Ludington City Council June 13, 2022: Just Shoot Me

[XLFD]

Gun-grabbers hijack the agenda

Ludington Mayor Steve Miller finds himself with a credible local challenger to his position in the November election, former police chief Mark Barnett who served in that position for twenty years.  The mayor's focus, however, has not been on local issues (where there are plenty for those who look closely, like yours truly) but instead he has concentrated on national issues, where city hall has no power to intervene in. 

This spring he weighed in on Ukraine, urging his fellow Americans in a prepared statement read to the council to support our country's intervention into that affair.  Since that time he has not taken up arms and traveled to Kiev to defend his beloved second country, he could do that since we have a mayor pro tem ready to step in for him.  Instead he has adopted a new national issue to adopt gun control measures many would feel intrusive on their Second Amendment rights, reading another prepared statement appealing to over a dozen of gun control advocates appearing at this meeting to crowd the council chambers to capacity.  

Mayor Miller needs to be reminded of a few things if he wants to keep his job.  First, if you advocate a policy to put the latest US military firearms and ordinance into the hands of the citizens of Ukraine while limiting US citizens to hunting rifles and airsoft guns, the people will realize how hypocritical that is.  Second, if you continue to look at national policies rather than local policies, your opponent will have a great campaign issue in saying that you're hopelessly out of touch with the locals.  Third, if you want to openly embrace globalist and progressive socialist ideas in an area where conservative thought is dominant, you may want to reconsider that tact.  

It was never mentioned in the meeting's agenda packet, but gun control measures (softened to 'gun safety' by most at this meeting) became the overwhelming topic in a coup of the meeting's loaded agenda in the standing room only crowd.  This was far from organic, it was orchestrated, but it wasn't evident until the third person spoke during public comment.  Thankfully they didn't take the usual tactic of demagoguery by bringing children into the chambers to make their labored point.

Daniel Connelly led off the comments wanting to open discussion with providing Crosswinds Condo owners with adequate trash removal services since they pay the same taxes as the rest of Ludington as part of the Third Ward-- though isolated on the opposite side of the harbor on the Buttersville Peninsula.  John & Veronica Curtis followed with their own plea to the council to be able to erect a higher fence to keep cats out of the yard where their dog runs freely and hopes the city could relax zoning law to allow for a larger area to be fenced in.  

Then four people would speak about gun control, most relating recent shootings in the news, but all speaking out for greater action restricting guns.  Don Hall listed some gun control laws before urging the council to pass a resolution banning AR-15s.  Antoinette Dewine(?) agreed with that, adding a disdain for NRA-funded politicians like Ted Cruz.  Sustained applause by the large contingent of gun control supporters forced the mayor to warn them about their enthusiasm.

Deb Del Zoppo admitted she was a gun owner, but noted AR-15s were a weapon of war, she also asked the council to pass a resolution against such weapons.  Brenda Rieber(?) also believed AR-15s should be banned and that maybe there should be a buy-back program implemented locally.  

After Brenda spoke, the mayor conferred with City Manager Mitch Foster and noted that a buy-back program would be looked at in the next Public Safety Committee meeting.  Deb and Antoinette would comment once again, with Anna Silva(?) during the second comment period over an hour later.  Once again they argued for a resolution restricting high-velocity weapons and policies that will keep Ludington safe by keeping these available only to the police.

Had this organized group of left-leaning folks did their research, they might have found that according to Michigan law, a city is not permitted to enact or enforce any ordinance or regulation [such as a resolution banning certain firearms] pertaining to, or regulate in any other manner the ownership, registration, purchase, sale, transfer, transportation, or possession of pistols, other firearms, or pneumatic guns, ammunition for pistols or other firearms, or components of pistols or other firearms.

If the council passed a resolution banning or otherwise regulating AR-15s, they would be violating the law, so what we had were dozens of people urging the council to break the law.  Councilor Winczewski would later ask the PS Committee to investigate gun control options further, and the mayor would read his own prepared statement (1:46 into the video) effectively admitting that he helped organize the gun control comments:  "Tonight we've heard from disquieted area residents affected (sic) into action to express their very real anxieties and fears and anger to us... understand the process and take action... I'm surely preaching to the choir tonight..."

Mark Barnett attended this meeting, but didn't feel compelled to comment, so one wonders if he is on board with the current mayor's sentiment or the evening's cause celebre.  It should be noted that Michigan law does permit open carry at city hall, so I urge anybody who may wish to debate these people at the next meeting or the next Public Safety Committee meeting, to proudly bring in their best hunting rifle or home-protecting pistol-- but notify them of your intention to bring it on premises with lawful intent, there's no telling what our young, often-poorly-trained police squad will do in reaction. 

 

The tax hike cometh

As noted, the agenda was packed and required two pages to contain, a good portion of it had to do with the council's annual debacle of grabbing the most local taxes they can get.  Each year, at least six ordinances are put out that allows the city to do a truth in taxation hearing.  Under certain conditions, the city can levy more taxes than allowed by the Michigan constitution by holding these hearings and voting them up, which they have done in unanimous fashion over the last decade.  

The council introduced these ordinances at this meeting and will vote at the next meeting, likely to pass them and give them over $140,000 of new taxes placed upon the property owners of Ludington.  If they were to defend themselves (which they didn't at this meeting) they would tell you that they have to deal with the rampant inflation when contracting and buying gas.  But would they have the sense to realize that each of their constituents have that same problem, and that they have to deal with the additional problem of added gas taxes?  I tried to reason with them at the meeting's beginning, I don't think I was too successful as they just had a first reading-- they love your money.

XLFD:  "Just since the beginning of the year, gas prices have increased by over 50%, the latest numbers have inflation at its highest in over 40 years at 8.6%, more than doubling the average percentage increase of wages of Americans.  People on fixed incomes are faring even worse.  

Ludington government has it pretty good.  Their revenue from property taxes is scheduled to outpace the rate of inflation, they would be doing exceptionally good if not for Headlee rollbacks kicking in to keep them from outpacing inflation.  Rather than accept the rollbacks, city leaders have decided to use a truth in taxation hearing process in order to get around $140,000 more from the city's property owners in a property tax hike.  So not only are Ludington property owners having to increase their tax burden by the high inflation rate, the City will grab $140,000 more because they feel that they need that money more than its citizens do.

The city manager and city clerk thus present this tax hike in front of you and talk of the consequences in their memo, recommending that you pass the tax hike after next meeting's public hearing.  They do not even suggest there is an alternative in their memo, leaving that line blank.  There is an alternative, however, which should be considered if you are concerned for the solvency of your constituents and their businesses.  Do not pass either of the tax hikes, the city corporate will easily survive by growing their tax revenues by the high rate of inflation; some of the people who have voted for you, some of the people who you supposedly represent, some of the businesses that define Ludington, some of the budding businesses that are running behind on payments already, may not survive. 

Over the next two weeks, consider these tax hikes honestly and try to reconnect with the common people of Ludington who have tried to capture the American Dream by owning a piece of real estate in our fair city and are being overwhelmed by inflation and taxes.  Consider the impact on potential developers who calculate whether to build in the city limits in part by the size of the millage rate and the governing body's willingness to unfairly raise that rate in the face of a Headlee rollback.  Reflect on why you are willing to spend over $1.1 million on Cartier Park bathhouses, while people in your ward can't fill their gas tank let alone pay their summer tax bill without going into debt."  [END comment].

And now, the rest of the meeting

Ken Berthiaume reported on his annual audit of the city and in an abbreviated summary (the full audit is in the packet) he offered a mostly glowing report.  He noted that pension liabilities were significant as he has before, but noted the net position of the city is at $1.5 million and the fund balance of $2.8 million as positive.  He noted the water fund deficit as one of the few areas of concern, noting that it was $600K last year and $170K this year, but believes it may be in the process of stabilizing.

They approved unanimously without meaningful deliberation the following:

- the 2021 Audit Report

- a change order for recent construction work at Harbor View Marina

- a five year contract with Republic Services for waste removal offering a currently-favorable inflation factor of 2.5% per year.

- a golf cart show to be held on July 1st showcasing the area's alternate vehicle option

- a fire service agreement with Oxychem for its land inside the city limits

- a street closure of 100 block of E Melendy for a Ludington Bay Disc Golf event

- the purchase of two police shields

The mayor presented the family of recently passed Cathy VanSickle with a plaque honoring her long service with the city as the recreational director.  Three other first presentations were offered regarding the removal of penalties for minors who refuse testing for alcohol, repealing the currently unused licensing & registering of bikes in Ludington, and the change of language in zoning accessory dwelling units replacing 'footprint' with 'square footage', to allow for more qualifying units.

The councilors mulled over the Cartier Park Campgrounds purchase of two bathhouses that would now cost $1.128 million and be over $300K more than what was envisioned earlier before inflation hit. Replacing Deck E at the city marina would also require about the same in additional funds.  Neither project was pushed forward, rather they wanted further administrative action in order to see whether they could go forward with either or both.  

In this discussion, Foster would note that the floating docks had a lifetime of 30 years and state the city marina's original docks (other than C and F) have lifetimes of 25 years .  Those docks have served for 40 years with minor repairs over that time.

The only controversy between councilors during the night dealt with legislation underway federally trying to get Michigan Works! more in line and uniform with other federally-funded agencies in 47 other states.  While it sounded as if the legislation would result in lost jobs for MW! in general and bad job-searching prospects for people using their services, Councilor Wally Cain appropriately wanted to know the other side of the argument. 

He reasonably reasoned that all the literature he looked at only pointed out the problems with the proposed changes and offered no positives.  He was concerned that the other side may have reasons to adopt such a line and that it was overlooked or overemphasized to Councilor Johnson (who serves on the MW! Board) in order to send a stronger statement to be approved by councilors who only have a day or two to review it.  It still passed 6-1, and so a resolution from the council will be sent to the Department of Labor expressing their disfavor with the proposal.   

[shinblind]

Absolutely nothing preventing the gun grabbers from purchasing firearms they deem dangerous and destroying them. Funny how they never wish to put their own money where their fear is. 

[Willy]

Elections have consequences. From the school boards to City Hall the Leftists are here and if we are not vigilant we will be in debt up to our necks and we won't have to worry about where to store our guns because we won't have any. The left is stealing your rights. It is estimated that there are approximately 400,000,000 millions guns in the US. That's about 1.2 guns per person so with a population of around 7600 people, Ludington citizens have at least 9,000 guns. Not much gun violence in Ludington especially when there are 9,000 guns around town. Why don't these Lefties ban cars because of the large number of people that are killed by them.

[Willy]

I wasn’t able to view the video until now. So l need to make another comment. The anti gun crowd at the council meeting appears to be part of the old 60s & 70s baby boomers/hippies. They are as ignorant now as they were back then. The AR15 is nothing more than any other semi auto rifle. As a matter of fact it shoots a bullet much smaller than an average deer rifle. The hippies also do not understand the difference between weapons made for combat and for hunting. The combat rifle such as the M16’s ammunition was purposely designed so that the projectile would injure and not kill, causing the enemy to use other soldiers to stop fighting in order to aid their companions. The lefties are trying to take guns by banning certain firearms one at a time. I can see how Ludington’s population has been changing over past years. The lefty boomers are retiring and are replacing others who have moved out of the area and they have brought their progressive BS with them and now they want to be in charge and force their anti constitutional, freedom robbing nonsense on the rest of us.

[XLFD]

A few thoughts back to address your points:

1) It is surprising that the people (or organized flash mobs) that have come to LCC meetings since the plandemic represent the liberal faction of our community (with one noticeable exception, me).  MAGA media proudly proclaim the energy that freedom-loving patriots have in local politics nowadays, but I ain't seeing a lot of it at city councils or at school board meetings.  

2) Mark Barnett and I have a contentious past, one can say he was the main person that made me XLFD and there was a couple of times where we butted heads at the city council.  He currently chairs the revisionist Bastard Board without a concern that it' was made through error and/or fraud.  Nevertheless, he would likely get my vote and endorsement if he brought forth a real vision that distinguished him as something he never has been in the past-- if that makes sense.  Council meetings would definitely be more interesting under the chief, so I eagerly await their debate to see whether Barnett has anything worthy of serious  consideration, or just what you'd expect from a retread.

3) SOS Jocelyn Benson and the other two jokers up for reelection in the governor and AG race need to be kept in check even more so than in 2020 because their political future is part of this election.  They and their actions need to be watched so that they don't get away with another debacle that was the 2020 election.

4) Mitch is too practical and pragmatic to be a progressive, he's more of an apolitical stoic.  If grownups win in November, prices will moderate, until then the City should prioritize their capital program and eliminate some of the fluff and put off what they can.  Expect city employees to get nearly a 10% raise in the next budget regardless of what happens in November.

[XLFD]

I am serious, but it requires better explanation. 

Mitch is savvy enough to adapt to shifting political climates as a survival mechanism in his career as city manager.  As you know, he is employed by the city council and so he has to curry favor with whatever political class the majority of the council is at any given time.  He has managed to do so without broadcasting, betraying or subjugating his own political motives and character (for the most part) and that has me labeling him as a pragmatic/practical apolitical stoic. 

I recognize these qualities as helpful for his position, but not always helpful in doing what's right or what's best for the public.  His pragmatism often furthers the ends of others, but not always the public, and so this is why I can assign him these seemingly admirable traits, yet I cannot give him undeserved higher honors involving character.

[Freedom Seeker]

Love your analysis, LL! Especially about Mitch still shoveling while deep in the hole he has helped dig. It doesn't take long for some good-talking idealist hoping to make a difference to become a 'politiician" and jump into the cesspool created by out-of-town, out-of-touch community developers. Barnett may be different, but better than Miller? I agree Miller should go back to Ann Arbor. Too much water under the "shame on Rotta" bridge for success with Barnett. I think Barnett is too long on an old agenda of not being in touch with the people and clinging to the secret squirrels who really run Ludington. I pity the choices for Ludington's future.

[Gym Byrd]

I agree with Lk Lady on taxes, really all she said. Im sorry but had to stop reading article at TAXES due to time constraints. If mentioned, apologies, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HUGE, PERMENANT INCREASE ALL, NOT JUST LUDINGTON, BUT ESP LUDINGTON HAS STARTED TO DROWN IN FROM ALL OF THE HUGE MARK UP SELLING PRICES OF REAL ESTATE IN RECENT YEARS AND CONSEQUENTIAL HUGE INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE/HUGE INCREASE OF RE TAXES MI GOVTS, LUDINGTON????!!!!! They NEED to raise them evenore???? Is Ludington, MI at large, going to start paving our roads with 24K GOLD???

[XLFD]

Welcome to the Ludington Torch, Gym, where you don't need to shout using all-caps, we'll hear you just the same.  If that's what you want, however, vary it with some boldface, italics, and underline like our old friend Edie Lindsey uses.

To answer your question, city staff is definitely aware that property values around Ludington are going up, that's precisely why Headlee Rollbacks kicked in because collective property values increased much higher than the inflation rate.  The problem, exactly zero councilors were concerned about how cash-strapped citizens would be affected by a $140,000 tax hike solely under their control, they only looked at how it would make it easier for the COL in paying for $1.1 million bathhouses out at Cartier Park, $1 million renovations of a downtown alley, etc. etc. etc. (choose your own pet project).  Meanwhile, city staff is giving them slanted information downplaying the effects on citizens because they are even more desirous of your lifeblood.