Comments for Rochester Media http://www.rochestermedia.com Your Source for Local Information Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:29:04 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Comment on Past, future converge in Main Street Makeover by Scot Beaton http://www.rochestermedia.com/past-future-converge-in-main-street-makeover/#comment-969 Scot Beaton Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:29:04 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8828#comment-969 Heard there going to have to take down all the trees, there going to do a complete rebuild all the way to the buildings. For all those who are into city planning, Haussmann was the first to create urban street trees. He modernized Paris between 1853 and 1870. The trees he planted in the 100,000 were also 15 to 25 years old when they were planted, creating a instant green canopy for the city. What's the point... when Rochester first planted the street trees on main street they were twigs and it took 30 years of my lifetime to see them grow to the size they are today. So if Paris can do it in 1853 can the Michigan department of transportation do it in 2013? I don't know about you folks there has to be a happy medium or are we going to have to wait another 30 years? This has come up in the past and I can see the residents point, are the trees native to Michigan the trees there now are not. The tres there now are Robinia    pseudoacacia  or Locus tree native to central north America not Michigan. When Rochester Hills renovated their city hall they used Ginkgo trees which are originally from central China. Should we care don't know, a native Michigan tree would be cool on main street. 20 year old Pin Oaks... wow what an idea that would be their native to Michigan, just a thought. For those into politics, the boulevards of Paris we not originally built for their beauty they were built to march in the French Army to quell free speech and protests against the establishment at the time. Hats off again for democracy. Scot Beaton Heard there going to have to take down all the trees, there going to do a complete rebuild all the way to the buildings. For all those who are into city planning, Haussmann was the first to create urban street trees. He modernized Paris between 1853 and 1870. The trees he planted in the 100,000 were also 15 to 25 years old when they were planted, creating a instant green canopy for the city. What’s the point… when Rochester first planted the street trees on main street they were twigs and it took 30 years of my lifetime to see them grow to the size they are today. So if Paris can do it in 1853 can the Michigan department of transportation do it in 2013? I don’t know about you folks there has to be a happy medium or are we going to have to wait another 30 years?

This has come up in the past and I can see the residents point, are the trees native to Michigan the trees there now are not. The tres there now are Robinia    pseudoacacia  or Locus tree native to central north America not Michigan. When Rochester Hills renovated their city hall they used Ginkgo trees which are originally from central China. Should we care don’t know, a native Michigan tree would be cool on main street. 20 year old Pin Oaks… wow what an idea that would be their native to Michigan, just a thought.

For those into politics, the boulevards of Paris we not originally built for their beauty they were built to march in the French Army to quell free speech and protests against the establishment at the time. Hats off again for democracy.

Scot Beaton

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Patricia Kane http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-961 Patricia Kane Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:17:31 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-961 I don't think rolling over and playing dead solves anything- Rochester isn't unwilling?? Far from that, all they have talked about is compromise and stepped to the plate with a budget adjustment in benefits only. Giving about 50% of what was in the original budget was pretty dam generous considering the economic climate. Most reasonable persons would sit down and talk and come to a compromise. And Rochester is the problem and "attacked" its sister counterparts? As I recall it was take it or leave it, if you don't like it too bad, and being called liars...and that is not attacking? This negativity of tit for tat doesn't solve anything and neither does the fear mongering to the taxpayers of being saddled with legal bills. That is pot stirring. The OPC Board is weighted and political and the Director "directs" them. Well known fact. Can't miss it. You would have to be blind not to see it. All this over a "private club" that everyone is forced to support and is exclusive to a minority...unbelievable. It's amazing the seniors that are openly discussing their discontent with the OPC Board and the action of the Director. Remember only 29% of seniors use the OPC, 71% do not. And now those 29% are starting to talk..... I don’t think rolling over and playing dead solves anything-
Rochester isn’t unwilling?? Far from that, all they have talked about is compromise and stepped to the plate with a budget adjustment in benefits only. Giving about 50% of what was in the original budget was pretty dam generous considering the economic climate. Most reasonable persons would sit down and talk and come to a compromise. And Rochester is the problem and “attacked” its sister counterparts? As I recall it was take it or leave it, if you don’t like it too bad, and being called liars…and that is not attacking? This negativity of tit for tat doesn’t solve anything and neither does the fear mongering to the taxpayers of being saddled with legal bills. That is pot stirring.
The OPC Board is weighted and political and the Director “directs” them. Well known fact. Can’t miss it. You would have to be blind not to see it.
All this over a “private club” that everyone is forced to support and is exclusive to
a minority…unbelievable.

It’s amazing the seniors that are openly discussing their discontent with the OPC Board and the action of the Director. Remember only 29% of seniors use the OPC, 71% do not. And now those 29% are starting to talk…..

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Stan Surratt http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-958 Stan Surratt Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:01:59 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-958 Annette's idea is a noble one, which cannot work. The three "CEO's" are locked into the positions their cities have already taken. The time for compromise, leadership, even statesmanship was during the OPC budget discussions, not now, and especially not after the Rochester City Council has attacked its sister city counterparts. The courts are the only independent arbitrators in this argument! As I have said in Rochester City Council meetings, we (taxpayers) better get ready to pay the legal expenses that the Rochester City Council is creating by their unwillingness to accept that they lost the vote, twice! Rochester City Council needs to be the ones who compromise and accept the position already agreed to by Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Annette’s idea is a noble one, which cannot work. The three “CEO’s” are locked into the positions their cities have already taken. The time for compromise, leadership, even statesmanship was during the OPC budget discussions, not now, and especially not after the Rochester City Council has attacked its sister city counterparts. The courts are the only independent arbitrators in this argument! As I have said in Rochester City Council meetings, we (taxpayers) better get ready to pay the legal expenses that the Rochester City Council is creating by their unwillingness to accept that they lost the vote, twice! Rochester City Council needs to be the ones who compromise and accept the position already agreed to by Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Patricia Kane http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-957 Patricia Kane Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:14:30 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-957 Rolling all this back--the Director needs to apologize and quit using the words lies and liar and the OPC needs not to use the tax supported web site to further the cause of a few-again the Director is authoring and not helping the situation, but rather fostering it to support her opinion. Inflaming the situation only makes this bad situation worse. The Director does not run the OPC. The role of the Director is to "administrate". Next, three officials, maybe, but not Mayor Barnett-the budget problems in Rochester Hills speak for themselves as well as the hot topics every year-the strong connections with the OPC are of a political nature, support and votes by the seniors. And I would ask myself, what has Mike Webber's role been in any budget and spending in Rochester Hills? Then look comparatively at Rochester. Rochester doesn't play shell games with money. I think the ball is in OPC's court---has been and they refuse to compromise as well as the Board--so until they get serious on compromise and resolution, even three independent persons from each municipality can be set up for failure --- The OPC needs transparency-the OPC Board needs to want to seek compromise and solutions as a leader, instead of the stubborn and threatening demeanor they demonstrated at the last meeting. When we talk about leadership, we talk about democracy, fairness, compromise, and I have not seen that from the OPC Board, and the Director is not encouraging the Board to seek that either. Therein lies the problem-- Rolling all this back–the Director needs to apologize and quit using the words lies and liar and the OPC needs not to use the tax supported web site to further the cause of a few-again the Director is authoring and not helping the situation, but rather fostering it to support her opinion. Inflaming the situation only makes this bad situation worse.
The Director does not run the OPC. The role of the Director is to “administrate”.
Next, three officials, maybe, but not Mayor Barnett-the budget problems in Rochester Hills
speak for themselves as well as the hot topics every year-the strong connections with the OPC are of a political nature, support and votes by the seniors. And I would ask myself, what has Mike Webber’s role been in any budget and spending in Rochester Hills? Then look comparatively at Rochester. Rochester doesn’t play shell games with money.
I think the ball is in OPC’s court—has been and they refuse to compromise as well as the Board–so until they get serious on compromise and resolution, even three independent persons from each municipality can be set up for failure —

The OPC needs transparency-the OPC Board needs to want to seek compromise and solutions as a leader, instead of the stubborn and threatening demeanor they demonstrated at the last meeting. When we talk about leadership, we talk about democracy, fairness, compromise, and I have not seen that from the OPC Board, and the Director is not encouraging the Board to seek that either. Therein lies the problem–

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by lisa http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-955 lisa Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:42:01 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-955 OPC employees are not government workers. They are nonprofit! Nonprofit get low salary and few get benefits! However it does not appear that they have to follow the rules of nonprofit either! Oversight of OPC is important and if their board will not do it the three city need to .......according to the ILA. Rochester is not going to push legal actions on spending money on a budget they did not approve because they would fail. Fresh eyes may mean mediation but not city managers and a mayor! A third party need to look at all the facts. John Dalton isn't trust worthy and should be removed from being President of the OPC Brd by the RH Council. Truth is not coming from any side just spin! Each side has some merit but the Greater Rochester Community is not good at transparency even if they use the word often in self written PR!!!!!!!! Following rules has not been a great strenght of OPC. With Dalton's leadership Ms Miller is use to doing whatever she wants when she wants! Webber is following in his footsteps! Backroom deals delivers the votes so RH is happy! OPC employees are not government workers. They are nonprofit! Nonprofit get low salary and few get benefits! However it does not appear that they have to follow the rules of nonprofit either! Oversight of OPC is important and if their board will not do it the three city need to …….according to the ILA.

Rochester is not going to push legal actions on spending money on a budget they did not approve because they would fail.

Fresh eyes may mean mediation but not city managers and a mayor! A third party need to look at all the facts. John Dalton isn’t trust worthy and should be removed from being President of the OPC Brd by the RH Council.

Truth is not coming from any side just spin! Each side has some merit but the Greater Rochester Community is not good at transparency even if they use the word often in self written PR!!!!!!!!

Following rules has not been a great strenght of OPC. With Dalton’s leadership Ms Miller is use to doing whatever she wants when she wants! Webber is following in his footsteps! Backroom deals delivers the votes so RH is happy!

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Mary Howarth http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-954 Mary Howarth Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:24:20 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-954 It does not make sense to attack, as do these apparantly Rochester residents, Annette's suggestion. This is a way for a possible compromise to be created. The fact that Brian Barnett is elected should not be a consideration. There are no Rochester Hills officials with the same jurisdiction as the City Managers in Rochester and Oakland Township who are not elected. Unfortunately, it would appear that those who have already replied to Annette's editorial are anti-Rochester Hills. This will not help the situation in any way. I trust that that the three gentlemen suggested by Annette are mature enough to accept this challenge and reach a fair compromise acceptable to all parties. Of course each comes from a different governmental establishment, That should help to have a variety of operating approaches represented and considered in the final solution. It does not make sense to attack, as do these apparantly Rochester residents, Annette’s suggestion. This is a way for a possible compromise to be created. The fact that Brian Barnett is elected should not be a consideration. There are no Rochester Hills officials with the same jurisdiction as the City Managers in Rochester and Oakland Township who are not elected. Unfortunately, it would appear that those who have already replied to Annette’s editorial are anti-Rochester Hills. This will not help the situation in any way. I trust that that the three gentlemen suggested by Annette are mature enough to accept this challenge and reach a fair compromise acceptable to all parties. Of course each comes from a different governmental establishment, That should help to have a variety of operating approaches represented and considered in the final solution.

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by JR http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-946 JR Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:19:45 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-946 One of Bryan's Banett's recent re-election literature piece had a picture of Marye Miller on the front, her endorsement on the back and a comment on it from her stating that he become "a strong advocate for seniors..." In Ms. Miller's world, this means toeing her line, which Barnett is doing. Ms. Kingsbury, how you can suggest that Mr. Barnett has "no personal stake in the outcome" and is not in exactly the same position as the Hills City Council is ludicrous. Informed people know that he has already failed to broker a solution to the problem over the last several months. Heck, some have suggested that Rochester Hills has given similar compensation increases to certain groups of its employees. They are now looking for political cover by trying to make the increase numbers appear smaller, blaming the matter on a supposed power grab by Rochester, and "standing behind" the Governing Board. One of Bryan’s Banett’s recent re-election literature piece had a picture of Marye Miller on the front, her endorsement on the back and a comment on it from her stating that he become “a strong advocate for seniors…”

In Ms. Miller’s world, this means toeing her line, which Barnett is doing. Ms. Kingsbury, how you can suggest that Mr. Barnett has “no personal stake in the outcome” and is not in exactly the same position as the Hills City Council is ludicrous. Informed people know that he has already failed to broker a solution to the problem over the last several months.

Heck, some have suggested that Rochester Hills has given similar compensation increases to certain groups of its employees. They are now looking for political cover by trying to make the increase numbers appear smaller, blaming the matter on a supposed power grab by Rochester, and “standing behind” the Governing Board.

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Lisa http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-936 Lisa Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:37:33 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-936 Bryan has already stated he could care less about the money and has shown no leadership on the issue so far so he should not be the one from RH! OPC needs to put into play the new ILA or we will be going through this all again. Let's put together a real deal that benefits the community long term! Bryan has already stated he could care less about the money and has shown no leadership on the issue so far so he should not be the one from RH!

OPC needs to put into play the new ILA or we will be going through this all again. Let’s put together a real deal that benefits the community long term!

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Cathy Daldin http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-935 Cathy Daldin Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:47:59 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-935 My first reaction was that is great but Rochester Hills Mayor is an elected official. I think he has done a great job being mayor but being an elected official I feel is trouble. I like the other two choices and maybe Rochester Hills has a person that can be independent. I also agree I learned in High School that politics is the art of comprise. Elected officials representing different voters meet to hammer out policies that ALL can live with. Of course no politician or voter receives everything they want. What is going on here does NOT sound like that at all. I have said in the last 4 meeting that comprise has become a dirty word, so sad. I also agree with you we all want the OPC to move ahead and be successful. But to me this has moved past the money and has become a much larger issue. I am an optomist so I will continue to work on a comprise. My first reaction was that is great but Rochester Hills Mayor is an elected official. I think he has done a great job being mayor but being an elected official I feel is trouble. I like the other two choices and maybe Rochester Hills has a person that can be independent. I also agree I learned in High School that politics is the art of comprise. Elected officials representing different voters meet to hammer out policies that ALL can live with. Of course no politician or voter receives everything they want. What is going on here does NOT sound like that at all. I have said in the last 4 meeting that comprise has become a dirty word, so sad. I also agree with you we all want the OPC to move ahead and be successful. But to me this has moved past the money and has become a much larger issue. I am an optomist so I will continue to work on a comprise.

]]> Comment on Editorial: OPC mess needs fresh eyes by Ben Giovanelli http://www.rochestermedia.com/editorial-opc-mess-needs-fresh-eyes/#comment-934 Ben Giovanelli Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:39:35 +0000 http://www.rochestermedia.com/?p=8695#comment-934 I might agree with you Annette if the 'Hills had weak mayor government. In order for your suggestion to work, it would take three unelected people who are not in any way, shape or form tied, even by appearance, to the voting block housed within the 4 walls of the OPC. Since Bryan is the only elected official on your list (thus dependent on the senior vote) and already controls the board with 4 of 8 seats, it will be a non-starter, at least for this one councilperson. I really thought it would have been settled by now but man, these are some stubborn characters. I might agree with you Annette if the ‘Hills had weak mayor government. In order for your suggestion to work, it would take three unelected people who are not in any way, shape or form tied, even by appearance, to the voting block housed within the 4 walls of the OPC. Since Bryan is the only elected official on your list (thus dependent on the senior vote) and already controls the board with 4 of 8 seats, it will be a non-starter, at least for this one councilperson. I really thought it would have been settled by now but man, these are some stubborn characters.

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