From Steve McPherson, White Lake Township: It has come to my attention that areas in Oakland County are considering allowing natural gas drilling. I wanted to be sure the people are fully aware of the process in extracting this resource. The first step is drilling a vertical hole (or well head), which has to be permitted. The second step is to collect this gas, which will involve horizontal drilling coupled with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. This [...]

From Laure Dorchak, secretary, Wixom Historical Society: The Wixom Historical Society needs your help. We are compiling a history of the Wixom Ford Assembly Plant. We are looking for photos, stories and anecdotes related to the plant, its employees, people affected by the plant, and the cars made there. If you have a story to tell or a photo to donate, we are interested! The information that you provide will become part of a permanent [...]

From Hannah Provence Donigan, Commerce Township: Eric Nagler (“Obama’s record,” May 2) criticized Denise “Chip” Black for her April 25 letter (“Supporting Obama”) in which she indicated President Obama deserved four more years because of his wonderful track record. He accused our president of not speaking about his record whenever he speaks to Americans. He accuses Obama of practicing a policy of divisiveness and denigrating anyone who opposes big government. I must live on another [...]

From Peggy Hawke, West Bloomfield: As a recent retiree of Walled Lake Schools and a current volunteer member of Lakes Area Youth Assistance, I would like to address the sales of K2, Spice and substances with similar names in (the) West Bloomfield, Walled Lake, White Lake, Wolverine Lake and Wixom areas. I urge readers to take a look at what is being sold in your gas station or party store. Today at (a local gas [...]

From Joanie Ignash, Commerce Township: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) designed to combat domestic abuse was enacted in 1994, and this past week came to a reauthorization vote in the (U.S.) Senate with 68 (lawmakers) in favor (and) 31 opposed. The act was expanded to include greater protections for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) victims, immigrant women facing abuse, and Native American women (who) have been traditionally underserved. In the past 12 years, [...]

From Ed Kohl, West Bloomfield: Once again I was privileged to participate as a volunteer in the West Bloomfield Hazardous Waste Day at the West Bloomfield Civic Center on April 28. It was gratifying to see so many people taking the time to save and deliver their material to the site for proper disposal. This year, in spite of the cold, gloomy weather, we established a new record of 1,865 cars in six hours. My [...]

From Eric Nagler, Commerce Township: I have a few questions for Denise “Chip” Black (“Supporting Obama,” April 25, 2012 Mail Bag section), who thinks that our president deserves another four years in office because of his wonderful track record. Why is he refusing to talk about this record wherever and whenever he speaks to the American people? Do you hear him talking about health care, Dodd-Frank, the massive new regulations from the (Environmental Protection Agency), [...]

From Debra Hall Retired Waterford Township dispatcher Recently in the media there has again been some discussion about absorbing the Waterford Township Police Department Communications Division into the Oakland County Sheriffs Department. Trustee Anthony Bartolotta has been quoted in both (another media outlet) and the Spinal Column (Newsweekly) regarding this and I would like to address the information in both articles. He is quoted as using Wixom as a comparison in this absorption issue. According [...]

From Denise “Chip” Black, Milford: President Obama continues to demonstrate why we need him to serve for another four years. His courage and wisdom saved an industry, created jobs, and provided health care for millions of people. Recently, our President showed his willingness and ability to compromise by supporting women’s health care, and defending American religious freedom. At the same time Rush Limbaugh was denigrating Sandra Fluke, the President was supporting her. This is just [...]

From Oakland County Commissioner Jim Runestad (R-Waterford, White Lake): I read with pleasure about the hiring of returning National Guard Sergeant Ed Lasseigne by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Lasseigne was part of the 1775th Military Police Company returning from Kandahar (in Afghanistan). I was honored to be invited to represent Oakland County as a county commissioner at the Feb. 4 welcome home event at the Waterford Mott High School gym. It was a very [...]