Issues Summary by Dr. Janice Pemberton
September/10/2009 18:57
Neighbors....I have "reviewed" a LOT of the issues that are piling up with our present Council (incumbents) and Mayor and have "summed" them up by the following....also, as I look at the tax bills and see the increase in mills while envision the burgeoning debt of our bonds, pensions, health care costs...I see not only our city topping at 20 mills in the not too distant future, but with the "special tax assessments" added up...our tax bills will weigh-in over 40 mills (we're paying over 30 now)....that's not fantasy...that's too close to reality with these incumbents and this mayor....and as our property values continue to fall, we place our residents (of which the majority are older) in jeopardy with a shaky stock market, uncertain future of our nation's economy (not to mention Michigan's economic "bust") and 401 Ks or retirement monies not able to keep up with living costs....I believe that we will lose a large number of our "founding" residents - those who have made this community strong, who have paid their fair share of taxes over many years and who should NOT be looking at ANY higher taxes, should not be forced to selling their beloved homes in a sorry-housing market, should not be worrying that they can't enjoy the city that they helped build and beautify....our residents deserve better...we ALL deserve better....think about this as you read my simple "summary"......
What do you call a Council and Mayor that do not follow their own "hired" professional's suggestion to NOT sign a Comcast contract and to further discuss it in closed meeting format-
but, instead sign a Comcast contract?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that don't ask the hard questions about water towers, like where are the water mains, what are the size of the mains, routing of the mains-
but, instead are ready to build a water tank, resurfaced with brick, planted around with fully grown trees, with a 30 year debt to the taxpayer, that infringes on 3 streets of property values and has a "noise factor"?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that don't post an information meeting about the water tower-
but start it earlier than some of their own Council members know about?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that don't allow resident questions during an information meeting about the proposed water tower-
but instead allow taxpayer input at a later date when the decision to build is already made?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that allow companies and contractors to talk as long as they need to at a Council meeting, no time limits-
but instead limit the taxpayer (who pays the companies and contractors) to 3 minutes and only one chance to talk per meeting?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that allow residents to speak on agenda items at the beginning of a meeting-
but won't define agenda items until during the meeting?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that won't allow residents to speak after each item on the agenda is presented-
but remain firm on the "form" for the agenda?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that let the manager have the freedom to bring more debt/loans to the taxpayers-
but won't demand that the manager bring back to the Council the details of these debts/loans FIRST before any decision can be authorized?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that use a Master Plan to further their goal of a community center-
but don't address the on-going cost and increase of taxes such a structure with necessary personnel and maintenance will incur?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that want to build a community center-
but through their own Master Plan document that the population of the city is declining, tax revenues are decreasing, property values are falling, vacant homes are increasing and rentals are becoming burdensome to neighborhoods and public safety?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that want to raise taxes-
but through their own Master Plan document that the reason people leave Grosse Pointe Shores is because of high taxes?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that pay proposed bills-
but don't have documented contracts for those bills?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that won't demand union contract renegotiations-
but allow the Manager to choose not to be involved in any union concessions?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that don't recognize the talents and expertise of its own Council members and residents-
but instead place unknowledgeable Council members and residents on key committees?
What do you call a Council that demand no resident clapping or side-talking at council meetings-
but clap and side-talk when they want?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that praise substandard performance-
but criticize expert opinion and validated expertise when they run counter to their wishes?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that allow only the Mayor to have "office hours"-
but refuse to allow other Council members to speak with residents on issues?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that recognize the first year of a new City's Council puts everyone at the first year of serving-
but refuse to recognize the new City Charter and the rules for placing the highest vote getter as the Mayor pro tem?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that try to stifle responsible questions and actions of appointed Council members-
but want lock-step agreement on all Council business?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that try to stop resident inter-communication-
but refuse to meet with residents to discuss problems and actions that are in question?
What do you call a Council and Mayor that need to have paid legal counsel at every Council meeting-
but refuse residents their right to access that same paid legal counsel?
What do you call such a Council and Mayor?....A RECALLED COUNCIL and MAYOR!
Dr. Jan Pemberton