Speak Out 4/1/15

Spending is

killing the city

There was a plan in place to build a new City Hall/Municipal Utilities/Police Department at the beginning of 2014. The Council at that time had reserves in the "Capital Improvement Fund" of $2,000,000. Municipal Utilities was planning on funding $4,000,000 for their portion of the new facility. This money would have come from the anticipated sale of City Cable which netted an $8,000,000 surplus to Municipal Utilities.

There was a rough estimate of $7,500,000 to $8,000,000 for a 35,000 sq. ft. facility to house City Hall, Municipal Utilities and the Police Department. This would have left the City borrowing $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 to build this new complex on property they already owned just across Oak Street. This was a very attainable plan and would have been well underway by now.

Our community decided to "change directions" in April of last year. Instead of a new facility we have a $2,000,000 phone system in a building that is literally falling apart. The old phone system in city hall was one of the few things that worked well. You actually were able to talk to a person when you called instead of a recording.

Our Municipal Utilities Offices are now in a double wide trailer with $60,000 of phone equipment that was bought new and simply wasn't good enough for Mr. Kaplan or his Michigan consultant, ISI.

The Police Department actually puts tents over their phone and computer equipment when there is a threat of rain or snow.

On a recommendation from Mr. Kaplan, the Council borrowed $5,000,000 for a phone system, automated metering for MU and police department equipment. This $5,000,000 was spent on "bells and whistles" when we really needed "bricks and mortar". ( By the way he is urging the Council to borrow another $3,000,000 right now.)

We have taken a giant step backwards with a well meaning, but very inexperienced new council that is being manipulated by a city manager with a questionable track record. A hole has been dug and is getting deeper every day. Layoffs through attrition have already started and will have to continue in order to dig out.

Mr. Massingham is a very competent assistant city manager and is conservative with taxpayer's money. We need that now more than anytime in the history of our City. This Council needs to terminate "the king" and give our City back to the people that elected you.

I heard Ted Kruz when he announced he was running for president say that he wanted to abolish the IRS. He would have a flat tax for everybody for people to fill out their taxes on a post card and send 'em in. Well, here's my question, Senator Kruz, where would you send the post cards to since you are abolishing the IRS? Would there be some kind of internal system for generating the revenue of the United States since you are abolishing the IRS? Are you going to replace it with some other type of government agency to collect these taxes? This flat tax.

I don't think that you really thought this plan through other than through sound bites and what you think the voters you can pander to. I would just say this. If you become the Republican nominee, I swear to God I would vote for Hillary Clinton even if I had to write her in if you keep saying such stupid things. But, it's early. You're the first one declared. You'll probably be the first one out. I hope the Republican Party puts a little effort into picking a nominee for President of the United States. We haven't done so well the last two elections. Thank you.

Why do you

hate Kaplan?

Yeah, I was calling and wondering why everybody hates Mayor Kaplan. I thought he done a great job on Welcome Back, Kotter! Thanks a lot.

Run-in with

a school bus

A school bus almost hit me in the Hardee's parking lot. A pedestrian is no match for a school bus.