November 10, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As I looked out my office window this evening, I saw the top of the Oakland County complex awash in green light.
It was a very visible reminder of how important it is that we honor the men and women – every day, but especially on Veterans Day – who have served our country with courage, integrity and pride.
Oakland County is home to more than 58,000 veterans who have taken the pledge to serve the United States. This week, we are joining with counties around the nation to participate in “Operation Green Light,” and lighting the county courthouse in green to honor our veterans and shine a light on the resources that are available to them.
Last week, hundreds of veterans showed up at a resource fair in Rochester organized by the Oakland County Veterans’ Services department to learn about resources that are available to them, get help with signing up for the benefits that are available to them because of their service and receive Meijer gift that will help them with the necessities of life. This was just one of the monthly events our dedicated county employees put together to make sure our veterans have easy access to the services they have earned.
This evening, which also happens to be the 247th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Marine Corps, several dozen veterans were our guests at the county for a reception to officially recognize the service they and all Oakland County veterans have given our country as we illuminate the courthouse as part of “Operation Green Light.”
They are people like Sergeant First Class Francine Reynolds, of Waterford, whose high school yearbook inscription read “Heading to the Waves.” She followed in the footsteps of her great grandfathers, grandfathers, father, brothers and uncles and joined the Army at the age of 18 in 1969.
Over the next 21 years, she served around the world in South Korea and Germany as a medical specialist, drill sergeant, quartermaster and trainer.
She told me the military was her life and gave her purpose. “It gave me honor and glory to serve my country,” she said. “I’m only 5-foot-2, so they called me tiny but tough.”
I have no doubt and if you know her, neither do you.
In August, I had the chance to talk with another extraordinary veteran, Ray Owen, who at 100 years old, was enjoying the Air Show at the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford.
Ray was a H fighter pilot during World War II and was reveling in all the vintage fighter planes on display at the airport. A highly decorated Lieutenant in the Navy, he flew missions over the Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa, Hong Kong, China and Tokyo and served for 14 years before returning to Northville, where he married, raised three kids and endlessly adored nine grandkids and 13 great grandchildren.
I was hoping Ray would be able to join us to see Operation Green Light in action and help us honor all our veterans, but we lost him in September just shy of his 101st birthday.
The courthouse will remain bathed in green through the weekend – if you happen to drive by, I hope you will join me in reflecting on the importance of our veterans. And I encourage all Oakland County residents to show your support for those who have served by swapping out your regular porch lights with a green bulb.
To Francine and Ray and all the veterans in Oakland County, I humbly salute you for your service, your sacrifice and your devotion to country.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter Oakland County Executive
Oakland voters support public transit
Oakland County voters approved a public transportation millage Tuesday night. The 10-year, 0.95 mill ballot proposal, which passed by a 60-30% margin, will expand and maintain existing public transit services, including transportation provided by the SMART bus system, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, North Oakland Transportation Authority and Older Persons Commission in the Rochester area.
"I'm so grateful to the voters of Oakland County who recognized that reliable and accessible public transportation is a critical necessity in all parts of the county," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. "The task before us now is to work with residents, businesses, organizations, local leaders and transit providers to ensure a seamless system of transportation that meets the needs of all Oakland County residents."
The millage will fund:
- New service to key areas, including major employment centers, health care campuses and local colleges and universities.
- Expanded reservation- and app-based service – flexible transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans who need to make essential trips, such as doctor's appointments and grocery shopping.
- And will support services that specifically benefit Oakland County residents and businesses.
For more information on the Oakland Transportation Millage, go to oakgov.com/OaklandTransit.
$20 million investment will help transform local parks
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter was joined by county commissioners, community leaders and parks officials to announce a collaboration to invest more than $20 million in the Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation plan.
The plan – funded with $15 million of federal money through the American Rescue Plan and $5.2 million from Oakland County Parks and Recreation – will add or improve 10 parks in the county’s south end, providing more equitable access to parks in the more densely populated areas of the county.
The goals of the plan include revitalizing and enhancing parks located in or servicing residents of communities most impacted by the COVID pandemic; improving physical and mental health, social connectivity, and quality of life of residents; and addressing barriers to equitable access and use of quality park and recreation opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities.
Oakland County launches “Local Gems” sweepstakes
Oakland County has launched a new sweepstakes program to increase visibility and foot traffic in the county's small businesses during the holiday shopping season. From Nov. 1-26, anyone can submit a selfie photo taken at an Oakland County small business that they consider to be "local gems" for a chance at winning a $1,000 first prize or $500 second prize. The prize money is being provided by Genisys Credit Union.
Entries should be submitted to www.OakGov.com/ShopSmall.
Oakland County starting indigent defense office
The 6th Amendment Center released a report last month that validates the need for indigent defense reform and a public defender's office in Oakland County. The report evaluates the county's traditional indigent defense system which has been in place for decades, where the courts oversaw the appointment and assignment of lawyers for defendants who could not afford one.
This report comes on the heels of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approving the acceptance of $14.4 million in grant funding for indigent defense and appropriation of $1.9 million for the county's local share. Beginning in 2023, the county will use a hybrid model consisting of a public defender's office, staffed by Oakland County employees, and the current roster of independent contractor attorneys, for 6th Circuit Court and 52nd District Court indigent defense appointments. The other eight county district courts continue to utilize their own rosters of independent contractor attorneys to provide indigent defense services.
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