Farmington Seeks to Fill Planning Commission Vacancy

At the Jan. 13 Planning Commission Meeting, Kenneth Chiara, board member, announced he was not planning to seek reappointment. Farmington is now seeking a city resident to fill the vacancy, which is a three-year term ending June 30, 2022. Those interested should fill out a board and commission application and return it to Farmington City Hall, 23600 Liberty Street; email it to mandrade@farmgov.com; or call 248-474-5500, ext. 2221. Applications are also available at City Hall. The Planning Commission develops the City’s Master Plan, establishes zoning districts and regulations applicable to each district covering the use of the land, accommodating and promoting land uses that are compatible with the city’s character, conserving property values and long-term stability of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial areas. The Planning Commission meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Mi.Mosa Re-Opens

After a two-month closure, Farmington favorite Mi.Mosa has reopened. According to a recent article in Home Town Life, the restaurant closed to fix plumbing issues. The owners hope patrons will once again be brunching at Mi.Mosa.

Friends,

My heart is happy.

I’m a huge advocate for volunteerism. It’s a huge, satisfying part of my life.

With it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, seeing all the volunteering and giving opportunities makes me proud to be in these communities. While I’m not going to pretend to understand the depth and breadth of what Dr. King means to the African-American community, I truly admire the movement to create something special in his memory. I think that’s one of the most profound legacies a person can leave in this world.

In talking with my aunt last week, she said something that resonated with me: To whom much is given, much is expected. I agree. I’m no millionaire, but I certainly can’t complain about my lifestyle. My family is safe, warm and fed. We have access to doctors and teachers. Life is good.

But others aren’t so lucky.

Time is free and it’s the most important thing you can give. I encourage you to get out there this week, and every week, and lend a hand where you can. You don’t even need to be formal about it. Grab some paper and markers and make cards for kids in the hospital. Pick up litter at your local park. Start a pay-it-forward the next time you’re in the drive thru.

It’s all about kindness, folks. And it’s the least we can do.

Stay warm,

Rebecca

Applications Accepted for Farmington City Council Vacancy

The Farmington City Council is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy.

To be eligible to serve on City Council, it is necessary to have lived in the City of Farmington for one year, you must be 18 years of age or older, and you cannot be in default to the city or any other governmental unit in the state

The City Council requests that anyone interested in being considered for this appointment complete the application and questionnaire. The application and questionnaire should be returned to the City Clerk’s office by noon on Thursday, Jan. 23. The applications will then be forwarded to the City Council for their review.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact 248-474-5500, x 2218.

Game Day at the Library

Join the fun for a monthly Game Day meet up hosted at the library in collaboration with Oakland County Gamers. Game Day is Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Volunteers will be on hand to help teach and play games of all types for any age and any level of experience. Explore the current board game collection or bring one to share.

Submit News About Your Business

Did you know you can submit press releases to the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce? It’s where community members can find all of the news in on local businesses.

To submit a press release, click here. All releases will be reviewed by our staff and posted on the date of your choosing.

If you need any assistance, contact connor@gfachamber.com or call 248-957-9587.

Feedback to the Oakland County Executive

Oakland County residents have until Friday to let County Executive David Coulter know just what the priorities for his administration should be for 2020.

The 10-question online Citizen Survey asks residents to rank what is important to them in terms of jobs and the economy, public health, neighborhoods and housing, roads and transportation, among other items. Coulter has made it a priority to meet with residents and businesses to hear from those who want a voice in county government.

To take the survey, go to www.OakGov.com and click on the “Citizen Survey 2020” button. The survey is open until Friday. Coulter’s administration will use the survey results to help the county be responsive to those who live in Oakland County and ensure the policies and strategies of county government are inclusive of all residents.

Friends,

Welcome to the New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are ready to take on the Michigan winter.

I don’t consider myself overly techie, but I also don’t think I’m too far behind the times. So, when I received an Apple Watch as a gift, I had no idea what this would mean.

Understand: I grew up watching the Jetsons, Wonder Woman and ALF. We have some amazing technology these days, but I’m still disappointed I don’t have a jetpack.

I was a little floored with my new watch. I had no idea all the things it can do. It even tells me when to breathe. But the most surprising feature to me is the ability to take phone calls ON A WATCH.

I was putting in a load of laundry and my watch started ringing. My husband and I looked around to see who stepped on a kids’ toy only to figure out it was my wrist. I answered it and we talked to a telemarketer for a while just because IT WAS ON A WATCH.

This thing is straight out of the campy Batman show from my childhood. POW! If only it did the laundry.

Bring in the New Year strong.

Rebecca

Chamber Hosts Neighborly Networking

On Thursday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., join fellow business owners for a networking event at Granite City Brewery in Northville. Hosted in partnership with the Greater Farmington Chamber of Commerce, the event is just $5 for members and $10 for guests. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with other business owners from Farmington, Livonia, Novi and more.

Writing Contest

There are two writing contests, designed around Women’s Suffrage, open to Oakland County students.

The idea is a celebration of 100 years of the 19th Amendment. One contest (poetry) is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12. The other is for secondary students and is the creation of a PSA.

The initiative is for Oakland County students only. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Library Names New Director

The Farmington Community Library welcomes Riti Grover as its new director. Grover takes over for Elyse Streit, who left in May.

The Library Board of Trustees approved her appointment at the Nov. 14 meeting. Grover has most recently served as director of the Kanawha County Public Library in West Virginia. Before that, she was director at the Ramsey Free Library and the Norwood Public Library, both part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System in New Jersey. She worked her way up from page to director at the Norwood Public Library after receiving her Master’s in Library Science at Wayne State University.

Grover is expected to start on Jan. 2.

New Year’s Eve Movie

Head to the Farmington Civic Theater on Dec. 31 for a special screening of The Greatest Showman. The movie starts at 9:30 p.m. Click here for more information.

Friends,

Finally, the big week is here. And by that, I mean it’s my birthday today.

That’s right, I’m a Christmas baby. Well, nearly anyway. So, beyond the usual excitement of the season, I get to lump in my birthday and the ever clever, “Merry Birthday!”

People ask me how I like having my birthday so close to Christmas and I never know what to say. I’m tempted to ask them how they like being tall or old or a Lions fan, but that just seems snippy. So, I shrug and respond, “I like cake.”

For me, my birthday kicks off Christmas—it’s Christmas Eve-Eve. And it’s time to celebrate. Whatever it is you celebrate, or don’t, this season, know that I wish you all the best. Stay warm. Do something kind. Have fun.

Rebecca

Oakland County Survey

Oakland County Executive David Coulter wants to hear from residents about their top priorities for the New Year. His administration released the Oakland County Government’s Citizen Survey 2020, which asks residents to rank what is important to them in terms of jobs and the economy, public health, neighborhoods and housing, roads and transportation, and more.

Please share and encourage your neighbors to take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly to the Oakland County executive.

Councilman Bill Galvin Announces Resignation

During the Monday, Dec. 16, City Council Meeting, Councilmember Bill Galvin publicly announced his resignation citing that he will be spending more time focused on family.

The next step is for City Council to accept the resignation at its Jan. 6 meeting. At that time, the city will announce the process for filling the vacancy. The city will then have 60 days to appoint someone to the position, although a formal process has not yet been fully established.