Peter Auger, Auburn Hills City Manager
Thoughts on running a city, daily musings, and everything in between.
Peter Auger
City Manager, Auburn Hills, MI
So much to do, so little time
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
Does your business need a little extra help on tasks that you just can’t seem to find time for? Shredding, stuffing envelopes, alphabetizing files, all of these tasks are important but seem to be last on the to-do list.
There is a resource available to businesses, at no charge, to help you get those tasks done. The Avondale SKILL Program is looking to expand its reach. The program helps 18-26 year old students who have a disability build independent living skills in order to obtain future employment.
If you’re interested in giving a young adult this opportunity while getting the job done right, please contact Annette McAvoy. As an instructor her goal is to ensure quality control and timely delivery. Students work on and off site, depending on what your business needs are.
Want to know a secret?
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
Well, it is not a secret anymore, but it was two days ago.
Confidentiality is an important part of my job. I am privy to so much information. Eventually everyone finds out about the great projects the City is planning or new, exciting events that will be offered to the public. But timing is key. I don’t want to be the one to “let the cat out of the bag”.
Some people love to be the first to spread the news when they hear it, which can cause problems at times. I typically don’t care to…..unless…… it is such great news that it is hard to keep it in. In that case, I avoid talking to the person who may be winning an award or getting a promotion because I don’t have a “poker face”. Instead, I avoid them at all cost, say as little as possible if I do see them and never make eye contact with the person that is going to receive good news when the time is right. Then I rush home, make my husband promise he won’t breath a word of what I am about to tell him, even though he does not know most of the people I work with anyway, and tell him so that I can share the excitement and celebrate the occasion. I must say, he is sweet to listen and appear to be interested when I know he is not really taking it all in, which is why my secret is safe with him!
Yesterday, City Council Member Henry Knight let me in on a secret so I could assist in a project he had in mind. I found out who the Officer of the Year was going to be before it was announced this morning at the Optimist Club breakfast. When you are proud of where you work and the people you work with, it is hard to not share the wonderful news. However, I promised Mr. Knight that I would not tell so not even the hubby heard about this one.
But now I can shout it from the rooftop! The Optimist Club presented Detective Brian Martin the Officer of the Year based on a recommendation from Detective Scott Edwards. What an honor and from what I have heard, very well deserved. Congratulations Detective Martin!
Posted in City Council, Events, Leadership, Service, Uncategorized
Trash Talk
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
Being a female who did not play sports in high school (I wanted drama to be “my thing” but it was not, I was way too shy), I never understood “trash talk”. That is, until I dated a basketball player in college. Trash talk is serious stuff and I am not cut out for it, this I know for sure.
But I am all for discussing Household Hazardous Waste! The City of Auburn Hills is holding the annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day on Saturday, May 18th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The location will be 2060 N. Opdyke Rd., next to the old Showcase Cinema.
This time of the year I can’t control the urge to clean out every drawer, closet and box at home. Not only do I get to gather up all of the change my husband’s leaves everywhere possible (finders, keepers), it is a great time to dispose of old batteries, insecticides, expired medicine, polishes, oils and numerous items that tend to be collected over the years.
The event is open to Auburn Hill’s residents and there is no charge! You will need to show proof of residency please. Trash talk is optional but really not suggested.
For a complete list of what can be dropped off visit the Department of Public Works website on this link.
And the winner is……
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
Have you ever wondered what the American Legion is all about? It is hard to summarize all that they do but here it goes…. American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
Who knew the Auburn Hills American Legion Post 143 also had the privilege of selecting the local Firefighter of the Year for our community. Well, many people do know that but some don’t. They chose a lifelong resident of Auburn Hills whose career expands more than 33 years! Someone who is also a member of the Michigan Task Force and MABAS 3201 Technical Rescue teams.
Have you guessed it yet?
Auburn Hills Firefighter Gary Chapman was chosen as the American Legion’s 2013 Firefighter of the Year for the State of Michigan. He will be recognized at the American Legion’s 95th Annual State Convention in June. Congratulations Gary!
Posted in Events, Leadership, Local Events, Service, Uncategorized
Things you don’t want to hear
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
I enjoy the opportunity of blogging when the boss is out of the office. It gives me the chance to share news of events occurring in the City and if you haven’t figured it out yet, this is a very busy city. There are many great projects in the works.
Today I want to do something a little different. City Manager Peter Auger is having surgery as he stated in his blog last Friday and one thing he is known for is his sense of humor. So here are a few “funnies” because laughter is the best medicine when recuperating. I promise to be more serious tomorrow.
THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR DURING SURGERY
Someone call the janitor. We’re going to need a mop.
Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived 500ml of this stuff before?
Everybody stand back! I lost my contact lens!
What’s this doing here?
That’s cool! Now can you make his leg twitch?!
I wish I hadn’t forgotten my glasses.
Well folks, this will be an experiment for us all.
Anyone see where I left that scalpel?
Okay, now take a picture from this angle. This is truly a freak of nature.
Nurse, did this patient sign the organ donation card?
Don’t worry. I think it’s sharp enough.
Dang! Page 47 of the manual is missing!
Also, we have received word that surgery went well! We wish him a speedy recovery.
Posted in Blogs
Under the Knife
Next week I will not be blogging as I go get some parts changed out. Ah, the cost of an active youth is I am wearing out parts quicker than the average bear (hey did you just do that in your Yogi voice?).
The interesting thing is our staff is so excited to have me out of the office for a period of time…hmmm, have not figured that part out yet. Seriously, we are very fortunate as an organization to have such capable people in all positions and we are very confident that everything will run smoothly.
An interesting thing is the questions they ask at the hospital, like who they want to call in case of an emergency. Um, I put “hopefully a Dr.”
So, hopefully our staff will be posting some interesting things that are happening in and around our community while I am out. I offered to continue blogging but our staff is concerned on the amount of drugs I will be under and those results might be entertaining, but not real informative.
Please continue to visit this site and I will be back in a week or so.
Posted in Blogs, Communication
Revealing the Secret Sauce
Why?
This is a question we often receive, another is, how?
What? Is another good question that our team is consistently asked.
Just returning from another quest, searching for businesses that want an environment they can thrive in always reenergizes us to continue to tell our story. Why tell others? There are some who say we should keep our secret sauce just that, a secret. We don’t believe in that for two reasons. First, we know not every business is going to be headquartered and/or run through Auburn Hills. So if not, we would rather have those who aren’t stay real close to us as that will also help our businesses. We learn from others all the time, so why shouldn’t we share what works. Secondly, if we share some of the things that are making us successful it will force our team not to rest on our successes and keep driving forward to improve what we do.
It is not as complicated as people think. How does Auburn Hills keep landing these great projects? As our Economic Development teams states, it is “radical hospitality.” You can build buildings and ship machines anywhere in today’s global economy. So we better offer something others are not. How about stability and a relationship? Relationships don’t start or stop with a signing of a contract; they are built over time, nurtured and cultivated.
What can the State or Federal Governments do to help? Not that they will listen (I know, we have ask at both levels). How about a new concept that has worked across many professions? Yes, from dog training, raising children to creating great teams. Reward what works. We have this fascination in government with rewarding failure. I never understood it, maybe one day I will be wise enough to grasp it. But as a simple minded guy, it makes no sense to me.
If you like a behavior, reward it. Others will say how come you are giving X to Y? Because they are having success and we want them to succeed at even a greater level. Human nature would then predict that others emulate that success and may also be rewarded.
I have shared this simpleton’s philosophy as far up in the Federal Government as the Roosevelt Room of the White House. You can reward what doesn’t work and get more of it, or reward what works and get more of it. If you had a choice, which would you choose?
Posted in Business, Communication, Events, Leadership, Legislative, Planning, Programs, Projects, Service, Training
Road Trip Review
Well I just got back from our Northern European Road Show with the federal government through the SelectUSA program. Normally when we travel we attempt to do retention visits and work on solid leads that are close to being project ready. This was a little different trip where we exposed and introduced ourselves to between 20 and 50 businesses everyday, and promoted doing business in North America.
It was an exhausting trip as we were in a different city every night, meaning we had to be checked out by 8 AM and hope to be at the next venue by 8 PM the same night. There were a lot of different sizes and types of businesses that we spoke to. Some were very small companies looking at a more global market. Some wanted to follow similar companies and others were trying to chart a path for 2 or 3 years out.
We think we learn something from every trip, even when they are different from what we are used to. The work is not done, we now have to go over all the notes and business cards and do follow-up correspondence. We never know when these relationships will bloom, but we want to be ready when they do.
I still have not had a full night sleep since being back and look forward to getting on a regular schedule. I want to thank our staff for keeping the blog up to date; I always enjoy other perspectives on the life in the city.
To the Market We Go!
By Stephanie Carroll, Coordinator of Community Relations and Legislative Affairs and Guest Blogger,
The Auburn Hills Farmers Market was established to serve as a community gathering place where local farmers, producers and artisans can offer fresh agricultural and related products to generate a sense of local pride and further economic development in Downtown Auburn Hills. The Market provides a vehicle to educate the community on the importance of good health as we create more business opportunities and residential benefits and continue to build energy and excitement in our Downtown. The goal of the Market is to bring people together and give them access to affordable and healthy foods and handmade products that highlight the colors, fragrances, and tastes of Michigan’s growing season.
This year we are excited to kick-off the market on Thursday, May 30th at 3:00 pm. We invite you to please join us as we celebrate our 4th year of the Market featuring baked goods, flowers, fresh produce and local artists. Entertainment will be provided by the ever popular and wonderfully talented Petal Shop.
Genisys Credit Union is once again our Presenting Sponsor this year. Their generosity and commitment to the Auburn Hills community is very much appreciated.
The Market will be held on the grassy lot that is closer to S. Squirrel Road, so that we have more parking available for shoppers! There will be plenty of signs directing you! Look for all the tents!
We have given the Market a new and updated look. We felt that it was time to freshen up the colors, and design of the Market. We feel the colors and design were a bit more charming and fit the uniqueness of our Market. Below is the new design. We kept our beautiful logo, but incorporated it in a slightly different manner. Look for our new banners!
Be sure to stop by from May 30th through October 10th. Hours are 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Hope to see you at the Market!
Friday’s Quiz
By Karrie Marsh, Executive Assistant and Guest Blogger
Forget the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Take a short but interesting quiz about Auburn Hills, Michigan.
- Is Auburn Hills known for having a pro-business environment? (Too easy, I know.)
- What are the key components to the area’s economic health according to Auburn Hills City Manager Peter Auger?
- Who is the 6th largest automotive supplier that chose Auburn Hills, Michigan for its new North American headquarters?
For answers, check out City Manager Peter Auger’s interview with Dan Rafter of Midwest Real Estate News.
Posted in Business, Events, Infrastructure, Leadership, Local Events, Planning, Programs, Projects
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