WMOM Candidate Forum for Ludington City Councilor At-Large

[XLFD]

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.

[Brad]

Thanks for updates X, very much appreciated.
MOM really asked these questions? Great job on their part if so. Bout time media got tough.
Interested in Stephen's responses. So far Buskirk may be only one that we can possibly go with. ...Possibly.

[AQUAMAN]

Altering that last block of Lud. Ave. will also alter the beach access, even if it remains unchanged, that's the entire idea. I also saw some recent canoe/kayak racks downtown across from Wesco. They were 8' high, and with boats in them at the end of the avenue, you would not see over them on foot, and surely not in a vehicle. That proposed roundabout will cut off traffic at Stearns Drive, and lose 60 parking spots for visitors. 

[XLFD]

Stephen's answers were interesting.  He backtracked on his stance on emergency acquisitions without council approval, he now supports it after saying he would vote no at the COLDNews forum.  He has some other responses that make me concerned about whether he's consistent in his thinking.  I do like his three objectives dealing with accountability, but the mutability of his positions has me concerned about whether he would keep these views once he 'assumes the position' with Shay guiding him, saying that non-exempt information is forbidden.  His vote is likely questionable at best on the West End Scheme.

[Willy]

Was Brandy one of the Marina brats that was given preferential treatment to work at the marina because her dad was a politician? Those marina jobs should have been open to everyone but as we all know only the kids whose parents were "connected" got first crack at them. If she did work there then her beginnings in the work place have their roots in cronyism and nepotism.

[XLFD]

In May of 2011, shortly after being banned from the Ludington City Hall and a Ludington property I never set foot upon (primarily because I exposed the Nick Tykoski-Heather Venzke sign scam on that Valentine's Day), I brought forth the city marina's hiring policies which shown a direct correlation between city officials and their offspring working there.  Briefly stated, Mayor Henderson appoints the marina board who appoint and oversee the marina hirings, and they had two Henderson girls including Brandy and several other official's kids hired there.  There were no attempts at posting these jobs, nor did they have any solid job duties listed for the positions, which did around 450 hours of work each week.

Part 4 of this article later that year shows how the silver spoon continued to be in her mouth with a lot of special considerations being given by Heather Venzke and Chamber president Kathy MacLean to assist her while her during the time her papa was mayor.  Since then she has moved onto the Ludington CVB (the convention and visitor's bureau) and with room tax money gave Ludington the rights to Historyprize with the expenditure of $25,000.  But shortly thereafter, that fell through, as did her job at the CVB.

Like her father, I see a lot of derivative creativity in her past, and not a lot of her own talent.  I'm willing to take a look at what see wants to do, but so far I see little that excites me.

[AQUAMAN]

Methinks it's important to note all that X just said about Brandy, and it's all TRUE!  Most locals probably don't know or remember all this stuff either, tis old news, but it still should be given consideration, and attention for all to realize what is really going on again. This is back-door deal stuff, and to me anyhow, makes the candidate's history and lifestyle known. Also tip of the hat to Willy for this remembrance of the truths this forum has identified and exposed for the record. 

[Willy]

[shinblind]

Great Willy.  You are Genius.

[Willy]

Thanks shinblind. Your comments are a far cry from what my x-mother in law used to say, such as "stupid #$*&^%#@ a_ _ hole". I do miss her. I only regret not being there when she fell into a volcano and was posthumously issued a citation for polluting.

[XLFD]

The article above has been modified to show the views of all four candidates this week on WMOM.  Some surprises:  Brandy Henderson offers good reasons to not support two of the charter amendments, Von Pfahl changes his views and his votes on those two amendments.  Some non-surprises:  Wallace Cain confirms his idolatry of the status quo and spouts the city manager's lines, David Buskirk gives politically safe answers. 

It's your call on Tuesday.  Please choose the one that you feel would be best.

[Brad]

I think the Torch'ees need to determine to support one candidate so we rally votes to that one candidate.
Brandy...eeh
Cain... no way
Stephen... too tipsy turvy
David... probably best choice if he doesn't waver

[XLFD]

I would be the first to admit there is no perfect candidate here, but I believe that Brandy will get enough votes due to her name recognition and gender to gain one of the two spots.  I am hoping that she drains enough insider votes from Cain so that either Buskirk or Von Pfahl gets through. 

Personally, I like Von Pfahl's stands on transparency, accountability, and the fact that he's a city hall outsider.  But I dislike his ability to switch his stands on important issues, without clarifying why.  I also don't believe he is the fiscal conservative he claims to be from his public views on Facebook-- he is/was a Bernie Sanders supporter. 

Personally, I like Buskirk's demeanor, experience on the council during the last millennium (albeit not all positive), willingness to reflect public sentiments, and his durability.  I don't like his political ambiguity and his pledge to support and work with Shay and Barnett, who he still believes are the same people he helped hire. 

I would not encourage folks to vote for Cain or Henderson, but that's as far as I would go.