City debates police protection

To keep the police or not to keep the police. That is the question on the minds of citizens and city officials alike, and as the Nov. 7 election hangs just around the corner, the debate continues over whether the city should dissolve the police department and rely on Oakland County for police services. Although […]

Ottman bestows energy on city council

As the only incumbent running for a city council with three empty seats, Kristy Ottman says she’s thrilled that so many residents have stepped up and added their names to the list of write-ins eligible for election Nov. 7. Elected to her first term on council two years ago, Ottman characterizes the past 24 months […]

Coventry knows local issues, supports police

As one of the few residents to attend Clarkston City Council meetings on a regular basis, Teresa Coventry decided it was time to experience the twice-monthly gatherings from the opposite side of the table. After filing the necessary documents, Coventry brings to six the total number of residents vying for three council seats. Kristy Ottman […]

Keep an open mind, says city council candidate

Bill Rausch believes that anyone who steps into the political arena should arrive with an open mind’and no ax to grind. Last week, Rausch threw his hat into the ring with four other candidates running as write-in candidates for Clarkston City Council. One of the key reasons for deciding to run in the Nov. 7 […]

Residents work to empower voters

BY LAURA COLVIN Clarkston News Staff Writer A Springfield Township woman squints in concentration, trying hard to understand and absorb the meaning of every word, every sentence, every rule ? and there are so many rules ? flying across the room as Nancy Strole speaks. The woman seems puzzled when Strole slows her explanation momentarily […]

Don’t they know life can be better?

Nothing puts life in perspective faster than a trip down to the police station. I make the drive a couple of times each week so I can compile enough information to fill the ‘Police and Fire? section on page 9A of The Clarkston News, and regardless of how my day is going or how many […]

The ‘sweet? smell of success

It was the simple toss of a coin that finally gave Cheryl Deane the courage to trade a prestigious career and financial security for the freedom to follow her dreams. Deane worked as a paralegal for nearly 20 years, and although she found the job mentally and emotionally exhausting, the fear of bankruptcy held her […]

One man making a difference

Tom Stone feels a sense of achievement and satisfaction when his Mr. Fix-it personality takes charge of a project, and the entire City of Clarkston will share in Stone’s latest accomplishment before the New Year rings in. Stone and wife Arlene are both avid walkers, and early last summer the couple was out for a […]

Close calls in Clarkston races

It was really close. Just 31 of the 465 votes cast in Clarkston’s mayoral race nudged incumbent Sharron Catallo to a narrow victory over challenger Steve Wylie. Wylie was the first candidate to oppose Catallo since 1992. ‘This election was very good for me,? said Catallo. ‘I had to reconsider a number of old ideas […]

Caring kids help seniors with chores

The sixth- and seventh-graders didn’t waste any time once they arrived at the huge old house on Main Street. With a crew of five girls and six boys, the CCD class from St. Dan’s Catholic Church in Clarkston got busy raking, bagging, and carting away a yard full of fallen leaves at the home of […]