Council honors Shirley Ogar at 100, retires longtime city attorney Clark Andrews and hears oral history project

Sterling Heights City Council set aside time in its meeting to honor longtime residents and civic contributors and preview a city oral‑history effort.

Assistant City Manager Haley Bradley introduced Shirley May Ogar and read a resolution recognizing her 100th birthday and decades of volunteer work, including Sunday‑school teaching and an apron project that benefits Turning Point. Ogar told council she has lived in Dresen Village since 1957 and thanked the council and family for the recognition: "I have lived in Sterling Heights as you said since 1957... I would never want to leave," she said.

Council later adopted a resolution recognizing Clark A. Andrews for more than 50 years of distinguished legal service to the city and its residents. Council members, the city attorney and others praised Andrews’s long municipal career, mentorship and institutional knowledge; Andrews addressed the council and reflected on his career, family and retirement plans.

Between those recognitions, the clerk’s office presented the Sterling Heights Oral History Project. Administrative assistant Jennifer Good introduced Sarah Freriedman, a former city clerk records intern, who summarized her internship work assembling video interviews and transcripts with the Sterling Heights Historical Commission and SHTV. Freriedman said videos and transcripts were edited to make the project accessible and presented a highlights reel.

Why it matters: These items highlight civic memory and institutional continuity — honoring residents and longtime public servants while preserving local history for future research and public engagement.

What’s next: The oral history videos and transcripts are intended to be available to the public through city channels and SHTV; council adopted the recognition resolutions and held brief public remarks.