Ludington City Council, March 9, 2026: A Case Analysis in Absentia

[XLFD]

The March 9th meeting of the Ludington City Council was the first in a long time to not have some kind of controversy emerge during the public comment period, but this seems less to do with what was scheduled in the agenda packet and more on the absence of a fixture in the audience (your humble reporter, away on assignment).  Nevertheless, actions were accomplished and we will briefly review those from afar after perusing the video of the affair.

A small sum of $4200 was agreed upon to have Underwater Construction Corporation inspect the seawall at Waterfront Park to see whether it would be able to host cruise ships and if so, how big of ones.  It was noted that some docking ships may be able to use the car ferry docks while the SS Badger is out, but having an alternate place was preferred by the city in its informal partnership with the local chamber and CVB-- who will also pay a share of the inspection cost. 

Three contracts were approved in relation to a project happening between the Waterfront Park seawall and the ferry dock:  fixing the 'A' dock in the Harbor View Marina.  This overall project is to be funded primarily by the state (75%) and so the City was obligated to obey accepted competitive bidding processes-- and they did in accepting the low bids from three bidders for electrical work, fire suppression, and dock unloading and assembly.  The city's share of the cost is expected to come from the HVM enterprise fund budget.

The first presentation of an ordinance allowing for more road trips for those who use the senior citizen center was made.  It remained unclear as to how much this would affect the overall costs for either the city or the West Shore ESD in the limited discussion over it.  

The council would lastly approve the August 15, 2026 Suds on the Shore event before going to adjournment after a final public comment that had nobody take the dare.  The earlier session had only Eric Case introduce himself as a candidate for opening Second Ward Councilor seat.  He would express appreciation towards term-limited Kathy Winczewski in mentoring and encouraging him to run, tell us he was a lifelong resident, recently retiring from the Ludington Beverage Company after 42 years of working with the Reed family.  He has a fervent interest in motorcycle safety. 

He offered zero specific reasons why he was running (other than as a payback to the community) and what he would do once elected, preferring to relate platitudes which he had difficulty reading from a script that seemed as if it could have been written on Winczewski stationery.

We will see more of these types of candidates during this election cycle, but hopefully we will be able to see others who hope to make a difference in changing the direction that the city is heading.  If you are interested in making a difference, City Clerk Deb Luskin did notify us (34:30 in) about the deadline for filing as a candidate is April 21st at 4 PM, and that there are three open seats:

Mayor:  Incumbent Mayor Barnett has indicated he will not be seeking reelection

Clerk:  Luskin is retiring, this elected position will be open.

2nd Ward:  As noted, Winczewski is term limited out.

4th Ward:  Incumbent Cheri Stibitz has yet to file a petition.

6th Ward:  Incumbent Jack Bulger has yet to file a petition.

The latter two councilors mentioned were the only ones absent for this meeting.  If you are upset about the current direction of the city council, especially their actions/reactions with the AndyS debacle, the PM Lake's despoiling, their inability to control spending, and the host of other topics that we regularly cover here on the Ludington Torch and the Ludington Pitchfork, consider running in order to make things better.  You will need 20 petition signatures in your ward to become a candidate for office, the clerk and mayor position requires 40 signatures; petitions are available from the clerk at any time city hall is open. 

Being able to follow your own moral compass, obey your constitutional oaths and remaining true to your duty to the people you represent is enough to make you a star in this venue, even if you don't think you have what it takes.

[Daniel Jensen]

What I found to be most intriguing came within the first 13 minutes of this meeting. Councilor John Terzano presents HVM Dock -A- electrical work to be done by way of DNR Grant funds. After the motion was carried to approve, Councilor John Kreinbrink asks if the Grant money from the DNR will come in on time, or will the City have to float it with taxpayer money from another account? City Manager, Kaitlyn Aldrich, chimes in acknowledging prior delays with Grant funds, and asks for HVM Manager, Jim Christensen's clarification on how taxpayer money is presently being spent, and how it has been spent in the past. Mr. Christensen, states, business as usual like procedures, spend the promised Grant money before its even received. If its not been received before the contracted work is done, take it from elsewhere. But what I find most telling is Mayor Mark Barnett's comment of concern, being stuck with a million dollar Grant promise for 9 months, that never shows up. So in closing, is this how or local governments have, and continue to operate? Sure appears that way.

[Golf~6~Romeo]

The answer is yes, John Shay stated this to me personally when pressed about dated infrastructure years ago. My concern (2015) was running into dated water and sewer with new construction. Shay stated that the money collected was reallocated and never returned, therefore no plans to update city infrastructure.

I asked him how that was possible, he stated it was how it was done.

"Criminality with intent to defraud"