Laura Harrison-at-Large

In General Hi, Frank.  Are you having fun yet? I find it interesting all the comments made by assorted people regarding several things. My question is: would all this be going on if the economy were better and jobs were plentiful? I have to agree with Commissioner Miller about his stand regarding wanting to talk about the city budget. I think there were several opportunities in the past several months, where he put the budget on the CC agenda and other commissioners blew him off and didn't want to discuss it. This city has serious money problems and no one wants to talk about it. And a millage is not the answer. Putting one's head in the sand solves nothing. I commend Bill Shaw for his tenacity regarding Royal Oak's legacy costs. Another item that should be discussed are the various city funds and how those monies are spent. e.g.-water fund, parking fund, road fund, DDA fund, etc. Anyone ever heard of transparency?  Oh, silly me!

About Appointments This is a comment regarding appointments to boards. I applied to the ZBA and the DDA for the first time back in the mid-eighties and finally was named to the ZBA in 1988 (I think).  Anyhow I was still on the board when I ran for city commission.  When I won (much to my amazement), I had to resign from the ZBA. Conflict of interests. Jim Johnson had to resign from the DDA when he was named to the Commission for the same reason.  City Attorney at the time made the ruling. After I returned to my "real life", I wanted to get back on the ZBA.  It was a board I enjoyed working on and felt I could offer my past experiences. The rules have changed after the new Master Plan & codes replaced the very old one. Something else new is the Training session ZBA members have with a zoning expert. We have one coming up in May and I am making a list of questions. Even at my advanced age, I am still learning. But remember, and this was pertinent now as it was back in the 80s, the person who applies for the variance at the ZBA MUST prove hardship. That is my #1 criterion.

A new theme appeared as other readers besides Laura reacted to last week's VersagiVoice. I'm being told that it is unfair to state or imply that only the city commission is guilty of less-than-straightforward handling of volunteer appointments. A handful of residents whose identity I know described past incidents, during earlier city commissions, when named department heads maneuvered to oust volunteers who asked too many questions or who challenged a committee's institutional mindset. An especially troublesome committee was dissolved and its duties moved elsewhere at the behest of ____, a couple of readers claim.

Added Comment:
If one's exposure to our elected officials is limited to watching or reading about their performance at The Table, the pictures of individual personalities may be distorted. For example, Chuck Semchena, somber and lawyerly during CITCOM meetings, currently serves with me on the Charter Review Committee. Before Chuck, there were Carlo Ginotti and Pat Capello. Without exception, these commissioners make/made no attempt to pull rank. They work with us volunteers, bringing in their official position only when it provides context for our deliberations. In contrast, during the mid-90s, commissioner Tom Kuhn made it clear that he was running the CRC. Of interest, our current city attorney, Dave Gillam, was deputy city attorney at the time and served as the city's legal liaison to committee. (Gillam left the city for several years before returning.) Today, the CRC is served by Assistant Deputy City Attorney Mark Liss.

Another example: I have sat in on a meeting or two of Parks & Rec, where Terry Drinkwine is the attending commissioner. He mingles, takes part in the volunteer-and-staff dialogue, offers to follow up on questions, without demonstrating any of that bulldog demeanor which sometimes characterizes his behavior at The Table. Then there are the informal appearances of the elected officials at civic and social gatherings throughout the year, where they may or may not be introduced while they mingle.

There's an applicable analogy which I use in my management consulting: Think of Royal Oak city government, its operations and its people, as a shiny apple with a brown spot here and there. While addressing the brown spots, of its operation and its people, keep in mind that the bright shiny red apple is still there. -- FJV: 22 Apr 09

§ I see several inaccuracies in the legacy cost list of R.O. retired police officers. The report of my pension does not include the 3 years military time I bought bringing my length of service to 27.1 yrs rather than 24.1 yrs. Some like Philip Barach with 43.42 yrs is way off. -- Dick Stanley, R.O.P.D. Retired

NOTE 1: VersagiVoice readers have relayed complaints from retired and current city employees who maintain that publishing financial information about them is a violation of privacy. Afraid not. One of the trade-offs which taxpayer-paid public servants have to accept is that their compensation is, must be, a matter of public record. Not as serious, but worth mentioning as the public mood turns sour in Royal Oak, is the reaction re VersagiVoice, expressed as, "Some of us are surprised that you're still standing."

NOTE 2: Other retirees have reached out directly to VersagiVoice, offering diverse viewpoints about all this. I'm going to take time to absorb what's coming in before deciding whether and how to use their input helpfully.

§ Frank, My thanks to Bill Shaw for exposing the Retiree Benefits for the city employees of RO. I must say it took me several hours to get myself off of the floor after I passed out. I knew it was a huge expense to the city but never dreamed "how big." No private business could give these amounts away after so little years of service and not go bankrupt. It's sad that the taxpayers have no say when the "hens take over the chicken coop" but we will for many years pay the price. After reading this list I don't feel sorry for our city and its budget crisis WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!

On another note I agree with the refusal to grant a permit to Bordine's. Jim Domanski's quote about competition being everywhere does not apply to this. English Gardens spent good money to fix up a building in our city. They are struggling to do business all year, they put up a terrific light display for us all to enjoy. They support this city 12 months a year and Bordine's moves in to set up in a parking lot during their busy season. I applaud the ethics. -- Ilene Hill

§ I think that the commission should stop playing games and fighting against each other and start doing their job. They were voted in by the citizens of R.O. and they should start listening to the citizens. They need to leave their differences at home and come together at the table and make the City of Royal Oak and its Citizens come first. Thank you, Frank, for all you do and enlightening the citizens of R.O. -- Carol Hennessey

§ [Re Commissioner Andrzejak's suggestion to post retiree legacy payments and active employee compensation on city's website]
Both great ideas and valid points. I do not, however, believe the City Commissioners need to prove or reveal their source of income although if said income is related to any company doing business with the City of Royal Oak the timing of payments and amounts should be revealed to dispose of any possible conflicts of interest.

On another topic, I was watching the City Commission meeting (March 23, 2009) and was stunned, once again, to watch the Commissioners with a 4-3 vote deny the new “Q” BBQ Restaurant application to transfer in a liquor license from outside of Royal Oak. Mayor Ellison made a fantastic counterpoint voting against the denial. Perhaps if the Commission would let a liquor license transfer into Royal Oak, the existing liquor licenses in escrow would come down to a price level a reasonable business person would be expected to pay. -- Barry Stoey

Another experience with the Freedom of Information Act.

Addressing your Obama comments:
You ask whether there is anything to governing besides talking.  After serving as an elected official for almost 8 years I can tell you definitively that the answer is NO.  All politicians can do is speak and write to persuade others to their point of view.  Barack Obama is not going to personally fight in Afghanistan, is not going to repair the space shuttle and actually isn't even going to type up his own budget.  What he can do is develop and present ideas and try to get other people to follow them. -- Scott Galloway, Ferndale

Ok Frank, I read your website and I'm on a rant. I found it appalling that Michael Steele found it necessary to apologize to Rush Limbaugh for calling him out as being out of touch with most republicans. As a right leaning independent I feel that, if the republican party is unable to get down to the business of being fiscally conservative, hawkish on national defense and tough on crime, while at the same time staying out of people's personal lives, the party will fall by the wayside. Whatever happened to separation of church and state. It is interesting to meet and talk with members of the gay community, who are also fiscally conservative, tough on crime and hawkish on national defense, but have no choice but to support democrats, because the republicans have the "morality police" telling them how to live their lives. The republicans are quickly becoming the insignificant party of grumpy old white guys. I know personally, unless the leadership of the republican party is willing to tell hard-line, egotistical, close-minded bigots like Limbaugh to go screw themselves, I'll be voting for democrats in Washington for the foreseeable future. -- Clyde Esbri

Is it time to declare Limbaugh-led Republicans as the modern equivalent of the Whig Party (founded 1833-died 1856)? Their philosophy owed much to warmed-over Federalist ideas, in opposition to the populism of Andrew Jackson.  They succeeded in electing two presidents, both former generals in an age of American expansionism, who died in office.  Like CPAC Republicans they squabbled among themselves about America's true path, which led to the ultimate breakup of the party over (among other things) slavery.

Their St. Reagan(s) were Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, whose death removed their most forceful personalities, just as should anything happen to the Blessed Rush, I suspect the Republican party would be in for a few hard years.  Or he may yet lead it off a cliff, in which case the Whigs may return. There are still Whigs (in name) around (see http://modernwhig.org/) although they would be more likely to have voted for Obama than McCain based on their web site. -- Brendan Wehrung

Finance Director re Leaf Collection
[Commenting on a money-saving suggestion]
Leaf collection is funded by a special voted solid waste millage. The leaf collection service is probably a major reason why our citizens voted for that millage. There is no general fund money used for leaf collection.

 

That means any savings that would accrue from discontinuing leaf collection could not be used to maintain police, fire or any other general fund activity. It would remain in the solid waste fund.

 

I think you will find most cities collect leaves. Historically, I believe this started when burning leaves was banned. -- Don Johnson: 28 Jan 09

Former commissioner re DDA appointment
I read your latest update and I was surprised to discover that, according to your report, I had recommended that the entire DDA board be dismissed. This statement really left me puzzled. Nowhere in my statement did I suggest that the entire DDA was mis-focused, and if you listen to my words, you will hear me say "I think you need some fresh blood", not a complete transfusion. Since I will soon be joining them as a member, I think it is important to set the record straight so we can all move forward for the benefit of our city. Thanks for your attention. -- Pat Capello: 28 Jan 09

(VersagiVoice readers took seriously my plea last week that we all need a break from focusing on the city's financial and political conundrums.)

Being an inveterate reader, I have been pleased to read your "Book Reports" and even though I may not read all the books - I do have some different tastes - I do appreciate reading your reviews. Thank you. -- Laurie Levy

About wildlife in urban areas. When I was out this summer campaigning for my wife, a resident showed me a doe and her fawn sleeping in the backyard of a vacant home. The backyard abutted the I-696 service drive and was between Hoover and Schoenherr (close to the ITC transmission lines). -- Mark Liss

The History of the Christmas Parade emcee
The following communication is provided by Peggy Goodwin, former Marketing Consultant for the DDA.

As you are aware, I elected not to renew my contract this year because of other client obligations after six years of building the holiday magic parade, sponsorship of it and a concerted consumer marketing plan for Downtown Royal Oak.  I would like to share the facts about parade narration that were stated, in part, by Commissioners Capello, Ginotti and Lelito last night.  It is so sad to see this debate taking place period, but especially with the recent tragic pedestrian deaths of a beloved senior citizen and a woman cycling to work, the escalating rate of foreclosures, unemployment, etc and yes – the city budget debate. Mr. Shaw said it best. 

Regarding parade narration on WROK, each year I worked with Rich Wilson and Greg Walter, to secure emcees for the parade.  The first few years we had representatives from our media sponsors including reporters from the Detroit Free Press, Daily Tribune and Mirror alternating along with attorney Charlie Langton (Langton was already an established WROK volunteer). 

Though all Commissioners and the Mayor were invited to participate each year, three commissioners and the mayor attended the parade each year and enjoyed being part of it.  In 2005, I asked Commissioner Ginotti if he would be interested in emceeing because he really enjoyed it, was a good fit with Charlie Langton, and, as an elected official – I believed it helped to humanize a City Commissioner’s role.  In 2006, I asked Commissioner Capello to join Commissioner Ginotti, because, she too, was great ambassador of the parade and willing to take it on.  There was no coercion, political pressure or posturing to obtain this volunteer position.  It also goes without saying that each of them possesses the necessary talents of improvisation, articulation, enunciation and most importantly, a sense of humor.  I do believe it is healthy for the community to see two elected officials, who may have been at odds at the commission table at times, coming together for the good of the community – and, it is nice to have both a male and female perspective.  It was also clear that Mayor Ellison and Commissioner Lelito, enjoyed walking in the parade each year.  These were the elected officials from the Commission table who attended the parade each year.  Having Commissioners Ginotti and Capello narrate the parade did not ever preclude anyone else from volunteering or inquiring about it, whether an elected official or not.  The fact is, they wanted to do it – they enjoyed it and the community enjoys them. 

I so miss Pat Capello’s rational and eloquent delivery of the facts – as she presented last night at public comment.  Everything she said was spot on!  It was very sad to see that Commissioner Ginotti’s name was published in the Free Press as if he was being fired from a paid position.  And, I do recall that the DDA is empowered by the elected officials who make up the City Commission, not vice versa. They may be “sponsoring” the parade, but they have always gotten full credit, visibility and thanks for the parade from the Commission table, the media and elsewhere. -- Peggy Goodwin

 ===