Today at roughly 8:30 in the morning WMOM radio had the first of four 'forums' with the candidates running for the open city councilor at-large position with Brandy Henderson (pictured below) taking the microphone and fielding some surprisingly tough questions on Ludington topics with her usual vibrance. 

Before delving into the questions and answers of today's event (which I will provide later in a recap), could you give me some feedback on what you thought of today's interview by AJ Guertin of Brandy Henderson.  You may still hear snippets of that interview throughout the day by tuning into the station.

The Questions (Added 7-27-2016)

Deejay AJ Guertin has led off each interview by asking the candidates to give him a brief Bio listing their qualififcations, this has been pretty much covered either in the COLDNews candidate review articles or the candidate forum (co-hosted by the chamber) held at LACA last week.  No new surprises so far.  Guertin then asks some probing questions unlike the fluff-stuff from the COLDNews and Chamber of Commerce exercises.

The Answers too (Added 7-29-2016) condensed to 1-2 sentences.

1)  There have been some noticeable problems dealing with the upgrades occurring at the Ludington Wastewater Treatment Plant.  What could have the city done better?

BHenderson:  Noted it was a $35 million project (considerably higher than the city has stated) otherwise noted nothing that could have been done better.

WCain:  Noted discharge requirements have nee difficult to meet, much negotiations have taken place, and delays in such projects is usually to be expected.

SVonPfahl:  He noted there needed to be a better system for contracting projects like this and more info to the public needed to be dispensed.

DBuskirk:  Said long range planning is/was key.  Expanding waste load from Amber Twp., Scottville should have led to more factors to consider. 

2)  You are familiar with the details of the low income housing planned for the downtown in the bowling alley block.  Is downtown housing for the poor a good thing for the city?

BHenderson:  She admitted living in a downtown second floor apartment.  She loves it for critical mass and invigorating the downtown.

WCain:  Said that the City will receive $1 million for both lots, and it will cost the taxpayers nothing.  The Brownfield will capture taxes and make it cost no city money.

SVonPfahl:  He said it was a betterment, the sale of property is good, and there is no tax abatements therein.  He believes the aesthetics are good

DBuskirk:  He liked it, while admitting the landlords have had to field a charge through rental inspections, but this will not incur a millage increase.  Was against the vote on the North Washington apartments, because the neighboring public was unanimously against it.

3)  What are your thoughts on the proposed west end of Ludington Avenue Project?

BHenderson:  She understands the concerns of people that have spoke against it and would like to see the improvements, yet would like the improvements to be re-evaluated.

WCain:  Unequivocally for it.  No tax money is used, while dunes remain intact and preserved.

SVonPfahl:  Noted he did not have a strong opinion on it, but did note that the council has been responsive to the citizens and have made changes over tie to the plan.

DBuskirk:  Said public sentiment seemed against it and the loss of parking spots.  It looks like it's moving forward, but he said there was no need to spend money foolishly.

4)  A proposed charter amendment looks to give the city manager more expansive role in responding to emergencies without council approval and expand contracts from 1 to 5 years.  Is this good or bad?  Why?

BHenderson:  She is against both, saying multiyear contracts lead to complacency, and that she is worried about what could be considered an emergency.

WCain:  Cain approves both changes, cited the Brother Street project as an example for why such a change is needed (Editor note:  This wasn't an emergency situation and, amended or not, the city acted against the Open Meetings Act in their response). 

SVonPfahl:  Contrary to his lightning-round vote last week, he came out for both proposals.  Noted that he would also be for an appointive clerk or treasurer position if qualified people do not step up.  Said he was a fiscal conservative nonetheless.

DBuskirk:  Against both, saying that there is already language to cover emergencies, and that emergency sessions can be called by council if needed to respond.

5)  What is the city's role in responding to any repercussions of the sewage spill in the PM Bayou in 2008?

BHenderson:  Noted that spills have caused issues and would like to revitalize the area.  But also noted that the multi-million dollar clean up should not fall on the taxpayers.

WCain:  There is no pollution in bayou, it was reported from the DEQ that any spill had no discernible effect on the sediment.  The City should not pay anything for a dredge of the bayou.

SVonPfahl:  Does not believe the city has any responsibility for it.

DBuskirk:  Says the DEQ verified it is okay and no dredging is needed.  Talked with Ray Karboske and is optimistic his watershed council will be able to find a workable solution.

6)  What is your vision of the future of Ludington? 

BHenderson:  Adequate housing, sidewalks and roads.

WCain:  Going in the right direction, making steady progress, wants quality not quantity.

SVonPfahl:  Proud of making a national name for itself wants to implement his three objectives.  Wants to assign ownership of questions the public ask.

DBuskirk:  Expand long range planning.  Wants to finish the walkway from downtown to Copeyon Park, host more music festivals downtown.  Have affordable housing, filled retail spaces, more options for citizens in getting rid of leaves. 

It should also be noted that Von Pfahl essentially passed on his biographical info to highlight his three objectives which were:  1) To improve council communications  2)  Enhance information accountability and 3)  Increase participation of businesses and citizens in affairs of council by removing the informal gag rule that often makes questions to council remain unanswered. 

Hope this helps to make your vote easier-- it actually made mine harder.  Respond to any of these candidate responses in the comments below.

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I forgot what channel that is.

Yup, and now the Hendersons want to pass the Mayorship on from one generation to the next. John couldn't get another 2 terms in to pass the voters, so now he just substitutes the daughter, lol.

By November, she'll be another common Brunette, and gain another 20# for the sake of just, time to eat again, summer is over now!

Brandy's personal attributes, marital status and hair color should be of little significance to the voters.  What should matter is how she may further grow the corruption already ingrained in city hall, whether she will stay faithful to her oath of office, and whether she tries to change our traditional 'red' (conservative) area into a 'blue' area through public policies forced on the electorate without their knowledge.  This is the bloat, fidelity, and colors that concern me. 

I think she will just follow the current council and CM ideas. No anti-establishment, so no good.
What came from Cain today? Although I know he's "one of them" already, with his support of the BAD proposals.

Cain's delivery on the questions seemed fluid, but I think he had prepared responses because the questions were the same ones Brandy received.  They're great questions, but his responses were a lot more polished than what he gave at the 'live' COLDNews forum. 

I plan on putting up the questions and the candidates answers (paraphrased from my notes) in amending this article later.  I hope to put each question up later today, and then the answers of all four on Friday evening. 

Cain supports everything that the city is involved in, even all of the proposals, even the bathroom cams.  I haven't found any exceptions.  Somebody help me if he has an original thought I missed...

Has the destruction of the west end of Ludington ave been addressed yet. I would conclude that if any candidate supports this costly and unholy alteration then they do not deserve to sit on the Council?

Willy, others, I have (as proposed) added the seven questions posed to the two councilor candidates so far, and believe will be posed to the last two.  Steven Von Pfahl will be on the hot seat tomorrow.  I will also post each councilor's answers on Friday as early as I can.  I hope WMOM might be able to supply some audio clips around that time if I ask nicely. 

Thanks for doing what you do.

Three to four cronies around Lud. support the WEP, that's it from what I see, eh. It sure would be informative to get the audio/video responses from the interviews at WMOM. Thanking X again for his enthusiasm and work. 

X, the Bloat, fidelity's, and concern for Lud. with Brandy also concerns me, as well it should the taxpayers/voters ALL! She Doesn't have what it truly takes to be a Mayor, unless you think Shay and everything around here as just okee-dokey for the most part. Heck, just drive downtown anywhere practically, it's a road disaster, no paving since '83, plain and simple. 

At least Brandy wants Ludington Ave. beach to remain unchanged. Good for you Brandy.

Despite what the extra large shirt she holds says, publicly she has actually come out strongly for altering the West End on Tuesday's radio Q&A and would undoubtedly back what any of the eight or so phases would accomplish. 

Brandy's website is surprisingly (but not too surprisingly) devoid of specifics on most topics.  Very vibrant, LOL.

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