City leaders from Auburn Hills and Pontiac met last evening for the first time in several years. The purpose of the meeting was not only for the elected leaders from each community to have the opportunity to get to know each other, but to discuss items of interest to each community and how the two communities might cooperatively work together. “We are tasked with doing many of the same things for our respective communities,” said Auburn Hills’ Mayor Kevin McDaniel. “We should explore how some of those things could be done better together.”
Topics of conversation included possible equipment sharing, code enforcement, housing stock, public transportation, jobs and employment, public schools, as well as numerous other challenges, strengths, and opportunities. Auburn Hills recognizes a greater need to consider the benefits of collaboration and the sharing of knowledge as a way to achieve greater local government efficiencies, particularly at a time of escalating costs for equipment, materials, and labor. “It would certainly appear that this is a good time for all communities to look at the way in which they deliver services and at least consider how they might do so by achieving economies of scale with their neighbors,” said Mayor McDaniel. “We have had a longstanding and positive relationship with Mayor Greimel from back in his days as a State Representative when he also represented Auburn Hills, and we know he is driven to succeed in Pontiac along with his City Council colleagues. It was a pleasure to meet all who attended, and we are enthusiastic about working with them when and where we can.”
Moving forward, communications will continue between the two communities, represented by Mayor Greimel of Pontiac and City Manager Tom Tanghe of Auburn Hills. “Our intentions are greater than just meeting, exchanging pleasantries, and then having another dinner a year from now,” said Tanghe. “Discussions among the two communities is a good start, but actions speak louder than words.”
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