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JUNE 11, 2025 Vol. 22, No. 13
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Photo provided by Greg Flynn
West Bloomfield Fire Chief Greg Flynn, center, was named the 2025 Fire Chief of the Year by the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs at the Midwest Fire Rescue Expo. He is flanked by MAFC Board of Directors Vice President Chris Stoecklein, left, and President Johnny Menifee. The two men are fire chiefs at the Canton Township and Southfield fire departments, respectively. Menifee recently retired.
Group seeks augmentation well on Upper Straits Lake WEST BLOOMFIELD/ORCHARD LAKE — The Upper Straits Clean Lake Association, in cooperation with the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, is appealing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s denial of a request for an augmentation well that would help maintain court-ordered water levels on Upper Straits Lake. In the 1960s, it was determined in Oakland County Circuit Court that Upper Straits Lake’s water level should be kept at
nearly 931 feet above sea level. Since then, weekly water level readings have been published by the Drain Commission. The lake extends from West Bloomfield Township to Orchard Lake Village, with homes on 223 parcels, valued collectively at more than $750 million. According to Teri Weingarden, a West Bloomfield trustee and the board’s treasurer, residents are concerned about the falling water level because it could diminish home values, recreational use of the lake and the overall health of the ecosystem. David Silver is president of the Upper See UPPER STRAITS on page 12A
ABOVE: Some homeowners along Upper Straits Lake are concerned about falling water levels that could impact their home values, recreational activities and the health of the lake.
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Greg Flynn, the fire chief of West Bloomfield Township, has been named Fire Chief of the Year by the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs. The award was announced May 20 during the group’s annual conference, the Midwest Fire Rescue Expo, held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The nominees were evaluated by a committee of MAFC board members. Flynn currently serves on the MAFC Board of Directors. “It does mean a lot to get this recognition from my colleagues in the (MAFC). … And I’m proud to serve as a longstanding memSee FIRE CHIEF on page 19A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
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BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
Local fire chief receives state’s top honor