Adult Piano Class
candgnews.com JANUARY 11, 2024 Vol. 20, No. 1
For active retirees who have always wanted to play the piano! 8 WEEK BEGINNER CLASS
$99
Includes a free loaner instrument! A $300 value for all new students!
SHAPING UP IN 2024
City to spend nearly $3M on rope bridge, unlocking more green space at Innovation Hills
MUSIC
CG_3.706x1.82in_AdultKEY.indd 1
BY MARY BETH ALMOND
See ROPE BRIDGE on page 8A
ENROLL TODAY! Class size is limited
0009-2336
2/23/22 2:26 PM
LEFT: Ryan Deel — with his wife, Melinda, and their twin sons, Jack and Brennan — will continue serving as president of the Rochester Hills City Council over the next year. ABOVE: David Walker was recently elected by his fellow council members to serve as vice president of the Rochester Hills City Council.
malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester Hills City Council has given the green light for the city to shell out nearly $3 million to construct a rope bridge across the Clinton River at Innovation Hills Park. Ken Elwert, the city’s director of parks and natural resources, said the bridge will open up approximately 1 mile of rustic trails within over 48 acres of green space on the north side of the Clinton River and Innovation Hills. The 48.38-acre green space parcel — formerly known as “Dr. White’s property” — is the single largest piece of green space acquired in the city’s history, according to city officials. It was purchased by the city for green space preservation in December 2014. “Before Innovation Hills Park was even built there was a strategic framework plan, and one of the phases was to build a bridge over the Clinton River. At that time, it was thought that it should be more concrete in structure. Even in 2016-2017, it was going to be $2 million-$3 million for that type of bridge,
BLOOMFIELD 248.334.0566 SHELBY 586.726.6570
Photos provided by the city of Rochester Hills
Deel retains role as City Council president DAVID WALKER NAMED VICE PRESIDENT BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Hills City Council President Ryan Deel will continue to lead the council for another year. Each year, the Rochester Hills City Council elects members to one-year terms for the president and vice president positions. Deel, an attorney for Oakland County Probate Court, was unanimously elected to retain his position by his peers Dec. 4.
“Thank you very much, everyone. I really appreciate it,” Deel said during the meeting. “I certainly hope to serve the citizens of the city of Rochester Hills and I certainly hope to ably represent this body for another year.” Deel and his wife, Melinda, and their twin sons, Jack and Brennan, have lived in the city since 2003. He was first elected to the council as the city’s District 4 representative in 2017, and he has served as council president since 2019. Deel said in an email that he is thrilled to serve as the president of the council. “My family and I love living in Rochester Hills and it has been a privilege to give back to our community,” he See DEEL on page 20A
2024 Subaru Outback
*Manufacturer Offer. No down payment required. Financing for well-qualified applicants only. Length of contract is limited. Subject to credit approval, vehicle insurance approval and vehicle availability model RDF, RDG, RDH, RDI, RDJ, RDL. From dealer stock by 1/31/24
0209-2402
10A