Fearing that the message that Michigan is sinking deeper and deeper into a road funding crisis is falling on deaf ears, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has taken the unprecedented step of publishing a colorful, eye-catching 10-page brochure summarizing the outcome of its 2007 Strategic Planning process, entitled "Facing the Music."

The brochure, published in September, summarizes the feedback the agency received through individual meetings with the leaders of virtually every community in the county, as well as the information RCOC shared with the communities. The 2007 Strategic Planning process was the 11th time the agency has undertaken this biennial process.

"The problem of under-funded roads in Michigan is becoming extremely critical. We see that daily and we heard it repeatedly from community officials during our 2007 Strategic Planning meetings," explained RCOC Managing Director Brent Bair.

"Because of this, we concluded that the situation called for something different than we've done before. We think this new brochure is a more interesting, eye-catching way of conveying the seriousness of the situation. We didn't want the message to get lost in a traditional report."

Among the findings listed in the brochure is the conclusion that improvements needed on RCOC roads over the next 10 years would cost more than $2.1 billion -- far more than the funding RCOC expects to have available during this period. This figure does not include needs on city and village streets or state highways.

Copies of “Facing the Music” were provided to each Oakland County community’s mayor/manager or supervisor; the city/village council or township board; the planning commission; police department; school district; and library. It was also provided to all county commissioners and state legislators representing the county.

A number of communities have requested additional copies, which can be obtained by calling RCOC's Planning and Development Dept. at (248) 645-2000, ext. 2210.