For years I have said that people get the government they deserve. Make uninformed decisions and the results may come back to haunt you. Voting for someone based on their political party affiliation or because they are 'Nice' is not making an informed decision. Who cares about 'nice' if they can't perform their duties?
Of course, make a stupid decision in the voting booth, along with a majority of other voters and six months later, or sooner, and you can all yell 'RECALL'. Now, in defense of those who voted for Rick Snyder, the choice in the general election was not one between quality candidates, IMHO.
Let's go back to the Republican and Democratic primaries. Neither of the candidates I preferred made it past that point. I liked Andy Dillon, but Democrats obviously did not. The rumor was that he was really a 'republican'. So Virg Bernero became the 'D' candidate.
On the Republican side, Snyder only got 36% of the vote, and he did not get mine or that of many of my friends who voted on the 'R' side of the ballot. If Cox or Bouchard had dropped out of the race, I think those votes would have gone to Pete Hoekstra and not Snyder. How do you vote for a candidate who will not tell you what he plans to do? Do you really just 'trust him'? If he had thrown out his ideas before he got elected, he would be sitting in Ann Arbor watching the news instead of being in Lansing making it.
This man cannot in any way, shape, or form relate to the blue-collar workers in Michigan. He was willing to throw $6 million of money in the race, more money than most of us will earn in a lifetime, or two. He plans to take money away from the education of our children. He wants to tax the pensions of our seniors who he claims use government services without paying for them, yet no one has been able to tell me which state services I am receiving.
The recall effort against him cites the passage of the new Emergency Manager legislation. While I was the Chair of the MGFOA Legislative Committee, we re-wrote Public Act 72 to address early warning signals for communities in trouble. We could not get a hearing on it, though Rep. Shelley Taub did get it drafted for us. I am in favor of the new legislation. If we elected more qualified individuals to public office and then hired competent employees, we would not have to deal with communities in fiscal stress.
On the issue of taxing pensions, well... Nuf' said for now.
If the language is approved, people will be out circulating petitions for a recall. Everyone needs to make a decision of whether or not to sign and also know the consequences of going down the path of actual recall.
While I do not like Gov. Snyder, I do not see where he has committed misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office. He is just out-of-touch with the electorate. We are not just numbers in a budget. We are real live individuals trying to get by in very difficult times. Very few of us have money to waste, Mr. Governor. Listen to the voters before we waste money on another election.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Where is Sgt. Friday when You need Him?
Any of you remember 'Dragnet' and Jack Webb as Sgt. Friday? While he never actually said "Just the facts, ma'am", in those words, it became the catchphrase for the series. Well, why confuse anyone today with the facts.
Yesterday I spent a good deal of time on the telephone (my blog post was quite popular). One of the callers happened to mention The Colbert Report and suggested I watch last Monday's show. With Comcast 'On Demand', that is pretty easy to do. So, between phone calls, I did exactly that. There was a segment that has generated a gazillion 'tweets' all about non-factual statements. The impetus was the following:
On April 8, 2011, US Senator Jon Kyl spoke on the Senate floor and claimed that performing abortions is "well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does." Planned Parenthood responded that 90 percent of its services are preventative, and only 3 percent are abortion-related.
A spokesperson for Kyl later claimed the Senator’s remark "was not intended to be a factual statement but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, an organization that receives millions in taxpayer dollars, does subsidize abortions."
Hoo-boy! I am sure we all knew that a lot of trash talk comes out of the halls of government. Now we have not only have proof of it, but also a justification for it.
If you are interested in seeing some of Colbert's 'tweets', they are on his website. And if you get to view the show, it had me rolling in my chair. Alas, I could hardly roll on the floor with my bad back. I'd never get up again.
Yesterday I spent a good deal of time on the telephone (my blog post was quite popular). One of the callers happened to mention The Colbert Report and suggested I watch last Monday's show. With Comcast 'On Demand', that is pretty easy to do. So, between phone calls, I did exactly that. There was a segment that has generated a gazillion 'tweets' all about non-factual statements. The impetus was the following:
On April 8, 2011, US Senator Jon Kyl spoke on the Senate floor and claimed that performing abortions is "well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does." Planned Parenthood responded that 90 percent of its services are preventative, and only 3 percent are abortion-related.
A spokesperson for Kyl later claimed the Senator’s remark "was not intended to be a factual statement but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, an organization that receives millions in taxpayer dollars, does subsidize abortions."
Hoo-boy! I am sure we all knew that a lot of trash talk comes out of the halls of government. Now we have not only have proof of it, but also a justification for it.
If you are interested in seeing some of Colbert's 'tweets', they are on his website. And if you get to view the show, it had me rolling in my chair. Alas, I could hardly roll on the floor with my bad back. I'd never get up again.
Freedom of Speech
I had an interesting comment today regarding my blog. Someone commented that they appreciated that 'I tell it like it is'. That was not always the case.
I pretty much said what I thought up until I entered elective office. By then I had spent the better part of 40 years speaking my mind.
But local politics is brutal. You say the sky is blue and someone is in your face saying you are wrong. So, every comment is tempered and sometimes not made at all, though I continued to be outspoken in my committee work, whether people were appreciative or not.
It is only in the last few years that I have called it like I see it, whenever and whatever that entails. I know there are folks who do not like it. Well, they can 'like it or lump it'. It's called Freedom of Speech. And it's unfortunate that not everyone feels free to speak their mind.
I pretty much said what I thought up until I entered elective office. By then I had spent the better part of 40 years speaking my mind.
But local politics is brutal. You say the sky is blue and someone is in your face saying you are wrong. So, every comment is tempered and sometimes not made at all, though I continued to be outspoken in my committee work, whether people were appreciative or not.
It is only in the last few years that I have called it like I see it, whenever and whatever that entails. I know there are folks who do not like it. Well, they can 'like it or lump it'. It's called Freedom of Speech. And it's unfortunate that not everyone feels free to speak their mind.
Everyone Needs to Laugh
Laughing relieves stress. And with all my back problems the last several weeks, I need all the relief I can get. So, just back from another doctor's appointment, I sat down to read the online Detroit News. Right there on the front page is the statement: 'Monica Conyers wants to serve rest of prison sentence at home'.
I was laughing even before I read the article. What part of 'prison' doesn't she understand? And this woman earned a law degree?
Anyway, if you want a chuckle for the day, read the mlive.com commentary. For added chuckles, read the comments.
Hey, it's good for your health!
I was laughing even before I read the article. What part of 'prison' doesn't she understand? And this woman earned a law degree?
Anyway, if you want a chuckle for the day, read the mlive.com commentary. For added chuckles, read the comments.
Hey, it's good for your health!
Chomping at the Bit?
I am sitting here listening to the news on the radio. It is not good for my health, but I would need to leave my computer and wander into another room to turn it off. Instead, I am sitting here blogging and thinking. The way I figure it, Democrats in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan must be chomping at the bit and foaming at the mouth getting ready for the 2012 elections.
How is it possible that in less than three months in 2011, three Republican led states have decided to take on public workers? First Wisconsin voted against collective bargaining for public employees, then the Michigan Governor decided to suggest a tax on their pensions, and now the Ohio legislature has voted to ban collective bargaining by public employees.
They must think public employees only vote Democratic (wrong) and so the Republican legislators feel they have nothing to lose. But the way I see things, many, many folks are really independent voters. Just because they are in a union does not mean they vote as they are told. And if some of these folks voted for the Republicans, you can be pretty sure they will not do so again. Plus, I have heard Republicans criticizing the Michigan Governor.
What I want to know is this: Why is everyone so angry at public employees who are still performing their jobs? And do these legislators still think they will get quality employees with lower pay and little benefits? In these cold, Northern states? Where is the 'quality of life' in that?
I am sure the Democrats are huddled up someplace just watching as these Republicans insert both feet in their mouths. It's 1996 all over again.
How is it possible that in less than three months in 2011, three Republican led states have decided to take on public workers? First Wisconsin voted against collective bargaining for public employees, then the Michigan Governor decided to suggest a tax on their pensions, and now the Ohio legislature has voted to ban collective bargaining by public employees.
They must think public employees only vote Democratic (wrong) and so the Republican legislators feel they have nothing to lose. But the way I see things, many, many folks are really independent voters. Just because they are in a union does not mean they vote as they are told. And if some of these folks voted for the Republicans, you can be pretty sure they will not do so again. Plus, I have heard Republicans criticizing the Michigan Governor.
What I want to know is this: Why is everyone so angry at public employees who are still performing their jobs? And do these legislators still think they will get quality employees with lower pay and little benefits? In these cold, Northern states? Where is the 'quality of life' in that?
I am sure the Democrats are huddled up someplace just watching as these Republicans insert both feet in their mouths. It's 1996 all over again.
Remember 1994?
Does anyone out there remember the 1994 elections? On the day after them a friend of mine said that the Republicans were taking over for good after their 54-seat increase in the House of Representatives. I laughed and told him to wait two years. I told him that with Newt Gingrich leading the charge, they were sure to find defeat in 1996. And two years later the Republicans gave up nine of their House seats. In addition, though maintaining control of the House, they lost the popular vote and Bill Clinton got a second term as President. Even I voted for him.
I am thinking of all of this as I watch what is going on in Wisconsin and Michigan. They say elephants never forget, but obviously these elephants do not only forget history, they forget who votes.
I am thinking of all of this as I watch what is going on in Wisconsin and Michigan. They say elephants never forget, but obviously these elephants do not only forget history, they forget who votes.
Get a Life, Lady
While meaning no disrespect to the elderly, the 83-year old woman initiating the recall drive against Trustee Larry Brown should get a life. Talk about being confused. My guess is that someone found the woman and put her up to this recall. Is she someone's aunt?
She is quoted in one paper as saying she wouldn't know Larry Brown "from a hole in the wall" prior to 2009. Now, maybe the lady moved into West Bloomfield in 2008, but Larry was up for election that year and he has been active in West Bloomfield for many years before that. I've known Larry all the way back to the early 1990s. Am I supposed to believe she is 'sleeping beauty' just waking up from a long nap?
Give me a break. The lady says that she got upset about the new waste hauler contract. Well, so did I, but it passed on a 5-2 vote. Done. Not Larry's fault.
Besides, she does not even mention that in her recall petition. She is complaining about a sewer contract that also passed on a 5-2 vote. I was at that meeting and heard the attorney tell the Board that they would lose a grant if they did not choose the low bidder and it did not matter if it was not an American company. If the lady is upset, maybe she should direct her anger at Washington DC.
As for the failed lawsuit, I think Larry should have continued and refiled against the Township. FOIA exists for a reason and denying access to public records is just plain wrong. And especially in light of the $1.8 million dollar settlement against our Police Department in another case.
She has also sent a letter to another paper complaining about the Clerk's choice of a Deputy. Well, he would not have been my choice, but that is strictly the Clerk's decision. The Deputy is there to carry out her statutory duties in her absence and is to be loyal to her. She can appoint and dismiss whomever she wants as many times as she wants. Why don't some of these griping people sit down and read the state statutes???
As for the stipend being deposited into the Water Benevolent Fund, that issue is still at the Circuit Court. Will she recall the Judge if she doesn't like his decision? Let's just hope that she is never in need of money to pay her water bill. She could be out on a corner collecting pennies instead of signatures.
She is quoted in one paper as saying she wouldn't know Larry Brown "from a hole in the wall" prior to 2009. Now, maybe the lady moved into West Bloomfield in 2008, but Larry was up for election that year and he has been active in West Bloomfield for many years before that. I've known Larry all the way back to the early 1990s. Am I supposed to believe she is 'sleeping beauty' just waking up from a long nap?
Give me a break. The lady says that she got upset about the new waste hauler contract. Well, so did I, but it passed on a 5-2 vote. Done. Not Larry's fault.
Besides, she does not even mention that in her recall petition. She is complaining about a sewer contract that also passed on a 5-2 vote. I was at that meeting and heard the attorney tell the Board that they would lose a grant if they did not choose the low bidder and it did not matter if it was not an American company. If the lady is upset, maybe she should direct her anger at Washington DC.
As for the failed lawsuit, I think Larry should have continued and refiled against the Township. FOIA exists for a reason and denying access to public records is just plain wrong. And especially in light of the $1.8 million dollar settlement against our Police Department in another case.
She has also sent a letter to another paper complaining about the Clerk's choice of a Deputy. Well, he would not have been my choice, but that is strictly the Clerk's decision. The Deputy is there to carry out her statutory duties in her absence and is to be loyal to her. She can appoint and dismiss whomever she wants as many times as she wants. Why don't some of these griping people sit down and read the state statutes???
As for the stipend being deposited into the Water Benevolent Fund, that issue is still at the Circuit Court. Will she recall the Judge if she doesn't like his decision? Let's just hope that she is never in need of money to pay her water bill. She could be out on a corner collecting pennies instead of signatures.
Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin'
I do not listen to speeches. With the exception of the inauguration of our new Governor this year, it is a very rare occurrence for me. No State of the Union, Inauguration Day, State of the Township, whatever. To me it is just a lot of talk.
Someone writes a speech and some great orator delivers it. How is this different than watching a really good movie performance? Movie over and I am on my way home. Speech over and I am shaking my head going, 'Yeah, right'.
Two years ago I was in DC and my traveling companion wanted to watch the state of the union speech. Torture. Pure torture. Where are my earplugs when I need them?
Many years ago I went to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon where the Supervisor was giving her state of the township address. It was all 'I did this and I did that'. What were the rest of the board members? Chopped liver? Did we have nothing to do with any accomplishments?
After my divorce and re-entry into the dating world, all of my friends gave me advice to 'Watch what a man does, not what he says'. I say we should apply that to all of the politicians out there. Maybe we'd make better choices at the voting booth, not just the altar.
Someone writes a speech and some great orator delivers it. How is this different than watching a really good movie performance? Movie over and I am on my way home. Speech over and I am shaking my head going, 'Yeah, right'.
Two years ago I was in DC and my traveling companion wanted to watch the state of the union speech. Torture. Pure torture. Where are my earplugs when I need them?
Many years ago I went to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon where the Supervisor was giving her state of the township address. It was all 'I did this and I did that'. What were the rest of the board members? Chopped liver? Did we have nothing to do with any accomplishments?
After my divorce and re-entry into the dating world, all of my friends gave me advice to 'Watch what a man does, not what he says'. I say we should apply that to all of the politicians out there. Maybe we'd make better choices at the voting booth, not just the altar.
Could be Worse?
I had lunch with a friend yesterday who also has spent many years in the public sector of employment. They inquired as to what I knew about a fisticuffs in Plymouth Township. Well, though I know the Treasurer there, I had heard nothing, being out of the loop on many 'gossipy' things in other communities.
So, I googled and found that she was right. There may have been a knock-down in July involving the Clerk and Treasurer. Right in the Township Hall! Geez.
Earlier yesterday I had an inquiry about Township Treasurers and their bond requirements. Seems the Treasurer in Redford cannot obtain the required bond to collect taxes. Bonds were also denied to Detroit, Ecorse and Highland Park. The State law says that if you cannot obtain the bond, the taxes must be turned over to the County Treasurer for collection. MCL 211.51 says: (1) If a township treasurer does not file his or her bond with the county treasurer as prescribed by law and the township board fails to appoint a treasurer to give the bond and deliver a receipt for the bond to the supervisor by December 10, the supervisor shall deliver the tax roll with the necessary warrant directed to the county treasurer, who shall make the collection and return of taxes.
I guess that things in West Bloomfield could be worse, but I would hope not.
So, I googled and found that she was right. There may have been a knock-down in July involving the Clerk and Treasurer. Right in the Township Hall! Geez.
Earlier yesterday I had an inquiry about Township Treasurers and their bond requirements. Seems the Treasurer in Redford cannot obtain the required bond to collect taxes. Bonds were also denied to Detroit, Ecorse and Highland Park. The State law says that if you cannot obtain the bond, the taxes must be turned over to the County Treasurer for collection. MCL 211.51 says: (1) If a township treasurer does not file his or her bond with the county treasurer as prescribed by law and the township board fails to appoint a treasurer to give the bond and deliver a receipt for the bond to the supervisor by December 10, the supervisor shall deliver the tax roll with the necessary warrant directed to the county treasurer, who shall make the collection and return of taxes.
I guess that things in West Bloomfield could be worse, but I would hope not.
Can You Stop the Nonsense?
I have been thinking about this particular blog entry for some time. I knew the day would come when I would have something to say, but now that the day is here, my mind is still befuddled with what has been going on. Of course, that can only mean that this is another entry about West Bloomfield politics.
This morning's Oakland Press has a story below the fold on the front page titled 'Judge dismisses township's officials vs. officials lawsuit.' (Reminds me of 'Spy vs. Spy')
Now, if you are someone who does not routinely follow what goes on over at that particular institution, you may think that the headline is written incorrectly, since it makes no sense. But, alas, in the rather disfunctional minds of a couple of our officials, if we cannot bully our way to the top, we sue.
All of this is costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars and all because two people can't read and have serious delusions about being some kind of super-supreme rulers. The state law clearly says that the Board MAY authorize the supervisor to appoint a police chief, NOT that the supervisor shall appoint. And now an Oakland County judge has agreed that trustees did not violate any statutes in nominating and appointing a Police Chief, which, by the way, is in accord with our own Township ordinances.
But even worse than the lawsuit is their (Economu and Kaplan) behavior. It is nothing more than bullying. Let us do what we want and run West Bloomfield like a dictatorship or we will sue or, at the very least, run to the papers and TV stations to make you look bad.
We hear reports in our papers about students bullying each other at school. Schools are having classes to teach them that this is inappropriate and unacceptable.
Well, in light of the behavior of these two officials, I think our broadcasts of Township Board meetings should carry a warning to parents that 'some content may not be suitable for children'. Hey, it's not suitable for adults.
I find the comments in the newspaper particularly disturbing since they (E & K) are indicating they may appeal the decision. I've heard that an email was sent to township employees regarding this and someone may want to FOIA it and read it, maybe publish it. This can only cost more taxpayer dollars, unless these two individuals are planning to reimburse the township.
This has gone on for far too long. My hope is that both of these people will resign in shame, but in the interim STOP the bullying now.
This morning's Oakland Press has a story below the fold on the front page titled 'Judge dismisses township's officials vs. officials lawsuit.' (Reminds me of 'Spy vs. Spy')
Now, if you are someone who does not routinely follow what goes on over at that particular institution, you may think that the headline is written incorrectly, since it makes no sense. But, alas, in the rather disfunctional minds of a couple of our officials, if we cannot bully our way to the top, we sue.
All of this is costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars and all because two people can't read and have serious delusions about being some kind of super-supreme rulers. The state law clearly says that the Board MAY authorize the supervisor to appoint a police chief, NOT that the supervisor shall appoint. And now an Oakland County judge has agreed that trustees did not violate any statutes in nominating and appointing a Police Chief, which, by the way, is in accord with our own Township ordinances.
But even worse than the lawsuit is their (Economu and Kaplan) behavior. It is nothing more than bullying. Let us do what we want and run West Bloomfield like a dictatorship or we will sue or, at the very least, run to the papers and TV stations to make you look bad.
We hear reports in our papers about students bullying each other at school. Schools are having classes to teach them that this is inappropriate and unacceptable.
Well, in light of the behavior of these two officials, I think our broadcasts of Township Board meetings should carry a warning to parents that 'some content may not be suitable for children'. Hey, it's not suitable for adults.
I find the comments in the newspaper particularly disturbing since they (E & K) are indicating they may appeal the decision. I've heard that an email was sent to township employees regarding this and someone may want to FOIA it and read it, maybe publish it. This can only cost more taxpayer dollars, unless these two individuals are planning to reimburse the township.
This has gone on for far too long. My hope is that both of these people will resign in shame, but in the interim STOP the bullying now.
A First Time for Everything
I've just finished watching the Inaugural ceremony in Lansing. I do not remember ever watching any inauguration before, whether at the State or Federal level. I've never been into the pomp and circumstance of these events. I have several invitations to these events stashed away in a drawer, including this year's.
I had the radio on and they said they would be covering it so I switched to the TV. I found it interesting. The fact the Mayor Bing was the 'emcee' gave me hope. The talk of cooperation and vision, ditto. The understanding that government is not the answer to our problems, but that we ourselves are. Real jobs and growth are produced by business, not government. (Clue: If you think government should run like a business, elect a businessman, not an attorney, to run it. And if you do elect an attorney, make sure they know how to appoint competent people.)
I have a friend who is not from this area. He located here after a business transfer. We met soon after and after more time here he said he noticed that people in this area tend to 'dummy down' to the lowest common denominator. I do not disagree. The way out of this mess is to increase out expectations of ourselves and our children. I have hopes our new leaders can do just that. I'm psyched.
I had the radio on and they said they would be covering it so I switched to the TV. I found it interesting. The fact the Mayor Bing was the 'emcee' gave me hope. The talk of cooperation and vision, ditto. The understanding that government is not the answer to our problems, but that we ourselves are. Real jobs and growth are produced by business, not government. (Clue: If you think government should run like a business, elect a businessman, not an attorney, to run it. And if you do elect an attorney, make sure they know how to appoint competent people.)
I have a friend who is not from this area. He located here after a business transfer. We met soon after and after more time here he said he noticed that people in this area tend to 'dummy down' to the lowest common denominator. I do not disagree. The way out of this mess is to increase out expectations of ourselves and our children. I have hopes our new leaders can do just that. I'm psyched.
A controversy in search of an issue
A while back I stopped watching Township Board meetings. I do not read the minutes. I assume not much is happening since no one has sent an email or called to tell me I need to pay attention. My life is bliss - up until I read the newspaper.
So, last week when I read the story of a 'controversy' about closed session minutes, I figured I must have skimmed it too fast and missed what the issue was and why there was a problem. I supposed that something had happened at a Board meeting.
I went on with my business for the week remembering my own twenty-year experience on the Board. Simply put, you vote to go into closed session, you discuss and leave. You can take no votes and make no motions in the session. What is discussed is protected information, either because it involves negotiations or a lawsuit. There would be nothing to approve in the way of minutes, other than who was in the room and what the issue was. And that information already appears in the general session minutes.
After reading today's newspaper, including the letter to the editor, I had an 'AHA' moment. I figure that someone (or some two) has an issue with the clerk and likely called the paper to stir things up. The very call would be evidence of her incompetence. (Rumor has it that they have already lined up a new candidate for clerk in 2012.)
A recent serviceman to my home, not realizing who I was in my previous life, informed me that 'this new Board is worse than the last bunch.' Amen to that.
So, pray tell, just what is the problem here?
So, last week when I read the story of a 'controversy' about closed session minutes, I figured I must have skimmed it too fast and missed what the issue was and why there was a problem. I supposed that something had happened at a Board meeting.
I went on with my business for the week remembering my own twenty-year experience on the Board. Simply put, you vote to go into closed session, you discuss and leave. You can take no votes and make no motions in the session. What is discussed is protected information, either because it involves negotiations or a lawsuit. There would be nothing to approve in the way of minutes, other than who was in the room and what the issue was. And that information already appears in the general session minutes.
After reading today's newspaper, including the letter to the editor, I had an 'AHA' moment. I figure that someone (or some two) has an issue with the clerk and likely called the paper to stir things up. The very call would be evidence of her incompetence. (Rumor has it that they have already lined up a new candidate for clerk in 2012.)
A recent serviceman to my home, not realizing who I was in my previous life, informed me that 'this new Board is worse than the last bunch.' Amen to that.
So, pray tell, just what is the problem here?
Doing the Math
A story problem:
There are 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats on a committee.
The Democrats make amendments to a contract before a vote.
Twenty-one people vote on the contract.
The vote is 19-2, not to pass the contract.
Why is it the Republicans fault that it didn't pass?
There are 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats on a committee.
The Democrats make amendments to a contract before a vote.
Twenty-one people vote on the contract.
The vote is 19-2, not to pass the contract.
Why is it the Republicans fault that it didn't pass?
Looking at the World with Blinders On
Hamtramck, Royal Oak Township, Pontiac. I could go on and on. What will it take for our state to realize that they can no longer function with so many separate communities trying to provide their own services?
Yesterday's Detroit Free Press had an editorial called 'It's Crunch Time'. No, they were not talking about your morning cereal. They were talking about how we operate as a state with reduced incomes.
I do not believe we should be waiting for a community to be run by an Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) before making changes. It's too late by then and takes too long to fix the problem. We need to start changing before the EFM is called in and the community is placed on 'life support'. If one of these communities actually is allowed to file for bankruptcy, the entire state will be affected.
I hope that someone in the new administration dusts off the report to Jennifer Granholm on Fiscal Services. It is dated 2006. Among the suggestions was to move assessing functions to the county level. Makes a lot of sense to me.
And while we are at it, let's move tax collection and elections there as well. We are no longer living in the nineteenth century, but we still operate as though we do. (Hello, Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Get with the new century!)
Why should the local tax collector collect the tax, then pay the county and each individual school district, and then the county pays the state, and then the local settles with the county, who then collects delinquent taxes? In other states, all taxes are collected and distributed at the county level. And despite what the MTA says, it is not really so cool to drop your taxes off at the local tax collector's home and then sit and have a cup of coffee, as may be done in the small rural townships. They have the US mail service there too.
If we can't get rid of these 1,242 township governments, the let's change the laws regarding who does what. I have long said and even testified in Lansing that we need to get rid of townships, so this is nothing new for me.
Michigan can start rethinking about how it does the business of the state, or it can continue its decline. Those rose-colored glasses are turning into blinders and we need to make some changes. And soon.
Yesterday's Detroit Free Press had an editorial called 'It's Crunch Time'. No, they were not talking about your morning cereal. They were talking about how we operate as a state with reduced incomes.
I do not believe we should be waiting for a community to be run by an Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) before making changes. It's too late by then and takes too long to fix the problem. We need to start changing before the EFM is called in and the community is placed on 'life support'. If one of these communities actually is allowed to file for bankruptcy, the entire state will be affected.
I hope that someone in the new administration dusts off the report to Jennifer Granholm on Fiscal Services. It is dated 2006. Among the suggestions was to move assessing functions to the county level. Makes a lot of sense to me.
And while we are at it, let's move tax collection and elections there as well. We are no longer living in the nineteenth century, but we still operate as though we do. (Hello, Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Get with the new century!)
Why should the local tax collector collect the tax, then pay the county and each individual school district, and then the county pays the state, and then the local settles with the county, who then collects delinquent taxes? In other states, all taxes are collected and distributed at the county level. And despite what the MTA says, it is not really so cool to drop your taxes off at the local tax collector's home and then sit and have a cup of coffee, as may be done in the small rural townships. They have the US mail service there too.
If we can't get rid of these 1,242 township governments, the let's change the laws regarding who does what. I have long said and even testified in Lansing that we need to get rid of townships, so this is nothing new for me.
Michigan can start rethinking about how it does the business of the state, or it can continue its decline. Those rose-colored glasses are turning into blinders and we need to make some changes. And soon.
Just Call Me Doctor?
So, I leave my volunteer job today and check my messages on the phone. The first message starts with, 'Hello, Dr. Hammond'. Wow, volunteer at Henry Ford Hospital and receive immediate doctoral status.
So, rather than hit the number 7 to delete, I listen to the entire message.
Seems that I have been chosen as a 'Champion of Medicine' by none other than Newt Gingrich. Really? I knew I was spending way to much time at the doctor's offices. (See previous post)
Anyway, if I just call Ashley, I can join Newt in Washington, D.C. on election night at a reception honoring me.
So, as soon as I got in the door I booted up the computer and hopped on the internet to do a google search. I found an article that tells me the honor will only cost me $5,000. Gee, such a deal. Who thinks up this stuff? And how did they find me?
So, rather than hit the number 7 to delete, I listen to the entire message.
Seems that I have been chosen as a 'Champion of Medicine' by none other than Newt Gingrich. Really? I knew I was spending way to much time at the doctor's offices. (See previous post)
Anyway, if I just call Ashley, I can join Newt in Washington, D.C. on election night at a reception honoring me.
So, as soon as I got in the door I booted up the computer and hopped on the internet to do a google search. I found an article that tells me the honor will only cost me $5,000. Gee, such a deal. Who thinks up this stuff? And how did they find me?
Doing the Job You are Paid to Do
One of the things that angers me most is seeing public employees earn a good salary and then not doing the job they are expected to do. Or the ones who do a job other than what they are trained for and expected to do, while receiving all the benefits.
I'll start with elected officials who have full-time salaries. Let's all agree that one needs no training or expertise to run for most elected positions. So, faced with two unqualified candidates, the electorate is likely to lose either way. Faced with one qualified and one non-qualified candidate, they are free to choose whomever and live with the result. Either way, the pay is the same. Some officials figure once they are elected, how much and how often they work is their decision, and despite being adequately compensated for a full-time job, they make it a part-time hobby.
The electorate often never knows how much of the daily work an official actually does. Perhaps they do their appointed duties, but often it is parcelled out to subordinates. Not much we can do about that except 'vote the bums out of office' in the next election.
But, there is another area where employees do a job they are not professionally trained to do, but do it and collect salary and benefits of the more dangerous job.
First, let me say that I believe Public Safety is crucial to any successful community. But, we should have our public safety employees performing that job.
When I worked for the Township, I never agreed with having a trained law enforcement officer or fireman doing the budget. IMO, budgets should be executed by trained financial professionals. When I attended the Advanced Government Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin, I met someone who was the Finance Director for a large metropolitan Public Safety unit in another state. We, as finance professionals, were happy to see that this city hired someone who understood the intricacies of budgeting and kept their officers in public safety positions.
Let's face it: Why should local citizens pay a police or fire officer a public safety salary and public safety benefits, only to have that person sitting at a desk doing budgeting? Do they really need to retire at 52? Granted that budgeting can be stressful, but I would hope that police work and fighting fires is more so.
With a new Police Chief in West Bloomfield, maybe we can eliminate a police officer doing budgets (and whatever other non-police work jobs that officers are doing) and hire someone at a salary and benefits commensurate with a finance job. Yes, that trained person may have a higher annual salary, but their benefits would be less, especially in the retirement cost.
We as residents want to see our officers on the street. If we are truly only hiring the most-qualified officers out there, then let's use their skills on the streets, not on the desks. Unfortunately, some of our public officials seem hung-up on having a police chief who knows how to do a budget. Fortunately, the majority realized that is not the skill that is necessary to run a successful police department.
Restructure the department. Put our officers on the street. I might just support a millage increase if I see that happening.
I'll start with elected officials who have full-time salaries. Let's all agree that one needs no training or expertise to run for most elected positions. So, faced with two unqualified candidates, the electorate is likely to lose either way. Faced with one qualified and one non-qualified candidate, they are free to choose whomever and live with the result. Either way, the pay is the same. Some officials figure once they are elected, how much and how often they work is their decision, and despite being adequately compensated for a full-time job, they make it a part-time hobby.
The electorate often never knows how much of the daily work an official actually does. Perhaps they do their appointed duties, but often it is parcelled out to subordinates. Not much we can do about that except 'vote the bums out of office' in the next election.
But, there is another area where employees do a job they are not professionally trained to do, but do it and collect salary and benefits of the more dangerous job.
First, let me say that I believe Public Safety is crucial to any successful community. But, we should have our public safety employees performing that job.
When I worked for the Township, I never agreed with having a trained law enforcement officer or fireman doing the budget. IMO, budgets should be executed by trained financial professionals. When I attended the Advanced Government Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin, I met someone who was the Finance Director for a large metropolitan Public Safety unit in another state. We, as finance professionals, were happy to see that this city hired someone who understood the intricacies of budgeting and kept their officers in public safety positions.
Let's face it: Why should local citizens pay a police or fire officer a public safety salary and public safety benefits, only to have that person sitting at a desk doing budgeting? Do they really need to retire at 52? Granted that budgeting can be stressful, but I would hope that police work and fighting fires is more so.
With a new Police Chief in West Bloomfield, maybe we can eliminate a police officer doing budgets (and whatever other non-police work jobs that officers are doing) and hire someone at a salary and benefits commensurate with a finance job. Yes, that trained person may have a higher annual salary, but their benefits would be less, especially in the retirement cost.
We as residents want to see our officers on the street. If we are truly only hiring the most-qualified officers out there, then let's use their skills on the streets, not on the desks. Unfortunately, some of our public officials seem hung-up on having a police chief who knows how to do a budget. Fortunately, the majority realized that is not the skill that is necessary to run a successful police department.
Restructure the department. Put our officers on the street. I might just support a millage increase if I see that happening.
Eating My Words
When I started this blog earlier this year, I said I was not going to get involved in political issues. Oh, well. How can I stay away from this when it is all around me?
Some friends have suggested that I write two blogs. One about my life in retirement and one about the crazy political 'stuff'. They obviously think I have all the time in the world. Not true.
I have other things to keep me busy. Like playing Freecell on the computer. My winning streak is over 400 games and I have no intention of losing a game. (There is at least one unsolvable game and I've got its number.)
There is getting the yard ready for winter. Right after this beautiful spell of warm weather ends.
There is getting my bathroom back together after the contractor leaves. And then moving on to painting the family room. And cleaning the basement. Well, come to think of it, blogging would be more fun.
Anyway, I will be writing more about local politics over the next two years. We need some changes in West Bloomfield. We need them now, but I do not see the minority dissidents giving us a break. And after 20 years of being involved in politics and the fact that I still serve on State level committees dealing with local finance, I believe I have some insight. IMVHO. lol
Some friends have suggested that I write two blogs. One about my life in retirement and one about the crazy political 'stuff'. They obviously think I have all the time in the world. Not true.
I have other things to keep me busy. Like playing Freecell on the computer. My winning streak is over 400 games and I have no intention of losing a game. (There is at least one unsolvable game and I've got its number.)
There is getting the yard ready for winter. Right after this beautiful spell of warm weather ends.
There is getting my bathroom back together after the contractor leaves. And then moving on to painting the family room. And cleaning the basement. Well, come to think of it, blogging would be more fun.
Anyway, I will be writing more about local politics over the next two years. We need some changes in West Bloomfield. We need them now, but I do not see the minority dissidents giving us a break. And after 20 years of being involved in politics and the fact that I still serve on State level committees dealing with local finance, I believe I have some insight. IMVHO. lol
This could give you an ulcer
At nine o'clock this morning I logged on my computer and starting looking at the Township Board meeting of Monday night. I am sitting here waiting for them to swear in the new Police Chief.
The meeting ran 208 minutes. I have now watched for 334 minutes.
I have to just stop and walk away. Were we this bad? If so, it must be why I decided to leave.
OMG, I find I cannot listen to the Supervisor pontificate. I am sick of hearing her say she does everything by the book. It must be some comic book about evil forces.
At least when they got to the end, they swore in the right man as Chief. Now these folks need to drop their lawsuit and move forward. I for one am truly sick of it.
The meeting ran 208 minutes. I have now watched for 334 minutes.
I have to just stop and walk away. Were we this bad? If so, it must be why I decided to leave.
OMG, I find I cannot listen to the Supervisor pontificate. I am sick of hearing her say she does everything by the book. It must be some comic book about evil forces.
At least when they got to the end, they swore in the right man as Chief. Now these folks need to drop their lawsuit and move forward. I for one am truly sick of it.
Home, Sweet Home
In a few minutes another episode in the continuing drama known as the West Bloomfield Township Board Meeting will begin. I will not be in attendance, nor will I be watching on TV. On the advice of several friends, I am trying to maintain my sanity. Now this is despite a call I received telling me that a certain person said I would be in attendance. I have no idea why they thought that since I never speak to them, not do I know anyone in their circle, but whatever. I will not be a presence.
I keep thinking they can't get any worse (for clarification, the culprits here are Economou-Ureste, Weingarden, and Kaplan, hereafter referred to as UWK, pronounced Ugh). But now we have UWK suing the other Board members.
So, if I understand UWK correctly, the Supervisor serves as all supreme ruler of West Bloomfield and the Board only votes to confirm what she wants to do. I believe that in Washington and Russia they call these people Czars. And we know what happened to the Romanovs.
One wonders why we would even have board meetings to vote on township employee matters if the supervisor is the only one who can make hiring and firing decisions, negotiate contracts and set policy. I guess the boards I sat on for over twenty years were doing everything wrong.
I remember that when the police chief was appointed 20 years ago, he was not the choice of the supervisor. She had another candidate in mind. I have not bothered to look up the old minutes, but I think it would be interesting to see who made the nomination.
This supervisor is totally inept, IMHO. Seems that her strings are being pulled by the trustee, who I hear spends a lot of time in Town Hall. Does he not have a job in Macomb County? As for the third member of the triumvirate, she says her skills are in working with people. Anyone know if Wal-Mart needs another greeter?
Do we really have to wait two more years to replace them? Could they just do us all a favor and resign? I may be home tonight, but that does not mean I have not had phone calls, emails and drop bys asking me to attend. I'm curling up with a good book. Though nothing as crazy at what goes on over at town hall.
I keep thinking they can't get any worse (for clarification, the culprits here are Economou-Ureste, Weingarden, and Kaplan, hereafter referred to as UWK, pronounced Ugh). But now we have UWK suing the other Board members.
So, if I understand UWK correctly, the Supervisor serves as all supreme ruler of West Bloomfield and the Board only votes to confirm what she wants to do. I believe that in Washington and Russia they call these people Czars. And we know what happened to the Romanovs.
One wonders why we would even have board meetings to vote on township employee matters if the supervisor is the only one who can make hiring and firing decisions, negotiate contracts and set policy. I guess the boards I sat on for over twenty years were doing everything wrong.
I remember that when the police chief was appointed 20 years ago, he was not the choice of the supervisor. She had another candidate in mind. I have not bothered to look up the old minutes, but I think it would be interesting to see who made the nomination.
This supervisor is totally inept, IMHO. Seems that her strings are being pulled by the trustee, who I hear spends a lot of time in Town Hall. Does he not have a job in Macomb County? As for the third member of the triumvirate, she says her skills are in working with people. Anyone know if Wal-Mart needs another greeter?
Do we really have to wait two more years to replace them? Could they just do us all a favor and resign? I may be home tonight, but that does not mean I have not had phone calls, emails and drop bys asking me to attend. I'm curling up with a good book. Though nothing as crazy at what goes on over at town hall.
Just Go Away
I've already voted absentee. I've made up my mind and nothing was going to change it. Admittedly, in some races I found both major party candidates lacking ... in lots of areas. So, no vote there.
But that does not mean that my evenings will not be disrupted by the phone ringing and some volunteer wanting to remind me to vote for Candidate (fill in a name). It is nauseating. I'd rip the phone out of the wall or turn it off completely, but if I forget to turn my cell phone on, I might miss someone important. (not any candidates, of course)
There are also the flyers left on the porch and on the mailbox, not to mention the daily flyers in the mail. Can you spell 'circular file?'
Then, while sitting in front of my computer this afternoon, I heard a dog barking up a storm out front. I got up to see a neighbor walking his dog and talking to someone in my driveway. The neighbor moved on and the guy turned around with 'FLYERS IN HIS HAND'. I opened the front window and told him not to leave anything. He looked hurt. I told him I had already voted.
He smiled and said, "Did you vote for candidate ABC?'' I said, "Of course not!" I thought he was going to cry. It was like he couldn't believe I had said it. It felt good. I may have to answer my phone and upset every caller out there. And then again...
But that does not mean that my evenings will not be disrupted by the phone ringing and some volunteer wanting to remind me to vote for Candidate (fill in a name). It is nauseating. I'd rip the phone out of the wall or turn it off completely, but if I forget to turn my cell phone on, I might miss someone important. (not any candidates, of course)
There are also the flyers left on the porch and on the mailbox, not to mention the daily flyers in the mail. Can you spell 'circular file?'
Then, while sitting in front of my computer this afternoon, I heard a dog barking up a storm out front. I got up to see a neighbor walking his dog and talking to someone in my driveway. The neighbor moved on and the guy turned around with 'FLYERS IN HIS HAND'. I opened the front window and told him not to leave anything. He looked hurt. I told him I had already voted.
He smiled and said, "Did you vote for candidate ABC?'' I said, "Of course not!" I thought he was going to cry. It was like he couldn't believe I had said it. It felt good. I may have to answer my phone and upset every caller out there. And then again...
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