Ludington City Council Meeting, September 22, 2025: Equinox Sees Light vs. Darkness

[XLFD]

The September 22, 2025. fall equinox edition of the Ludington City Council meeting (agenda packet here) saw the absence of not only Councilors John Terzano and John Kreinbrink, but also of civility.  Since the last meeting, we have seen the most impactful political assassination since the late 1960s, leading to a surprisingly well-attended candlelight vigil of around 1000 for Charlie Kirk in Ludington this last Wednesday, and perhaps the most watched memorial service ever.  

But while the docket was light and Mayor Mark Barnett and others have more than once brought up horrific school shootings in the past (which this was, and fully recorded on publicly available video) we heard no acknowledgement of this bit of history that impacted about a thousand locals to the point that they sacrificed a beautiful summer night to attend a solemn event.  Incredibly, Pastor Ryan White of Cornerstone Baptist Church (where the mayor is an elder) gave an invocation that never even tangentially referenced the incident or the man.  If you're still having delusions that anybody on this council has libertarian or conservative ideals, this should affirm it, as would the absence of these officials at the vigil.

Instead, we had Barnett (above center) shout down a speaker (surprisingly, not I this time), the council's two women teachers in fey moods telling us about good things happening, and the usual acts of ignoring the importance of what problems the actual citizenry is up in arms about.  I was the first to speak this evening and as I have before, excoriated staff for unlawfully using public funds and credit, but only after I laid down a compliment.

XLFD:  (8:40 in)  "I am impressed with city staff that took the initiative to compare health insurance plans in order to potentially save nearly $100,000 on health insurance for the next year while retaining equivalent coverage, I only wish that you would have brought this to the council earlier so that we could have avoided the additional step of opting out of PA 152 of 2011 as you did in July, if indeed that savings would allow for not needing to opt out.

I am less impressed with looking at the bill paying ledger and finding a lot of questionable purchases with public money.  A couple of the most egregious are credit card purchases using the general fund, to whit a purchase of Gordy's Clothing for $301 and a purchase from Big Apple Bagels for $433; from the City Manager's Fund is a charge for Safety Picnic supplies of $221.  I could not find anything about a safety picnic anywhere on city sites, but if the city is consistent, supplies would likely be for food for the picnic that the public was never invited to, but the city manager used public money on.

I see $14,400 for two law firm bills, law firms this council has never formally approved for a contract of special retainment thereof.  Why is the city obligated to pay Cumming, McClory, Davis and Acho thousands of more dollars when we effectively get their services as part of the agreement we have with the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority?  If this is for work outside of that agreement, why isn't the public and the city council getting the ability to view the contracts and see the scope of their work?  

But the biggest thing I see that I really shouldn't be seeing in this section is the sending of $45,600 from the LPD Fund sent to the Friends of Ludington Police.  The FOLP according to its website is a "nonprofit organization made to support various programs of the Ludington Police... These efforts are made possible through fundraising and outreach."  State law prohibits a city from donating public money to non-profits, the MML confirms this as do multiple law firm sites.  Perhaps Thief Jones can explain this illegal act over the course of this meeting, and Prevaricatin' Kaitlyn can explain the other unlawful expenses."  [END comment]

The two people mentioned did not fully ignore my concerns, but they didn't offer valid defenses to their unlawful purchases.  Here is what the city manager offered:

Prevari-Kaitlyn Aldrich (1:07:25 in):  "... expenses related to the staff picnic.  The staff picnic is a safety picnic that is held every year.  It is a mandatory safety picnic where all staff members must attend.  It is an all-day safety picnic; lunch is provided because you work through your lunch and those were the expenses the city occurred for that day.  Again it is held once per year, it is held out at the DPW, and the City provides lunch to the staff for that day.

There were some t-shirt charges I believe, from the police department, I believe those were uniforms for all officers or just a few that were needed for new hires? [Jones replies] For clerical staff." 

The above snippet is from the Michigan Municipal League (MML) that provides legal guidance for cities on permissible expenditures.  It explicitly prohibits spending public money on picnics that are not specifically authorized by law.  Researching this thoroughly, there is no such authorization in state or local law to hold such a members-only picnic.  It sounds as if everybody got paid for a day where they attended a picnic and sent the bill for the food and drinks to the public.  Then they try to justify the illegal expense; unbelievable, except when you've seen how corrupt the path they've taken since Barnett came back is.

As for the t-shirts, it's certain that the general fund was used, not the LPD's, what isn't clear is the statement that they were for (police) clerical staff uniforms.  As every time I have went to the city hall, clerical staff never wears t-shirts as their uniform, neither do the two people that do clerical tasks at the police department.  Prevari-Kaitlyn, without correction from others, indicated these were t-shirts given to clerks which serve as uniforms.  Three hundred dollars can buy an awful lot of t-shirts for two people.  This illustrated the point that when you are used to lying all the time, your words catch up with you. 

While the MML Guide does not say so explicitly, AI seems to think that the purchase made here was probably illegal, as seen above.  Likewise, city policy back when I was on the fire department was for us to use our own money to get our LPD t-shirts.  One sees why the city often ignores my comments on abuse of public funds, because they only dig themselves deeper into the hole of corruption.  LPD Thief Jones should also be wise to take the Fifth when it comes time to explain the taint, as he would right after the city manager affirmed the city made unlawful purchases.

Jones:  "It was about $40,000 transferred from the City to FOLP, that came from a restricted account that held nothing but funds that were donated-- these are not city funds they are donated funds for the Shop with a Cop program.  The FOLP have taken over the fiduciary responsibilities for SWAC, so they'll be purchasing the gift cards, coordinating with Meijer and Wal-Mart and so forth and they're taking care of the software for the pie auction and that sort of thing.  So those were funds donated by the community for SWAC that the City was holding that have been transferred to FOLP so that they can share in that responsibility. 

The $5000 donation was a donation made by a citizen in the community, the donation letter and their conversation with me, the donation was for FOLP, the donation letter states that, the check says "City of Ludington"..." 

I've always maintained in the past that the SWAC program was poorly managed by the city, being that they would receive and pay out the money through the general fund, and not some restricted use fund.  This made it ripe for abuse because of the unaccountability this offered.  In this year's budget, we finally see the program having its own fund inside the LPD's.  If this movement of city-donated funds is just to pass on fiduciary responsibilities to the FOLP, it is likely legal enough, but it definitely should have been approved by the city council given the number's involved and documented through a written agreement with the parameters needed to be addressed. 

This wasn't even brought up as an item of business at the Public Safety Committee.  What you'll notice from the budget is that in August 2024 the fund had a balance of $37K, they raised enough to hold SWAC in 2024 with a balance growing to $40K, about enough to hold two years of SWAC.  Back when I was questioning their SWAC accounting practices, I was told that they did their best to use all of the donations each year and sent the overage to needy area families via the school districts.  Apparently, it's just being hoarded now, but at least the program has finally found a home that doesn't depend on the faulty accounting orthodoxy of the past that blended public and private monies together.

You will notice that they did not address the $433 Big Apple Bagels bill and the rare absence of elected Clerk Deb Luskin left the question open; one presumes it was for catering to city election workers for the August election which featured the LMTA millage renewal only.  This appears to be an unlawful expense, as I can find no evidence of any state or local law that would allow for this, a Michigan ADL Poll Worker Requirements and Best Practice webpage tells poll workers to bring their own meals and snacks, just in case there are not any nearby, open restaurants.  I would say "Big Apple Bagels?!" at the top of my second comment, but still not get an answer for this expense, I would continue:

XLFD:  "I can't help but look at a quote made last year by the martyred Charlie Kirk and thinking about what I have done in these chambers regularly since 2012.  He said "The next time that you are confronted with saying the hard thing, and the honest thing, and you know it comes at a price to your flesh or yourself, you say the true thing.  The next time you see somebody who is suffering or is being treated unjustly, and you can intervene, you do something about it.  You stand up to the bully, you put your own neck out there and you choose what is right over what is comfortable.  The most masculine people that I know are the ones that go into places where they are not welcome, they were not invited, that they will be booed off stage, and they still proclaim the truth."

While I am not as comfortable with discussing my faith, as Charlie was, I have been totally comfortable with coming before this body and exposing the hard, honest truth about city directions, actions and policies.  I have seen people treated unfairly by the city and have intervened on their behalf because of that commitment to the truth and justice which I have taken up because it is the right thing to do.  I have suffered greatly at the hand of those opposed to these virtues, heavily occupying the seats before me, but through it all I have remained standing in front of the bullies amidst you defending the silent and the less powerful. 

This year we have seen several good people coming regularly to these meetings delivering more truths about past and present neglect of the PM Lake Watershed and unlawful funding of our public marinas.  Many of those truths affect us all, our health, our livelihoods, our free market solvency, but... even so, the concerns are ignored at meetings and are never put on future agendas.  [END comment]

I actually had another sentence to close it out; however, I was effectively talked over once again by rude Mayor Barnett who always tries to stop my comments midsentence (he called "time" after I said "but" and tried to send me to my seat) without doing that to other speakers.  It's most distasteful, and quite a bit alien to the American and Christian values espoused by Charlie Kirk, MLK, JFK, RFK, and other martyred heroes.  

A couple minutes before this, citizen Jeff Henry had been rather upset by words spoken by Councilor Tim Large when discussing whether to abstain on a vote of a letter in support of the local chamber receiving a grant from the Mason Co. Community Foundation, presided over by Large's wife, Andrea.  Henry updated his ongoing paper chasing in the first comment period and suggested Large should consider abstaining from this vote to avoid any possible conflict of interest.  When it came time to consider the matter, Large did recuse saying:

"I am going to recuse myself from this vote, that should make Mr. Henry satisfied."  Councilor Jack Bulger advised that it might not be necessary, but Large then said: "I just don't want the hassle, so to protect my family members, I will recuse myself."  The action was approved, 4-0.

Henry, a historically peaceful citizen activist, took that personally because Large's words and body language suggested he wasn't abstaining due to a conflict, but out of some sort of personal fear of this persistent watchdog of the public's interest.  The bait (having his reputation besmirched) having been taken up, Henry chided the slight in his two minutes, ending with Mayor Barnett gaveling him down for explaining why it's important for accountability and transparency to abstain when it's called for:

Henry: (1:27:00 in): "[Transparency] is not just one thing, it's a way of life.  We all have to do that.  If we've learned anything from the vigil, it's that we all need to repent, and not sit here when someone comes in here and say you better worry about your public safety.  I'll stand and guard your door for you..." 

Barnett:  Mr. Henry!  (cross talk, gaveling) If you are going to make comments at this meeting, you will direct them to the chair.  Mr. Henry, if you're going to comment it will be to this chair!

Henry:  "I have been addressing your chair." 

Barnett:  You are looking at somebody else, and you're talking to them!  That's not the guidelines.  

The tape and transcript show that Henry was addressing the chair who sits right by Large.  How many times, since Barnett became mayor, have city officials and sycophants (like the current Planning Commissioner chair, Chris from WMOM, and County Commissioner Johnson) used public comment as a time to direct negative energy towards me, often looking right at me, when they speak?  Too many times-- and never has there been an outburst like this from the mayor.  Just a smug look on his face as he lets them speak past the time limit without interruptions. 

Maybe this Jefferson Henry has a point.  Being a virtuous public official should be a way of life, but none of these clowns even took the time to memorialize Charlie Kirk because they are on the other side of humanity.  They love poisoning our water, they relish competing unfairly with the private sector, they look forward to raising your taxes, they embrace putting up unlawful paywalls on public records, they take joy in spending your tax money on illegal purchases, and they are infatuated with avoiding competitive bidding because it interferes with their cronyism and nepotism.  They are the darkness, the citizens clamor for the light to be turned on to get rid of the annoying cockroaches in city hall, but the fuse box is nowhere to be found.

Two other citizens spoke this evening.  Daniel Jensen related Psalm 91 in its entirety for his first comment, doing so without notes, as if to give a better invocation than what we were given.  He would weigh deeper into the muck during the second comment, reminding the council about contamination studies being available, praising Ray Karboske's efforts over the years to clean up the water. 

Reluctant attendee Tom Sanders took the city to task for selective enforcement of properties, noting the Depot has uncut grass and trash accumulating and several real estate signs are in right-of-way areas that they shouldn't be in, but Code Enforcer Shawn Reed isn't doing anything.  He continued along the same path the second time around, focusing on "rules are the rules"-- just before the mayor would show that isn't the case with Henry and me.

The city council would unanimously (5-0) vote for (see packet for details):  

- purchasing a used dump truck

- approving LHS Homecoming parade and route

- appointing Ken Kacynski to the planning commission.

- approving a lead water service line exploration contract, only one company bid.

In other matters, they heard an update from Invasive Species Specialist Zack Peklo which has focused primarily on Japanese Knotweed this year.  Nearly a couple dozen properties received treatment, more will be done next year.  As noted in my speech, they are planning to change health plans and save $98,000 with a three year contract with WMHIP, this being the first reading of an ordinance which is required for three-year contracts.  WMHIP's Chris Glass went over the particulars.

Councilor Kathy Winczewski gave a totally bland recap of the latest Hamlin Township Board meeting, and we got the usual AndyS update, where PrevariKaitlyn told us the other side hasn't communicated with the city for over a month (no agents of Dr. Reimer appeared to have made it to this meeting), but I couldn't help but remember that on 9-8-2025 council meeting one did speak during public comment wanting to talk with city representatives, so that's just one more fib on her part.

And then she proposed a resolution for the conflict by allowing the issues to be forgiven if Dr, Riemer agrees on installing a bike lane on the east side of Rath Avenue.  This appeared to come as no surprise to the council, so this topic has apparently been broached before this, though no meetings for committees or board has touched this.  What it looks like is that in order to get a bike lane on one side of Rath, they propose removing the existing turn lane to extend the curb another foot or two. 

Even as a bicycling advocate, I have some reservations about this proposal as made and believe it deserves more thought than just having a freshman city manager tell us it fits within the master plan of the city.  If the two parking spots still marked on that side of the street adjacent to AndyS are kept that way, this 'improvement' will likely make that area more dangerous for our two-wheeled friends. 

It remains unclear whether other transgressions will be forgiven if this proposal is accepted, but what is clear is that the new city manager is continuing to abuse her authority under the city charter and ignore the transparency issues that continue to get the city in trouble by citizen advocates.  The city council needs to grow a pair and let this autocrat under their power know the limits of her position and that dealmaking made in private does not put the city government in a good light.

Otherwise, things are only going to continue getting worse as darkness takes a firmer grip on city politics.

[Daniel Jensen]

Once again.. I commend Mr. Rotta on his reporting of corruption within the city walls of Mason County. I do have a comment concerning councilor Winczewski statement during the Sep 22nd meeting. The councilor makes mention of Hamlin Township meetings.. I believe that falls outside her.. so called jurisdiction. What is she doing in Hamlin? She's a city councilor.. Hamlin residents wouldn't be allowed to make comments concerning the cities activities.

As aforementioned on Mr. Rotta's reporting.. there was something I caught in the City Manager's comments concerning a call-in threat against the City Police and potentially City Hall itself. See copy and pasted article from The Ludington Daily News below.

LUDINGTON, Mich. — Sept. 19, 2025 — The Ludington Police Department briefly closed the municipal offices Friday after receiving a phone call threatening to drive a vehicle into the department’s building, according to a press release from the department.

Police said the call came in at 1:16 p.m. The caller indicated an intent to drive a vehicle into the Ludington Police Department building, posing a potential risk to both city and police personnel.

The threat was received after regular business hours at the Ludington Municipal Offices. As a precaution, the department closed the office and placed temporary barricades at key access points, including parking lot entrances and areas considered vulnerable to vehicle intrusion, the release stated.

Following an initial investigation, police determined the threat was not credible. The barricades were removed and normal operations resumed. The Ludington Municipal Building is open to the public, and all scheduled city meetings will proceed as planned, according to the release.

The incident remains under active investigation for potential criminal charges. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sgt. Austin Morris at [e-mail] or Detective Miller at [e-mail], the department said.

Councilor Aldrich states in the video that.. it was directed towards the Police Department with potential risk to City Hall.. and the Police Department was still open at the time of the call-in. One would think.. with the technology of phone call tracing.. the Police Chief would have the person of interest already in custody.. but instead.. "he dismisses the the incident and puts out a call to the public for help in the apprehension of the individual.. or individuals responsible". This sounds like misdirection.. or potentially a False Flag operation.. perpetrated by City officals.. with help from local news affiliates.. to discourage those who speak truth to power.

Thank you Mr. Rotta and those who stand for the betterment of our Great City.. and may God Bless our Covenant Nation.

[XLFD]

And thank you for catching my omission, I read the MCP article on the threat just an hour before the meeting and so I left the details off in my meeting notes.  Your thinking is quite logical and it does mirror what the City has done in the past back in 2011 when they tried to make me out as a threat, when the only threatening thing I was doing was making FOIA requests and finding corruption therein.  The LPD (led by Barnett) drafted a Workplace Safety Policy and did a big media campaign with willing media partners to smear me, kind of like they were doing with Jefferson here.  

It was quite effective then and so the LPD and John Shay tried the same tactic again in 2016 when they went after two Torch members for statements made that were harmless.  Both 2011 and 2016 were coincidentally the two years I ran for city council.  When the City feels threatened about their corruption being exposed, they play the victim and make the messenger exposing the corruption out as the bad guy.  Same tactic they used back in 2008, when former City Building Inspector Jack Byers was smeared before, during and after winning big in court. 

You take care, Mr. Jensen, city cockroaches won't skitter when they are backed into a corner, they'll slime you.