Rotta v. Shay, et. al.: Federal Court Filing

[XLFD]

This morning as I was stirring in my bed getting up I heard the oddest story on the radio.  WMOM news (102.7 on your FM dial) was reporting that some malcontent who was stopped for a bicycle traffic infraction back in 2008 was involved with a federal lawsuit with the City of Ludington.  It seems that the City had passed a Workplace Safety Policy back in February 2011 which greatly infringed on his rights of free speech, due process, and involved the City of Ludington with creating an unconstitutional policy to achieve those aims.

City Manager John Shay is the primary defendant, for the first three counts; the first five counts ask for a minimum of $150,000 in damages, and count six seeks injunctive relief against the City so that the City Council will retract their claws and repeal the policy that has created such injuries.  Needlessly, against a citizen whose only crime was seeking information from the City and presenting that information to the citizens on his website, The Ludington Torch.  Kudos to WMOM for their newsgathering, and for mentioning the name of this website in their hourly news spots this morning.

Here is the full extent of this lawsuit, presented unfiltered from its filing.  The plaintiff fully expects to be villified even more by the City and their guard dogs at the COLDNews during the extent of this lawsuit.  Why change tactics midstream?  It's not their money that's being wasted due to the bad choices of City Manager John Shay, Mayor John Henderson, and the Ludington City Council and their four year vendetta against a citizen who seeks information, reports on corruption, and demands accountability from/by his public officials.   

SUIT1_0013.jpg   SUIT1_0014.jpg   SUIT1_0015.jpg

Website for this and future filings:  http://dockets.justia.com/docket/michigan/miwdce/1:2012cv00973/71832/

[AQUAMAN]

The due process is called a "recall", requiring many signatures for a petition to remove an official from office for improprieties, or illegal acts. That process, in it's legal form, seems to be in the works right now, and will be a catalyst and foundation for any future "recall" that could happen at a later date. Our FOIA director, Shay, has consistently used the most "expensive city office employee" to retrieve FOIA information, that of City Clerk Deb Luskin, not a common secretarial type that is paid way less money, that's the reason for X's complaints on costs that are not in keeping with FOIA laws. $38/hr, or whatever she gets, is not the "least expensive employee" for sure, and Shay well knows it, thus he uses his position as a "bully pulpit" from which to garnish fees that are unreasonable, and quite illegal as well, imho. As for X's conduct in these meetings, I also concur Willy, it's about time someone came forward and stood up for the locals, and for what is really right. Too many council members are following the actions of a CM Shay, in getting their jollies by bullying, not serving the public trust.

[XLFD]

I do not think WMOM did it intententionally, but they have been running a few public-service announcements (PSAs) on bullying on their radio station, and within about five minutes of their reportage of this lawsuit (at 5 minutes before the hour), they would run one of these.  John Shay isn't getting my lunch money this time, nor Toni's.  But he may get some time in detention.

[XLFD]

Richard Nixon, Anthony Weiner, Bob Packwood, etc. are just a few politicians of note forced to resign over issues.  Nobody is advocating a lynching, but when you look at the Workplace Safety Policy and what it allows, everyone should take notice and request that Gary Castonia, Kaye Holman, Wanda Marrison, and Wally Taranko explain why they would do such a vile act and pass such legislation after saying their oaths of offcie to defend the state and federal Constitutions.

[Willy]

Not to change the subject but the wooden sign above dumb and dumber seems a bit odd to me. I'm not knocking the artist or the sign itself because it appears to be a nice piece of art but how in the he_l does this sign have anything to do with Ludington. I know it resembles the harbor entrance but it could represent a myriad of harbors. I hope dumb and dumber and all of the other dummies didn't buy this with tax dollars. And why couldn't they get something that people could look at and have no question as to what it represents. I doubt if any outsider could relate that wooden sign to Ludingtons Harbor if they saw each together. For all anyone knows the sign could represent the Colossus of Rhodes or the exit ramp off U.S. 31.  NOTE: if the artist who created this reads this I want you to know it is a very nice piece of art and that I'm not knocking your artistic talent and creativity.

[XLFD]

Willy, I don't know what you're talking about; maybe supply a picture.

Otherwise enjoy this video from Canada.  Ludington's well advertised "Workplace Safety Policy" has went north of the border to try to silence dissent.  Listen to the poor sap who believed in the empty promises of freedom, when it can be redefined anytime by the local City Hall. 

He says:  "I don't know why I am not allowed on City hall property other than that I keep a close eye on the council for all of the residents."   He then later adds:  "I don't know why City Hall or any of the staff here would issue me a trespass order because they claim it is fear, what I can tell you is this:  City Hall is using your taxpayer dollars against taxpayers for taxpayer funded character assassinations that is not truthful at all.  Not true in the least."

Say thank you to Ludington's own John Shay, Mark Barnett, Dick Merlin Wilson, and Heather Venzke for that abomination that crossed your borders.  I will fight it down here; you need to fight it up there.

  

[AQUAMAN]

Sooooooooooooooo, the Mayor here declines to debate the intruder, and yet defines him as "hostile"? And stand behind closed doors in defaming him and his pursuit of information? Doesn't this sooooo ring true more locally, and just why? Why? I know, there is soooooo much to hide and betray in FOIA and the public information, that it isn't even funny, and that is what is called progress?, and needs to be installed for more Mayoral terms than the current policies and ordinances would and should permit? Thanks Reeds and Neals!  So, what say the Torchers? Do we too have to live in this world of deceit and cover-up???? Or are we better? Or just dumbed-down to these old tactics of lies and continuing spin-doctor statements?

[XLFD]

Notice the mayor's name is "John Henry", kind of a composite of John Henderson and Shay.  The proverbial two-headed johnster  who roots for the Maple Leafs.