It was very disturbing to read that the Village of Oxford had ‘phased out? the position of treasurer, and in particular terminated Maureen Helmuth. ‘Moe? has been a long time, dedicated employee who has been mistreated.
According to your reports the Village Council combined the positions of Clerk and Treasurer to correct the financial condition of the Water Fund. The Water Fund is an Enterprise Account, which in theory is supposed to operate independently from other accounts in the Village. According to the Water Fund Ordinance, all revenues–usage, connection, and capital connection fees–are to be deposited into a separate account. And expenses–maintenance, labor and material costs –are to be paid from this account. The treasurer’s salary is not paid out of this account. The treasurer is only responsible for collecting the various fees associated with the Water Fund. The clerk is responsible for the billing. So if there is a shortage, and one is to follow the Council’s logic, the Clerk should also be terminated.
It is very apparent that there is more to this termination than the citizens are being told. Moe has, and will always be a very valuable employee. She started with the Village at the lowest position available, and worked her way up. She got married, started a family, moved to the Village, became a taxpayer, and became involved in the community. Instead of terminating her, simply demote her back to her original position.

Larry Ericksen
Lake Orion

I truly find it hard to believe that a long time employee can be cut just like that. It is scary for the other departments, I’m sure, not knowing from one day to the next, if they will still have a job.
The Oxford Village Council really messed up this time. Moe is the village office. Need to know something? Ask Moe.
Will Mr. Daniel Luick be able to answer any questions or even be willing to spend the extra time with a resident? More than likely he will be unaproachable.
I have never seen Mr. Luick in the office, just Moe and the other young lady. Go figure.

Pat Marsh
Oxford Village