THE LUDINGTON MAYORAL RACE 2013, CHANGE?

[AQUAMAN]

And now comes the race for Mayor, 2013. Since the thought of a King relishing the kingdom thru his chosen/appointed disciples the last 12 years without much if any competition, it's indeed refreshing to witness the current events of the year unfolding. We now have six (6) candidates that appear to want the torch, (excuse the pun), passed on to them for the next four years. Today, the LDN posted that two more candidates are throwing their hats in the ring by picking up a petition at City Hall for this critical job. Namely Wally Taranko and Ryan Cox. To date we also have entries by Pete Engblade, Kaye Holman, Dave Kosta, and Tom Rotta. I cannot truly remember when the Mayoral race had this many contestants in my lifetime in Ludington. The job doesn't really pay much, and has long past been a position of esteem, yet humble public servant. This person must have the best intentions and financial actions for the local citizens, along with long-term visions for Ludington's future. The ultimate Mayor will want to reel in wastes in spending, fix critical infrastructure ignored for decades, help create strong and vital incentives for keeping Ludington citizens employed year around with high paying jobs, making special tax incentives for new employers/employees, and make sure that nepotism and other parasites are put to an end. Ludington has to play on a level and legal by the book playing field, whether it's appointees in office, hiring practices, meetings that are closed to the public, unfair contracts to bidders that have no competition, seeking grants for projects that only benefit a few for a seasonal time, and of course last but not least, sitting on a nest egg of monies that approaches $8Million in savings and overtaxed funds being hidden in numerous bank accounts. This unholy treasury/nest egg was made from taxing the locals over-zealously over a long period of time, and needs to be spent on a rainy day. To me, the rainy days have been here for quite a long spell already. We need strong and effective leadership, the kind that doesn't come in the form of the past status-quo, copying others ideas, but the kind from the heart and mind that can project new progress and changes into the far future. And most importantly, a totally moral and ethical individual that can be themselves, be for the people, by the people, and of course, of the local people. I emphasize, "LOCAL", not implant from Oakland County, nor elsewhere. Someone that reflects with the locals best interests, and not the tourists only. So, who's your favorite person that can match all these important qualities, and lead with pride in the future?

[XLFD]

I need to know more about the candidates before I make a choice, LOL.  This seems to disprove the Committee for a Stronger (Stranger) Ludington's assertion that five term limits is good for the mayor's office.  Can you imagine four other candidates trying to unseat the entrenched, empartnered, demigod of Ludington politics, John Henderson going for his fourth term? 

[AQUAMAN]

I can imagine a dozen new candidates to unseat the present regime, whom ran unopposed for most of his terms. I can imagine a much more ethical run town, without some of the proteges and cronies that now exist for the benefit of the few, not the majority. I can imagine much more, and want to know that we are going to try to get back on track for better governing. We have had many good Mayors of the past, most were pro-business, and pro-local citizen. How we got this far off track of recent, is just apathy and people not caring anymore. The only way to capture that past is revived enthusiastic candidates. Those whom espouse to continue in the same fashion as we have of recent, really have their head buried in the sand. Being enthusiastic and energenic plus effective to the changes that we need is the path to victory imho.

[XLFD]

Even without John Henderson running, you have too many of these characters wanting to do the same thing and using their energy to maintain the status quo.  Kaye Holman wants to be Mayor John's protege; Dave Kosla seems myopic about the downtown just like Johnny; Wally Taranko has never veered from the vote of the oppressive majority (or the mayor) in the city council; Ryan Cox has stated he will continue in the Henderson tradition with some as of yet undisclosed improvements.  

Meaningful hope and change will likely not come with these folks. 

[Willy]

Like I said, " If you want Ludington fixed you've Gotta have Rotta for Mayor".

[AQUAMAN]

Of course we still have a scenario where some potential candidates that picked up a petition won't get the votes nor bother to get signatures to enter the race the whole way. That could be even sadder, if some did that for a publicity stunt, or just don't run with the ball. Time will tell who's crying wolf, and who isn't...lol.

[Dave]

Darn it X, one of your favorite candidates is no longer running, you'll have to decide on someone new to vote for... unless of course you think you have a shot now that she is out ;-)

Holman withdraws from mayor rac

May 13, 2013

LUDINGTON — Ludington City Councilor Kaye Ferguson Holman announced this morning that she has decided not to seek the office of mayor. Instead, she will remain a city councilor.

“When I decided to run for city council it just felt right,” she told MCP this morning. “But, when I took out the petition for mayor, I just didn’t have the same feeling.”

Holman said she had originally decided to run for mayor because there had only been one other person who announced his candidacy. But, since that time, several others have stepped forward.

Holman said she enjoys her duties as city councilor and looks forward to finishing her term, which ends in two years. She, like all councilors and the mayor, is limited to three four-year terms.

“I would like to thank all the voters who so graciously signed my petitions and all those who have wished me well, and, laughingly, call me Mrs. Mayor. I’m so proud of Ludington and of being your councilor-at-large for these past 10 years and I feel I am in a better place to serve you by staying on as your councilor.

“I have withdrawn my petitions and therefore have taken my name out of the race for our next mayor. My health is good and I’m still working full time as Kaye’s Care volunteering as much as I am able, plus I have growing grandchildren and their families.

“All of these things have entered into my decision, but most of all, I love being on council and the various committees. It’s a true pleasure to assist in Ludington’s growth.

“Since there are so many other candidates offering their services, I’m sure we can make an informed decision and elect Ludington’s next mayor.

Holman was instrumental last year in the campaign to extend the mayor’s term limits from three four-year terms to five four-year terms. That effort was voted down by the voters, meaning Mayor John Henderson cannot run again. Holman said if she had run for mayor she would like to have continued the efforts and visions Henderson has put into place.

The deadline for turning in petitions for any city seat is 4 p.m. Tuesday. To date, according to City Clerk Deborah Luskin, the following have turned in petitions: A. Pete Engblade, David Kosla, Ryan Cox and Wally Taranko. Tom Rotta took out a petition but has not yet filed. 

Other petitions that have been turned in include:

Clerk: Deborah Luskin (incumbent)

Second Ward Councilor: Kathy Winczewski. David Buskirk has taken out a petition but has not yet turned it in. The seat is currently held by Wally Taranko who has chosen not to seek re-election.

Fourth Ward Councilor: Wanda Marrison (incumbent)

Sixth Ward Councilor: Gary Castonia (incumbent)

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2013/05/13/holman-withdraws-from-ma...

[XLFD]

I heard that "Mrs. Mayor" (tee hee, giggle) had dropped out of the race earlier today, and that Wally Taranko was going whole hog into the race.  It looks like David Buskirk is as big as procrastinator as me in deciding whether to throw their beanie into the ring.  You may know him from running unsuccessfully against Ms. Holman for LCC in 2003 and 2007.  Oh well, we'll know by this time tomorrow whether either of us are going to the prom or not.

Wally actually has a lot of good mayoral qualities; he will be a solid contender no matter what positions he takes.  I think he'll almost assuredly make it through the primary on credentials and temperament alone.

[Willy]

I'm glad Holman's out. She would have been a continuation of the Constitutional train wreck that started under Henderson.

[AQUAMAN]

Besides the bologna Kaye gave the LDN today, what else has been told to her, or advised on her, by her fellow cohorts, that the public doesn't know right now? Mrs. Mayor? Methinks Carol Pomorski beat her to that distinction years ago, so, she can't be Ludville's first lady mayor. Besides, I think she's playing along with the good ole boy club to give someone else an advantage, so as not to dilute the candidate they all want in place of Jonny Boy. My guess would be Taranko is whom they want, not Pete, nor anyone else. I wonder if that Pumpkin is going to pass muster Tuesday? Well? If not now, when? The Torch certainly has placed many on board the council in precarious situation(s) imho. Many that the public had no knowledge of before the FOIA king entered the arena. Lastly, it's a shame no one wants to run against the incumbent in the sixth ward, and so, the sameo will continue until some locals get into the action, not the usual cronies that are always running unopposed.

[XLFD]

If you are not familiar with Kathy Winczewski, she is an LASD teacher and a member of the Ludington Zoning Board of Appeals.  I don't know her politics, but it looks like the fresh faces in Ludington politics are teachers:  her, Ryan Cox, David Kosla (music teacher).  That's a good thing I think. 

[XLFD]

My press release for the day:  

"After careful consideration of all the variables involved with such a decision, I have decided to forgo participating in the mayor race this year.

City policy invoked by the City's chief executive, and voted into local law by two of the mayoral candidates, kept me from participating fully in city elections in 2011 as a city council candidate, even from voting in 2011 and 2012 without fear of arrest, and still could prevent me, or anyone else for that matter, from participating fully in this year's election. Not even Ludington's mayor could revoke this policy.

Fear of such policy again being unwarrantedly invoked on myself, creating once again an uneven playing field against my Constitutional right to seek office, weighed into my decision, as was the fear of dishonest and obviously-biased reporting once again in our local print media.

My initial decision to pick up a petition for this office, was primarily motivated as a contingency plan to be prepared to run in the case that the field of candidates for Mayor did not offer the people of Ludington enough good, clear choices. The four men who have turned in their petitions are by no means as heterogeneous as I would prefer, but they do offer the public a choice.

I feel my energies this year will be better spent in trying to put forth a stricter term limit proposal for local elected officials, in continuing to use my modest powers as a politically active citizen to open up and reform our local system, and in preparing for another city council attempt in 2015, a position I would much rather have than the figurehead position of Mayor. Next year, I hope to work alongside our next Mayor in making Ludington a better place for all. Thanks to everyone who is paying attention and cares about their city, their county, their state, and their country in these difficult times."

[AQUAMAN]

Two down, four to go. Many teachers and professors are very liberal, that's not a good thing imho. Hope is quickly vanquished.