A Farewell to Kings of Mason County

[XLFD]

When they turn the pages of history when these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow

 

In the latter parts of  this thread  about the lack of legal standing for parts of Mason County Government as compared to the citizens group CARRE, I challenged the County Administrator to propose a course of action for setting aright the fact that he was mistakenly under the belief that many employees of the County did not have to take an Oath of Office to uphold the State and Federal Constitution.  It can be summed up neatly by a presidential contender that makes a profound statement on character, the oath of office, and why it matters in just over a minute.

 

 

It's too bad that very few of our politicians think like this. 

 

We turned our gaze from the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down on the path of least resistance

 

That Oath challenge was finally answered by Mr. Knizacky late Friday afternoon. 

 

 

We have went from Mason County being ruled by an unelected King given birthright to that office by the yearly affirmation of two handfuls of Commissioners who has no link at all to service to the rights of the people or for State and Federal laws, to an enlightened executive who is bound to the US and Michigan Constitutions and the rights of the people documented therein.  This is no mere formality, and I only hope that Mr. Knizacky did it with pride, passion and with reverence.  I would hate to think it was initiated because I had contacted the Michigan Attorney General's Ofiice earlier that day.

 

Cities full of hatred fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel tormented eyes

 

But what about the lesser King of Ludington, John Shay?  His lack of an Oath of Office for his nine year tenure was revealed in a November thread  John-Shay-has-not-swore-in-over-eight-years  which was passed on to the City Council, the Mayor and the City Clerk with a request to take action.  Did they reply or take action?  No.

 
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and scoffing at the wise

 

Do they care?  No, there have been four city council meetings since and no mention of any Oaths of Office given to John Shay or any of the new and re- appointments of the official boards and committees which require Oaths of Office to operate, although they did make a show of swearing in the new City Councilors.  Another letter or two to  the county prosecutor went unanswered.  This weekend, I figured he may follow Mr. Knizacky's example and be urged to do the right thing with or without the Attorney General's prodding.

 

 

The hypocrites are slandering the sacred halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering their bitterness on youth

 

The subheadings I have been using are the complete lyrics from the first two verses of the song "A Farewell to Kings", by the venerable rock band Rush, very appropo to the matter at hand with people in power here.  Will these two local Kings taking an Oath of Office, many many years after they should, in essence be anywhere akin to England's King John signing the Magna Carta back in 1215, ushering in an era of basic human rights in western civilization. 

Not even close, but it's a welcome start if we can get our King John to succumb to the will of the people and the law of the land.

 

Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Can't we learn to feel what's right and wrong? 

 

 

Without further ado, the video of Rush to celebrate these events:  A Farewell to Kings.

 

[Willy]

Excellent work X.

[XLFD]

Thanks Willy, I will be hopefully putting up John Shay's Oath of Office within a week or so.  For now, here's Fabian's.

[AQUAMAN]

Glad to see Mr. Knizacky is not taking the prodding lightly nor ignoring it like Shay and CC members are. Maybe they don't the words so help me God or faithfully perform the duties, wonder which it is?

[XLFD]

John Shay probably takes a look at that Oath and says, "Faithfully perform my duties?  Support the Constitution of the US and MI?  Best of my ability?  That's not in the job description I signed up for!"

[Willy]

Shay is just a contract employee. It's the City's responsibility to see that all it's employees have taken an oath. Who in the City is responsible for administering the oath and making sure the people who are required to take the oath do so? Has that person taken an oath?