in Oxford. It was a magical evening made possible by OHS seniors Hope McColl and Megan Kerin.
Oxford Village is asking the township for a loan of up to $500,000 to pay for the reconstruction of a portion of W. Burdick St. But township officials looked into it and said such a loan is not permitted under state law.
OHS seniors Mike Smith and Alan LaBarge won the state championship in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition. They will move on to the national competition, held in Dearborn, in June.
Christ the King Church members turned old pairs of blue jeans into approximately 200 kits from which shoes will be made for African people.
Twenty quilts that will be given to women with unplanned pregnancies were blessed at the Oxford Free Methodist Church.Sunday. The quilts will be given in the hopes these women will choose to either keep their babies or put them up for adoption.
The public turnout for an Oxford Village meeting concerning proposed water and sewer rate hikes was meager.
May 7
The National Association of Letter Carriers is preparing to conduct its 22nd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The Oxford and Lake Orion post offices will be collecting food to stock the shelves of the Oxford-Orion FISH pantry.
Oxford Village is considering issuing approximately $800,000 in bonds to rebuild pothole hill ? better known as cemetery hill on W. Burdick St. ? and construct the proposed East/Edison Alley.
Oxford resident Larry Bradford arrived home in a Bloomfield Township fire truck. He was celebrating the end of the last day of his career. He spent 30? years as a full-time firefighter and 28 years as a paramedic for Bloomfield Township.
Oxford resident Stephen Stiteler is looking to go pro in the rodeo circuit.
Kevin Miles, pastor of the Oxford United Methodist Church, is leaving to lead a church in Davison. He’s been here since June 2012.
May 14
Employees from the Oxford-based CAM Logic scanned the iconic Spirit of Detroit statue in downtown Detroit. They’ll use 3-D printing technology to create scale miniatures of it.
OHS sophomore Nathan Eisenhardt took first place at the Michigan Junior Olympic Scholastic Clay Target Program State Shoot in Washington Township. He busted 109 out of 125 clay targets. His victory qualified him to compete in the 21st annual USA Shooting National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships in July in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Brian Duerden, who maintains all of Oxford Township’s cemeteries, shared some of his tips for finding morel mushrooms. He typically finds between 400 and 500 of the gourmet delights in a season.
Oxford resident Emily Kalohn, 18, is preparing to compete in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant to be held in Port Huron in September.
Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance honored 36 kids for making the community a better place through their selfless deeds and compassion.
Delta College baseball pitcher Clayton Spiker, a 2011 OHS graduate, pitched a perfect game on May 2 against St. Clair Community College.
May 21
The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency is exploring 98 S. Glaspie St. in Oxford Village as a potential site for a housing project for senior citizens who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Oxford Township officials voted to have ballot language drafted for a five-year, 3.9152-mill tax request for police services. It would go on the November ballot.
Angela Mitchell was selected to fill the school board seat left vacant when Bill Keenist resigned.
The Oxford Village Council awarded a $496,578 contract to the Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists, Inc. to reconstruct W. Burdick St./Seymour Lake Rd. between Ashley Way and S. Waterstone Dr.
OHS juniors Chad Simmers and James McCormick, along with sophomores Louie Urban and Anson Rowley, earned a combined 13 awards at the Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society’s annual automotive competition held in Ann Arbor.
OHS junior Catherine Bartz is heading to the Girls State program, while senior Anthony Bruce and junior Morgan Lavender will participate in the Student Trooper program.
May 28
Oxford High School graduated 356 as part of the Class of 2014. Gabrielle Fallis and Lewis Marshall were the recipients of the 84-year-old Oxford Cup. Marshall was also the class valedictorian.
The Oxford Middle School Drama Club brought one of the old Lone Ranger radio shows to life for Oxford Community Television.
Sandy Weaver is retiring as executive director of Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) of North Oakland County.
Oxford’s Athletic Booster Club recognized 130 senior athletes. Ben Line and Wesley Maskill shared the George Prince Award, while Darien Bandel took home the Helen Smith Award.
Oxford’s varsity boys golf team won the district championship.
June 4
A change in state law forced the Oxford school district to increase the bond debt tax from 7 mills to 7.9 mills.
Former Oxford resident Wanda Taranek shared her experiences during World War II. She was a Polish citizen arrested and deported to the Gulag in the Soviet Union.
The Oxford Village Council approved the 2014-15 budget, but shot down a half-mill property tax increase proposed by Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth. The tax rate remained at 10.62 mills.
Former Oxford resident Brian Anderson spearheaded the effort which ultimately led to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders finally being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their heroic 1942 mission during World War II.
June 11
Oxford students are officially on summer vacation.
Standard & Poor’s affirmed the village’s longterm ‘A? credit (or bond) rating and revised the municipality’s financial outlook from ‘negative? to ‘stable.?
Oxford Superintendent Dr. William Skilling’s Park St. house was listed for sale on the Craigslist website. When asked why, he responded, ‘That’s personal.?
Oxford-Orion FISH honored Oxford Township Treasurer Joe Ferrari, FISH Treasurer Randy Gower and the Oxford Meijer store with ‘Advocate of the Needy? awards.
Oakland County Commissioner Mike Spisz (R-Oxford) wants everyone to know that free gun locks are available at the Oxford Village Police station and the Oakland County Sheriff’s substations in Oxford and Addison townships.
Sullivan’s Public House, a new Irish pub in downtown Oxford, is preparing to open. It’s owner, Jerry Cremin, was appointed to the Downtown Development Authority board.
June 18
Former Oxford Village Deputy Clerk Marion Patricia Paad’s lawsuit against the municipality, Manager Joe Young and Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth survived summary judgment and will be allowed to proceed to a jury trial in U.S. District Court.
Williams Art Glass Studio/Sunset Antiques, owned by Rick and Karen Williams, was honored with an ‘Outstanding Investment? award from Main Street Oakland County. The award recognized the couple’s efforts to beautify their downtown Oxford property.
OHS seniors Mike Smith and Alan LaBarge finished 24th out of 50 at the national Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition in Dearborn.
Oxford Village officials have decided the voters will not get to decide the dispatch issue after all. Council voted 3-2 ‘to keep local dispatch and discontinue ballot language research.?
The Oxford DDA board voted 4-3 to ‘not allow any political announcements, pro or con, for issues or candidates? at its events. The vote was sparked by an incident in which an individual was allowed microphone time during a recent concert in the park and they used it to urge people to vote in favor of the community center proposals on the August ballot.
June 25
The houses located at 114 and 120 S. Washington St. in Oxford Village were demolished to make way for a new 3,300-square-foot Genisys Credit Union facility, complete with drive-through area.
Oxford Village Police are warning motorists to not ignore the road closure on W. Burdick St. If they do, they will be ticketed.
The Rotary Club of Oxford welcomed Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson as its guest speaker.
Enbridge expects to have the replacement of the Line 6B crude oil pipeline that runs through Oxford and Addison townships done by the end of August. It should be tied in and in service by the end of September.
July 2
The Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners announced plans to potentially build a new multi-state natural gas pipeline (ET Rover Pipeline) that would run through Oxford and Addison townships.
Tyler James Flook, a 2014 Oxford High School graduate, died from injuries sustained in a dirt bike crash on Granger Rd.
Word on the street is a portion of the new Warner Brothers movie ‘Batman vs. Superman? will be filmed on the Koenig Sand & Gravel property on Lakeville Rd. in Oxford Township, but nobody will confirm anything on the record.
Lisa Renaud, of Addison Township, was hired as the new executive director for the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce.
W. Burdick St., which is undergoing reconstruction work, is now scheduled to reopen on July 26. It’s been closed since June 11.
Oxford resident Melissa Morrison has organized a Lone Ranger-themed shooting competition to take place at the Bald Mountain gun range in Orion Township on July 14.
July 9
Oxford Township resident Bruce Downey doesn’t want the proposed ET Rover natural gas pipeline to run through his 10.5-acre property on Meadowbrook Ct.
The Village of Leonard will hold a special ceremony to recognize all the folks and entities that helped the municipality acquire the old mill-grain elevator.
Addison resident Joe and Pat Schnur will serve as the grand marshals for the 62nd Annual Strawberry Festival.
The State of Michigan decided to invest $600,000 in making some repairs to M-24 in Oxford Township rather than give Oxford Village $500,000 to reconstruct a badly-deteriorated portion of W. Burdick St.
Oxford Community Television and station manager Bill Service were honored with the 2013-14 Best Electronic Media Award from the American Legion Department of Michigan. OCTV and Service have now won the award for five straight years.
July 16
Christ the King Church’s Veterans Ministry hosted its annual summer hog roast for approximately 150 veterans, plus their family members.
ET Rover Pipeline spokesperson Vicki Granado assured the Leader that the route for proposed natural gas pipeline does not run through Oxford resident Bruce Downey’s property.
The Oxford Village Council is considering prohibiting trucks weighing over 40,000 pounds (gross weight including cargo) from using W. Burdick St. Officials are also considering barring all truck traffic between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. Exceptions would be made for deliveries.
‘Big Money? Chuck Weeden, a 2004 OHS graduate, made his professional wrestling debut at Basketball American in Orion Township.
Oxford Village officials are going to have the municipal complex on W. Burdick St. appraised, but they are mixed on the idea of selling it and moving the government offices.
Oxford Township officials are looking into changing their ordinance to regulate door-to-door solicitors. The 1978 ordinance language currently prohibits them, but that could be deemed unconstitutional.
Oxford Village officials decided to borrow $300,00 from their water restricted bond funds and $100,000 from their sewer investment account to help pay for the W. Burdick St. reconstruction project. They will also use $67,152 from the village’s major street fund.
July 23
Parks and Rec. Director Ron Davis made his pitch to the community through the Leader for a proposed $20 million community recreation center. Two proposals to pay for it are on the Aug. 5 ballot.
Addison Township Supervisor Bruce Pearson and some residents attended an open house at Richmond High School regarding the proposed ET Rover natural gas pipeline.
There’s another delay in the W. Burdick St. reconstruction project. Now, the road is not scheduled to re-open until July 31.
Nathan Eisenhardt, 15, of Addison, was the men’s skeet champion in the J2 Division at the 2014 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships held at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Joyce Brasington, a 1982 OHS graduate and former principal of Daniel Axford Elementary, announced she’s running for a seat on the Oxford Board of Education.
Sherry Reseigh, 65, of Oxford, competed in the Ms. Senior Michigan pageant and was named second runner-up.
July 30
There were ups and downs with regard to Oxford students? MME and ACT results.
Ginny Schomisch, 24, of Ypsilanti, was hired as the new executive director for the Oxford Downtown Development Authority. She will work part-time.
A number of folks, including Oxford resident Dave Gerber and Leonard resident Geno Mallia, Jr., came together to give a dying man one last opportunity to go fishing.
Two activists protesting in Oxford against the Canada-based Enbridge company were arrested for blocking traffic and disobeying the cops at the Koenig Sand & Gravel property on Lakeville Rd.
John Sytsma, an employee of Eltro Services, Inc. in Oxford, was attacked and killed by two Cane Corso dogs while jogging near Brauer Rd. in Metamora Township.
August 6
Some Pearl St. residents want the village to construct a wall to separate their properties from the new Edison/East alleyway that Oxford Village is planning to build.
The Second Annual Lone Ranger Day parade and festival was a smashing success as thousands of folks packed downtown Oxford to celebrate the masked lawman and all that he stood for.
Jim Hubbard, commander of the North Oakland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 334 in Oxford, was named an All-American Team Commander for 2013-14. He’s a highly-decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
Oxford resident Evan Berofsky will compete in the National Scrabble Championship Aug. 9-13 in Buffalo, New York.
Zonnie Olk-Szost, 29, of Leonard, was found dead in his pickup truck, which was parked in the Oxford McDonald’s lot. Authorities say he had a history of heroin use and a small amount of suspected heroin was found in his vehicle.
August 13
ET Rover said the proposed route for its natural gas pipeline didn’t run through Oxford resident Bruce Downey’s property, but he just received a letter from the company requesting permission to survey his land.
Ballot proposals to build a $20 million community recreation center in Oxford Township Stony Lake Park were overwhelmingly defeated by voters. The bond proposal went down 2,432 to 1,544. The operating millage failed 2,417 to 1,531.
Voters failed a proposed 10-year, 0.4518-mill tax increase for the Oxford Public Library. It went down 2,213 to 1,743.
The North Oakland Transportation Authority’s (NOTA) millage request was approved by Oxford and Orion voters, but rejected by Addison voters. Addison officials voted to put it back on the November ballot, while the NOTA board made it clear to Addison either the township pays its fair share for services or it’s out.
Five Oxford Wildcats will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in September. They are Ted Freymiller, Terry Geliske, Elijah Jones, Lisa Starr and Danny VanVleet.
August 20
W. Burdick St. residents packed the Oxford Village Council chambers to voice their support for a proposed set of new truck restrictions and prohibitions on their road.
The Oxford school district’s state scorecard rating improved from red to yellow.
Higher water and sewer rates for Oxford Village residents will take effect in Oct. 1.
Scott Woody, a tutorial assistant with the automotive program at OHS from 2003-12, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 50 years old. OHS auto instructor Dan Balsley praised Woody’s talent, expertise and dedication to students.
August 27
A pair of men protesting the Canada-based Enbridge company allegedly locked themselves to a truck on the Koenig Sand & Gravel property along Lakeville Rd. The fire department had to cut the locks. They were arrested.
W. Dranher resident Mary Hale is very concerned that if Oxford Village prohibits truck traffic on W. Burdick St., it will push the trucks onto her dirt road.
Addison Township Trustee John Sutphin announced he will be resigning from the board on Sept. 30. He cited health issues as the reason.
Oxford Community Television is preparing to debut a new cooking show entitled ‘Connie’s Kitchen.? Oxford resident and local caterer Connie Miller will host the show, which is being filmed inside the 5,000-square-foot Treetop Lodge on Jonathan Rd. in Dryden Township. Miller manages the lodge.
September 3
Oxford students went back to school.
A map posted on a federal agency’s website shows a new proposed route for the ET Rover natural gas pipeline and it won’t run through Oxford, Addison and Brandon townships. The route is now through Lapeer County.
Oxford Schools Chief Academic Officer Jim Schwarz is a finalist for the Avondale superintendent position.
Residents filled the Oxford Township Planning Commission meeting to state their opposition to the small lot sizes proposed as part of White Pine Estates, a proposed 32-unit residential development on Stanton Rd.
The Oxford Village Council awarded a construction contract for the Edison/East Alley project to Ron Bretz Excavating. The company will do the job for $239,934.
September 10
The management of T.K.M.S. Trucking in Oxford is expressing its opposition to the village’s proposed trucking restrictions and prohibitions for W. Burdick St.
Lakeville resident Patti Hacht is searching for a brother she believes did not die 70 years ago as reported.
Oxford Fire Sgt. Blair Lockwood, 35, is preparing to donate stem cells from his blood to a 67-year-old woman suffering from cancer.
Jim Schwarz was hired as the new superintendent for the Avondale school district. He’s currently Oxford’s chief academic officer.
September 17
Lakeville Elementary will add a third fourth-grade class due to parent concerns.
The Oxford Village Council voted 3-2 to place restrictions for truck use on W. Burdick St.
A bond refunding for Oxford Twp. water customers could result in a $960,000 savings.
Oxford resident Jim Feltz will play baseball in the Roy Hobb World Series in Fort Myers, Florida in November.
Melissa Lovins, a 40-year-old Oxford woman, was the victim of an apparent hit-and-run while walking along Coats Rd. She sustained only minor injuries.
September 24
It was an epic win for the Oxford varsity football team as it beat Lake Orion 21-14 and regained the ‘Double O? trophy. The Wildcats are now 4-0 this season.
Dacia Beazley was promoted to principal of Oxford Middle School.
Lake Villa Manufactured Home Community residents can drink their water again. They got the all-clear after an E. coli scare.
Erich Senft will replace John Sutphin as a trustee on the Addison Township Board.
October 1
OHS seniors Adam Schlicht and Chloe Straub were crowned the 2014 Homecoming King and Queen.
The OHS equestrian team captured the regional championship.
At least 16 OHS athletes admitted to one or more of the following at two parties ? drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana or chewing tobacco. The athletes were suspended from play.
McLaren Oakland’s Oxford campus will make the switch from being an emergency room to offering convenient care on Oct. 5.
Oxford Village Police Sgt. Mike Solwold is working to get a headstone to mark the grave of John ‘Jay? Gould, a village nightwatchman who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Feb. 13, 1925. Gould is buried in the Oxford Township cemetery.
Fire destroyed a 3,000-square-foot garage in the Heritage Estates subdivision in Addison Township.
It appears local developer Chuck Schneider is interested in purchasing the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center in downtown Oxford. It’s owned by the township.
Oxford resident Travis Liford, 11, bagged an 11-point buck in Manistee County during the state’s Youth Hunt. He shot it with a crossbow. It weighed about 200 pounds dressed out.
October 8
Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Patterson, commander of the Oxford Township substation, explained the need for the police millage proposal on the November ballot.
The Oxford school district indicated it was ‘not comfortable? sharing the unofficial results of the Oct. 1 student count day.
Helen Smith, a 1952 OHS graduate and longtime athletic booster, now has her very own chair to sit in while watching the football games at Wildcat stadium. Gary Elzerman built the wooden chair and the Oxford Wildcat Athletic Boosters Association paid for the materials.
Oxford Leader Editor C.J. Carnacchio, 38, won seven awards for his writing and photography from the Michigan Press Association.
A group of Oxford firefighters were honored for saving the life of Tim Scribner, who had suffered a heart attack back in April while working at his in-laws? house on Indian Knolls in Oxford Township.
October 15
The Oxford school district plans to hold public forums on potential plans to build dorm housing for international students. The facility would be built and paid for by the China-based Weiming Education Group.
The OHS equestrian team won the state reserve championship.
A $300,000 settlement has been proposed in former Oxford Village Deputy Clerk Pat Paad’s civil lawsuit against the municipality.
The Oxford school district released the student count day numbers in response to a FOIA filed by the Leader. According to the unofficial numbers, the district is up by approximately 124.78 full-time equivalent students.
Despite strong resident opposition, the Oxford Township Planning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the preliminary White Pine Estates plan.
The Oxford Village Planning Commission approved plans for a 3,900-square-foot addition to Oxford Fire Station #1 located at 96 N. Washington St.
October 22
A public forum helped citizens learn more about a potential lease agreement between the Oxford school district and Weiming Education Group. A dorm for international students will potentially be built on school property by Weiming.
Oxford Village has expressed an interest in purchasing the parking lot located behind the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center. It’s owned by the township, which is planning to sell the parking lot and the building.
Oxford Fire Chief Pete Scholz explained the need for the fire millage, which consists of both a renewal and an increase, on the November ballot.
October 29
Another public forum concerning the proposed Weiming dorm has been scheduled for Nov. 13.
Oxford Public Library Director Bryan Cloutier participated in a Q&A with the Leader to explain why a tax increase on the November ballot is needed.
Andrea (Stull) Melnechuk, a 1997 OHS graduate, is grateful to Christ the King Church for hosting a fund-raiser to help her 1-year-old son Greyson, who was born premature and requires constant care due to health issues.
November 5
A six-hour ordeal ended with Oakland County Sheriff’s officers shooting an aggressive pit bull on the loose in Waterstone.
Addison resident Andrew Wasylyna’s attorney contends his client’s marijuana grow operation was practice for a legitimate medical business when he retired from the skilled trades. Sheriff’s officers seized 88 plants from Wasylyna’s home in September.
Death Threat, an Oxford-based thrash band from 1989-93, was featured in a South American-based publication called Compilation of Death.
November 12
Two pieces of local infrastructure ? a road and a bridge ? made the Road Commission for Oakland County’s $600 million list of current needs.
Addison resident Marilyn Szost shared the story of her son Zonnie Olk-Szost’s personal battle with drug addiction. He died in late July at the age of 29.
Police and fire millages passed in Oxford Township, while the NOTA millage failed in Addison.The Oxford Public Library’s request for a millage increase failed at the ballot box. The same request failed back in August as well.
The new Oxford Village Council consists of Sue Bossardet, Bryan Cloutier, Maureen Helmuth, Rose Bejma and Tom Kennis. Everyone was elected by the voters with the exception of Kennis, who had to be appointed by council due to a legal issue.
Joyce Brasington, Mike Schweig and Mark Stepek were elected to the Oxford school board, while Kim Shumaker was re-elected.
November 19
The Oxford school district and Weiming Education Group are still working out the details of a potential lease agreement that would allow the latter to build a dormitory for international students on OHS property.
The Addison Township Board voted unanimously to allow Supervisor Bruce Pearson and David Gassen, project manager for Partners in Architect, to select a construction manager for building a new township hall.
November 26
The Oxford/Addison area got an early taste of winter as approximately 5 inches of fluffy white flakes fell between Nov. 19 and 20.
Dr. Mark Orchard, superintendent of the Oxford school district from 1988-93, will lead the Oxford Christmas parade next week as the grand marshal.
Oxford Township resident Daryne Gailey, 29, and his 7-month-old daughter Charley Hendrick were found dead in his Kintyre home. Gailey’s mother, Sylvia Majewska, 65, of Addison, was found alive and conscious in the home, but with cuts to her wrist and arm. Oakland County Sheriff’s investigators are trying to piece together what happened.
A 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by a 71-year-old Addison man carved a path of destruction in downtown Oxford. He took out three light poles, two trees, a street sign and the control box that operates the traffic signals at Washington and Burdick streets.
The Oxford Township Board voted 7-0 to deny a preliminary planned unit development (PUD) plan for the proposed 32-house White Pine Estates development off Stanton Rd.
Oxford Township has selected Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty to market and sell the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center (28 N. Washington St.) and the 43-space parking lot located behind it.
December 3
Members of the Oxford Lions Club will be on the streets selling 1,000 donated copies of the Oxford Leader as part of the annual Goodfellows newspaper fund-raiser to benefit local families in need this Christmas season.
The Oxford-based K-9 Stray Rescue League has taken in a German Shepherd mix puppy, named Tuff Patrick, who was found in a trash container in Ohio.
December 10
Oxford Superintendent Dr. William Skilling announced plans to retire on Aug. 31, 2015.
Addison resident Sylvia Marie Majewska has been charged with the first-degree murders of her 29-year-old son Daryne Gailey, of Oxford, and his 7-month-old daughter Charley Lillian Hendrick. A memorial service for Gailey was held at OMS and an estimated 400 to 450 people attended.
Andrew ‘Andy? Vascassenno, an Oxford athletics volunteer for 43 years, passed away at the age of 93.
The Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibition entitled, ‘The Way We Worked,? opened at the Oxford Public Library.
Oxford Township and Village officials are investigating how five single family homes and one duplex along West St. have been incorrectly billed for sewer services since potentially the 1970s.
December 17
The Oxford school board has decided to wait on the appointment of a new superintendent until the three new board members elected in the November election are seated in January.
Oxford Township and the Oxford Fire Dept. are planning to file a lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company over two 2009 ambulances that contain allegedly faulty diesel motors.
Former Oxford Village Deputy Clerk Marion Patricia Paad got her $300,000 check from the Michigan Municipal League as settlement for her lawsuit against Oxford Village.
December 24
Oxford resident Diane Myers started an on-line petition opposing the construction of an international student dormitory in Oxford by the China-based Weiming Education Group.
The Oxford varsity wrestling team placed third at the Oakland County championship tournament held in Lake Orion.
Addison resident Sylvia Majewska was ordered by Rochester Hills 52-3 District Judge Lisa Asadoorian to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. She’s charged with the first-degree murders of her 29-year-old son Daryne Gailey and her 7-month-old granddaughter Charley Lillian Hendrick.

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