Post Recall Observations
May/16/2010 11:14
This blog is the unedited text of a letter I sent to the Grosse Pointe News after their headline reported “no change!” after the recall election.
The engagement of Shores residents in the recall movement has clearly resulted in a number of beneficial changes in our city. I thank the paper for publishing my observations in their May 13, 2010 edition.
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To the Grosse Pointe News Editor:
While the headline of your last edition trumpeted: “Recall fails; no change” this statement is far from true. While Mayor Cooper may have survived the election by a slim 40 vote margin, and the other two remaining members of his slate also managed to hold on to their seats, the fact that they were denied the crushing mandate they expected speaks volumes. It was also telling that city voters were widely split, with the recall carrying in Precinct 1, south of Vernier Road. The incumbents managed to hold on by getting more votes in their mutual home Precinct 2, north of Vernier.
With an outcome so close, the incumbents must realize that many whom they counted upon as supporters had to have cast their ballots against them in the sanctity of the voting booth. If after this recall, our elected officials and city manager don’t understand that Shores voters expect both accountability in the way their tax dollars are managed and a clear change in the way business is conducted at city hall, I don’t know what else could show them this.
As a result of the recall, the facts about why Shores finances are in such dire shape from the years of deficit spending under the Cooper administration are now out in the open. Shores citizens are highly engaged in an important dialog about the future of our city. Brian Hunt and Fred Minturn, who as the key members of the finance committee bear a good deal of culpability for the Shores present financial picture both chose to resign, rather than to face the judgment of the voters. Ted Kedzierski, a staunch advocate of fiscal responsibility, is now mayor pro-tem and finance committee chair. City council meetings are now televised. I doubt the incumbents will pass another tax increase this fiscal year. These positive changes would have never have occurred without a recall effort enjoying support from a broad base of Shores citizens.
The core nucleus of recall volunteers and supporters consider the collective results of our effort as a very positive achievement. The Save our Shores Committee plans to stay engaged as our city moves forward, continuing our efforts to disseminate the facts, promote fiscal sanity, and advocate for council competence and government transparency at Shores city hall.
Besides the headline, I must also take issue with the article that implies Shores public safety director Steve Poloni quit over the recall. The recall did focus on the excessive pay and retirement compensation of our past and current city managers as well as certain other department heads. However, at no time did the recall effort target, criticize, or even mention the management of our outstanding Grosse Pointe Shores Public Safety Department.
If Chief Poloni felt pressure to make a move, I can only conclude that it came from forces within city hall, and not from him being a focus of the recall movement. Perhaps his move to Ecorse has to do with the fact that the Shores only rewards the city manager, and not any of the department heads, with the luxury and security of serving under a contact. While several city council members have told me they are in the dark about the precise reasons behind the chief‘s resignation, I sincerely hope that residents are provided with a better explanation of Chief Poloni’s departure at the next council meeting than he is leaving because of the recall.