Ludington City Councilor Richard Rathsack Dies at Home in Midland

[XLFD]

Nothing ever seems to happen in Ludington without some controversy.  City Councilor Dick Rathsack passed away at his home in Midland on December 23, 2017.  Our deepest sympathies are with those who knew and loved him, and I am mindful that the honorable councilor was always respectful of the public in his five years of public service.  

Yet two things strike me as odd about his death.  The first is the time it took for the local media to actually report on it.  A Midland funeral service provider created an obituary page for Richard on the 23rd.  A prepared obituary was in the next day's edition of the Midland Daily News, and yet it would reach the attention of the City of Ludington Daily News (COLDNews) today, four days later.  It seems like a rather long lapse of time in the news business.

The odder bit about his death is that the Midland Daily News obituary reads as follows:  "Richard Rathsack, 80, of Midland, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 at his home...", this is reprinted in the COLDNews obituary and front page article of his death.  As a city councilor representing the good people of the First Ward of Ludington, this wording is likely to have raised some eyebrows, as by city law, he needs to live in the ward he serves.

Fear not, a review of Councilor Rathsack's North Lakeshore property in Ludington shows that he claims it as his homestead, and receives a 100% exemption for school operation millage purposes, and just in case you were concerned that he may also claim that status in Midland, it is not so.  His house on Pheasant Ridge Drive has no exemption.  Councilor Rathsack has claimed Ludington as his homestead since around 2008.  The author of the obituary has made a slight mistake in claiming him for Midland.  

At the beginning of my last city council meeting recap I expressed my concerns about his health after he had missed his third consecutive meeting.  It's unfortunate that the public was not able to pass along their get well wishes if his health was the reason for missing these meetings since all absences are excused but rarely explained.

My fondest memory of Councilor Rathsack was the leadership he showed in his rationale and decision for voting down the Ludington Avenue Historical District.  It should also be noted that he was the only councilor who wasn't involved in the Open Meetings Act violation that took place in May 2013.  Alas, the city council will be appointing another councilor to an elective position within the next month.

[AQUAMAN]

This is a sad news notice, I was afraid Dick might be ailing due to not attending the last three city council mtgs. too. Dick's dad Dan Rathsack also was the Mayor of Ludington long ago, a good man I understand, and a friend of my dad. Yes, the LDN as usual, is behind on the news being printed. Now, we will have the unfortunate issues again of having another council member appointed, after being interviewed and recommended by Shyster Shay to the council. I also talked to Dick when first running for office, and he was supportive and positive about our future in Ludington. But, he usually voted with the majority of the council, instead of standing his ground too many times. RIP Dick.

[XLFD]

There are only two councilors currently serving who were not appointed to their seat originally by their fellow councilors, the two ladies.  Our officials seem to relish being able to appoint their own fellow stooges, when over 8000 other citizens might want a say in the matter.  Sad days of democracy in Ludington, especially when we should be holding special elections when multiple vacancies of office occur.  

I will be doing an article soon on how the City is disenfranchising local voters by ignoring the city charter.  

[Willy]

My condolences to his family.
I have a big problem with the fact that he has a home he maintains in Midland. I have a suspicion that he was a part time resident even though he has roots in Ludington. My guess is that his house on Lake Shore is shut down for the winter and he commutes back and forth for the meetings. In my opinion, any elected officer in Ludington must reside full time in Ludington. That means 12 months of the year. My guess is that the Lake Shore property is worth more and therefore taxed at a higher rate so it would be beneficial to declare that property as a homestead in order to save on property taxes and of course to show it as a permanent residence for political purposes.

[XLFD]

You weren't the only one with that concern, that's one reason why I posted this article, to show that Dick Rathsack was at least following the rules officially.  I have received some reports concerning a different elected city official living primarily out of the city limits, but such allegations would be difficult to back if their homestead is here.  How would you show that somebody spent more than half the year sleeping at a Hamlin Township residence for example without a credible witness or two willing to say so, or by admission?  And would that be more of a technicality than a disqualification? 

[Willy]

How about sworn affidavits and copies of their utility bills. I hate to be so intrusive but unless those wishing to represent the citizens of Ludington can show that they actually "live" in Ludington then they have no business being involved as elected officials. The person who is trying to straddle the residence requirement by spending a large portion of the year out of town should man up and turn the elected office they hold over to someone who wants to be a full time resident.

[AQUAMAN]

Well said X and Willy. And those reasons and city charter requirements you refer to are exactly why we don't have a quality council to serve us, because most that would be great live out of the city limits. And they can't legally run for office nor serve. Same as the city mgr. and I also believe the city attorney should also live in Ludington, not Manistee.