Patch Flashback: Top 5 Stories in Local Politics for 2011

There were several major developments and high-profile political stories that involved the Bloomfield area since our launch in June. Here's a few of the highlights:

Dave Payne Resigns from Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne surprised many in the audience during an otherwise routine Board of Trustees meeting in June by reading a formal letter of resignation. The decision ended a 41-year career with the township that started in the Road Department and was capped by 12 years as township CEO.

The 60-year-old township resident disclosed a heart ailment and said the stress of the job and likelihood of further surgery as he got older were his chief concerns about seeking re-election for a fourth term in 2012. Though he tried to bow out without controversy, Payne's resignation touched off a brief competition for a successor between township Treasurer Dan Devine and Trustee Leo Savoie.

Devine surprised many by accusing the outgoing supervisor of trying to place Savoie as his successor so that he could come back as a paid consultant in the future. Both Payne and Savoie, who eventually won the job in July, deny the claim.

Redistricting Affects Local, State, Federal Seats

As expected, the results of the 2010 U.S. Census led to changes in political boundaries that will affect races at every level in Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills in the 2012 election.

Congress: Bloomfield Township's own U.S. Rep. Gary Peters was essentially squeezed out of his current 9th District seat by a Republican Party-driven proposal that would pit him in a primary battle against either formidable veteran Democrats Sander Levin or John Conyers to retain a seat. Instead, Peters announced in October that he will seek to represent the newly drawn 14th District and will face fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) in an August primary showdown.

State: State Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham) retains Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township in the 40th District, along with Birmingham and a large swath of West Bloomfield. In the Senate, Bloomfield Hills would remain part of the 13th District, represented by state Sen.  John Pappageorge (R-Troy), who is in his final term due to term limits. Bloomfield Township would be in the 12th District, which would run from the northern section of Southfield and up through Oxford and Addison townships. The district is currently represented by state Sen. Jim Marleau (R-Orion Township).

County: A bill signed last week by Gov. Rick Snyder Under the current plan, Commissioners Dave Potts (R-Birmingham) and Shelley Goodman Taub (R-Bloomfield Township) would be forced into a party primary to stay in office. Potts, a practicing attorney based in Bloomfield Hills, filed suit and has vowed that the legal fight is not over despite a recent contrary decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Bloomfield Hills School Board Recall

Few issues energized and mobilized community residents during the past few months quite like the recall petitions filed against the Bloomfield Hills School Board of Education. No matter which side you're on.

Members of the grass-roots group Bloomfield 20/20 organized the petition drive against all seven of the currently elected board members, largely due to their approval of seeking public money to fund construction of a consolidated high school. The Oakland County Elections Commission approved the recall language this summer, and dozens of volunteers have attended public meetings, planned special events and circulated petitions to garner the more than 5,200 signatures needed to force a special election.

The effort was expected to stretch into January, organizers said. However, officials . The movement has also prompted residents who support the district to get politically active as part of the group One Bloomfield United.

GOP Debate at Oakland University

Eight Republican presidential hopefuls offered their strategies and positions on several aspects of the economy during a nationally televised debate Nov. 9 at Oakland University. Though Texas Gov. Rick Perry stole the majority of the headlines with his "oops" gaffe after he couldn't name the third federal department he'd like to cut, Bloomfield Hills native Mitt Romney retained his spot among the front-runners after articulating his plan for tax reform and reasons for opposing the automotive bailouts.

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak, an OU graduate who was instrumental in bringing the debate to Michigan, said he didn't feel any added pressure about having the event so close to home. He also it would be a memorable event and a sign of things to come as the 2012 campaign heats up.

"No, I don't feel any added pressure," the Bloomfield Hills resident said in an interview prior to the candidates taking the stage. "Sure it's in my neighborhood, but we're going to be part of a great event. Michigan is going to be very relevant in the next election and we're going to see all the candidates continue to come here."

View Patch's full coverage of the debate here.

Bloomfield Hills Approves Library Millage

After several attempts, residents of Bloomfield Hills now have a library they can call their own — even though it is technically located in Birmingham. Voters on Nov. 8 The measure will generate $268,681 for the first year of the three-year pact and will increase each following year by 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

The 39-vote margin of victory followed previous defeats at the polls for contracts with the Bloomfield Township Library. Residents officially began using the library on Nov. 15 and will see the tax increase on their 2012 bills.