Cannabis and Castonias

[XLFD]

Back in 2012, the Ludington City Council made a medical marijuana ordinance (MMO) after the initiated law passed easily in 2008 had given those who required medical marijuana (MM) a way to get their 'medicine'.  This occurred after many long years of high-paid city officials (the LPD chief, the city manager, various city attorneys, etc.) working out the details of the MMO after many moratoriums were placed on such transactions. 

Since that time, the courts have ruled that local ordinances setting their own rules for MM are effectively meaningless and unenforceable.  The Ludington MMO itself (read the five reasons in the link) was exceptionally Draconian and in violation of state law.  Nevertheless, six of the seven city councilors passed the MMO, the only one voting against was Gary Castonia, who explained his deviation by unclearly stating that the Federal laws should supercede the state laws.  Federal rules do not allow for MM, but declare all marijuana possession as unlawful. 

Since then he has exclusively advocated for 'local control' in his votes and signed a petition to repeal Federal civil rights law, so his Federalism seems to be only on the topic of Marijuana laws.

Shortly after his 2012 vote, Castonia's grandson, Devin Castonia, was arrested by the Michigan State Police for marijuana possession as pointed out in Karma Castonia.  At the time I considered it ironic that despite his strong position on marijuana, a frequent guest to his house, was caught with non-medicinal marijuana.  I was also concerned that the house was used as a daycare facility for school-age children, and that its clients should be aware of the potential for exposure to illegal drugs.

Councilor Castonia at the next council meeting after this article appeared said: 

"When I first ran for office I knew I would be scrutinized and I'd be held accountable for any statements I made.  But the only way I can say this now is by quoting Mr. Rotta, I'm absolutely disgusted that you dragged my family, my grandson (breaks down), and my wife, and her business into this.  And I want the whole city to know how you treat people.  And the last comment I want to make is:  People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks."

Despite saying he was quoting me, which he never did, all I reported was what the other local media did, with the familial connection made to him and a caveat emptor for his daycare business.  He was disgusted and mortified not for his grandson being held accountable for his illegal acts, but for him and his business being held accountable, along with his own apparent hypocrisy being exposed and highlighted.  Councilor Castonia, if you don't know, used to be a former LPD officer who had his fair share of drug busts before his retirement; having an arrest in his immediate family is not good for his image.

Early this year, Gary Castonia's old house on Sixth Street burned down under mysterious circumstances.  His son, Tim Castonia, had an evolving story of the early morning fire's genesis and his fortune in being able to escape from what turned into a raging inferno.  Fire officials claim it was the old house's balloon construction that led to the fire spread, but they never had the fire investigated because of the structure being effectively decimated. 

But Tim Castonia had put out several suspicious Facebook posts preceding the fire by a couple of days dealing with legalizing marijuana and memes showing an acceptance of marijuana.  The quick spread of the fire and the early story out of Tim's mouth, could easily lead to some suspicions as to whether he was involved with indoor marijuana growing, which would stress the old electrical system of the house, or maybe even into processing something more potent than marijuana, a process which causes fires behaving remarkably similar to this one.    

This, of course, can only be speculative being that the officials mysteriously called off any fire investigation of this fire with a mysterious cause and effect and Tim Castonia has not been forthcoming with his habits and operations. 

But recently over this last weekend, the COLDNews and Mason County Press has reported that another of Gary Castonia's grandkids, Tre, has been caught in possession of marijuana at the tender age of 17, just like Devin was.  Unlike in Devin's case, the address he lives at is Gary Castonia's residence at 809 E Danaher which just happens to be the home to K K's Licensed Day Care.   

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2016/07/01/79th-district-court-arra...

Which also happened to be the same address at where Tre threw his open house after his graduation earlier in the month before he was caught 'in the tall grass':

While the three incidences are all tragedies in their own right, they all have a common element that should lead one to wonder what is going on in Gary "Ganja" Castonia's family, and to be rightly concerned about what their child may be exposed to if they use this homestead as a daycare.

[Nonfiction]

Mrs. Castonia is a wonderful person and this article purposely throwing dirt on her because of the poor actions of their children has me perplexed. She is a delightful woman, whose daycare is one filled with sincere care, love, compassion and she has great passion for the youngsters who are in her care. Her facility is clean, organized, safe and actually an upstanding environment which is above many other providers in Ludington. Yes, it is disturbing the activities those two boys have been involved in, and i'm sure their parents are livid over it, but to slander Mrs. Castonia's business seems to be a personal attack solely because Mr. Castonia is on COL council. There are many upstanding members of the community and some in which you your self have as friendly acquaintances, maybe even consider more than acquaintances, who are or have been business owners, advocates, members of other councils, active with the younger generations and even church goers, who've indulged or dabbled in even more than "Ganja". Then, there are those who we have been in our businesses and homes that posses a felony record for things like home invasion. car theft, even csc, and other things. Condemning just these two parents for what their kids did is like a witch hunt when their are an abundance of other parents whose kids have done the same or worse. And, there are many parents in high positions who have hidden illegal activities too. It is sad and unfortunate what the Castonia's boys have done, but i'm positive their activity is not one approved by their parents.   

[AQUAMAN]

I didn't see or hear any direct verbal attacks on Mrs. Castonia Nonfiction. From your statements about her, she sounds like a very wonderful and caring person, one whom is doing a fine job of daycare. However, the alert of this thread, with some arrested in the family living at the same Danaher address, should give some affected some rightful concern. The fact too remains that anything Gary Castonia's family does in a bad or unlawful way, has to reflect on him personally, that's just the nature of his political choosing. He has known that since he was also an LPD officer, so his whining now or in the recent past isn't exactly professional nor mature. He might instead want to move that daycare elsewhere, or not give residency at that location to any of his family that has some bad illegal habits, both known, and unknown but suspected. His long-term on the LPD should have him in the class of an expert on Marijuana by now, so this isn't something he should ignore any longer, while preaching from a pulpit about how others are so bad for using it, that's just Hypocrisy on his part. 

[XLFD]

I'm sure that Mrs. Castonia is a saint; I find it maddening and frustrating just having  to put up with the foolishness of her hubby only twice a month at the meetings.  That being said, you have two minor grandsons of a former police officer who visit often and/or live at a house used for daycare committing drug crimes.  You have Tim Castonia, Gary's son, and possibly also living there after having his home burn down suspiciously, being an advocate for recreational marijuana use.  These are three offspring of the Sixth Ward Councilor that knowingly thumb their nose at the established law, and likely, the virtues of their forebears.

If you are okay with having your kids stay at a daycare with these law-breaking characters within it, that is your prerogative, but I think that people should not remain ignorant about it.  After all, Ludington's MM ordinance was crafted so that MM could not be dispensed within 600 ft. of a daycare facility; this was meant to protect the kids from witnessing such transactions.  But the two Castonia boys caught with marijuana were/are kids themselves, and likely have had their weed stashed around the daycare at least for a short time. 

[Willy]

Nonfiction, don't blame the messenger. I do not consider this an attack on Mrs. Castonia but rather the disseminating of news already made public by local media and law enforcement. It just so happens that the day care is central to what is taking place with the Castonia boys. If I were Mrs Castonia I would find another place to put her family law breakers and keep them far away from the day care. This isn't Mrs. Castonia's fault but because of the behavior of her family she is caught in the middle and must decide on whether to keep her business's reputation clean or keep her young law breakers close to the children she is in charge of. I understand how kids get into trouble but having three family members who have been publicly linked to drug use is not going to reflect positively on any business venture where public scrutiny affects it's operation. Good points Aquaman and X.

[stump]

Who's to blame for drug using kids? I would say the parents no matter who they are. Kids should be taught right and wrong,apparently that didn't happen, what's legal and what's not. Marijuana is not legal. Maybe the old mans a toker also. I can't believe the license for the day care hasn't been pulled. She should kick their ass right down the road.

[Nonfiction]

You all are correct. Either the boys should be moved from the home where Mrs. Catonia's daycare is or the daycare should be moved to another location. Hopefully, the Castonia's are taking action to get and keep them off drugs and will succeed thus, resolving the issue of daycare placement. I do apologize for getting my dander up with what seemed to me as bashing Mrs. Castonia. In most cases i think it is ridiculous to put blame on the parents for what their older aged children do. There are a lot of good, clean parents out there who have children which once into teen years, go off in a direction unapproved of their parents. I do agree if parents receive the knowledge regarding what their kids are involved in and choose not to take corrective disciplinary actions then, they should be held accountable. I know i would hate for my own parents who were good, honest people, to be blamed for what idiotic things us kids did. I do know, when we were growing up, the reputation of our parents due to our stupid actions were not anything we thought about until we became parents ourselves.  

[AQUAMAN]

Well said Nonfiction. You have been a good contributor on this forum from your start, keep up the faith and good work. 

[Nonfiction]

Thank you for your kindness AQUAMAN.

[XLFD]

One of the biggest redeeming qualities of a person, and one you'll rarely find in a Facebook exchange, is being able to admit to others that they are correct when you've argued contrary. 

Because of my curiosity and my contacts, I often get some rumors and dirt about local folks and officials.  Most remain unpublished and uninvestigated unless they affect public policy and/or show an appearance of impropriety.  Gary has made a career of enforcing marijuana laws and later wanting to draft tougher marijuana laws.  It is news when not only his one grandkid is caught (who reportedly visited the daycare house a lot), but a second is caught (who lives at the house), and should not be ignored by the public. 

Councilor Castonia could make his position about such things clear and unequivocal, but he chooses to ignore, while attacking somebody for mentioning it at a meeting (as he did for me).  Gary, in my estimation of his character, is someone who couldn't admit what you just did, Non-fiction, in your first sentence.  As a leader of a council that ignores ethical and charter violations in a routine basis, who almost always casts a vote to take more of your money and more of your rights away from you, this is a terrible quality not to have.

[Nonfiction]

XLFD, you, AQUAMAN and Willy were right. I have no problem admitting that - a trait i inherited from my father, no narcissistic personality. My personal feelings of Mrs. Castonia took hold first and clouded the truth of your report. Now if Mike pilon, Rotta's a idiot and Real talk would abandon their choleric behavior towards you personally, then they too would see the truth, reason and integrity in what you published as also correct and concerning. 

[Willy]

Nonfiction. It's not that we were necessarily right it's that we were looking at it from a different viewpoint than you. You were sympathizing with Mrs. Castonia because you know her while I was looking at it from a prospective parent's view who may be considering a day care. The thing that makes this serious is that if the boys are into pot then it's possible they are doing harder stuff. I don't know that for a fact but it seems logical. Also since Mr. Castonia is so well connected to law enforcement It's possible the boys were caught with other drugs, but as we all know Ludington's leaders scratch each others backs so the police may have omitted the fact that other hard stuff was involved just to make things easier for the family.

[Mike pilon]

I think u doing nothing but talk crap about people. If anybody no Tim and Brooke, now they don't smoke or use or grow marijuana. This a direct attack on the family. Why? If they were growing the insurance company would have not paid the claim if Tim and Brooke were growing.u need to shut ur mouth. U no nothing and and say even more meaningless stuff