Did you know:
The Michigan Department of Treasury is withholding 25% of the statutory State Revenue Sharing dollars for the Village of Stockbridge?
In September of 2010, the Village was notified by the Department of Treasury that a deficit elimination plan must be filed within 30 days of receiving that letter.
(This would be the $24,399 deficit to the Major Street Fund. Please refer to your audit, page 4)
The Village Manager was responsible for sending that plan to the State.
He assured everyone he had.
However.
No letter was sent.
January 13, 2011 another letter was received that stated that the Department of Treasury would begin to withhold 25% of revenue sharing until such time as a deficit elimination plan was submitted.
The letter sent in response by the former Village Manager did NOT address the Major Street Deficit whatsoever. Instead, it referred to the discrepancies found by the auditors regarding the limitations of checks and balances in a two-person office.
Hence, the letter contained no plan to eliminate the deficit.
Hence, the 25% withholding of your state revenue sharing dollars until such time as a plan has been submitted to the state.
At this point, you should consider the possibility that just because you cut out the cancer, doesn't mean the patient isn't still bleeding on the operating table.
Huh.
I guess you would call this proof.
Tune in for updates as to HOW the Major Street Fund ended up with a deficit cash balance.
This is gonna get interesting.....
*** The writers would like to direct your attention to the "Comments" to this post for an accurate time line regarding correspondence between the Michigan Department of Treasury and the former Village manager and council. Please note that the deficit elimination plan was needed for fiscal year ending 2/28/2010, a full 9 months before the elections and seating of new council members.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Got a Cape?
Superman isn't coming.
Wonder Woman won't be here, the invisible plane is in the shop.
Batman is busy.
Robin is doing the lecture circuit on self-actualization.
Mighty Mouse is in rehab. (They say it's a cheese addiction)
Stockbridge needs some local heroes to donate their time, their talent and their energy to volunteer for stuff that just needs doing.
The Downtown Development Authority decided to partner with the Ingham County Courts to be providers of Community Service hours. Those sentenced to community service will now have the option to do that service in Stockbridge, directed here by the probation department. (Gotta say, feelin' pretty good about this)
(And before you ask - no, axe murderers don't get sentenced to community service.)
There is a director in place for this program, another volunteer, Greg Uihlein. He will hand out assignments and supervise workers. (high five, Greg)
Hopefully, with the free labor provided by community service and local volunteers (hoping for volunteers here) the cemetery and parks will be taken care of at a fraction of the cost.
But why stop there?
Why not partner with the Township and create a volunteer force that would provide services for the local senior citizens, who due to age or illness are no longer able to mow, rake, shovel or do any number of jobs that need doing around the house?
We have local government officials who are open to the idea of "thinking outside the box." Working hand in hand with government may seem like an oxymoron, but it could happen! (what a novel concept)
Have an idea of your own that would make the Village a better place? Share it at a council meeting, stop in at the Village offices or grab a trustee. Heck, write a letter, or make a call.
Step up to the plate.
Be a local hero.
Cuz, the other heroes are busy.
It's up to us.
Wonder Woman won't be here, the invisible plane is in the shop.
Batman is busy.
Robin is doing the lecture circuit on self-actualization.
Mighty Mouse is in rehab. (They say it's a cheese addiction)
Stockbridge needs some local heroes to donate their time, their talent and their energy to volunteer for stuff that just needs doing.
The Downtown Development Authority decided to partner with the Ingham County Courts to be providers of Community Service hours. Those sentenced to community service will now have the option to do that service in Stockbridge, directed here by the probation department. (Gotta say, feelin' pretty good about this)
(And before you ask - no, axe murderers don't get sentenced to community service.)
There is a director in place for this program, another volunteer, Greg Uihlein. He will hand out assignments and supervise workers. (high five, Greg)
Hopefully, with the free labor provided by community service and local volunteers (hoping for volunteers here) the cemetery and parks will be taken care of at a fraction of the cost.
But why stop there?
Why not partner with the Township and create a volunteer force that would provide services for the local senior citizens, who due to age or illness are no longer able to mow, rake, shovel or do any number of jobs that need doing around the house?
We have local government officials who are open to the idea of "thinking outside the box." Working hand in hand with government may seem like an oxymoron, but it could happen! (what a novel concept)
Have an idea of your own that would make the Village a better place? Share it at a council meeting, stop in at the Village offices or grab a trustee. Heck, write a letter, or make a call.
Step up to the plate.
Be a local hero.
Cuz, the other heroes are busy.
It's up to us.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Shame the Devil
While you live, tell the truth and shame the devil. - Shakespeare
The truth these days seems to be subjective. It changes with the person telling it and the person listening to it.
The "Honest - to - God" truth would probably change if the truth teller was actually speaking to God. Most often we flavor the truth with our own prejudices, and embellish it to suit our needs.
How do we know what is the truth and what isn't? Do we rely on what others tell us, or do we do our own investigating into the matter?
It's amazing what we accept as truth these days.
Don't be gullible. Don't accept what is spoon fed to you as truth.
Here are some truths:
After two years, the Minix Parking lot has a "go" date of May 1. In one sit down with the Blossoms, Don Byrd managed to strike a deal with the Blossoms. Maybe it was because he approached them with an attitude of negotiation rather then threats of eminent domain. Heavy handedness accomplishes nothing except to put people on the defensive. You try and back someone into a corner and more often than not, they will come out swinging. While not being privy to the actual meeting, the outcome speaks for itself.
If this is an indication of things to come, the future is looking a bit brighter for the Village. Perhaps the truth for today is that change is slow, and can be measured by it's accomplishments
So to those who claim that our Village President is not the man for the job, look at the truth of the matter. He shamed those particular devils.
The truth these days seems to be subjective. It changes with the person telling it and the person listening to it.
The "Honest - to - God" truth would probably change if the truth teller was actually speaking to God. Most often we flavor the truth with our own prejudices, and embellish it to suit our needs.
How do we know what is the truth and what isn't? Do we rely on what others tell us, or do we do our own investigating into the matter?
It's amazing what we accept as truth these days.
Don't be gullible. Don't accept what is spoon fed to you as truth.
Here are some truths:
After two years, the Minix Parking lot has a "go" date of May 1. In one sit down with the Blossoms, Don Byrd managed to strike a deal with the Blossoms. Maybe it was because he approached them with an attitude of negotiation rather then threats of eminent domain. Heavy handedness accomplishes nothing except to put people on the defensive. You try and back someone into a corner and more often than not, they will come out swinging. While not being privy to the actual meeting, the outcome speaks for itself.
If this is an indication of things to come, the future is looking a bit brighter for the Village. Perhaps the truth for today is that change is slow, and can be measured by it's accomplishments
So to those who claim that our Village President is not the man for the job, look at the truth of the matter. He shamed those particular devils.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Weather Watch
Getting ready for the coming winter storm? Stocking up on candles and batteries and fuel for the generators? County road crews are putting down salt and preparing for the long haul. Ambulance crews are gearing up for car accidents, and fire crews are standing by. It looks like it might get messy.
The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority is waiting, too, hoping to avoid a similar storm Wednesday evening. If the Village Council meeting is anything to go by, well we should all fasten our seat belts - it's gonna be a bumpy night.
As a government entity, the SDDA works with captured revenue to improve the Stockbridge business district.
For a while now they have been paying alot of the Village bills.
Like the electric bills for the street lights.
Like the snow-removal bill for this year (that was contracted to an out of area company by the former Village Manager) for $10,000. (You read that right 10K for snow removal)
Like the maintenance for the park.
Like trash removal for all the businesses that surround the Wood Street parking lot.
The list goes on and on.
Why should you care about the DDA? You should care because this is your money. How it's spent is governed by laws set down by the State of Michigan.
Alot of those laws were completely disregarded by the old regime, leading to some dicey decisions that I'm not sure won't come back to haunt the new DDA and Village Council.
But those kinds of dicey decisions are what happens when no one is watching.
The new DDA is doing their best to clean up old messes and move forward with new ideas and projects designed to make this Village attractive to businesses that will employ people who live here and draw people in to shop, eat and buy goods here.
You should come to the meeting.
The weather will be lousy, the roads will be bad, but what you learn may make the trip out worth it.
The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority is waiting, too, hoping to avoid a similar storm Wednesday evening. If the Village Council meeting is anything to go by, well we should all fasten our seat belts - it's gonna be a bumpy night.
As a government entity, the SDDA works with captured revenue to improve the Stockbridge business district.
For a while now they have been paying alot of the Village bills.
Like the electric bills for the street lights.
Like the snow-removal bill for this year (that was contracted to an out of area company by the former Village Manager) for $10,000. (You read that right 10K for snow removal)
Like the maintenance for the park.
Like trash removal for all the businesses that surround the Wood Street parking lot.
The list goes on and on.
Why should you care about the DDA? You should care because this is your money. How it's spent is governed by laws set down by the State of Michigan.
Alot of those laws were completely disregarded by the old regime, leading to some dicey decisions that I'm not sure won't come back to haunt the new DDA and Village Council.
But those kinds of dicey decisions are what happens when no one is watching.
The new DDA is doing their best to clean up old messes and move forward with new ideas and projects designed to make this Village attractive to businesses that will employ people who live here and draw people in to shop, eat and buy goods here.
You should come to the meeting.
The weather will be lousy, the roads will be bad, but what you learn may make the trip out worth it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
New Feature
We have added a new feature to this blog. At the bottom of each post are Reaction buttons. They will allow you to immediately register your reactions to/about the post.
Just click the appropriate button, according to your opinion on the post.
Please keep posting your comments as well.
We appreciate the feedback!
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Just click the appropriate button, according to your opinion on the post.
Please keep posting your comments as well.
We appreciate the feedback!
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What If ...
So we all know money is tight. Everyone is affected by today's economic maelstrom. Pinching pennies is the "new" watchword.
All that stuff that Gramma used to do while telling cautionary tales about rationing during the war suddenly makes sense. Money saving tips we laughed at are now being pulled out of the memory vaults and dusted off.
We may not be darning socks, but we are getting reacquainted with stretching our dollars as far as we can.
We're shopping resale, buying hamburger instead of steak and using off-brand shampoo. Teenagers who want expensive designer clothes are encouraged to find a job of their own to support their fashion tastes.
We're still reeling over skyrocketing fuel prices and plummeting real estate values.
Welcome to the new era.
Municipalities are affected as well. Stockbridge is no exception. Trying to put together a budget with less revenue and higher operating costs is going to be quite a balancing act. Some services will suffer. Some may have to be eliminated altogether.
Some tough decisions will have to be made about what Stockbridge NEEDS as opposed to what Stockbridge WANTS.
But what if the residents could be part of the solution?
I know, I can hear the collective groan already, but seriously, what if it were possible for the residents of this Village to help?
Let's use the Cemetery as an example.
What if we formed a citizens group of volunteers to help with the mowing in the summer, leaves in the fall, and general clean up throughout the year? What if we used people who had been court ordered to do community service work? (They need the hours and we need the help.)
We could take the money budgeted for the cemetery and fold some (if not all) of it back into the general fund, creating a little more wiggle room for the Village.
It's not a bad idea.
But it requires people to make a commitment with no reward except knowing they helped, in their own way, to make things just a little easier for all of us.
So, maybe today, one day into the Spring of 2011, you should consider .....
What if ......
All that stuff that Gramma used to do while telling cautionary tales about rationing during the war suddenly makes sense. Money saving tips we laughed at are now being pulled out of the memory vaults and dusted off.
We may not be darning socks, but we are getting reacquainted with stretching our dollars as far as we can.
We're shopping resale, buying hamburger instead of steak and using off-brand shampoo. Teenagers who want expensive designer clothes are encouraged to find a job of their own to support their fashion tastes.
We're still reeling over skyrocketing fuel prices and plummeting real estate values.
Welcome to the new era.
Municipalities are affected as well. Stockbridge is no exception. Trying to put together a budget with less revenue and higher operating costs is going to be quite a balancing act. Some services will suffer. Some may have to be eliminated altogether.
Some tough decisions will have to be made about what Stockbridge NEEDS as opposed to what Stockbridge WANTS.
But what if the residents could be part of the solution?
I know, I can hear the collective groan already, but seriously, what if it were possible for the residents of this Village to help?
Let's use the Cemetery as an example.
What if we formed a citizens group of volunteers to help with the mowing in the summer, leaves in the fall, and general clean up throughout the year? What if we used people who had been court ordered to do community service work? (They need the hours and we need the help.)
We could take the money budgeted for the cemetery and fold some (if not all) of it back into the general fund, creating a little more wiggle room for the Village.
It's not a bad idea.
But it requires people to make a commitment with no reward except knowing they helped, in their own way, to make things just a little easier for all of us.
So, maybe today, one day into the Spring of 2011, you should consider .....
What if ......
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Censorship
It's not necessary to leave your name to post a comment here.
You can make one up, or do it anonymously.
Unless language becomes a problem, your comments will not be edited or deleted.
If language does become a problem, the settings will be changed to restrict access to anyone 18 years of age or older. (like an R rating for bloggers)
This blog welcomes and encourages discussion and discourse, and a sharing of viewpoints and opinions.
A free flow of information and ideas is the foundation for good communication.
Many voices make up a choir.
With that in mind, please be respectful of others comments. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
The Posts, however, do not enjoy such protection and are fair game.
The Authors have thick skin, and a fairly good sense of humor.
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
You can make one up, or do it anonymously.
Unless language becomes a problem, your comments will not be edited or deleted.
If language does become a problem, the settings will be changed to restrict access to anyone 18 years of age or older. (like an R rating for bloggers)
This blog welcomes and encourages discussion and discourse, and a sharing of viewpoints and opinions.
A free flow of information and ideas is the foundation for good communication.
Many voices make up a choir.
With that in mind, please be respectful of others comments. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
The Posts, however, do not enjoy such protection and are fair game.
The Authors have thick skin, and a fairly good sense of humor.
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Friday, March 18, 2011
What Now?
The meeting being canceled may be a good thing. Give everyone a chance to step back, get centered and perhaps rethink their positions.
Did we dodge a bullet?
Were we granted a reprieve?
Or are we all standing around, weapons drawn, and still looking for a fight?
What almost happened here could still happen here; or maybe this was enough to convince the people of Stockbridge that there are those who would quash their votes, silence their voices and move on with their plans.
All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to stand by and do nothing.
Not that what happened here is inherently evil - just bad manners, bad planning and bad thinking, but you get the idea. Still it was in fact, wrong.
Where do we go from here?
Well, now, that's entirely up to you. But here's your opportunity to NOT stand by and let an insidious wrong take root. Be good men (and women of course) of good moral fiber and integrity. Withhold your trust until it's earned. Stand up for what you believe in your heart to be true. Support those individuals who are like-minded and put some steel in your back bone.
Have the courage to stand for what you know is right and good for you, for your neighbors and for the Village as a whole.
Learn to communicate with each other; learn to compromise but never compromise your character; rather, agree to meet somewhere in the middle with your beliefs intact.
It won't be easy. There will still be a hue and cry and alot of foot stomping and gnashing of teeth. No one said it was easy to have the courage of your convictions. If it was easy there wouldn't be any wishy-washy people on this planet (and there are quite a few).
We answered the call to arms, now we have to stand ready.
Did we dodge a bullet?
Were we granted a reprieve?
Or are we all standing around, weapons drawn, and still looking for a fight?
What almost happened here could still happen here; or maybe this was enough to convince the people of Stockbridge that there are those who would quash their votes, silence their voices and move on with their plans.
All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to stand by and do nothing.
Not that what happened here is inherently evil - just bad manners, bad planning and bad thinking, but you get the idea. Still it was in fact, wrong.
Where do we go from here?
Well, now, that's entirely up to you. But here's your opportunity to NOT stand by and let an insidious wrong take root. Be good men (and women of course) of good moral fiber and integrity. Withhold your trust until it's earned. Stand up for what you believe in your heart to be true. Support those individuals who are like-minded and put some steel in your back bone.
Have the courage to stand for what you know is right and good for you, for your neighbors and for the Village as a whole.
Learn to communicate with each other; learn to compromise but never compromise your character; rather, agree to meet somewhere in the middle with your beliefs intact.
It won't be easy. There will still be a hue and cry and alot of foot stomping and gnashing of teeth. No one said it was easy to have the courage of your convictions. If it was easy there wouldn't be any wishy-washy people on this planet (and there are quite a few).
We answered the call to arms, now we have to stand ready.
Meeting Canceled
Tonight's Special Meeting of the Stockbridge Village Council has been canceled.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on April 4.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on April 4.
What he said
"This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - Abraham Lincoln
Somehow, I don't think the recent fiasco in Stockbridge Village government was was Honest Abe had in mind.
We got the free elections right (no matter what a certain loser has to say on that subject).
We used a majority vote to install new officials, and unseat old ones (even if they think differently).
We put our trust in the newly elected officials to lead us into an uncertain economic future with a firm hand at the helm.
We waited breathlessly to see what the future would bring us under new leadership.
We all knew there were budget problems to be resolved (and if we didn't know, we damn sure should have).
The first clue should have been the then Village Manager budgeting for a deficit. (which, by the way, you can't do. BIG no no)
The second clue should have been the disappearance of all cash reserves (actually these clues are interchangeable).
And really, how many more clues did we need after Village President Byrd asked former manager Dancer to list all cash and assets, then all bills and expenditures so everyone would have a clear picture of where the Village stood financially. (Budget breakdowns are hard to understand; Village budget breakdowns are impossible to decipher). Dancer replied, that well, he guessed he could do it that way, but it would be "confusing." (if it wasn't so damn funny, you could almost cry)
Dancer and King resigning was at best bad timing for the Village; at worst some well-planned strategy to strong arm the Village (read YOU) into paying them off before their terms ended. (But we could ask Gary Smith more about that since he claims to have helped write those contracts. I guess it was he that helped them both get their fat severance packages - thank you Gary)
Look at the reality of the situation, but don't trust your eyes - use your noses. If it smells fishy, it probably is.
What do we want our local government to accomplish for us? What are the local governments' responsibilities to the people that elected them?
First we have to realize that the adversarial atmosphere that permeates council meetings must end. (this may actually require police presence given some of the antics at the last meeting)
Understand that most of your council is working toward a common goal - balancing the budget and keeping the reins in the hands of the Village - not some anonymous bean counter from Lansing. (and we came close to that - ask a certain city in Livingston County that is staring down the barrel of that particular gun what that feels like)
Second, we have to remind ourselves why we elected the people that now hold office. Hopefully, the answer is that we felt they would serve with integrity and honor thereby changing the mood and perception of Village politics.
We need to move past name calling and character bashing and on to the problems at hand. If there is a schism in the council, don't let that crack create a divide in your resolve. Figure out which council members have a personal agenda to see the old ways and perceptions come back (this is where you should use your head for something besides a place to hang your ears) and you'll have a much better understanding of what is really going on.
Hold EVERYONE accountable. THAT is the job of the "people" that Abe was talking about. INSIST that you have all the information. BE a part of the decision making process. Don't ever forget that the elected officials in this town WORK FOR YOU. They volunteered. They campaigned. They shook your hands and made you promises. (well, not the ones that weren't up for re-election, but you can show them what you think when it's their turn at the polls)
Friday's Special Meeting is against everything President Lincoln stood for.
It was called in haste and behind closed doors.
It's got more plot twists that a John Grisham novel.
It either directly or indirectly involves people that are no longer part of this Village government. (you can decide that for yourselves)
But really, what this Special Meeting symbolizes is a call to arms.
Don't let a few narrow minded, petulant, power hungry adolescents decide your future. (that's like giving the car keys to the 3 year old - and about as responsible)
That way, a true government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish here in Stockbridge.
Somehow, I don't think the recent fiasco in Stockbridge Village government was was Honest Abe had in mind.
We got the free elections right (no matter what a certain loser has to say on that subject).
We used a majority vote to install new officials, and unseat old ones (even if they think differently).
We put our trust in the newly elected officials to lead us into an uncertain economic future with a firm hand at the helm.
We waited breathlessly to see what the future would bring us under new leadership.
We all knew there were budget problems to be resolved (and if we didn't know, we damn sure should have).
The first clue should have been the then Village Manager budgeting for a deficit. (which, by the way, you can't do. BIG no no)
The second clue should have been the disappearance of all cash reserves (actually these clues are interchangeable).
And really, how many more clues did we need after Village President Byrd asked former manager Dancer to list all cash and assets, then all bills and expenditures so everyone would have a clear picture of where the Village stood financially. (Budget breakdowns are hard to understand; Village budget breakdowns are impossible to decipher). Dancer replied, that well, he guessed he could do it that way, but it would be "confusing." (if it wasn't so damn funny, you could almost cry)
Dancer and King resigning was at best bad timing for the Village; at worst some well-planned strategy to strong arm the Village (read YOU) into paying them off before their terms ended. (But we could ask Gary Smith more about that since he claims to have helped write those contracts. I guess it was he that helped them both get their fat severance packages - thank you Gary)
Look at the reality of the situation, but don't trust your eyes - use your noses. If it smells fishy, it probably is.
What do we want our local government to accomplish for us? What are the local governments' responsibilities to the people that elected them?
First we have to realize that the adversarial atmosphere that permeates council meetings must end. (this may actually require police presence given some of the antics at the last meeting)
Understand that most of your council is working toward a common goal - balancing the budget and keeping the reins in the hands of the Village - not some anonymous bean counter from Lansing. (and we came close to that - ask a certain city in Livingston County that is staring down the barrel of that particular gun what that feels like)
Second, we have to remind ourselves why we elected the people that now hold office. Hopefully, the answer is that we felt they would serve with integrity and honor thereby changing the mood and perception of Village politics.
We need to move past name calling and character bashing and on to the problems at hand. If there is a schism in the council, don't let that crack create a divide in your resolve. Figure out which council members have a personal agenda to see the old ways and perceptions come back (this is where you should use your head for something besides a place to hang your ears) and you'll have a much better understanding of what is really going on.
Hold EVERYONE accountable. THAT is the job of the "people" that Abe was talking about. INSIST that you have all the information. BE a part of the decision making process. Don't ever forget that the elected officials in this town WORK FOR YOU. They volunteered. They campaigned. They shook your hands and made you promises. (well, not the ones that weren't up for re-election, but you can show them what you think when it's their turn at the polls)
Friday's Special Meeting is against everything President Lincoln stood for.
It was called in haste and behind closed doors.
It's got more plot twists that a John Grisham novel.
It either directly or indirectly involves people that are no longer part of this Village government. (you can decide that for yourselves)
But really, what this Special Meeting symbolizes is a call to arms.
Don't let a few narrow minded, petulant, power hungry adolescents decide your future. (that's like giving the car keys to the 3 year old - and about as responsible)
That way, a true government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish here in Stockbridge.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Nuclear Meltdown?
As Japan braces itself for the inevitable meltdown of its nuclear reactors, Chinook helicopters circle the power plant dumping sea water, and citizens are warned to stay inside due to alarmingly high levels of radiation. Now there's a scary thought.
Closer to home, the latest political meltdown has begun, with certain Village council members calling a Special Meeting to address the issues of no Village President, no Village Manager and no Village Clerk. At least these are the items on the agenda posted for the Special Meeting, scheduled to take place on Friday March 18. (You can bet your boots that certain people would rather you stay inside your homes for that night, but it aint about radiation.)
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but there is a Village President, and there is a part-time clerk, and that the President had agreed to take over the duties of the Village Manager after his RESIGNATION. (The former Village Manager has never stated he was fired. Just something to chew on) So, president? check; clerk? check check; manager? check check check. Ok, well, that about covers the agenda items.
BUT WAIT! Could it be that certain council members who called this farce of a meeting (and did it behind the back of the pro-tem after consulting with the Village Attorney - more of your tax money being spent there, citizens) have certain parties in mind to fill these supposedly empty seats? Well, that's an easy one. Political wanna-be's and power hungry has beens want you to believe that they are doing this for the good of the Village, assuming that people will be perfectly ok being led around by their collective noses. This should stir your ire! This should burn in your gut like a hot rock! Frankly, this should out-right piss you off.
YOU voted in a new Village President with 60% of the vote! YOU spoke on street corners about the Village manager and the way he was running your beautiful village into the hands of the debt police! YOU exchanged gossip on your village clerk and her legal troubles. YOU expressed your dissatisfaction about the cronyism taking place in the Village offices. NOW you can't find your voice? Sure you can. They are hoping - praying - that you won't. It's alot like drugging the convict before you execute him (just come along quietly). Less fuss - less mess.
In the current political climate, things seem to burn a bit hotter, simmer a bit longer and boil over bigger. That's the nature of politics; that's the way the game is played. It can be dirty, is often messy, and occasionally bloody. In this small town it's often about who you know, how long your family has been here, and whether or not some dirt road carries your name. All it takes is one person to aspire to greater things (greater things being the overall good of the people versus the overall good of someone's personal bank balance).
Put your Sunday-Go-To-Meeting clothes on. Straighten out your bonnets and bows, and know your ancestors would be HORRIFIED if they knew you were going to sit at home and watch TV while Rome burned.
The people of this Village have a history of coming together when tragedy strikes. They have a history of pulling together to make things work; of sharing the load and circling the wagons, tightening their belts in lean times and looking out not just for their own, but for others as well.
Come out on Friday night. Bring your strength of character and the ghosts of your ancestors. And bring alot of water to dump on this meltdown.
The only fall out here will be the great nuclear snow of independent thought. That's a good thing. And that glow? That's not radiation - that's the shine of a clear conscience and a job well done.
Closer to home, the latest political meltdown has begun, with certain Village council members calling a Special Meeting to address the issues of no Village President, no Village Manager and no Village Clerk. At least these are the items on the agenda posted for the Special Meeting, scheduled to take place on Friday March 18. (You can bet your boots that certain people would rather you stay inside your homes for that night, but it aint about radiation.)
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but there is a Village President, and there is a part-time clerk, and that the President had agreed to take over the duties of the Village Manager after his RESIGNATION. (The former Village Manager has never stated he was fired. Just something to chew on) So, president? check; clerk? check check; manager? check check check. Ok, well, that about covers the agenda items.
BUT WAIT! Could it be that certain council members who called this farce of a meeting (and did it behind the back of the pro-tem after consulting with the Village Attorney - more of your tax money being spent there, citizens) have certain parties in mind to fill these supposedly empty seats? Well, that's an easy one. Political wanna-be's and power hungry has beens want you to believe that they are doing this for the good of the Village, assuming that people will be perfectly ok being led around by their collective noses. This should stir your ire! This should burn in your gut like a hot rock! Frankly, this should out-right piss you off.
YOU voted in a new Village President with 60% of the vote! YOU spoke on street corners about the Village manager and the way he was running your beautiful village into the hands of the debt police! YOU exchanged gossip on your village clerk and her legal troubles. YOU expressed your dissatisfaction about the cronyism taking place in the Village offices. NOW you can't find your voice? Sure you can. They are hoping - praying - that you won't. It's alot like drugging the convict before you execute him (just come along quietly). Less fuss - less mess.
In the current political climate, things seem to burn a bit hotter, simmer a bit longer and boil over bigger. That's the nature of politics; that's the way the game is played. It can be dirty, is often messy, and occasionally bloody. In this small town it's often about who you know, how long your family has been here, and whether or not some dirt road carries your name. All it takes is one person to aspire to greater things (greater things being the overall good of the people versus the overall good of someone's personal bank balance).
Put your Sunday-Go-To-Meeting clothes on. Straighten out your bonnets and bows, and know your ancestors would be HORRIFIED if they knew you were going to sit at home and watch TV while Rome burned.
The people of this Village have a history of coming together when tragedy strikes. They have a history of pulling together to make things work; of sharing the load and circling the wagons, tightening their belts in lean times and looking out not just for their own, but for others as well.
Come out on Friday night. Bring your strength of character and the ghosts of your ancestors. And bring alot of water to dump on this meltdown.
The only fall out here will be the great nuclear snow of independent thought. That's a good thing. And that glow? That's not radiation - that's the shine of a clear conscience and a job well done.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What's The End Game?
Who says that coups don't happen in America? Take a look around - there's one going on in Lansing as we speak. Snyder is signing into law a bill that would allow the State to step in to ANY city, town, township and village and take over. Just like that. Dissolve any standing local government, relieve them of their duties and any power they may have had if the State feels things are being mismanaged. Well, folks, that's a coup - just without the soldiers. I know that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Locally another coup is taking place - one much closer to home.This time, pressure from local simpleminded would-be politicos and the drama that engenders, have put the Stockbridge Village President in that rock-and -a-hard-place place. (I know, terribly redundant.) He is forced to choose between his health and running this mess of a town. Don't get me wrong - I like Stockbridge. I even like most of it's residents - but I aint dying for it. The President shouldn't have to either.
There is an ongoing atmosphere of distrust (gosh I wonder how that happened) that just permeates this town. Gary Smith and his neophytes continue to feed that particular monster, most probably with lots of encouragement from - well - you figure it out. Suffice to say, that all discussion about the resignations of King and Dancer took place AFTER Mr. Dancer left the Village Council meeting Monday night. (Now, there's some food for thought - you hungry?) I wonder what would have happened if those questions would have been directed toward said party, prior to his running off. (Or was it more slipping out?)
Now, some council members are aligning themselves with the "has beens" - those old members that were voted out of office and/or resigned their positions - with plans to reinstate them. (see? that's a coup) Trust me, these guys are dancing a gleeful jig and rubbing their hands together over the smoldering ashes of this Village council; they think it's dead. I beg to differ. (Think Phoenix here, those of you familiar with Greek mythology)
What's the end game? What's behind these carefully orchestrated meeting melees and tree-killing letters to the editor?
Is anyone else seeing a puppet show? (c'mon, people. I mean you can practically see the strings!) Bigger question: who is the Puppet Master? I could answer that, but it would be too easy. (Plus I have faith that if you're reading this blog, you CAN think for yourself.)
I think the end game is a return to the madness and insanity of the previous council. You remember those guys, right? They ignored you during public comment, and had no response to your questions. They spent YOUR money without a care in the world. (you do know it's YOUR money right?) The old council followed the former Village Manager and his "vision". What the hell was the vision? Receivership?
So here's the deal Mr Byrd: you need to stay right here in your chair - we saved your seat. Let your trusted council members share the load, take some of the weight.
Know that you have people in this Village that support you. They just have enough couth not to raise their voices and shriek like fishwives in public. (Their mamas raised them better)
This attempted coup did put us all in a position to learn something: keep your friends close - keep your enemies closer? A house divided will fall in upon itself? Or perhaps that trust, like a fine liqueur, should be doled out in small portions.
Keep the faith, Don. Fight the good fight. You have great corner men.
Pointing Fingers?
Let the games begin! Once again Gary Smith and his brainless neophytes have begun the Stockbridge Un-Truth Blog for all good citizens of the Village who prefer to have someone else do all their thinking for them. If you prefer a live performance, they do appear locally at various meetings.
Accusations of incompetence, firings, and illegal hirings fly and the Maestro directs this hellish opera (and yeah, most opera is high drama, so the term applies) while the Chorus, made up of disgruntled election-time losers and others without the capacity for logical thought sing a refrain.
Let's face it - the other Village Council, under the direction of the former Village Manager, left the new Village Council with a huge mess. The biggest mess was the projected budget deficit of roughly $150,000.
Sure, the Old Council didn't raise taxes. They didn't have to. They spent the close to $600,000 in reserves that an obviously smarter council had the forethought to sock away to guard against lean times. (By the way, these are the lean times they were planning for.) Good question here would be where did all that money go? Hmmmm.....but the people that could really answer that question are no longer in a position to be questioned by the public.
Another good question: How did the Village, which is roughly 1 square mile and comprised of approximately 500 citizens come to pay their Chief of Police almost $100,000 per year in salary and benefits? (Not to mention the police car he drove to and from work every day.)
Anyone want to tackle the question about the legalities of dissolving the SDDA and placing it under the control of the Planning Commission? (And trust me, that is definitely a legal question.)
And could someone explain the almost $3000.00 per month the Village has been paying to rent the new Village Offices, (and that doesn't include what they spent refurbishing said offices), when they had the Old Village Offices rent-free? (So, let's look again - no rent or $3000 per month- nope still doesn't make sense.) Some have said there was a problem with black mold. I guess black mold won't hurt you if you're preaching the Word of God (the old offices were rented to a church while their church was undergoing repairs).
And this is very telling: when it became more than apparent that the Village was BROKE, Mr. Dancer, in order to balance the budget, suggested making the Village Manager's position part time. I though it ALREADY WAS part time, since he was only in the office 4 days a week. (Sometimes less then that) OH! He must've meant pay-wise. Sorry, my mistake.
If you're waiting for the Clue Phone to ring, it's ringing now. Right off the hook.
Most residents of this Village were blissfully unaware of the shenanigans taking place in their local government (most of those were never mentioned in the local rag).The reality is most people don't pay much attention to their government, local or otherwise, until they want to gripe about something.
But to all those willing to chime in with the current chorus of myna birds, I have this to say:
When you point a finger, there's always three pointing right back at you, no matter how much noise you make when you do it.
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