(Editor’s note: Over the next few weeks, I’ll try out some new column names. Feel free to let me know which ones you like and offer your own suggestions. Hopefully, one will stick at some point).

I remember driving up from the near south for my job interview at The Lake Orion Review.
Now, I had been to and through Orion Township many times before. But when you realize this drive might become permanent, you start to take a deeper look.
On one side of M-24 is a dump, literally. And on the other is a nice sign that reads ‘Welcome to Orion Township: Where living is like a vacation.?
Certainly, I was not the first to notice this apparent contradiction, and I probably wasn’t the last either.
The problem is that this is all many people come to know of Orion ? those that miss a turn while heading to the Palace or who are just heading through for parts further north.
They don’t know that this township has the best bocce ball venue in the country (Palazzo di Bocce) or one of the leading manufacturers in automobile technology (Cobasys).
They don’t know that this township has about 2.5 square miles of lakes and that the surface of the Village of Lake Orion, alone, is roughly 40-percent water.
They don’t know that the township is home to the historic Scripps Mansion, Bald Mountain State Park and Canterbury Village, not to mention a General Motors plant.
They don’t know that Alice Cooper, Jimmy Hoffa and Tiger great Mickey Lolich all once took up residency here.
They don’t know that, academically speaking, the Lake Orion School District compares quite favorably with others across the state. Or that they house one of the state’s best marching bands, among many other great clubs and teams.
They don’t know that, at press time of this column, the football and boys basketball teams (generally the two most well-attended high school sports in the country) at Lake Orion High School have yet to lose a league game in the 2006-07 school year.
I guess they don’t know a lot of things.
Too bad they can’t put all of that on a sign.

At first glance, last week looked like a rough one for the Lake Orion Community Schools.
On Wednesday, they were forced to ship an entire elementary school some three-and-a-half miles away because of a ‘strange odor? (Page One).
On Friday, a ‘threat? at the high school put things on lockdown for part of the morning (Page One).
But what could’ve been troublesome circumstances were anything but, as staff involved reacted swiftly and correctly, ensuring a safe environment for all involved.
On top of that, learning continued in both settings.
Blanche Sims students took a valuable field trip to the middle school, where many students got to view their future ‘digs? up close and personal.
Classes went on in Oakview’s two gymnasiums and everyone was back to Sims in time for Valentine’s Day celebrations.
At the high school, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department deputies were called in to help secure the school and investigate the claim.
It turned out to be a false alarm, but the reaction time of those involved and the procedures taken to ensure student safety were reassuring to say the least.
The day continued and led into a basketball game, where the Dragons proved nothing could stop them and they claimed a league title to the delight of the home crowd (Page 13).
A successful dance at the high school followed, giving students and school district staff a reason to party.
***
Another thing the district got right last week was a ‘no call? after last Tuesday’s snowstorm.
While many districts, mainly to the south, called off school, Orion went on as scheduled ? again proving its mettle.
They were right because the snow was an inch or two less in northern Oakland County and area DPW workers did a fine job of clearing the roads.
***
Speaking of clearing snow, some businesses in the downtown area will have to get better at it, or they’ll pay for it.
The Village Council amended an ordinance last Monday, requiring business owners to remove their snow in a timelier fashion.
The amendment says that snow or ice accumulating two inches must be removed ‘immediately? between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Two inches of snowfall that accumulates after 9 p.m. must be removed by 9 a.m. the next morning.
In addition, businesses that fail to remove any amount of snow over a 24-hour period are also subject to a ticket.
The Downtown Development Authority Board recommended the amendment to the ordinance, which used to require snow removal within 48 hours.
With the ongoing parking troubles downtown, there should be no reason for businesses not to comply.
The move by the Village Council might only be a small one in attracting people to downtown, but they prevented another excuse from taking shape.
Happy shoveling, Lake Orion!

On the surface, the Sagebrush Cantina and General Motors don’t appear to have too much in common with one another.
After all, the pinto bean is a staple at the Mexican restaurant and the Pinto car was a Ford product.
But, perhaps, it is appropriate to compare their importance to the community.
You could even say that the local GM plant is to Orion Township what the Sagebrush is to the Village of Lake Orion.
Some residents may not like the fact that the two institutions play as big a role as they do. But, at this point, there’s no looking back.
GM’s presence in Orion alone is responsible for putting food in the mouths of hundreds of Orion residents.
The decision by the Orion Township Board to give GM a $55 million tax abatement ensures that about 1,000 jobs will stay at the Orion plant ? many of which are sure to be jobs of Orion taxpayers.
The abatement amounts to only about half of that $55 million total, spread over some 15 years, if the GM Board ultimately approves the project.
In the end, it is still a very big chunk of money. But, as a pair of township officials have put it, you’re better off getting some of the GM pie as opposed to none of it.
With regards to the village and Sagebrush, the notion that the doors of the restaurant might be locked last week was slightly absurd.
Certainly, the restaurant and owner Dia Zaraga should not be afforded special treatment (and they weren’t, judging by the threats mentioned in this newspaper). With that said, however, there was no way the Sagebrush’s tamales and enchiladas weren’t going to be served on Thursday (aka ‘deadline day?).
All of the officials involved on both sides realized the importance of keeping the village’s main attraction open for business. They acted in partnership, much like the township and GM did a week earlier.
Remember all of those parking discussions in the past few weeks and months?
The bottom line is that filled parking spots are a good problem to have.
The township and village might be tied too tightly to GM and Sagebrush, but I can think of a few towns not that far away that wish they had such assets.
***
Reports of a lawsuit in the $20 million range filed against Oakland Township by the developers of Harvest Corners (Page One) leave me with just one prediction:
By the time this thing is all done with (which will be years from the penning of this column, to be sure), all involved are going miss the days when talks of big development in that area simply stirred up a good debate.
This isn’t a debate any more, it’s merging into a debacle. At some point, somebody’s going to have to give in and it won’t be pretty.
More to come on this story in the coming weeks? to say the least.
***
Next week, I’ll look back at a winter sports season that was (or hopefully still ‘is? for one team) at LOHS. In the meantime, be sure to check out www.lakeorionreview.com for updates on all of your favorite Dragon teams.

Two league championships
Three league runner-up finishes
A state quarterfinalist
A sixth place finish in the state
A seventh place finish in the state
Two individual state champions
Three individual state placers
For most schools, that’s a pretty impressive list over the course of a school year.
At Lake Orion High School, that’s a typical season.
The Dragon hockey squad set a school record for wins (22), won the OAA II crown and advanced all the way to last Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
The LOHS hoop squad went undefeated in the OAA II, winning a total of 17 games on the season.
The Dragon cheerleaders tied Rochester in OAA I action and went on to finish sixth at the state finals this past weekend.
Lake Orion’s wrestlers captured a district title, and sent five grapplers to the individual state finals, with three placing in the final eight.
Like the wrestlers, the volleyball squad took second place in league action after a strong showing in their league tournament.
In just their second official season as a varsity sport, the girls bowling squad advanced to the state finals, and had one qualifier in the final 16 in Division I.
The boys swim squad had not one, but two state titlists, with Ricky Forrest (500 free) and Brandon Figurski (diving), proving their dominance. The team finished 16th in the state.
The girls ski team placed seventh in the state last weekend, while a handful of skiers placed in the top 50.
A few years ago, people across the state referred to LOHS as being an ‘up and coming? school on the sports landscape.
With Dragon teams consistently staking their claims among the state’s top ten, LOHS athletics has arrived.
Consider this: Their football, basketball and baseball squads (aka the marquee sports of each season) will go until at least April of the 2006-07 school year before losing a league game.
Find me another school that can say that.
Spring practices started this week. We’ll see how that list measures up in a couple of months.
* * *
If you still need help filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket, let me suggest using a dartboard.
Whatever you do, don’t pick Florida, UCLA, Georgetown and Texas A&M as your final four ? my picks are always cursed.

I’ve received numerous calls over the past few weeks from readers wanting to know why they seem to be reading the same Letters to the Editor week after week.
I thought this might be an opportune time to bring everyone up to date on some of our editorial policies.
First off, you would never actually read a letter from the same writer week after week, as The Review will not publish letters in consecutive weeks.
Writers who write multiple times per month are not guaranteed space more than just one time, meaning a writer whose work was included two weeks ago will always be held a week in favor of a writer whose work was not, and so on.
However, if space permits, The Review will run up to two Letters from the same writer in a month.
Keep in mind that such rules do not necessarily pertain to guest columnists (such as Michael Fallon on Page 16 this week), though it is our goal to be as diverse in the amount of voices you read as possible.
***
An interesting case came back to the township board earlier this month and their 4-3 vote on the matter added more intrigue.
Peter and Julie Stressman appeared in front of the third time and the board ultimately granted their lot split proposal.
What sparked board debate over the proposal was the concept of ‘conformity.?
As it sits now, the Stressman’s property does not conform with many township regulations. But in granting the lot split, the couple said their property would be much closer to conforming.
The four trustees agreed, with the supervisor, clerk and treasurer supplying the nay votes.
‘It’s nothing personal,? Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said. ‘We just take input from all of our department heads.?
Dywasuk said he was worried about future proposals and opening a ‘Pandora’s Box.?
He noted that the assessor, building official and fire chief were all unable to attend the meeting and explain their objections to the split.
***
My very first column in this newspaper addressed the investments question and possible action by the township board nearly a year ago.
Now, thankfully, the issue appears to be drawing to a close.
The Whall Group will appear at an upcoming meeting to offer a synopsis of their lengthy report.
Treasurer Alice Young has it right when she says it’s in the township’s ‘best interest? to move past the audit as soon as possible.
However, the board would be wise to look at the audit, not for what was done wrong, but for what could be done right next time.
This step was put forth at Monday’s meeting by Trustee Matt Gibb, who will join Clerk Jill Bastian and Trustee John Steimel on a committee intended to look at policy matters mentioned in the audit (Page 1).

For the first time since 1928, it appears that we will have a presidential election process that does not include a candidate from the current administration.
There has always been either an incumbent or his vice-president in the running. But with George W. Bush termed-out and Dick Cheney making it clear he will not run, the bid for the White House is truly wide-open.
And, with more than 19 months before ‘Decision 2008,? it appears you’re more likely to find someone that is not running than someone that is.
There are the ‘likely to receive their party’s nomination candidates,? such as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards on one side, and John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney on the other.
There are ‘second-tier candidates,? such as Newt Gingrich, Sam Brownback, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Mike Huckabee, among others.
And, there is that one guy, who still says he is not running, but is out padding his resume with Academy Awards.
With nearly 600 days until Election Day, there appears to be an overwhelming likelihood that our next president lies somewhere in the previous few paragraphs.
But what makes this portion of the election cycle the best (outside of, perhaps, the four-and-a-half hours of moderated debate in the final two months) are the lesser-known candidates.
Former House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter headlines (or doesn’t) a list that includes former Senator Mike Gravel and former Governors Tom Vilsack and Tommy Thompson (of Law & Order fame). There’s also a list of ‘message candidates,? who run more to highlight an issue than to win, such as Dennis Kucinich.
From us media types, these guys get to answer pointed questions like, ‘Why are you running?? and ‘What’s your name again??
Heck, even some guys on the ‘second-tier? list referenced earlier get those questions.
According to BBC News, Gravel’s website even included a link to an article calling him a ‘longshot,? right after he announced his candidacy.
While many of these candidates will take themselves out of the running eventually (and some already have), they do add a needed value to the excruciatingly long campaign trail.
The top candidates will be forced to ‘play politics? and run campaigns that stay very close to the vest.
‘I enjoy working for ‘asterisks? – unknown candidates with limited campaign support and appeal. They have more fun and are willing to take some risks,? strategist Donna Brazile told BBC International.
I’m not saying our country wants a risk-taker as its next president. A wise man told me just last week that our country needs, now more than ever, a candidate that will be relatively down the middle and appeal to both sides of the political aisle.
But, in the end, the ‘risk-taking? candidates will hopefully liven things up a bit.
Otherwise, it’s certain to be a long 19 months.

1) Have you finished your taxes yet?
YES
NO
If yes, continue reading this column. If no, stop reading and find an accountant.
2) Did you enjoy the process this year?
YES
NO
If no, continue reading this column. If yes, consider voluntary committal.
3) As a result of question #2, would you like to read some bizarre tax-related stories?
YES
If yes, continue reading this column. If no? wait, that was not an option.
I finished my taxes this past week, with the help of a close friend, who just happens to be a CPA.
Unfortunately, in spite of my insistence that there should be refunds in place for things such as rooting for the Detroit Lions, getting stuck in rush hour on M-24 and sitting through some Orion Township Board meetings, the end result of my taxes was a bit less than ideal. (Though I was later informed that sitting through board meetings is classified as something called ‘work?).
Those requests were nothing compared to some of the items this particular CPA has come across over the years.
This CPA’s firm once had a client bring in his W-2 and other forms in a used greasy bag from Taco Bell. (I was surprised to learn that you can, in fact, claim an exemption for too much ‘fire sauce? consumption).
This CPA said their firm, on multiple occasions, has completed someone’s taxes only to realize at the very end that the client neglected to mention their marriage or newborn(s) that year. (The CPA swears their firm doesn’t represent Brittany Spears either!).
As bad as those examples might be, one story the CPA shared takes the cake.
A client, whose profession indicated a certain level of common sense, got a little too carried away in itemizing his deduction, attempting to claim his donation of used underwear a charity. (I would have loved to see the auditor figure out that value, or maybe not).
Now, for those of you resting easy and awaiting your big checks from the government, and even those that had to pay a little back, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year.
There are plenty of great local organizations worth supporting that can help put money back in your pocket come tax time. The Boys & Girls Club, FISH and, the newly tax-exempt Desert Angels, Inc. (see Page Seven) all come to mind, though there are many more in the Orion community.
Of course, many of these organizations will take some volunteer hours in lieu of donations also, so long as you don’t offer them your used undergarments.

We all know the statistics about young drivers.
Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh says that’s a good place to start when looking at statistics about young drinkers.
‘Underage drivers are inexperienced in driving and tend to make mistakes behind the wheel,? Narsh said. ‘The same goes for younger drinkers.?
It is, after all, the youngest drinkers that don’t know of, or haven’t experienced, the dangers of alcohol.
‘The ultimate goal is the safety and well-being of our children,? Narsh said. ‘We can’t lose sight of that goal.?
Instances of underage drinking always trend upward this time of year, a fact that is attributed to things like spring break, prom and graduation.
‘The weather starts allowing for outdoor activity, which can often include alcohol,? Narsh noted.
To help parents, and the community, deal with rising occurrences of underage drinking, a town hall meeting will be held at Lake Orion High School on April 30 from 7-9 p.m.
Narsh will be one of the speakers.
‘I am a firm believer in a parental influence on our children, not the government or the schools,? he said.
There are plenty of outside influences that drive teenagers to drink, according to Narsh.
‘Madison Avenue and Hollywood do nothing to support families,? he said. ‘Their job is to market and sell products.?
Often times, we’ll see sporting events that promote alcohol at the end of the event, but, chances are, the athletes weren’t actually drinking those products on the sideline.
‘The two are diametrically opposed,? Narsh said. ‘That’s the business of advertising and this is where strong parental guidelines come into play.?
Last week, during Part II of The Review’s look at underage drinking, we profiled the role of the parent and explained the concept of ‘Parents that host lose the most.? Narsh has his own take on that statement.
‘It isn’t that they lose the most in terms of court trips and money,? he said. ‘It’s that they hamper the development of their child. That’s the biggest loss.?
‘It is frustrating when we find a parent who thinks providing alcohol at home is offering it in a safer environment.?
When underage drinkers are caught by law enforcement officials, Narsh noted that the goal of police is to be another pillar of support.
‘We’re here to help parents, help the schools and help society,? he said.
For more information on the Town Hall Meeting, contact Michele Novak at (248)693-5638.
‘I encourage every parent to attend,? Narsh said. ‘We need the combined efforts, talents and attention of our entire community to preserve our future.?

Though ‘Earth Day? should be a concept we incorporate into our lives more than one time a year, I was particularly disturbed by an event I saw on two separate occasions last Sunday.
While on an otherwise enjoyable bike ride, I happened to see a pair of vehicles discard cigarette butts out of their windows.
I’m not sure when this practice became acceptable, but it appears to be happening more and more these days.
The second time I saw it on Sunday, the flame-throwing passenger happened to notice me notice her.
I gave her a good old-fashioned stare down and can only hope she’ll remember that after finishing her next cigarette.
Hopefully, readers will help me in my campaign to stomp out butt-tossers and keep our community clean.
***
NBC News was faced with a tough decision last week after receiving a package from Cho Seung-Hui two days after his rampage at Virginia Tech.
Since then, many have seen the videos and images of the Gunman. His ‘manifesto,? as NBC called it.
Was NBC right to air portions of the video? They certainly used proper discretion in airing only portions, but I feel they would’ve been better served by waiting to air anything at all.
From a business sense, having a ‘scoop? like that it is hard to resist leaving it on the shelf.
However, NBC would’ve had more viewers (which their advertisers would’ve liked) and showed proper respect to those personally affected by the tragedy had they waited even a few days to show anything.
Instead, they granted the final wish of a brutal murderer without giving it enough thought.
***
In the past few days I’ve watched and read several stories of the Virginia Tech community coming together in the wake of their devastating tragedy.
The marching band, for example, went and played music outside of the local hospital to spread a bit of cheer to several students that were injured in the shootings. Their sports teams went back to action as well this weekend, giving some another opportunity to distance themselves from reality, if only for a few hours.
It’s those types of stories that make me glad to live in a country where community comes first.
***
In our own community, the Lake Orion baseball squad is off to a hot start.
After falling in their season opener, the Dragons have reeled off nine wins in a row, including a sweep at the Dow Invitational and their OAA I opener on the road at Farmington.
Ranked second in last week’s state rankings, as compiled by the Coaches Association, LO could find themselves in the top spot by week’s end thanks to a loss over the weekend by #1 Allen Park.
The feat of reaching #1 would be nice, but Coach Andy Schramek has repeatedly said his team’s goals are to ‘win the league and win the last game of our season.?
With those goals in mind, and very much attainable, it should be a fun spring ? especially now that the weather has started to cooperate.
Get out and support your Dragons. They play at home today and Friday and host Clarkston, as well as their own invitational next weekend.

As we turn the calendar on a new month, I hope the smell of flowers in the air can outweigh the stench that permeated Orion this past Monday night.
First was the Town Hall Meeting held a Lake Orion High School, in which community leaders came together to discuss the battle against underage substance abuse.
Great concept.
Problem is that a large sector of community leaders, mainly our local government officials, were not present.
The village council held a budget workshop while the township board moved their May 7 meeting up a week because of the upcoming election.
The township supervisor did make an effort to switch the meeting date again, but board conflicts with other possible dates prevented the move.
From what I could gather, the April 30th date was chosen for the Town Hall Meeting for two main reasons.
First, April is alcohol awareness month, so it seemed like the ideal month to hold such an event.
Even more importantly, the fifth Monday of a month is typically an open date, so organizers scheduled their event figuring to avoid such conflicts.
But Monday night, when Donnis Reese asked if any local government representatives were present, she was met by a deafening silence.
Hopefully our youth won’t be so quiet when they’re offered a drink for the first time.
***
Speaking of silence, it was a tough thing to find at the township board’s meeting on Monday.
Everyone’s favorite marina (with apologies to Orion Marine) was back on the agenda.
Trustee Matt Gibb spilled the beans and revealed that a tentative settlement was in place, calling for former state senator Mat Dunaskiss to be entitled to four docks (eight watercraft) on Pine Island.
Those board members in favor of the settlement said they had the township’s best interests in mind by avoiding further litigation in the matter.
Perhaps they are right about that. However, if they truly had the township’s best interests in mind, they would’ve sat down with Dunaskiss immediately after the story broke in this newspaper two years ago.
To be fair, the supervisor said he did try to meet with Dunaskiss about a year ago, but the former senator was not interested.
Dunaskiss, meanwhile, said he ‘wants to? and is ‘ready? to be a ‘good neighbor.?
Last time I checked, there wasn’t a switch you could just turn on for that type of thing. After years of hosting a television show, Mr. Rogers still asked ‘Please won’t you be my neighbor?? in a polite tone every day. Being a ‘good neighbor? takes years of effort and, as a politician, Dunaskiss should know that.
Instead he chose to go the legal route, turning a blind eye to the 400+ petitions his neighbors were signing (I’m sure he is a delightful man to live next door to, but I’m talking ‘big picture? here).
Here’s a suggestion: Dunaskiss estimates about a $5,000 a year haul from his little boat dock operation. If all 423 petitioners each put in $11.82, that would solve his financial woes on the property.
Hell, it’s cheaper than a library or safety path millage.

Longtime Review Editor Elaine Stieb occasionally passed on interesting and humorous items she received from our neighbor Kathy at State Farm.
In light of this weekend’s holiday, I found this e-mail from Kathy particularly relevant.
See if you remember any of these:
My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done: ‘If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.?
My mother taught me religion: ‘You better pray that will come out of the carpet.?
My mother taught me about time travel: ‘If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week.?
My mother taught me logic: ‘Because I said so, that’s why.?
My mother taught me more logic: ‘If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.?
My mother taught me irony: ‘Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.?
My mother taught me about the science of osmosis: ‘Shut your mouth and eat your supper.?
My mother taught me about contortions: ‘Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!?
My mother taught me about stamina: ‘You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.?
My mother taught me about weather: ‘This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.?
My mother taught me about hypocrisy: ‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate.?
My mother taught me about behavior modification: ‘Stop acting like your father.?
My mother taught me about envy: ‘There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.?
My mother taught me about anticipation: ‘Just wait until we get home.?
My mother taught me about receiving: ‘You’re going to get it when you get home.?
My mother taught me medical science: ‘If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.?
My mother taught me how to become an adult: ‘If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.?
My mother taught me genetics: ‘You’re just like your father.?
My mother taught me wisdom: ‘When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.?
And, last but not least, my mother taught me about justice: ‘One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.?

I don’t really have a problem with the growing trend of hyphenated last names. But I do wonder what people will think of them a few generations from now.
A few weeks ago, for example, I met a woman with a 10-letter last name who had married a man with a 12-letter last name and took his name in addition to hers.
That’s 23 characters if you count the hyphen. Good luck filling out all those ovals at the Secretary of State.
Her last name was a mouthful, but think of the quandary her great-grandson faces in about 75 years.
Let’s say, for example, that a fine, upstanding young gentleman from the Jingleheimer family marries a sharp, smart lass from the Schmidt family and they name their son John Jacob.
That’s not really a problem.
After all, there’s a good chance that whenever he goes out, the people will always shout.
I doubt, however, that they’re going to be chanting, ‘There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt-Kennedy-Fitzpatrick-McNamara-Mueller-Morris-Gingell-Dywasuk-Van Tassel-Lehman-Dunckley.? (Okay, I just threw those last few in to ‘localize? things a bit).
Anyway, I don’t really see a song in that name. And, keep in mind that Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is already taken (spell check said I got that one right).
At the end of the day, I’m grateful that my last name is Baumgartner.
Who would want to hyphenate that one?
While it would make you the perfect crazy candidate to join the family, I feel pretty certain that our family will remain hyphen-less for years to come.
***
Anyway, on to some more important issues…
This week, you’ll find a new feature, ‘The Real Deal,? which offers some insight into the world of real estate.
The column, which will appear periodically in The Review, is written by a pair of Lake Orion residents who work for a real estate company in Troy.
Agents Dave Geppert and Michelle Zarghami are also working in coordination with The Review on a new project you’ll be reading about in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, this weekend, be sure to get outside and enjoy all the great festivities that Orion Township has to offer. See this web edition for all the details and say ‘hello? to me when you’re out and about.

Mumbai, India ? strike that, Lake Orion ? Remember the T.V. show about the guy who got tomorrow’s newspaper on his doorstep and proceed to save someone’s life in every episode?
For two journalists in India, that scenario will now be a reality. Except for the ‘saving lives? part. And it’s a website as opposed to a real paper.
But, nevertheless, a Pasadena, California-based website, pasadenanow.com, will outsource the duties of its weekly city council meetings to journalists half a world away.
The Indian journalists will view the meetings over the Internet.
The time zone translation means that a 7 p.m. meeting will take place at 5:30 a.m., the next day, in India.
‘I think it could be a significant way to increase the quality of journalism on the local level without the expense that is a major problem for local publication,? pasadenanow.com publisher and editor James Macpherson told the Associated Press.
However, not everyone is a believer.
‘Nobody in their right mind would trust the reporting of people who not only don’t know the institutions, but aren’t even there to witness the events and nuances,? University of Southern California journalism professor and Pasadena resident Bryce Nelson said in the same AP article. ‘This is a truly sad picture of what American journalism could become.?
At The Review, we think this outsourcing is a great idea.
After all, what says community-based paper better than two reporters looking at a computer screen some 8,000 miles away?
We like to ask the hard-hitting questions at the end of every meeting, in person. Macpherson says e-mail and phone contact makes those conversations possible anytime, though I bet his savings in employment costs will be somewhat offset by the phone companies.
When an important issue comes to the township board or village council, we like to get all sides of the story, interviewing not only board or council members, but also the concerned residents that are involved and affected. Good luck with that in Mumbai.
Most importantly, if there’s ever an issue with something reported in these pages, readers know how to contact us and where to find us.
Globalization is an inevitable thing, I don’t doubt that. But communities aren’t going anywhere.
Last time I checked, you can’t spell local without the LO.
(With that last line, I think Sherman Publications might just put a job posting up on Monster.com in India.)

Monday marked the unofficial start to the summer season. Graduation is later this week and boats are already zooming across Orion’s many lakes.
The fireworks on Lake Orion are planned for Saturday, June 30, with the 2007 Lions Club July Jubilee set for June 28-30 in downtown LO.
All dates are pending approval by the Village Council.
A fundraiser for the fireworks will be held this weekend at the Orion Sports Bar (see ‘Happenings? for more details).
The Review is also one of the sponsors for ‘Concerts in the Park? (see this web edition for a full listing).
Enjoy the nice weather and our many great lakes. We’ll have features throughout the summer to remind you just why Orion Township is ‘Where living is like a vacation.?
And, as always, be safe everyone.
***
Speaking of graduation, next week The Review will feature a look at the top grads of 2007, in addition to pictures from Thursday’s Adult Education and Learning Options ceremony and Friday’s ceremony at Meadowbrook.
And be sure to check out our special section on June 13 devoted to the entire class of 2007.
***
In a column earlier this month, I called out some government officials for not stepping up to the plate in regards to the Town Hall Meeting/Community Coalition that’s examining the substance abuse situation among youth in Orion Township.
I’m pleased to report that some of our elected officials have shown a genuine concern.
Michelle Novak, the guidance counselor at Lake Orion High School, gave a presentation at the township board meeting on May 21.
Among Novak’s comments was a ‘thank you? to trustee John Steimel for attending a coalition meeting and helping to create their new mission statement.
Other board members showed a genuine interest in the coalition as well. The coalition meets again on June 4 at LOHS at 7 p.m.
***
Time to check the ol? e-mail inbox?
Got a few comments in the past couple weeks about my hyphenated last names column (from 5/16).
The purpose of the column was not to make light of an important movement in women’s rights. (In full disclosure, my mother’s last name serves as my middle name and my grandmother has a hyphenated last name from her second marriage. Both are much shorter than Baumgartner too!)
I think hyphenated names are just fine. I was simply inquiring about the etiquette involved when multiple hyphenated names procreate.
***
Last week, The Review ran a story on the success of the broadcasting class at Lake Orion High School.
It should be noted that class advisor Roger Smith was named a finalist for Advisor of the Year and, a few weeks prior, was awarded the honor of National Video Teacher of the Year by USA Today.
The reason this information was missing from the story last week: Smith didn’t bring it up in the interview, choosing instead to make the story about his students.
Smith was also named LOHS Teacher of the Year earlier this year.
Wrote one parent to The Review, ‘He has had such an influence on my student, and puts in so much passion and time into his classes and his program.’We can’t thank him enough.??

Editor’s note: Next week, I’ll examine what was a busy township board meeting in ‘The LO Down,? and Baumey’s Bounces will return to chime in on the great accomplishments of the LOHS girls? golf squad, as well as what’s looking like a deep playoff run for the baseball team.
In the meantime…
A few weeks ago, the township turned out in bunches to support the Relay for Life. This month, the fight against cancer in Lake Orion continues – with less walking to boot.
Heritage Spinning and Weaving will host their Third Annual Fiber Art Show and fundraiser Saturday through Thursday, with winners being announced on Friday evening, June 15, at 7 p.m.
All proceeds from the fundraiser go directly to support the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
All types of fiber arts are eligible for entry, including mixed media projects. Entries will be accepted through tomorrow at Heritage Spinning and Weaving, located at 47 E. Flint Street.
You can call them at (248)693-3690 for more information or visit www.heritagespinning.com
Projects can be entered into one or more of the eighteen categories, with a cost of $5 per item per category. Two prizes will be awarded for each category: one voter’s choice and one by the panel of impartial reviewers. A Best of Show award will be determined by the panel of judges.
Now, just because it might be too late to get started on an entry doesn’t mean you can’t still get involved.
The major portion of funds raised will come from votes for project submissions. Each vote costs 50 cents. Anyone in the community can vote for the projects they find most appealing, as many times as they wish, including multiple times for a single project. Voting will take place at the store from June 9-14.
There are a number of golf outings taking place this month to support great causes as well. A profile of some can be found in this week’s Lake Orion Review, and don’t forget to stay up to date with our ‘Happenings? section too!

By now, I’ve grown accustomed to the four-hour Orion Township board meeting.
But, as much as I’d rather be in bed when the marathon sessions are completed, I do appreciate the thoroughness which the board is attempting to allow to each issue.
Whether you agree with their recent actions or not, voters should at least appreciate their discussions that try to leave no stone unturned.
Over the past few months, the board has also had disagreements on several issues. I think that these disagreements are another positive, as they would tend to result in a larger portion of the voting population being accurately represented.
However, as good as I think these two things are, the board showed last week that you can have too much of a good thing.
Take one item that was moved from the consent agenda to the discussion portion last Monday:
Something as simple as appointing a citizen to the Parks & Recreation’s Advisory Committee took nearly about 20 minutes to discuss ? and the decision at the end: postponement.
The reason, according to some, was one member of the board playing politics with regards to his/her choice for the committee.
The disagreements they’ve had in recent months, particularly with regards to the forensic audit and investments investigation, the position of Assistant to the Supervisor, the Pine Island Marina and the Friendship Park debris dumping, look more and more like they are dividing the board rather than strengthening it.
I do think that this board, as currently configured, has many positive traits. Unfortunately, the recent attitudes and stances of at least one member (not to name names) leaves lots to be desired with an election year forthcoming.
It’s time for everyone to put their past differences behind them and move on in the best interests of the township.
The township, and each board member’s desire to see it succeed, was likely the reason they ran for elected office in the first place.
Some are upholding that desire to see Orion be the best it can be. Now, let’s hope they can encourage their fellow board members to see the light once again and do the same.

As the Dragons were accepting their regional medals and trophy two weeks ago after a dramatic comeback win, a parent close to the team asked if I was a reporter or a fan?
The question was not exactly a literal one, as the parent knew I was there covering the game for The Review. He just wanted to know, if after all these games, I truly remained unbiased and unmoved by the legend of the Dragons.
Reflecting on that question this past week, and in lieu of the team’s championship, I came to the conclusion that being the high and mighty journalist I am means upholding a creed that I shall be impartial no matter the situation.
After all, what is there to like about this team?
The coach, for example, has only been able to compile a .740 winning percentage (220-77) in his nine years. He spent an inordinate amount of time building up a youth baseball program in Orion, ignoring the statistics that kids don’t play baseball anymore.
Plus, this coach agreed to be on television with some schmuck and announce football and basketball games in what little spare time he has. Can a guy like that really be likeable?
Want some player examples of what not to like? How about the guy that hit in the winning RBI? He only knocked in the winning run three times in these playoffs, even though his team played a whopping seven playoff games. Three of seven is not even good for a Shaq at the free throw line.
Or, how about the player who thought his wrist was broken, only to come back eight days later a pitch a complete game shutout? Eight days seems like a long time to recover from a near wrist break to me.
Or, what about the other pitcher who took to the mound three times in just one week’s span from regionals through the title game? Couldn’t he have let someone else have a turn to throw?
Or, take one player, who, after four years of playing three sports at Lake Orion, knew all he had to do, in the final moments of his final game, was somehow advance 90 feet from first base to second, and his teammates would do the rest.
Even though he realized all of that, it still took three pitches (which included five unsuccessful pickoff attempts and one pitch-out) for him to finally steal that base. On the very next play, he was a champion.
It turns out, they all are.
From Coach Andy Schramek to Nick Dunstan to Connor Mielock to Josh Deeg to Joe Barnes. Every one of them.
From silky-smooth shortstop Ross Tonyan to catcher Jake Gaudard to closer Jon Ruggeri. From outfielders like Mike Musary, Matt Truscott and Brandon Riggsbee to pitchers like Matt Thomas. From All-State football stars like Chris Lum all the way down to first-year varsity baseball players like Andy Mosier, Erick Knoblock, Drew Ordakowski, Vinnie Booker and Brandon Oaks.
They’re all Division I state baseball champions for 2007.
Aside from their blonde hair, the bottom line is that it’s impossible not to like this team.
If that makes me a bad journalist, so be it.
I’d rather be a fan.

The Michigan State Legislature and Governor Granholm are considering adding a new tax on tickets to sporting events, shows, concerts and movies in the state.
According to some estimates, the tax would amount to $100 million per year. It is being called a ‘Luxury Tax,? but some opponents prefer the phrase ‘Ticket Tax.?
One opponent of the tax was kind enough to send me an e-mail last week, letting me know of their displeasure. Perhaps you’re familiar with the work of a little operation called Ticketmaster.
It just so happens that I bought some tickets from them last week.
Ticketmaster does not want us poor taxpayers to have to pay an additional 6% on our tickets. Or at least they don’t want us to pay them to someone not named Ticketmaster.
My $29.50 ticket to an upcoming concert had an additional $8.95 ‘Convenience Charge? attached to it, among other charges.
Keep in mind, I bought these tickets at a Ticketmaster location, not through the Internet.
There is no convenience quite like driving five miles out of your way to the nearest location, and then finding said location closed during typical business hours, forcing you to go back later in the day.
Internet buyers usually have to pay a fee to have their tickets mailed to them too, or even to pick them up at will call.
But Ticketmaster thinks we should be grateful to them for leading the charge against this new tax. After all, they don’t charge a ‘Finder’s Fee? for their tickets.
Yet.
Oops.
Whether you have a vested interest in this new tax possibility or not, the word of Ticketmaster shouldn’t mean a whole lot.
Perhaps Ticketmaster and the owners of some of our area sports teams and movie theaters should consider actually doing something for the patrons that spend their hard-earned (and usually already taxed) money to keep them in business.
Wouldn’t it be nice if some of the billionaire owners, whose teams play in publicly funded stadiums, might at least consider bearing the brunt of this potential tax?
I’ll pretend I can’t hear their collective laughter from here.
***
Stealing a line from my dad last week in the wake of media members referring to Justin Verlander’s no-hitter as a ‘no-no.?
‘Who came up with that term?? he asked. ‘A no-no is when a child poops in his pants. A no-hitter is what you try to do in baseball.?
***
As you enjoy the fireworks on Saturday night, keep in mind why they’re called fireworks (at least according to my friend Nat, back when we were still allowed to call him Natty).
‘I know why they’re called fireworks,? the youngster said. ‘Because they’re fire and they work.?

There have probably been many times over the years when you’ve opened your Lake Orion Review and wondered, ‘Why didn’t they notice this??
Just last week, for example, I created a new word in the headline for the specail performance the OAC is sponsoring with the Blue Lakes Exchange Program.
(If you still don’t know what error I’m referring to, perhaps you can join me in a specail spelling class sometime.)
The truth is, we notice everything ? a large percentage of which is noticed before we actually go to print. Perhaps, someday, we’ll release our unedited version, often referred to as The Lak Onion Revue.
This week, we even noticed that our pages are three inches smaller, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ve noticed it too. (Unless, of course, you’re reading our web-edition, in which case those typos usually get fixed and there’s a very strong chance your computer screen isn’t three inches smaller than it was last time you read this paper. (Unless, of course, you’ve somehow logged on to www.lakonionrevue.com, in which case all bets are off.))
Yet, in spite of our reduced size, I’m using this space today to inform you, our dedicated reader, that we will pack even more into The Review than ever before.
In addition to our snazzier look, we are adding two new features, one online and one in print.
Online visitors (remember, that’s www.lakeorionreview.com, not the previous listed address) will now find our ‘Happenings? section at their fingertips, and, in an effort to become more interactive, we encourage readers to add their own upcoming event using our ‘Reader Feedback? link. We’ll add your event to our print edition and leave it in both editions until the day of said event.
In our hardcopy edition, we will unveil a new feature on Page Four next week called ‘The Update.? This item was inspired by many readers who have called me at the office the past few weeks for the latest news on some ongoing issues in the community.
The goal of ‘The Update,? is to inform readers of the latest developments in these ongoing stories, without getting into all of the unnecessary back story. But don’t worry, we’ll provide a website keyword, so you can log onto our site and get any and all information from our past stories on the subject.
And, as always, if you have any ideas on how to make this paper better, e-mail (lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net) or call (248-693-8331) anytime. In the meantime, we’ll continue to offer the best coverage you can find of Lake Orion, every week.
Look, I even noticed that I’m out of room on this page, so it’s time to wrap-up my col-

Being in a spot where ‘living is like a vacation,? it seems only natural that we would encounter a number of people coming to Orion Township strictly for vacation purposes.
Naturally, we welcome these visitors with open arms. Most of them, in fact, fit in swimmingly with the rest of us.
Sometimes, this makes it difficult to differentiate between a resident of Orion and a visitor to Orion.
If you ever find yourself in such a pickle, keep in mind that a true ‘Orionite? would never utter the following phrases:
‘No, it’s pronounced Or-I-un, just like Orion’s Belt.?
‘There were hardly any boats on the lake this weekend.?
‘You know what this downtown needs? A Mexican restaurant.?
‘Those people from Clarkston seemed nice.?
‘I looked, but I just couldn’t find a hair salon anywhere.?
‘That township board meeting shouldn’t take too long.?
‘There are potholes on East Clarkston Road? I didn’t notice.?
‘This Jim Delevan guy must really like to pay taxes.?
‘That football team sure seems like it could use a few more players.?
‘I wish there was just a little more traffic on M-24.?
‘This LO Down writer is hilarious.?
***
In the past couple of weeks, The Review has started to feature ‘In-depth? stories, which takes a look at items of interest to the community.
Upcoming ‘In-depth? reports include a look at the dangers of identity theft and Orion’s 2008 election season.
***
Continuing with our theme of offering more for less, our Monday and Friday online updates are back by popular demand this week. Get the latest news as well as some occasional mini-editorials from our staff on a variety of local and relevant national items.
And, as usual, any time big news breaks around here, www.lakeorionreview.com is the first place to turn for all you need to know.
***
The LO Down is pleased to announce that it will be moving to the sports page on the third week of each month to allow ‘Write or Wrong? some space on Page 6.
As always, let us know what you think of our editorials by e-mailing us at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net.

There’s not a whole lot of newsworthy stuff that goes on at the end of a meeting.
For one, the members leading the meeting are usually ready to be done with it.
On top of that, those there to report on the facts have dozed off long ago.
Wait, strike that. (I’ll edit it out later)
So, imagine my surprise earlier this month when Trustee Matt Gibb, a lawyer by trade, went on a short diatribe against the notion of an executive session ? at least where one issue, the village/township dispatch agreement, is concerned.
Not only was I awake for his comments, I even recorded them!
‘I believe that all of that stuff should be discussed in public,? Gibb said before their executive session. ‘All the good folks who watch and come deserve to know what the heck is going on.?
Gibb said the dispatch situation was being discussed in private because it was ‘under the guise? of an attorney’s opinion.
A few months ago, my colleague at the Oxford Leader, CJ Carnacchio penned his own column railing against the frequent practice of executive sessions? ‘Closed sessions are more about hiding things from the public eye than protecting anyone’s right to privacy. When you work for the government, you should have no right to privacy where your job is concerned. Every action you take and every public dime you spend should be open to scrutiny.?
The fact that a member of the board was wanting to discuss an item in public was a breath of fresh air. It also might have stopped some of the posturing in the media.
Yeah, I said it, the dreaded ‘M-word.?
Members of both the township board and village council have been very forthcoming with information on the dispatch issue in spite of the closed-door discussions. They didn’t get into details that were ‘privileged,? but I know enough to know that when an elected official has the ‘it’s an issue we’re discussing in executive session? card and doesn’t use it, something fishy is going on.
At the end of the day, the dispatch issue took about eight months to resolve, and it showed that there is a strain on the village/township relationship that needs to be examined and worked out.
And fixing said relationship is something that even the legal counsel on both sides (from the same firm, nonetheless) can’t help with.
This time, however, with the help of their attorneys, the two sides did come to an agreement and their working relationship will continue.
For now.

At The Lake Orion Review we often receive over 100 e-mails a day.
Typically, less than a quarter of those e-mails are relative to the community and, thus, our readers. A majority of what comes in is filtered by our bulk folder, which means it is ‘suspected spam.?
One day last week, I wrote down some of the best subject lines from our bulk e-mail. Among them were the following?
‘SOLD OUT! We selling branded watches like. Rolex. Patek Omega. Do you want one??
‘Thank you, we accepted your loan request?
‘BE$T $P$R$I$C$ES$ for MS?
‘YOUR EMAIL HAS WON ? 850,000.00?
What’s amazing about this list is that we never requested a loan, nor did we enter the ‘UK National Lottery? ? the sender of the last e-mail listed.
Most people know not to open these e-mails and, if they do, are smart enough to realize they’re not getting the winnings of a lottery that they didn’t enter.
But Alcona County Treasurer Thomas Katona, 56, fell for a similar con, the Nigerian ?419? scam (so named after a section of the Nigerian penal code because many scams originate in the West African country).
The scam usually starts with an e-mail saying that the sender has come into a large sum of money. The fraudster wants help laundering or obtaining the funds and promises the recipient a piece of the action for help.
This ‘help? comes in the form of sending money ? a lower amount to the fraudster in return for a big payday later.
How does that saying go about something being ‘too good to be true??
(The Review’s e-mail got an identical request from ‘Barrister Abid Amin? just last week.)
Anyway, Katona, now the former Alcona County treasurer, spent over $70,000 of his own money and over $1 million in county funds. He’ll spend at least the next few years in prison after pleading guilty in June to multiple felonies.
The Northern Michigan county, meanwhile, has discussed cutting library funding, EMS service and a sheriff’s deputy, among many other things, to make up for their loss.
Katona was allegedly warned by bank officials of the scam along the way, but didn’t realize it for himself until he was overseas waiting for a meeting with his Nigerian ‘friend? that was never going to take place.
His tale shows how even people we perceive to be smart, like elected officials (insert joke here), can fall victim to these scams.
And Katona’s mistake is almost laughable, because the Nigerian scam is years old and a vast majority of scammers are five years ahead of the curve as opposed to five years behind it.
Millions of Americans, including dozens here in Orion Township, will fall victim to some sort of identity theft/fraud in the next year.
That’s why, if you read anything in this newspaper this year, it should be our In-Depth look at this subject, located in this web edition.
Then send me $10 and I’ll give you ?20 later.

Need something to fill the void now that you’ve finished the Harry Potter series?
Then I’d recommend the Forensic Audit of Orion Township Investments, as completed by The Whall Group.
I had the pleasure of reading said report for the second and third times last week while on vacation. (Our in-depth report on the matter can be found on Page 1.)
At my favorite vacation spot (which shall remain as known as the vice president’s ‘undisclosed location?) a sign on the bathroom wall notes that their septic tank has ‘limited digestion.?
After much thought, I’ve decided that ‘limited digestion? is the same feeling I have now for this investments issue, which our paper has been covering since before I came on board in 2005.
The big report became public in early March. But The Review decided to wait on our report of the report until The Whall Group gave their formal presentation at a township meeting.
That presentation, however, has not been given and at least one member of the board said The Whall Group had no desire to present to a board that was in such disarray.
The Review has learned that the weekly meetings between the supervisor, clerk and treasurer have not taken place for ‘months,? though the clerk and treasurer say they still meet and would welcome the supervisor to join them.
The investments issue is undoubtedly the cause of this disjointed state.
It also can be blamed, in part, for the decision not to contract with the assistant to the supervisor, Jill Verros, who is now suing the township, along with the clerk and treasurer.
As the report notes, a previous legal opinion from the township attorney calls the issue ‘potentially bad publicity.?
It’s actually much more than that. It’s bad for the entire township.
‘From the hiring of the Treasurer’s daughter-in-law as an investment advisor who wound up earning unauthorized yet significant commissions, to the Board authorizing investments not approved per the investment policy, to the Supervisor and Clerk signing an agreement without bond authority?? the opinion reads.
It appears that somewhere along the line, everybody screwed up.
Everybody.
A few board members coming out and simply saying, ‘sorry, I made a mistake,? could have saved the taxpayers of Orion Township over $26,000.
But ‘taking the blame? is something that happens far too little in politics these days.
And, in this case, the Orion Township board proved they were no different than the rest.
The nearly two-year fallout that resulted is a mess I wouldn’t wish on the biggest of septic tanks.

Trivia time?
Since the year 2000, what team has the best record against the Dragons?
Got it? Good. Ok, what team has the second best record?
Easy enough, right?
Chances are many of you thought the answer to the first question was Clarkston, and if you were smart enough to realize the correct response was Rochester Adams, you likely answered Clarkston for the second question (whose answer is actually Farmington Hills Harrison).
While no rival in these parts can compare to Clarkston on the gridiron, the Dragons clearly have some other budding rivalries.
Or should I say had?
Because of realignment in the Oakland Activities Association, Lake Orion will no longer face either Harrison or Adams in league play (though the Dragons will host Adams in a crossover game on Sept. 7).
The conference’s ‘big four? were split into the OAA’s Red and Blue divisions in an effort to balance the conference and give more teams a legitimate shot at postseason action.
Teams that joined Lake Orion, Clarkston, Harrison and Adams in the OAA I the past few seasons (also known as the ‘also rans?), had to beat at least one of the four and not slip up against the remainder of their schedule just the reach the magic 6-win mark that qualifies teams for the playoffs.
By splitting the four teams into the two divisions the task for the other teams, like Troy, Athens, Groves, Rochester and West Bloomfield, is much less daunting.
But for the top four teams and their fans, which rarely have to concern themselves with winning fewer than six games, the switch means a much weaker schedule.
That’s right, Lake Orion outscored their opponents by 224 points last year in league action and their schedule just got weaker. Go figure.
‘We’re playing some unknowns, but we really don’t care,? Coach Chris Bell. ‘We’ll line up and play who we play.?
Let’s hope that ‘unknown? doesn’t translate into ‘unexciting? football as Lake Orion, Clarkston and seven other teams (Happy, Dopey, Grumpy, wait? I mean Bloomfield Hills Lasher, Oak Park, Pontiac Northern, Royal Oak, Troy, Troy Athens and West Bloomfield) will now fight for the coveted ‘Red? crown.
***
The penultimate game
Though less might have been at stake, there is no doubt in my mind that the buzz and atmosphere surrounding the Clarkston/LO regular season game was greater than the playoff rematch.
That’s likely because it is so rare to have two 8-0 teams meet for a league title in the final week of the regular season.
Much like the Michigan/Ohio State game that wraps up the Big 10 schedule, the Clarkston/LO game always has league title implications.
For some reason, however, that game will not close out the OAA Red slate this year, as the rivals will meet a week earlier.
‘I know that they’re (Clarkston) disappointed and we’re disappointed as well,? Bell said. ‘Why that happened I have no idea.?
Lake Orion will host West Bloomfield in week nine.
Imagine if the Big 10 did such a stupid thing? ‘Michigan tops Ohio State, will play Northwestern for league title.?
If it ain’t broke?
***
On the road again
The scheduling changes also mean that the traditional rotation of home games one year being away games the next (and vice versa) is not in effect from last year to this year.
Thus, the Dragons will travel to Clarkston again this year, while fans are treated to another dose of home games with Adams and West Bloomfield.
Another trip to Clarkston certainly won’t deter the Dragons.
‘Home field advantage hasn’t meant much in that rivalry recently,? Bell noted.
The Dragons were 5-0 on the road last year and outscored their opponents by 154 points (compared to 5-1 at home and a plus-126).
The bottom line is that if you were hoping to join the OAA, I’d shoot for the Blue division.

No, this is not a promo for an upcoming episode of Law & Order (though that Sam Waterston is really dreamy).
What I’m doing here is simply offering some thoughts on a few stories in this week’s Lake Orion Review. Consider it a supplement to the fine reading you’ve already accomplished this week…
‘The bus doesn’t stop here? (Page 1)
Sometimes in this business, you come across stories where everybody is right and the end result is not.
The parents seeking a drop-off at the club feel like they have no where else to turn, but the district doesn’t want to open a Pandora’s Box that would lead to tons of new drop-off requests. They are right to follow the ‘rules and regulations.?
I do believe the club is a great after-school environment, especially given the mix of ages that attend. But with the start of the school year just days away, the parents are really backed into a corner.
Some of the parents signing the petition feel like the district purposely avoided a response on the issue. The district says that’s simply not true and Jillynn Keppler said anyone with a concern about the issue can contact her directly at the administrative offices.
***
‘Gas boats likely gone on Square Lake? (Page 1)
Many of the residents on the lake say this situation was handled badly, and they expressed sincere apologies to their new neighbors that were unaware of the ‘gentleman’s agreement? not to use gas-powered motors on the lake.
Like the previous story it seems like a little bit of communication would have gone a long way.
***
And, while we’re on the topic of communication, it appears that the regular meetings between the township supervisor, clerk and treasurer are back on.
In this space, just two weeks ago, I wrote: ‘The Review has learned that the weekly meetings between the supervisor, clerk and treasurer have not taken place for ‘months,? though the clerk and treasurer say they still meet and would welcome the supervisor to join them.?
There was a meeting this past Monday that the supervisor called ‘positive.?
And everyone says the media is all ‘negative.? Ha.
***
Finally, I must agree with Don Rush (see Page 7) that the Dream Cruise just isn’t my cup of tea.
I like cars just fine. I rely on them to get me to and from work. My Hot Wheels collection was my most prized item as a youngster. I could go on.
But, when you live just a block from the dang thing it gets a little…cough…old. I’d write more about it except…cough… the exhaust is out to get me…cough.

Township officials are correct to proceed cautiously regarding a claim that one of their department heads has been involved in some serious improper activity (see story in this web edition).
But they would be equally correct to move swiftly in the coming days and weeks to bring the matter to a conclusion.
Some recent issues have tended to linger with the current board. This should not be another one.
Both the department head and the contracted employee would benefit from a quick resolution in the matter, no matter the decision.
As always, we’ll keep you updated.
***
Officials and teachers in the Lake Orion Community Schools district should take the staff editorial that appears in this web edition as a challenge.
Orion can be better, in every aspect of our community, not just education. If we’re not unified on that front, then not only will we fail in getting better, we’ll just plain fail.
***
At least we know we’re better in math than Oak Park?
After scoring a touchdown and trailing by 10 points in with just over five seconds left, the Knights decided not to go for two points (which could have narrowed the deficit to eight points, or one more TD + 2 point conversion).
Keep in mind that Oak Park had gone for two points on every other touchdown.
Most avid football fans know that about 75-percent of the time, coaches go for two when it is not really mathematically necessary.
This was not one of those times.
When approached about the decision afterwards, Lake Orion Coach Chris Bell simply shrugged.
Sure, Oak Park would’ve not only had to complete the conversion attempt, but then recover an onside kick, score a miraculous touchdown (likely on a play of about 50 yards) and then convert another conversion ? just to tie.
Unlikely to say the least, but unlikely is usually better than impossible.
Keep those math scores up LO!

Next week, Orion Township will have their Truth-in-Budgeting public hearing on the proposed 2008 budget (see brief in this web edition).
As the board puts the finishing touches on next year’s budget, we thought it would be helpful to offer some of the following ‘must-have? inclusions to their list…
–Blankets and pillows for anyone attempting to stay to the end of a board meeting: $50.
–A magic 8-Ball to resolve any agenda item that takes longer than 30 minutes to conclude: $9.95.
–A stipened for the Baldwin Road widening project, to ensure that the $25M+ project gets done by the year 3000: $10-15.
–Reclining chairs for meeting-goers: $499 (they would prove useful considering the new addition of pillows and blankets).
–Lakefront property with which to operate a new marina: $999,999 (but that price pales in comparison to what could be earned back!).
–A kickback for all the recent positive press: undisclosed.
–The ‘How to get along with your colleagues? newsletter: FREE (just visit http://careerplanning.about.com, and disregard the link that reads ‘How to annoy your co-workers,? that one seems to have been mastered already).
***
The Review is pleased to announce the addition of yet another feature, in our continued efforts to offer the most complete and up-to-date coverage of everything Orion.
Starting this week, we will add a continuously updated feature to this website that will include news and notes, in addition to some commentary from our staff and the public.
Be sure to check out ‘Under Review? on our site and feel free to add your comments to the fray.
Just send your thoughts to us via e-mail at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net and we’ll get them posted on the site as soon as possible.
‘Under Review? will be updated many times throughout the week, and occasionally multiple times a day. And, as always, if any ‘big news? breaks, we’ll have the full story up in no time!

A number of township residents unable to attend the Sept. 11 Patriot’s Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial contacted The Review in the past couple of weeks to find out what they missed.
As such, we were generously forwarded Chief Jerry Narsh’s speech from the event and are happy to share an exerpt from it with those that missed the event.
For those that were in attendance, might I suggest reading it again anyway…
“We Americans are not experienced in celebrating this day.
“Unlike solemn remembrances like Veterans Day and Memorial Day, there is no established tradition for commemorating it.
“In the attacks On September 11, 2001, citizens of over 90 countries perished on American soil. It was an attack not against a people, so much as an attack on our principals – our freedom.
“Freedom is the birthright of every American. And once again in our nation’s history we are forced to understand that freedom isn’t free. The price of freedom is measured in human sacrifice.
“Although the events of that day awakened a deeper sense of patriotism in all of us, I believe that because the memories of that day and our emotions about it remain so fresh and so unsettled, that we face them without a full understanding of their meaning.
“While the parallels are not perfect, September 11 has become another ‘Day of Infamy? for successor generations, a day of uncommon loss, yet also a day of uncommon valor.
“The heroic sacrifices of our firefighters, police officers, emergency medical responders, military service members and other citizens have inspired our nation to a sense of unity, focus and strength.
“A ‘patriot? loves his country and is willing to lay down his life for it.
“As the events that unfolded inside an airliner over Pennsylvania became known to the world, when regular Americans, like you and me took action to refuse the terrorists their victory, we learned and witnessed that adversity does not create heroes, it reveals them.”

It is upon us.
There is little doubt that the election season of the next 13 months is critical. One need only look at some of the headlines in the last few issues of this ‘community? paper to figure that out.
Strikes. Car accidents. Budgets.
Believe it or not, there are better stories out there for us to write, and we would much rather write them.
We can only hope that the debates at every level of government in the coming year will center on the issues, and subsequent solutions, with actions to follow.
On the local level, The Village of Lake Orion is coming off of an election in which we struggled to eclipse a seven-percent turnout at the polls.
That’s an appalling number showing a lack of interest in local government, a failure to support the matters that the council faces, or both.
Rumors are swirling across the township regarding potential interest in positions on the board, yet the filing date for township board positions is still many months away.
Nine to be exact.
Has the politicking already begun?
We could speculate that all of the recent out of order comments and bickering between board members have, in part, been ploys to set themselves up for next November.
We could speculate that something strange went on before last week’s council meeting, preventing what seemed like it would be a simple ascension for a longtime council member to the position of president.
We could speculate, but that would be irresponsible on our part.
So, instead, we’ll just promise. We’ll promise to keep an eye on the politicking and call out those choosing to play it.
Last week, I heard County Commissioner and former Oxford Trustee Brad Jacobsen refer to his elected positions not as political ones, but rather as community service.
It’s time for our elected officials, particularly at the local level, to remember that.
There’s no need for games right now, there’s a need for leadership.
And like everywhere else, Orion needs it too.

Want to go to the Boys & Girls Club in Lake Orion?
It’s a great hangout for local kids, offering fun activities and encouraging students to do their homework, of all things.
The funny thing is, they actually have success in accomplishing this goal (see “Clubopoly” in this web edition).
The problem for many families in the community is not what the club offers, but rather how to get their student there safely.
The school district will not put a bus drop-off at the club, primarily because it is not a licensed day care facility, meaning it doesn’t meet their ‘rules and regulations.?
But to many parents, 39 of which submitted a petition to the district over the summer, this answer isn’t good enough. A story appeared in our Aug. 22 edition.
The issue was not a problem when the club was located downtown, and students could be dropped off at a nearby location.
Now, the club is located on Waldon Road, not near any other stop. A Waldon Lakes Apartments drop-off is the nearest one, and that’s not entirely safe, according to some parents that submitted a Letter to the Editor last week.
Both sides make a good argument.
Unfortunately, the status quo isn’t really a solution. Not for a school district that cares about its students? safety and not for parents that rely on the club.
Logistically, I understand it would be impossible to change anything in the middle of a semester, and I know the school district doesn’t want to open a Pandora’s Box and have to deliver students to anything that’s considered a ‘club.?
So here’s a thought. Give the community an open call until the holiday break that reads like this?
Any group/club/location that currently does not have a drop-off in the Lake Orion Community Schools can obtain one should they submit a petition signed by parents of at least 50 students that would be using the drop-off site.
Petitions received by the holiday break will be acted on for the second semester.
I have a hard time believing the district would receive more than one entry on the issue
And, if gas costs are a concern, the parents at the Boys & Girls Club have already offered to chip in.
One side appears willing to work something out. Now is the time to meet them halfway.
You can even take the bus to get there.

Ok, reflection time is over.
It’s Jan. 2, after all, and that means it’s time to look ahead.
At The Review, our New Year’s resolution is simple: To bring you even more of the best local coverage that you’ve grown accustomed to.
In 2008, we’ll be bringing you Lake Orion Review news and notes in even more mediums (stay tuned for announcements on that).
Our website will continue to offer news and sports as it breaks, as well as more photo galleries (with your help) in the coming year.
And our hardcopy edition will have more features than ever. Starting next week, you’ll see some student voices in the paper, for example.
Speaking of ‘voices,? we’ll continue to sprinkle in a variety of guest columnists in our pages (you can read Bill Kalmar’s resolutions and the latest Science of Financial Health online now).
A new feature to this page will start next week called ‘And another thing?? which will be a brief staff commentary on a local issue. Sometimes it will be light and humorous (we hope), and other times it will be hard hitting and unafraid to call a local figure out.
Our most important goal for 2008, though, is to remain committed to your needs. This is your paper, and we still need your help.
Send us your story ideas. It’s simple really, all you have to do is pick up a phone — (248)693-8331 — or type an e-mail — lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net — or visit our website — lakeorionreview.com — or stop by — 30 N. Broadway.
We’re here to stay, and we want to hear what you have to say.
***
We asked for ways to make our public safety page better and you responded. Some liked the new fresh look, while others preferred the way it had always been done.
So here’s what we’re going to do…
We will not cut content (we never have). No news from the police and fire departments is too small for us.
Some news, however, requires more than one short sentence to explain. So, for certain events in our log, you might see a longer entry. If you don’t care about that event, just read the first sentence and move on.
It’s another way that we’re bringing you more, without taking anyting away.

When I was growing up, my family didn’t have cable TV. Somehow, we managed to survive — and I still managed to watch my fair share of small screen programming.
Now that I have cable, my television watching is at an all-time high, and while I admit that most of what I watch is useless, at least one thing isn’t: local access channels.
Here in Orion, cable viewers have access to a very good array of local programming? That is, at least, for another week.
A recent decision by a well-known cable conglomerate (whose name rhymes with Comcast? oh, wait? never mind) to move all of its local channels from numbers like 10, 20 and 22 to easier to remember channels like 916, 915 and 902, will change all of that beginning next Tuesday.
Forgive me if I have some bias against this company to begin with.
First off is their endless supply of terrible commercials that invade my TV a minimum of every three minutes.
Then there’s the brilliant decision that instead of carrying the new Big Ten Network, they would instead air an equally endless supply of radio spots explaining how worthless that network is (an advertising effort that probably cost as much as carrying the network in the first place).
Fortunately, the company hasn’t yet invaded the newspaper industry, or at least this paper. And even more fortunate, for me anyway, is the fact that I don’t live in a community monopolized by Comcast (I mean ‘this company?).
But wait, help is on the way. So that everyone can get to channels in the 900-range, Comcast is providing free converter boxes for one year. They say the boxes will cost $50 a year after that.
Orion Neighborhood Television Executive Director Diane Griffiths said they hope to start web-streaming in 2008, so that viewers will have another way to access programs on the PEG channels (Public, Education, Government),
Let’s face it, though, not everyone can afford to spend another $50/year for cable, or are technologically savvy enough to watch online.
Meanwhile, I haven’t heard any announcement from Comcast to put their ‘Comcast Local? programming in the 900-range.
The bottom line is that the cable industry is so centered around their desire to turn a profit, they’ve forgotten why some viewers turned to them in the first place.

If and when the township goes forward with their big public safety complex, one thing is for sure: they botched the beginning of it.
Blame belongs equally to those board members who pushed the project forward, ignoring some obvious points that needed addressing, and those who waited until now to truly voice their concerns.
The result is that the township has an agreement with Plante & Moran’s CRESA group to serve as project manager for a project that some say was never given the green light.
Here’s a timeline of CRESA’s involvement in the project. Can you guess what ‘CRESA? stands for along the way?
Could Really be Exposed Sans Advisors: The board decided that they needed CRESA to oversee a project of this scope and voted 5-2 to hire the group back in early October. That agreement calls for the township to pay a monthly fee of $7,500, plus expenses.
CRESA has done some work on the project since then, including a presentation at a Nov. 5 public hearing on the complex, but has not been able to do anything since the board’s Dec. 17 meeting.
At that meeting, the board voted to postpone action on the complex for 30 days, without any mention of what CRESA should be doing in the interim — meaning they’ve been getting paid for doing nothing.
Can’t Remember Ever Signing Agreement: Trustee Matt Gibb, who along with Treasurer Alice Young voted against the CRESA hire in the first place, asked in December when the go-ahead was given on the project.
Gibb said he still had several questions on the matter and noted that the hire of the CRESA group did not mean the board was in agreement to build a new complex.
Last week, Gibb said his biggest concerns included where the money was coming from, how the complex would fit in the township’s long-term plans and how the township would utilize space created by moving the departments involved.
The board set a special work session for Saturday, Jan. 26, which will involve the CRESA group.
Cash Removal Evokes Some Anger: So CRESA will continue to get paid by the township for their work, or lack thereof, until they are given direction by the board.
Gibb is correct to bring up these concerns (and the board would be wise to follow his lead), but, to me, bringing them up in early January doesn’t seem as effective as bringing them up in October would have been.
Gibb voted against the hire of CRESA then, however he didn’t state his reasons for that vote as eloquently then as he did last week.
I would be shocked if the board ultimately didn’t go forward with the complex. If they don’t, though, the township would be out at least $30,000.
And I can’t say that the $30,000 they will have paid CRESA by February will have been money well spent, given CRESA’s current duties of sitting on their assets (‘t? optional).
For the record, CRESA actually stands for Corporate Real Estate Service Advisors. And the board would be wise to use their services or get rid of them, not just pay them.

Yes, I’m aware that it’s January. And that there’s lingering snow on the ground. And that the temperatures are lower than my handicap.
(Though that last statement is usually true regardless of the temperature.)
But the golf world made national headlines last week, in pretty much the only way the golf world can, for an issue that has little to do with the sport itself.
Two weeks ago, Kelly Tilghman, an anchor for the Golf Channel used the word ‘lynch? when making a commentary regarding Tiger Woods and his competition.
Tilghman, who admittedly was just trying to be clever and was not making a literal statement, was rightfully suspended for her inappropriate comment.
The real travesty came a week later, when Golfweek magazine did a cover story on the issue that included a noose and a subtitle ‘Tilghman slips up, and Golf Channel can’t wriggle free.?
The cover idea was bad enough that I’m not going to give them any publicity by placing an image of it in this column.
It was bad taste to say the least, but it’s not what had me upset.
Golfweek rightfully fired their editor last Friday over the Jan. 19 cover. Their publishing company rightfully apologized, too.
On the surface, they appeared to take the proper steps.
Consider, though, that their website undoubtedly received a record number of hits last week. I suspect that in the long run they’ll hardly take a hit big enough in their 160,000 subscription base to outweigh the publicity gains from the issue.
At least half of you reading this column right now, for example, hadn’t heard of Golfweek magazine two minutes ago. I suppose, I’m only adding fuel to the fire.
The point is that I always thought the printed word, in a journalistic sense, took on greater meaning than what is heard on the radio or, to a slightly lesser degree, television. Even for somewhat trivial publications like Golfweek.
We’ve avoided running pictures of families grieving around a casket, gruesome car accidents or anything morally reprehensible like a noose in the past year because of it. Nor have we or will we offer our opinions here without a strong basis or a suggestion for improvement the next time around.
I chose this business for a reason. And we’ll continue to do our best to uphold its standards — even if others in the industry take tabloid-like positions in an attempt to make an extra buck.

Last week, I was asked why the issue of JoAnn Van Tassel’s firing continues to find its way into these editorial pages.
And, so, the subject makes one more (perhaps its final) trip into a column offering a new-fangled point of view.
It’s been said here before that the council’s handling of the situation should raise eyebrows among those now vying for the village manager’s position. Perhaps it should also ease those candidates to some degree.
Over the years, Van Tassel’s personality has been described as many things, but never as ‘weak.?
As a longtime township supervisor, she was a seasoned political vet when she started as interim manager back in 1999. Ever since then, it’d be hard to argue that Van Tassel hasn’t been the strongest player within the village boundaries.
That is, until last November.
Two months later, it’s time to look at the village council in a new light.
They took the heat for the handling of the issue. That’s a task that, for previous councils, would’ve fallen on the shoulders of the village manager to handle.
It appears that this incarnation of the village council is willing to step into the spotlight a little more.
And that’s not a bad thing.
After all, it’s the council that is elected and the manager that is appointed ? so it’s the council that should put their necks out on the line.
This council did that in the case of firing Van Tassel. They’ll do so again when they choose a new manager in the next month-and-a-half.
I’ve slammed members of the council for how they handled the matter, but I have to give them credit for their willingness to handle it in the first place.
It’s a new era in the Village of Lake Orion? One where council will not only take responsibility for their actions, but also one where they appear ready and willing to act.
‘Times have changed and we’re going to move forward as a council,? proclaimed President Rob Reetz at the end of Monday’s meeting.
It is, indeed, time to move forward.

There were many familiar faces, and plenty of masked ones at last Saturday’s Snowflake Ball.
It was my first trip to the annual Orion Art Center event, but, if I can help it, it won’t be my last.
As a member of the press, it’s my job to find something wrong and elaborate on it here, but I simply can’t.
Kudos to all involved with the planning and execution. See more details on this week’s back page.
***
The eagle has landed.
Our office has received multiple calls and e-mails in the past few months from readers with bald eagle sightings on various lakes across Orion and over Friendship Park.
Some have supplied us with photos. Given the weather lately, however, it’s hard to get very close.
We’ve supplied one of those photos here, but we’re asking for more. Call us with your sighting news or send proof to lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net (or stop by our office at 30 N. Broadway).
***
About as quickly as a few readers complimented us on some of our stories last week, a few others expressed some anger.
We know we can’t please everyone every week, but we’ll keep trying. The important thing is that we know, from you, what works and what doesn’t.
We’ve said it before (and we’ll probably say it again): This is your paper? So let us know how to make it better.
Please speak up!
***
‘And Another Thing? remains on vacation. It will return next week.
So will Jim’s Jottings.
Plus, we’ll unveil a new movie critic that you won’t want to miss!

A few weeks ago, after one of our larger winter storms, my retired neighbor (equipped with a snow blower, while I was not) helped me clear snow from the driveway and sidewalk.
It’s not out of character for my neighbor to offer assistance, but I vowed to make cookies or brownies (or, let’s be serious, talk my girlfriend into doing so) for he and his wife.
To date, no cookies or brownies.
I know, I’m a bad neighbor.
But I’d be a saint if I lived in Sunset Hills #1.
There, neighbors help flood each other out, throw rocks at one another and videotape each other.
And it’s not just limited to the names you’ve read in this paper. Two weeks ago, there was a seemingly unrelated incident that involved the sheriff’s department.
It was related. Everything is in this divided neighborhood.
I’m not going to include names, because everyone deserves blame.
If you live there, and don’t agree with that analysis, then you’re part of the problem, too.
Ok, maybe you didn’t fill in a wetland. And maybe you have never even met the people whose names have filled space (and too much of it) in this paper over the past months.
They’ve brought you in, however, and here’s how you’re affected:
Over the next few months, we might offer suggestions on candidates or ballot issues. But no endorsement will be stronger than this: Don’t move in to Sunset Hills #1.
If that affects property values in that subdivision, so-be-it.
The childish behavior that has developed there only deserves itself anyway.
The good news: It’s not too late to grow up. Might I suggest starting with some cookies or brownies?

The consensus among members of the public sitting in on Saturday’s managerial interviews and Monday’s vote (See Page 1) is that the council had a tough decision on their hands.
There appeared to be no clear-cut candidate, though all five that interviewed brought something different and unique to the table.
The local candidate, Paul Zelenak, ultimately edged out Tori Kelly, who had a strong track record in spite of being the youngest of the finalists.
Zelenak will likely be confirmed at the next council meeting on March 10, if not sooner, assuming he agrees to what will likely be a slight pay-cut from his previous job in Garden City.
Given the way the council’s situation unfolded with JoAnn Van Tassel, I’m pleased to report that the process for hiring a new manager probably couldn’t have gone much smoother.
Now all that remains to be seen is if Zelenak can fill the shoes of the former manager. Having the backing of his council is a good start.
***
While several teams from Lake Orion have qualified for state finals and are going to, or have, placed among the state’s top 10 in their respective sports, it’s hard not to feel for a few teams that won’t, in spite of having record seasons.
The girls? basketball squad won their first league title in 25 years and racked up 18 regular season wins, but couldn’t win in the playoffs (Page 13).
The hockey squad competed in the OAA I for the first time in school history and finished in the top half of the conference, but couldn’t duplicate their postseason success from last year (Page 13).
And the boys? hoops squad won a league title for the third straight year, believed to be a school record, but instead of playing Clarkston on Friday night, they’ll watch someone else do it (Page 9).
I talked with three very disappointed coaches in the past week and was left with this thought: The state of Lake Orion athletics has never been stronger.
If these teams can be disappointed with these types of seasons, unfathomable just a few years ago, then the bar has really been raised.
It’s not a bad thing to have high expectations. But when those expectations aren’t met, just remember back a few seasons. Sure, it can’t erase an off-night? that’s what next year is for.
***
Finally, an apology for some over-the-top analysis in last week’s LO Down.
To members of the Sunset Hills #1 Neighborhood Association, I was not attempting to downplay or devalue your work.
It does sound like progress has been made in that area of the township. I would just like to see neighbors unite to continue that work for the betterment of the community.
All of the neighbors.
I’d like to see everyone there get on the same page and, as one resident aptly put it, out of these pages.

A few mistakes aside, you could argue that Lake Orion outplayed Rockford last Saturday at Ford Field.
That would be foolish, of course, because mistakes are part of the game.
You would expect a team with 46 seniors to make fewer mistakes than a team with several first-year varsity players in key positions.
You also might expect the team with several first-year varsity players to make it back.
But those following the Dragons these past couple of months would tell you not to ‘expect? anything.
It’s the unexpected, after all, which made Lake Orion’s journey to the state finals so memorable.
Some finals thoughts?
*Quarterback Sean Charette might not have played like a freshman on the biggest stage, but there’s one area where he shows his age, according to his coach.
‘Everybody is growing the playoff beard,? Coach Chris Bell said, with Charette by his side. ‘He’s struggling with that.?
*Much was made of the Lake Orion/Rockford tilt being a rematch of their season opening game at Eastern Michigan. Neither coach put much stock into that game, however, and perhaps Rockford’s Ralph Munger put it best.
‘We don’t dwell on that,? he said. ‘It’s game 14. It doesn’t matter who’s over on the other sideline.?
*Teams from the west side of the state dominated the finals, with Lake Orion’s result being the closest effort put forth by the east siders.
No one gave a particularly compelling reason for why that was, but Munger certainly gave the most humorous: ‘When you win, you always have got great talent. And when things aren’t so good, the blame usually ends up on crummy coaches. So on the west side, all those folks must think we’ve got great, great athletes.?
There’s a reason Munger has won three titles, and it’s not all on his players.
*There’s also a reason Lake Orion is now considered one of the state’s elite programs. In 2008, that credit doesn’t belong to any one player.
A team in the truest sense of the word, the Dragons will likely have several players on postseason ‘dream teams,? but lacked the big recruit that drew interest from top colleges.
That speaks volumes to how well this group played together.
And it’s why they’ll be remembered around here for years to come

Lake Orion’s 2008 football season will come to a close in November for a fourth straight year (hopefully late in the month).
When it ends, many will remember this squad for its defensive prowess.
After all, they’ve given up less than 10 points per game through 10 games.
But this team is likely to become the fifth team in Coach Chris Bell’s 11-year tenure to also reach the 300-point plateau.
Not bad considering they lost their starting running back for a few weeks and went with a freshman quarterback for a majority of their snaps.
Oh yeah, they implemented a new offensive system, too.
Some have said West Bloomfield’s James Thomas deserves coach of the year consideration for guiding his Lakers into the playoffs, but the discussion for that award should begin and end with Bell.
His team went undefeated in league action after losing an All-State quarterback. Not to mention, the Dragons will be the final OAA Red team in action in 2008.
During his tenure, Bell has fielded six different teams that had winning streaks of at least six games.
The current squad’s nine-game mark is one shy of a school record.
Bell will often own up to his own coaching mistakes, as rare as they are, in postgame discussion (without any prompting) and has gotten more criticism than any other coach I’ve ever seen sporting a .750 winning percentage.
In the end, the fact it’s the mistakes that are scrutinized after a game speaks to how highly regarded this team is under Bell.
The Injured Back
Against Rochester Adams, junior Kim Bruce ran for over 250 yards.
A few weeks earlier, Bruce teamed with sophomore Marques Stevenson for over 200 yards on the ground in a key blowout of league rival Troy.
The performance of the duo dropped once starter Branden Oakes to third on the depth chart when he returned from injury midway through the season.
But Oakes knew his chance would come again.
‘They’re amazing players, but I knew we’d keep rotating and whoever was getting it done was going to keep getting the ball,? Oakes said.
The senior got it done on the final drive against Utica Eisenhower, taking the game on his shoulders with runs of 20 yards, 10 yards and a clinching 19-yard touchdown scamper.
In all, he had 14 carries (most in the second half) for 83 yards.
‘We felt Branden was fresh and the adjustments we were making up front fit with what Branden could do for us,? Bell said. ‘He was just huge on that last drive.?
He wasn’t the only one.
The Freshman QB
During a local broadcast of Orion’s game at Adams, the commentators (no, not from ONTV) spoke of Adams? desire to force Sean Charette to win the game for LO, not their running backs.
In spite of Bruce’s 253 yards in that game, it was indeed Charette who came up with the key plays down the stretch.
And the frosh did the same last week against Eisenhower.
‘He surprises me so much for a freshman,? wideout Jeff Heath said. ‘Coming into his first varsity playoff game and standing back there, getting hit and still making clutch throws. He was just awesome.?
Heath caught the key fourth down play that set up Oakes? TD run. Like many of his big receptions this season, Heath said that one was easy ? because the ball was right where it was supposed to be.
‘The kid’s got ice water in his veins. He shows great poise and anticipates plays,? Bell said. ‘To do what he did in key situations, he’s just getting better each week.?
And, as Bell puts it, at this point, just having another week is all you can hope for.
Charette might have three years left, but like everyone else on this squad, he knows there’s only one week we care about.
This one. For now.

Nothing complements 80-degree weather quite like a bowl of piping hot chili.
OK, that may not be true, but it was the task of 12 teams to make their recipe ‘stand out? during the Seventh Annual Chili Challenge, hosted by the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce during Barn Daze at Friendship Park.
The winner, and this judge’s favorite, too: T & C Federal Credit Union.
‘We’ve been here for six years trying to get that (dang) trophy,? said Elizabeth Meyer, with her use of a similar word in place of ‘dang? showing just how important the event really is.
Meyer was aided by co-chefs Jill and Sarah and their secret ingredient (which is, of course, patented) was hot enchilada sauce.
Howarth United Methodist Church took second place, while defending champions Parrot Head Paradise finished third, according to the judges.
Parrot Head, however, took on all comers in the individual challenges.
‘We won all of our challenges and we beat the champions in a head-to-head challenge,? said chef Scott Taylor, who was hoping to become the first-ever repeat winner from the judges.
Baldwin Eye Care repeated as the people’s choice winner, and knocked off rival Eye Health Professionals in a head-to-head battle.
Said one member of the team unfortunately positioned as the buffer between the two ‘eye? teams: ‘Get me out of here.?
In all, the event was said to be a rousing success by all except for those who live with the over-fed judges.
‘This group was very enthusiastic,? Chamber Managing Director Donna Heyniger said of the 12 teams. ‘We were a little lighter in numbers this year, but they made up for it with their energy and spirit.
Heyniger thanked all of the volunteers for their support, and said the fundraising could total as much as $800.

In Scotland, they have the Loch Ness Monster, whose story grows each time it is told.
In Lake Orion, we have the ‘Party Barge,? an equally curious water inhabitant, which roamed both village and township waters for most of the summer.
The barge, said to be not one, but three pontoon boats hooked together, has garnered the attention of some local officials, in part because the captain of the ship appears to know exactly where they live.
A flashing light and a horn often accompany the barge as it nears certain locations (like the homes of a councilmember and township board member, for example).
According to an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department report, the alleged operator went a little too far a few weeks ago, when he was charged with breaking and entering and assault (he was believed to be gathering supplies illegally).
Both the OCSD and Lake Orion Police say they’ve had no reports of the barge being back on the lake since that incident.
The issue of the barge was brought up earlier this summer at a village council meeting. Law enforcement officials were made aware of the barge but they never received a formal complaint.
‘He’s operating legally under Coast Guard rules,? LOPD Chief Jerry Narsh said.
Concerns centered on properly discarding waste and, mostly, noise.
Officers, however, don’t have to catch the operator in the act. They simply have to investigate calls from witnesses ? but there aren’t any on record, to date.
‘He gets an A for creativity and design,? Narsh said. ‘The downside is complainants can easily identify the boat.?
Narsh joked that even he has been invited out on the boat by the operator, an invitation he turned down.
Witnesses believe the boat, which was well lit and flew a variety of flags (including a pirate flag) was being used as a ‘summer home.?
It is unclear if and when the ‘Party Barge? will make its next appearance.
Send your comments to Colin at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net.

Could a major motion picture be coming to Orion?
While there are no plans in the works, given Michigan’s new tax incentives, it could become a reality.
Lee Bushman and Nathan Quinn of State Wide Growth were in Lake Orion for the second time last week, filming some well-known and historic areas throughout the community.
The duo has already put together a pair of 30-60 second videos for other communities, which are featured on their website, www.statewidegrowth.org. The videos profile Mason and Port Huron, with one on Novi on the way.
A video featuring Lake Orion could be added soon, but Bushman and Quinn are planning on one more trip, likely this week, first.
The videos can help with economic growth and tourism, though Bushman and Quinn said it could also lead to movies.
Quinn noted that $373 million has come into the state since the 40-percent tax incentive was signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
‘They come in and they spend a lot of money,? Bushman said. ‘Every little city in Michigan deserves a piece of that.?
So the duo set out on a project to feature some of what Michigan has to offer, putting together the videos at a nominal fee.
‘It’s a win-win situation for every party involved,? Bushman said.
With his eye as a producer, Bushman said it would be possible for a small-to-medium sized films to be produced in Orion. Even a small film could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions.
‘Somebody has to do something with the economy the way it is,? Quinn said. ‘Now is the perfect time for these incentives to come along. 20th Century industry is being replaced by 21st Century industry. It’s a source of hope again.?
There are lasting effects too, as Quinn noted the host city for the 1993 movie ‘Groundhog Day,? Woodstock, Illinois, still attracts tourists from as far away as Germany.
‘Groundhog Day 2? might not be on the way to Orion, but that’s not the true point of the State Wide Growth video.
‘This does more than just bring in films,? Bushman said. ‘It’s an endorsement of your town.?
Bushman and Quinn ended up in the Oxford-Orion area because Quinn remembered it as a unique place. They eventually came in contact with Downtown Development Authority Director Lois Golden.
‘I’m thrilled they’re here,? Golden said. ‘Usually, Birmingham and Rochester are first with these things and we just end up with what’s left.?
Bushman and Quinn said Mason’s video ended up promoting the city’s desire to attract middle-class families, while Port Huron’s focused on their tourism.
They’re not quite sure what Lake Orion’s focus will be, but said it’s likely to encompass a variety of what the community has to offer.

In an election year where ‘change? seems to be the big buzz word at both the local and national levels (and yes, I know that’s always the case), voters eschewed change, at least when it came to the names.
All three incumbents running for re-election, Treasurer Alice Young and Trustees Neal Porter and John Steimel, won with relative ease. Another current board member, Trustee Matt Gibb, is halfway to becoming the new supervisor. And the remaining three new faces to the board are hardly new.
JoAnn Van Tassel is a former township supervisor, Penny Shults has worked in township hall since 1989 and Mark Crane has sat on the planning commission for four years.
Only one candidate with extensive experience within township hall did not win, and that was Sandra Dyl, up against one of the aforementioned incumbents. (Mike Toth serves on the township parks & recreation committee, too.)
This is not to say the winning candidates didn’t promise change. Many did, and I hope and think they will deliver. And every one of the electees I’ve spoken with seemed genuinely excited about the prospects of this new board.
A few other observations?
***
The older, the better
We started with 14 candidates, and the four oldest among them make up half of those still in the running.
Not only that, the two youngest candidates in the field are finished.
The average age of your new township board will be somewhere between 55-58, in case you were wondering.
***
Signing off
Ten of the 14 candidates circulated campaign signs, at least from what I saw. The four that didn’t included Democrat David Hodges, already into November’s general election for the supervisor’s seat.
The three others, all trustee candidates, placed fourth, fifth and sixth at the polls. Van Tassel was the only candidate to win a seat without a sign.
***
Manager tops councilmen
Another bit about Van Tassel, as she beat out two men who defended her position as village manager just nine months earlier.
Village Councilmen Toth and Ken Van Portfliet were against terminating Van Tassel’s contract last November, though I can assure you it wasn’t to avoid running against her this summer.
Van Tassel, for her part, had only kind things to say about the pair, then and along the campaign.
***
Two village residents still alive
While Toth and Van Portfliet return to duties as village council members, Young will remain the only village resident on the board (unless Hodges tops Gibb in November).
When divided into quadrants, all four portions of the township will have representation on the new board.
Regardless of who is chosen as supervisor, the board breakdown will be as follows: northwest, 1; northeast, 3; southwest, 2; and southeast, 1.
In addition, six or seven of the township’s 14 precincts will be represented on the new seven-member board.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote of my disdain for newspaper endorsements.
A few people said they liked that point of view, and a few others said they didn’t.
So I’ll compromise and offer one political endorsement at the end of this column. I’m even willing to go a step farther than that, too.
By now, I hope you’ve read the candidate profiles ? we ran them twice for Pete’s sake.
If you haven’t, pick up a copy of the July 23 issue and visit our ‘Election Preview Guide.? (Please note the incorrect use of the word ‘Effect? on the cover was not handled by my office? We never make mistakes).
Other than that error, we got out of the way and let the candidates introduce themselves to you.
Keep in mind that no portion of your 50 cents from that issue will go to the candidates (or me, for that matter).
Please introduce/reintroduce yourself to those profiles now?
(Pause for dramatic effect, not affect).
Still undecided?
Well, some letters and phone calls to me this past week suggested that voters should consider the following?
~Candidates truly interested in serving the public, not concerned with present or, more importantly, future political repercussions.
~Candidates that are independent, meaning they’re not controlled by outside interests. It was nice to hear many of the candidates state that they’ve funded their campaigns from within (though campaign finance reports are available through the Clerk’s page at www.oakgov.com, for proof).
~Candidates that best represent the township geographically. It’s possible that more than half the board could be made up of village residents, which account for about 10-percent of the township population. A caller noted that village residents on the township board aren’t a bad thing, but too many could raise concerns. Maybe.
~Candidates that are truly active in the organizations they list. It was suggested that those supplying titles or jobs performed within an organization, or those that even list years in the organization, might have more clout than those going for as many groups as possible just to pad the resume. ‘It shows commitment to an organization,? one caller said.
~Candidates without too many signs. Signs are allowed, and a respectable amount across the township is ok in my book, but could too many be a weakness? At that point, you’d have to question the support one candidate could possibly gain at all those locations. And why, as one caller asks, would a business give approval to two different candidates for the same one seat? I’ve seen that, too. Strange.
Still undecided?
Here’s my solution. Narrow it down as best you can and if Tuesday rolls around and you still need some help, give me a call. I’ll be in the office (248-693-8331) by 8 a.m. on primary election day and I’ll help you to figure out the candidate that best fits your needs.
If you call and I’m not here, ask for my cell phone number (just don’t abuse the privilege), because anything is better than just not voting.
Want proof, here’s what one final letter writer submitted?
‘People we’ve talked to around Orion are NOT voting in the primary election.
‘They are either not interested, or they don’t want to vote because they can’t DIVIDE their ticket.
‘Don’t they realize the importance of choosing their township elected representatives is hanging in the balance? People need to realize that there are CRUCIAL choices for the township offices running on the Republican ticket that will ONLY be determined in the August 5 PRIMARY.?
The letter went on to say that these offices are basically bipartisan anyway.
Finally, for my endorsement?
You have until early October to move to Oxford in order to register in time to vote for C.J. Carnacchio for township treasurer.
He claims he missed the deadline, but meant to withdraw his name from the ballot. Sure, and I’m really being genuine in this endorsement.
Vote Carnacchio.
Said one caller, ‘Never heard of him.?
***
Colin is on vacation right now, but send your e-mails to him anyway (lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net) and look for a picture of my temporary replacement next week.

If you’ve read this column with any sort of regularity over the past couple of years, then you’d know I’ve come up with some pretty boneheaded ideas before.
This one might take the cake.
For as long as I’ve been here, the township has been discussing building an amphitheatre, with an area near Civic Center Park as the likely location.
‘Discussing? is the operative word.
From what I can gather, there is over $200,000 for this project saved up, including $100,000 from the township and some donations of services, as well as citizen contributions and donations from the North Oakland Concert Band.
Offers rejected by the board earlier this month neared the $400,000 mark, and they were right to send the issue to a subcommittee for further evaluation.
Here’s a thought for that subcommittee: talk to the village.
Despite what you might have heard, the village is still part of the township ? so what’s good for the village is actually good for the township. Imagine that.
Collaboration on a project of this magnitude could only help to repair what can be viewed as a ‘less than ideal relationship? between the two governing bodies, dating back to a feud over fire hydrants, of all things.
Finding a location for the amphitheatre near the Orion Art Center could help create a cultural center for the community. That will hardly make either one a destination point, but music and art are certainly better side-by-side than five miles apart.
It has been suggested to me that there is no perfect location in the village. That may be true, but it can’t be used as an excuse for not discussing the issue.
After all, talk recently has been about moving departments away from township hall because it’s too cramped.
Those problems will likely exist anywhere the structure is built, so why not put it where there are restaurants, hiking paths, a stream and other draws nearby?
As much as I like Friendship Park and Civic Center Park, a village location makes concert-going more of an occasion.
Most importantly, if the tab is really $400,000 for this project, adding the village to the equation suddenly makes it doable.
Consider the $200,000 already saved, add the potential $100,000 in state grant money and that leaves about $100,000 left. Something tells me the village would be foolish not to foot the rest of that bill.

A stat nerd.
That’s what I am. Often quoting random statistics in everyday conversations. That is to say, if numbers are involved, I’ll probably remember them.
So instead of offering endorsements (which I typically don’t like newspapers doing), I’d rather offer a slew of statistics to guide voters as they sift through the candidates for the Orion Township Board of Trustees. For example?
14% – That’s the increase from 2003 to 2008 of executive sessions held by the board, a mind-numbing increase when you consider that 2008 is only in July!
At their current pace, the board is likely to hold more than twice as many behind-closed-door meetings than they did just five years ago.
Union negotiation-related executive sessions were taken out of this equation, meaning I counted only sessions where attorney opinion or pending lawsuit matters were discussed.
Lawsuits aren’t always bad, but they’re rarely transparent, meaning it’s the opinion of this writer that fewer of them can only be good for public awareness (which everyone should be an advocate of).
If I were voting, I’d want the candidate that would do their best to return this number to its 2003 level, at least.
But, I’m not voting (at least not here), so good luck to you!
And, while you’re at it, send me an idea for another statistic that deserves voter attention. I’m happy to put in the leg work and do some research.
Send e-mails to Colin at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net.
***
Here’s a fitting poem I was recently e-mailed:

Unknown Heroes
They were just boys, in a foreign land.
Doing their best, to be grown men.
They marched forward, when they heard the call.
With heads held high, they gave their all.
They did their best, ’til they could do no more.???
They paid the price, in this old war.
The golden fields, they will never more roam.
With open arms, God has welcomed them home.
They were on the brink, of their tomorrow.
They leave us now, to bear our sorrow.
Gone is the life, they knew in the past.
In’our Father’s mansion, they are free at last.
?
They wanted to, but just couldn’t stay.
On golden wings, they flew away.
Their journey is over. Their work is done.
And a family weeps, for their fallen son.?
They sit on a throne, at our Father’s side.
Where angels dance, and love abides.
We miss our heroes, with eyes brown, green or blue.
For in our hearts, they were our sons, too.
–Norma J. Wagner, of Tawas City

A British man who was told he’d be dead by last Christmas, cashed in to the tune of about $10,000 last month after placing a bet (on 50-to-1 odds) that he’d live six months.
Apparently, we can add ‘beating cancer? to the list of things that can be wagered on in today’s world. But that’s not all?
~Odds that you had a smooth, congestion-free trip down M-24 this week: 20-to-1.
~Odds that the average Orion citizen will be sick of campaign signs littering the community by the Aug. 5 primary: 2-to-1.
~Odds that the average Orion citizen is sick of those signs already: 3-to-1.
~Odds that even more of those signs will pop up: Too high/Taken off the board.
~Odds that July will be the biggest news month of the year: 200-to-1.
~Odds that you’ve stopped reading this column already: 1-to-10.
~Odds that you didn’t even read it to begin with: 1-to-100.
~Odds that you haven’t seen a single construction barrel when driving on a state road this summer: 1,000,000-to-1 (at least).
~Odds that operators of the ‘Toontown Theatre,? which was conveniently placed just feet from my office window during last week’s Jubilee, will find their attraction’s music system doesn’t work at their next carnival stop: Even.
Place your bets by e-mailing Colin at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net, or send him some odds of your own.
P.S. Odds that I get a response: 10-to-1.
Odds that any responses I do get just make fun of me: 1-to-5.
***
We’re looking for a few good photos…
This summer, The Review will publish feature photos taken by our readers, right here in our editorial pages.
We’re looking for the shots that best capture Summertime in Orion — and have gotten a few good entries already.
Drop off your shot at 30 N. Broadway, or send us a digital image at lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net.
Our own Cathy Kimmel gets the ball rolling this week (see this week’s web edition).

In the past two weeks, there have been three ‘Letters to the Editor? addressing party affiliation in the upcoming township elections.
As much as I hate to step on the Ping-Pong ball right at the start of a good match, that’s enough.
I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who vote based on the D or R next to a person’s name on the ballot and, particularly at the local level, that’s just a shame.
Chances are, you won’t get some face-to-face time with Barack Obama or John McCain this election season, so maybe their broad party labels are necessary.
But with the candidates for the township board, this isn’t the case.
They really are answering your questions and informing you on where they stand on the issues.
If you don’t believe me, then e-mail me or call me with your question and I’ll ask it for you at next Monday’s live Candidates Night (see Page 1 for more details).
To me, more important than knowing years of service to a particular party is knowing years of service to the community.
We’re not electing someone that will have influence on social or national issues, so why not pick the candidate who shares our views on how to spend tax dollars and what the master plan should say?
Perhaps that’s just too idealistic for today’s political game.
***
On a less political note, our Citizen of the Year campaign, in association with the Orion Area Parade Group, returns next week.
So start thinking about Orion’s most influential volunteers and come back next week to pick up a form. There are a couple of minor adjustments to the selection process, so look for that announcement next week.
The nomination process will run through Labor Day week.
***
To the dust cloud hanging over downtown Lake Orion the past two months: Good riddance! (I hope)
Send us your thoughts via e-mail: lakeorionreview@sbcglobal.net.

A story that appeared on the front page of last week’s issue drew lots of reader feedback — all with slightly differing, but valid, viewpoints.
For handling some of the aspects of that story the way we did, we apologize. To the community, readership and those most deeply affected, we are truly sorry.
Things were simply not done the way we intended and the way we hope you’ve come to expect from us.
The biggest mistake, however, was not expounding on a few of the most important facts.
As an honor student, Johnny Costigan was loved by many. He was the only athlete since I’ve been at The Review to lead two separate varsity teams in scoring. The few times, albeit brief, that I got to discuss some of these accomplishments with him, I came away very impressed.

I’m a fugitive.
Not sure if the U.S. Marshal’s office has been contacted yet, but they will be in short order.
Unless, of course, you help to bail me out.
Last week, I participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Lock Up in Orion Township.
Many of you have no doubt participated in the Lock Up over the years, and I sure am glad they evolved from putting participants in actual squad cars (we got to ride in a limo).
Now, I’m not saying you have to donate to MDA (though you should, and you should do it on my MDA participant page at www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx’j=1d9a0130-af15-49b4-8c6f-2b5f7ce1c498).
What’s important to remember is that particularly in a depressed economy, organizations that rely on our support struggle just like we do, if not more.
So do what you can to help support everything from the MDA to our fireworks association, and everything in between.
And, if you can’t help me get off the lamb, I should be out in time to cover the 2012 township board elections.
We’ve got a special Review announcement and a ‘LO Down? spring sports synopsis next week… If I’m still here.

At some point in the next couple of weeks Ken Gutman will officially become Lake Orion’s next school district superintendent.
I think he is a great choice and will be an excellent leader of the district.
However, I wonder why the board hired a firm for $1,000 to identify the one candidate that this paper endorsed for the position months ago, free of charge.
I have no issue with hiring Michigan Leadership Institute, but, once they did, the board should have taken full advantage of their services.
Their study revealed that while most district employees favored an (the) internal candidate, some were open to both internal and external searches in order to find the best candidate possible ? two board members, Jim Weidman and Bob Gritzinger, thought the same.
Accepting a few resumes wouldn’t have cost much money and couldn’t have hurt the process.
Here’s a guess that Gutman would have been the best candidate anyway. A strong guess, but a guess nonetheless.
In any event, the board found their candidate and went right after him, offering Gutman the position just a few minutes after he interviewed for it.
For the record, Gutman went to Starbucks and ordered a hot tea while the board debated his merits.
He admitted he was a little surprised to be offered the position that night.
‘It’s flattering to have them be so supportive,? Gutman said. ‘We have a good board and I trust their decision. It’s such a great honor. Right now I’m just excited and ready to get back to work.?
***
The next two-and-a-half months will be jam-packed with township election talk? We’ll wait until much later to offer any potential endorsements, but here is how things look from my seat this week:
Matt Gibb is the presumptive favorite to take over Jerry Dywasuk’s seat as supervisor, but he’ll have to first beat fellow Republican Dan Myslakowski in the August primary and then David Hodges (a Democrat) in the November general election.
Both Myslakowski and Hodges have questioned the actions of the current board, on which Gibb sits, particularly with regards to proposed public safety complex. Gibb, himself, has remained one of the more cautious board members on this issue as well.
Penny Shults, who works in the township assessor’s office, will again run for the clerk’s seat. Jill Bastian beat her for the position four years ago and Shults hopes her previous campaign will help against newcomer Justin Dunaskiss, the son of former state senator Mat Dunaskiss and a lifelong township resident.
Sandra Dyl was appointed to the planning commission 20 months ago and now seeks the treasurer’s seat, currently held by Alice Young. Young is the only full-time candidate seeking reelection, a fact that may be tough for Dyl to overcome.
The most interesting race, in my book, will be for the four open trustee seats. There are seven candidates and not really a weak one in the bunch. Incumbents Neal Porter and John Steimel have the advantage of experience, but no candidate can claim that more than former Supervisor JoAnn Van Tassel.
Voters will be asked to replace Gibb and John Garlicki, who was involved with the parks & recreation department, among other things. The parks angle could be a good election platform for young village council member Mike Toth, who will be joined on the ballot by fellow council member Ken Van Portfliet.
Planning commission member Mark Crane, and Sandy Walker round out the field, and all seven candidates will have to work hard to differentiate themselves from the others.
Of course, they’ll all get an opportunity to do that in these pages, as we will offer candidate profiles of all 14 candidates starting in early July.
***
Finally, Orion, I need your help.
Actually, it’s the Muscular Dystrophy Association that needs your help.
And, as a result, I’m going to jail. (I know, I’m surprised I lasted this long, too).
Now, in order to get out, and continue producing this column you’ve probably stopped reading by now, I/the MDA needs you to step up.
Even if you aren’t interested, or can’t donate, it’s worth going online to learn more about the MDA.
Click here to find my page: https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx’j=1d9a0130-af15-49b4-8c6f-2b5f7ce1c498.
And, to the person who turned me in and then went into the MDA’s witness protection program: When I get out, I will find you!

A community-wide changing of the guard?
I promised some thoughts on the new superintendent and analysis of the township filing deadline, but (teaser alert) I’ll save the bulk of those comments for an elongated LO Down in next week’s print edition.
Among the things I’ll pontificate on are the school board’s decision to immediately offer Ken Gutman the position and what issues voters should pay attention to over the next few months.
First off, Gutman is a great choice and I think he would have been the pick had the school board decided on adding an external search to the mix.
I’m forced to wonder why, however, they chose to spend a thousand dollars on hiring a firm that only helped them identify one candidate.
I promise to elaborate next Wednesday.
The township, meanwhile, will have at least two new full-time officials ? so it’s an election that voters really should take interest in.
I’ll help you figure out what areas need the most attention, maybe?

As promised in this week’s hard copy issue, here are midseason updates on your LOHS spring sports?
BASEBALL:
The team began the season at the favorite in Division I and nothing about that has changed. They finally lost a game last weekend, but no team in recent memory went through a season unscathed ? so that could be a blessing. Only two regular season questions remain, can they win the league? And can they go undefeated? The answer to the first is that they are within a week of making it official, and the answer to the second is probably. Home games with West Bloomfield and Adams and a trip to Royal Oak are the toughest contests left. Keep in mind that winning the league is long said to be the team’s #1 goal (ahead of winning a state title). They haven’t claimed an OAA crown since 2003, but that will change sometime next week.
***
BOYS? GOLF:
Undefeated Clarkston (5-0) looks like the class of the OAA Red, but a strong showing two weekends ago at the TC Tee Off shows that the Dragons are improving. Cameron Beeler has been the most consistent player, with senior Andy Bogus and junior Kyle Wesley right behind. Ian Peterson had a breakout performance in Traverse City. Those four have been responsible for a bulk of the team’s scoring and will be counted on as they head into the final two weeks of league action. In addition to Clarkston, their district pairing later this month includes state ranked teams in Grand Blanc and Waterford Kettering.
***
BOYS? LACROSSE:
Wins have been hard to come by for the Dragons lately, but they did score a 7-5 victory last week over rival Clarkston. Injuries have made things worse in recent games, as the team lost Taylor Barstead to a fractured leg Wednesday night in a road loss at St. Mary’s. Seniors Johnny Costigan and Andy Plets have been the squad’s most consistent scorers, while Spencer Murphy has made plenty of big saves in net. Walled Lake Northern awaits in the postseason, and regular season play wraps up in two weeks (Oxford and ND Prep are among the remaining opponents there).
***
GIRLS? LACROSSE:
Highlights in the team’s inaugural season include a tie with Clarkston in their first-ever home game a few weeks back. The Dragons had just a couple of players (Chelsey and Ronnie Booth) with extensive experience in the sport coming into the season, and coaches Bill and Debbie Booth said everyone has been improving almost on a daily basis. Notre Dame Prep is on the docket next week. Lake Orion will play either Kettering or Milford in postseason action on May 27.
***
GIRLS? SOCCER:
Are the real Dragons the team that has lost four consecutive league games (a couple by wide margins) or the team that won a pair of games over tough league foes two weeks ago? The answer is probably something in the middle, and coach Ken Snage said it’s all about improving for the postseason with his young, energetic squad. The team is 5-6-2 overall, but just 2-6-1 in the OAA I. Rival Clarkston is among the foes in district play, still over two weeks away, at Grand Blanc. By the way, the team’s last four league losses have all come against top-12 teams in the state (#3 Athens, #7 Rochester and #12 Adams, twice), so they certainly aren’t losing to bad teams.
***
SOFTBALL:
The Dragons had been splitting league doubleheaders until Tuesday, when Clarkston came to town and earned a sweep, 6-5 and 7-0. Coach Denny Davis said his team couldn’t come up with the big hit when they needed it most, as Clarkston came from behind for a victory in game one, then coasted to a win in the nightcap. Outfielder Tessa Tomlin went 3-for-6 on the day to lead the Dragons. The team is in Royal Oak for a tournament this weekend and still has trips to Troy and Stoney Creek, as well as a home date with Lahser, left on the schedule. As in baseball, Oxford and the three Rochester schools will visit LO at the end of the month for district action.
***
GIRLS? TENNIS:
The Dragons scored a big win over Waterford Kettering this week, their second of the season. Rochester, however, looks like the class of the OAA II, but that will be determined on the courts this weekend. Regionals are just a week away for the Dragons, who will head to Rochester for action beginning on Thursday.
***
BOYS? TRACK:
The Dragons have struggled to find wins this season in the always tough OAA I, including Tuesday’s 86-42 loss to Adams. The team will look to make some noise this weekend at Southfield and Oxford. Southfield hosts the league meet on Friday afternoon, while Oxford welcomes Orion on Saturday. Hurdler Niklas Rippon, distance runner Doug Mack and mid-distance runner Jeremy Andridge all earned points on Tuesday, as did Robby Lentz (long jump) and A.J. Palko (shot put). The team also swept the high jump. For both the boys? and girls? teams, regionals are at Clarkston next weekend with the county meet a week later at Farmington.
***
GIRLS? TRACK:
Another school record went down Tuesday, and once again Alexandria Johnson was a part of it. The freshman anchored the 4X200-relay team of Chiara Allen, Cortney Kimmel and Christine Norton, which broke the 2000-record by nearly two seconds. The Dragons topped Adams 72-56, getting wins in all four field events and two hurdling victories by Allen in the process. Look for more on the league meet in next week’s Lake Orion Review.

As a youngster, I much preferred to get information from the encyclopedia than the stale old dictionary.
In today’s world, both are available at the click of a mouse, in hundreds of varieties. But one database stands out.
Wikipedia.
It’s the encyclopedia that you too can help create. Whether or not you know anything about the topic you’re creating.
Last week, one of my favorite radio shows unintentionally got their listeners to change some existing Wikipedia entries ? until the site stopped allowing the changes.
Wikipedia has some great, and possibly true, information about Lake Orion. There, you can learn that the first township supervisor made a salary of $2, the first public school was established in 1959 and former residents include Jimmy Hoffa and Mickey Lolich, among others.
Current local celebs, like our own Don Rush, are also on Wikipedia. Search Taylor Dayne’s somewhat famous song ‘Don’t Rush Me,? and you’ll find this note at the bottom of the page: ‘Don’t Rush Me is also the award-winning, weekly column penned by Don Rush, which first hit the streets in 1986.?
I had no idea.
Now it’s time for you, loyal reader, to make Orion’s presence on Wikipedia even greater. All you have to do is click on the ‘edit? button and the encyclopedia of future generations is at your mercy.
Wouldn’t it be great if, for example, all three presidential candidates were from Orion? You can make it happen.
I’d write more on this topic, but I have to run an errand in Oxford, or should I say ‘the place where living is very close to a vacation.? That’s what Wikipedia calls it anyway.
***
Just like turkey and mashed potatoes shouldn’t be reserved for only one meal a year, and because I like jelly beans all the time, not just around Easter, I have some serious qualms about yesterday.
I like our earth, so the concept of celebrating one Earth Day every year isn’t quite right. At their meeting on Monday, the Orion Township Board encouraged citizens to plant a tree in 2008 for every one that dies or is cut down. The resolution they passed also asked residents to recycle and use less energy.
Those looking to celebrate Earth Day year-round are in luck this weekend.
Bald Mountain will host a clean-up event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon (meet at park headquarters or call 248-693-6767 for more information), and free woodchips from those Christmas Trees you donated are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Orion Oaks County Park on Saturday, to help you get started on your gardening for the year.
***
Special thanks to Mike Hatch for offering our readers a look into his record book (see part III of our On The Record… series on Page 11). Now it’s time for you, our reader to get involved.
Got a story that would make for a good historical sports feature? Let us know at (248)693-8331.

It’s not a big piece of land. It’s in a corner of the township, barely even in Orion. Yet a proposed Del Taco drive-thru restaurant has all the makings of an issue that could turn township elections come August and November.
On one side is a family trying to sell their Baldwin Road land, almost entirely within the boundaries of township land use and zoning regulations, save the hours of operation.
On the other side are families fighting to keep a drive-thru restaurant out of their backyards.
Eugene and Martin Scypinski are offering to bring business into Orion, at a time when only a select few are. They say ‘buyer beware? on their neighbors? homes, all of which, they add, were purchased with full knowledge of future commercial zoning.
Families like the Gonzaleses and the Mardlins say they aren’t opposed to businesses in their backyards, just late night drive-thrus. They may have bought their properties knowing the township zoning, but the hours of operation request is a more recent development.
That request was denied by the planning commission for good last month and again by the township board last week ? meaning the Scypinskis won’t be able to sell to their Del Taco developer.
But it’s hardly the last we’ll hear from them.
It marked the second such time an apparent deal fell through for the Scypinskis, and their attorney, David Lipski, took some shots at the township during his appeal.
Among other things, Lipski said the planning commission put together a one-sided presentation, and then suggested that the township has a specific agenda for the land in question, one that is fueling their constant rejection of his client’s requests.
The board wouldn’t consider evidence brought forth by Lipski, which would have required a separate agenda item.
The lucky one in all of this discussion: Trustee John Steimel, who was allowed by his fellow board members to abstain from action based on his involvement as the board representative to the planning commission.
But even as he was tucked away somewhere in the bowels of township hall for an hour, Steimel was still very much part of the discussion.
‘We continue to object on procedural substantive grounds to Mr. Steimel’s absence,? Lipski noted during his presentation.
And so, the basis has been established, perhaps, for more action on the matter. And though no board member lives on Georgia Road nor likely frequents a Del Taco restaurant, the issue will remain close to them.
On one side is a trustee with aspirations to become the new township supervisor.
On the other side are the current supervisor, some other board members and perhaps one or two audience members with election aspirations of their own.
It’s only April, but this story might have the legs to make it all the way to August. That is, if it can wait out the long line at the drive-thru first.

Was going to use this space to express my disdain for the Opera House parking structure in midtown Detroit, but something more helpful found its way into my e-mail box this week, courtesy of Burke Cueny, so I’ll pass it along here.
(By the way, you can read my rant on the parking structure in my blog online at www.lakeorionreview.com, and, if you can’t, just don’t park there ever again).
In the meantime, with rising gas prices, here are some tips on how you can get the most bang for your buck (I was told it came from an industry professional)?
~Only buy gas or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still’cold. All service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground, and the colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline. When it gets warmer, gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening will mean that your gallon is not exactly a gallon. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
~When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look, you will see that the trigger has three stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.
~One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is half full. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank, the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.
~Finally, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up–most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.
Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

Ok, I admit it. I did it. I was the one who sent all those text messages that got Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in trouble.
I borrowed a perfect stranger’s phone and sent an inappropriate message to another stranger.
Then I sent another. And another.
And 1,497 more.
Now this might seem absurd, but it’s likely Kilpatrick’s best defense after Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy laid out eight felonious charges against him.
People in Detroit will say it’s no business of a Lake Orion newspaper to report. Heck, some people in Lake Orion will say that.
The truth is, however, that the suburbs rely as much on the city as the city does the suburbs.
It’s why I see hundreds and hundreds of vehicles heading south on M-24 and I-75 from Orion each day. Not all are headed into Detroit, but many are.
So if it’s not you, it’s your neighbor — meaning that we all want a successful city of Detroit.
We just need to convince the mayor that ‘success? doesn’t usually involve your county prosecutor.
***
Likely the best speech of the political season was delivered last week, and few people saw it for themselves.
Regardless of whom you might be supporting in the presidential election, I’d urge you to go online and find Barack Obama’s speech last Tuesday morning in the wake of comments by his pastor.
Obama was both honest and idealistic in his address and the best late-night reaction to it came from Jon Stewart: ‘So, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, Barack Obama addressed the country as if they were all adults.?
***
Locally, the decision by Your Source to turn down the township was hardly a surprise (see this web edition). The board showed they were not on the same page, from bringing back an incomplete contract to suggesting that another firm would be better for the work (while Your Source was in the audience).
If the board doesn’t get serious about their human resource services soon, it wouldn’t be outrageous to see more lawsuits come through their doors. Some have even hinted that there could be one on the way with the Parks & Recreation director.

The return of your favorite TV shows is still about a month away in the wake of the writer’s strike settlement.
So if you’re dying to watch a new episode of a show, any show, check out ONTV (cable channel 10) at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Monday-Tuesday.
It’s a sitcom/drama/reality show all in one, and one of the few shows on television that does not include either Regis Philbin or Ryan Seacrest (for now).
It’s ‘Lake Orion Review’d,? a local news program hosted by the staff of this newspaper.
I’d write a review of the show here, but there aren’t enough shining adjectives in the world to express my pleasure. Don’t worry, on television, unlike print, pretentiousness is edited out (Simon Cowell excluded).
That’s two references to ‘American Idol? in one column, so we’ll quit before we’re too far behind. Just watch the show. And read the paper (bad columns aside).
***
A few things you should know about the TV biz?
— Everyone knows the camera adds 10 pounds. But it also makes your voice sound screechy, skin look pale and hair look goofy. (Or maybe I just have a screechy voice, pale skin and goofy hair to begin with).
— If you screw up, you can always just start over. (Wait? we’re live? s*#^!).
— If you’re not good at sports play-by-play, you can always just become a news anchor. (Apparently).
— Donald Trump is actually bald. His hair is added in post-production using digital imaging. (Just look at it and tell me it’s not).
— Ok, that last one I don’t know for sure. But I could claim it to be true if I were on TV, because on TV you can say whatever you want. (How else would you explain a recent Kwame Kilpatrick or Roger Clemens interview?).
***
More TV news? ONTV is now web-casting some local public meetings (see this web edition).
So now, if you can’t make it to a meeting, forget to tune in on channel 10, won’t go to the library to watch the tape and only read the sports in this paper (and my column, of course) ? you’re really running out of excuses.
Meetings can now be viewed from anywhere in the world where the internet is available, shortly after they take place.
If you’re in China, you might even be able to watch the meetings before they take place.
Sounds like grounds for a research trip to me.
It’s too bad I just went to Battle Creek.

Not every story can make a top-12 list (see part one, stories 7-12, in this web edition).
Not every story can be synopsized in a special reflections section (see this web edition for Jan.-June).
For those that are left, here are the first annual ‘Believe it or not? stories of the year?
Believe it or not, a man cited by police for driving under the influence was actually named Beer. He was actually under the influence of medication, but still a headline of ‘Beer gets DUI? would grab someone’s attention.
Believe it or not, thieves stole lotto tickets from a local gas station and attempted to cash in on their winnings. They must have realized on their second attempt that the tickets had been cancelled. Somehow, they still got away.
Believe it or not, a snowmobile was impounded. That’s right, a snowmobile went through the Lake Orion ice near the Orion Marine docks. It was recovered the next day with the help of Buckhorn’s towing service.
Believe it or not, a man was arrested twice in the same night. He was arrested for driving on a suspended license, posted his $100 bond and was released. Three hours later, officers stopped the man in a different part of town, back behind the wheel.
Believe it or not, that guy’s got nothing on this one? A man was arrested twice in the same hour. He was picked up for disorderly conduct and trespassing and transported to the Orion substation on Joslyn Road, where he was eventually released. A short time later, deputies received a call that the same man was lying in the street outside the station. The suspect ran off, but was eventually found and taken to the Oakland County Jail.
Believe it or not, a man was arrested for passing out on lawn furniture at the former Farmer Jack’s on Lapeer Road. It was understandable, however, seeing as how his blood-alcohol content was over 5-times the legal limit. He also urinated in the back of the patrol car on the way to the hospital.
Believe it or not, that guy’s got nothing on this one? A man fell asleep in the McDonald’s drive-thru line, woke up to a blaring horn, then (unknowingly) backed into the vehicle behind him. At least he was familiar with the drunk driving laws, seeing as how it was his fifth arrest. That, on top of 11 prior driving on a suspended license arrests, 19 misdemeanor convictions and nine felony convictions.
Believe it or not, there were over 20 reports in our paper of retail fraud attempts gone awry at the Kohl’s on Baldwin Road this past year. For some reason, people still try to steal stuff there.

Just sitting down to write my annual Cinco de Mayo wish list, when a Beach Boys? song reminded me that ‘Christmas comes this time each year.?
As a result, I got out the crystal ball to what some community members are asking for this holiday season.
Happy reading and Feliz Navidad.
The Lake Orion School Board: A year with no announced retirements
The Lake Orion Village Council: A new manager, or so I heard
The Orion Township Board of Trustees: Shorter meetings (though it should be noted that a motion was just made and the item is open for discussion? Wait, they decided to postpone action to later in this column)
The Downtown Development Authority: A few more dogs for around the office
Andy Schramek: A ring for his other hand
Don Rush: A return to column writing under the catchier ‘Mount Rushmore? title
Jim Delavan: I think he said something about wanting no more property taxes once
Arlene Nichols: More work
Cathy Kimmel: More work
Canterbury Village: Christmas time year-round (oh, they already have that? They’re just impossible to shop for)
Residents of Orion Township: a chance to vote in 2008 (or four chances)
JoAnn Van Tassel: pinatas with undisclosed faces taped on
CJ Carnacchio: That NOTA headquarters be moved to Orion so he can avoid that mess
Colin Baumgartner: That NOTA headquarters stay in Oxford (and that Cathy Kimmel’s wish is fufilled, see above)
Review subscribers: Funnier wish lists
The township board (revisited): unfortunately the board has run out of space in this column so their item will be postponed to a future, undetermined date

It’s a Friday night at Lake Orion High School. A highly regarded Dragons squad is ready to take to the court. The team is led by a highly regarded collegiate prospect and likely has at least one more future college player on their roster. They’re considered one of the area’s top-20 teams.
Looking on is a sea of fans in orange shirts and others clad in green and white. For an early season game, there is a big buzz in the building.
It’s a Thursday night at Lake Orion High School. A highly regarded Dragons squad is ready to take to the court. The team is led by a highly regarded collegiate prospect and likely has at least one more future college player on their roster. They’re considered one of the area’s top-20 teams.
Looking on is a sea of empty green bleachers.
The boys lost. The girls won. But are they the real winners?
The bottom line is this: Girls? basketball will likely never reach the status of boys? hoops. Not here. Not anywhere.
And, if anything, switching the girls to the winter season only intensifies the gap.
At some point, however, LO fans would be wise to realize that there are two good teams on the hardwood this winter.
Those that were in line with the MHSAA fighting to keep volleyball in the winter and girls? basketball in the fall will tell you that those empty seats are precisely why.
But it is what it is, and now Orion fans should take it as a challenge. A challenge to show up every night and root your Dragons to a championship.
I mean, championships.
***
Kudos to the LOHS athletic department and football coaching staff for agreeing to take on Rockford in the 2008 season opener at EMU (see this web edition for more).
The Review has learned that there was a little bit of apprehension on the part of some to add the game to the schedule. For one, the team loses a lot of talent from this year’s squad. Ypsilanti is also a long trip, when compared to playing a nearby OAA crossover opponent.
But, if we learned anything from the past two seasons, it’s that the playoffs are what count most. The team went farther in the postseason this year with a 6-3 squad than they did with a 9-0 unit in 2006.
Playing Rockford, even in August, will only make the team stronger come November. And, if they miss out on the playoffs as a result of their strong schedule, then they probably weren’t a real threat in the playoffs to begin with.

At some point, I am convinced, ‘Christmas in July? will no longer be a dead-period gimmick for appliance stores, but the actual start of the holiday season.
People will put their lights and holiday decorations up while wearing shorts. Who knows? Someday we might just leave the lights up year round ? and it won’t be out of sheer laziness, like it is for me.
In other countries, where they don’t have Thanksgiving (the greatest of our holidays because it’s all about family and there are no gifts exchanged), holiday talk often begins in early November, if not earlier.
I, for one, don’t participate in ‘Black Friday? or listen to the holiday music radio stations or anything else that could be construed as holiday season-ish before December 1.
Which is why the annual Holiday Lighted Parade through the downtown streets is the perfect event. And this year was no exception.
Those that turned out for the event will no doubt tell you it was cold, windy and somewhat snowy (the latter being an understatement, to say the least).
But announcers Reggie Harrison and Sue Turpen were correct in saying that it all added up to the ‘perfect holiday setting.?
When Santa Claus finally sleighed in, many watchers were ready to find shelter, assuming they weren’t frozen. Within 10 minutes, the downtown streets were amazingly deserted (aside from the snow).
With that, the holiday season officially kicked off in Lake Orion, and, now that we’re all thawed, I’m sure we can agree an early December parade beats a July one any day.
***
In keeping with the holiday theme, check out this week’s web edition, as we unveil our weekly feature ‘Santa Sightings,? which will appear each week through the end of the year.
As you might have guessed, it will help you find out where the jolly man himself has been, as he has many appearances scheduled in our community between now and his big day.

It’s not fun to write about the same topic two weeks in a row.
There is much too much happening around these parts to devote two straight weeks of precious column space to anything.
I didn’t do it for Friendship Park, Elkhorn Lake, the Forensic Audit or any other story in my two years here.
But now that changes.
Enter the firing of Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel.
As expressed last week, the issue is not really with the decision (I said council has the ability to do whatever they want with the manager’s position), but rather the handling of the situation.
Council members had to sit through close to three hours of public reprimand as a result. Many seemed receptive to the comments and will hopefully use the feedback in their management of future matters.
If council members want to say that the charter allows them to take the action against Van Tassel (which it does), then it’s also their duty to supplement the charter with a proper review process.
A ‘review? does take place during budget time each year, but that’s more of a placeholder to fulfill the charter than an actual critique of the manager’s work.
Going forward, it would certainly behoove the council to put a measurable review process in motion (which President Robert Reetz indicated was a priority at Tuesday’s regular meeting).
I would say that the handling of this situation would raise a red flag for me, if I were a candidate for Van Tassel’s position.
Knowing that a review process was put in place by council before a new full-time manager is hired would certainly ease some of those concerns.
As for the now outgoing village manager, even at age 69, I don’t think she’s quite done with public service.
Van Tassel stated last week that only she could speak for herself, so it would be foolish of me to do so, but I will anyway.
After hearing the comments last Tuesday, there are plenty of people that think it would be a shame if she threw in the towel.
My hunch? she won’t. Stay tuned.

As expected, the decision to ax Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel has garnered a myriad of opinions.
The truth is that this action, the new council’s first of significance, will undoubtedly be the one they are most remembered for — and it’s much too early to analyze its repercussions (a special meeting that took place after this edition went to print will help start that process, visit www.lakeorionreview.com for more).
But it’s the opinion of this writer, one that almost borders on fact, that the handling of the situation was beyond dreadful.
Council is allowed to take pretty much any action they wish, that is the power the voting public gave to them.
But it is their job, if they want to keep their jobs, to act in the best interest of the community they serve.
Regardless of their decision, it’s hard to argue that dragging a village manager through the mud, giving little reason for her dismissal and failing to give the public adequate notification of a key community issue is really in anyone’s best interest.
***
The notion offered by the majority that no one in the community would come forward to say how they really felt about Van Tassel, due to a fear of reprisal, is simply absurd.
If council had been more forward thinking, they would have accepted letters anonymously and read them into the record at the next meeting along with all of the public comment.
That way, no one had to worry about reprisals.
When three respected members of the community show up halfway through a meeting to offer their support of the village manager, I listen.
Council should have, too.
I’m not saying a decision to postpone would’ve, could’ve or even should’ve changed anybody’s mind. But out of respect for someone who has served the village for over eight years, it’s the least they could have done.
***
‘He’s a nice guy, but he has no clue how to run a meeting.?
That’s both a direct quote from one village official, and an indirect quote from another about new Council President Rob Reetz.
After attending a couple of meetings, I thought this statement had legs.
So, about 15 minutes into last week’s meeting, I put it to theory, marking every time Reetz was corrected about a procedural issue (or accepted a suggestion to prevent later having to correct a procedural issue).
In my very unscientific study, Reetz was corrected six times, including five times by Van Tassel.
I point this out not to ridicule Reetz, who has actually gotten better with each of his four meetings as president. Without knowing him personally, I know he cares deeply about the community, just like President Pro Tem David Churchill, based on their years of service to the police department (expect more on that angle in the coming weeks).
Instead, I think it’s important to note that less than a month from now, the village council will have a president, president pro tem and village manager that are all very green when it comes to running a council meeting in Lake Orion.
When the two newcomers were elected by their fellow council members, in a 4-3 vote that went along the exact same lines as last Tuesday’s vote to oust Van Tassel, we knew something was up.
We found out what that was last week.
But here’s the problem.
Soon there won’t be someone next to Reetz to point out errors before they become bigger ones. I’m not saying the new village manager won’t be qualified, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll bring eight years of experience as a manager in a village similar to ours.
This is why I thought former President Pro Tem Ken Van Portfliet made the strongest choice to serve as president two months ago, and why he is an even stronger choice now.
Van Portfliet, who was the only longtime council member to offer himself to the chair position, would have brought some experience to a seat that will now need it more than ever.
And, by the way, four votes would’ve terminated the village manager’s contract regardless of who was president. All that did was slap a longtime council member in the face.
And that same slap just hit the village manager.
This council isn’t exactly off to a great start.

A couple of weeks ago, in this very space, I noted that space within this paper is at a premium ? to which one reader aptly noted that my column is still published on a regular basis.
Touch?.
We journalists do our best to write concisely, to ensure that every story has space in these pages.
Sometimes, however, that can wear on a writer.
As such, I have decided to take the opposite approach and randomly selected one story from this week’s issue to elaborate on, in an attempt to tell the whole story. See ‘Several questions raised on potential complex? on Page 1 for a starting point.
(Consider this a demonstration on what not to do if you want a story or letter published):
‘At this point, we’re asking Dave Asker, of Plante & Moran’s CRESA group, to give a brief presentation,? said Orion Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, the supervisor of Orion Township.
‘Thanks, Jerry. As you said, my name is David Asker, I am with Plante & Moran CRESA,? said David Asker, of Plante & Moran CRESA.
The proposed public safety complex will be roughly, or approximately, an estimate in the range of forty-seven thousand, point zero-zero, square feet when you add up, or add together, all three of the proposed public safety complex buildings, explained David Asker of Plante & Moran’s CRESA group.
Asker, of Plante & Moran CRESA, went on, or continued, to explain, or put into words, the need, or requirement, for the complex, or complex.
‘There is a need for this complex,? Asker explained with extra excited, exuberant, enthusiasm.
‘We have identified a need,? he added with additional added accent.
Ah the hell with this, it takes too long?
Just keep this exercise in mind the next time you think a story is too short.

The leaves are turning colors and piling up on the ground. The air has stiffened. The sun sets at about 1:30 in the afternoon.
Ok, maybe not that early.
But the point is that the change in seasons is here, and at The Review, where we’re constantly striving to give you more, you might have noticed a few changes in the past couple of weeks.
First off, our new photo galleries give you a chance to see a slew of photos, in color, at your leisure at www.lakeorionreview.com.
Right now, we’re asking for your best Halloween costume photos for inclusion in a gallery that we’ll be updating until Friday.
The photos are already pouring in, so don’t miss out ? we’ll even stick our favorite in the hardcopy edition next week!
This week, you’ll notice a change on our public safety page. (That’s Page 2 for those of you that turn directly to The LO Down every week, like me (actually I don’t ever read The LO Down, which would explain all of the editng mstakes.).)
This new approach is designed to give you more information on the bigger issues our public safety officials have dealt with over the past week. Let us know what you think.
Finally, I’ve been quite impressed with the amount and quality of the Letters to the Editor we’ve received over the past few months (one reader referred to it recently as a ‘vibrant discourse?).
But, with the combination of quality and quantity comes the need to make sure everyone can have their space.
As a result, I am encouraging (not demanding) that writers stay concise and on point in their letters so that I can avoid having to cut opinions down or out in the future.
I have no problem running a 500-word letter when there is the space for it, but with so many interested writers recently, that space is most definitely at a premium.
Thanks for the help.
Next week, we’ll unveil the finalists in the Orion Area Parade Group/Lake Orion Review Citizen of the Year, with the winner to be announced in our Nov. 14 issue. There were some very worthy candidates, to say the least.

The money continues to pour in.
The Schrauger family needed your help and Orion, you stepped up.
Last week, the fundraising total for the family was already well over $200,000 and counting.
One Orion resident, who has helped set up a website for donations (www.timandjoshuafund.com, look for more on that story next week), said his goal was to reach the $1 million mark and said he wouldn’t quit until it’s hit.
There are upcoming fundraisers sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings and the LOHS Cross Country squads that will help in making that goal a reality.
(Look for more on the Wild Wings? fundraiser in next week’s Review, as they will donate 20-percent of their sales on Nov. 5 to the family).
Who knows? Things like scholarships in the boys? name, perhaps for things like choir and running and their other interests, could soon result as well.
All of these things are great and should make this community feel great for helping out.
At the end of the day, however, there’s more work to be done.
We’re on the right track with the financial support, but, quite frankly, that’s the easy part (even in a tough economy).
Two weeks ago, there was a letter writing campaign to have the family appear on the ‘Extreme Home Makeover? television program.
Basically, the result, if accepted for the show, would be a new home for the family ? through the work of volunteers and the Disney-owned ABC network.
Great idea, right?
Well, sure, in principle, but I don’t like it.
In my time in Orion, I’ve learned that this is truly a passionate community, always willing to help a neighbor in need.
We don’t need a big company to come in and help us continue this trend. If ‘Extreme Home Makeover? comes to help the Schraugers, that is great.
But why should we wait for them? Why don’t we get together and get started now?
If we’re as passionate as the donation dollar amounts indicate, we can surely come together and form our own ‘Makeover? team.
Let me know where to come with my shovel and hard hat, and I’ll be there.