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Rochester’s new parks and rec plan debuts

Written by Annette Kingsbury
Tuesday, 28 February 2012 20:25
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Wondering what the city of Rochester is planning for its parks?

During the month of March, the city will offer residents a peek at the proposed new Park and Recreation Master Plan. The 30-day comment periord leads up to a public hearing by the master planning committee on April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The city has been working on a five-year plan which will serve as a guide for the development and improvement of the city’s parks. The committee will take public comments during the hearing, which will be held at city hall. Comments may also be given to the city manager in writing or in person.

Rochester’s Main Street Makeover

Written by Sarah Hovis
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 11:24
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Starting in April, downtown Rochester is getting a makeover. Well, at least Main Street is. This project includes a complete reconstruction of Main Street from the Clinton River Bridge to the Paint Creek Bridge. The finished project will reveal a fresh Main Street, complete with reclaimed brick planters, street seating, LED light poles, improved water service, and much more!

Downtown and all downtown businesses will remain open throughout the construction period. In addition to all the sidewalks remaining open to provide Main Street access to the businesses, alley improvements have been made to create a pedestrian-friendly environment so customers can access the businesses from their rear entrances as well.

The City of Rochester is offering several opportunities for the public to learn about the project.

Property Owner’s Meeting: Tuesday, February 21, 8:30 a.m., Rochester Mills Brewing Co.

Merchant Forum (City of Rochester Businesses): Wednesday, February 29, 6:00 p.m., Royal Park Hotel

Community Open House: Thursday, March 8, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Rochester Community House

Additionally, project representatives are available to give presentations for businesses and organizations. To schedule a presentation, contact Kristi Trevarrow at 248.656.0060.

The Main Street Makeover is a joint effort of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the City of Rochester, and the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA). For more information on the project, please visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com or call the Rochester DDA at 248.656.0060.

An open letter to the Rochester Council by Scot Beaton

Written by Editor
Saturday, 04 February 2012 23:19
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I understand your frustration 100% with the Rochester Hills council; I have been fighting the “fiscally responsible” battle with them for years. Even when you put 30+ hours of your own free personal time into reading their budget line item by line item…even when you send out emails and phone calls to the staff and get your “numbers” 100% right… all you get from them is three minutes at their budget public hearings and deaf ears.

These 6 charts (charts I created) FY 2011 clearly explain just the tip of the iceberg how off cantor “spending” is in Rochester Hills.
Rochester Hills “spending habits” have not changed for 2012 so my FY 2011 charts are still relevant.

How does this affect the City of Rochester… let’s start with Police; Rochester Hills seriously underfunds Police protection… we are at least 8+ officers short and crime doesn’t know city boundaries.* Rochester Hills refuses to step up to the plate and maintain the city’s infracture. Rochester Hills curently has a $35,000,000 million+ deficit in residential street repair. Don’t maintain infracture…will kill property values. Rochester Hills over the past decade has thrown away our fund balance in the water sewer department. When I left city council in 1997 there was a $70,939,040 water sewer fund balance today there is only about $18,894,276. These are just three glaring examples of of misappropriations of valuable tax dollars in the “Hills”!

Rochester Council, I sincerely thank you for your fiscal concerns with OPC…but would recommend your council “walk away” from the “OPC spending issue” (approve their budget) only because it’s the “take the high road” thing to do at this time… we don’t want OPC getting into any serious legal trouble…??? right… OPC has a $212,762 personal cost increase over last year but they (OPC) are also sitting on currently $1.2 million in fund balance…a tough sell for change (at your end) to the public. But please HELP!!! Rochester Council should get involved in Rochester Council Hills “spending habits”…It’s costing our region millions in misappropriations of valuable tax dollars.

Rochester Council, I would appreciate your thoughts on “spending” in Rochester Hills where should we go next?

*Federal recommendations police officer per 1000 residents.