FiveCAP Knee-capped by Officials

[XLFD]

We are all caught in a very confused and troubled state.  

I doubt whether it has to be that way in this period defined by adopting procedures to counteract a COVID-19 pandemic.  On the national scene, President Trump has held daily press briefings since March 11th with members of a Coronavirus task force, using eminent physicians and other political leaders to explain how to fight an invisible enemy and how to logistically handle the crisis.  It's an impressive presentation with Trump showing his normal rally form, cheerleading for hope, faith and charity, political leaders showing how they are adapting, and media-savvy doctors that appear comfortable and knowledgeable in front of the cameras and behind the showman-in-chief.

It balances the fearmongering and crisis-growing propensities of the media that attend and report on the briefings.  It allows an unfiltered path that comforts many, and it shows that the federal response is proper and proportional to the pandemic.  At the state level in Michigan, they could learn a lot from the approach and technique taken at these briefings.

The day of Trump's first briefing, Governor Gretchen Whitmer began a series of executive orders that would affect all Michigan citizens in some way.  This first amounted to closing schools, four days later restaurants, bars, were closed to inside customers and meetings of 50 or more people were outlawed.  On March 23, she issued the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order. 

These orders and the directions she wants the state to proceed with have been introduced with a few press conferences.  Each of these briefings feature Whitmer explaining her orders, clarifying the parameters of the orders, and delineating the consequences for not following the orders.  She is usually accompanied by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, who serves mostly as a prop.  The briefings do not inspire much hope, nor are they very informative about the crisis, they serve mainly as an explanation of new 'laws' and 'punishments' that have never went through the legislature with rarely a mention of the potential impacts on people and their rights.  Some orders and sanctions have come from department heads which confuses many about who is in charge.

These executive orders have had some alarming effects on private businesses and individuals:

1.  criminalizing the operations of businesses deemed by GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER to be non-essential;
2.  criminalizing the freedom of movement of individuals;
3.  criminalizing the freedom of assembly of individuals;
4.  suspension of and criminalizing gatherings of people who are not of the same household;
5.  suspension of and criminalizing the right to protest in traditional public forums;
6.  suspension of the operation of schools, places of worship, and places of higher learning;
7.  suspension of and criminalizing access of family members and friends to individuals admitted to hospitals, nursing homes; and healthcare facilities;
8.  releasing of criminally-convicted individuals from incarnation in Michigan jails and prisons;
9.  creating new laws, without passage by the Legislature, as to the discharge or discipline of employees for selecting to stay home;

10. expanding the unemployment compensation system beyond the legal limits imposed that statutory scheme; and

11. spent or committed funds, without appropriations, in amounts of millions of public dollars

The alarm is not false as multiple acts against people and companies are taking place, including:

A Portage car wash is sent a cease and desist order for remaining open.

Jo Ann Fabrics was contacted by the AG to close, despite the fabrics potential use as masks, etc.

Menards was threatened with sanctions for wanting to sell stuff:  "Menard’s is intentionally marketing and advertising to drive additional business into its stores.".  Ironically, the AG had went after Menards' for price-gouging earlier...

The insanity has infected Mason County, specifically in Scottville.  The Mason County Press in an article "Prosecutor issues cease and desist letter to FiveCAP" shows that hysteria is in full bloom in the central part of our county.  New Scottville Police Chief Matt Murphy (pictured above) leads the charge, going after FiveCAP, Inc., a non-profit group who provides resources and services to the poor in a four county area and who has their headquarters in Scottville, north of the downtown.  

Such businesses should be cherished and given some latitude in tough times, however, some people complained about them not following social distancing-- according to Chief Murphy.  “Our department received complaints and it is our job to pursue those complaints.  After meeting with (FiveCAP Executive Director Mary) Trucks and recognizing that she does not believe her agency is out of compliance, I determined the next step was to take this to the prosecutor.” 

Prosecutor Paul Spaniola (above) went further once he approved his own order to cease and desist:  “It has, unfortunately, been brought to my attention by Chief Murphy of the Scottville Police Department that FiveCAP has been continuing to operate with virtually a full staff, with more workers than is strictly necessary to perform FiveCAP’s critical infrastructure functions or necessary to conduct minimum basic operations, that social distancing measures are not being followed, which now include wearing face coverings.  Such actions put your employees and volunteers at risk, as well as the consumers who rely upon the crucial services which FiveCAP provides."

“Therefore, FiveCAP, its officers, agents and employees are herby issued a cease and desist directive that it is required to honor the executive orders of the governor of the State of Michigan, that it comply specifically with Section 5(c) of Executive Order 2020-21 regarding social distancing and mitigation strategies. The failure to do so would constitute evidence of a willful violation of the governor’s executive order exposing to criminal liability FiveCAP, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers.” 

Prosecutor Paul should read the ever-changing laws/orders of Michigan, none of which require wearing face coverings, which is only 'strongly suggested'.  Is he trying to get in the executive order business himself.  In both presentations by Murphy and Spaniola there is really no evidence of a violation, which is totally denied by Director Trucks:  

She believes her agency is in compliance with the executive order as there are currently 10 people working in the 3,300-square-foot building. Under normal circumstances, she said there are 14 or 15 people; protocols are in place restricting only three people in the office’s lobby at one time and those people must comply with 6-feet distancing.

Employees have had the option to be laid-off and draw unemployment.  “As essential infrastructure workers under the governor’s executive order, FiveCAP is complying with all COVID-19 safety measures in all facilities.  Most FiveCAP employees are furloughed. Those working from home are setting their own schedule.

“Employees are following the social distancing instructions in all person-to-person interactions. Staff have been issued masks, gloves, sanitizers, and personal thermometers. We are complying with new instructions as they are released.  Employees are not required to work.  They have been advised to take their personal needs and concerns into account and decide if they can work. All employees are paid during this emergency stay whether they work or not. They have been given information on unemployment in case they choose this option.”

Despite all of these precautions and attempts to follow the letter and intent of the law, this charitable non-profit who helps the poor in four counties is being threatened with government action against it, part of that action being to enforce a non-existent requirement to wear face masks and to lay off a quota of workers, neither of which is part of the executive orders.  

I will be hoping to get some FOIA requests to Scottville and/or the prosecutor to find out the basis for this insanity.

[Willy]

The insanity continues. Along with the Coronavirus, another infection is crippling America. This infection destroys the part of the brain that uses common sense and reasoning.

HERE'S GRETCHEN

[Willy]

I needed assistance with yard work this year but I could not find any company that was willing to go against Herr Fuhrer Withmer's anti Constitutional power grab. If any group of businesses should be allowed to continue, it's companies whose offices are outdoors in the fresh air. But stupidity and lack of common sense, like most Democrat leaders, overcomes rational thinking. At some point the people are going to have to rise up and tell the State to go to Hell.

[XLFD]

Five CAP closed its Scottville offices after the prosecutor's cease and desist letter, mark another job kill for the government acting in cooperation.  The inane executive orders of our state's governor, the county prosecutor's absurd action following Scottville's police chief creating a bizarre request for a warrant when it appeared nothing was warranted.

I have sent a FOIA request to the City of Scottville to get the records involved in this anti-business system.  Government is not your friend, read any of the writings of our country's founding fathers and know that current Michigan tyranny will not allow you the benefits of life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.

[Willy]

I am driving halfway across the state this weekend to see family. If I get stopped I will ask the officer if he plans on wearing a Nazi emblem on his uniform instead of an American flag. Any officer who enforces this criminal behavior of Whitmer  needs to find another profession.

[stump]

  Maybe it was just a ploy by the workers at five Cap. Trucks stated that the workers did have a choice of working or going on unemployment . It does look better to be employed even at a lower pay scale job. But looking at the extra dollars that come along with the bonus $600. that unemployment will now be paying , why go to work?  Get paid extra money, go to the food bank for free food, don't have the extra self upkeep, just set around all day like a Democrat waiting for the Government to give you more benefits. Life IS GOOD or is it?