News & Notes - 12/20/23 Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle

Library board looks for student representative
BIRMINGHAM  — The board of the Baldwin Public Library is seeking a student representative to the board. Interested students must be in high school and be residents of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms or Bloomfield Hills.

“The Baldwin Public Library student representative has an opportunity to participate and engage with the Library’s board of trustees at monthly meetings. The Board is glad to have a student representative, and welcomes, encourages, and especially appreciates the student representative’s observations, insights, and suggestions related to various aspects of the Library and the ever changing needs of its community,” Library Board President Karen Rock said in a press release.

This term will run February 2024 to February 2025. A student representative will be expected to attend a minimum of 10 out of the 12 library board meetings. These meetings are held the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the library, with some  exceptions.

Candidates must turn in a completed application, an essay and two letters of recommendation to Jaclyn Miller at the Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill, Birmingham, MI 48009, or Jaclyn.Miller@baldwinlib.org, by Jan. 11, 2024. More information can be found at baldwinlib.org/volunteer.

 

Bloomfield Hills welcomes new mayor
BLOOMFIELD HILLS —  At the Bloomfield Hills City Commission meeting Nov. 14, Brad Baxter was appointed mayor. Alice Buckley previously held the position of mayor. Buckley is now  a commissioner alongside Commissioners David Fisher and Susan McCarthy. The Mayor Pro Tem is now Lauren Fisher.

Baxter was a member of Bloomfield Hills Zoning Board of Appeals from 2017 to 2019 and has been on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission since 2019.

His educational background includes receiving his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. He is the CEO/founder of Automated Pet Care Products Inc. and president of Intensa Inc. Other notable positions that he has held include secretary for Trowbridge Farms Association and president of the Lathrup Village Historical Society.

 

Oakland County appoints District 18 rep
OAKLAND COUNTY — Linnie Taylor, a Southfield resident, was recently appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to represent District 18, which includes Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills and portions of Southfield.

Tayor has a master’s degree in human resources management and is a retired  corporate payroll manager from ThyssenKrupp Materials N.A. in Southfield. Taylor was also reelected to serve on the Southfield City Council and has served since September 2017. County commissioners make around $42,000 per year.

“I am humbled and proud to be appointed to the Board of Commissioners and represent the residents of my district at the county level,” Taylor said. “As a city council member, I have advocated for transparency, sensible government policies, civic and resident engagement, and I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to the Board.”

 

Pontiac opens new skatepark
PONTIAC — Skateboarders and other extreme sports fans are invited to try out Pontiac’s new skatepark.

The new skatepark is located in Oakland Park, 500 E. Montcalm St. A grand opening ceremony is expected to take place in May 2024. The new facility was born of a collaboration between the city of Pontiac, the Pontiac Skatepark Project, local activists and skate enthusiasts, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the Oakland County Commission, and The Skatepark Project — formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation.

Through this collaborative funding partnership, $568,000 was established in support of this project. Pontiac’s newly constructed skatepark is an estimated 10,000 square feet and features several ramps of various sizes, handrails, flat rails, ledges and other amenities to accommodate skaters of all skill levels.

Skatepark hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 16-March 14, 2024; and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. March 15, 2024, to Nov. 14, 2024. No motorized or electric vehicles are allowed on the skatepark, skaters must wear protective equipment, and there is no skating during inclement weather such as snow, rain or fog.