Taking the Fifth: Council Interviews Three for Open Position

The Ludington City Council met in a special meeting at 4 PM on June 12 to select the next Fifth Ward councilor for the city.  Nick Tykoski, citing expanding business interests occupying his time, resigned effectively at the beginning of the month, and the city charter requires the council to pick the replacement from applicants who live in the Fifth Ward within a month.

That choice should come at the June 26th meeting, following them interviewing each of the three candidates at the special session held in the community room in the city hall basement.  The three candidates showed a variety of skill sets and were interviewed individually, although they also had the right to sit in when their opponents were interviewed. 

All six councilors were present, along with the mayor, the city clerk, the city manager, and his assistant.  Both the community development director (CDD) and police chief arrived fashionably late but sat in the audience for the 90 minute meeting.  The media included:  Kevin from the COLDNews, Kendra from WMOM radio, and Tom from The Ludington Torch.  Somewhat surprisingly, there was nobody who attended who were not officials or media, not even friends or relatives of the candidates.  Besides the candidates, only CDD Heather Tykoski, wife of the former councilor, were there from the Fifth Ward. 

Traditional journalists are taught to never interject themselves into a story.  Having missed that lesson, I rose to give a prepared statement during the public comment part of the meeting, which preceded the interview process after all other business was suspended: 

XLFD:  "Let me first thank the three candidates for the Fifth Ward council seat for throwing your hat in the ring following the resignation of Nick Tykoski.  I must express a modicum of disappointment that neither of today's candidates for the position ran for this spot in last November's elections, where the incumbent Tykoski ran unopposed.

From my research into former Councilor Tykoski's business dealings with the city over the last seven years, the public record is overwhelmed with conflict of interest issues and examples of a public official benefitting his private business through his public position, and not properly noticing these issues to the public.  There were many good reasons for either of you to come forth before last fall and present your qualifications to the public in comparison with what was an ethically-challenged and uninspiring councilor.

To be fair, Wallace Cain [pictured left] did run for an open seat, but potentially, each of you failed to make a case back then to the 1000+ citizens of the Fifth Ward as to why your positions on issues affecting the city and why your character were better for the job, than an often-absent and arguably corrupt city councilor with little or no public initiative on record. 

You are going to be evaluated and eventually voted on by a half-dozen city officials who do not even live in the Fifth Ward.  It would be refreshing for the public if during or after the period where these officials ask you questions in order to see whether you would make a good fit on the council, and you tailor your questions in order to appease them to vote for you, to remember that this highly undemocratic process is being performed in order to pick a candidate who is on council to represent the citizens of the Fifth Ward, not a 'yes man' for the City corporate. 

I would appreciate if the city council, the electors in this case, would also keep this in mind.  Thank you."

After my speech, I was apprised that I had said "Fourth Ward" on one or more occasions, and I am sure I probably did since my public comment for the evening's meeting which I had practiced mentioned that distinctive ward often neglected by the City.  Regardless of the error, the two candidates who didn't run last year addressed why they didn't in their interviews after they covered the dozen questions asked by the council and mayor. 

Michael Shaw [photo not available] went first, Wallace Cain followed, and Steve Miller [pictured left] finished.  Each interview lasted just under a half hour, each interview asked roughly the same twelve questions, in different orders and by different councilors.  In order to better compare and contrast the candidates, and condense this article, I have filtered through my voluminous notes to present how each answered the same question being presented.  The initials after the candidates name represents which councilor asked the question to them, and the answers have been condensed to fit.

1)  Biographical data and experience (asked by Mayor Kaye Holman (KH))

Shaw:  Serving 2nd term in the Mason County Planning Commission, works at MDOC, wants to give back to the community as a servant/leader

Cain:  Interested in how city works, has attended most city council meetings over the last 5 years.  Enjoys annual department reports, interested in basic municipal processes.  Grew up in Philadelphia, went to Cleveland, Ann Arbor working with financial software, went to Boston and Basil, Switzerland before arriving here to work as IT Tech at Floracraft.

Miller:  Graduated from LHS, went to Ann Arbor for four decades, came back in 2015 to take job as business director at WMOM.  Mayor Holman followed up with a question of his radio work interfering with council work as it did Councilor Castonia last year, not understanding that would only apply during campaign seasons.  Castonia was miffed for Holman misrepresenting his departure.

2)  What is the city doing wrong or what can it improve on?

Shaw:  (RR) Could not think of anything, while stating the city was following the master plan, retaining business, and doing great at social and community projects.  Said he would not be a "yes man".

Cain:  (KH) Believe city is following right track.

Miller:  (LJ) Communication issues requesting public feedback, wants to get ward councilors the ability to interact with them more.  Later (RR) asks him effectively the same question he elaborates that having the mayor on the radio is a good start, weekly communications and editorials in the paper would be good too.  Intentions are often not explained good enough to the public. 

3)  What are your two greatest strengths and your two greatest weaknesses?

Shaw:  (MK) Strengths:  analytical organization skills, leadership skills.  Weaknesses:  described none, but admitted it used to be computer skills and math.

Cain:  (KW) Strengths:  good listener, pays close attention to detail, Weaknesses:  needs to be more stoic, a tendency to avoid conflict and to overwork himself.

Miller:  (KW) Strengths:  business analysis, communications, Weaknesses:  separating public and private persona/actions, catching up with the councilor learning curve

4)  Why do you want to be councilor?

Shaw:  (LJ) Has no special agenda, has a track record of community service, likes working with people and solving problems.

Cain:  Not asked, but see question 7.

Miller:  (RR) Father's legacy of community involvement in Ann Arbor.

5)  What are the City's top three challenges?

Shaw:  (GC) 1) to attract and retain jobs, 2) Communication with public is good but needs work, 3) Understand that jobs outside the city limits help the city too.

Cain: (KH) 1) WWTP and WTP need to be updated at cost  2) development of the 'bowling alley block'  3) long term financing

Miller:  Not asked.

6)  How would you resolve conflicts over issues with the public?

Shaw:  (BH) Consider the views of all people, consider laws, and allow all inputs to be evaluated.

Cain:  (MK) Talk to people, listen to feedback.

Miller:  (GC)  Rationale for controversial issues are needed, councilors need to get in front of communications, and then explain the rationale and the alternative

7)  How available will you be to spend time for the position?

Shaw:  (KH) Lots of flexibility with his job and other pursuits.  Additionally he was asked whether he could be on the county planning commission and the city council, he was not sure, but would resign from the MCPC if he was chosen.

Cain:  (KH) Knows what he's getting into, named Floracraft management that devote much time to community projects and service and wanted to follow such pursuits.  Noted he would have to resign his position on the Board of Review. 

Miller: Not asked. 

8)  What do you think the role of a city councilor is?

Shaw:  (JS) Follow the vision of the master plan, encourage others to become involved, and set an example.

Cain:  Not asked.

Miller:  (BH) Understand the people in the ward, noting 5th Ward is almost exclusively residential, inform them of issues, but ask for advice and represent them as good as possible.

9)  Is there a specific interest you have in city government? 

Shaw:  (RR) To be 5th Ward councilor. 

Cain:  Not asked

Miller:  (KH) Would like to see community activities continue and make Ludington an attractive destination and place to live. 

10)  Do you have a specific goal for yourself as councilor?

Shaw:  (MK) To follow master plan and get more involved with neighborhood beautification.

Cain: Not asked

Miller:  (MK) Nothing other than listening and communicating with the public.

11)  Name two ways the city can bring in extra revenue? 

Shaw:  Not asked

Cain:  (GC) An administrative fee for taxation, increase Loomis Street fishing parking fees.

Miller:  (GC) An awkward balance needs to be made when increasing taxes or fees.  If you don't seek avenues like beach parking fees, then you will remain poor in other amenities. 

12)  How would your background benefit you as a councilor?

Shaw:  Not asked, but explained somewhat in bio.

Cain:  (MK) Likes working with numbers, checking on bonds and appreciates that Ludington has a lot of features like free parking almost everywhere, that isn't found at other places he lived.

Miller:  (KH) Noted his job was part time and flexible, and gave him skills as a facilitator.

After asking Miller the last question, the council made a motion to adjourn.  Both Shaw and Miller specifically answered why they didn't run last year, both suggesting that the time was just not right then.  Please express your thoughts of these candidates in the comment section below.

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Shaw: Contrary to his statement... seems like a "yes" man.  30% chance

Cain: A "YES" man or clone.  50% chance

Miller: Unsure... he is a ..salesman. (when mouth is open...) 20% chance

I could be wrong on my guesses of chance to be appointed... But I don't have a say anyway... lol

I would say that Miller was only one that basically said he was there for 4th..5th Ward....  (..salesman)

With 6 councilors voting, there is a chance there could be a three way tie.  Lot of chances for a two way tie too, so Mayor Holman's vote might be the clincher.  Difficult to handicap this one as they all have some degree of qualifications, but I can't argue with your rankings.

I doubt that Gary Castonia will vote for the man who took his job as color commentator for LHS games, though I don't believe he's the focus of Gary's embitterment.  Other than that, there isn't a lot of inside baseball here other than Cain regularly brushing shoulders with the council over the years and being slavishly loyal.

One comment by Cain had him suggesting that he desired to have more contentions between councilors, and noted that 'certain people who complain' seemed to unite the council.  Thanks for giving my life a purpose, Wally.

I can't say I'd be happy with any of them.

Not without seeing how they react and vote.

Brandy was best in there so far.... But she may have contracted what the others have... If she hadn't already been partially infected by her genes.

And thanks so much for your reporting!

The main reason I went was to get a fair review, which I feel I rarely get from the COLDNews, and a complete review, which I can't expect from local radio news.  I have tried to share what they said without any undue bias or omissions.

As always, I thank you for paying attention and caring.

Regardless of the time limitations involved with choosing a Council replacement, there should be a special election so that the citizens can vote on who they want to represent them.

You are right Willy, the people should have a vote, but that just doesn't fit the council's present-day agenda. Is it the city charter that allows or demands an appointment? And why couldn't the voters just have a write-in person, instead?

And the term of Tykoski won't expire for another 3-1/2 years, Dec. 31, 2020, before the chosen one expires. That's a very long appointment if you ask me. If it was another year, or till next election, that would suffice for this resignation.

If the city runs this the same way they ran the Wanda Marrison resignation, Michael Krauch ascension, then the seat will come up for election in August and/or November of 2018, depending on whether three or more candidates file. 

If the proposed millage for the county's historical society had been presented in an August special election, this should also have been decided, since the polls in the Fifth Ward would have had to be open that day.

The council agenda for Monday's meeting has the choosing of the 5th Ward Council as the main topic.  Other than the second reading and vote of the ordinance to spur development of the 200 block of South Rath, this is the only thing on the agenda.  Please check out the minutes of the special meeting which tells even more of the candidates.

I have only been approached by only one person asking who I think is best and who I think will be the one of the three chosen by the six, due to my attending of the special meeting and research into the candidates, but I think it is more interesting than that. 

I see a good likelihood of each one getting at least one vote, and I would say the prohibitive favorite is the city's own Wallace Cain, with his proven record of loyalty to the city council and his pledge to stay the course of corruption without bringing anything new to the council.  He also gives the city an even closer link to Floracraft.  I actually wouldn't mind seeing him up on the council box seats trying to justify the latest unlawful or unethical process of the city.  He would be good copy for the LT.

Shaw is a bit bland and one dimensional, and I think he may suffer due to that and the fact he would have to resign from the County PC.  I see him getting on the council and going with the flow, but remaining otherwise in the background if he's picked.  This makes him a better choice than Cain if the voting councilor wants to just avoid controversy.

Miller is an unlikely choice for our current council just because he's a government outsider, untested in local politics.   A vote for him by a councilor would suggest that councilor wants an outsider to come into the council and boost the city's ability to communicate better with the public.  I just don't see this as a goal for the half dozen electors, nor do I expect Castonia to be amenable to ever choose Miller because of the acrimony with which Cazzie left WMOM, with Miller being his replacement.

The most telling thing of the vote on Monday will not so much be who is selected, but how each councilor voted, because that suggests strongly how each one wants the city council to evolve. 

Very good analysis X. I don't know any of the candidates but I definitely agree that the Council will be choosing the one who will most serve their needs and not the citizens. I'm very curious to see how Brandy Henderson votes. Of all the Councilors, my guess is that she will vote for the candidate who will best represent the people.

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