West end project vs public comment

[jfc123]

So watching the latest replay of the COL council meeting I was really touched by one citizens comment. A long time resident that had the same feeling I, and many of you have driving down Ludington Ave west, WOW, what a beautiful view!

The courage it takes to speak in public in front of the big bad council in Ludington that think they are above all, constantly rolling their eyes. I respect her courage, myself I would have a hard time not getting mad and not spewing expletives! So Dianne Neil Engblade, thank you for your strong steady voice, I may need to hire you to speak for me in the near future?

Now Shay gets up to speak and in his melodramatic tone says all kinds of stuff. Finally in seeming response to her comment that nothing would be taller than him, what a liar! I see he wants a kayak rental, and many other things like that there and as XLFD has pointed out there would be tents/canopies, etc that would block her view. DAMMIT John Shay, this lifetime taxpayer matters and you need to recognize her and the many others that may be intimidated by you and the other council and don't speak out! For me to say this is a DAMN shame, government is "of the people for the people!"  When will they realize this? I wish everyone had this womans courage! It is a city of 8000, everyone needs to work together.

Ok back to the kayak thing. Seriously? Where are these people supposed to kayak? I have a brilliant suggestion, one we were going to do before the WWTP blew out along with 15 plus million gallons of raw sewage in 2008 that is still there! Put it by the DNR/city ramp in the PM Bayou corner, of course after you clean it up. It is a start toward your master plan to develop this whole area as historic. If they kayak at the west end area and one goes out past the breakwall, waves kick up and they capsize then what? It is an insurable night mare! No way should this happen or the city approve kayak rentals there. On accident and millions will be lost. Kayaking in Lake Michigan or that close is a ridiculous idea period! Kayaking needs to start at the corner near the creamy corners drain!

The PM Bayou is where this should happen and what I spoke to Shay about in 2013 when dredging was being considered. I told him of our willingness to sell property to help things move along but do not agree with anyone there needing "skin in the game" since we did not ruin our properties, the WWTP, sewage line break, COL, Mason Cty, etc, did.

Seems to make more sense, spread the greater good, a project like this would add jobs, tax base and maybe even open a few more businesses and expand the population.

I remember as a kid working at the marina making some money from boaters helping them with my cousins then walking up to the party store on 1st street getting slurpees, pop, candy, etc, this is what Ludingtion is about, but only if as a whole city not just Shay and the COL's picks!

Back then times were so much better, there were people working to bring everyone up, not just their wealthy friends. Need to get back to our roots!

[XLFD]

Thanks for your efforts on the timeline, dates, and contacts, Brad, and a big thumbs up on your coiled snake avatar which I am personally afraid to tread on.  With this intelligence in, I will be requesting the application from Ms. Jorkasky via FOIA, and look it over carefully for accuracy and consistency, and share it with the rest of the class.

[jfc123]

This is where I intended on posting this, sorry X for misplacing this on your topic.

So this happened last night here, well in Detroit last night. And was first reported on in the 7am hour, (they actually have reporters that report real stories). By the 11am hour this tree was basically gone. They have a mayor and council that get things done.

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/115005933-story

The Pere Marquette bayou is still a mess 8 years later. Sure wish the Col council had a backbone and acted like Detroit! Would be nice if there was a news reporter in the area that wanted to try to make a name for themselves and their news station This is real and it is impactful apparently, in Detroit it was just a tree, in Ludington it is raw sewage, a road, our docks, state and federal money that disappeared and us out of business because its all still there!

Sounds like a book possibly? Cant make this up? Only in Ludington I guess???????

[AQUAMAN]

Looks like some onlookers are getting nervous about this thread again, over 1,000 views and counting, lol. Expect more trolls trying to crash this site as a result too, as per the usual.

[jfc123]

Proves to me that the residents of Ludington love their city but are intimidated by their leaders. I agree they intimidate me also, I was just walking out of a meeting and almost got belly bumped by who I later learned was the chief of police? I of course reported to constituent services. Why did I deserve this, because I spoke up? Well its not gonna stop me. Please speak your mind at these meetings, I have a camera also in my pocket to instantly record. They will be forced to respect you and your comments!

Krauch is running???? PM Bayou untouched and the email response I got from him! He is a HUGE FAIL and we will do everything we can to un seat him. The heart of his ward is contaminated and he ignores it? Blows me off? Suggests less time for public comment? This guy has a law degree and is this stupid or just feels like he is entitled, rise above residents he is not a nice man!!!

[XLFD]

The councilors themselves are trained by the city attorney, police chief, and manager to deflect the public's concerns back to them, so they only need to ignore or politely note your concerns during the course of a meeting.  If it's a controversial issue and you send them an E-mail or letter, don't expect a reply, the closest thing I got back as a reply after about forty attempts at contacting councilors via letter or E-mail was seeing my name in E-mails between city officials in FOIA responses later on topics I had brought forth.

The police (and fire) chief have been very intimidating towards me after some meetings, even during some meetings when I was asking about the police reserves, and not very helpful or accommodating otherwise.  This is because his immediate boss is the city manager, and they want us to believe they are in control of this town. 

[stump]

I don't understand why they would harass you ,{ XLFD } it not that you offer up any good qualities that they have, can't think of any right now myself, but all those scum bags should resign or be fired and let people who would work for the good of the citizens and the city run it

[Brad]

I’ve sent the first of my emails to Tamara Jorkasky DNR Grant Coordinator and the Trust Board today. I plan on sending others before grant hearings.

Everyone opposed to the desecration of the West End NEED to send emails or letters to Tamara and the Trust board. The only way to stop this is to stop the grant. The city council, manager, employees will NOT listen.

Here again is Tamara’s last response… ”The City of Ludington did submit a grant application for the Stearns Beach Recreation Area at the dead end of Ludington Ave. Recommendations will be made by the Trust Fund Board December 7. There are other Trust Fund Board meetings prior to that meeting. All meetings are open to the public. Here is a link to the meeting schedule, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-65134_65142-318972--,00.html. Let me know if you have any other questions.

The application number is TF16-0035. The Board does not make recommendations on projects until December 7 and it is open to the public. If you have items that you want to bring to our attention you can e-mail or send letters and I will include them with the grant application as part of our review. If you would like to bring things to the attention of the Board you may attend any of the meetings. I would recommend attending a meeting prior to December 7. I would recommend the October 19 meeting."

Grant Coordinator:

Tamara Jorkasky, (Region 2&4) Grants Mgmt

Section MDNR

Constitution Hall

525 W. Allegan St., P.O.Box 30425

Lansing, Mi. 48909

517-284-5948

[e-mail]

Trust Board:

Dr. William E. Moritz, Director
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
517-284-6367
[e-mail]

Brad Canale
2028 Audubon
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-647-7038 - Business
[e-mail]

Steven Hamp
1520 Harding Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
313-961-0500 - Business
[e-mail]

Samuel Cummings, Chair
CWD Real Estate Investment
15 Ionia, SW, Suite 630
Grand Rapids, MI
616-726-1700 - Business
[e-mail]

Erin McDonough, President
Michigan Oil and Gas Association
124 W. Allegan Street, Suite 1610
Lansing, MI 48933
517-487-1092 – Business
[e-mail]

Or at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-65134_65142-39501--,00.html

Thank you to Shinblind and Aquaman for above contact info and thanks to everyone’s opposition. We must be resilient.