Residents may notice new county commission district numbers as they complete their ballots this election season.
In December 2021, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopted a new plan that set the boundaries and seats for county commission districts, beginning with the 2023-2024 term. To find their new district number and boundaries, residents can visit bit.ly/OCNewDistricts23. For more information about upcoming elections, visit www.oakgov.com/elections.
On Saturday, October 22, seven local law enforcement agencies and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hosted gun buyback events at four locations throughout the county as part of a pilot program. Partner law enforcement agencies included Auburn Hills, Berkley, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Lathrup Village, Royal Oak and Southfield.
More than 275 weapons were collected during the events, which invited participants to voluntarily exchange unwanted firearms for gift cards. Due to high demand, all locations distributed their gift cards within the first hour.
The Oakland County Gun Buyback Pilot Program is a part of the Board’s commitment to reducing violence in the community. For more information about this initiative, visit the Board’s website.
Oakland County Parks and Recreation is hosting two upcoming Appreciation Days.
On November 11 (Veterans Day) and November 24 (Thanksgiving Day), visitors can enjoy free daily park entry with access to natural areas, trails, playgrounds, dog parks and all park amenities at Addison Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park, Independence Oaks County Park, Lyon Oaks County Park and Dog Park, Orion Oaks County Park and Dog Park, Red Oaks Dog Park and Rose Oaks County Park. Park hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, or as posted at the park.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has made two key appointments to his administration. Walt Herzig was named as the deputy county executive who will be the liaison with the Board of Commissioners, the county's delegations in the state Legislature and Congress along with the state and federal government. Harry Weaver III was named as the new Oakland County chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Herzig brings an extensive record of public service to the job, including being the district director for U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, former U.S. Rep. Sander Levin and former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. He also was the chief of staff for former Lt. Gov. John Cherry. In 2010, Herzig led the state government's effort to educate Michigan residents about the U.S. Census and ensure a high participation rate. As a result, Michigan had the fifth-highest mail response rate in the nation.
Weaver brings a wealth of experience to the job with more than two decades working in the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) space, at the Chippewa Valley School District in Clinton Township, as the education director and certified trainer at the Anti-Defamation League, Michigan Region for 16 years, and as an independent DEI consultant. He has also developed anti-bias programming and training for corporations, communities, school districts, businesses and law enforcement agencies, helping to create an outstanding model that will translate seamlessly to Oakland County. In his new position, he will take over as leader of the county's Equity Council. With support from the Board of Commissioners, Coulter made creating this position a top priority in 2019 to provide vision and leadership in the development of new programs that advance the county's efforts toward inclusive excellence.
In September, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) approved $58,000 in funding for a collaboration with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and Waterford Township to support extending the Waterford Riverwalk Trail.
The preliminary engineering and design plans for the new section of the Riverwalk, which will connect the existing trail to the Drayton Plains Nature Center, will cost $172,000, with each of the contributing partners providing an equal amount of funding. Waterford Township first began construction on a Riverwalk along the Clinton River in 2000, starting it at Riverside Elementary School with the long-term goal of reaching the Drayton Plains Nature Center.
The project has moved forward in phases over the last several years. Commissioner Karen Joliat, who served as a Waterford Township trustee when this project was first in development, and Commissioner Kristen Nelson co-sponsored a resolution to secure county funding for this final stage of the project.
Applications for Oakland County’s Senior Centers Grant Program, which are available to local senior centers and nonprofit organizations that provide senior-centered services, have opened.
The grants will award up to $250,000 in matching funds, and grant applications close December 9. Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the grants will pay for senior center improvements such as capital, technology, infrastructure, and equipment improvements or professional development.
Senior centers and nonprofit organizations must be located in Oakland County to qualify for the Senior Centers Grant Program. Matching funds may include in-kind, past, current, or future investment in senior centers, recreational facilities for senior activities, or other investments providing long-term benefits to senior residents. The Senior Centers Grant Program is part of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ $8.5 million for Oakland Together Seniors Initiative, which was unanimously approved on September 1.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, click here.
Spongy moth, formerly known as gypsy moth, can be a destructive pest in residential, urban and rural areas as well as forests. Spongy moth caterpillars, in the immature larval stage, feed on the leaves of more than 300 species of trees, including oak, apple, birch and willow. This invasive pest, which is native to Europe, can heavily or even completely defoliate a tree.
To help mitigate the spread of the moth, the Board recently launched its Invasive Spongy Moth Suppression Grant Program, which is open to Oakland County communities to help them lessen the impacts of this invasive species.
Resources for homeowners and communities interested in the grant program can be found on the Board’s website.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners website, Facebook page, YouTube channel and commissioner newsletters are great ways for residents to stay engaged with the Board.
Individuals who follow the Board at @oakgov.boc on Facebook will see photos from events and information from around the county. Subscribers to the Board’s YouTube channel can receive notifications when Board meetings are live and easily find recent videos. The channel can be found by going to YouTube and searching for the “Oakland County Board of Commissioners” or going to bit.ly/YouTubeBOC. In addition, anyone can watch Board and committee meetings and access the latest news, meeting calendars, information about each commissioner and more by visiting the Board’s website.
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