It Starts...

[shinblind]

Well it didn't take long.

The untruths of the March 21 City Council meeting begin on page 3

 http://ludingtoncitymi.minutesondemand.com/Document/da988529-acfd-e...

Heather Tykoski  Community Development Director  City of Ludington used as an example of the people who will qualify for the new apartments, a preschool teacher with a salary of $19,318 as qualifying for an apartment.

Heather, Heather, Heather

Besides using an example of someone who has 3 months off a year thus a part time occupation, you also state that that since the teacher has an income 60% of the local median income of $33,110.

EXCEPT that priority is given to tenants with low or very low income. And the cutoff is 50% for Ludington.

Who may receive assistance?
Properties with low- or very low-income (1) tenants qualify to receive assistance.  Properties with very low-income tenants receive first priority.

http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-renta...

Rental Assistance for Tenants in Ludington

Rental assistance is a type of housing subsidy that pays for a portion of a renter’s monthly housing costs, including rent and tenant paid utilities. This housing assistance can come in the form of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based Section 8 contracts, public housing, USDA Rental Assistance (in Section 515 properties) as well as HUD Section 202 and 811 properties.

In Ludington, there are 5 affordable housing properties providing rental assistance to very low income households.

To qualify for most rental assistance programs a renter must earn no more than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In some cases, rental assistance is reserved for renters earning 30% or less of the AMI. In Ludington, to qualify for Section 8 assistance, a renter household containing four persons must earn $27,100 or less. For some targeted rental assistance programs, a renter household of four can’t earn more than $24,250.

http://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/Michigan/Ludington/

Just to  inform you Heather since you are the Community Development Director City of Ludington, the threshold used is 50% of the AMI  (Average Median Income)  which would disqualify the preschool teacher. 

And first dibs is given to the people who make 30% of the AMI, $11,770 for a single person. 50% is $19,000 for a single.

Heather, as CDDCOL you should be aware of what you are talking about before addressing the challenged members of the Council. 

Also in a idiotic orchestrated  move Drew Routley, Ludington, Content Medial Manager for WMOM stated that as a respected professional in the media field he qualifies for the new housing development.

Drew, admitting you make less than $9.50/hr qualifies you as a respected media professional? Here is a bit of free advice, Haworth is having a job fair. The starting wage is $10.50/hr.

Tell the truth Drew, did John Shay write that for you?

I see Shay was recently on your station discussing the virtues of the West End Scheme.

https://www.facebook.com/wmomfmradio/

Scroll down to March 29

I was under the assumption that payola was illegal.  

Just kidding Drew.

[Wonder Woman]

As a respected professional in the media field, Drew Routley should know that commenting on local political issues creates a bias.  His job is to remain fair and objective.  He spoke during call to the public at a city council meeting and is now offering his opinions on the WMOM social media pages.  Sounds like he needs to understand how journalism works.  I'll consider him a respected professional in the media field when he keeps his opinions to himself, reports the facts, and holds our governmental leaders accountable. 

[XLFD]

It doesn't help when the annual median salary for preschool teachers in this area is $24,470 as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; undoubtedly, fraudulent wage/asset deflation will allow anybody allied with the City of Ludington team to qualify for these $300,000 condominiums while our real homeless and destitute have to move away due to the lack of real affordable housing-- a problem exacerbated by the RIO. 

Maybe Drew will offer some 'equal time' to those who are in opposition to the West End Scheme?  I know a city council candidate who would love to talk about the problems with it with their audience...

[AQUAMAN]

WMOM also has a business mgr. named Steve Miller, a former LHS classmate. When I got wind of Shyster Shay making an appearance supporting the WEP, Miller invited me to talk for opposition. Based on the fact that a guy named Rotta was more informed perhaps, and there to appear, I suggested he appear in my absence. Trouble is, a judgment of character stating he "lacked credibility" got in the way. Seems he got that tainted info. at city hall from Shay himself, so the twist on locals continues. Btw, great thread Shinblind, and Wonder Woman, thanks for your continued input.

[XLFD]

Fools adopt another person's standards of credibility as their own. 

I would invite Mr. Miller to gauge my credibility using his own yardstick and the seven years of content on the Ludington Torch.  If I'm not engaged in being credible, why am I the only news media in the area that actually make FOIA requests to verify and illustrate precisely what our leaders are doing? 

I do not knowingly print or say something that isn't factual (exceptions, April Fool's Day and opinions on whether that dress makes you look fat), but I need only point to the West End Project to show John Shay is not credible.  In his initial application, he lied about handicapped compliant bathrooms and dedicated bicycle paths.  This year, his numbers have shifted on the costs of certain constructions on the WEP and his assertion that the proposed water trail at the west end would have no obstructive structures thereon.  The sign(s) and canoe/kayak racks will do just that. 

Furthermore, even though this application was made over two weeks ago, the COL hasn't made it publicly available.  I guarantee you that further dents on the CM's credibility would be found therein, but I can't say what just yet because I don't have it yet. 

[shinblind]

It is unfortunate that the First Amendment provides protection to the local PR firms (LDN,WMOM,MCP) that operate under the disguise of reporting the news. 

They should all have as their banner, "We be Scared of the Truth"

[Willy]

And don't forget that any section 8 qualifier can make a bid for an apartment. That means "any" as in State wide including, but not limited to,  Detroit rejects, drug addicts, alcoholics and refugees.