Projects

It has always been a vision of mine that the Palace of Auburn Hills should be running and promoting the Phoenix Center in Downtown Pontiac.  They are one of the best promoters (if not the best) in the midwest and have a proven track record of success.  I'm currently working to make this a reality and if I'm successfull this will give the downtown a vital shot in the arm.  The downtown businesses need a good steady flow of patrons that are visiting our town for various shows. 

The concept is based on the Kalamazoo Promise which promises a four year paid college education to any public college in Michigan if the student attends K through 12 and graduates from Kalamazoo public schools.  This has been a great success in Kalamazoo.  The property values have increased, the school population has increased, the housing market has boomed and businesses have relocated back in the city.  This all from the promise of a college education.  Visit the following website for more information https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/. 

I'm currently working on legislation that would give the Pontiac Public Schools the opportunity to setup their own "promise" but we will need a lot of help after that.  The funds for this program will need to come from a couple of different resources; private donations and a 50% tax capture on the school education tax that will grow because of the increase in property values.  I have introduced HB 5375 which would allow areas with a youth population (under 18) living in poverty above the state average to be eligible to setup a promise zone.  The "promise zone" would have to raise the first two years of funds before they could utilize the 50% capture of the SET.  I'm looking to pass this out the Michigan House by the end of the 2007 calendar year. 

If you want to help on this project please contact me directly at 248-884-4357.

One of the biggest deterants to living in an urban area is the high cost of insurance.  The rates tend to always be higher than neighboring suburbs.  I have introduced legislation to end the use of credit scoring by insurance companies when determining rates.  This unfair practice has gone on too long and penalizes young people, residents with poor credit, residents with little or no credit with no consideration for their driving history.

I held a town hall meeting in March of this year and have collected valuable information on how our residents in Pontiac and Auburn Hills can save on their insurance rates.  Sam Scott from my office used the provided information and saved 42% a year on his auto insurance.  Please email me at timwmelton@yahoo.com if you want me to share this information with you. 

There are certain companies that treat our residents properly and it is important that we use these companies.  If you are approaching your renewal period or just want to get a comparable quote please contact us asap.

The Clinton River runs right under downtown Pontiac and I believe if feasible it would be a great asset to "daylight" or "uncover" the river.  Some great American cities have water running through them.

Water is a natural attraction for residentail investment as well as commerical development.  I have been working with the Oakland County Drain Commissioner to do a feasability study to determine how much it would cost and if it is even possible to accomplish.  The Pontiac DDA under Sandy McDonald is also working on this and is very interested on the development impact it may have on the downtown.  One vision we share has the river being "daylighted" and possibly running right down Water Street and through Lot 9.  What a great setting this could be if possible.  The City of Jackson had a similar situation and found some federal dollars to help on their project and hopefully we can do the same.  **Maybe this could be our signature project under the "Cities of Promise" designation.