Save Historic Roosevelt from Demolition

I URGE EVERYONE TO TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH THE APPELLATE COURT ORAL ARGUMENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, IN FRONT OF A THREE-JUDGE PANEL. LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED BY THE LAWYERS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS, HEART OF THE LAKES, AS WELL AS THE ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THE WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEN, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS—I TRULY WANT TO HEAR YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
SO, LET’S HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. WATCH THE ARGUMENTS, THINK CRITICALLY, AND LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT TODAY—IT’S ABOUT THE LEGACY WE LEAVE FOR OUR CHILDREN. DON’T STAY IN THE DARK. SPEAK UP, BECAUSE THIS MATTERS TO ALL OF US.

MCOA Oral Arguments February 5th, 2025 - Panel 2 Michigan Court of Appeals Oral Arguments

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Conservation group on Keego Harbor school targeted for demo: Board 'rubber-stamped' it In oral arguments before Court of Appeals Wednesday, Heart of the Lakes accuses West Bloomfield School District of violating the Open Meetings Act.

KEEGO CITY COUNCIL GETS INVOLVED IN ROOSEVELT ISSUE

IT'S HIGH TIME THAT THE KEEGO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL STEP UP AND JOIN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY AND LAKES. I'm puzzled as to why the community had to pressure the Keego Administration into taking action to safeguard their interests. Typically, we expect our city leaders to be the protectors of the community, proactively addressing potential threats and ensuring the safety and well-being of their constituents. The role seems to have reversed here, with the community needing to prompt their leaders to fulfill these fundamental responsibilities. This situation raises questions about the proactive engagement and commitment of our city officials towards the very people they serve.
Furthermore, if the Save Roosevelt action group hadn’t secured a stay from the Appellate Court, Roosevelt would likely be in ruins right now. The Keego Administration should be grateful to the Save Roosevelt Group for their crucial intervention. Their efforts have not only preserved a historic site but also underscored the vital role that civic groups play in holding our leaders accountable and protecting our community assets

Keego City Council gets involved in Roosevelt issue KEEGO HARBOR — Those who oppose the demolition of the Roosevelt Elementary School building in Keego Harbor have had some encouraging news come their way in recent weeks.

🚧 IMPORTANT UPDATE ON ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY: UNDERSTANDING THE APPEALS PROCESS 🚧

🏛️ The Michigan Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the demolition of Roosevelt Elementary. Here's what happens next:
PRELIMINARY STAY GRANTED: This means the court has temporarily stopped the demolition while it considers more detailed arguments.
SUBMISSION OF APPEALS: Heart of the Lakes Community, a non-profit group, filed a 39-page appeal on April 18 seeking to uphold a temporary restraining order. This order was initially put in place on April 3 by the Oakland County Circuit Court to stop the demolition.
EMERGENCY APPEAL ACCEPTED: The appeals court has accepted an emergency appeal to keep the building intact temporarily. The appeal argues that the West Bloomfield School District (WBSD) may have violated legal procedures like the Open Meetings Act
WHAT’S AT STAKE?: The case examines if WBSD made decisions about the demolition in a non-transparent way, potentially sidestepping public input and legal norms.
NEXT STEPS: WBSD will respond by May 9. Heart of the Lakes will then reply, and the appeals court will decide whether to proceed with a full hearing. Due to the court's busy schedule, this could take time.
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES: If the court rules in favor of Heart of the Lakes, the decision to demolish will have to be reconsidered transparently, ensuring community involvement. If not in favor, Historic Roosevelt will be demolished with no community involvement.
👀 STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES AS THIS SIGNIFICANT CASE UNFOLDS. YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

"EMPOWERING OUR FUTURE: THE CASE FOR KEEGO HARBOR, SYLVAN LAKE, AND ORCHARD LAKE TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN SCHOOL SYSTEM"

In the face of ongoing challenges with the West Bloomfield School District, which appears to increasingly disregard the community wishes of Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, and Orchard Lake, there arises a compelling argument for these municipalities to consider establishing their own school system. This proposal is not just about gaining more control over educational policies; it's fundamentally about securing a future that respects the needs and aspirations of our children and our communities.
The West Bloomfield School District's recent decisions, particularly the unnecessary expenditures and the controversial moves like the proposed demolition of Historic Roosevelt, signal a distressing trend of prioritizing interests that do not align with community values or educational excellence. The district’s actions suggest a focus on administrative agendas rather than on what is truly beneficial for the students or the communities it serves.
This misalignment is not just problematic; it's unsustainable. Tax dollars from Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, and Orchard Lake are being used without genuine consideration for their impact on local education or community heritage. Such financial stewardship not only undermines trust but also deprives our students of resources that could be better utilized to prepare them for the complexities of the future world. This includes up-to-date educational programs, improved facilities, and community-based initiatives that integrate historical preservation with educational opportunities.
Creating a new school district would empower Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, and Orchard Lake to reallocate their resources in ways that directly benefit their students. It would allow for educational strategies that are designed by and for the communities, ensuring that every decision—from curriculum enhancements to infrastructure improvements—reflects the specific needs and goals of the area.
Moreover, a new district would facilitate a more transparent governance model where parents and community members could have a stronger voice in shaping the educational landscape. It's about more than just local control; it's about cultivating an environment where educational policies and community values are inextricably linked, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among all stakeholders.
The journey to establish a new school district will undoubtedly be challenging and complex, requiring careful planning, legal considerations, and unwavering commitment from all involved. However, the potential rewards—a school system that genuinely serves its community, that prepares students for the future with the right tools and values, and that manages resources wisely and with accountability—far outweigh the initial obstacles.
Now is the time for the communities of Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, and Orchard Lake to consider this bold step towards securing a better educational future for their children. By establishing their own school system, they can ensure that their voices are not just heard but are also the driving force behind educational excellence and community development. Let's put our children’s education back into the hands of those who value it most: their community.

🚨BREAKING NEWS: Appeals Court Grants Extension on Stay to Save Historic Roosevelt 🚨
📍 Bloomfield Hills, MI – In a crucial development, the Court of Appeals has extended the stay on the demolition of Historic Roosevelt, offering a beacon of hope for preservation advocates. This decision marks a key victory for the Save Historic Roosevelt group and the wider community, reflecting a strong desire to protect our shared heritage.
👩‍⚖️ "The Court of Appeals' decision to extend the stay is a pivotal moment in our campaign to save Historic Roosevelt," states Sara MacWilliams, Partner at Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC. 🏛️
🎉 "This isn't just a win for our group; it's a victory for the entire community that has stood firm in their call to the WBSD Board to preserve our historical heritage," adds Derek Howard, another Partner at the firm.
🌍 The community's relentless support for Save Historic Roosevelt exemplifies the unity and dedication to preserving the building that resonates deeply with West Bloomfield's residents. The extended stay provides a valuable window for further discussions and to explore alternative solutions.
📢 Stay connected with Save Historic Roosevelt and the Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC team as they continue to push for a resolution that respects our history and culture.

🚨BREAKING NEWS: APPEALS COURT GRANTS EXTENSION ON STAY TO SAVE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT 🚨
📍 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – IN A CRUCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS EXTENDED THE STAY ON THE DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC ROOSEVELT, OFFERING A BEACON OF HOPE FOR PRESERVATION ADVOCATES. THIS DECISION MARKS A KEY VICTORY FOR THE SAVE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT GROUP AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY, REFLECTING A STRONG DESIRE TO PROTECT OUR SHARED HERITAGE.
👩‍⚖️ "THE COURT OF APPEALS' DECISION TO EXTEND THE STAY IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN OUR CAMPAIGN TO SAVE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT," STATES SARA MACWILLIAMS, PARTNER AT DOERR MACWILLIAMS HOWARD PLLC. 🏛️
🎉 "THIS ISN'T JUST A WIN FOR OUR GROUP; IT'S A VICTORY FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THAT HAS STOOD FIRM IN THEIR CALL TO THE WBSD BOARD TO PRESERVE OUR HISTORICAL HERITAGE," ADDS DEREK HOWARD, ANOTHER PARTNER AT THE FIRM.
🌍 THE COMMUNITY'S RELENTLESS SUPPORT FOR SAVE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT EXEMPLIFIES THE UNITY AND DEDICATION TO PRESERVING THE BUILDING THAT RESONATES DEEPLY WITH WEST BLOOMFIELD'S RESIDENTS. THE EXTENDED STAY PROVIDES A VALUABLE WINDOW FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
📢 STAY CONNECTED WITH SAVE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT AND THE DOERR MACWILLIAMS HOWARD PLLC TEAM AS THEY CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A RESOLUTION THAT RESPECTS OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE.

🎉 UNBELIEVABLE BARGAIN OR BUDGET MAGIC? 🎩✨

ON AUGUST 28, 2023, JAMES STOTTLEMYER AND THEODORE STINSON FROM THE WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT (WBSD) RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM PHIL GROSSE OF ARCH ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LLC. IN HIS CORRESPONDENCE, MR. GROSSE PROVIDED AN ABATEMENT COST ESTIMATE FOR THE HISTORIC ROOSEVELT BUILDING, RANGING FROM $700,000 TO $450,000.
FAST FORWARD TO 2024, IN A CLIMATE WHERE SOME MONTHS SAW INFLATION RATES SOAR TO 8%, THE WINNING BID WBSD SECURED FOR THE ABATEMENT ASTONISHINGLY FELL BELOW $100,000. ONE MIGHT WONDER, HOW COULD THIS BE?
PERHAPS THE WBSD BOARD POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL NEGOTIATION SKILLS?
WE ARE EAGERLY AWAITING AN EXPLANATION FROM THE WBSD BOARD ON HOW THEY MANAGED TO ACHIEVE SUCH A FEAT.
COULD THE WBSD BOARD PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US ON THIS IMPRESSIVE MANEUVER?

Read it for yourself

Estamate Cost of Abatement.jpeg Shared with Dropbox

Keego Harbor City Council Takes Decisive Action to Ensure Safety in School District

Urgent Community Alert!
The Keego Harbor City Council has taken a critical stand against the West Bloomfield School District (WBSD) by hiring outside counsel due to a glaring conflict of interest—the same law firm represents both the city and the WBSD Board, which is pushing to demolish the historic Roosevelt building.
This decisive action comes amidst serious concerns about WBSD’s handling of abatement procedures at Roosevelt. Information from recent FOIA requests and investigations has revealed significant lapses in safety protocols, highlighting the risks to our community and the surrounding environment.
The City Council’s intervention is a commendable step towards transparency and accountability, ensuring that WBSD's actions are scrutinized and held to the highest standards of public safety and interest. This move is not just about preserving a historic site but about protecting the health and safety of our entire community.
Keego Harbor stands firm in demanding that WBSD correct its course and prioritize the well-being of its residents over destructive and potentially hazardous actions.

Historic Roosevelt featured on WXYZ Detroit!

Community pushes to save former Roosevelt Elementary School from demolition Community members in Keego Harbor are rallying to save a 103-year-old building, which was the former Roosevelt Elementary School.

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