Charter Amendments Fall Short on Accountability, a Newspaper Editorial

[XLFD]

A hearty thanks to the new managing editor of the Ludington Daily News, Patti Klevorn, for publishing in its entirety an essay I wrote regarding the proposed charter amendments, and how they were not a good fit for the community in today's newspaper at the top of page 5. 

Whereas, plenty more could be added explaining why these proposals fall short because of how they could so easily be abused by a cavalier city manager acting outside the public's interests, the reasoning above applies even without such being noted.  Please, offer constructive critiques or support in the comments below.

[Willy]

Excuse me while I recover from my heart attack. I passed out when I discovered that the LDN actually printed your letter. What is Patti thinking? Has she gone soft without Begonche's guiding hand? Did she take a tour down Fairness Lane after taking a right turn away from Progressiveness only to discover there are other ways to look at the Council and how they do business. I'm shocked! Anyway, I find your letter to be an exemplary explanation of what is wrong with the amendments. Very logical and concise. Although some people may be confused while reading the 3rd explanation regarding "CPI figures and their correlation to the months noted and the shortening of the time needed for citizens to critique the budget. Maybe Patti will put you on as a staff writer in order to show that the LDN can tell the truth if they try.

[AQUAMAN]

Very accurate account of these proposals, hope most read it, and understand what is at stake too. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see a rebuttal on Monday or Tuesday of it by someone like Cain or Moonbeam that tries to derail that with more propaganda and idealism that doesn't exist here.

[XLFD]

I'll be interested to see whether they print a counterpoint or an editorial in Monday's paper to try and paint the charter proposals in a better light, but I was impressed that she confirmed this would run in Saturday's paper, and even more impressed that it was ran without edit. 

I apologize for any confusion in the end for those wondering what a CPI (Consumer Price Index) is, but I was hoping the previous reference to 'inflation rate' in the preceding sentence would give some context to what it is.  Here's a place where the monthly CPI's are on display:  CPI History by month since 1913.

The limitations of a printed newspaper is that you can't link to other references when you present your materials, so you have to take some space to explain things.  For the sake of brevity and to keep the focus, I decided not to resort to an Economics 101 class to make the point.

[Brad]

I think the emergency proposal may pass depending on it's interpretation by the reader. I think that's what the city is hoping for. But I completely agree that "emergencies" will be taken care of by our city anyway.
Please everyone, get out and vote!

[jfc123]

I agree, just wish that the decision maker had more trust from the citizens he serves! This is something he needs to work on, the citizens there deserve to be represented! Not harassed because they are frustrated by him ignoring their concerns!

[Brad]

Remember and remind others to get out and vote.  

And vote NO on the proposals!

On another scary note.... Gary Castonia is running for frikin mayor!  

And a Ron Martin took out a petition recently too.  Both per LDN.

[XLFD]

If it's the same Ron Martin mentioned in this recent article, I will be duly impressed that he could get the forty signatures he needs in just one day, as he picked up his petition yesterday at noon and it needs to be in by the end of today.

[XLFD]

I just got through voting at the City Hall.  City Clerk Deb Luskin was going through Martin's petition list to verify the signatures he turned in.  Looks like there's four in it to win it. 

[shinblind]

If Castonia would win the Mayor's seat then would he have to vacate his council chair and if so would the vacant council position be filled by appointment?

[Brad]

Yea that's scary!  I believe so.  Another Krutch...

[XLFD]

Since he hasn't and will not resign from the seat, if he won the election (and his grandkids are noting that the buzz says he's polling high), his seat would become vacant at year's end and need a replacement.  The city charter's remedy at that point would be to have the city council pick his replacement. 

The way to prevent that, of course, is to help work against his winning the seat.  My rule of thumb (even with people I mostly like) is to never vote for anybody that will not resign from their current position to run for another position that they cannot hold at the same time.  Even worse in my estimation are those people who run for two such positions when they can only legally hold one.  Yet some silly folks wanted me to do this for this election cycle when the mayor spot opened. 

Ain't happening, the mayor's race looks to be interesting enough without some clown like me.

[shinblind]

Maybe Gary wants to position himself better to take advantage of obtaining summer employment for his dope smoking grand kids similar to what real  estate speculator John  Henderson did for his offspring? After all doesn't the mayor get first pick above the City Councilors for nepotism?

How soon would it be if Castonia gains the mayor gig before he would be moving on up to Forest Hills to be neighbors with Henderson and City Manager John Shay? Toss another steak on  the barbie you guys.