~FREEDOM ISN'T FREE~
HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR
ARMED FORCES
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU
WITH THE HEARTFELT THANKS OF A GRATEFUL NATION
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Math
Fact: The Village of Stockbridge is facing a "current overall budgeted operational deficit of $173,078.00 and elimination of non-mandatory services." [see Village Meeting Packet for 11/7/2011, page 55]
Fact: At last night's Village Council Meeting YOUR Village council members voted to do the following:
Show of hands: How may people have had an $8320.00 raise in the past year? Past 5 years?
Show of hands: How many people received said raise after having their hours cut? *
Show of hands: How many people just want to vomit?
* Clerk Sadowski's exempt status requires him to perform 32 hours of work. The new office hours total 35; subtract the mandatory one hour lunch break, to equal 30 hours. Thus, we are paying more money for less hours.
We can't do this math. It makes our head hurt.
Fact: At last night's Village Council Meeting YOUR Village council members voted to do the following:
- Compensate Clerk Sadwoski $550.00 for performing the duties of the treasurer for three weeks.
- Compensate Clerk Sadowski an additional $160.00 per week for taking over the duties of payroll for Village employees. This brings Clerk Sadowski's current salary (yes, salary - he was made an exempt employee) to $800.00 per week.
- Voted to change Village Office hours to 8:00 am - 3:00 pm due to a lack of business after 3:00 pm.
- Voted to make a mandatory one hour lunch break (un-paid) for all Village employees.
- Voted to hire a new part time Treasurer who will work a maximum of 20 hours per week at a pay rate starting at $12.00 per hour, but not to exceed $15.00 per hour.
- Voted to add an additional $25.00 fee for water/sewer shut off notices.
- Voted to charge a $100.00 transfer fee for Oaklawn cemetery plots.
Show of hands: How may people have had an $8320.00 raise in the past year? Past 5 years?
Show of hands: How many people received said raise after having their hours cut? *
Show of hands: How many people just want to vomit?
* Clerk Sadowski's exempt status requires him to perform 32 hours of work. The new office hours total 35; subtract the mandatory one hour lunch break, to equal 30 hours. Thus, we are paying more money for less hours.
We can't do this math. It makes our head hurt.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Poster People
We would like to welcome the (apparently) new editor in chief to the Sun Times News, Ann Thomas. Her factually incorrect and grammatically horrifying "People Post" appeared in the most recent edition of that local bird cage liner. She seems to fit right in. We see that the Sun Times has found a kindred spirit in that they both went to the same school of journalism, where classes on truth and integrity are given daily by such luminaries as the now deceased Richard Nixon (who teaches via seance), Bernard Madoff and John Barleycorn. We're glad they found each other.
The Sun Times, which seems to hesitate in covering any local news and/or events that would shed a positive light on this community, was probably jumping for joy when it received Ms. Thomas' letter (being careful of course, not to tip it's cocktail) - firstly because it didn't have to pay her, and secondly because it was a negative tirade about every governmental entity in this locale.
While we would love to address each and every issue raised by Ms. Thomas, we just don't feel that we could hold your attention that long. What we would like to say is that we are a bit miffed that so much room was given to such a grossly inaccurate submission about Stockbridge. Notice we said miffed - not surprised.
While we can somewhat excuse the errant ramblings of a misguided soul looking for a venue, we still are left to wonder: What's the Sun Times' excuse?
Oh wait - we covered that already.
**Editors Note: We heartily support every American's right to Free Speech. We just also support the idea that the free speech be correct.
The Sun Times, which seems to hesitate in covering any local news and/or events that would shed a positive light on this community, was probably jumping for joy when it received Ms. Thomas' letter (being careful of course, not to tip it's cocktail) - firstly because it didn't have to pay her, and secondly because it was a negative tirade about every governmental entity in this locale.
While we would love to address each and every issue raised by Ms. Thomas, we just don't feel that we could hold your attention that long. What we would like to say is that we are a bit miffed that so much room was given to such a grossly inaccurate submission about Stockbridge. Notice we said miffed - not surprised.
While we can somewhat excuse the errant ramblings of a misguided soul looking for a venue, we still are left to wonder: What's the Sun Times' excuse?
Oh wait - we covered that already.
**Editors Note: We heartily support every American's right to Free Speech. We just also support the idea that the free speech be correct.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT
The Stockbridge Township Board is hosting a Town Hall Meeting tonight October 18 at 7:00 pm in the Township Hall to discuss policing issues. This is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to ASK QUESTIONS, GET ANSWERS, AND BE HEARD! All residents of both the Township and the Village are encouraged to attend!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saying Good Bye
Today, October 10, 2011, we bid a fond farewell to Stockbridge Treasurer Beth Flynn.
Flynn resigned her position effective immediately.
We will miss her friendly smile, her great attitude, her knowledge and her very real affection for the residents and employees of the Village.
We here at the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald wish her great good fortune at her new job. (which she beat out 200 other applicants for - way to go Beth!)
As another funny lady used to sing: "We're so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh, or sing a song, seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say so long!"
Bye, Beth.
Don't be a stranger.
We'll leave the light on for you.
Flynn resigned her position effective immediately.
We will miss her friendly smile, her great attitude, her knowledge and her very real affection for the residents and employees of the Village.
We here at the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald wish her great good fortune at her new job. (which she beat out 200 other applicants for - way to go Beth!)
As another funny lady used to sing: "We're so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh, or sing a song, seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say so long!"
Bye, Beth.
Don't be a stranger.
We'll leave the light on for you.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Something to Consider
Policing. It's a complicated issue. Here are some things to consider if you live in the Village:
Write down your questions and concerns. Bring them with you to the meeting. Ask. Ask again. And don't stop asking until you are satisfied you have the answers.
This is about your Township, your money and most importantly, your safety.
And of course, Village residents are welcome to attend. Who knows? All this information might come in handy one day - if your money problems don't get resolved.
We stand by our assertions in our last post on policing. Might want to take another look at that.
- You do NOT pay a dedicated millage for your police department. Funding comes from your General Fund.
- Understand that as of this moment, it's the Village that needs the Township - NOT the other way around. And it's all about cash flow.
- You have recently lost one of your full time officers due to budget constraints. One down, three to go.
- Coverage of calls is hit-or-miss with the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. Ditto for State Police.
- It's going to take 2 mills to fund policing for the Township. Relax - it works out to less than a dollar a day.
- The Township has options.
Write down your questions and concerns. Bring them with you to the meeting. Ask. Ask again. And don't stop asking until you are satisfied you have the answers.
This is about your Township, your money and most importantly, your safety.
And of course, Village residents are welcome to attend. Who knows? All this information might come in handy one day - if your money problems don't get resolved.
We stand by our assertions in our last post on policing. Might want to take another look at that.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Stuff ... Nonsense ... and more ... stuff ...
Relatively speaking, it's been pretty quiet on the political front, just a few minor rumblings and grumblings. If our post on water and sewer rates is anything to go by, either people don't know or don't care. Huh. Go figure.
The Old Village Offices have been sold. For an undisclosed amount. To an undisclosed buyer. President Byrd announced he had accepted an offer at September's Council meeting. Yep. That's all he said. Evidently this transaction did not require council approval before it goes to closing. Personally, the Citizen-Herald thinks that since the taxpayers of the Village actually own said property, it might have been polite to discuss the details with them. But that's just us.
The 2011 Harvest Festival being put on by the DDA is generating quite a bit of excitement. From the looks of the schedule of events, it looks like a great time should be had by all. We are optimistic. And kind of excited.
The All Clubs Day this past weekend had quite a turn out. Preliminary reports from local businesses show an upward trend in sales generated by the event. This is good news for the downtown area. We just like the motorcycles. That's how we roll.
If anyone has pics of the aforementioned event, please send them to: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com and we will post same. For posterity. And cuz it would be cool.
In local news, someone took out the fire hydrant on the corner of Main and Clinton streets. Stockbridge PD was there to ticket the driver. We wanna know if the vehicle was still driveable afterwards.
In related local news, someone is running down all street signs on Milner Rd, both east and west of M-52. Again, we'd be curious about what kind of vehicle can run these down and remain driveable. We suggest local parents check vehicles, especially 4x4 trucks with grill guards, driven by teens who say they are going to the library, for damage. Just sayin'.
We would also like to congratulate the Sun Times News on their abundance of advertising. We regret to inform the paper that advertising isn't interesting to read, however pretty the pictures might be. And the actual reporting has been pretty light for a while now. Maybe a new name for the paper: The Sun Times Advertising. Just a thought.
Now for the weather: welcome to autumn in Michigan, where temps can be 80 one day, with blistering sunshine, and 50 the next with wind and rain. That's why we're shaped like a mitten - it can be an oven mit or a winter hand warmer, depending.
Well, that's all for now folks ... and yes, we hear the Looney Tunes music, too. It's hard to write a Porky Pic stutter, though.
The Old Village Offices have been sold. For an undisclosed amount. To an undisclosed buyer. President Byrd announced he had accepted an offer at September's Council meeting. Yep. That's all he said. Evidently this transaction did not require council approval before it goes to closing. Personally, the Citizen-Herald thinks that since the taxpayers of the Village actually own said property, it might have been polite to discuss the details with them. But that's just us.
The 2011 Harvest Festival being put on by the DDA is generating quite a bit of excitement. From the looks of the schedule of events, it looks like a great time should be had by all. We are optimistic. And kind of excited.
The All Clubs Day this past weekend had quite a turn out. Preliminary reports from local businesses show an upward trend in sales generated by the event. This is good news for the downtown area. We just like the motorcycles. That's how we roll.
If anyone has pics of the aforementioned event, please send them to: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com and we will post same. For posterity. And cuz it would be cool.
In local news, someone took out the fire hydrant on the corner of Main and Clinton streets. Stockbridge PD was there to ticket the driver. We wanna know if the vehicle was still driveable afterwards.
In related local news, someone is running down all street signs on Milner Rd, both east and west of M-52. Again, we'd be curious about what kind of vehicle can run these down and remain driveable. We suggest local parents check vehicles, especially 4x4 trucks with grill guards, driven by teens who say they are going to the library, for damage. Just sayin'.
We would also like to congratulate the Sun Times News on their abundance of advertising. We regret to inform the paper that advertising isn't interesting to read, however pretty the pictures might be. And the actual reporting has been pretty light for a while now. Maybe a new name for the paper: The Sun Times Advertising. Just a thought.
Now for the weather: welcome to autumn in Michigan, where temps can be 80 one day, with blistering sunshine, and 50 the next with wind and rain. That's why we're shaped like a mitten - it can be an oven mit or a winter hand warmer, depending.
Well, that's all for now folks ... and yes, we hear the Looney Tunes music, too. It's hard to write a Porky Pic stutter, though.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Verdict ... isn't in ...
Gary Allen, aka Taylor Allen, former Stockbridge Township Supervisor who recently sat at the defendants table of an assault trial, breathed a huge sigh of relief when the jury couldn't reach a consensus and he got to walk out of the courtroom sans handcuffs.
Our sources tell us that the prosecuting attorney is going to re-try the case.
We will keep you posted, dear readers.
We find it mildly amusing that the only thing hung in that courtroom was the jury.
Our sources tell us that the prosecuting attorney is going to re-try the case.
We will keep you posted, dear readers.
We find it mildly amusing that the only thing hung in that courtroom was the jury.
Hot Topic
Water and Sewer Rates.
And the raising thereof.
That's a hot topic for the residents of the Village, most of whom feel that raising those rates in times like these was, well, unbelievable.
We did find that according to the Village Ordinances, the council did NOT need to hold a public meeting to raise those rates - they just needed to pass a resolution for same.
Most of the council members had the good grace to squirm in their seats when it was put to a vote. One in particular voiced strenuous objections to raising rates without a special meeting - only to be told, like the rest of us - that it's not necessary or mandatory.
Perhaps not, but holding a meeting about this issue to explain the 'whys' and 'wherefores' would have gone a long way toward engendering some trust between the residents and their elected officials.
Well, here's your forum.
Tell us what you're thinking.
And the raising thereof.
That's a hot topic for the residents of the Village, most of whom feel that raising those rates in times like these was, well, unbelievable.
We did find that according to the Village Ordinances, the council did NOT need to hold a public meeting to raise those rates - they just needed to pass a resolution for same.
Most of the council members had the good grace to squirm in their seats when it was put to a vote. One in particular voiced strenuous objections to raising rates without a special meeting - only to be told, like the rest of us - that it's not necessary or mandatory.
Perhaps not, but holding a meeting about this issue to explain the 'whys' and 'wherefores' would have gone a long way toward engendering some trust between the residents and their elected officials.
Well, here's your forum.
Tell us what you're thinking.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Right Thing
Most of us have had that defining moment when we made a choice to do the right thing. For some of us it annealed our character and made us stronger and we puffed out our chests and felt pretty self righteous.
For others it was a quiet, simple knowing. A moment of reflection that made us hesitate at the proverbial fork in the road. And in that moment, we chose the honorable road, and went quietly about our business.
The hard part is choosing to do the right thing when absolutely no one but you and your God are looking.
And harder still, choosing to do the right thing when everyone is watching and hoping you won't.
Case in point:
Back when the sidewalk project began, it was necessary to get easements from various people and businesses.
One such easement was for the Runciman property.
The then DDA was assured by your then Village Manager that all easements had been procured and that the project could move ahead.
Now we know that that wasn't exactly true.
There was a backdoor handshake deal between the Village Manager and Mr. Runciman. Mr. Runciman was made certain promises. Promises that not surprisingly, were never kept.
Now you may say, well, Mr. Runciman should have gotten those promises in writing.
Maybe he should have - but hindsight is always 20/20, and we have all trusted people who didn't deserve that trust, often to our own detriment.
Either way, the end result is that Mr. Runciman lost his driveway and his property is landlocked.
We know that we drive by and look at that abandoned service station and groan. It looks horrible, and we all wish someone would just do something with it.
But lets be realistic - would any potential buyer plunk down his money for a property that has no access to the road? We think not.
The DDA, in a continuing effort to clean up messes and put out fires created by former Village employees and council members, has decided to the right thing - with everyone looking and in the plain harsh light of day.
They are giving Mr. Runciman back his driveway at their cost.
We can hear that chorus of "why's" from the gallery; we can almost see the shaking of fists. Self righteous indignation at the thought of righting a past wrong that the wronged party may have played a part in.
Guess what?
Sometimes it is necessary to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.
What we are watching here is a government body stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for something they could just as easily ignore. They could claim, and rightly so, that they had nothing to do with the current Runciman situation, and he can go on ahead and take his chances in court.
But they won't.
They aren't.
And that's because this is one of those character-defining moments that happen to all of us.
Some of us pass this test - others fail - and normally not with an audience.
We are proud to say that this test was passed, and with flying colors, by the DDA.
You aced it.
Puff your collective chests out a little - you deserve it.
For others it was a quiet, simple knowing. A moment of reflection that made us hesitate at the proverbial fork in the road. And in that moment, we chose the honorable road, and went quietly about our business.
The hard part is choosing to do the right thing when absolutely no one but you and your God are looking.
And harder still, choosing to do the right thing when everyone is watching and hoping you won't.
Case in point:
Back when the sidewalk project began, it was necessary to get easements from various people and businesses.
One such easement was for the Runciman property.
The then DDA was assured by your then Village Manager that all easements had been procured and that the project could move ahead.
Now we know that that wasn't exactly true.
There was a backdoor handshake deal between the Village Manager and Mr. Runciman. Mr. Runciman was made certain promises. Promises that not surprisingly, were never kept.
Now you may say, well, Mr. Runciman should have gotten those promises in writing.
Maybe he should have - but hindsight is always 20/20, and we have all trusted people who didn't deserve that trust, often to our own detriment.
Either way, the end result is that Mr. Runciman lost his driveway and his property is landlocked.
We know that we drive by and look at that abandoned service station and groan. It looks horrible, and we all wish someone would just do something with it.
But lets be realistic - would any potential buyer plunk down his money for a property that has no access to the road? We think not.
The DDA, in a continuing effort to clean up messes and put out fires created by former Village employees and council members, has decided to the right thing - with everyone looking and in the plain harsh light of day.
They are giving Mr. Runciman back his driveway at their cost.
We can hear that chorus of "why's" from the gallery; we can almost see the shaking of fists. Self righteous indignation at the thought of righting a past wrong that the wronged party may have played a part in.
Guess what?
Sometimes it is necessary to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.
What we are watching here is a government body stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for something they could just as easily ignore. They could claim, and rightly so, that they had nothing to do with the current Runciman situation, and he can go on ahead and take his chances in court.
But they won't.
They aren't.
And that's because this is one of those character-defining moments that happen to all of us.
Some of us pass this test - others fail - and normally not with an audience.
We are proud to say that this test was passed, and with flying colors, by the DDA.
You aced it.
Puff your collective chests out a little - you deserve it.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Harvest Festival 2011
The Citizen-Herald would like to report the following:
The 1st Annual Stockbridge Harvest Festival will be taking place October 7, 8, & 9.
A schedule of events is available at the Village web site: http://www.vil.stockbridge.mi.us/
Also available at the web site are Vendor Registration Forms and a map of available sites. And for a charge of ZERO DOLLARS for anyone living in the Stockbridge School District, we think it's a steal. How much do vendor spaces cost for those outside the district? A WHOPPING $10.00 for the entire 3 days.
On the aforementioned web site you will also find registration forms for camping. Yep, you read that right. Camping. In Stockbridge. In the Village. And also at the bargain basement price of $25.00 for the entire weekend. You are also encouraged to ride in on the Lakelands Trail. Horses not only allowed but encouraged! (Or bike in. Or hike in. Aw, hell, just show up.)
According to the schedule there will be plenty to do this particular weekend in the Village.
You can take your honey to the Dollar Dance Saturday night, the Car Show on Sunday afternoon, the Beer Tent on Friday at the Back Street, the Gold Wing Road Riders show on Saturday afternoon with a light show that night provided by same, or the whole dang family to the free movie at Veterans Memorial Park Sunday at dark. There's an Antique Tractor Show all weekend and a Cemetery Tour Sunday starting at 3 for those of you that enjoy a bit of history. If you happen to be camping and enjoy having the pants scared clean off of you, there will be a shuttle service (a hayride) to take you to the Bone Yard (and bring you back, if you can find your way out of the corn maze).
There really is something for everyone.
We therefore encourage you, dear reader, to tell all your friends, acquaintances and in-laws about the Harvest Festival.
We look forward to seeing old and new faces, greeting old friends and making new ones.
We are definitely excited.
Definitely.
The 1st Annual Stockbridge Harvest Festival will be taking place October 7, 8, & 9.
A schedule of events is available at the Village web site: http://www.vil.stockbridge.mi.us/
Also available at the web site are Vendor Registration Forms and a map of available sites. And for a charge of ZERO DOLLARS for anyone living in the Stockbridge School District, we think it's a steal. How much do vendor spaces cost for those outside the district? A WHOPPING $10.00 for the entire 3 days.
On the aforementioned web site you will also find registration forms for camping. Yep, you read that right. Camping. In Stockbridge. In the Village. And also at the bargain basement price of $25.00 for the entire weekend. You are also encouraged to ride in on the Lakelands Trail. Horses not only allowed but encouraged! (Or bike in. Or hike in. Aw, hell, just show up.)
According to the schedule there will be plenty to do this particular weekend in the Village.
You can take your honey to the Dollar Dance Saturday night, the Car Show on Sunday afternoon, the Beer Tent on Friday at the Back Street, the Gold Wing Road Riders show on Saturday afternoon with a light show that night provided by same, or the whole dang family to the free movie at Veterans Memorial Park Sunday at dark. There's an Antique Tractor Show all weekend and a Cemetery Tour Sunday starting at 3 for those of you that enjoy a bit of history. If you happen to be camping and enjoy having the pants scared clean off of you, there will be a shuttle service (a hayride) to take you to the Bone Yard (and bring you back, if you can find your way out of the corn maze).
There really is something for everyone.
We therefore encourage you, dear reader, to tell all your friends, acquaintances and in-laws about the Harvest Festival.
We look forward to seeing old and new faces, greeting old friends and making new ones.
We are definitely excited.
Definitely.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Letter to the Editor
Thank you Stockbridge Citizen-Herald for acknowledging my appointment to Chief of Police. I look forward to working with all the members of this community to make Stockbridge a safer place to live and work.
I am committed to continuing to provide quality police service.
I hope everyone is having a safe and fun-filled summer thus far.
Thanks again.
Johnnie Torres
Chief, Stockbridge Police
I am committed to continuing to provide quality police service.
I hope everyone is having a safe and fun-filled summer thus far.
Thanks again.
Johnnie Torres
Chief, Stockbridge Police
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Letter to the Editor
To Whom It May Concern:
In order to stimulate the local economy and promote Stockbridge as a destination, the Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority has created the Harvest Festival.
The Harvest Festival will take place October 7, 8 and 9, featuring over night camping, vendors on the Township Square, children's games and activities, an Antique Tractor show, a Classic Car show, a dance in the Township Hall, and a family movie in Veterans Memorial Park.
Utilizing the Lakelands Trail Linear State Park will be a big part of the festivities. A horse drawn Hay Ride will take visitors from the Gregory Trail Head to the Stockbridge Trail Head. Local Equestrian groups will be invited to utilize the trail and camp overnight with their horses. Hikers and bicyclists will be encouraged to attend as well; the timing of the Festival will showcase the beautiful fall colors of the trail at that time of year.
Shuttle service - hay wagons pulled along by tractors - will take campers to the BoneYard, a local Halloween attraction. The Genealogical Society is involved as well; cemetery tours will be available Sunday evening at twilight.
Residents of the Village will be asked to participate in the festivities by decorating their homes in fall and Halloween themes and competing for prizes. The charm of the Victorian homes in the Village will be a draw in itself. The Village is a beautiful and charming place.
Local Farmers are asked to bring their fall produce to the Festival. Vendor space on the Township Square is free to residents of Stockbridge, Unadilla and Waterloo Townships. Since this is a Harvest Festival, we would like to showcase the local agricultural community.
This is a community event. We encourage residents and businesses alike to volunteer their time and talent.
The DDA is committed to promoting the Village as a great place to live, work, and do business.
We are hoping to accomplish that with the first annual Harvest Festival.
A complete itinerary of events will be available soon.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Annabell Howard
SDDA Chair
In order to stimulate the local economy and promote Stockbridge as a destination, the Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority has created the Harvest Festival.
The Harvest Festival will take place October 7, 8 and 9, featuring over night camping, vendors on the Township Square, children's games and activities, an Antique Tractor show, a Classic Car show, a dance in the Township Hall, and a family movie in Veterans Memorial Park.
Utilizing the Lakelands Trail Linear State Park will be a big part of the festivities. A horse drawn Hay Ride will take visitors from the Gregory Trail Head to the Stockbridge Trail Head. Local Equestrian groups will be invited to utilize the trail and camp overnight with their horses. Hikers and bicyclists will be encouraged to attend as well; the timing of the Festival will showcase the beautiful fall colors of the trail at that time of year.
Shuttle service - hay wagons pulled along by tractors - will take campers to the BoneYard, a local Halloween attraction. The Genealogical Society is involved as well; cemetery tours will be available Sunday evening at twilight.
Residents of the Village will be asked to participate in the festivities by decorating their homes in fall and Halloween themes and competing for prizes. The charm of the Victorian homes in the Village will be a draw in itself. The Village is a beautiful and charming place.
Local Farmers are asked to bring their fall produce to the Festival. Vendor space on the Township Square is free to residents of Stockbridge, Unadilla and Waterloo Townships. Since this is a Harvest Festival, we would like to showcase the local agricultural community.
This is a community event. We encourage residents and businesses alike to volunteer their time and talent.
The DDA is committed to promoting the Village as a great place to live, work, and do business.
We are hoping to accomplish that with the first annual Harvest Festival.
A complete itinerary of events will be available soon.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Annabell Howard
SDDA Chair
Monday, August 1, 2011
Policing
Serious business, public safety.
For the record we have commented on policing before.
But you're right - we've pretty much left the idea of a Law Enforcement Authority alone.
But since you asked...
The people of this Village and residents of this Township long ago drew lines in the sand, carefully marking out where one ends and the other begins.
The old Village Council erected it's own Berlin Wall between Township and Village government, complete with barbed wire and armed guards.
Your former Police Chief made no bones about where his jurisdiction started and where it ended, and had an extremely antagonistic relationship with the Ingham County Sheriff's Office, as did most of his officers.
This attitude of insularity permeated all aspects of life in the Village.
When the Ingham County Commissioners announced that budget cuts would eliminate road patrol for the out counties, Stockbridge Township Supervisor Paul Risner had a dialogue with your then Village Manager Dan Dancer about expanding Village coverage to include the Township. Risner wanted to ensure the safety of Township residents, and was investigating all avenues. The Village Manager promised that he would have someone contact the township. Needless to say, it never happened.
The Township extended it's hand; the Village slapped it away.
Fast forward to 2011.
Road Patrol is shaved to 2 deputies to cover 444 square miles.
It goes without saying that the math doesn't work in that equation.
Michigan State Police began picking up some of the slack, but again, with MSP facing cuts of its own, they were hard pressed to respond to any but the most serious calls.
Result? Don't call 911 unless you're bleeding - profusely - cuz there will be a wait.
A new and hopeful era dawned here in the Village with the resignations of the manager and the chief; new council members were elected; bridges began to be built between the Township and the Village. It was a brand new day.
But long memories and bad feelings began to sabotage what should have been a beautiful partnership. "We're the Village - we don't give a hairy hoot what happens in the Township," said some. "Let them solve their own problems," said others. And many more, after much disingenuous posturing and misinformation in the local paper, based their opinions on an expanded police force on that twisted information. Many in the Village balked at the idea of an expanded police force based on money alone. How much should the Township pay? Certainly the Village shouldn't bear the brunt of the costs to police 'them.' Who would be 'in charge' of the police, and who would decide what would get patrolled and when? Such questions dangled there in the air, and no one was providing good answers. For some Village residents, the answer was simple - let the township fend for itself.
This road of long memories and bad feelings runs both ways. For some Township residents, the last thing they wanted or felt they needed was the Village Police Department poking its nose into Township business. Hell, most Township residents weren't all that worried about the loss of the road patrol. They felt they could 'take care of themselves' and 'look after their own.' The rallying cry seemed to be the sound of 'hillbilly burglar alarms' - the sound of a 12 gage shot gun being racked.
While we feel that a Law Enforcement Authority would certainly solve a couple of problems, we also feel it would pose some.
And can residents who have a hard time seeing eye to eye on the time of day, really come together to form the Authority?
We have no idea.
Cost is certainly an issue. Risner refused to assess taxes on Township residents to fund law enforcement without putting it to a vote - and Township residents promptly voted it down.
Who would sit on the Authority Board? Are there people that would be trusted by both the Village and the Township?
And would residents of the Township see this as just a money-making opportunity for the cash strapped Village to balance the budget with Township dollars; or would they view it as a necessity for having some police protection?
A vast majority of Township residents are over 65 and living alone. A vulnerable population that does require protection, and would certainly benefit from police coverage.
The Village is currently plagued by a rash of vandalism and thefts; more police patrol hours would go a long way toward curbing that behavior.
Pros and cons; cons and pros.
What to do?
We here at the Citizen-Herald support policing as a right of every American to be safe in their homes.
The biggest hurdles will be those long memories, that insular attitude, and those 'we don't need you' thinkers on BOTH sides of the issue.
For the record we have commented on policing before.
But you're right - we've pretty much left the idea of a Law Enforcement Authority alone.
But since you asked...
The people of this Village and residents of this Township long ago drew lines in the sand, carefully marking out where one ends and the other begins.
The old Village Council erected it's own Berlin Wall between Township and Village government, complete with barbed wire and armed guards.
Your former Police Chief made no bones about where his jurisdiction started and where it ended, and had an extremely antagonistic relationship with the Ingham County Sheriff's Office, as did most of his officers.
This attitude of insularity permeated all aspects of life in the Village.
When the Ingham County Commissioners announced that budget cuts would eliminate road patrol for the out counties, Stockbridge Township Supervisor Paul Risner had a dialogue with your then Village Manager Dan Dancer about expanding Village coverage to include the Township. Risner wanted to ensure the safety of Township residents, and was investigating all avenues. The Village Manager promised that he would have someone contact the township. Needless to say, it never happened.
The Township extended it's hand; the Village slapped it away.
Fast forward to 2011.
Road Patrol is shaved to 2 deputies to cover 444 square miles.
It goes without saying that the math doesn't work in that equation.
Michigan State Police began picking up some of the slack, but again, with MSP facing cuts of its own, they were hard pressed to respond to any but the most serious calls.
Result? Don't call 911 unless you're bleeding - profusely - cuz there will be a wait.
A new and hopeful era dawned here in the Village with the resignations of the manager and the chief; new council members were elected; bridges began to be built between the Township and the Village. It was a brand new day.
But long memories and bad feelings began to sabotage what should have been a beautiful partnership. "We're the Village - we don't give a hairy hoot what happens in the Township," said some. "Let them solve their own problems," said others. And many more, after much disingenuous posturing and misinformation in the local paper, based their opinions on an expanded police force on that twisted information. Many in the Village balked at the idea of an expanded police force based on money alone. How much should the Township pay? Certainly the Village shouldn't bear the brunt of the costs to police 'them.' Who would be 'in charge' of the police, and who would decide what would get patrolled and when? Such questions dangled there in the air, and no one was providing good answers. For some Village residents, the answer was simple - let the township fend for itself.
This road of long memories and bad feelings runs both ways. For some Township residents, the last thing they wanted or felt they needed was the Village Police Department poking its nose into Township business. Hell, most Township residents weren't all that worried about the loss of the road patrol. They felt they could 'take care of themselves' and 'look after their own.' The rallying cry seemed to be the sound of 'hillbilly burglar alarms' - the sound of a 12 gage shot gun being racked.
While we feel that a Law Enforcement Authority would certainly solve a couple of problems, we also feel it would pose some.
And can residents who have a hard time seeing eye to eye on the time of day, really come together to form the Authority?
We have no idea.
Cost is certainly an issue. Risner refused to assess taxes on Township residents to fund law enforcement without putting it to a vote - and Township residents promptly voted it down.
Who would sit on the Authority Board? Are there people that would be trusted by both the Village and the Township?
And would residents of the Township see this as just a money-making opportunity for the cash strapped Village to balance the budget with Township dollars; or would they view it as a necessity for having some police protection?
A vast majority of Township residents are over 65 and living alone. A vulnerable population that does require protection, and would certainly benefit from police coverage.
The Village is currently plagued by a rash of vandalism and thefts; more police patrol hours would go a long way toward curbing that behavior.
Pros and cons; cons and pros.
What to do?
We here at the Citizen-Herald support policing as a right of every American to be safe in their homes.
The biggest hurdles will be those long memories, that insular attitude, and those 'we don't need you' thinkers on BOTH sides of the issue.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Who Am I? Who Are We?
Evidently, the identity of the writer/writers of this blog is/are an issue for some.
Huh.
Let's talk about that.
Each person that responds to these posts is afforded the opportunity to conceal their identity, or not, depending on their personal choice.
We believe that when people are shielded from possible repercussions, they are more apt to speak freely.
Even 'tip' lines for reporting criminal activities are anonymous. Or you can give your name, if you so choose.
While everything in this blog is absolutely tainted with our own personal opinion and slant, we stand by the truthfulness of the facts.
Challenge our opinions? Please do.
Challenge the facts? Please do.
We keep telling you, dear readers, to do your own investigating and make up your own minds.
For now, the writers of this blog choose to remain anonymous.
Perhaps that will change in the future.
Bottom line, it is our choice to make.
Plus, it's kinda fun to be Anonymous.
As 99% of the posters here seem to agree!
P.S. About the 6 followers: we like being followed. While the local paper may have a 'bigger' readership, people come to US - we don't go to their mailboxes unasked for and unbidden. (which would make the local paper kind of a stalker, right?)
Huh.
Let's talk about that.
Each person that responds to these posts is afforded the opportunity to conceal their identity, or not, depending on their personal choice.
We believe that when people are shielded from possible repercussions, they are more apt to speak freely.
Even 'tip' lines for reporting criminal activities are anonymous. Or you can give your name, if you so choose.
While everything in this blog is absolutely tainted with our own personal opinion and slant, we stand by the truthfulness of the facts.
Challenge our opinions? Please do.
Challenge the facts? Please do.
We keep telling you, dear readers, to do your own investigating and make up your own minds.
For now, the writers of this blog choose to remain anonymous.
Perhaps that will change in the future.
Bottom line, it is our choice to make.
Plus, it's kinda fun to be Anonymous.
As 99% of the posters here seem to agree!
P.S. About the 6 followers: we like being followed. While the local paper may have a 'bigger' readership, people come to US - we don't go to their mailboxes unasked for and unbidden. (which would make the local paper kind of a stalker, right?)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What a Shame
Interesting tid bit:
Your local editor attended the Stockbridge Township meeting last night.
You'd have thought it was old home week - as far as said editor was concerned - all mincing and prancing and smiles and 'no-hard-feelings' and 'let's all be friends now.'
News Flash: the Stockbridge Township board has not developed Alzheimers disease.
They are more than aware of what you represent, and the way you do business. They know that the local paper can be counted on for about one thing these days: trashing the Village and the Township, when they notice them at all.
(Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, honey.)
And here's the telling part of this story:
Not one word, not one question was asked of the board during the meeting by above mentioned editor. Not one single thought to share during public comment. The editor had no comment during public comment.
Knowing that most, if not all, of the politicos in town know better than to trust the editor (read speak to editor), said editor has one of the minions (read local reporter) make follow up phone calls asking all those questions the editor knew better than to call and ask it's editor-self.
Do the minions feel used?
We don't know.
Perhaps the minions don't know what's really going on. But we find that hard to believe.
Don't you?
What we do know is that perhaps the editor would be better served covering politics in Chelsea, Dexter or maybe even Grass Lake.
Unless the editors reputation got there first.
Your local editor attended the Stockbridge Township meeting last night.
You'd have thought it was old home week - as far as said editor was concerned - all mincing and prancing and smiles and 'no-hard-feelings' and 'let's all be friends now.'
News Flash: the Stockbridge Township board has not developed Alzheimers disease.
They are more than aware of what you represent, and the way you do business. They know that the local paper can be counted on for about one thing these days: trashing the Village and the Township, when they notice them at all.
(Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, honey.)
And here's the telling part of this story:
Not one word, not one question was asked of the board during the meeting by above mentioned editor. Not one single thought to share during public comment. The editor had no comment during public comment.
Knowing that most, if not all, of the politicos in town know better than to trust the editor (read speak to editor), said editor has one of the minions (read local reporter) make follow up phone calls asking all those questions the editor knew better than to call and ask it's editor-self.
Do the minions feel used?
We don't know.
Perhaps the minions don't know what's really going on. But we find that hard to believe.
Don't you?
What we do know is that perhaps the editor would be better served covering politics in Chelsea, Dexter or maybe even Grass Lake.
Unless the editors reputation got there first.
Making A Difference
It's the little things - and the big ones, too - that combine to make a difference in the Village of Stockbridge. This blog enjoys highlighting the positive changes people are making in this beautiful little town with the great big heart.
And once again, we are proud to say that Heath Corey and his Merry Band of Volunteers have made a big difference. We direct your attention to the 'Before' and 'After' photos.
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And once again, we are proud to say that Heath Corey and his Merry Band of Volunteers have made a big difference. We direct your attention to the 'Before' and 'After' photos.
WOOD STREET PARKING LOT BEFORE
WOOD STREET PARKING LOT AFTER
Heartfelt thanks to: Heath Corey, Annabell Howard, Don Byrd, Monica English, Lynne Beauchamp, and Paul Risner for working so hard in that awful heat; and Doug Mills for donating all the mulch.
What a difference making a difference makes!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Township Supervisor Turns 30
Send your birthday wishes to Stockbridge Township Supervisor Paul Risner as he turns 30 today, July 13, 2011.
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... ok, maybe not 30 ...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Letter To The Editor
After being named in the July 1 edition of the local paper as one of the newly elected candidates accusing the prior village council of being corrupt, I called the paper and spoke with the editor, attempting to clear my name being very clear that “I never said, wrote, insinuated, gossiped or accused anyone on the former council of being involved in any criminal behavior”. I was told “there would be a retraction in the following paper”. In the July 7th edition a retraction was printed and I quote, “In a report June 30th about the Stockbridge Village council titled Goals Prove Elusive, it was stated four candidates felt there was belief the former council was involved in corruption. In fact, only one candidate expressed that, and has since retracted the statement”.
During the campaign and after the election I purposely didn’t take part in all the print arguing even when I was being attacked myself. I felt the needs of the public were more important than grandstanding and pointing fingers. I still feel that way. As a resident in this community, like anyone else, I strive for the respect of the people I serve. I find the actions of our local paper to be irresponsible and reckless. As one of the architects of our great nation said “Never get into an argument with some one that buys ink by the barrel”. When it comes to misrepresenting me, I feel it’s necessary to set the record straight. I feel very strongly about individual character and moral behavior as it pertains to everyday life.
I gave the paper the opportunity to set the record straight and gave them the benefit of the doubt. After reviewing the so called retraction and understanding how the author was attempting to manipulate their readers by not naming me as one who never accused anyone of being corrupt, I decided to write this letter to the editor of The Stockbridge Citizen Herald. I believe in fairness and above all printing the truth, so please hear me when I say that “I never would accuse anyone of foul play and all the folks that have served before me deserve the respect of the job they have done”. The public voted to make changes in our community; this is why we have elections. I thank all the folks that voted for me and as stated before “I take this job very seriously and I enjoy serving the community where I live and do business” I would hope in the future that our local paper would take better care of serving the public in a more professional manner. The readers deserve all the facts - not a mere interpretation or a particular slant of those facts. Thank you Herald readers.
Greg Uihlein
During the campaign and after the election I purposely didn’t take part in all the print arguing even when I was being attacked myself. I felt the needs of the public were more important than grandstanding and pointing fingers. I still feel that way. As a resident in this community, like anyone else, I strive for the respect of the people I serve. I find the actions of our local paper to be irresponsible and reckless. As one of the architects of our great nation said “Never get into an argument with some one that buys ink by the barrel”. When it comes to misrepresenting me, I feel it’s necessary to set the record straight. I feel very strongly about individual character and moral behavior as it pertains to everyday life.
I gave the paper the opportunity to set the record straight and gave them the benefit of the doubt. After reviewing the so called retraction and understanding how the author was attempting to manipulate their readers by not naming me as one who never accused anyone of being corrupt, I decided to write this letter to the editor of The Stockbridge Citizen Herald. I believe in fairness and above all printing the truth, so please hear me when I say that “I never would accuse anyone of foul play and all the folks that have served before me deserve the respect of the job they have done”. The public voted to make changes in our community; this is why we have elections. I thank all the folks that voted for me and as stated before “I take this job very seriously and I enjoy serving the community where I live and do business” I would hope in the future that our local paper would take better care of serving the public in a more professional manner. The readers deserve all the facts - not a mere interpretation or a particular slant of those facts. Thank you Herald readers.
Greg Uihlein
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Mystery Birthday
The Citizen-Herald has received this cryptic note from a reader:
What local elected official will celebrate the 'Big 59' on July 13?
Clue: They like blueberry pie
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What local elected official will celebrate the 'Big 59' on July 13?
Clue: They like blueberry pie
Monday, July 4, 2011
Quotes from the Great Beyond
For those of you with a good memory, the latest Sun Times article bashing certain Village council members should be ringing bells. (And not just because the Sun Times is forever bashing the Village, its inhabitants and its leadership. With the fervor of fanatics - gee you think someone has a personal axe to grind?)
This article - and we use the term 'article' loosely here - was actually a reprint/reconfiguration of answers to a questionnaire sent out to all candidates in the last election, and printed in the paper. (couldn't do your own work, huh?)
But lets get down to brass tacks.
Goals prove elusive? No kidding the goals have proven elusive so far.
The council has spent the last 7 months digging out from under the mess of a budget provided by the former Village manager, dealing with his and the former Police Chiefs whiny bid for a separation and a payoff because they felt they were being unfairly picked on (big girl panties, guys, really) then figuring out where the hell THAT money was going to come from since as we all know the cash reserves were wiped out, and there was a $150,000 deficit. Then there is the whole DPW debacle created by - you guessed it - your former Village manager, who had the brilliant idea that cutting hours and taking away jobs would cover up the yawning hole in the budget. (you realize, dear reader, that 'brilliant' was meant sarcastically, right?) So he threated their living and they fought back the only way they knew how. (Granted, the only one making any money off this whole mess is lawyer Schultz - approximately $28,000 to date) So really, if you're going to present the 'truth', perhaps you should try to present the WHOLE truth.
We also would like to mention here that again, as in the past, this 'article' in the Sun Times has no byline. It is credited to no particular author. Huh. Go figure. Show of hands: How many people are surprised by THAT? (yep, that's what we thought) We are so excited to say this: The Citizen - Herald has learned that it was your former Village Manager who contacted the business agent for the Teamsters for this 'article'. (draw your own conclusions)
Obviously there is a leak in the current Village council. Things that are occuring in closed session are being passed on to someone at the Sun Times. Hey everyone needs their sources, right? But in point of fact, if it can be proven that information from closed session is in fact being leaked by a member, that is grounds for dismissal from the council. We would applaud an effort toward such an end.
Your former Village Clerk was also mentioned in the piece, as having all charges against her being dropped by a Livingston County judge. Well, that's not entirely truthful is it? She will be sentenced in December of this year for one count of misuse of credit.
This current piece of trash printed for your consideration in a newspaper that has completely forgotten its roots and as a result, has lost not only the faith but support of this Village, is a venue for personal opinion and manipulative 'journalism'. (sarcasm again there)
The Sun Times has lost its focus.
Its lost its base of readership and allowed itself to become a glorified tabloid. Really, what's next? Headlines that read "Aliens Stole My Tractor"?
We can honestly say that there are people who appreciate the fact that they receive the paper free each week. They need it for their cat litter pans, birdcages and bonfires. (we just love recycling)
Here at the Citizen - Herald we assume you have the presence of mind to form your own opinions and not let someone tell you what to think. Not even us.
So, as to the quotes from the Great Beyond - we trust that you will form your own opinions. We just thought that you should have the whole story.
Cuz that's just how we roll.
*As a afterthought, we thought we should mention that we did not address all aspects of the above mentioned 'article'. We were afraid we'd start channeling a certain blogger known for his posts that just went on and on and on and on and ... well, you get the idea.
This article - and we use the term 'article' loosely here - was actually a reprint/reconfiguration of answers to a questionnaire sent out to all candidates in the last election, and printed in the paper. (couldn't do your own work, huh?)
But lets get down to brass tacks.
Goals prove elusive? No kidding the goals have proven elusive so far.
The council has spent the last 7 months digging out from under the mess of a budget provided by the former Village manager, dealing with his and the former Police Chiefs whiny bid for a separation and a payoff because they felt they were being unfairly picked on (big girl panties, guys, really) then figuring out where the hell THAT money was going to come from since as we all know the cash reserves were wiped out, and there was a $150,000 deficit. Then there is the whole DPW debacle created by - you guessed it - your former Village manager, who had the brilliant idea that cutting hours and taking away jobs would cover up the yawning hole in the budget. (you realize, dear reader, that 'brilliant' was meant sarcastically, right?) So he threated their living and they fought back the only way they knew how. (Granted, the only one making any money off this whole mess is lawyer Schultz - approximately $28,000 to date) So really, if you're going to present the 'truth', perhaps you should try to present the WHOLE truth.
We also would like to mention here that again, as in the past, this 'article' in the Sun Times has no byline. It is credited to no particular author. Huh. Go figure. Show of hands: How many people are surprised by THAT? (yep, that's what we thought) We are so excited to say this: The Citizen - Herald has learned that it was your former Village Manager who contacted the business agent for the Teamsters for this 'article'. (draw your own conclusions)
Obviously there is a leak in the current Village council. Things that are occuring in closed session are being passed on to someone at the Sun Times. Hey everyone needs their sources, right? But in point of fact, if it can be proven that information from closed session is in fact being leaked by a member, that is grounds for dismissal from the council. We would applaud an effort toward such an end.
Your former Village Clerk was also mentioned in the piece, as having all charges against her being dropped by a Livingston County judge. Well, that's not entirely truthful is it? She will be sentenced in December of this year for one count of misuse of credit.
This current piece of trash printed for your consideration in a newspaper that has completely forgotten its roots and as a result, has lost not only the faith but support of this Village, is a venue for personal opinion and manipulative 'journalism'. (sarcasm again there)
The Sun Times has lost its focus.
Its lost its base of readership and allowed itself to become a glorified tabloid. Really, what's next? Headlines that read "Aliens Stole My Tractor"?
We can honestly say that there are people who appreciate the fact that they receive the paper free each week. They need it for their cat litter pans, birdcages and bonfires. (we just love recycling)
Here at the Citizen - Herald we assume you have the presence of mind to form your own opinions and not let someone tell you what to think. Not even us.
So, as to the quotes from the Great Beyond - we trust that you will form your own opinions. We just thought that you should have the whole story.
Cuz that's just how we roll.
*As a afterthought, we thought we should mention that we did not address all aspects of the above mentioned 'article'. We were afraid we'd start channeling a certain blogger known for his posts that just went on and on and on and on and ... well, you get the idea.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Have You Heard?
Well, it may be just talk - but we don't think so.
According to our sources, Mary Wilcox, former Stockbridge Police Officer, has settled her lawsuit with the Village.
You remember, right? She went off on a medical leave after injuring herself on the job. Then, according to former Village employees, refused to report back to work after being medically cleared. (that's what they said then) Her subsequent lawsuit alleged gender and weight bias, and a hostile work environment.
She has allegedly settled for 6 figures.
We don't know what those 6 figures are.
We're going to assume they are 1 through 9, but we don't know the order. And there are probably a couple of zero's in there as well.
The Michigan Municipal League handled the suit, and paid the legal fees. Insurance covered the settlement.
So, after figuring her lawyer got his third, she still walked away with a nice chunk of change.
What about this doesn't seem right to you?
Did we forget to mention that she was also "forgiven" an approximate $6000 overpayment in unemployment benefits?
Yeah, evidently she was misinformed by some one at the unemployment office about what constitutes income. So, the State of Michigan said, "well, seeing as how you were misinformed..."
We will have to close this post here.
We suddenly need a super sized dose of that pink stuff for your stomach.
According to our sources, Mary Wilcox, former Stockbridge Police Officer, has settled her lawsuit with the Village.
You remember, right? She went off on a medical leave after injuring herself on the job. Then, according to former Village employees, refused to report back to work after being medically cleared. (that's what they said then) Her subsequent lawsuit alleged gender and weight bias, and a hostile work environment.
She has allegedly settled for 6 figures.
We don't know what those 6 figures are.
We're going to assume they are 1 through 9, but we don't know the order. And there are probably a couple of zero's in there as well.
The Michigan Municipal League handled the suit, and paid the legal fees. Insurance covered the settlement.
So, after figuring her lawyer got his third, she still walked away with a nice chunk of change.
What about this doesn't seem right to you?
Did we forget to mention that she was also "forgiven" an approximate $6000 overpayment in unemployment benefits?
Yeah, evidently she was misinformed by some one at the unemployment office about what constitutes income. So, the State of Michigan said, "well, seeing as how you were misinformed..."
We will have to close this post here.
We suddenly need a super sized dose of that pink stuff for your stomach.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
A Day In The Village
Mumblings and grumblings this year about the annual A Day in the Village festivities.
The Citizen-Herald heard the following:
Not enough vendors.
Not enough activities for children.
Less vendors on the Square than in the past.
Not enough sinage/notification before the event.
More of the local businesses should have been open and/or involved.
The Basketball Tourney should have been held in the street so that everyone could see it.
Whatever happened to the Beer Tent?
There should have been more music and dancing.
It should go for the whole week-end - Friday, Saturday and Sunday with special activities for Fathers Day.
Well, Stockbridge, this is your gig. What do you think would have made this a better event? Or perhaps you thought that everything was fine.
Whatever your opinions, we'd encourage you to share them here with an eye toward improving the event for next year. What you think matters.
With that in mind, consider volunteering your time to make your ideas come to life for next year's A Day in the Village.
And, funnily enough, that was also a point of contention. Why do we call it A Day in the Village when it's actually two days in the Village?
Let's hear it, people.
Post your thoughts here. And don't forget to take the poll located to the right of this posting.
The Citizen-Herald heard the following:
Not enough vendors.
Not enough activities for children.
Less vendors on the Square than in the past.
Not enough sinage/notification before the event.
More of the local businesses should have been open and/or involved.
The Basketball Tourney should have been held in the street so that everyone could see it.
Whatever happened to the Beer Tent?
There should have been more music and dancing.
It should go for the whole week-end - Friday, Saturday and Sunday with special activities for Fathers Day.
Well, Stockbridge, this is your gig. What do you think would have made this a better event? Or perhaps you thought that everything was fine.
Whatever your opinions, we'd encourage you to share them here with an eye toward improving the event for next year. What you think matters.
With that in mind, consider volunteering your time to make your ideas come to life for next year's A Day in the Village.
And, funnily enough, that was also a point of contention. Why do we call it A Day in the Village when it's actually two days in the Village?
Let's hear it, people.
Post your thoughts here. And don't forget to take the poll located to the right of this posting.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Special Place
The Stockbridge Township meeting went quickly - no real surprises there - business as usual by a board that clearly enjoys working together.
However.
At the close of the meeting, Supervisor Paul Risner took the time to thank everyone for coming and then thanked all the volunteers who have been contributing their time and talent to the Township and the Village.
He thanked the Board members for their hard work.
He thanked the Deputy Clerk, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Supervisor for attending the meeting.
He thanked the Garden Club for the beautiful job on the flowers.
He thanked Jack Marshall for all that he does, including making the custom frame for the 175th Celebration photo of the Township hall.
He thanked Jean Bliss for all her hard work taking care of the Township Square, and commenting on how beautiful it always looks.
He thanked a few others and concluded with this thought:
"You know, this place is full of good people who volunteer and work hard and we've always been like that. That's one of the things that makes Stockbridge such a special place."
He's right.
Stockbridge is a special place because of the people its made up of.
And for everything Mr. Risner does for the Township and the Village - we'd like to thank him. He's one of those special people that make up this special place.
We're lucky to have him.
However.
At the close of the meeting, Supervisor Paul Risner took the time to thank everyone for coming and then thanked all the volunteers who have been contributing their time and talent to the Township and the Village.
He thanked the Board members for their hard work.
He thanked the Deputy Clerk, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Supervisor for attending the meeting.
He thanked the Garden Club for the beautiful job on the flowers.
He thanked Jack Marshall for all that he does, including making the custom frame for the 175th Celebration photo of the Township hall.
He thanked Jean Bliss for all her hard work taking care of the Township Square, and commenting on how beautiful it always looks.
He thanked a few others and concluded with this thought:
"You know, this place is full of good people who volunteer and work hard and we've always been like that. That's one of the things that makes Stockbridge such a special place."
He's right.
Stockbridge is a special place because of the people its made up of.
And for everything Mr. Risner does for the Township and the Village - we'd like to thank him. He's one of those special people that make up this special place.
We're lucky to have him.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Food For Thought
An Open Letter to Mr. Smith:
Nice to hear that a conversation with Village Manager Tom Ford has affected a change in perspective for you - albiet hard to believe.
However, you neglected to apologize to those whom you have smeared and hurt with your particular brand of "Truth." Not to mention those you may have placed in the path of danger while "championing causes." We think you know to whom we are referring.
We skewer local politicos on this blog - both former and current.We aren't always nice and we're about as subtle as a jack-hammer. But our allegations are based in fact.
That said, we have always tried, and have usually succeeded, in letting those in Stockbridge know that there are people who are selflessly giving their time to this Village and Township and doing the best damn job they can. We applaud honest effort. Hell, we even post pictures.
So Mr. Smith, until you publicly - very publicly - offer your sincere apologies to those you have harmed with your biased and blatantly egregious commentary posing as "truth," we here at the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald will take your change of heart under advisement.
And we won't hold our breath.
The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Nice to hear that a conversation with Village Manager Tom Ford has affected a change in perspective for you - albiet hard to believe.
However, you neglected to apologize to those whom you have smeared and hurt with your particular brand of "Truth." Not to mention those you may have placed in the path of danger while "championing causes." We think you know to whom we are referring.
We skewer local politicos on this blog - both former and current.We aren't always nice and we're about as subtle as a jack-hammer. But our allegations are based in fact.
That said, we have always tried, and have usually succeeded, in letting those in Stockbridge know that there are people who are selflessly giving their time to this Village and Township and doing the best damn job they can. We applaud honest effort. Hell, we even post pictures.
So Mr. Smith, until you publicly - very publicly - offer your sincere apologies to those you have harmed with your biased and blatantly egregious commentary posing as "truth," we here at the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald will take your change of heart under advisement.
And we won't hold our breath.
The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Thursday, June 16, 2011
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Planting and weeding in the rain Wednesday night, Deb Marshall and Linda Dault (top and bottom) and Jean Bliss (not pictured) worked hard to get the Town Square ready for visitors for A Day In The Village.
A very special thank you and HUGE high-five to Deb for supplying all the dirt, fertilizer and flowers!
And thank you to the volunteers who were out there today finishing up.
This is volunteerism - this is community spirit - this is what it takes!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hmmmmm ...
(hum along - you know the tune)
Oh where, oh where has the Stockbridge Truth gone?
Oh where, oh where can it be?
With it's long winded posts
so short on facts
Oh where, oh where can it be?
We have heard lots of rumor and innuendo.
We have heard lots of snickering regarding quite a few people as yet to be named.
And we are very, very curious.
But until we have the facts dear readers, it's all on the QT and very Hush Hush.
Oh where, oh where has the Stockbridge Truth gone?
Oh where, oh where can it be?
With it's long winded posts
so short on facts
Oh where, oh where can it be?
We have heard lots of rumor and innuendo.
We have heard lots of snickering regarding quite a few people as yet to be named.
And we are very, very curious.
But until we have the facts dear readers, it's all on the QT and very Hush Hush.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
COME ONE COME ALL!!
Wednesday June 15, 6:30 pm to the Village Square for a Flower Planting.
Bring gardening tools - shovels, hand trowels, rakes and your gardening gloves and help beautify the Square for our Day In The Village!
You know you want it to look all spiffy Downtown for all the visitors.
And put your face on - there will be picture taking!!
Wednesday June 15, 6:30 pm to the Village Square for a Flower Planting.
Bring gardening tools - shovels, hand trowels, rakes and your gardening gloves and help beautify the Square for our Day In The Village!
You know you want it to look all spiffy Downtown for all the visitors.
And put your face on - there will be picture taking!!
Monday, May 30, 2011
In Remembrance
To all those that have served this great country; to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Freedom; to those that waited for the ones that never returned, we salute you this Memorial Day. We offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers in remembrance of those brave men and women of our Armed Forces who gave their lives both here and abroad so that we at home might remain safe. You will never be forgotten.
The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Not Gonna Do It
Leroy Fick, 59, of Auburn, Michigan won $2 million in the Michigan Lottery. He continues to draw and use Food Stamp benefits. (Yes, you read that right)
Fick made the following statement to a reporter from WNEM-TV when asked how he could in good conscience use food stamps intended for people in bad financial straits, when he was a millionaire:
"If you're trying to make me feel bad, you're not gonna do it."
The good folks of Stockbridge are familiar with that refrain. But here in this little corner of Ingham County it sounded more like this:
We were fired.
There was no financial mismanagement.
The Village is not broke.
We took employee hours away to balance the budget.
I didn't take my yearly bonus for the sake of good financial management.
There is nothing wrong with the budget.
We are in good shape financially.
We needed the water and sewer money to pay bills. We can put it all back next month.
Someone fixed the elections.
People were saying bad things about us at work. We want our severance package.
And on and on and on ad-nauseum. There will be no apologies from the people responsible for the current financial crisis here, nor will there be any for what they have done to the people they were charged with serving. There will be no admission of guilt. That would assume that the people involved have a conscience.
What it really boils down to is what Mr Fick so eloquently said when presented with his own reprehensible act:
"If you're trying to make me feel bad, you're not gonna do it."
Fick made the following statement to a reporter from WNEM-TV when asked how he could in good conscience use food stamps intended for people in bad financial straits, when he was a millionaire:
"If you're trying to make me feel bad, you're not gonna do it."
The good folks of Stockbridge are familiar with that refrain. But here in this little corner of Ingham County it sounded more like this:
We were fired.
There was no financial mismanagement.
The Village is not broke.
We took employee hours away to balance the budget.
I didn't take my yearly bonus for the sake of good financial management.
There is nothing wrong with the budget.
We are in good shape financially.
We needed the water and sewer money to pay bills. We can put it all back next month.
Someone fixed the elections.
People were saying bad things about us at work. We want our severance package.
And on and on and on ad-nauseum. There will be no apologies from the people responsible for the current financial crisis here, nor will there be any for what they have done to the people they were charged with serving. There will be no admission of guilt. That would assume that the people involved have a conscience.
What it really boils down to is what Mr Fick so eloquently said when presented with his own reprehensible act:
"If you're trying to make me feel bad, you're not gonna do it."
Tattle - Tale ...
SEEN THIS WEEK:
Stockbridge Village Trustee Heath Corey mowing the Park and Ride area. You'd have thought there was a wedding going through town, all the car horns that were tooting! This volunteer-ism seems to be catchy! Way To
Go Heath!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tattle-Tale...
SEEN THIS WEEK:
SDDA board member Dan Wilson mowing Veterans Memorial Park, and apparently enjoying himself! (Wilson has volunteered to mow the park for FREE to save SDDA $$. Village Trustee Greg Uihlein will take over for Wilson when he goes on vacation. Great leadership, guys! Way To Go!)
Unknown (well, we know but we're not telling) Stockbridge Village Police Officer chatting with a group of citizens, practicing what is commonly known as Community Policing. (We see this as a HUGE step in the right direction for community - police department relations.)
The Citizen - Herald would like to ask it's readers to send us photos of people "caught in the act" of doing something nice. See someone with a great smile? Snap a pic. See someone lending a helping hand? Snap a pic. Catch someone in the act and we'll post the pics to prove it!
Send e-mail to: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com
SDDA board member Dan Wilson mowing Veterans Memorial Park, and apparently enjoying himself! (Wilson has volunteered to mow the park for FREE to save SDDA $$. Village Trustee Greg Uihlein will take over for Wilson when he goes on vacation. Great leadership, guys! Way To Go!)
Unknown (well, we know but we're not telling) Stockbridge Village Police Officer chatting with a group of citizens, practicing what is commonly known as Community Policing. (We see this as a HUGE step in the right direction for community - police department relations.)
The Citizen - Herald would like to ask it's readers to send us photos of people "caught in the act" of doing something nice. See someone with a great smile? Snap a pic. See someone lending a helping hand? Snap a pic. Catch someone in the act and we'll post the pics to prove it!
Send e-mail to: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com
Friday, May 13, 2011
Blogger Problems
Dear Readers - Blogger experienced technical problems over the past two days that resulted in some blogs losing some posts.
They are currently attempting to restore lost blog postings.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Please join us in wishful thinking and/or prayer that Citizen - Herald posts will be fully restored.
Thank You,
The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
***Please note that comments were also lost. Blog postings here seem to have been restored, but are now missing the comments. Please repost your comments!! We love to hear from you!!
They are currently attempting to restore lost blog postings.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Please join us in wishful thinking and/or prayer that Citizen - Herald posts will be fully restored.
Thank You,
The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
***Please note that comments were also lost. Blog postings here seem to have been restored, but are now missing the comments. Please repost your comments!! We love to hear from you!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Pot Calls the Kettle
Well, we read the paper. (Why do we do this to ourselves?) The interesting headline about Slippery Slopes kinda caught our eye.
You can actually see where the reporter who's name is on the story, stops writing and another unnamed reporter takes over (dictates?) the remainder. Huh. (Grow a pair already, would ya?)
Interestingly enough, the named reporter wasn't actually there for the entire meeting. Nope, she left, and Sandi Kaye stayed to take notes. (The reporter that should grow a pair wasn't there at all.)
Also interesting to us is that the article is incomplete. Nowhere is there any mention of the Cemetery Clean Up, (the one no one from the paper bothered to cover {maybe cuz it wasn't bad news, and/or didn't take place in Chelsea} even though they knew it was taking place) which was discussed at the Council meeting. Course, how exactly, would you could you twist a Cemetery Clean Up done by volunteers into a bad thing?
Back to the "slippery slope" of council members or Village employees accepting gifts - can you hear us all laughing? Certain names come to mind immediately, as far as "gifts" go. One in particular. (hang on, wiping tears from eyes so typing can continue) Here's a question: How much did that lovely field stone retaining wall in front of a certain ex-Village employee's home cost? (Now you know as well as we do that had that retaining wall been in front our YOUR home, it would be some dirt with grass seed and hay)
And unemployment benefits (complete with maximum allowable payout and all the emergency extensions) for someone who is SUSPENDED from their job? Honey, that is a GIFT! (maybe it was a combination anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day gift - and it certainly keeps on giving!)
Let's not forget the severance package (no, they were NOT fired) which could be viewed as a gift, since some residents idea of a severance package would have been to run the ex-Chief and ex-Manager out of town on a rail. (And that was the nicest option)
Does the pot really call the kettle black? You betcha.
We think that there should be a headline that says: "Ex Village Manager Moves on to Local Paper - Sour Grapes Now Available in Print!"
Cuz he needed another forum. (not)
Maybe he'll move to Chelsea - heard they have a huge pot of money over there in their DDA. Oh, wait - they televise those now, don't they?
You can actually see where the reporter who's name is on the story, stops writing and another unnamed reporter takes over (dictates?) the remainder. Huh. (Grow a pair already, would ya?)
Interestingly enough, the named reporter wasn't actually there for the entire meeting. Nope, she left, and Sandi Kaye stayed to take notes. (The reporter that should grow a pair wasn't there at all.)
Also interesting to us is that the article is incomplete. Nowhere is there any mention of the Cemetery Clean Up, (the one no one from the paper bothered to cover {maybe cuz it wasn't bad news, and/or didn't take place in Chelsea} even though they knew it was taking place) which was discussed at the Council meeting. Course, how exactly, would you could you twist a Cemetery Clean Up done by volunteers into a bad thing?
Back to the "slippery slope" of council members or Village employees accepting gifts - can you hear us all laughing? Certain names come to mind immediately, as far as "gifts" go. One in particular. (hang on, wiping tears from eyes so typing can continue) Here's a question: How much did that lovely field stone retaining wall in front of a certain ex-Village employee's home cost? (Now you know as well as we do that had that retaining wall been in front our YOUR home, it would be some dirt with grass seed and hay)
And unemployment benefits (complete with maximum allowable payout and all the emergency extensions) for someone who is SUSPENDED from their job? Honey, that is a GIFT! (maybe it was a combination anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day gift - and it certainly keeps on giving!)
Let's not forget the severance package (no, they were NOT fired) which could be viewed as a gift, since some residents idea of a severance package would have been to run the ex-Chief and ex-Manager out of town on a rail. (And that was the nicest option)
Does the pot really call the kettle black? You betcha.
We think that there should be a headline that says: "Ex Village Manager Moves on to Local Paper - Sour Grapes Now Available in Print!"
Cuz he needed another forum. (not)
Maybe he'll move to Chelsea - heard they have a huge pot of money over there in their DDA. Oh, wait - they televise those now, don't they?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sign Us Up
Former Stockbridge High School Teacher Lynette Brown was awarded roughly $135,000 in a severance agreement with Stockbridge Schools.
Brown was placed on Administrative Leave in January after police reported that she had threatened to "off" herself and principal Carl Heidrich.
Where can we sign up for these severance packages they are currently handing out in Stockbridge?
And how come you can't just fire people who do things that absolutely demand firing?
We have no answers for the above questions.
We're not sure anybody does.
Brown was placed on Administrative Leave in January after police reported that she had threatened to "off" herself and principal Carl Heidrich.
Where can we sign up for these severance packages they are currently handing out in Stockbridge?
And how come you can't just fire people who do things that absolutely demand firing?
We have no answers for the above questions.
We're not sure anybody does.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Council Meeting High-Lights and Other Stuff
For those of you that missed the Stockbridge Village Council Meeting, you might be interested to know:
1. There is a $45,000 mistake in the budget created by your former Village manager. And it's not to the good. (shocking, right? eh, not so much)
2. There is an additional mistake in the budget created by your former Village manager to the tune of about $27,000. Again, it's not to the good. (and again, we are just shocked - not)
Free Advice: Go to the Village Offices. Ask for a copy of the budget. Ask to be shown these particular mistakes and how it will affect the bottom line of your Village.
More Free Advice: Show up for these meetings. It looks as if the current council is laying everything on the table, and practicing transparency in government. (which for this Village is something new and different)
Free Suggestion: If you should happen to see Trustee Joe Pena anywhere, you might want to ask him why he doesn't come to meetings. (just a thought)
URBAN LEGEND DE-BUNKED: Evidently the Village of Stockbridge really does have a motorcycle for police patrol. Honest - some citizens have actually seen it on the street! We will gladly post pics of said officer and motorcycle - send them to us at: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com.
Update on Deficit Elimination Plan: There is now a Deficit Elimination Plan. Current Village Manager Ford and others have put together a plan for the deficit that occurred in fiscal year ending 2010, and the additional deficit for fiscal year ending 2011. (Yes, additional. You know who to thank for that, right?) Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
and finally:
It has come to our attention that certain citizens felt that the cemetery clean up was nothing more than a big fat waste of time, and that council members there could have better spent their time on other issues more pressing.
Really? Really? What kind of moron thinks that?
And if that is how you really feel - tuff %*@&.
1. There is a $45,000 mistake in the budget created by your former Village manager. And it's not to the good. (shocking, right? eh, not so much)
2. There is an additional mistake in the budget created by your former Village manager to the tune of about $27,000. Again, it's not to the good. (and again, we are just shocked - not)
Free Advice: Go to the Village Offices. Ask for a copy of the budget. Ask to be shown these particular mistakes and how it will affect the bottom line of your Village.
More Free Advice: Show up for these meetings. It looks as if the current council is laying everything on the table, and practicing transparency in government. (which for this Village is something new and different)
Free Suggestion: If you should happen to see Trustee Joe Pena anywhere, you might want to ask him why he doesn't come to meetings. (just a thought)
URBAN LEGEND DE-BUNKED: Evidently the Village of Stockbridge really does have a motorcycle for police patrol. Honest - some citizens have actually seen it on the street! We will gladly post pics of said officer and motorcycle - send them to us at: stockbridgecitizenherald@gmail.com.
Update on Deficit Elimination Plan: There is now a Deficit Elimination Plan. Current Village Manager Ford and others have put together a plan for the deficit that occurred in fiscal year ending 2010, and the additional deficit for fiscal year ending 2011. (Yes, additional. You know who to thank for that, right?) Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
and finally:
It has come to our attention that certain citizens felt that the cemetery clean up was nothing more than a big fat waste of time, and that council members there could have better spent their time on other issues more pressing.
Really? Really? What kind of moron thinks that?
And if that is how you really feel - tuff %*@&.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Lasting Legacy
On Saturday April 30, the Village of Stockbridge saw true community leadership. At a gathering of volunteers cleaning up the Oaklawn Cemetery, you couldn't throw a stone without hitting an elected official.
Rakes in hand, trucks full of a seasons worth of dead fall, old Christmas decorations, broken plastic pots and other debris, your community leaders and civic minded citizens took matters into their own hands, and had a good time doing it.
Your Village council made a good showing; Don Byrd, Heath Corey, Phyllis Stowe, and Greg Uihlein were there, as was Tom Ford, working side by side with Annabell Howard and Dan Wilson of the SDDA. No one should be surprised that Stockbridge Township officials Paul Risner and Mary Wilson were there as well.
In most cases, these people brought their families, creating a tradition of civic duty that will be its own reward. This is what leadership looks like.
Stories were told about some of the Cemetery 'residents', memories of friendships and families, a legacy in stone and alive in the hearts of the people cleaning up their final resting place. A couple of tears were shed over lives cut short and families left grieving, of good friends gone too soon and children now playing with angels. There are graves adorned with flowers and trinkets, marbles and toy tractors and even a couple of unopened beers. People still pass this way to pay tribute to the ones who sleep here.
It should also not surprise you that there was plenty of laughter in this usually quiet and peaceful place, as the clean up crew told stories about friends and family now gone. All in all, it was a tribute to the people who lie in Oaklawn and the people there cleaning up this history lesson carved in stone.
To all of those who came and worked and shared - thank you, thank you.
The cemetery looks beautiful, and so did you.
Rakes in hand, trucks full of a seasons worth of dead fall, old Christmas decorations, broken plastic pots and other debris, your community leaders and civic minded citizens took matters into their own hands, and had a good time doing it.
Your Village council made a good showing; Don Byrd, Heath Corey, Phyllis Stowe, and Greg Uihlein were there, as was Tom Ford, working side by side with Annabell Howard and Dan Wilson of the SDDA. No one should be surprised that Stockbridge Township officials Paul Risner and Mary Wilson were there as well.
In most cases, these people brought their families, creating a tradition of civic duty that will be its own reward. This is what leadership looks like.
Stories were told about some of the Cemetery 'residents', memories of friendships and families, a legacy in stone and alive in the hearts of the people cleaning up their final resting place. A couple of tears were shed over lives cut short and families left grieving, of good friends gone too soon and children now playing with angels. There are graves adorned with flowers and trinkets, marbles and toy tractors and even a couple of unopened beers. People still pass this way to pay tribute to the ones who sleep here.
It should also not surprise you that there was plenty of laughter in this usually quiet and peaceful place, as the clean up crew told stories about friends and family now gone. All in all, it was a tribute to the people who lie in Oaklawn and the people there cleaning up this history lesson carved in stone.
To all of those who came and worked and shared - thank you, thank you.
The cemetery looks beautiful, and so did you.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Speaking of Freedom of Speech....
Florida pastors Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp want to burn the Quran in front of the largest mosque in North America, which just happens to be in Dearborn, which just happens to be in Michigan, as part of an anti-Muslim rally.
Dearborn wants to charge them about $46,000 for security. (and they're gonna need it. this could get real ugly real quick.) That's the reason for Jones being in court; he's saying he shouldn't have to pay.
No one is saying that Jones and Sapp can't burn the Muslim Holy Book.
That's not in dispute.
Why?
Because Jones and Sapp enjoy the freedom of our First Amendment.
In a nut shell, your First Amendment protects your right to freedom of expression and freedom to practice your religion without government interference.
A lot has been said lately about the loss of freedom of speech at Stockbridge council meetings. People appear to be angry that their allotted time of 3 minutes per comment is somehow unfair; and outlining what will and will not be tolerated during that 3 minutes somehow restrictive.
Any public speaker will tell you that after 3 minutes, you are losing your audience anyway. Their minds are drifting off to shopping lists, doctor's appointments and oil changes. If you can't say what you mean in 3 minutes, you probably don't know what you want to say anyway. Make your point in under a minute and a half, and chances are people will still be listening.
Unless you're Don Rickles or Eddie Murphy, personal attacks on members of your listening audience will at a minimum fall flat, at a maximum offend your listeners, and again, you've lost your audience.
Why do you think Dale Carnegie tells speakers to "open with a joke or friendly remark to engage your audience" ? (mama's translation: you get more flies with honey)
But we're getting away from the issue.
Free speech is alive and well in Stockbridge, for those of you who know how to exercise it as was intended by the Founding Fathers.
For those of you who want to light up the council meetings with riotous antics and burn down reputations, go to Dearborn instead.
There's a couple of guys you should meet.
Dearborn wants to charge them about $46,000 for security. (and they're gonna need it. this could get real ugly real quick.) That's the reason for Jones being in court; he's saying he shouldn't have to pay.
No one is saying that Jones and Sapp can't burn the Muslim Holy Book.
That's not in dispute.
Why?
Because Jones and Sapp enjoy the freedom of our First Amendment.
In a nut shell, your First Amendment protects your right to freedom of expression and freedom to practice your religion without government interference.
A lot has been said lately about the loss of freedom of speech at Stockbridge council meetings. People appear to be angry that their allotted time of 3 minutes per comment is somehow unfair; and outlining what will and will not be tolerated during that 3 minutes somehow restrictive.
Any public speaker will tell you that after 3 minutes, you are losing your audience anyway. Their minds are drifting off to shopping lists, doctor's appointments and oil changes. If you can't say what you mean in 3 minutes, you probably don't know what you want to say anyway. Make your point in under a minute and a half, and chances are people will still be listening.
Unless you're Don Rickles or Eddie Murphy, personal attacks on members of your listening audience will at a minimum fall flat, at a maximum offend your listeners, and again, you've lost your audience.
Why do you think Dale Carnegie tells speakers to "open with a joke or friendly remark to engage your audience" ? (mama's translation: you get more flies with honey)
But we're getting away from the issue.
Free speech is alive and well in Stockbridge, for those of you who know how to exercise it as was intended by the Founding Fathers.
For those of you who want to light up the council meetings with riotous antics and burn down reputations, go to Dearborn instead.
There's a couple of guys you should meet.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Cemetery Clean Up Date
Ok, people, this is where the rubber meets the road.
Time to put up or shut up.
On Saturday April 30, beginning at 10am, volunteers will be cleaning up the cemetery.
All we need now are volunteers.
The response to the banner ad for volunteers to send their contact information to the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald was, well to put it bluntly, dismal. Maybe you didn't want to send us your contact info, and that's ok. We are notifying you now.
Here's your opportunity to pitch in, participate and prove that you want to be a part of the solution.
This is also a wonderful chance to make new friends, see old friends and accomplish a good days work. If physical limitations keep you from doing this kind of work, hell, come on out anyway! The Indians will need a couple of Chiefs! Bring a lawn chair and just enjoy the day outside in the fresh air.
This opportunity is not limited to Villagers.
We encourage Township residents to participate, as well as people from neither place who may or may not have relatives interred here. See? We are an equal opportunity opportunity!
Look forward to seeing you all there.
Time to put up or shut up.
On Saturday April 30, beginning at 10am, volunteers will be cleaning up the cemetery.
All we need now are volunteers.
The response to the banner ad for volunteers to send their contact information to the Stockbridge Citizen-Herald was, well to put it bluntly, dismal. Maybe you didn't want to send us your contact info, and that's ok. We are notifying you now.
Here's your opportunity to pitch in, participate and prove that you want to be a part of the solution.
This is also a wonderful chance to make new friends, see old friends and accomplish a good days work. If physical limitations keep you from doing this kind of work, hell, come on out anyway! The Indians will need a couple of Chiefs! Bring a lawn chair and just enjoy the day outside in the fresh air.
This opportunity is not limited to Villagers.
We encourage Township residents to participate, as well as people from neither place who may or may not have relatives interred here. See? We are an equal opportunity opportunity!
Look forward to seeing you all there.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Vocabulary Lesson
Get out your pencils and a clean sheet of paper.
We are going to define some terms that are being bandied about, which in our opinion, are being used incorrectly.
Ready?
1. Budget: A financial statement of estimated income and expenses of a country for a period of time; also, a plan for financing a government, based on such a statement.
2. Deficit: Deficiency in amount, as of income.
3. Democracy:Government by the people; government in which the supreme power is retained by the people and exercised either directly, or indirectly through a system of representation.
4. Dictator: One who exercises supreme authority in a state.
5. Fact: That which has actual existence; an event.
6. Opinion: Belief stronger than impression; less strong than knowledge; a belief; view; judgment.
Now let's use them correctly.
The current council is trying hard to assess the budget woes of the Village. The deficit in the Major Street Fund is being addressed, and yes there will be an additional deficit as a result of poor financial management by the former government.That's a fact.
In our opinion, the former manager acted as a dictator, in that he wasn't interested in democracy. He felt he alone knew what was best for the Village; after all, he was the smartest man in Stockbridge. And that's a shame. And that's why the Village is in the shape it is.
Class dismissed.
We are going to define some terms that are being bandied about, which in our opinion, are being used incorrectly.
Ready?
1. Budget: A financial statement of estimated income and expenses of a country for a period of time; also, a plan for financing a government, based on such a statement.
2. Deficit: Deficiency in amount, as of income.
3. Democracy:Government by the people; government in which the supreme power is retained by the people and exercised either directly, or indirectly through a system of representation.
4. Dictator: One who exercises supreme authority in a state.
5. Fact: That which has actual existence; an event.
6. Opinion: Belief stronger than impression; less strong than knowledge; a belief; view; judgment.
Now let's use them correctly.
The current council is trying hard to assess the budget woes of the Village. The deficit in the Major Street Fund is being addressed, and yes there will be an additional deficit as a result of poor financial management by the former government.That's a fact.
In our opinion, the former manager acted as a dictator, in that he wasn't interested in democracy. He felt he alone knew what was best for the Village; after all, he was the smartest man in Stockbridge. And that's a shame. And that's why the Village is in the shape it is.
Class dismissed.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority Meeting
The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority meeting is Wednesday, April 20
at 7 pm in the Village Offices.
Plan on attending.
It's your money.
Ask questions.
Learn about the function of the SDDA.
Be a part of the future of your Village by being present at the meetings.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!
Ok, apparently we live in the Land of Oz, complete with a brainless Scarecrow, a Cowardly Lion, and a Tin Man with no heart.
Honestly you need a program to follow the players. There's almost a curtain that comes down between acts.
The Scarecrow was spanked silly by the Village Attorney at last months council meeting, proving that the Wizard (you can figure out who that is) has yet to bestow a brain upon that hapless individual, evidenced by the ridiculous attempt to argue law with an attorney. And the Scarecrow is still spouting law and ordinances with no working knowledge of either.
"I would while away the hours, certain of my powers, if I only had a brain..Oh the thoughts I'd be thinkin', I could be another Lincoln if I only had a brain..." (admit it, you're humming)
The Scarecrow is, not surprisingly, forgetting earlier comments it made, and can't seem to keep track of anything. Who remembers when Scarecrow insisted there was nothing wrong with the budget,(and we were all a bunch of alarmists with a grudge), insisting that the Village Manager and Chief of Police were fired (when in fact they were the parties that had asked for a separation) and insisting that most of the current council was violating the Open Meetings Act (even after having that explained) and calling for prosecution.
Still waiting on that brain....
You will let us know when you can figure out what an isosceles triangle is, right?
Listen, everyone wants to move forward.
The problem is the past keeps coming back to bite the Village on it's ass.
The First Amendment will definitely protect your right to free speech, Scarecrow.
It might even protect your right to be an ass, so you go on ahead.
Better to shut your mouth and let people think you're stupid, than open it and prove them right.
Advice to those of you who want to HELP the Village move forward (you know who you are):
Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Volunteer your time and talent.
Come to meetings and hear for yourself what's happening. It's the only way you'll really know what's going on. Don't take anyone's word for anything. Your information is only as good as your source.
While this blog is truthful and contains hard facts that withstand scrutiny, it is certainly colored by our opinions.
However, we know that we are not the end-all and be-all on every subject under the sun. Unlike the Scarecrow, we can be taught.
Welcome to Oz, children.
There's no place like home.
Honestly you need a program to follow the players. There's almost a curtain that comes down between acts.
The Scarecrow was spanked silly by the Village Attorney at last months council meeting, proving that the Wizard (you can figure out who that is) has yet to bestow a brain upon that hapless individual, evidenced by the ridiculous attempt to argue law with an attorney. And the Scarecrow is still spouting law and ordinances with no working knowledge of either.
"I would while away the hours, certain of my powers, if I only had a brain..Oh the thoughts I'd be thinkin', I could be another Lincoln if I only had a brain..." (admit it, you're humming)
The Scarecrow is, not surprisingly, forgetting earlier comments it made, and can't seem to keep track of anything. Who remembers when Scarecrow insisted there was nothing wrong with the budget,(and we were all a bunch of alarmists with a grudge), insisting that the Village Manager and Chief of Police were fired (when in fact they were the parties that had asked for a separation) and insisting that most of the current council was violating the Open Meetings Act (even after having that explained) and calling for prosecution.
Still waiting on that brain....
You will let us know when you can figure out what an isosceles triangle is, right?
Listen, everyone wants to move forward.
The problem is the past keeps coming back to bite the Village on it's ass.
The First Amendment will definitely protect your right to free speech, Scarecrow.
It might even protect your right to be an ass, so you go on ahead.
Better to shut your mouth and let people think you're stupid, than open it and prove them right.
Advice to those of you who want to HELP the Village move forward (you know who you are):
Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Volunteer your time and talent.
Come to meetings and hear for yourself what's happening. It's the only way you'll really know what's going on. Don't take anyone's word for anything. Your information is only as good as your source.
While this blog is truthful and contains hard facts that withstand scrutiny, it is certainly colored by our opinions.
However, we know that we are not the end-all and be-all on every subject under the sun. Unlike the Scarecrow, we can be taught.
Welcome to Oz, children.
There's no place like home.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Some Facts on Policing
Law Enforcement is a hot-button topic for all the out-county areas, including Stockbridge. When the Ingham County Commissioners decided to balance the budget on the back of the Sheriff's Office with sweeping cuts and elimination of road patrol, the hue and cry raised by the out-county townships fell on deaf ears. What to do?
Stockbridge Township held Town Hall meetings to inform residents of the impending cuts to their coverage. They were sparsely attended. Commissioners Randy Schafer and Steve Dougan, Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth, Under sheriff Alan Spyke, Detective Sergeant Brian Valentine, Stockbridge Township Supervisor Paul Risner and Trustee Ed Wetherell were at the first meeting, as were approximately 30 residents. Options were discussed. Concerns were voiced. There were no easy answers.
Conspicuously absent: anyone from the Village Council.
Subsequent Town Hall meetings were held in a mostly ignored effort by Stockbridge Township government, to inform citizens of the current policing issues and some of the options being explored.
Still absent: anyone from the Stockbridge Village Council, Management or Police Department.
Supervisors for the Out Counties as well as residents attended County Law Enforcement Meetings and County Comissioners meetings, all asking the County Commissioners to halt the proposed cuts to the Sheriff's Office, all to no avail.
The cuts began, and the schedule was moved back - no longer would the end date of road patrol be 2012. It was now January 2011.
The vote on the Special Assessment failed. People who had little money to begin with decided they didn't have the average $150.00 per year for law enforcement protection. Perhaps they felt they were being strong-armed by the Commissioners. (they were, after all, paying taxes just like everybody else in the county) Whatever the reason, in Stockbridge Township at least, there were no assessment dollars to fund law enforcement.
Supervisor Paul Risner sent a letter to the Village, asking for a representative to contact the Township regarding the option of the Village Police Department policing the Township. A fact finding meeting to include estimates on cost and coverage.
No one ever responded.
The Village paid little or no attention to the problem of policing for the Township; after all, they had their own police department, such as it was.
The shake up caused by the elections of a new Village President and new trustees, and the subsequent resignations of the Village Manager and the Chief of Police put the Village Police Department and the cost of running it in the spotlight. The budget shortfalls and the lack of any cash reserves in the Village meant a tightening across the board. Now the Village found itself in much the same position as the Township: what to do about policing?
A Police Committee appointed by President Byrd set out on its own fact finding missions. Some of what they found was astonishing. Case in point: the cost of running the Unadilla Township Police Department versus the cost of running the Village Police Department. For example, the Village is approximately 1 square mile with a population of approximately 1200, as compared to Unadilla Township which is 34 square miles with an approximate population of 3190.
The Village of Stockbridge Police Department (before the resignation of the Chief) employed 5 officers and patrolled (the term patrolled is used loosely here) roughly 88 hours a week (after Village employees took an 8 hour cut), at a cost of about $180,000.00.(that figure is probably much more given benefits, equipment, and costs)
The Unadilla Township Police department employs 1 part time Chief, 1 Sergeant, and 3 officers who patrol 120 hours a week, 1 investigator who works 16 hours per week, and has 3 reserve officers who donate 16 hours per week for patrol at a cost of about $200,000.
How do you account for the disparity?
A large portion of your Law Enforcement dollars were directed to the former Police Chief, in the form of salary and benefits.
And, you get what you pay for - or not.
And why should you care about the Ingham County Sheriff's Office and their depleted resources?
Who do you think had your back when your part-time Police Department was closed?
And who do you think responded when your former Chief refused to come back to your Village to take calls? (even though that was WHY he had the patrol car to take home?)
Who responded to the latest armed robbery when your Interim Chief John Torres needed a K9 unit to track the suspect?
And now with reductions, they aren't there like they used to be.
You can't look to the Sheriff's Office to pick up the slack - they have (at best) 2 deputies to patrol all 446 square miles of Ingham County. They'll still come,, but it might take a while.
There are no easy answers to the question of public safety. Just ask Stockbridge Township - they have been wrestling this particular issue for two years.
Everyone wants to feel safe in their own homes and on the streets of their town. They want to know that when they lock up their businesses, they'll stay that way. They would like to think that the bicycle the 10 year old left on the front lawn will still be there in the morning.
But safety costs money.
And that's the bottom line.
***Please note that corrections have been made to this post. The actual population of the Village is approximately 1200 residents. (the number stated previously, 600, referred to actual parcels, not people.) The hours of policing are 88 hours per week, down from the 96 hours previously spent. All employees of the Village took an 8 hour cut, with the notable exceptions of the former Manager and Chief. We are sorry for the inaccuracies and any confusion this may have caused. The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Stockbridge Township held Town Hall meetings to inform residents of the impending cuts to their coverage. They were sparsely attended. Commissioners Randy Schafer and Steve Dougan, Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth, Under sheriff Alan Spyke, Detective Sergeant Brian Valentine, Stockbridge Township Supervisor Paul Risner and Trustee Ed Wetherell were at the first meeting, as were approximately 30 residents. Options were discussed. Concerns were voiced. There were no easy answers.
Conspicuously absent: anyone from the Village Council.
Subsequent Town Hall meetings were held in a mostly ignored effort by Stockbridge Township government, to inform citizens of the current policing issues and some of the options being explored.
Still absent: anyone from the Stockbridge Village Council, Management or Police Department.
Supervisors for the Out Counties as well as residents attended County Law Enforcement Meetings and County Comissioners meetings, all asking the County Commissioners to halt the proposed cuts to the Sheriff's Office, all to no avail.
The cuts began, and the schedule was moved back - no longer would the end date of road patrol be 2012. It was now January 2011.
The vote on the Special Assessment failed. People who had little money to begin with decided they didn't have the average $150.00 per year for law enforcement protection. Perhaps they felt they were being strong-armed by the Commissioners. (they were, after all, paying taxes just like everybody else in the county) Whatever the reason, in Stockbridge Township at least, there were no assessment dollars to fund law enforcement.
Supervisor Paul Risner sent a letter to the Village, asking for a representative to contact the Township regarding the option of the Village Police Department policing the Township. A fact finding meeting to include estimates on cost and coverage.
No one ever responded.
The Village paid little or no attention to the problem of policing for the Township; after all, they had their own police department, such as it was.
The shake up caused by the elections of a new Village President and new trustees, and the subsequent resignations of the Village Manager and the Chief of Police put the Village Police Department and the cost of running it in the spotlight. The budget shortfalls and the lack of any cash reserves in the Village meant a tightening across the board. Now the Village found itself in much the same position as the Township: what to do about policing?
A Police Committee appointed by President Byrd set out on its own fact finding missions. Some of what they found was astonishing. Case in point: the cost of running the Unadilla Township Police Department versus the cost of running the Village Police Department. For example, the Village is approximately 1 square mile with a population of approximately 1200, as compared to Unadilla Township which is 34 square miles with an approximate population of 3190.
The Village of Stockbridge Police Department (before the resignation of the Chief) employed 5 officers and patrolled (the term patrolled is used loosely here) roughly 88 hours a week (after Village employees took an 8 hour cut), at a cost of about $180,000.00.(that figure is probably much more given benefits, equipment, and costs)
The Unadilla Township Police department employs 1 part time Chief, 1 Sergeant, and 3 officers who patrol 120 hours a week, 1 investigator who works 16 hours per week, and has 3 reserve officers who donate 16 hours per week for patrol at a cost of about $200,000.
How do you account for the disparity?
A large portion of your Law Enforcement dollars were directed to the former Police Chief, in the form of salary and benefits.
And, you get what you pay for - or not.
And why should you care about the Ingham County Sheriff's Office and their depleted resources?
Who do you think had your back when your part-time Police Department was closed?
And who do you think responded when your former Chief refused to come back to your Village to take calls? (even though that was WHY he had the patrol car to take home?)
Who responded to the latest armed robbery when your Interim Chief John Torres needed a K9 unit to track the suspect?
And now with reductions, they aren't there like they used to be.
You can't look to the Sheriff's Office to pick up the slack - they have (at best) 2 deputies to patrol all 446 square miles of Ingham County. They'll still come,, but it might take a while.
There are no easy answers to the question of public safety. Just ask Stockbridge Township - they have been wrestling this particular issue for two years.
Everyone wants to feel safe in their own homes and on the streets of their town. They want to know that when they lock up their businesses, they'll stay that way. They would like to think that the bicycle the 10 year old left on the front lawn will still be there in the morning.
But safety costs money.
And that's the bottom line.
***Please note that corrections have been made to this post. The actual population of the Village is approximately 1200 residents. (the number stated previously, 600, referred to actual parcels, not people.) The hours of policing are 88 hours per week, down from the 96 hours previously spent. All employees of the Village took an 8 hour cut, with the notable exceptions of the former Manager and Chief. We are sorry for the inaccuracies and any confusion this may have caused. The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Spring is Springing!
Well, it looks like the weather may finally break. It would be nice to be able to guarantee no more snow, but this is after all Michigan, and weather-wise anything can happen.
However, according to those who predict our local weather, we should look forward to warmer temperatures - a definite Springtimeyness is in the air.
Of course we should expect the April Showers, it is April, but the time to begin the Spring Clean Up in the Cemetery and around the Village is pretty much at hand.
As in other posts, volunteerism was stressed as a way to give back to our community, and hopefully ignite a flame of civic-mindedness here in Stockbridge.
Spring Cleaning is a tradition in many households, with mom going absolutely bonkers as soon as she saw the first crocus, stripping beds, beating rugs, emptying cupboards and moving every appliance in the house. Notice you probably didn't see much of dad during this; he was usually hiding in the barn.
Wouldn't it be something to see people putting down their differences and picking up rakes in an effort to beautify this wonderful town? What a sight it would be to see the residents working side by side, accomplishing more than just clearing away the detritus of fall and winter.
They would be working together toward a common goal, and the very nature of that act would form bonds that could see this Village through troubled times. Maybe even create new friendships along the way.
It's entirely possible that a group of volunteers could write a new chapter of cooperation in a town so fractured by it's past. Mend breaks. Heal old wounds.
All those in favor, signify by saying "Aye"
Those opposed? Stay home.
However, according to those who predict our local weather, we should look forward to warmer temperatures - a definite Springtimeyness is in the air.
Of course we should expect the April Showers, it is April, but the time to begin the Spring Clean Up in the Cemetery and around the Village is pretty much at hand.
As in other posts, volunteerism was stressed as a way to give back to our community, and hopefully ignite a flame of civic-mindedness here in Stockbridge.
Spring Cleaning is a tradition in many households, with mom going absolutely bonkers as soon as she saw the first crocus, stripping beds, beating rugs, emptying cupboards and moving every appliance in the house. Notice you probably didn't see much of dad during this; he was usually hiding in the barn.
Wouldn't it be something to see people putting down their differences and picking up rakes in an effort to beautify this wonderful town? What a sight it would be to see the residents working side by side, accomplishing more than just clearing away the detritus of fall and winter.
They would be working together toward a common goal, and the very nature of that act would form bonds that could see this Village through troubled times. Maybe even create new friendships along the way.
It's entirely possible that a group of volunteers could write a new chapter of cooperation in a town so fractured by it's past. Mend breaks. Heal old wounds.
All those in favor, signify by saying "Aye"
Those opposed? Stay home.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Life Lessons
Life is a series of lessons. Some learned through trial and error, some learned with humility, some with grace.
Some of life's lessons are ingrained on us from childhood: Don't take what isn't yours; clean up your own mess; play fair; don't cheat; don't tell lies; be a good sport, no one likes a sore loser.
Some were learned with the gentle urging of a mother's voice. Some were learned at the end of a switch or the back of a hand.
However you learned your lessons, there they are, stuck in your head forever. Not that we always pay attention to that voice in our heads. We do disregard it on occasion, and usually find out we should have listened.
Mama knew best, and was trying to teach you lessons to carry you into adulthood. (and unless your mom was Ma Barker, the lesson were for your own good.) You're supposed to know how to be a grown up.
Part of being a grownup is admitting when you're wrong.
Apologizing to injured parties without a caveat of "but if you wouldn't have."
So imagine the utter shock of no apology from Karen Smith, who upon hearing that her tirade about violations of the Open Meetings Act by Trustees Uihlein, Stowe and Corey and threats of prosecution were, well, WRONG, offered no apology - zero.
I don't imagine we'll hear one from Russ Mackinder who made the same allegations in a Letter to the Editor in the local paper, either.
So let's call it what it is:
Sour Grapes.
A last, desperate effort by a sore loser (see mama's lessons) to smear people with good intentions and sound legal advice. (I'm sure the Village attorney would be glad to argue the Open Meetings Act with you ... for a fee .. too bad you missed the meeting, where we all got to hear it for free)
Maybe it would do you guys good to take another of mama's lessons to heart: Don't speak unless spoken to - and stay the hell out of adult conversations. You don't know what you're talking about.
Thus endeth the lesson.
Some of life's lessons are ingrained on us from childhood: Don't take what isn't yours; clean up your own mess; play fair; don't cheat; don't tell lies; be a good sport, no one likes a sore loser.
Some were learned with the gentle urging of a mother's voice. Some were learned at the end of a switch or the back of a hand.
However you learned your lessons, there they are, stuck in your head forever. Not that we always pay attention to that voice in our heads. We do disregard it on occasion, and usually find out we should have listened.
Mama knew best, and was trying to teach you lessons to carry you into adulthood. (and unless your mom was Ma Barker, the lesson were for your own good.) You're supposed to know how to be a grown up.
Part of being a grownup is admitting when you're wrong.
Apologizing to injured parties without a caveat of "but if you wouldn't have."
So imagine the utter shock of no apology from Karen Smith, who upon hearing that her tirade about violations of the Open Meetings Act by Trustees Uihlein, Stowe and Corey and threats of prosecution were, well, WRONG, offered no apology - zero.
I don't imagine we'll hear one from Russ Mackinder who made the same allegations in a Letter to the Editor in the local paper, either.
So let's call it what it is:
Sour Grapes.
A last, desperate effort by a sore loser (see mama's lessons) to smear people with good intentions and sound legal advice. (I'm sure the Village attorney would be glad to argue the Open Meetings Act with you ... for a fee .. too bad you missed the meeting, where we all got to hear it for free)
Maybe it would do you guys good to take another of mama's lessons to heart: Don't speak unless spoken to - and stay the hell out of adult conversations. You don't know what you're talking about.
Thus endeth the lesson.
Gettin' Schooled
So, an object lesson in ... stuff ...
Last night's council meeting was informative.
Don Byrd explained his resignation and retraction of same and declared it a dead issue.
Karen Smith got schooled during public comment by the Village Attorney regarding the Open Meetings Act, and how it's applied to committees on fact finding missions. (Do you think she reprinted her blog on the subject and ate it? Probably not; she was too busy having hallucinations about unicorns and cotton candy and peppermint)
Monica English got a lesson in working for the Downtown Development Authority, in which she learned that Anne Moceri, Heath Corey and Molly Howlett consider her an employee of the Village, even though she doesn't work for the Village, and those same people only want to make sure everything about her hiring is "above board." (stop snickering)
The council voted to hire Tom Ford as interim Village Manager for a hell of alot less money than we paid the former Village Manager. ($10 an hour not to exceed 30 hours a week, often less than that depending on what needs to be done [now there is a truly civic minded gent-kudos] and evidently he really is a Village employee)
Anne Moceri championed the cause of not including the names of people who speak during public comment, saying that you couldn't approve meeting minutes that included comments unless those same people were there to say that yes, in fact, they did say those things. (Then she choked on her coffee when it was suggested that recording meetings would take care of that. "What? We're recording meetings? We didn't vote on that!) (belly laughs allowed here)
Joe Pena was absent. Again. Some more. Still. (do you think after his performance last month he was too ashamed to attend? [ just heard a snort from the back row] What? It could happen...)
Linda Dancer's unemployment benefits were discussed.(she's been collecting benefits since her suspension) The Village is paying those directly since the Village opted out of Unemployment Insurance. So, good to know where the money (which the Village doesn't have) is going.
The Deficit Elimination Plan was discussed, and in no uncertain terms, absence of same laid directly at the former Village Manager's door. A plan is being put together now, and really, that's all the Treasury Department wanted. (this is called taking care of business and moving forward)
So, good meeting, well attended by Villagers.
We got schooled.
And it was informative.
Nice to be back in school.
Last night's council meeting was informative.
Don Byrd explained his resignation and retraction of same and declared it a dead issue.
Karen Smith got schooled during public comment by the Village Attorney regarding the Open Meetings Act, and how it's applied to committees on fact finding missions. (Do you think she reprinted her blog on the subject and ate it? Probably not; she was too busy having hallucinations about unicorns and cotton candy and peppermint)
Monica English got a lesson in working for the Downtown Development Authority, in which she learned that Anne Moceri, Heath Corey and Molly Howlett consider her an employee of the Village, even though she doesn't work for the Village, and those same people only want to make sure everything about her hiring is "above board." (stop snickering)
The council voted to hire Tom Ford as interim Village Manager for a hell of alot less money than we paid the former Village Manager. ($10 an hour not to exceed 30 hours a week, often less than that depending on what needs to be done [now there is a truly civic minded gent-kudos] and evidently he really is a Village employee)
Anne Moceri championed the cause of not including the names of people who speak during public comment, saying that you couldn't approve meeting minutes that included comments unless those same people were there to say that yes, in fact, they did say those things. (Then she choked on her coffee when it was suggested that recording meetings would take care of that. "What? We're recording meetings? We didn't vote on that!) (belly laughs allowed here)
Joe Pena was absent. Again. Some more. Still. (do you think after his performance last month he was too ashamed to attend? [ just heard a snort from the back row] What? It could happen...)
Linda Dancer's unemployment benefits were discussed.(she's been collecting benefits since her suspension) The Village is paying those directly since the Village opted out of Unemployment Insurance. So, good to know where the money (which the Village doesn't have) is going.
The Deficit Elimination Plan was discussed, and in no uncertain terms, absence of same laid directly at the former Village Manager's door. A plan is being put together now, and really, that's all the Treasury Department wanted. (this is called taking care of business and moving forward)
So, good meeting, well attended by Villagers.
We got schooled.
And it was informative.
Nice to be back in school.
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