Mason County Planning Commission of Illegal Appointments

[XLFD]

Local code enforcement and those that make zoning ordinances for us to follow, the area's planning commissions, have no problem correcting any sort of nuisance zoning ordinance that they might find you in violation of, even when you might not be, particularly if you're a rogue candidate for Ludington City Councilor. 

But report a violation of the zoning ordinance at a home that houses two affianced City Officials, and nothing gets done, even when they construct a 6' privacy fence in the public right of way, and not in line with the house, as Ludington zoning laws insist on.  But this is in Ludington, the rest of Mason County is squared away-- right?  Guess again.

 

Wind turbine zoning rules have evolved over the years from the County government since they were first looked at in the beginning of the millenium, growing more receptive all the time, even with stout opposition from grassroots movements like CARRE.  More restrictive limits on modular and mobile homes, making the erection of such domiciles and the attendant home-ownership for the less affluent (i.e. the 'American Dream' ) in the remote areas of our county more difficult.  Then they wished to stand in the way of a local business by interpretting the letter of their laws in a matter that they saw fitting, which happened to fly against what the local courts determined.

 

The Mason County Planning Commission and their schizophrenic zoning ordinances has been the source of such unrest between the people and their servants using their power outside of what many would feel is the public interest.  It is your private property, you should have as much liberty to enjoy that property as you see fit, UNLESS you make an adverse impact on the neighbors of which you have a duty to observe their ability to enjoy their land. 

 

The Planning Commission, as noted in the second paragraph prior, have done a lot to screw up the natural order of things, so let's take a look at the backyard on their background , and see what violations we can see.  We've already checked out with the County Administrator that they have never before been given an Oath of Office, although late last week I was informed that they have took that oath-- congratulations, planners.  But now that you're pledged to obey the Constitution  of Michigan, here's one of those laws made to amend that great document, MCL 125.3815(5)

 

Note that elected officers or employees of the county are not eligible to be voting members of the Planning Committee, although they can represent the Planning Commission as ex-officio (non-voting) members.  Is this rule for government officers followed?  Are you kidding?  Here is just what a brief internet search uncovered about our Mason County Planning Commissioners:

 

Michael Schneider

 

Mike Schneider was the chairman of the Mason County Board of Commissioners (MCBC), the legislative body of Mason County government, when he was appointed to not only the Planning Commission 2010 Dec PC  and the County Construction Board of Appeals (CCBA) in December 2010 2010 Dec ZBA.  He had also tried out for two other positions, the Road Commission and Brownfield Development, having lost his reelection bid one month earlier, and wanted to make sure his health insurance and county pension were safe, as reported by Aquaman and discussed here.  Beyond his transition to two appointed spots while he was chairman of the board, the membership on the CCBA does not disqualify him from being on the PC, however, it does seem to present a possible conflict of interest arising to be on the CCBA and run his construction business, Michael Schneider Construction cleanly.

 

Chuck Lange

 

Charles Lange was originally appointed to the Planning Comm. in 2008  2008 2-12 CL PC  and was scheduled to be reappointed in 2010, until he withdrew  2010 Dec.  This was due to a legal reason made by the Prosecutor's office, which apparently was ignored when he was placed on the Planning Commission at the end of 2011.  The Prosecutor was right, he can't serve on the elected office of Cty. Comm. and the PC at the same time without being in violation of the above law, plus it is also a violation of the Incompatible Offices Act.

Chuck needs to be chucked out of the Planning Commission.

 

Bruce Patterson

 

Bruce has had a distinguished career in the Mason County Sheriff's Office, and was unretired when the sheriff hired him in May 2008 to fill the Corrections Chief Deputy  position.  But he was also on the Planning Commission at the time, and still is.  He cannot be a County employee and a PC member, he needed to retire from the PC in May 2012 and didn't, to take the county job.

Bruce needs to be cut loose.

 

Doug Robidoux

 

Doug enjoys a spot on the Mason County Road Commission, he was appointed vice-chairman  in 2011.  He also is the secretary for the West Michigan Fair Association.  The first disqualifies him to be on the Planning Commission, as he is a Mason County employee. 

Doug Robidouxn't be serving on a commission you douxn't qualify for.

 

The other members appear to be bona fide, legal public servants on the Planning Commission.  Bruce, Doug, and Chuck, you have to make a decision now on whether your other job is more inportant to you than being on the Planning Commission as a voting member, and not just in an ex-officio capacity.  Or violate your freshly spoken Oath of Office.

[Marty Redman]

XLFD,

I think I have some interesting news for you, news junkie that I am, and as a first annual Flambeaux winner that I am.

Heres an article from the Ludington area paper of record (M-live)-

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/07/mason...

 

I read your article and said what is saying that these PC members, far from PC in many respects, are non-voting members of the PC.  So I looked up their biggest vote, perhaps ever, the ruling on the wind turbines.  Heres what the article says and I quote in full

"“It’s been a long journey,” Planning Commission Chairman Doug Robidoux said after the 6-0 vote. Commissioner Ralph Lundberg did not participate in the deliberations or the vote because he has a lease with Consumers for use of his own land for the wind farm, county officials said." 

Lundberg passed muster with the law you show, that means the three who serve against the law of your state had their votes disqualified and so the vote was 3-0, but that's not a quorum as I understand that concept.  Pass it on to the people fighting the man in the courts.  But wheres my flambeaux?

[XLFD]

I will have to double check this, and get back to you.  That's an excellent point; there may not have been a quorum.  Tricky, but that's just what the County's and Consumer's tact wound up to be.