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April 2007 Postings 4-30-2007-07
Here are all three links for David
Keith Legge in one post. Assessor Rich Brooks has introduced him to
people as his brother-in law.
He was paroled from California on January
18, 2007 and paroled to the custody of the State of Michigan. Notice on
the link immediately below that he is listed as living in
Delta/Escanaba..
His date of birth matches exactly with the
Adopted Prisoner Penpals link, the third one of the three.
The link immediately below is the article in the Desert Dispatch at the time of his arrest http://www.amfor.net/penpals/display.cgi?prisoner=california_t77915 The chances of this not being the same David Keith Legge are extremely remote, especially when the date of birth in the Penpals link (when he was in a California prison) matches the Michigan parolees link, which also places him in Delta county. It would be a simple matter for the City Manager or Rich Brook or David Legge to post a verifiable e-mail attesting to and be willing to sign an affidavit that this is not the correct David Legge. The accusers have made aq very strong case. Let the defense, if any exists, speak up. 4-30-2007-06 I understand that Marquart's office
was called and he was questioned about this appraiser Dave Legge and if the
rumor about a criminal record was true. Sounds like his comment was that he just
heard about it and was looking into it. He said if it is true, he would take
appropriate action! 4-30-2007-05
A response to post #4-30-2007-04:
I guess I could see some projects
having additional costs of, say, 3 or 4% (on expensive projects, that's a
serious chunk of capital), but, 30, 40, or 50%?!!
Another interesting thing about the link to
Breitung Township's board minutes is that they record things in their
minutes that actually make sense, with reasoning, intent, and
conclusions included. It must be nice to have an open and honest government
like Breitung. Sigh.
4-30-2007-04
There have been some comments here about
how Bacco Construction wins City projects with the low bid, and then adds on
extra charges/change orders after work is started or completed, which make
the final cost more than what the higher bidders submitted. This has been
brought up because one of our city councilmen is an executive at Bacco
Construction. Want proof of that?
Follow this link to the April 3, 2007 Breitung Township Board
meeting and read the first item on the agenda, where you will find that
Bacco tacked on extra charges to a project to the tune of around 50%
over their bid amount. Unlike Iron
Mountain, Breitung Township is looking elsewhere for future road projects.
4-30-2007-03 Interesting situation unfolding on this David Legge character. Before it goes any farther, I'd like to see some real, documented proof that our David Legge and the one with the long and disturbing criminal background are one and the same. That's as far as I'm willing to comment on that for now. 4-30-2007-02
What kind of con is this? This Legge guy was paroled from a California
prison in January and, suddenly, by February or March he is supposedly
trained with an adequate knowledge to assess Michigan property? And the City
just accepts this guy and pays him? I’ve never heard of anything so
irresponsible in my life.
And what about the background check? Even retail stores and motels require
background and drug testing before hiring someone. How does such a travesty
happen? Is everyone in this administration and on this Council insane?
Even if they boot this guy now, how can we ever know what information he has
already taken? How is the City going to protect us now? Where was the City
Attorney in this fiasco? There has to be hiring regulations. Why is nothing
being followed by the people running this City?
There had better be some major investigating into this. There needs to be
accountability for this.
4-30-2007-01
Do you realize what risk we, the taxpayers, of
Iron Mountain are facing? If This guy has access to the assessors records,
he has access to Federal ID numbers and Social Security numbers. Anyone
having filled out a Homestead form has their SS# on file in the assessors
office. An identity theft gold-mine!
What's the City going to do to protect the
tax-payers from what he may have already accessed? This is no longer minor
....
4-29-2007-02 A Call for Ted Corombos,
Bill Calcari, et al. to Run for City Council I believe Iron Mountain's
present government is dangerous and injurious to the city. I believe its
elected and hired leadership is ignorant, shortsighted, deceitful, and
incompetent -- if not plainly corrupt. That it governs darkly, shiftily, and
smarmily, with an oily false charm and media hype rather than substance. That
it hides behind jargon and rationalizations of political correctness and
progressiveness, thriving on half-truths, distortions, false optimism, and
outright unresponsiveness. That it victimizes innocent individuals and groups
to further its own agenda. That its approach to practically everything cuts off
the city's nose to spite its face. Its attempt to simply look good with
shortsightedness and immediate gains about which it crows in the media is
already damaging the city, today, right now, costing the city not less but more,
and will be immeasurably more expensive in the long run. Any citizen who
chooses to do his or her homework -- or simply stays awake and pays attention --
is aware of instance after instance of the City Council's and city managements's loud,
disingenuous, and highhanded arrogance in the very face of its ineptitude.
Unless that citizen is gullible enough to be duped. Again. And again. And
again. We need a majority of smart and, importantly, decent human beings on the city council. People who clearly put the city first, ahead of a select few with special and/or offbeat interests. Candidates who realize that the citizens benefit when the city benefits, not when only the council members, city management, and their supporters benefit. I, for one, would be unspeakably appreciative and grateful if Ted Corombos and Bill Calcari -- and perhaps some like-minded colleagues -- would run for city council this year, win, and start getting this city back on track. Their knowledgeability and experience would be of the highest value in restoring to Iron Mountain a perceptive degree of integrity, respect, and honor. Common sense, intelligence, and responsiveness. Openness, honesty, competence, financial responsibility, and fairness. These guys and others of the past may have stumbled occasionally, but their plusses far outweigh their minuses. That this city has managed to survive and tick along as well as it has in recent decades is due to them. Let's face it: Clint Eastwood
and Charles Bronson, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper, Kevin Costner and John Wayne
weren't exactly saints, but they sure were a hell of a lot better than the bad
guys they confronted. 4-29-2007-01 The link below shows the extent and
magnitude of the capers of David Legge. This guy is no amateur. Would you
want him snooping around in city documents? 4-28-2007-02 Please be mindful of personal attacks on this Forum. Please just present the facts and keep the personal opinions to a minimum. This is not directed at anyone. I just feel this issue could get a little sticky. Thanks for visiting. Webmaster 4-28-2007-01 There will more on this David Keith Legge character that his brother-in-law Assessor Rich Brook hired. Wait till you see the rap sheet. This guy's record will astound you. 4-27-2007-02
The post from 4-26-2007-03 got me thinking and searching.
There’s a Michigan Offenders tracking site.
http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2.html
I typed in some names and am hoping that the David Legge that I found is not the one doing assessments. If this is the same guy; I, for one, do not want a recent parolee checking out my property. Sure a parolee deserves a chance at a job; but should it be a job that includes checking out people homes (in ANY capacity)?
If this is the same guy that the City is paying,
he was just paroled in January after serving a 9-year sentence for multiple
counts of drug-related crimes including Grand Theft & Forgery.
Here's more. [The birth date is the same as the one on the OTIS site.] 4-27-2007-01
If the City Manager only has authority
to spend $3500 without council authority, he has violated the city
policy by sending a dispatcher to Police Certification School at NMU
at a cost far exceeding $3500. This person reportedly was getting
his dispatcher pay while attending school, had a motel room or
apartment paid for and some meal allowances.
Is there any evidence in City Council
minutes authorizing this expenditure? If not, what is the city
ciouncil and the city attorney going to do about it?
4-26-2007-03
Who are these people getting paid for the re-assessments? If they are
contractors of Rich Brook, they should not be paid individually by the city.
If they are employees of the City, what was the hiring process? Were they
interviewed, qualifications and backgrounds checked, approved by the
Council?
I don’t recall any of this happening; yet these people are being trusted to
assess our property. I want to know if they are qualified. I want to know if
they are people I even want on my property, let alone deciding its value.
Are our tax dollars paying more out-of-towners? I just want to know to whom
my tax-dollars are going. What checks and balances exist to prove these
people are actually doing the work that they submit bills for? Is the City
just taking Rich Brooks word for it? I’ve haven’t seen any proof yet that he
knows what he’s doing.
4-26-2007-02
4-26-2007-01
If the City Manager only has authority to
spend $3500 without council authority, he has violated the city policy
by sending a dispatcher to Police Certification School at NMU at a cost
far exceeding $3500. This person reportedly was getting his dispatcher
pay while attending school, had a motel room or apartment paid for and
some meal allowances.
Is there any evidence in City Council
minutes authorizing this expenditure? If not, what is the city ciouncil
and the city attorney going to do about it?
4-25-2007-02 Post 4-25-2007-01makes some
excellent points. For example, the City Manager, by policy and NOT by City
Charter, has the authority to spend $3,500 without council authority. The
purpose of this policy is to allow for emergencies. It was never intended to be
used recklessly. 4-25-2007-01
He may be doing as he damn well pleases now, but if people can get the
Attorney- General to look into ALL of the City Charter violations and
take action, this manager (and possibly the council-members who allowed it
all; and others in administration, like the clerk, who are in violation)
could be finding themselves in court.
They may think they are allowed to do as they please because they are the
local ‘power‘; but violating the City Charter can be serious. Even many of
the minutes that Jordan submits into record are in violation. Does this
young man even understand the ramifications of that? Mr. Marquart’s
instructions or approval do not let violators off the hook. There are powers
above this council and administration, and they seem to have forgotten this
fact. I do hope there are knowledgeable people out there documenting these
violations.
We’ll see how they like be made accountable and hit with fines or worse.
This will not be paid by any City money! I strongly suggest the members
of the Council and Administration thoroughly read the Charter (since I doubt
many have read it through completely) to see just how liable they could be
for violating it (and violations include doing nothing to stop the Manager
from violating it).
4-24-2007-02
Does anyone know much have we spent on the
computer upgrades so far?
It looks like it will never end. Just in
the March issue of the Vendor Approval Summary Report
we have:
Vendor's Name Item
number Amount
Anderson Tackman
7 $ 13,311.75
Apex
Software 8
310.00
Teck Solutions,
Inc. 137
2,748.50
Total $ 16,370.25
This so-called upgrade was supposed to be a
technologically driven labor saving operation.
As far as anyone can tell, it not only
hasn't saved any labor, the training for the current personnel has cost
many thousands of dollars. Overkill in a "favored" area, total
disregard for many other more need areas.
Is there a chance we can upgrade our 1980's
era streets and alleys. Nope, no money for necessities, but plenty for
toys.
4-24-2007-01
Looking over the March Vendor report, I see
where STS Consultants got a $27,400 check.
The breakdown doesn't tell you much as far
as what each separate item cost. I did notice they didn't forget to
charge for the Parking Lot Design, as well they should since they did
it. My questions is who the hell authorized it? Going over the very
sketchy City Council minutes for months, I don't see where the council
ever voted on it or authorized it.
Same question for other items listed. If
they were authorized by the council, when was it done?
Not than any of this surprises me, you
understand. What passes for business as usual around there is often
illegal at worse or questionable at best.
If you're the City Manager and nobody
question you, I guess you do whatever you damn well please.
4-23-2007-02 4-23-2007-01
So we have spent $150,00 to $200,000 for a
big computer upgrade and we can't properly put employees on the
payroll. As a business owner, my first question would be were their
FICA, Federal and State withholdings taken out of the paychecks and NOT
entered or credited to the Federal Income tax, FICA, and State accounts.
If their gross pay didn't show up, did the
deductions. Uncle Sam and the State don't like to get stiffed.
God forbid if a City Council or the State of
Michigan ever ordered a full FORENSIC audit of City of
Iron Mountain accounting. A forensic audit doesn't only check to see if
the numbers balance, but like a full-blown IRS audit, demands a paper
trail to determine that every dollar was properly authorized in the
first place, and if not, WHO authorized it. This gets into the
criminal area.
4-22-2007-02
Well. It seems that, once again, a legitimate concern posted a few times here has been brought to light. At the last council meeting it was noted that, yes indeed, there was an employee "inadvertently" left off of the payroll for the past several months. In fact, there were two! With around $15,000.00 of OUR money not openly accounted for, I wonder that no one on the council ever questioned the discrepancy. Rubber stamps.
By the way, even after the big flap about the
reassessment fiasco, the March vendor reports show Rich Brook raked in over
$14,000.00 last month to drive on with it. There is even a new name on the
list of "in-house" people doing the reassessments.
I hope to God someone truly is conducting an
investigation of this city government.
4-22-2007-01
Where does the proposed pavillion and restroom in the parking lot behind the Downtown Plaza stand nowadays?
I hope that nutty idea has been laid to rest
for good. Whose idea was it anyway? I have yet to hear who dreamt up,
but I've heard plenty of comments ridiculing it.
From what I've heard, Marquart and
Tousignant had the design drawn up by STS Consultants and presented it
as a done deal. I am not sure that the city council ever
authorized spending the money for the design.
Marquart has told many people it would be
done before the Hog Wild Festival in July. It doesn't look like that's
going to happen, but I would be more comfortable knowing the whole idea
has been officially SQUASHED.
4-21-2007-02 Does anyone know where the ISO
Rating issue stands? That could be important to every property owner in Iron
Mountain. 4-21-2007-01
Doesn’t anyone check the facts? Don’t the details matter? If this Brittney
Hoszkiw is so “experienced”, shouldn’t she be able to spot the obvious
before providing or approving photos to accompany an article?
The photos in Saturday’s paper state they are from today and the 1970s. Well
look at that car parked in front. That’s no 70’s car! The photo on the left
is obviously current… you can see the yellow colors on the Twisted Sisters
Boutique; but the picture on the right is not a 70’s picture. Not only is
the car more modern, but the tree in front is the same height. There’s not a
lot of growth, so it can’t be that many years between photos. Whomever
provided the pictures can share the embarrassment with the City for not
checking for accuracy before submitting for public scrutiny.
4-20-2007-02
Interesting post on Marquart's job
history. He hasn't exactly risen to great heights in the City Manager
world has he. Seven different City
Manager jobs since 1983.
Not many City Managers can match that
record. It's not his fault. It's those stupid city councils that don't
appreciate his talents.
4-20-2007-01
Hog Wild is just another promotional effort
that gives its profits to a good cause. Fine if you're not a downtown
merchant for those three days. It forces some of them to shut down, just
about every one of them says it inconveniences them or their customers.
So it doesn't do much for downtown businesses.
Almost every city uses these kinds of
gimmicks. Iron River has the Rodeo. Crystal Falls has the Fungusfest.
Florence, for years, had a Labor Day celebration. They finally gave it
up because it turned into an all-day drinking spree with drunks
staggering all over town.
More important, and to the point, what good
have these promotions done for the long-term benefit of those
communities. Did industry suddenly decide to create jobs there? Did
anyone decide to move there permantly because of a festival? Of course
not.
There is no end to such promotions all over
the country. Cherry Festivals, Apple Festivals, Garlic Festivals,
Turnip Festivals, etc. Many also throw in a Queen contest. No harm in
all this. They can be interesting, maybe a fun way to kill a few
hours. Same with the upcoming Italian Fest.
As long as nobody thinks any such promotions
really change anything, they're fine. They have a very short shelf
life. The day after they're over, everything returns to normal.
It is only when the city wants to spend
large sums of money, such as for pavilions, bandshells, etc. for the few
days a year that they would have any function, that most citizens feel
it is wasteful. Let the promoters or displayers put up their own tents
for the day and there would not be much controversy.
4-19-2007-02
WOULD YOU HIRE THIS MAN?
John Marquart's job history.
Graduated from Western Illinois Univ. with
a Masters degree in 1976, over 30 years ago.
Worked as office administrator for Helmley
& Hansen law firm in Chicago for an unknown period between 1976 and
1983.
1983-89
- City Administrator of Darien, IL, a southwest Chicago suburb. 2000
census 22,860.
This stretch of approximately
six years appears to be his longest tenure in any job.
1990-91
Unfilled time gap.
1992-93 Village
Manager of Richton Park, IL., another southwest Chicago suburb. 2000
census -12,988. Two years.
1994
Gap
1995-96
City Manager of Country Club Hills, IL, yet another southwest Chicago
suburb.
2000 census 16,169
All of the jobs from 1976 through 1996
appear to be in the Chicago area, unless the gaps took him somewhere
else.
1997-98
Borough Manager Wilkinsburg, PA, a Pittsburgh suburb.
2000 census 19,196.
Fired Jan. 7, 1999.
1999-2001
Borough Manager Edgewood, PA, another Pittsburgh
suburb. Area size 3/5
of a square mile, 2000
census 3,700. This small suburb is adjacent to
Wilkinsburg. Twenty
years into his administrative career he went from a city
of over 20,000,
(Darien, IL) to one of 3,700.
2001-03
Borough Manager Dormont, PA., another Pittsburgh suburb.
200 census
9305. Area six about
3/4 of a square mile. Fired Jan 5, 2004.
Hired by Iron Mountain, MI March 3, 2004.
First City Manager job in an area that was not a suburb of a
metropolitan area.
Does this 30-year bounce-around
resume impress you. I didn't think so.
4-19-2007-01
The city cant even take care of what they have
down now and they want more. I was driving through downtown last night and
notice how dark it was between A&B st. three of the four street lights were
burned out so I started looking around the downtown area and counted eight
of the lights out on us2 , 2 on m-95 and six of the decorative ones on the
side streets.
4-18-2007-02 I went to the TIFA board meeting
yesterday (Tuesday). Sure is different from city council meetings. Throughout
the meeting, the TIFA board engaged in dialogue with the audience. There were
three city council members present, too. Here is a guy who flies to Europe
regularly as a computer consultant, is scheduled to go to South Africa shortly,
yet somehow found time to compile statistics, make drawings and present them
clearly and concisely. STS consultants would have cost the city quite a few
thousand bucks for such an effort. 4-18-2007-01
I was reading a book about Harry
Truman. During his 1948 campaign, when he was viewed as having no
chance of defeating Thomas Dewey, he kept harping about the
"Do nothing congress." Both the Senate and House were
controlled by Republicans at the time. Of course, he won.
With two words changed, it
describes perfectly the current Iron Mountain City Council. It's a
"Do nothing right Council."
Never has a city council been sued more
often. Never has a city council blundered more in writing
ordinances. Never has a city council been more deceptive in
informing the citizens of the true finances of the city. I've been
resident of Iron Mountain for just over 25 years. I've talked to
people who have been here far longer.
None of those I've talked to, at least
25-30, can recall a worse three year period than we've just
endured. This city council is very likely to go down in history as
the worst city council EVER. If anyone can recall a worse one,
please post about it.
4-17-2007-02
Potential candidates for city council
If there has even been a time that Iron Mountain
needs to replace the present council, mayor and manager, the time is now.
Living in Iron Mtn for over 30 years, I have
never seen a city government who has done more damage to the city, the
citizens, the morale of the staff and employees, fire and police departments
and to the financial stability of the city!
The politics and self interest groups, who have
benefited from this manager and mayor (including their own benefits) through
the puppet council, is known throughout the Upper Peninsula and our
beautiful city now has a reputation that we cannot be trusted.
Look about you, look at the damage and review
the distortions and 1/2 truths over the past several years and it is
undeniable!
Everyone will disagree with city government at
one time or another and that is healthy. Many will get angry and feel they
have been wronged, because only half of a population can be pleased only
50% of the time in city politics!
That is not the issue we are faced with today!
This city management has gone beyond any sense of decency, moral obligation
and compassion for it's citizens. It has far exceeded its jurisdiction and
power of government under the city charter and this management has divided
the people against one another, brother against brother, firemen against
police and friends against friends.
Please be selective on who you recommend for
running for office. Please read the facts and study the issues and do not
listen to your council and mayor and manager for guidance of the future! You
will hear a lot of propaganda over the next few months, but learn the real
facts yourself! They will issue releases about the great things they have
done since being in office while ignoring the facts of who really
were responsible for the god things that have happen and there are some good
things! Do your homework and ask questions from knowledgeable people who
care about this city and then form your opinion based on fact.
We don't have to all think alike but we do need
to think together to rid us of this administration!
Hopefully, Dale Allesandrini, Ted Corombus, Jim
Urbany and a few others will run again to help this city get back on it's
feet again. I'm sure there are many others that are equally qualified.
Please recommend them, give their names to this web site and help us rid
this city of a dictatorship beyond imagination.
There's not much time to meet the deadline of
May 12th!
Good job Web Master and thanks for all you do!
4-17-2007-01 Important information for individuals interested in running for Iron Mountain City Council position. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CANDIDATES CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR THE IM CITY COUNCIL 4-16-2007-01
Looks like we're in a calm-before-the-storm
mode. The city administration is overwhelmed by the many problems it
faces. So much so that the it has taken up the head-in-the sand strategy
hoping they will be forgotten, overlooked, or magically go away. They
won't.
No effort has been made to enter into labor
negotiations with the police, firemen or public works unions on expiring
contracts. The budget for next year (July 1,2007 to June 30, 2008) has
to be passed before the end of May.
None of the issues mentioned repeatedly on
this site have been addressed. Nothing on the assessor fiasco. Nothing
on the water and sewage issues. Nothing on the miles of roads that need
paving. Nothing on the dire financial situation the city faces.
Borrowing from local banks for vehicles and other equipment has become
standard practice. Meanwhile, we hear how the fund balance has grown.
Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul has never been the road to success.
In fact, they are engaging in just such a
Ponzi scheme, and like all Ponzi schemes, it will end badly and fall on
the backs of the taxpayers. Reminds one of Marie Antoinette's famous
quote, "After us, the deluge." The deluge is coming. Totally oblivious
to all this, they are dreaming of pavillions and bandstands, Cool Cities
and Main Street programs, paths and trails.
Mismanagement on such a grand scale comes
with a very heavy price tag. They don't know or care. After all, it's
not their money. It's yours.
4-14-2007-02 As Was diving by City Hall at about 10:00 am this morning I couldn't help but notice a city DPW worker at John Marquarts car. What he was doing surprised the hell out if me, its a little thing but there might be bigger things in the future. The DPW worker was changing Marquart license plate on his car. I can't believe that the taxpayers are paying for this and he can't even change a plate on his own car. I don't even think that this would be a issue but the man doesn't treat people with respect, so that is why I had to bring this out. 4-14-2007-01
There is no doubt that the Chippewa Club
grease is responsible for the sewer problems faced by Mr. Giguere.
There are laws concerning grease traps. They are obviously violating
the law. This is not the first time, either.
If they have an inadequate grease trap or
aren't maintaining it properly, why should Mr. Giguerre, or the city,
for that matter, be the victims.
Send the State Restaurant Inspector up there
to straighten 'em out. Sue 'em for the damage they caused. Maybe
Marquart and Tousignant can take a look at the grease trap when they're
up there sipping drinks, but I doubt if grease traps fall within their
area of expertise.
4-13-2007-02 On the subject of the sewage problem on Fleshiem Street. That area has to be flushed quite often because of the grease problems in the sewer lines. It has to be coming from somewhere. Maybe the problems could be avoided in the future simply by reminding everyone in the area, including the high-falutin’ club at the top of the hill, to stop dumping their grease down the drain. 4-13-2007-01
I just finished reading the Trying Too
Hard to be Cool article under the Cool Cities link. Everyone
visiting this site should read it.
It points out the flaws and the history of
the Cool Cities concept. The other articles on that link are also well
worth reading, including The Curse of the Creative Class.
We are seeing the same pressure being
applied here, namely to make over Iron Mountain into a Cool City that
practically nobody here wants. Who, besides the Mayor, is excited
about this concept. A few of his cronies, maybe.
Inexperienced, with an attitude of
self-importance, an arrogant demeanor, and a mind-set that presumes we
are too ignorant and parochial to manage our lives without his
intervention, he plows ahead. He knows that full exposure will doom his
vision of Iron Mountain.
In administrating the affairs of the city,
he is so devoid of the most basic skills that he finds himself in one
confrontation after another. Often, under pressure from interested
citizens, he quietly drops a project and moves on to another. He has
created more litigation during his term as mayor than any of his
predecessors by a wide margin, again because of inexperience and
arrogance. Unfortunately, he has a City Manager who has many of the
same character traits.
Only the City Council can override them. To
date, they have shown little inclination to reign in the pipe
dream mentality of this duo. Only a change in to composition of the
City Council will bring sanity back into City Hall.
4-12-2007-02
I read many of the links on this site about cool
cities. I think the saddest thing about the whole program is that the aim of
cool cities is to brush the concept of the "nuclear family" to the wayside,
left to slowly fade from importance. I don’t care one way or another if we
have more diversity. I care about family values, and having a nice place to
raise children, like this town has been for over one hundred twenty-five
years. Suddenly, it’s no longer "cool" to have family values as a selling
point to attract new business. What is this world coming to?
I don’t understand why we can’t have a place
where we can pride ourselves on growth and industry and a great place
to raise kids. Cool cities is about having "hip" places for young adult
people to meet, and that’s about it, for all the hoopla. It’s a sad
joke on us that we were never told any of this. We were just sold a "vibrant
downtown" bill of goods by the manager and council, never hearing that
that’s ALL that matters. I am disgusted with the whole concept. Can't we
get rid of it or something?
4-12-2007-01
I carefully read the article
from the Citizen's Research Council. I want to thank the writer for sending
it in. I think others should read it, too. To me, the article enforces
what most of the writers here are saying. The council is taking one facet
of many that need to be considered in local economic development and ramming
it down the throats of everyone involved, including our neighbors. This
flys in the face of the many other facets that are supposed to be given just
as much weight by the council, such as building trust among our
neighbors, improved management-labor relations, etc. Tunnel vision, e.g.,
focusing on one thing at the expense of other equally important things, is
shooting their plan in the foot.
Thanks again for posting that. It was very well
written and very informative.
4-11-2007-05 Hello Folks: Some of you have been having an e-mail problem with this site. From what I can see if you send a post to the Auto-reply address it gets bounced back. If you are sending a post please do not use the reply address ironmountainissues@autoreply.ironmountainissues.org this is just an automatic reply message and not a valid e-mail address. Please use the following address to send in your post ironmountainissues@ironmountainissues.org Thanks, Webmaster 4-11-2007-04 The posts on Cool Cities was very helpful and informative. Kinda let's us know about the hidden agenda of this council, and especially the Mayor. Thanks. 4-11-2007-03 "The right to criticize government
is also an obligation to know what you are talking about." Lent Upson 1st
Executive Director of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. 4-11-2007-02
To the business owner in post 4-10-2007-02: I’m not sure I fully understand
your post. Going on this website helps YOU, but you NEVER share it with
others. Are you implying that you can get something out of it, but others
aren’t able to see beyond the negativity to also get something out of it?
Unless we share the site with as many people as possible, how will we get
ALL aides of the issues? The more people who come here, the better our
chances of getting more information and more opinions.
If you see things that you’d like to respond to, by all means DO that! Maybe
even Dr. Baker could decide to comment if someone enlightened him to
the existence of the website.
Yes, gay bashing is hideous; but so is ‘gay pride’ when it is flaunted.
Sexuality should not be an issue in community dealings. Unless we are making
an outward display of what should be a private issue, no one would even be
aware of someone else’s sexual orientation. Many communities these days make
a point of publicizing homosexuality. They have gay parades, gay community
centers, etc. Have we ever needed “straight” parades or “straight” community
centers? Any sexual preference, gay or straight, hurts me personally
when it becomes a public display. Perhaps that is the concern (even fear) of
many who turn that into bashing.
As far as issues being one-sided…. Most are. Whether or not Bob Baker gave a
good presentation, it was still one-sided. It was HIS view… his take
on the facts he gathered. I still have questions about how closing
one launch on a lake will help. By all means, I’m open to anyone clarifying
that for me.
Certainly there is sarcasm. Many of the people posting on this site have had
it up to their eyeballs with the dealings of this City Administration.
They’ve tried the rational approach and been put down, torn apart, deceived,
ignored, or worse. By the time they’ve reached this site, they just want to
let it out. I can read through their emotion. It doesn’t make the facts any
less real. I guess we need to show some TOLERANCE for what many citizens
have been put through, and their need for a release.
Share your views, share the website so others can have input and a chance to
‘hear’ others. If you can benefit, so can those you perhaps think you are
protecting.
4-11-2007-01 I would suggest to poster 4-10-07-02
that he recommend to Dr. Baker that he post his recommendations on this site for
discussion. It can only help to get more information. 4-10-2007-02 As a business owner, I feel that we need a website in order to communicate and see what’s going on with our government. We just don’t have time to talk to each other, and we frequently don’t get the whole story from media sources. Being able to go on the website helps me, personally, to fill in some of the blanks and answer questions I have. But I NEVER give out the website address. Why? Because there is too much negativity and bashing of other people on here. This website can be a fantastic resource for communication. Nobody ever agrees on everything, especially in politics. Don’t you want to know both sides? Do you wonder if there is another side you aren’t hearing? I know a lot of the issues because I talk to a lot of people – people from both sides. And I can’t tell you how many times I see things I’d like to respond to, because there is more to the story than the writer realizes. When you post things that are dripping with sarcasm and prejudice, it is truly a big turn off. It’s so much better to present your facts in a logical, unemotional way and invite intelligent comment. You might be wrong…don’t you want to know? And I also think the gay – bashing is hideous. Does the gay lifestyle hurt you personally? It is a personal choice, like the ones we all get to make. And if you are lucky enough to go out in the real world and see things this group has had a hand in accomplishing, you might have a little more respect. At the very least, tolerance. What’s going on in the city has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Using it as part of your case against the city is just plain ignorant and it dilutes the real issues. More people would get on here and post if it could be a little more respectable. A for instance…Dr. Bob Baker did an excellent presentation at the last city council meeting regarding why the other Lake Antoine boat launch should stay closed. I later read something on the website that Bob could have answered easily that would shed a lot of light on why this might be a good idea. It would be great if Bob could come on this website and explain it. It’s a big issue – and important. You get my point. We should try harder to make this the great website we need. And I’ll even give out the website address…..! 4-10-2007-01
More Michigan Cool Cities informative links.
Very interesting and informative reading, if you ask me.
In the rest of the state, it's fairly obvious
what "Cool Cities" is really about. And Richard Florida, for that matter.
Watch for signs of the real Cool Cities agenda, as discussed in these
articles, coming into play in Iron Mountain. Soon.
4-9-2007-05 To answer a couple of the
questions 4-9-2007-04 The DDA is the boss for the Main street program, all moneys should go though the DDA books, But I don't understand why the City put in 20,000.00 for the wages for Brittney. I thought that the business owner for suppose to pit up 1/2 of the wages. Could someone shed a light on this subject. 4-9-2007-03
As a frequent visitor to this site, I have seen
many questions posed by writers. Some of them get answered, some don't. I
would greatly appreciate it if someone out there can address any of these
unanswered question posed recently:
I'd like to know if someone out there can update
everyone on the landlords lawsuit. The judge was supposed to have ruled
that certain areas of the ordinance had to be changed, and that was the last
public airing of the issue. Does anyone know what had to be changed? Have
the changes been made?
What about the question of how the code
enforcement officer is getting paid? Does anyone know? Anyone?
Is the city still paying Rich Brook and
others (appears so in the vendor reports) to continue on with the apparently
useless re-assessments?
What's happenng with the downtown parking lot
joke? Did they actually look at the parking space ordinance now that
someone pointed it out on this website?
What is a GAMES convention? Why will no one
answer that question?
Why was Aaron Harper given false information for
his report on the property sale issue that was cancelled and then
rescheduled? Who gave that information to him? Is Aaron
following up on why he was made to look like he was in the city's pocket?
Why is the identity of the developer of
the Champion building being kept secret? That is taxpayer money involved,
and the public has a right to know. How was this developer selected? Does
this person have a connection to anyone on the council? What are his
credentials, i.e., what qualifies him to have hundreds of thousands of
dollars of taxpayer money spent to subsidize his potential new business?
Was anyone else given a chance to submit developement proposals, or was this
person hand-picked?
What's happening with the ISO rating? Any new
developements there?
What ever came of the so-called emergency
meeting of the council to discuss what happened at 1200 Grant Street?
What REALLY happened with the train horns
issue? The explanations seem a bit ambiguous.
It ANYONE but the incumbents running for
council? FOR SURE? I talked to one person mentioned here as running, and I
came away with the feeling that he is not.
Any news news on annexation? Consolidation?
425 agreements?
What engineering projects "more than paid" the
salary of the unnecessary public works director, as sold to us by Marquart?
Why did we pay for four people to attend an MML
meeting?
Where is our bike trail?
Is there truly an active investigation into the
doings of our council and city manager? If not, whoever posted that did a
grave injustice to everyone.
4-9-2007-02 Quote from the below mentioned website "Revenue of one plan may not be used to pay an obligation or expense of another plan." Very Interesting 4-9-2007-01
I think the author of 4-7-2007-02 is on to
something. How can the DDA give a $10,087.75 dollar contribution to the Main
Street Program? If the Iron Mountain DDA was established according to Act
197 of 1975, the DDA has no authority to spend revenue to pay an obligation
or expense of another plan.
http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,1607,7-238-43876-154691--F,00.html
It looks like the city is doing everything to
funnel all DDA revenue into the downtown area.
4-8-2007-01 When many of us left big cities to move here, the relative quietness of small-town rural living was one of the features that attracted us. Among other small-town charms and attractions, that feature entirely evaporated over the last 25 years. I think it's about time and just terrific that the cops are finally cracking down on the unnecessary noise throughout the community. Especially from the unhealthy and unhinging, uncivilized and infuriating racket from bass-booming stereos and blatty exhaust systems to the gunning and revving of loud engines and motors of all types at all hours in all neighborhoods. People at this site and elsewhere have been mentioning it for months. For years! It's something that actually matters to people and can measurably make our lives better. And simply by enforcing the laws already on the books. Bravo! Up yours for a change, macho motorheads and badass bass buffs. Let's hear it for law enforcement cracking down on a rude, inconsiderate, and tyrannical nuisance that daily (and nightly!) affects and diminishes our quality of life! Here's to a quick, successful return to peace and quiet and the sanity that goes with it! Go, cops! Bust noise! 4-7-2007-04 Thanks for the quick response on finding a website on the Cool Cities Main Street Program. It is quite comprehensive. 4-7-2007-03 The only reference that I found was on the State of Michigan's Website. Cool Cities Main Street Program 4-7-2007-02
Can anyone explain what the hell this
Main Street program is all about? I noticed in the
Vendors Summary that in January the city kicked in $20,000 and the DDA
has contributed $10,087 into it so far.
They've hired this Brittany Hoszkiw, but I
am wondering what she is supposed to be doing. Is her job somehow
connected with this Building Facade deal, whereby the building owners
get free architectural design for a new facade, get a grant for half of
the actual construction cost up to a certain figure, and have to pay for
the rest of it and guarantee they will also hire someone. Good luck
with that idea.
Anybody who can shed some light on this
program, please inform us. I'm not writing to knock it, just to find
out how it works. Maybe someone from the city can answer, even if
posted anonymously. Or refer to any Daily News articles that may be
informative.
4-7-2007-01
Yeah, and the city is supposed to kick in
another $75,000 or $150,00 match for the Champion Inc. building
Signature grant program.
We'll get more facts as we go along.
Champion, Inc. would come out smelling like a rose, getting far more
than they could get otherwise for the building. The Cool Cities
"agenda" looks more suspicious by the minute. We're watching.
4-6-2007-02
Quote from post #03-14-2007-07:
"Your point of a secret
agenda is meaningless. It simple shows a grasping at straws. The Mayor is
gay, there's a mentioned in the cool city program of gays therefore the
Mayor must be recruiting gays to move to Iron Mountain.
Silly."
Remember this quote when you here about
the new "developer" mentioned in post #4-6-2007-01.
4-6-2007-01 I can't wait to see the fireworks here when y'all get the scoop about the "developer" of the Champion signature building. 4-5-2007-03 Here is a copy of the Letter that the Charter Township of Breitung sent out about creating a Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA). March 29, 2007 Letter 4-5-2007-02 I don't understand how closing only the Western Boat Landing will help Lake Antoine. Closing this Boat Launch it will just overwhelm the Boat Launch at the County Park. Remember folks that the County has a launch over by the Beach. I to fear another special interest group trying to limit the use of public access recreation. If money is needed to combat invasive species I would assume that there is State money in the forms of Grants to help with this problem. 4-5-2007-01
I see where it was brought up at the April 2,
2007 council meeting to look at closing the west boat ramp. First as an avid
fishermen, I am also worried about invasive species as I believe most
sportsmen are.
I walk every day past the west boat ramp and use
it often. I would guess that 98% of the boats that use this ramp are Iron
Mountain or local residents that only fish Lake Antoine or local waters. The
east ramp is used almost exclusively for water ski boats and jet skis. Most
of the fishing boats are trolling, anchored or traveling at far less speeds
then the high powered ski boats that disturb the soft bottom.
This brings me to wonder if the real reason for
closing the west boat ramp is truly for ecological reasons?
I hope it's not a ploy to turn the lake into a
private playground! Trolling and anchored boats do get in the way of jet
skis and water skiing.
4-4-2007-06
To the writer of post 4-4-2007-02:
I owe you an apology. I should have left that
last line off of my post. It had nothing to do with the message I was
trying to communicate.
While I'm at it, I should say the same to Mr.
Aaron Harper. I am sorry if my post questioned your integrity in any way.
It is not your fault that you were not given correct information, as pointed
out by Mr. Bouche.
Now, where DID that incorrect
information come from? It was the incorrect
information that sparked my anger and frustration in the first place. And,
it was incorrect. I see now how the real message can be
almost totally lost just by how you say it, as pointed out by someone else.
I will try harder in the future.
4-4-2007-05
In response to post 4-4-2007-04:
I don't know if the City Council has to
verify the election results re: The Charter Amendment or if the County
Clerk does in this case because her office counted everything that
appeared on the November ballot.
Nonetheless, the inaction by the city is
inexcusable, and no doubt violates the law. Otherwise, every city
council in the state could deep-six any charter amendment vote hey
didn't like. I'm sure there is a time limit, and I don't think it can
go on for five months. It will interesting to see what
the Attorney-General has to say.
4-4-2007-04
What ever happened to the Charter
Amendment that the voters approved overwhelmingly last November
by a three to one margin?
That question was asked during the Public
Comment period at a City Council meeting months ago, yet nothing has
happened. OK, City Attorney Jerry Pirkiola and City Clerk Jordan
Stanchina, has the City Council ever certified the results of that
election as required by law? No. Violation number one.
The City Council is required to certify election results of
elections that affect it.
Next, if it's a Charter Amendment, the
Council must act formally to put it in the City Charter.
Violation number two.
I expect it on the next
council meeting agenda. If it isn't, I
will fire off a letter to the Attorney-General's office. The City Clerk
and the City Attorney are put on notice. I will mail them a copy of
this e-mail, and to the City Manager and Mayor as well. Enough is
enough. It's been five months since the election, and there is no excuse
for this inaction. If it hasn't been acted on in five months, when will
it be?
The Attorney-General's office
doesn't take lightly to Charter Amendment votes being ignored, you can
be sure of that.
4-4-2007-03
I contacted Aaron Harper at Frog Country and
assured him that no agreement had been reached between Mark and myself at
this time.. Aaron was not at the meeting and was given the wrong
information.
Robert Bouche 4-4-2007-02 In response to post 4-3-2007: 4-4-2007-01
I hear the Iron Mountain city
administration is finally getting down to some serious talks with Mrs.
Occhietti and Mr. Giguerre about their water and sewer problems. This
after originally denying any responsibility.
My hope is that both issues can be resolved
successfully.
It took tremendous public pressure and
wide publicity to get them to even think about negotiating. Watch the
spin machine swing into action if negotiations are successful. We all
know that nothing would have happened
except for the public pressure.
Yes, citizens of Iron Mountain, you can
fight City Hall. They don't want us to shine the light on them, but we
do anyway. This site has been a large factor in this campaign, I'm
sure, along with The Daily News, Channel 6 TV, Frog Country radio and
others. Keep the heat on and the light shining.
4-3-2007-07
Things have been getting a little sticky on this
site lately. Here is more proof of how differently the same story can be
twisted. Below are two completely different versions of the story on the new
public hearing date for the sale of the land next to the police station.
They both ran today, April 3, one in the Daily News and on Frog Country.
You have to wonder if the two reporters were even at the same
meeting last night when you look at the glaring differences,
especially in relation to Mr. Bouche.
I hate the name-calling and finger-pointing, but
how can people like Mr. Rosenthal continue to explain this sort of thing
away when it is so blatant?
4-3-2007-06
Hooray for Breitung
Township!! I heard they have sent a
letter to property owners along the US-2 corridor from the east Iron
Mountain city limits to Quinnesec. I have heard, but not yet been able
to verify, that this letter also went out to property owners north of
the Iron Mountain city limits to the Menominee River.
The purpose of that letter is to get an
indication of owner interest in starting their own TIFA
district along those stretches of highway.
The Breitung Township Board is adamantly
opposed to entering into any arrangement with the City of Iron Mountain
because of the high-handed tactics and threats of City Manager John
Marquart and Mayor Ken Tousignant. They practically told them we are
going to take chunks of Breitung Township from you whether you like it
or not.
This attitude of arrogance by Marquart and
Tousignant permeates everything they do. Their relationship with
Kingsford is equally strained. They have also alienated practically
every segment of the Iron Mountain population as well.
I will try to get a copy of the Breitung
township letter and scan it to the webmaster. In case I have trouble
getting it for any reason, I encourage anyone who received it to scan it
to the webmaster.
Good luck, Breitung Township !!
A disgusted Iron Mountain resident
4-3-2007-05
I am at a loss. On the one hand, I agree
wholeheartedly that the story needs to be told on the many questionable
actions of our council and manager. The more we hear, the more anger is
brought out in the citizens. On the other hand, how do you stop the
justified negativity that is generated by all that disclosure? I think that
most people who post here have their hearts in the right place. To you, I
say that negativity, name-calling, and so on will hurt your cause more than
help it. It doesn’t matter that you are right. What matters is the number of
people who are getting turned off by the negativity. The last thing you want
is to have people turn away, or worse, generate sympathy for the wrong side.
That is what you are doing with the bickering. Think about it. If
you really care what is happening to this city, ask the right questions in
the right places. Request documents that back up your concerns and post them
here. Then, try to remember that publicly gloating about it does nothing but
give the other side ammunition to discredit you.
One more thing - there are a very few writers
here who are easily pushing your buttons and generating negative responses.
If you respond with the typical caustic reply, they have accomplished their
mission. Right or wrong, they win when that happens.
The "Just the Facts Person"
4-3-2007-04 The post dated 3-29-2007-08 has been deleted. The reason for this was that not all of the information was correct. I do apologize to Officer Rosenthal about the statement that was posted. Again this site is for a reference of current events that we are dealing with. For future reference there may be some time lag on the postings as I must do a better job of reading them. If you are going state something about someone, please have a document or reference to back up the statement. Webmaster 4-3-2007-03 Yes, I also believe that this sight
is really promoting ill will. It reminds me of the type of comments one sees in
The Daily News "Speak Out" section! 4-3-2007-02
I had to laugh at the post by "Joe" who
thought finger-pointing was wrong. Who am I supposed to blame and hold
responsible for the many stupid decisions this City Council and City
Manager have made?
Should I blame the three deer I see
wandering across the street? Or maybe the chipmunk I see scampering up
a tree?
I suppose Mrs. Occhietti should have known
better than to live in that house for probably 50 years. She should
have known that a water main would break and she'd get flooded and the
city would stonewall her.
Mr. Giguerre should have know better than to
live where he does in the middle of the block of Flesheim Street.
Anyone could have told him he'd end up with a house full of sewage,
right?
You tell me, Joe, the difference between
responsibility and irresponsibility. Then tell me city officials are
NEVER responsible for their actions. That's just about the way you see
it, I guess.
4-3-2007-01 I understand it's not the webmaster's fault. I either sympathize or agree with almost all of the substance of the opposition to the current city government at this site. And generally I'm inclined to disagree with many and maybe most of Kurt Rosenthal's opinions. But I couldn't agree more with the essence of what Joe wrote at 4-2-2007-01. It ain't always what ya say, folks. It's how ya say it. And say it. And say it. Wouldn't your interests be better served by communicating rather than alienating? Sometimes you can be as distasteful as the people you're fighting, only in a different way. 4-2-2007-01 No offense to the Webmaster but this
site is everything that Mr. Kurt Rosenthal has claimed to be. Some people are
actually writing about legit community problems (and thank you for that) but
everyone else just seems to bickering back and forth. It's almost like a really
bad Jerry Springer episode or something. For heavens sake people grow up and
get a hobby. If someone wants to speak on here then there should be no reason
for the name calling, finger pointing, or personal attacks on that individual.
I give Mr. Rosenthal much credit for tolerating this nonsense and being man
enough to sign his name to his posts!! 4-1-2007-01 April Fools Day I have updated the Hot Links Page. If you find an error please let me know. Some media sites have disconnected the link to the story, so I removed it from the page. If you are out surfing and find some interesting information that is related to our City of Iron Mountain I will be happy to add the link to the page. Please keep it City related. Webmaster |
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