Hamlin Township Citizens (and Board) Call-Block Dial-A-Ride

[XLFD]

Hamlin Board Votes to Deny Putting Dial-a-ride-for Hamlin-Issue on this Year's Ballot

At a contentious, but mostly civil town hall meeting tonight, the Hamlin Board considered the issue of raising the existing millage from 0.73 to 1.00 mils (nearly a 40% increase) to facilitate dial-a-ride service covering the township.  Fully seventeen people rose up and went to the microphone (not counting an intro by the new Mason County Road Commissioner), and three more had their views read into the record by Township Supervisor Nancy Vandervest. 

Of the twenty opinions expressed, only eight of those expressed support of the plan or at least to put it up for a vote.  One of these was by the Co-chair of Hamlin Rides, Barry Matthews, and another was by Ludington City Councilor Kaye Holman.  Holman is well versed in inefficiently spending other people's money at her other job, so it was not surprising to see her cross boundary lines to advocate for this project being 'well worth it'.

The other twelve were against the plan, if not actively against putting it on the ballot.  Notable among these were recurring outspoken citizen, Greg Collins putting forth numbers, a personable rendition of problems by Bill Smith, a history lesson of the issue by Bob McLain, a worker's paradox put forth by Pat Soper, and an entertaining comprehensive letter by David Hankwitz, which had the Supervisor Vandervest actually refer to Nurnberg Road as Nuremburg Road. 

Historically, in Nov. 2006, a plan for county-wide service was voted down in Hamlin, with 807 yes to 851 no.  A second vote, concerning just Hamlin Township was added to the ballot in August of 2008 and was defeated by a twelve percent margin, 305 yes to 395 no.  Although proponents mentioned changing demographics and needs, it was hard to get past the inalterable facts that there has been an economic downturn, decreased household income, and more demands from all levels of government for even more of that since those times.   A well-informed electorate would likely make that twelve percent margin look smaller now.

Hamlin Rides avoidance of numbers, projections, and dissenting opinions at previous forums helped in their own way to create the final vote by the Hamlin Board, who instead of voting for putting the issue on the ballot, instead decided to vote on NOT putting the issue on the ballot, much to the chagrin of Hamlin Rides' Barry Matthews, whom this reporter sat next to.  All five board members to one extent or another used references to being not fully informed to vote yea in their brief statements before the vote, and many noted the points brought out by the opponents as being fairly made. 

In other business, the Hamlin Board spoke of the upcoming master plan workshop being held by LIAA for master plans of Mason County, Hamlin, PM, and the City of Ludington on February 19, 2014, along with other normal discussions on budgets, reports and purchase.

[Willy]

Thanks for posting this X. I have family out there who will be interested in what's going on. Not to change the subject but I'm wondering why the voter turnout in Nov. of 2006 was so much greater then the August 2008 vote. Perhaps people were away on vacation during the 2008 vote. A difference of 958 votes was tallied between the 2 dates which seems to indicate something was very different between those voting times. I think the township should be looking into this matter because something doesn't seem quite right. I'm also wondering why Holman would be injecting herself into Hamlin township's business when she can't seem to get squared away when representing COL. The last thing Hamlin twp. needs is a nosey Ludington politician interfering in it's affairs.

[XLFD]

I didn't double verify those numbers, I got them from an article by Rob Alway from last year in the Mason County Press.  The number of votes seems extra high in the 2006 in relation to the number of people in Hamlin, so I am thinking the numbers may reflect portions of Victory, PM or Grant Twps. that may have been combined together.

Holman sat on the other side of Barry Matthews, which put her within cane range, so I was on my best behavior.  It was 'ironic' seeing her advocate for the poor people of Hamlin who had a hard time getting to medical services in Ludington, when I can still see her up among her stack of papers sneering derisively out the word "indigent" referring to two Ludington citizens looking for public information service that she was helping not to provide with her perfect voting record against FOIA appeals.

[XLFD]

Yes, that's where she is officially, though I heard a variety of rumors during the 2011 election that she resided elsewhere most of the time.  Her stated concern was for her Hamlin-residing clients in her other job in senior care.  Apparently two of her clients were from Hamlin and could not get in to her car due to disability.  For this reason, she told the Hamlin crowd that:

" I don’t think $80 a household is too much.  In Ludington it’s worth every dime because you’re safe and you can get where you want to go.”

It shall be noted that, like me, Ms. Holman does not directly pay property taxes in Hamlin or Ludington, so either case does not apply to her tax burden. 

It shall also be noted that the City of Ludington's Motor pool revenues from gas sales to the LMTA is about $140,000 per year, or just under 3% of Ludington's revenues.  That increases if Hamlin becomes available for more runs. 

It should lastly be noted that Ms. Holman directly has power over the direction of LMTA, since it is a City of Ludington Board that runs it, and when you count all the local, state, and federal money that filters through the LMTA it is over $1.7 Million, which not only is probably spent inefficiently, but likely to foster a breeding ground for potential fraud.  For Kaye to get up in front of this crowd and not mention these conflicts behind her humanitarian plea is Pure Holman.

[XLFD]

One other thing, Sheriff Cole was there and gave an update on the status of Mady Collins, the 7 year old girl whose mother and infant sister died in a car accident not far from where the Hamlin Town Hall is located.  It isn't looking too good for her, he related.  So don't forget to send some prayers and other positive energy to this young lady's recovery effort:

http://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/news/local/artic...

[Willy]

Sad story. I feel for the family.

[AQUAMAN]

We've seen this strategy around Ludington before, that of having votes on important issues during dates that coincide with very active busy times of the summer and also times in the winter when people are home-bound. This "strategy" happens when the authority wanting the issue passed has it voted down one, or several times. Not uncommon, but surely, not ethical. As for Holman, she should keep her Lard A$$ back in town on matters pertaining to running the COL, yes Kaye, do your job, and leave Hamlin alone! Thanks X, for attending these vital meetings out of your way. There is a lot of Hamlin Twnshp. business going on that needs to be focused on as that board is just about as shifty as the downtown boards. Their FOIA system also smells bad.

[dowland]

Thank you for your reporting on this.  The (I want a free ride club) will not be going away.  When you have the Daily News writing two full pages of pro-dial ride articles in the last two weeks you know that they will not give up.  All of this means that I have to read articles from people such as Barry Matthews who stated in one article, "This country was founded on the welfare of helping your neighbors." What history book was he reading? Was it The Great History of Karl Marx. As the great philosopher Popeye would say I can take all I can take, and I can't take no more.  This country was founded on what William Wallace screamed while the elites were cutting his guts out FREEDOM!!!!! I wonder if Barry is related to another Barry "Barack" we know who wants social justice. This country was founded to seek freedom from oppression.  I am sick of these blood suckers telling me it is only fair, right, and just to take my money.  Don't Tread on me. Peace Out ha ha.

[XLFD]

After having attended mostly Ludington City Council meetings this was rather refreshing, to see so many citizens come to the board in bad weather in the middle of February to voice their heartfelt concerns.  The Hamlin Board is a lot more enlightened than the Ludington Council:  they allow public comment before and after the regular meeting is conducted, the township supervisor reads letters from the public at the end of the regular public comments for those unable to make the meeting, a full agenda plus other relevant numbers was readily available to the public and each of the board members actually voiced why they were voting against the issue.

Impressive--  this was a lot better direct democracy working for the benefit of the people than I have seen in Ludington's City Hall-- ever.  I hope Councilor Holman learns something in this defeat.  And while the FOIA issues others and I have had with Hamlin are troubling, I have to admit Supervisor Vandervest was at least willing to make some concessions this last year.

I will continue to try and cover these issues with our townships and county government when there appears to be a need to represent the voice of the people, because the COLDNews and the MCP will be loath to present efforts against a well-organized, government-supported group. 

If we were to gauge the popularity of the Hamlin Rides effort by the audience participating at the meeting you would have to figure out it is an unpopular idea to increase taxes by almost $100 per year for all to accommodate a small amount of residents who already are able to get by without the service. 

But there has been a very concerted effort by HR to get this going, even though they effectively had nobody get up (or write a letter) themselves and make a personal case for this.  It was always nameless other people and vague statistics and facts that preserved part of the reality, while ignoring the rest.  One said increased ridership would make increased revenues, but that was fallacious because you are operating a service that loses money for each transaction.  The increase in revenues is more than offset by the increase in expenses.

[Willy]

Holman has become a typical politician who keeps trying to convince the public that paying more taxes is a good thing. The fact that she's trying to convince people that she doesn't even  represent is doubly insulting.

[dowland]

 The daily rag had over two full pages of coverage for Dial a Ride for Hamlin.  Plus it had pro-support in the editor page to let it go on the ballot, so the people could vote on it.  As reported by the Torch it failed big time, but NO coverage from the Daily rag.  This would have been front page news if it has passed. It must not fit there agenda.

[XLFD]

(My red pants are to the far right of this picture from MCP)  The Mason County Press also was guilty of doing some shilling for the Hamlin Rides effort, they had been positive for the effort and covering their 'information' sessions since last year.  The day of the meeting they put out a Letter of support by Hamlin Rides, and after the meeting they summarized the opposition to:

"Jim Peterson of North Lincoln Road, asked how long the millage would last. He said he was concerned that people already can’t pay their taxes. “If you look at our tax rolls, look at how many people are delinquent on their property taxes? Every little bit becomes a whole lot.” Peterson said he was concerned that people who were south for the winter would not be able to voice their views on the issue.

Randy Bowden of Jagger Road said the LMTA buses are inefficient and often only have one person on them.

Bill Smith of Travis Road said he was not necessarily opposed to public transportation but was concerned about the costs."

But the summation of views presented against the issue was much vaster, and MCP gave Hamlin Rides first and last word in the recap.  Meanwhile HR's main points were:  public transportation-- good, no public transportation-- bad, screw the numbers and the majority of people who would never use it but pay nearly $100 for it a year. 

[AQUAMAN]

What actually happens, as history has taught us around Mason County, more times than not, is that the people whom vote it down time after time, finally get fed up with the entire matter, and quit voting anymore on the issue. The LDN & now MCP, also puts their fangs into the picture, to get the "fixed agenda" looking like it's no use fighting it. So, in the end, the sorry and wrongful issue, finally passes, with a close vote, and a disgruntled populace just giving up.