L. Brooks Patterson Looks Ahead: 'The County is Changing'

The Oakland County executive proved he's a stand-up guy during an Election Night appearance in Royal Oak.

As Democrats celebrated election victories Tuesday in Michigan and across the country, the mood at the Emagine Royal Oak theater complex, where more than 200 Oakland County Republicans gathered, was a mixed bag. That is, until L. Brooks Patterson, 73, changed the energy of room.  “He gave some remarks and then he told us he had a surprise for us – and then he stood up on his own,” said former Royal Oak Mayor Dennis Cowan. “Everyone burst into applause.”  Patterson, elected to his sixth term as Oakland County Executive on Nov. 6, was injured in a crash in August that left him hospitalized at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac for five weeks after suffering almost a dozen broken bones. He returned to work in October using a wheelchair and …

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Hundreds Rally Outside Troy Marriott Before Romney Fundraiser Event

The presidential candidate is in town for a private event hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday night.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Troy Marriott hotel on Big Beaver Road to rally in protest of visiting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney is in Troy for a private fundraiser hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder at the hotel. Protesters carried signs and waved at motorists along Big Beaver, many of whom were honking as they passed by. "We're here to support Barack Obama," said Jeff Klayo of Mt. Clemens, who attended the rally with two fellow UAW members. "He stands for the little guys... The working class." Liz Ratzloff of Ann Arbor attended the rally and wore the official "Pillamina" mascot costume for Planned Parenthood. "I'm here sporting Pillamina because Romney doesn't support low-cost …

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Dianne Miller

12:33 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

Unsubstantiated claim.   more ›

5 Things to Know About the Presidential Primary

From voting precincts to information about absentee ballots and more, here's what you need to know before Tuesday's election.

The presidential primary is just days away — are you ready? Here are five things to know about the election:

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GOP Hopefuls Share Visions for Economic Recovery on OU Stage

Eight presidential candidates talk jobs, housing, health care, taxes — and character.

Eight Republican presidential hopefuls took turns offering their thoughts on all aspects of the economy — and faith and trust — on the stage of a transformed O'rena on the campus of Oakland University on Wednesday night. In a nationally televised debate coordinated by the Michigan Republican Party, the university and CNBC, candidates Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum sparred on issues related to money, jobs, housing and taxes. One of them, Michigan GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak, said at the start of the two-hour debate, could likely be the "next leader of the free world." Outside the O'rena, about a hundred protesters gathered – far fewer than the thousands of …

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3 Newcomers Elected to Royal Oak City Commission

Peggy Goodwin, Mike Fournier and Kyle DuBuc win seats on City Commission.

Voters in Royal Oak on Tuesday elected three newcomers to City Commission, re-elected Mayor Jim Ellison and approved by a wide margin continued funding for curbside recycling and waste hauling. Here's a look at what happened at the polls: In the race for city commission, Peggy Goodwin, Mike Fournier, and Kyle DuBuc were the top vote-getters for the three seats left vacant by Commissioners Terry Drinkwine, Michael Andrzejak and Chuck Semchena, who each decided not to run for re-election. Goodwin, 49, the only woman in the race, received 17.89 percent of the vote. "I have a long history of working in the community," Goodwin said. "I have specific ideas on how to move forward." Goodwin, celebrated with her supporters at Sangria. She …

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Poll: Do You Vote?

Tell us whether you plan to head to the polls Tuesday or not.

Election Day is almost here, and so is your chance to exercise your right to vote. Since voter turnout is never 100 percent, we'd like to gauge the number of Royal Oak Patch readers who do plan on voting on Tuesday. Last November 49 percent of registered Royal Oak voters participated, slightly under the Oakland County average of 52 percent according to the City Clerk. Voter turnout is expected to be low on Tuesday. The last time there was a city and school general election, in 2009, only 25 percent of registered voters cast ballots. Are you voting on Tuesday? Why or why not?

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City Commission Candidates' War Chests a Mix of Personal, Donated Funds

Hopefuls file required pre-election financial statements with the state.

The Nov. 8 election is nearly here and candidates' finance reports are in. The seven Royal Oak City Commission hopefuls are reaching into their own pockets to fund their campaigns, although some more than others, the reports show. According to candidates' statements filed with the state last week, the top money-raiser was Kyle DuBuc at $14,583, who contributed more than $2,000 of his own money. Bill Shaw netted the least amount of the seven candidates, reporting $1,320 raised.  Oct. 28 was the deadline for candidates to file their Pre-Election Statements with the Secretary of State office. The statements show DuBuc, Gomez and Warheit started fundraising in May, Fournier in June and Karlowski in July. Goodwin and Shaw didn't begin their …

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Write-in Candidate: Ann Hubbarth, Mayor

Royal Oak Patch looks at the candidates seeking a two-year term as mayor in the Nov. 8 election.

Age: 60 Family: Married to Christopher Hubbarth for 35 years. They have three grown children, who attended Royal Oak schools – two graduating from Dondero High School and the third from Royal Oak High School. How many years as a Royal Oak resident: Has been a resident of Royal Oak for 21 years. Hubbarth grew up in Royal Oak and graduated from Dondero in 1969. Occupation: Homemaker Previous civic experience:  Candidate statement: "Candidates are asked questions regarding what they envision for the city.  "Starting with parking, I recommend meters be 30 minutes for a quarter, except perhaps, for meters in front of the Post Office. No more nickels and dimes. Quarters only would provide more revenue for the city, and visitors using the metered…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to Editor: Vote 'Yes' to Renew Solid Waste Millage

Royal Oak residents want voters to consider a "yes" vote to renew the Royal Oak Solid Waste Millage, Charter Amendment Proposal A.

The following letter was sent to Royal Oak Patch by Dave and Kathy Guest of Royal Oak: Please consider a "yes" vote on Nov. 8 to renew the Royal Oak Solid Waste Millage, Charter Amendment Proposal A. This one mill renewal millage pops up every five years and continues "solid waste" services in Royal Oak that picks up trash, recyclables, bulk items and yard waste. This funding also covers leaf collection, storm damage clean up and street cleaning. The yard waste that is collected is taken to a facility in Rochester Hills where it is composted; hence our free compost! The storm damage clean-up/chipping offers us free wood chips! As Royal Oak residents we also have access to the SOCRRA drop off site to take our household hazardous waste, …

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2 More Candidates Turn in Signatures for Nov. 8 Ballot

Scott Warheit and Bill Shaw are the third and fourth residents to qualify to run for the three open Royal Oak City Commission seats.

With the deadline to file petitions for Royal Oak City Commission and mayor approaching Tuesday, two more candidates have submitted the necessary 500 valid signatures and been notified of their eligibility by the city clerk. The candidates are Scott Warheit and Bill Shaw. There are three open seats on the City Commission. Michael Andrzejak announced he would not run again; Terry Drinkwine and Charles Semchena have not pulled petitions to run for re-election. Warheit, 28, turned in his signatures Monday and was told by the city clerk’s office that he qualified Wednesday. “I have been going to City Commission meetings for a while now,” said Warheit, an attorney who lives in the North Main Lofts on Main Street and 11 Mile Road. “The meetings …

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