Odor Not Gone, But Updates Are

[XLFD]

A look at the local social media still has a lot of references to sewer odors permeating through the Ludington community.  In the Concerned Locals group on Facebook, there has been reports regularly of the enduring smell since the time of the last city council meeting, fully ten of the nights since May 23, 2016 have people documenting the smell in their neighborhood or at Ludington businesses they visit: 

During this same time, the City of Ludington have released one update on June 1, telling us that the city has purchased some odor-mitigation products (with few specifics other than it won't be available until after June 15).  With multiple people reporting strong sewer smells on multiple days, often miles away from the source, one would have to believe that the city council would be right on top of the problem by giving an update or explaining their vaguely-described solution at their meeting.  Especially since many disgruntled and health-impacted citizens have indicated their planned participation in this upcoming meeting. 

But as you may know, unelected Fourth Ward Councilor Michael Krauch and his supportive peers in the council have decided to restrict everyone's First Amendment rights by allowing people to speak before the meeting only on agenda items.  If you look at the agenda below, you will find that exactly nothing is on the agenda, even though the purchase of the odor-mitigating equipment should be. 

Agenda 6-13-16

So the people who want to speak up about why their rights to breathe freely is important to them, now have to wait until the business portion of the meeting is over, and be restricted to two minutes of speech.  In the closing minutes of the meeting, enjoy their collective patting themselves on the back for this last weekend's events, and other things, but be totally surprised if they offer anything substantive in response to your attempt to 'clear the air'.

But take heart, the mayor and the council have decided not to enforce their new anti-speech directives, probably on account that they really cannot do so without the fear of federal civil litigation.  So take a cue from the County Clerk Cheryl Kelly, who led off the May 9th pre-meeting public comment with an introduction of herself as a candidate for office, which definitely wasn't on the agenda, but allowed to be said without any problems from the council.  Get up during that public comment and speak up to three minutes from your heart and from your head. 

[Brad]

This FB site has posts now about COL meeting, but not noting that the Stench is not on the agenda.  If they are not aware of your info X, they may not speak up. (I am not a FB'er)

[XLFD]

As noted, if the council/mayor decides that your issue with the city's handling of the WWTP is not on the agenda and maintains you cannot talk about it until the end of the meeting, then you have the option to continue speaking or sit down and wait until the meeting ends. 

If you continue speaking at that point, you do run the risk of being visited by the police chief and maybe escorted off the premises.  If you do, I will proudly give you a pat on the back and the names of a couple of Michigan attorneys who would love to file a First Amendment case for you.

It appears that the current idea on Facebook is that they can speak before and/or after about it. 

[AQUAMAN]

I'm quite sure that the public response period during meetings isn't going to put up with citizen comments off the agenda. Making an exception for another political candidate isn't included as noted above. So, people are going to be cut short on any complaints, and have to wait till the end, just as Shay and Wilson have outlined and have adopted by a lazy and inept council.

[XLFD]

Interestingly, Councilor Krauch made a motion to make the original three minute period's "agenda item restriction" waived for this particular meeting, since there was an anticipation of odor-speakers.  Councilor Holman said this could open up a can of worms (just wait until she becomes mayor), and voted no on the motion.  The others voted yes, so nobody was gaveled down.  Mark it off to Krauch and others keeping up with the Ludington Torch.

Amusingly, outgoing mayor Ryan Cox would later belabor the limitations of social media and blogs in addressing city/political problems.  His solution was to contact your representatives, but I have a long history going back to 2008:  zero replies to numerous e-mails and letters from the city council and mayor.  At best, they defer your concerns to Shay or Wilson, who promptly ignore them also unless the FOIA is involved.  I have not yet found one that would allow me to record them via the phone either.

If you want results outside of their limited agenda, you have to confront them-- usually in court if you want to be successful. 

[AQUAMAN]

Well said X, and I have similar experiences too. One was with Moonbeam Kathy last summer at a Friday night Live. She listened to the compliments until the complaints came, then she turned and walked away without explanation or answers. Krauch's phone as published only works part of the time. Then when you do get a hold of him, he's without answers too, like the West End's measurements of sizes. His other reasons for voting as he does is to not upset the usual endings of a unanimous vote on matters. Then Rathsack stated he's there cause he was asked by other members to run for first ward, and he sees no reason either to do anything but take Shay's word for passing matters. Then Tykoski also doesn't return phone calls or emails, same as Holman. Castonia's only answer to questions was to run against him for council, or else just put up with his actions. So, we have a tiny knit community of unanswering and mute council members when it comes to contacting them on their own time. The last Mayor that acted like a gentleman and returned my phone calls was way back in the 80's, Henderson and Cox also don't want calls or emails.

[jfc123]

Can you use your marina address? You would be a good mayor!

[Brad]

Just some noted stories that may or may not, or exactly, reflect to what is going on here and the attitude of this city and comparison to the inattentive inept fascist-leaning federal government.  So disappointing that this good town has turned closer to how the federal government has turned.  I didn't think it would.  I'm 5th generation on both sides in Mason county, Ludington, and rural areas, and my forefathers must be turning in their graves.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/10/07/video-man-is-quickly-arr...

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/12/16/tennessee-town-sparks-fr...

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/03/06/man-vs-city-fl-man-fight...

[jfc123]

Brad, considered running for Mayor? You would also be a great leader! There are 3 signatures waiting for you at our marina!