 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
NOVEMBER 2023
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Local elections will take place on Tuesday, November 7. Although county commissioners are not on the ballot this cycle, it is still very important for residents to cast their vote and participate in this key process of democracy.
It is now easier than ever to cast your vote! In 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that allows for early voting. During the early voting period (October 28 through November 5), voters are issued a ballot which they can then insert directly into a tabulator at an early voting site.
Before you vote:
- Research your local candidates – See the complete list of all Oakland County city, village and township candidates.
- Know what other local initiatives might be on your ballot including proposals - Find your sample ballot in advance here.
- Know where to go – Find your precinct voting location here or an early voting site here.
- Bring a form of identification (not required) - For a full list of acceptable IDs or what to do if you don’t have an ID, click here.
For any questions, reach out to the Oakland County Clerk’s office or your local clerk’s office.
During its October 17 meeting, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved a partnership with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to erase up to $200 million in hospital medical debt of Oakland County residents.
Approximately 114,000 Oakland County residents carry medical debt. The county’s new program will leverage $2 million of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to purchase medical debt from hospitals at a fraction of its cost, then wipe it clean for residents. This program has the potential to help up to 80,000 residents.
Eligibility for this program is limited to hospital debt belonging to people who earn less than four times the federal poverty level or for whom a debt is five percent or more of their annual income. This is not a medical debt relief program to which residents can apply. RIP Medical Debt will notify individuals by branded letter that some or all their medical debt has been canceled and cleared from their credit reports.
With support from state and local governments, individual donors, philanthropic organizations, and faith-based organizations, RIP Medical Debt, founded in 2014 by former debt collectors, has acquired and abolished more than $10 billion in medical debt for more than seven million people. For more information about RIP Medical Debt, go to www.RIPMedicalDebt.org.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/RIPMedicalDebt23.
Last month, Commissioners Brendan Johnson (District 4), Karen Joliat (District 8), Philip J. Weipert (District 13), Ajay Raman (District 14), Gwen Markham (District 15) and Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17) took a tour of the three airports Oakland County manages: the Oakland County International Airport, Oakland/Southwest Airport and Oakland/Troy Airport.
The tour was led by Cheryl Bush, Aviation & Transportation Manager, and Gordon Marshall, Chief of Airport Maintenance & Operation, who have both been working for the airport for most of their respective careers. Commissioners got a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of the airports and learned about the future projects and needs for the facilities.
There’s a lot to discover about the Oakland County International Airport, which is Michigan’s second busiest general aviation airport and the nation's sixteenth. Check out some additional fun facts below:
- More than a half-million passengers and pilots pass through the airport every year, including professional sports teams, celebrities with nearby concerts and occasionally the president on Air Force One.
- The airport contributes more than $1 billion to the county's economy each year.
- The majority of the airport is funded by the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee, or FAAC, a committee of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- The airport was founded in 1929 and received an award in an airport contest signed by Orville Wright, one of the creators of the first airplane, in the same year.
- In 1930, the airport received Certificate No. 000001, becoming the first in the nation to receive an A-1-A rating from the U.S. government.
- The Oakland/Southwest Airport is the home for the Warbirds of Glory Museum where local high school students and their mentors restore World War II bombers and other artifacts.
Learn more about all three Oakland County airports by visiting https://www.oakgov.com/community/airports.
Did you know that you can now find the Board of Commissioners on LinkedIn? The new page launched last month to connect and interact with professionals in and around Oakland County. This social media page will share the latest Board news, announce open vacancies on advisory boards and highlight the work of commissioners and Board employees.
Follow the new profile today at https://bit.ly/OCBOCLinkedIn.
The Board regularly recognizes residents, community members, organizations and businesses with proclamations and certificates in honor of special milestones, contributions or achievements. See the list below for recognitions from last month.
- People of all ages interested in learning American Sign Language can visit the newly opened Sign ‘N Play in Davisburg – presented by Commissioner Bob Hoffman (District 7), October 11.
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Rochester resident Stephanie Pizzo, artistic director for the Bloomfield Hills-based Eisenhower Dance Detroit, was honored for receiving the 2023 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award – presented by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) and Commissioners Michael Spisz (District 5), Charlie Cavell (District 19), Angela Powell (District 10) and Kristen Nelson (District 9), October 13.
- World-renowned artist and longtime Oakland Community College educator Kegham Tazian of Birmingham was celebrated as the 2023 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Special Lifetime Award recipient – presented by Vice Chair Gershenson and Commissioners Cavell, Powell and Nelson, October 13.
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The Community House, a community and event space in the heart of downtown Birmingham, was recognized as this year’s 2023 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Partner with the Arts Award – presented by Vice Chair Gershenson and Commissioners Cavell, Powell and Nelson, October 13.
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Commissioners unanimously applauded the leadership of Eugene Gargaro Jr., who served as the Detroit Institute of Arts board chair for two decades and helped navigate the world-class museum through its most challenging times and its greatest accomplishments, upon his retirement – presented by Chair David T. Woodward (District 1), October 17.
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Crowne Pointe Center, a family-friendly entertainment venue featuring console gaming, classic arcade games and virtual and augmented reality playscapes, opened its doors in Holly – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, October 21.
- After serving 24 years on the Huntington Woods City Commission, Jeff Jenks was commended for his many accomplishments and leadership – presented by Commissioner Cavell, October 24.
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Davison Motorsports, which specializes in buying, selling and trading all kinds of vehicles, expanded into a new, larger space in Holly and hosted a grand opening – presented by Commissioner Hoffman, October 25.
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Birmingham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Embekka Roberson was honored for student performance results and her work as a Birmingham Youth Assistance board member – presented by Commissioner Cavell, October 26.
Below is a schedule of meetings this month. Full Board and standing committee meetings are open to the public at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, and livestreamed on the Board’s YouTube channel. Visit our website for any schedule changes and follow the Board on Facebook for the latest updates.
Tuesday, November 7
Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 8
Coordinating Zoning, 8:30 a.m.
Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Study Road Commission Operations, 10:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
Monday, November 13
Oakland County Transit Ad Hoc, 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 16
Majority Caucus, 8:30 a.m.
Full Board, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 28
Legislative Affairs & Government Operations, 9:30 a.m.
Public Health & Safety, 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 29
Economic Development & Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
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Oakland County will use $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase medical debt at a fraction of its cost, helping wipe clean the debt of up to 80,000 residents carrying an average $2,500 of debt per household. |
There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
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