Don't Believe What You Read in the Ludington Paper

[XLFD]

When you run counter to the City Hall, you don't make friends with the Ludington Daily News.  This isn't how newspapers are supposed to work, but the LDN is still getting awards, so it must work for them.  But do the ones who work there that consider themselves journalist really think they're doing the public a favor by being the hitmen for the City to knock down the voice of dissent?

 

Here's a case in point; on Friday's front page, the LDN had a blurb about a candidate forum next Monday.  I would love to attend, but the problem is that it is being held at the City Hall, and I can't go there or anywhere in the Police Station legally without express written permission.  Three inches of this five inch blurb was about a candidates non-attendance at the event: 

 

All candidates except one have said they will participate.  Tom Rotta, an at-large candidate has declined the LDN invitation, in part because he believes he is wrongly barred from city hall (the LDN has been assured a no trespass order affecting his entry into certain areas of city hall does not preclude him from attending this forum or other public events) and in part because he sees the site as not being neutral.  

 

Damning if true.  If you're a regular reader on the Shay-nanigans, you know the Letter of Trespass bars me from all areas of City Hall, and says absolutely nothing in it about allowing me to go to any public events there, without express written permission.  Get used to that phrase.  The site is not neutral, because of that, he got that right. 

But I never declined.   To show the sheer idiocy of the banter between me, Kevin, and Steve Baloney, an editor of the LDN (me supplying at least 33% of that idiocy), I feel I need to show my E-mails in full to show what a fantasy world Kevin lives in.  See if you can find my declining of this forum.  It starts off with me replying to a request for an interview by Kevin Brainiac:

If you see any declining of the invitation, please let me know.  Also note, that the one E-mail from Shay was not express written permission-- I was CC-ed, and the he said something that was false.  Before the Workplace Safety Policy, anyone could attend a meeting-- the WSP saw to it that that isn't the case anymore.  One of the many reasons it is illegal and needs to be removed.

[Willy]

The problem with you Jhay is that you make comments with nothing to back up your statements. You still haven't answered any questions with facts. X  has provided documentation regarding all of his claims. If you don't have any legitimate information that can be verified then what's the point in posting because your opinions are not based in reality and only reflect the corruption that exists in Ludingtons anti constitutional government and that affects everyone, even folks that do not reside inside the City limits. Are you the love child of Penn states coaching staff?

[AQUAMAN]

Your funny Willy, but all too accurate when it comes to the newbie with an abundance of information and posts that amount to zilch, nada. Back to the Mabel comment, she made it on the phone, it was not solicited, just my compliment about her new car recently, while looking for info. about my appliance repair I bought from her. She was a good friend of my mom's, and probably doesn't use or know how to operate a computer, since she has to be in her upper 80's by now. But, that Urka's doesn't treat the public properly, just cause you don't buy every car you own from them, doesn't mean you treat the public with contempt and fraud. The least they should have done, esp. since she WAS a Loyal repeat customer, is fess up to their obvious incompetence, and replace her motor with their insurance policy for such bunglings, that's all I said. As for Urka's and my family's experiences, they were similar to Mabel's years ago. If I want to buy a vehicle that is the color, options, and pricing I like elsewhere, that's my privilege, and for no one else to question or assume other things about. I'm sure Mabel would confirm these facts if you get off your AXX and call her, she's Not a LIAR, nor am I, how bout you?

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

"You claim that you lived in Ludington up to September of last year.  I recently lived in Hamlin Township which was a Ludington address but not part of the City of Ludington.  Did you live in the City of Ludington?"

 

I owned a home on Lavina street until 2 years ago. I until September of last year did also live in Hamlin township.

But I think it is only right for anyone who spends money in the town to be able to comment on the local affairs as they indirectly effect us and our pocket books especially when it appears monies are misused. One still pays taxes anytime they buy a product in this town even if they do not own property. Similarly those making bad decisions for us in Washington down own property in your town either but they damned sure effect whether one stays here or goes elsewhere to work doesn't it? As with any local state or Federal election it is possible to contribute to a campaign whether you live there or not. It is not illegal or even immoral. AS Ludington's unwise decisions may effect the income of all who work in or around it.

My reasons for moving in fact relate to some things the town did that made moving an easy financial choice really.

[XLFD]

Sometimes it isn't the amount of taxes you pay, but the return of services and the quality of the government you get from the amount you pay.  When the public money is used to pay incredibly high fringe benefits and wages of workers, wasted on painting water towers without competitive bids and the necessity of doing so, and frittered on socialistic 'economic development' concepts of public-private partnerships, you have a city soon to be in a crisis. 

[Marty Redman]

Thanks a bundle for that link on Michigan property tax rates.  I looked for something like that a couple of years ago unsuccessfully.  Anyone looking to buy property for whatever reason should compare the local rates because they will still be there when you have the property long paid off.  Just going across a road can sometimes double your rate with no difference in public services.