2014 Planning for Troy's Future - Part 1

I've posted some information below on the first 2014 joint meeting of the Troy City Council and the Troy Planning Commission. I hope that one of the results of these joint meetings is a City ordinance to encourage the preservation of trees when a large piece of property is redeveloped for either a residential subdivision or a commercial use.

At the bottom of this post is a YouTube recording of the 2/11/14 joint meeting.

• Click here to view/print an article on the joint meeting that was published in the 2/17/14 Troy-Somerset Gazette.


• Click here to view/print a PowerPoint slideshow developed by Troy City staff that was presented at the February 11th joint meeting.

Protecting Religious Liberty in a Liberal Democracy

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod will be sponsoring a Theological Conference on Church, State, and Culture at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy on Saturday, February 15, 2014. Mary Ellyn and I decided to register for the conference and we'll be attending on Saturday.

In preparation for the conference, I've been skimming through a book I read a couple of years ago, Politics for Christians: Statecraft as Soulcraft by Francis J. Beckwith.

I like this quote by Beckwith on page 117...

If Christians in a liberal democracy believe in religious liberty and religious disestablishment, they must be conscientious in making sure that the liberties they want to enjoy are extended equitably to all citizens, even those who do not share their faith.

You can click here to purchase Dr. Beckwith's book. I'm not sure if you can still register for this Saturday's conference in Troy. Click here for the registration website.

February 18th Hands-On Aesthetics Workshop for I-75

As I mentioned previously, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is conducting a series of Hands on Aesthetics Workshops in preparation for the future widening of I-75 through Troy and other Oakland County Communities.

The next workshop will be on February 18, 2014 in Room 304 of the Troy Community Center on 3179 Livernois Road. The public is invited to drop in anytime between 1:00 and 7:00 PM on that date. Click on the image below for additional details on the February workshop.