Long Term Ludington City Workers Leaving

[XLFD]

I have chronicled many events the last five years starting in 2009 on these internet pages describing the ills of many of the officials and their policies.  The start of this trend may have predated the scandal involving previous Ludington Building Inspector Jack Byers, which had the City of Ludington pay out a quarter of a million dollars because of allegations of violations of the Open Meetings Act and the Whistleblower's Protection Act that the City is likely to have done in terminating Mr. Byers from his position when he could not conscientiously go along with other City officials that wanted him to violate his duties to the public in overlooking violations of code that allegedly were happening at new condominiums under construction. 

 

Since that time (circa 2007), the City has seen a couple of credible police brutality lawsuits brought against it, has changed its Freedom of Information Act policy three times (making it harder to get information each change), and has been charged with a variety of violations of public policy, laws and ethics by the founder and supporters of this website, three of which have been affirmed by the courts (or settlement) at this point.   The City Council, throughout this period which had a deep recession, has only passed policy to raise taxes/fees or further infringe the rights of Ludington citizens-- while at the same time allowing their own workers to enjoy fringe benefits of their employment that exceed 50% of their already inflated salaries, while voting to waive State caps to these benefits last year.

 

So in the wake of the City once again voting to waive those State imposed caps for their health insurance for next year, why is there a mass exodus of long-time City employees?  Can there be some reason why the following people are leaving, other than the fair pay and benefits they get from the City of Ludington courtesy of the ever-growing burden on the Ludington taxpayers?

 

Shawn McDonald:  After a 30 year career with the City of Ludington, including two stints as the City Manager (interim), Shawn has accepted a job at West Shore Bank after working there as a part-time employee while still with the City of Ludington.  Though I have been sometimes critical of the Ludington DPW, I don't believe it is due to the negligence or policy of his leadership of that department.   His story is fairly interesting.

 

Rob Allard: Rob is currently the City of Ludington wastewater treatment plant/utilities maintenance superintendent, he is expected to begin serving as Pentwater Village Manager Dec. 2.  Under the 4.5-year agreement, Allard will be paid a $78,000 annual salary.  He is taking over the position from Jim Miller, the City Manager of Ludington before John Shay took over in 2003.  While this definitely is a promotion for Mr. Allard, it will be interesting to see over the next few years how Pentwater fares with him, and to wonder if a promotion to the same post in Ludington may have been in our best interest (if John Shay retains his position).

 

Losing these two folks who obviously have the experience and capability of running a city is a big hit to the City's options, but there has been turnover even at lower levels of employees jumping ship to greener pastures.  And some of these have been more capable of discussing their disaffection without jeopardizing their more gainful employment, like Shawn and Rob.

 

The Ludington Torch has learned of other key, experienced personnel leaving earlier this year, amidst talk of widespread dissatisfaction with the way the City of Ludington is being managed.  When others seek similar posts in faraway cities rather than continue serving the City of Ludington, one has to question why.  I have, and the answer involves an unfavorable perception of the man who believes slinging slander at the end of public meetings at an individual guiltless of those attacks is acceptable:  Ludington City Manager John Shay. 

 

Is it then any wonder why these people are attempting to distance themselves from a City of Ludington government which repeatedly and unmistakably violate common ethics and laws so much as to make itself become almost synonymous with corruption?  No, it is just unfortunate that we could not utilize further the management skills of those who have recently left, and clean up the rotten mess that currently exists at City Hall.  Which includes getting rid of the main cause of that mismanagement.

[FLudington]

Corruption , ineptitude and running face first into conflict of interest, is a good reason to move.

[XLFD]

Agreed, but it should also be a better reason to attempt to change it for the better.  One could hope that some of the officials leaving would speak out, but they still have to worry about their backs.

[AQUAMAN]

It should be evident now more than ever, that the one that should be leaving is an appointed hatchet man for the COL. Allard and McDonald are going to be sorely missed, and not easily replaced, as both worked themselves up from start a long time ago. Ten years compared to fifty years of experience here is a big difference. Add to that the fact that both Allard and McDonald are native Ludington residents, not Oakland County thugs, should make the residents ponder in disgust as to why this has to happen, and for whose benefit? Until and unless something changes with the mgmt. of the COL at the city hall, and someone of ethical and moral values is put in charge, I predict the same exodus to continue into the future. Let's hope our new Mayor can see thru the dense camaflouge that his predecessor has put up for public display, and ax the shyster that we don't need here in our fair town any longer.

[XLFD]

It's too bad the Ludington City Council couldn't utilize the managerial talents of either of these two men to bring a new managerial style to Ludington instead of the tried and failed management of at least the last six years.  We wish both Shawn, Rob, and the other experienced folks who left earlier this year the best of luck in their new jobs.  I especially believe that Rob Allard will be a good fit as Village Manager for Pentwater-- with hopes that he can maybe consider a homecoming at some point if he meets expectations. 

[easymoney]

haven't been checking the LDN for awhile. So, who is your new mayor?

[XLFD]

Ryan Cox, the official results had him win by about 80 votes with around 1400 votes cast over Wally Taranko.  We just had that out as a blurb last Wednesday here, and you must have missed it.  We hope he can bring some fresh ideas about good old fashioned government that doesn't take an us vs. them approach between the city officials and the taxpayers-- unlike what the Henderson mayorship has done over its last two terms.

[Willy]

It's possible these workers needed a career change after so many years of doing the same thing. Or is it possible they qualify for their pensions after this many years. They very well could be collecting their pensions then work another job for a double pay day.

[XLFD]

Both Rob and Shawn have many years in at Ludington, and may have some pensions coming into play, but they are also getting better gigs.  It wouldn't surprise me, however, the way they have set up some retirement/pensions here in the City of Ludington, that they may qualify to double dip after leaving the City.