 Serving all of Oakland County's 19 districts
JUNE 2024
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During National Safety Month and Gun Violence Awareness Month, Oakland County commissioners are reminding residents to safely store all firearms through a variety of initiatives. At their May 22 meeting, commissioners presented a proclamation declaring June 7 as National Gun Violence Awareness-Wear Orange Day in Oakland County. Throughout the month, the Board will also be launching a public education social media and billboard campaign across the county that will encourage proper firearm storage.
Michigan has new gun safety laws that went into effect earlier this year. Below are brief summaries of each law pertaining to firearms.
- The Extreme Risk Protection Order law, also known as a Red Flag law, temporarily prohibits individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others from purchasing and possessing firearms.
- Michigan’s Child Access Prevention law, also known as the safe storage law, requires firearm owners to safely store their firearms when a minor is or is likely to be present in the home to protect children from injuries or death due to unintended access to firearms.
- Michigan updated its criminal code to prevent anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony from obtaining a firearm. The law aims to protect domestic violence and abuse victims, who are at higher risk of harm if their abuser has access to a firearm.
- Michigan’s new firearm background check law requires buyers to obtain a firearm purchasing license, including a background check for all firearm purchases. The law aims to prevent purchases by those prohibited from obtaining firearms per Michigan’s criminal code.
For more information, including information about how Oakland County residents may obtain free gun locks and discounts on gun safes, visit OakGov.com/gunsafety.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved funding to help complete more than $29.2 million in new local road projects during its May 22 meeting. Oakland County’s annual Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) provides support to Oakland County cities and villages for repairs and improvements on roadways under their jurisdiction. The program makes county investments in local roads, which is then matched with funding from Oakland County communities.
For 2024, more than $2 million in county funds has been dedicated to the LRIP to ensure the projects happen this year.
The LRIP has driven an estimated $181 million investment in local roads across the county since 2016. In 2017, the Board of Commissioners’ LRIP received national recognition when it was selected for a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of Community and Economic Development.
For a full list of this year’s projects, visit https://bit.ly/LRIP24.
For the third consecutive year, commissioners recognized a person aged 60 or older who lives, works or volunteers in their district and consistently goes above and beyond. The Oakland County Outstanding Older Adult Award, presented at the May 22nd Board meeting during Older Americans Month, gives commissioners and all residents the opportunity to honor the sometimes small, but often very big, things our older friends and neighbors do every day to make Oakland County a desirable place to live.
Recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Older Adult Award are:
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Claudia Buckley, Pontiac (presented by Commissioner Angela Powell, District 9)
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Renie and Paul Daelemans, Keego Harbor (presented by Commissioner Kristen Nelson, District 10)
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Loretta DeLoach, Lathrup Village (presented by Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles, District 17)
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Harmen Guenther, Southfield (presented by Commissioner Linnie Taylor, District 18)
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Kip Kriigel, Oxford Township (presented by Commissioner Michael Spisz, District 5)
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Gregory Kucera, Clawson (presented by Commissioner Penny Luebs, District 2)
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David Nona, West Bloomfield (presented by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson, District 11)
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Karen Zyczynski, Novi (presented by Commissioner Gwen Markham, District 15)
To learn more about each of the recipients and the contributions they have made to the communities, visit our Facebook or LinkedIn page or check out the Oakland County Blog.
On May 6, Board Chair David T. Woodward (District 1) and Commissioners Ann Erickson Gault (District 3) and Linnie Taylor (District 18) joined the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash at a press conference announcing the launch of the county’s Hardship Assistance Program. Oakland County households that need help with water and sewer bills but may not qualify for existing water assistance programs can now apply for assistance to avoid water shutoffs, fix leaks and ensure affordable water access. The program was developed in partnership with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
The Board of Commissioners approved $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Hardship Assistance Program. Residents can apply for aid to help with plumbing repairs, bill assistance and past-due balances. The program is available to Oakland County residents using municipal water or sewer services and is administered on a first-come, first-served basis with an initial household cap of $2,000. To apply for this program or learn more about it, visit OakGov.com/WRChardship.
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.
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Rotary Club of Birmingham (MI), a service organization that helps build strong communities through volunteer projects, celebrated its centennial anniversary – presented by Commissioner Charlie Cavell (District 19), May 9.
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Jill’s Genuine Care Pharmacy, a full-service pharmacy specializing in personalized care, reached its 10th year in business in Farmington – presented by Commissioner William Miller (District 16), May 14.
- Global 3D modeling, simulation and information intelligence innovator Dassault Systèmes consolidated its metropolitan Detroit locations into a new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Royal Oak – presented by Commissioner Penny Luebs (District 2), May 16.
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Lois Mann was honored for marking 50 years of teaching kindergarten at Oak Ridge Elementary in Royal Oak - presented by Chair David T. Woodward (District 1), May 17.
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Nancy Kalef, Barry Kaufman, Alan S. Schwartz, Suzanne Simon, Sharon Alterman, Edie Broida, Gerald S. Cook and Paul Goldsmith were recognized for their incredible lifetime accomplishments during the annual 8 Over 80 luncheon hosted by Jewish Senior Life in Southfield – presented by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) and Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17), May 19.
- Inspired by the owners’ lifelong love of reading, independent bookstore Inscribe Books celebrated its one-year anniversary in Clarkston – presented by Commissioner Karen Joliat (District 8), May 22.
- Gun violence victims and survivors were honored and efforts to raise awareness about the heartbreaking prevalence of firearms tragedies were lauded with the National Gun Violence Awareness-Wear Orange Day proclamation delivered to members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America – South Oakland – presented by Chair Woodward, Vice Chair Gershenson and Commissioners Michael Spisz (District 5), Ann Erickson Gault (District 3), Brendan Johnson (District 4), Bob Hoffman (District 7), Angela Powell (District 9), Kristen Nelson (District 10), Ajay Raman (District 14), Gwen Markham (District 15), Linnie Taylor (District 18), Luebs, Miller, Smith Charles and Cavell, May 22.
- The more than two decades of dedicated service Christana Wade has given in planning the annual Point of Hope community event as founder of Olive Branch Ministries was commemorated – presented by Commissioner Powell, May 30.
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 and LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Monday, June 3
Claims Review, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, June 4
Legislative Affairs and Government Operations, 9 a.m.
Public Health and Safety, 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 5
Coordinating Zoning, 8:30 a.m.
Economic Development and Infrastructure, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 13
Majority Caucus, 8:30 a.m.
Full Board, 9:30 a.m.
Human Trafficking Task Force, 10:30 a.m.
Monday, June 24
Transit Ad Hoc, 11 a.m.
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Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, is a celebration of freedom and an official federal holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. On June 12, Oakland County is hosting a public event that will include live entertainment, food trucks and introductory remarks by Commissioners Angela Powell, Yolanda Smith Charles and Linnie Taylor. Learn more about the event at the county’s website: https://bit.ly/3wMtZoL.
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There’s a lot happening in Oakland County! Check out the latest news and upcoming events:
- The 2024-2026 Oakland County Economic Outlook, developed by the University of Michigan Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, found that Oakland County’s economy has almost completely recovered from the pandemic, and is predicted to continue growing through 2026. For more details and to view the report, visit https://bit.ly/3wZGtt9.
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Red Oaks Waterpark and Waterford Oaks Wave Pool will open on Saturday, June 8. All attractions will be in full operation by mid-June. Waterpark and wave pool tickets can be purchase online at OaklandCountyParks.com.
- A partnership between Oakland County and SMART has launched a pilot program to provide free transit for veterans and dependents. The program will offer free door-to-door service from June 1 to August 31, or until funds are exhausted, and is expected to facilitate approximately 7,000 round trips. More information about the program can be found at OakGov.com/Veterans.
- The Oakland County Health Division is encouraging parents to ready kindergarteners for the upcoming school year. Children enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year should make sure they meet the kindergarten requirements for dental, hearing and vision screenings, as well as recommended immunizations. Visit OakGov.com/Kindergarten for details.
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