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March 2008 Postings
3-31-2008-03
I was reading through this month's
postings and saw the one about Ken Tousignant still being used
to represent the City as Mayor on the streaming video tour. I
then went to a web search. I was surprised to find a link to the
Dickinson Area Partnership that took me to a page that still
listed the past council members and Ken Tousignant as mayor. And
there are numerous links to be found that take you directly to
the video of Ken Tousignant claiming to be the mayor of Iron
Mountain.
I must agree with the person who
previously posted. Shouldn't a 'progressive city' start by being
current with their website updates? Shouldn't they inform and
insist that the local Chamber of Commerce also update their
municipalities information? You won't draw people in with
outdated information. It looks like you aren't concerned with
being current.
3-31-2008-02
I’d like to comment on comments I’ve
been hearing lately. Some people are concerned that this website
is an embarrassment to the City. That people from out of town
would not come here, or laugh at Iron Mountain because of this
website.
I think Iron Mountain has a lot to
be embarrassed about. But, the tactic being used now is to blame
the messenger - this website. This website should go away
because it’s embarrassing. It’s impeding progress. Please. If
our city manager lies about issues, that’s an embarrassment. If
the manager violates the charter or breaks other laws, that’s an
embarrassment. If certain council members gave him a bonus for
his questionable performance while ignoring public outcry,
that’s an embarrassment. If the City spent 200 grand on a
reassessment and ended up with nothing to show for it, then
won’t explain it, that’s an embarrassment. If they spent 700
grand on engineering in less than two years, that’s an
embarrassment. If a council member thinks there’s nothing wrong
with violating the charter - recommending her mother for
employment - that’s an embarrassment. If a council member
presses charges on a constituent because they have a difference
of opinion, that’s an embarrassment. If council members have the
attitude that we only have public comment at open meetings
because we have to, that’s an embarrassment. If a council member
has to make false statements to defend himself against a recall,
that’s an embarrassment. If we have to discuss our concerns of
questionable activities on this website because the council
ignores us and the documented facts, that’s an embarrassment.
IT’S NOT THIS WEBSITE THAT IS
EMBARRASSING THE CITY. WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE THE CITY,
NOT THE COUNCIL. JOHN MARQUART AND HIS FOUR LAPDOGS ARE THE
EMBARRASSMENT. Got it? I thought we stopped shooting the
messenger of bad news back in the days of Caesar. Again, stop
blaming the messenger and start looking at the facts. We don't
have to put up with the treatment we are getting from our
city government. It's too damn bad if they are embarrassed that
people would publicly stand up for themselves. You gave us no
real alternative, puppets. You reap what you sow.
3-31-2008-01
Response to 3-30-2--8-03:
The sad reality is that both the
Fake Ad and the anonymous Speak Out articles most likely hit the
targets of intimidation.
When petitioners were recently
pounding the pavement, many responses they were getting were, "
I don't want to put my name to anything."
This is actually a pretty normal
reaction to the intense threat that the Ad and letters meant to
inflict. It would be just as intimidating to thrust upon voters
that they must sign, or they are cowards. Either line
of thought is just not fair to the weary voters who have had to
deal with this entire situation for way too long.
I believe that what would be the
best, most appropriate and fair way to reach out to the average
voter is to make available the facts. Facts
with the documentation to back up every situation. I happen to
know that the facts and documentation exist, but getting these
out to all households is not an easy task.
I suggest that there be neighborhood
meetings set up for each Ward, where interested citizens can
come together and view the documents. If they choose to sign,
or even circulate petitions themselves, wonderful. I suggest
that someone can be there to answer their questions and
concerns.
The bullying will never stop from
the "other side." It is at every level conceivable. The last
thing a resident of this City needs is to feel that if they
don't sign, they are somehow a coward. Every individual has the
right to digest information and make their own educated choice.
All I am saying is that the information get to the
individual, so they have the facts upon which to make that
informed decision.
You probably know who I am...
3-30-2008-03 In both the
fake-a-loo ad of March 25 and again in the Speak Up column (both
anonymous, of course) there is the threat of intimidation in
that if you sign the recall petition the people being recalled have
the right to see those petitions and can see who signed them. 3-30-2008-02
To poster 03-29-2008--03
Excellent post Please bring this to
the daily news for Saturday or the voice of the people.
The public needs to know the real
facts and this will help
Thanks
3-30-2008-01
To: 3-29-2008-05
Interesting that someone else thinks
that. As soon as I read the article, I looked at my husband and
said: "I wonder if they did an actual interview with Robin, or
printed something that was submitted? This doesn't sound like
Tchokreff. Look up any council comments from him and they aren't
that eloquent."
I re-read the article this morning
and saw this one line that I had overlooked on Saturday:
'On Friday, he issued his
response.'
Oh, he ISSUED his response. I
thought Linda Lobeck actually interviewed him. The quotation
marks make it appear as though Linda Lobeck is quoting what she
is hearing him say. It's sad that we can not trust to just take
what our local newspaper prints at face value.
I'd like to see Eden Caudell & Robin
Tchokreff respond on TV6, like Dan Burke did. At least we knew
his ridiculous statements came from his own mouth. I doubt
Tchokreff could even memorize the article well enough to repeat
the comments we read. A council person should always be honest;
so I would hope he wouldn't submit someone else's words as his
own.
Sorry if that sounds like a
low-blow; but I've come to despise these people who refuse to
listen to me and my neighbors. They act like they own this city
and are doing us a favor by ignoring us and continuing to do as
they please. I also want Mr. Marquart gone. I've never had to
deal with such a rude city official in all of my life.
3-29-2008-05 Did anyone read
Marquart's column in the Daily News on Saturday? You didn't
see it? It was masked as an answer to the recall petition
by Robin Tchokreff, SILLY 3-29-2008-04 Yes, I noticed the
similarity to the writing style of the truth (hate) site and the
infamous ad of March 25. 3-29-2008-03
Robin Tchokreff’s article in
Saturday’s paper cannot stand unanswered. I’m tired of seeing
these idiots give John Marquart credit for things that he did
not do and neglect to give the proper credit to those who
actually did accomplish something for this city.
This is not going to be done in any
specific order, but I’m going to throw a few things out here.
First of all, he states that “After
Jim Urbany retired, every
city manager hired could only put a band-aid on the old budget,
The ‘Outspoken Minority’ managed to fire
every city manager after Jim Urbany….”
What “every”? There
was only one city manager after Jim Urbany and before John
Marquart. That was Perry Franzoi, and he was NOT fired,
he resigned! Robin ought to know that, since he was a council
member at the time, and the resignation was UNANIMOUSLY
accepted… or was that just another meeting that you were
absent from?
And the year and a half that he
speaks of as being left without management, I’d like to remind
him that Joe Rogina not only held down that position, while
being assessor at the same time; but it was Rogina who got the
State to reinstate that portion of the U.S. 2 project after
Michigan had cancelled so many projects. Yet, this crew gives
Marquart credit for the project, simply because it was completed
after he was hired. It’s the same with the water project. That
had been in the works since Jim Urbany was manager. The only
thing Marquart really did with that was add millions of dollars
extra to the project and increase water fees far beyond what
past management had deemed necessary. How often did past
management go over budget on any project….? Check past records.
Now check Marquart’s!
What has he really done on his own?
He’s given credit for businesses that would have located
regardless of who was manager. Businesses don’t suddenly look at
a town and say… “Oh there’s progress there now, let’s go.” Many
business study an area for years before ever making a decision.
And, please. Let’s not forget the number of businesses that have
left the city since Marquart’s arrival. I’m sure I can find
where that list is posted, and add even more to it.
Past management did plenty for
downtown. Did they let downtown die after the devastating fire
in 1981? That entire block was rebuilt. A new business replaced
the old Kresge building, and even the Moose Jackson building
came in during past management. What new construction has come
to downtown since Marquart? Oh, let’s even add the very City
Hall he sits in. That too was done by Jim Urbany and Ted
Corumbos.
If Marquart (and this council) want
credit for a couple of motels, then lets give past management
credit for everything from the Holiday Kitchen and Econo foods
through to the new hospital, the K-Mart Mall, and Wal-Mart.
There’s a lot of jobs created. On the other end…. It wasn’t
Marquart who established the industrial park; nor did he bring
in Boss Snowplow. And a good deal was in the works to keep them
here without costing the taxpayers over a million dollars for a
parking lot or lost tax revenue.
Tourism. What has Marquart done?
Past management is responsible for the grant for the boat Launch
at Lake Antoine. Past management already had plans and a fund
started for the pavilion project at City Park. Even the bicycle
path was nearing completion until John Marquart came and threw a
monkey-wrench in that.
Past management always made sure our
parks and cemetery were well groomed. I’ve visited neighborhood
parks recently when the grass nearly reached the seats of the
swings; and the cemetery was unsightly.
I could continue; but I think I’ve
made my point. These council people really ought to do a little
research and think things through before they speak out publicly
(to people who actually care enough about their city to
remember; or, at least investigate the facts).
Yes Robin, it is mainly about
getting rid of John Marquart. He’s a charter-breaking,
budget-busting bully. This city is no closer to financially
stability, and it’s citizens are not better off than with past
management. We want progress to come through a manager that will
follow the rules and listen to the people. Since the three of
you continue to turn a blind-eye to his antics and rubber-stamp
his unscrupulous deeds, then we must get you out first. That’s
been YOUR choice!
3-29-2008-02
Oh, Mr. Sgrecci, it was so nice to
read your post on ironmountainissues. The first thing I
noticed, it actually was on this fine web-site. No
editing or removal because it doesn't meet someones point of
view. It wasn't removed because you are just some special
interest group. It was here because your point of view actually
means something to some people. You have a right to be heard
just like every citizen in this City.
Having said this, you are obviously
blinded by the smoke and mirrors of the formal council and Mr.
Marquart. The issues on this post have first and
foremost been substantiated by documented facts, not just some
fruitful idea! Let's take the issue that appears to be near and
dear to your heart: the Champion building downtown.
Why was the City going to buy this
building? How was the City going to pay for this building? How
many jobs will this create, and is the risk of spending tax
dollars worth the final benefit? Well as a "lay" citizen of this
City, I'll give you my view.
The Citizens of this City were
never offered the opportunity for their input. The City was
going to use DDA funds. Oh really, I thought the DDA only
received around 36 thousand a year (the salary of the DDA
Coordinator is more than that)! Oh yes wait, they are going to
transfer funds from TIFA to the DDA to pay for the building.
Well if the TIFA Act (450 of 1980) and the DDA Act (197 of 1975)
clearly delineate that funds from one fund can not
be used to fund other authorities projects, I would
think this violates a LAW. In fact when I went to the State
web-site and found the Attorney General had already ruled on
this manner, I felt quite confident that what the council and
Mr. Marquart were about to do was illegal. And actually, If the
DDA was established pre- Headlee, funds from the DDA can only be
used for "operations" use only. The DDA can't purchase property.
And if the DDA was established post- Headlee, the registered
voters within the DDA District must be offered
the ability to vote on how the DDA funds are spent. NOW I'm
only a "lay" citizen so I'm sure I must be all wrong about these
facts! And actually, I mean factually, the City has
transferred funds from TIFA to the DDA to pay bills. So as a
tax paying citizen that only owns a home in Iron Mountain, I
shouldn't care how DDA and TIFA funds are spent according to
you.
Well wait! If my taxes are raised
to pay for services offered in this City (including Mr.
Marquarts' salary) due to captured taxes in the DDA and TIFA
Districts being used only for projects within those districts,
shouldn't I have some concern? I guess I should just "fold my
tent", move on, and let Mr. Marquart spend DDA and TIFA funds
however he likes. I'm well aware that this is not "free money",
as those of your likes seem to think. Why didn't the Senior
citizens of this city, the Library, Health Department and in
fact the County show more interest in the revenue they were
losing to these Authorities? They did! They just got the
"finger" from the past council and this City Manager. I have
much respect for the new members of the current council for
seeing that the County taxes were finally going where they are
intended. As far as creating jobs, how many minimum wage, part
time jobs with no benefits were you going to create? This City
needs to create REAL jobs (like they had with Khourys
prior to the previous council and Mr. Marquart). You use
Wal-Mart as your example. I did not pay to build Wal-Mart, nor
do I pay to advertise and make updates and changes. The
responsibility of someone to venture into business is just that,
Their responsibility! Some of the downtown businesses feel
it is the responsibility of others to provide tax money for
their success. I love going downtown and spending money for
things I feel I'm getting my monies worth. A six dollar lunch
downtown is as good (if not better) than a six dollar lunch
elsewhere. What I can't see doing is spending several hundred
dollars for a couch that I can't sit on versus spending a couple
hundred for one which I can. The need for some of the businesses
downtown are just not for the majority of us, plain and
simple! Tourists are not buying these items and taking them
home, the local merchants are. In order to survive, the downtown
area needs to provide year-round items for the majority of local
merchants. This is basic economics. You are not paying my home
mortgage, why should I pay your business mortgage? Are you more
important than me? In fact, is your downtown business more
important than all the businesses outside of the downtown
district? The City of Iron Mountain starts and ends at the
North, South, East and West boundaries, not Kent St. to D St.and
Iron Mountain St. to Carpenter Ave.
In closing, I would just like to
express my belief that if things are done correctly, and by the
laws, charter etc.. that govern this City it will take time to
fix the wrong doings of the past council. We are not like
Kingsford because maybe Kingsfords' council is doing things
legally and by the book. Your alley, sidewalks and curbs will be
fixed when the council drops the "pipe dreams" spending. TIFA
captures over two MILLION dollars a year in taxes. This is money
that must be returned to the general fund in order to start
taking care of just those issues (though hypocritical) that you
raise yourself. Have a nice day Sir! The future is
Bright! As a famous philosopher once said ; "can't we all just
get along"?
Another
Voice heard from
3-29-2008-01 Has anyone else noticed
that the infamous "ad" of March 25th has many of the same
characteristics as the content of Ironmountaintruth.com? 3-28-2008-03
Re: the 3-28-08-01 post: I too was
intrigued by the neighborhood watch program that Mr. Burke said
he had pro-actively begun. Wanting to know what such a program
is, what the organization and set-up of such a program entailed,
what the responsibilities might be of those involved, how the
program actually operates, and what beneficial results have
occurred since its inception in Ward 3, I also have asked well
over a dozen people from various areas of that ward about this
program and had the same response from everyone as the previous
poster had. No one had heard of nor had any idea what the
neighborhood watch is about in Iron Mountain. I think the
program might be a good idea, but please don't take credit for
what doesn't presently exist.
3-28-2008-02
To Anthony Sgrecci:
Thank you for a very well written
and informative letter. I, for one, am sorry that you got some
bad "press" on this website. I think what happened in your case
was that no one knew what was going on with the Champion
building, and no one from city hall was talking. It was being
kept like some big, dirty secret. Openness from city hall, like
so many people write in about, would have made that and many
other issues non-issues. If people care and are interested in
what is going on in our city, but have no real information to go
on, that is the fault of city hall. That is where the
frustration has come from. And the speculation. And the venom.
City hall could have completely diffused this website long ago
just by being open and honest about what they were doing with
our tax money. They vehemently and repeatedly chose not to.
There is this to think about, too.
In your case, city hall dealt with you in a respectable and
reasonable manner. That is only because what you wanted to do
fit in with their narrow-minded vision for the city. They do not
do that with everyone. In fact, how they dealt with you is more
the exception than the rule. I am one of the people that has
been dealt with in a very arrogant, disrespectful, and uncaring
way. I have had city hall lie about issues that affected me
personally, even with documented facts supporting my side of
things. I am not the only one this has happened to. Did you know
that the manager is still trying to keep information close, even
from the new council members? What else can we do if we care
about our city? I am not a machine or a politician. I have
feelings, and I get worked up when city hall lies and covers
things up. They use that to their advantage by pointing at the
reactions as venom, hate, and scare tactics, and try to
discredit you based on that. Yes, using people’s own natural,
emotional reactions as a weapon against them. I firmly believe
that this is intentional. That creates even more emotion when
people realize what they are doing, and snowballs into what this
website is now.
I wish that you could see this other
side of city hall first hand, how ugly they can really be behind
closed doors when you don’t fit in with their "vision".
Intentionally working people up so they can blow off the ranting
and raving that is a result. But, I repeat that I am sorry you
were personally caught up in anything negative. Blame city hall
for that. Remember, a political science major engineered what is
happening right now.
3-28-2008-01 Dan Burke
claims he has established a neighborhood watch. Strange. I live in
the third ward and I have talked to over 50 people in the last week
and NOT ONE OF THEM has any idea what this is all about. 3-27-2008-04 Call me old-fashioned; but I just don't get the 'familiarity' that I'm seeing when Ms. Caudell speaks of the City Manager. Never have I seen a council-person speak in a public setting by addressing a city manager by their first name. You aren't supposed to be speaking as this man's friend in these situations. Could you imagine this in any other governmental setting? Would a member of Congress, when speaking publicly about the President, refer to him as George? Would anyone at the State level refer to our Governor, in a public setting, as Jennifer. Ms. Caudell should be referring to our Manager as Mr. Marquart, not John. If she is his friend, that needs to be completely separate from her role as a council-person. It has no place in the Council-Manager setting. 3-27-2008-03
Webmaster of
Ironmountainissues.org:
I would love to remark on the
posts on this website (Ironmountainissues.org).
I am really shocked to see what a nightmare and mess our
town has become and the way in which it's citizens are acting.
I was born and grew up here, on the Northside of Iron
Mountain. I know current council members, past council members,
and my family is good friends with one of the newest council
members. I personally chose to move back to Iron Mountain
because of the "progressive council." Now I am not so sure.
Kingsford doesn't seem to be like this....
Now the rest of the website is
devoted to nothing but negative things, or things that can be
spun that way. All of the cool cities links, water links, City
Manager links, on and on....All negative.
If you search the web for Iron Mountain and get
this site, there is no way you want to visit and certainly no
way you would ever consider living here.
As far as the recall goes, I think
it is a little over the top. The pure venom of it all... No
one has indicated how a recall would actually work. Is another
election on tap if it actually recalls the council? How much
is all of this going to cost IM's taxpayers?
The post numbered 3-26-2008-03...
Give me a break. I am not even in the
political game here in town, yet I was thoroughly trashed by
this website. Complete inaccuracies
about a proposed plan for the downtown Champion Building.....I
should sue this website. As a result of the attack
that was directed towards our former Mayor Ken Tousignant about
his "gay restaurant," a good business deal for me and a great
opportunity for the City of Iron Mountain is now gone. These
remarks listed my name and were completely false, all the way
down to badmouthing Bill Verrette from Champion, and so much as
making the whole thing look underhanded. It was not. Now it
will generate no jobs and never be. I might sue.....
I have a great idea. Why
don't all the people that read this website and post complete
false statements here get together, and really start with the
Mariucci and Varda group. Maybe then they will NEVER invest
serious money into this town, and NEVER create a fantastic
employer by opening a convention center, etc...Maybe the posts
on this website can alienate everything and everyone that could
possibly EVER advance the economics of our town, but in the
process make sure that everything in the very limited campaign
platform of our newly elected council members happens, under the
direction of another former mayor or other special interest
groups...I knew your son, former mayor, I always thought he was
a nice guy.....we graduated together. Tell him how this site
has bashed me.....
Now, if you are still reading this,
I really do think that our local government should be held
responsible for all of their actions, but a little less in a
witch hunt fashion. I think also our newly elected council
members should watch their backs, as a watchdog group will
probably soon have something to say about them, if they do
something. 4-3 4-3...we can't get it done....sure you
can't....Do it.
Now, who will be the one to fix the
curbs on my block? Who will fix my alley? I pay my
taxes, on time and without complaint. Who will actually get
something done? I think you should keep the downtown alive.
Ever see a really nice tourist town (with lots of tourists'
money) without a downtown? NO ? That's because they don't
exist. I am doing my part. I fed over 1000 people at Italian
Fest. Downtown. It was fun. When my parents were my age,
downtown was the place to go and the merchants were thriving.
Now it's a WalMart lifestyle in IM.
Anyway, I thank you for the time you
spent reading. I think we should sign our names, since all it
will take is one clever person to look in the archives....
The visitor count is still just
visits, not unique visitors, right? I would love to know who is
really saying all of the comments on this site. One person,
several people, or the community. I don't think it is the last
one. I will send this to the Truth site also, and hopefully
into the Saturday Daily News.
Oh I forgot...The daily news did not
run a "deceptive ad"...it was very obvious what it was, and I
found it a little funny and sad at once. Obviously it was just
like the campaign tactics of the last election, from BOTH
sides. Lighten up....
Everything is like a "REIGN OF DOOM"
and very dramatic when the new council and Ted Corombos, etc.
refer to it....I just don't understand that....Do we think
giving it such flair will incite the voters of Iron Mountain?
Ease up on the drama.
And maybe, just maybe, someone can
say something nice for once. Happy Spring. Fix my alley. Make
downtown nice....Can't we all just get along.....?????
Anthony Sgrecci
3-27-2008-02 3-27-2008-01 The thing that I do not understand of Mrs. Caudell, Mr. Tchokreff, and Mr. Burke is how can you be shocked at what is happening. You three were elected to represent the people of Iron Mountain, not represent your own agenda. This is the basic fact of why this is happening. You did not listen to the people you represent. Not at one council meeting did you ever listen to a citizen on his or her concern. You heard them but you did not listen. There is a big difference and I thought you might have learned that that from last November's election, but you did not. That is why I will sign the petition for the recall. This is why we the citizens of Iron Mountain need a change. 3-26-2008-11 To:
Eden Caudell, Robin Tchokreff and Dan Burke 3-26-2008-10
I have to agree with post
3-26-2008-07 about the hypocrisy of the city over the rental
ordinance. I remember when Mayor Tousignant was talking about
how much they want to protect the tenants with the ordinance.
What a crock! Shutting off water to a woman with two children
sure is nice, isn’t it?
Actually, I scoffed at that
double-talk long before now. They were using that rental
ordinance line about tenant safety when they seriously
downgraded our fire protection and lied about it. Please, don’t
give me any grief for bringing that up again. It still bothers
me greatly that the City lied about that one for so long and so
blatantly, all the while leaving it unfixed and unsafe. And to
give Marquart a bonus after it was finally shoved down his
throat as the lie that it was, not to mention the fines and
other lies. I’d sign a recall petition just for that serious
gaff alone. Hmmm, I actually covered four or five serious gaffs
while trying to bring up just the one. Oops.
PS - I saw the TV 6 News tonight
about the recall language approval. Do the circulators have a
plan, or a place a person can go to sign? I don’t want to wait
until there’s a knock on my door. What if I’m not home?
3-26-2008-09 Anybody else just love
the shot of Robin Tchokreff on tonight's News Extra? It's such a
Classic! And yet so typical of him. This is a shot of him in
Council Chambers looking about as interested as he usually does.
Anybody else ever notice that he often unseals his packet of
information just before the meetings begin? How can he make
knowledgeable decisions when he's reading the information for the
first time just as the meeting is about to start? Members receive
these packets several days before the meetings so that they can
review the info. Yet, Robin has been seen unsealing his packet in
the Council room on meeting night. Also: How many meetings has he
been absent from, especially if there's a hot topic on the table? 3-26-2008-08 Re: the "political" ad in Tuesday's edition of The Daily News. I guess the old adage is true......."give them enough rope and they will hang themselves". 3-26-2008-07
The city of Iron
Mountain keeps insisting that we need a rental ordinance to
protect tenants from living in unfit housing. I am a landlord
and it recently came to my attention that a tenant of mine, a
single mother with two children and a very limited income, fell
behind on her water bills. Consequently her water was shut off.
This same city that says we should protect our tenants, shuts
their water off and creates unfit living conditions with no
water for toilet and showers. After several days with no water,
the tenant was able to get help from a church to pay the
outstanding water bill, but was still charged the $50.00
reconnect fee, which was paid by a charitable organization. I
guess it’s all about the money in the city of Iron Mountain. In
a case like this the reconnect fee should have been waived.
Come on, city of Iron Mountain, have a little HEART!
On rental properties, shouldn’t the owner of the property be notified before water is shut off?? 3-26-2008-06
I cancelled my subscription to the
Daily News after the cheap shot editorial the day before the
election this past November. Remember that? Just this week, I’ve
been contacted several times in an effort to get me to come back
as a customer. I’m glad I held off.
Last night’s newspaper (3-25-08) had
a political ad that deliberately sought to make people think it
was from someone other than whoever paid for the ad. I thought
this kind of ad had to have a "paid-for-by-so and so" disclosure
at the bottom of it. I guess that depends on which side you're
on. In my opinion, the Daily News has allowed an anonymous
entity to deliberately mislead the public on a political
campaign issue. Aside from the fact that the person who paid for
the ad shows a complete disregard for ethics, the newspaper has
the power to allow or deny ads like this. They chose to let it
run, showing their own disregard for ethics.
To the Daily News: No, I won’t be
subscribing to your propaganda rag again for quite awhile. What
were you thinking?
To the entity that placed the ad
anonymously: Do you think the people of this city are stupid
enough to fall for this stunt? You seek support by insulting our
intelligence? You use deliberate misdirection to accuse someone
else of mistruths? That's rich.
3-26-2008-05
The recall language went through.
The Daily News has some 'splainin to
do...
3-26-2008-04 Good news for the voters
of Iron Mountain. The language of all three recall petitions has
been approved by the Dickinson County Elections Board, made up of
Probate Judge Thomas Slagle, County Treasurer Margie Tarsi and
County Clerk Dolly Cook. 3-26-2008-03 I couldn't believe the
political ad in the Daily News last night. It tried to look like it
was written by Ted Corombos, which is preposterous on the face of
it. Mr. Corombos has proven many times over to be an excellent
public servant, his reputation is impeccable, his honesty
unquestioned. 3-26-2008-02 Regarding the attempt to recall three of Iron Mountain’s city-council members:
I don’t understand the violent knee-jerk reaction and self-righteous indignation some people have to a recall per se, and their not knowing when asked, not seeking for themselves, overlooking, and/or ignoring entirely the issues and reasons for a recall. Do these people think that others pursue a recall just to tick them off? You’d think that if a recall’s the right thing to do, you do it. If it’s the wrong thing to do, you don’t do it. But they’re simply against a recall. Period. What’s that all about?
I question the rationality of it and a person’s sense of priorities.
Recall is one of American democracy’s ways to correct mistakes. Why would a person unthinkingly and intensely dislike the recall process and choose to foully and unChristianly disparage and demonize people who are trying to exercise a time-honored democratic and legal procedure to deal with other people who repeatedly abuse their power and who publicly, visibly, provably, and by their own admission behave ineptly, immorally, illegally, and irresponsibly in public office, but pooh-pooh their behavior with an “aw, shucks” and a wink, and feel they should be excused out of sheer expedience and convenience -- despite the harm and the deterioration they have caused and continue to present to the community?
Seems to me that, by every standard we claim to believe in, the people of this town should be violently upset if we do not have a recall! We can’t financially and spiritually afford, nor can we continue to allow, inattentive and irresponsible council members to rubber stamp incompetent, ill advised, expensive, and illegal management behavior. We have a responsibility too! Let's at least meet our responsibility and attempt to make our officials accountable. If recall is an effective way of doing this, so be it. Pass it on. 3-26-2008-01 Anyone who has known Ted for any length of time knows that he would never stoop to such an evil level as the ad in the paper last night. He has way too much character, honor, and integrity to fall to the level of the opposition, who were the writers of said ad. Unfortunately, the writers of the ad didn't have the decency or the guts to say who paid for the ad. Ted has devoted 30 years to the betterment of his hometown and has sought with great wisdom and backbone to do what's right and to serve all the citizens of Iron Mountain to the very best of his ability during that time. We should be very thankful to Ted for all his dedication that we often have taken for granted. There is hardly a need to seek out more ideas of where the past City Council and City Manager have failed to obey state laws and the City Charter and where they as public servants (they seem to forget that's their role) have failed to consider the well being of the citizens for whom they worked. Thus they violated their oaths to uphold the laws and Constitution. The opposition would have you feel intimidated to sign any petition. It's time to stand up, let your voice be heard, and get honest government back for our city. If Kwami gets tossed out in lower Michigan, his lies and shifty financial tactics would blend nicely with those of our City Manager and the four incumbents. 3-25-2008-03 The March
25 advertisement on page 3 of The Daily News is: 1. The Daily News for accepting the ad, which they were under no legal obligation to accept. 2. The party or parties
who paid for the ad. 3-25-2008-02
It bothers me that Mr. Burke brought
his family to a council meeting, using them as pawns in his
political game. It is to bad that a recall was even started,
but it is time for him and the others to wake up and pull their
heads out of the sand. The fall vote was a clear message from
the public to make some changes and he chose not to. Having
your children speak on your behalf at a meeting when the last
thing that you taught them was it is ok to be dishonest is
sickening. Not only is that ok, but you will be rewarded
financially. Doesn't he realize the message he is sending to
his own children???? What was brought out at council meetings
concerning the manager was not fiction or stories concocted to
discredit the man. They are facts that have been shown to be
true. Performing your duties in a upright and honest
manner has nothing to do with progress!!!! Perhaps you
are one of those who placed the ad in Tuesdays paper. I am sure
Iron Mountain will continue to have progress without the need to
sweep the dirt under the carpet. Mr. Burke, you should be
ashamed to have used your wife and children in such a way. Look
at the facts and stop being an ostrich. Admit some errors were
made and try to rectify them. Perhaps at that point the
citizens may show you some respect, if it's not to late!!
3-25-2008-01 Regarding the "political
ad" in the Daily News on March 25: 3-24-2008-01 In his response to the recall language, Dan Burke stated that he had initiated a “neighborhood watch” program. I live on the same block as Mr. Burke and have never seen, heard, or been contacted in any way (phone, email, letter, personally) about a neighborhood watch program. Perhaps Mr. Burke is out “watching the neighborhood” all by himself. It would be nice to see a response to this, but that is probably too much to expect. 3-23-2008-02 The Widen the
Investigation post (3-21-2008-01) is an excellent idea. It
should be brought up at the very next city council meeting. 3-23-2008-01
Famous non-quotes from the Marquart
book of management & leadership:
"To function efficiently, any group
of people or employees must have faith in their leader." - Capt.
William Bligh (ret.)
"Numerical superiority is of no
consequence. In battle, victory will go to the best tactician" -
General G.A. Custer
"They never let you live it down.
One little mistake!" - Nero
3-22-2008-03
THANK YOU MZ PETERSON
3-22-2008-02
Well said Tina, I thought you did a
fantastic job downstate. Thank you for taking time out of your
life to represent us, it is very much appreciated by many.
Keep up the great work!
3-22-2008-01
Town Hall Meeting Update:
The opportunity to be involved in
the Town Hall meeting was there for anyone: it was on the TV6
website on Friday asking any UP resident if they wanted to
participate. When the station called me back on Monday, I was
excited and thrilled to hear that I would be able to go.
Major problem? How in the world do
you find out the biggest Economic concerns of the entire UP in a
day and a half? All I could do was get on the computer and try
to do more research on the Strategic Plan of our State, and see
where we can fit into that plan. I wanted to lobby for what we
have to offer, and for the UP to not be forgotten as this all
moves forward. I also asked everyone I could of their thoughts,
including those I ran into on the trip down. By the way; of
course the trip was as a citizen, and paid for as a citizen: in
no way was it connected to Iron Mountain City Council or paid
for by any City taxpayer.
It was an incredible experience to
get to speak with residents from across the State, and hear of
their unique problems and ideas for solutions. The Governor
spent time before the program speaking with all of us
individually, and was truly gracious.
You can imagine that when you know
you are on camera, maybe you don't spit your words out
perfectly...or you realize afterwards that you didn't mention
key elements. I wanted to stress that the research,
development, and manufacturing of all Alt. Energy systems or
products would have a perfect home in the UP. I didn't want the
rest of the State to think us incapable of the high tech
aspects, or to see us only as the "wilderness" part of the
State.
I was able to convey those thoughts
to the Governor after the program; I guess you could call it
lobbying for our fair share of the future and direction that the
State is heading into. As only one person, I couldn't possible
speak for everyone in the UP, and get it right, across the
board. The Governor recognizes that many residents of the UP
wouldn't want to lose what we do have in natural beauty and our
way of life, but I hope that she realizes we need jobs. Period.
In a National map breaking down
growth rates, approximately 85% of the UP shows a loss of up to
10%. Some UP areas show more than a 10% loss. We have to push
for turning this around. My personal opinion is that it won't
be flowerpots, blight enforcement, or pavillions that will bring
us jobs...it will be lobbying to the powers that be about our
capabilities combined with the affordability of living in our
area. It will be about tax incentives and geographic location.
I believe that Companies look at the dollar as a bottom line of
if they will locate to your area; along with your school and
health care system, police and fire protection, and
infrastructure. I also believe that we have to be loud enough
to be heard all the way downstate; to be that wheel demanding to
be oiled. Our local taxpayers need to be able to put food on
the table, heat their homes, and be afforded the health and
safety rights they have been paying for. Our local basic needs
have to be met before spending precious tax dollars on
what turns out to be ill-planned notions, without public
input, of some extremely vague idea of a "vision."
Wanting clean drinking water, honest
government, and undivided attention towards seeking quality,
family-sustaining jobs in your City in no way means that you are
"against progress" or "going backwards." It's just common
sense.
Sincerely,
Tina Peterson
3-21-2008-01 WIDEN THE INVESTIGATION The recommendation offered by Council Member Dave Farragh to open an investigation of the reassessment issue, and approved by the city council, is a good start. I have confidence that many glaring inconsistencies that have been reported on this site and elsewhere will come out. But it's only a start.Based on the findings of post 3-19-2008-03, a part-time cop gobbling up 55 to 70 hour work weeks is open to serious questioning and legal concerns. How about STS Consultants outrageous fees. And the many city charter and state law violations and the subsequent fines (MIOSHA). I think the investigation should widen into the long list of substantiated violations this council and city manager have thrust upon us at great cost. SUBPOENA EVERYBODY, INCLUDING COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE CITY MANAGER, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, RICH BROOK, DAVID LEGGE, STS CONSULTANT OFFICIALS, THE CITY ATTORNEY (who is often left out of the loop), AND ALL THREE DEFEATED INCUMBENTS, and get them UNDER OATH. It may involve hiring an outside attorney, not because I think the current city attorney is culpable, but rather to avoid any conflict-of-interest problems that may arise. If the city council, by a 4-3 vote, in any way seeks to restrict such an overall and thorough investigation, I suggest going directly into PLAN 2. The three new members should immediately petition the OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. I am confident that with the cooperation and help of our state representative and state senator, they would gain access to and have the ear of the attorneys at the A-G's office. The massive amount of documentation the three new council members have accumulated would get the attention of the Attorney-General's office in a hurry. That will have not just the three council members under recall shaking, but a much wider net of culprits. GO FOR IT, new members. You have made a very impressive start. The community will be forever thankful that they elected you. Honest, open and legal government will return to Iron Mountain under your guidance and diligence. 3-20-2008-08 3-20-2008-05 3-20-2008-07
Isn’t it about time the four more
experienced council members are permitted to move forward with
important city business? It’s March already, and they have not
yet appointed a political kommissar, for heaven’s sake.
I mean, really, why not make Dr. Fileppa's position official?
She's done a good job, hasn't she? Not only that, but I haven’t
heard a serious discussion on flower pots for months. All this
talk of corruption is gauche. It’s not vibrant. Not
visionary. Passe. Unfashionable.
You new council members will never
fit in if you keep mucking things up with silly facts and such.
Blase, you know. You are part of the elite crowd now.
Come on. Let your hair down. Dance a little. Don’t you want to
fit in? Hob knob with the real players? You can do it. Just look
the other way. Every time. That’s all you have to do. Is that so
hard?
3-20-2008-06
Post 3-19-2008-03 ( a long
one) struck some chords with me. The part about our tap water
brought back some memories of better days and better water. As
little as four years ago, I bragged about our city water to
people from out of town. How good it was, you know? Out-of-town
visitors used to tell me we could bottle our water straight from
the tap and sell it. It didn't kill my houseplants and
tropical fish, either.
Then, along comes Marquart, telling
us how bad our water system is, and that we have to spend 4
million dollars to make it better. Then, after sinking all that
money into the water system, he told us how much better it was.
What a joke on us, hey? I can’t even drink straight tap water
from Iron Mountain anymore. My family would get unexplained
stomach problems from time to time. Sure enough, a week or two
after that happened, I'd get a notice in the mail that our water
had to be treated again. If it ain’t bacteria it’s the chemicals
making the water horrendous. I changed the water in my fish
tank and eleven out of twelve fish that I had for years went
belly up. That's a fact. I have to let water for houseplants
sit for a day so the chemicals won't kill the plants.
I don’t brag about our water now. In
fact, the quality of our "improved" water is now a running joke.
Thanks for the memories,
#3-19-2008-03.
3-20-2008-05 I read a number of well
thought out and well written posts earlier today - Thursday,
3-20-2008. 3-20-2008-04
THANK YOU TINA FOR BEING THERE
TO REPRESENT ARE CITY AND THE UP AT THE STATE TOWN HALL MEETING
IN LOWER MICHIGAN.
ALSO I KNOW THAT TINA DID THIS ON HER OWN
WITH NO CHARGE TO THE CITY TAX PAYERS.
AGAIN THANK YOU.
3-20-2008-03
I for one am proud that Tina will be
representing us at the meeting in Grand Rapids. Her proven
ability to be curious and ask questions to understand both sides
of a question, to dig up the facts in seeking the truth, to
challenge in a gentle but firm manner, to show courtesy and
concern to the citizens, to respond to the citizens (that's a
refreshing change from the previous four years of being
ignored), along with many more traits the three new council
members share are lessons the old guard could learn and apply.
Tina is going to this meeting to try to benefit our city--and
not at city expense--in contrast to the trip the mayor and city
manager are taking next week to Lansing. Yes, Mr. Marquart, as
you said, those people down there do know who you are, but their
opinion, as reported to us by lawyers in that area, is not how
you see yourselves. They view you as a laughing stock.
3-20-2008-02 Does this have a
familiar ring to it? 3-20-2008-01
Dan Burke accuses people of
grandstanding at the podium, then he parades his family at the
council podium in a pathetic, cheap, political grandstanding
stunt. Coaching the poor, nervous kid on what to say while
standing there was hard to watch. Way to go, Dan.
If he is willing to subject his own
child to that kind of unwarranted mental stress, it makes me
wonder about the other coaching he is always bragging about.
3-19-2008-11
I’m just a little curious, based on
the council of recent past…. Since Tina Peterson went downstate
to represent us (and the whole U.P.), did she get to hire a
private jet? Did she get to take other supporters and a local
media person? Is she staying at a high-end hotel and eating at
top-ranked restaurants? How much has her trip cost the
tax-payers, compared to extravagant trips made by
“representatives” of our city in recent years?
3-19-2008-10
To 3-19-2008-02, the writer who is
embarrassed to be represented by Tina Peterson at the state wide
town hall meeting. Relax. I watched the meeting tonight, and
Tina represented us with intelligence and professionalism.
Besides, it could have been worse. It could have been ex-mayor
Tousignant, Marquart, Caudell, or - can you even imagine - Burke
or Tchokreff, representing us down there. Now that would
have been embarrassing.
3-19-2008-09
I think it speaks volumes that
council member Tchokreff chose not to respond to the recall
claims against him. He is the most seasoned politician of the
bunch. He knows what has gone on over the last four years. He
was a council member before the so-called fab-four took office
four years ago, and he has something to compare the last four
years to. Unlike the naive Ms Caudell and the uninitiated Dan
Burke, he is savvy enough to know there is a lot of indefensible
truth in the recall claims. Truth that cannot be honestly
debated against. I hope he is not arrogant enough to think he
can coast through under the radar while Caudell & Burke trade
barbs with the public over the next three months. It worked for
Vanlaanen, but I really don’t think it will work again. Maybe
he’ll be smart enough to resign before the heat gets turned way
up.
3-19-2008-08
To 3-18-2008-03: Look at -- drive on! -- Main Street between US 2 and North Kimberly, and F Street, particularly between Carpenter and Kimberly, and Chapin. The actual streets -- the pavement! They're like the friggin' Baja. Street after street, alley after alley, sidewalk after sidewalk. A person can get lost in some of those cracks and potholes. They're not safe. And what they're doing to our vehicles is not cheap to repair and maintain. Have a glass of tap water. Without holding your nose. Or thinking of the more than $4 million you paid for water improvement and how much you're now paying monthly for ... this stuff? So sulphurous and clorinated, it tastes scooped directly from a warm, open, and busy swimming pool? Bleh. Check the number and amount of fees and taxes you're paying in exchange for the actual civic services you are and are not getting. Look at the city budget and try to discover what black hole millions of dollars have vanished into. Like the aborted assessment last year and the gone-forever $200,000 it gulped to no avail. Or the tens of thousands in MIOSHA fines due to the incompetence and negligence of our city management. Look at the expense accounts and excuses of your city management and councilpersons over the past four years. These people get to travel like royalty? On our dime? Examine the frivolous and unnecessary lawsuits in which the city is expensively involved defending itself for prideful, indefensible behavior. And examine the pending investigations, including one by the state of a serious pollution violation. Try to find an increase, or an effort to increase, jobs from which someone can actually support a family. See how rudely and condescendingly ordinary citizens are treated on the phone and in person and at meetings by city officials, elected and hired. Try to get a straight and true answer from a city official. Try to get a response at all! Watch the city manager grab his jacket and flee City Hall out one door as he watches people he's scheduled to meet enter through another door. Witness the loss of respect, affability, goodwill, and cooperation from among our neighboring municipalities. From among our elected and appointed state officials. From among our elected congressional officials. Witness the growing resentment and bitterness from among them. Try to understand why city assessments are raising the value of our homes and properties to increase our city taxes, while home and property values everywhere throughout the United States are actually going down significantly -- are actually crashing through the floor, in fact. Try to find a reasoned and direct economic development plan around which the city can stabilize, prosper, and grow. Every week it's a whimsical new fairy tale from City Hall. Examine the absurd and unwarranted dissension and conflicts between and among (and notice the inherent public dangers from) City Hall, the fire department, the police department, TIFA, the department of public works ...
Etc. etc. etc. But not the kind of change of the last four years. Not destructive and harmful change. Not Bush/Cheney-like change. Arhgh! That's a path we have to get off of and I mean fast. Be more discriminating, pal, and less political. We need positive, progressive, and profitable change. Beneficial change. Improvement. And not just the word improvement as you throw it out there like an empty old beer can, but the actual achievement of improvement. We need fruitful results. Movement toward a higher standard of living and a better quality of life. Maybe this summer we can continue the change and improvement we started last November by recalling the three dead-end status-quo incumbents, and then finally ridding ourselves of our harmful and expensive no-change, no-improvement, ethically challenged, "aren't I terrific" city manager. Then, based on the actual facts of life rather than someone's noisy and unrealistic and egotistical delusions of grandeur, perhaps we can genuinely progress and change. Maybe then we can finally get down to business in this town and improve. 3-19-2008-07 Post 3-18-2008-03 says
"There's no vision, just a goal to see that nothing changes." Well,
in six meetings of the current council, with three new members,
quite a bit has happened. 3-19-2008-06
Jeez, I'm gonna get long-winded; I
can feel it. Eden Caudell has a statement in the newspaper
today. I love when she talks about how the new council members
came up with a new way to evaluate the city manager. You
know, by actually evaluating his performance on 17 glaring
discrepancies? No, that’s just a hate campaign, according to
Eden. It’s not "moving forward." How dare you call looking at
facts "hate," Ms Caudell?
And, somehow, I can’t quite make the
stretch to call certain things extenuating circumstances. Since
when does lying fall under that title? How about breaking the
law? How about violating the city charter? Nope. Too much of a
stretch for me. Things were beyond the control of the manager,
so it’s not his fault? Well, then, whose fault is it that things
got so out of control? Isn’t it a council member’s JOB to
prevent that from happening? I guess that makes it her fault,
hence, the recall against her. Again, how dare you trivialize
real issues like this, Ms Caudell?
One of those items was the
reassessment fiasco. Ms Caudell had two full years on the
council to express concern over that, and she did NOT. Thanks to
Dave Farragh for calling for an investigation. Why didn’t YOU do
that a year ago, Eden? There are other very important issues
that she ignored in her two years, too.
I will sign the recall petition
against Ms Caudell, supposedly my ward council member. She never
questioned a single thing the manager did, no matter how many
people were bringing it to her attention. The least she could
have done was to listen to the people who had the nerve to
attend council meetings and express their concerns. Many times,
people’s concerns were backed up with documentation. Instead,
she just blew them off. Again, HOW DARE YOU IGNORE DOCUMENTED
FACTS?
You have NOT done a good job of
representing me, Ms Caudell. You have not provided the oversight
that is necessary. You have cost me a great deal of money as a
taxpayer; money that could have been spent on useful things
instead of paying for John Marquart’s numerous and serious
mistakes. And, you actually gave him a bonus after viewing his
actual performance for his evaluation? That one takes the cake.
In short, you are no Ted Corombos, who DID represent me fairly
for many years. How dare you attack someone like him?
In closing, why didn't I just bring
my concerns to Eden, personally? Quite simply, I don't trust
her to represent my concerns fairly to the rest of the council.
She ignores facts; why not ignore me or misrepresent me? After
what Dan Burke did to one of his constituents, I have even more
reason to feel leery about direct contact with a council member
in the old guard clique.
3-19-2008-05
I must register my disagreement with
the writer of post # 3-18-2998-03. This person says, "there’s no
vision for improvement, just a goal of making sure nothing
changes."
This person could not be more wrong.
The new council members are trying to make a HUGE change from
what the previous council did. They are trying to be open and
honest. That is a huge change. They are trying to undo
significant damage caused by the "vision" spoken about. Another
huge change - to actually address and attempt to fix huge
mistakes made by the previous council.
Whoever you are, you have to accept
the fact that your idea of a "vision" is not the only one out
there. You also have to accept that your idea of "vision" took a
severe beating in the last election. Change for the sake of
change seems to be your vision, and it’s not only foolish to
have that mind set, it’s also been PROVEN WITH FACTS to be both
costly and dangerous. You are transparent, irrelevant and
hypocritical. Hypocritical because it is obvious that you are
the one who cannot accept anything that is a change from your
warped vision, even as you ignore real facts and accuse others
of not wanting change. Get over yourself.
3-19-2008-04 In checking on the City's web-page, I see that Ken Tousignant's written 'Welcome' has been removed; but he's still in the Video Tour Book (under Welcome) as the Mayor of Iron Mountain. Shouldn't our "progressive city" keep their web site current? He should no longer be represented as the mayor in these videos. 3-19-2008-03
To any Iron Mountain City Council
members viewing this post:
I was able to view the February
vendor and payroll reports today. I believe another official
investigation is warranted. There is a "part-time" police
officer working in our police department. Part time because the
civil service hiring requirements have not yet been followed,
and the listed rate of pay is well below what our full-time
officers are earning. In the February payroll report, it shows
the rate of pay plus the monthly pay based on that. If you take
the monthly pay, divide it by the five pay periods in February,
then divide that by the listed hourly rate, this "part-time"
employee averaged - AVERAGED - 70 hours per week
for the month of February.
Who approved this?
I then looked back at the November,
December, and January payroll reports. Surprise. This
"part-time" employee averaged 55 hours per week for that
three-month period, based on the listed rate of pay and the
amount earned per month.
What amount of hours per week makes
a person part-time? I believe civil service has been violated by
having this person work full-time hours without being hired
through the civil service process. Please look into this.
It is a direct violation of the City Charter, if you can do
simple math based on the information given in the payroll
report. If this employees rate of pay is more than what is
listed, thus dropping the average number of hours, doesn’t that
mean that the payroll report is falsified? There are
three people with higher scores on the police civil service list
that have not been hired while this employee has been putting in
full-time hours. They have grounds for costly lawsuits against
the city if this is what is going on. The "part-time" employee
also has grounds to sue the city under the Fair Labor Standards
Act if this is the case. I don't understand how the payroll and
vendor reports could have been approved with this
happening. Again, to any council members seeing this, please
investigate. Thank you.
3-19-2008-02 Tina Peterson is
representing the UP at the Governor's Town Hall meeting? 3-19-2008-01
After reading news stories about the
most recent council meeting, I have a few observations. First,
There is going to be an investigation into the reassessment
fiasco. That’s great. Why was this not ever suggested by any of
the three members facing a recall? Don’t they ever look at
anything on their own? If they don’t do their own homework, they
should be recalled. Why did this simmer untouched until three
new council members were elected? The old guard just wants to
forget the past and move forward. Forgive and forget. I say,
bulls**t! Don't you dare forgive and forget what happened to
our tax money in that reassessment black hole!
Second, the ISO is going to let Iron
Mountain keep a class 4 rating if they make a whole list of
improvements. What? Why do we have to make improvements to the
fire department to keep the rating? Marquart, Tousignant, Rigoni,
VanLaanen, Tchokreff, and the rest of them repeatedly told us
that our fire protection was better - and cheaper - with what we
have right now. They all lied, even though plenty of information
was available to all of them to show they were wrong. Caudell,
Burke, and Tchokreff all could have questioned this, but they
did not. It took getting three new members elected to even have
serious questions asked about it. Caudell, Burke, and Tchokreff
should all be recalled just for letting this dangerous situation
go on as long as it has. I won’t get into the MIOSHA fines other
than to say they are further proof that the council continuously
and blatantly misled the public. Should I forgive and forget if
my property insurance goes up? I don't think so.
Then, I saw that Mr. Burke’s wife
spoke in his defense at the meeting. To her, I say, you have my
sympathy. This is not about what he has done. It is about what
he has not done. He has not independently researched a whole lot
of important issues. He has made his decisions based on what he
is told by the city manager, a proven liar. He has voted to keep
the manager even after it was shown that the manager - by his
actions - is causing a huge level of mistrust - among other
equally bad things - in the city government. He even voted to
give the manager a bonus after this was shown in black and white
at the same meeting. He filed a criminal complaint against a
citizen. I saw a copy of that complaint, Ma’am. It says that the
citizen threatened to recall Mr. Burke. That is outrageous, not
to mention a fairly obvious stab at intimidating the citizen. I
think our police have better things to do than chase after
foolish crap like that.
There are so many more big issues
that have not been handled properly by council. I won't get
into them right now. I think the three members facing recall
should save the city a lot more strife and money. They should
all resign. It’s better than continuing to serve in disgrace.
3-18-2008-04 Funny how quietly the fact that the ISO rating will be remaining at 4 passed by on this site.......figures. Congratulations to those that worked to keep it there...including the fire trained police officers, firefighters, fire chief and police chief. Seems that the ISO threat was really not a threat at all. 3-18-2008-03 A misspelled name on another website that posts untrue statements. That would be the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. I've read completely fabricated statements on this website and I know they are made up because they were about me. Tiny people with tiny outlooks and tiny thoughts to go with it, lots of name calling, plenty of accusations and so little meaningful discourse. These long rambling letters with "facts" galore - none of it means anything. You will never get anything accomplished because you spend all your time going after going after people. There's no vision for improvement - just a goal of making sure nothing changes. 3-18-2008-02
I will be attending the State-wide
Town Hall meeting on Wednesday in Grand Rapids. The subject
matter is Michigan's Economy.
There may only be two people
representing the entire UP, so I am trying to solicit as many
opinions and concerns as possible from fellow residents.
Please email me with items and
issues that affect you the most in regard to the direction of
Michigan's Economic growth/decline.
Also, please email me with your
ideas for what could bring about or enhance Economic Development
in the UP...this is a chance, although a small one, to bring
some voices from the UP straight to the Governor.
I will be checking my email right up
until about 4:00 pm Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Tina Peterson
City Council
3-18-2008-01 It just occurred to me that if the City has spent $700,000 on engineering services from STS over a 2-year period.......$350,000 per year........why wouldn't the city spend that money on an in-house engineer instead? You could get 4 full-time engineers working on nothing other than Iron Mountain projects for that money. Something doesn't smell right about this. Whose idea was it to make STS the engineer of record for the City anyway? 3-17-2008-02 Like my friend who's writing to you about Bruce Rosen and his blamelessness regarding the lost wireless and tech opportunity of a couple years ago, I'm writing about something on the Iron Mountain Hate site. Bill Toedter's name is spelled "Toedter," not "Toeder." Also, his daughter filed a recall petition, not his wife. Why do I mention these items? No, I'm not a fussbudget. I mention them because I think they're examples of the common fuzzy thought, inept communicative skills, and disrespect for accuracy and the truth common throughout that Web site and throughout its owner's outlook on politics and life. If we're to debate issues, can't we do better than this? 3-17-2008-01
As a long-time local
businessman who has been involved peripherally with this issue as
early as 2003, I would like to respond to the contemptible
narcissist and horrible writer who continues to publish the
Iron Mountain hate
Web site and
who asked, "Where is Bruce Rosen's buddy who promised to invest
millions in the city and create a city wide wireless network?" 3-15-2008-02 I just finished reading
the Speak Up articles in the paper. This business of "let's forget
the past and move forward" is getting weary. So is the accusation
that it's the same few people doing the criticizing all the time. 3-15-2008-01 Looks to me like the the
button panic is being pushed by the three ward council members who
are up for a hearing on recall language. They are even trying,
based on the "Speak Up" articles in The Daily News, to influence the
three Dickinson County officials who determine whether the language
of the recall is proper. They aren't even challenging the language
so much as they are saying "please don't allow a recall" because we
don't want to face one. 3-14-2008-01
You want to know what’s going on in
Iron Mountain? In the linked video, substitute Don Rumsfeld with
John Marquart & the Gang of Four, and you have it in a nutshell.
Seriously, think of how many times
the tactics in the link have been used, and are still being
used. It explains why they hate open dialogue AND this
website. It also explains the purpose of the "truth" website,
doesn't it? I'll bet it will be applied to how they defend
themselves against the looming recall. How else can you defend
against documented facts?
3-12-2008-02 I have
never met Chuck Wiethoff, but I intend to. His letter in The Daily
News hit a lot of nails right on the head. In case you missed it,
here it is. 3-12-2008-01
Hi, my name is Rose Brady and I am a
landlord. Now I always may not agree with what goes on in the
council, but these people were elected by the people they
represent. I also have no problem with the Rental Ordinance.
My apartments are up to date and code. I know that there are
places out there that are not. Yes, these should be delt with.
I believe that people should have a safe place to live and it
should be up to standards. Also, I have had to take renters to
court and have had my place trashed, but that is part of renting
and then you go through the court system. People must realize
that there are good and bad renters out there. Just as there
are good and bad landlords.
3-11-2008-03
I try to stay informed on city
government issues. I like to know what’s going on. I have
attended many council meetings over the last several years. I
greatly appreciate that the recordings of the meetings are now
available on the city website, so I don’t have to miss the
meeting if I’m not there in person. It’s just not the same to
read the watered down minutes. You miss the passion,
earnestness, frustrations, and other emotions both good and bad
when reading the minutes.
One thing I’ve noticed is that no
matter what the issue is, no matter how controversial, no matter
how blatantly wrong something can be, no matter how much
something is documented as wrongdoing, Eden Caudell has the same
response to everything. It’s great that we are communicating and
we should all move forward. That’s it. The same every time. No
meat. No potatoes. No substance. Just empty rhetoric. And it
usually takes a lot of pointless rambling and meaningless
blabbering just to get that much out.
I hope she realizes that filing a
recall is solid, substantial communication, and that it’s a huge
step in moving forward. Not empty rhetoric, but decisive
action. It's too bad she doesn't yet realize that having three
new council members elected that don't agree with her was
another substantial communication from the public she is
supposed to represent. And a decisive example of how the public
wants to move forward.
3-11-2008-02 After the election of the new council members I spoke with Dan Burke. I spoke with him about the people of Iron Mountain wanting a change. He told me everything will stay the same 4 to 3, 4 to 3. The voting will always be that way. He gave me his opinion on the new members and it is not a good one. I am a landlord and a member of the Association. I asked him why they could not use the code already in place and just enforce it. He called all of us slum lords. Now I am not a slum lord, my building is up to code and is always being updated. I took offense to this and let him know. His face got red and he started arguing and yelling. In my opinion Dan Burke cannot have a discussion on any subject, it is his way or no way. I believe that it is time for a recall on the other council members. They do not care what the people of Iron Mountain want or have to say. They have a mind set and our puppets. 3-11-2008-01
The City of Iron Mountain is
accepting applications for a Civil Service Examination for the
position of Account Clerk.
Among the requirements is: they “
must reside within a 20 mile radius of Iron
Mountain City limits within six months from date of hire per
Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
So, why does this
not apply to the positions of Public Works Director (Becotte)
and Director of Planning and Community Development (Woolard)?
3-10-2008-05
Response for post 3-10-2008-02
I trust we’ll all find out how
strong the recall movement is in due time. It takes a lot of
courage for them to move forward with this. I give them a lot of
credit for that. And respect. I expected to hear criticism of
the three people who stepped up. Sounds like someone has fired
the first popgun.
3-10-2008-04 3-10-2008-03
I am amazed that the city manager
was not fired. I am angry that the gang of four gave him a
bonus. I am encouraged that recall language has been filed for
Burke, Caudell, and Tchokreff. What can be done about the
unacceptable state of our city government in the meantime?
Mr. Rosen, Mr. Farragh, and
Ms Peterson, it must have been
quite a blow to put all that work into research of so many
things, only to have the other four members blow it off like
they don’t care about laws or ethics. We are still behind
you. You are doing exactly what you said you would during the
campaign. That’s what got you elected. Keep plugging away,
and thank you. Now, a tall order: Do any of you think you
could make another motion to terminate the manager at the next
meeting? And the next, if need be? And so on? It was
completely justified the first time, and nothing can change the
many things he has done, and the mistrust of our government
because of it. The four morons that gave him a bonus just
created even more mistrust in our government.
I appreciate all the work you three
have done for the citizens. Don’t let the bastards wear you
down, and don't lose faith that we are all still behind
you. We’ll try to throw the bums out with the recall, but,
please, don’t cut them any slack in the meantime. They don't
deserve it, and neither does the manager.
3-10-2008-02 I was wondering why, if the movement to recall is so strong, do the SAME names keep popping up as the ones stepping forward. Isn't there anyone other than Toedter, Corombos, and Schneider out there that is willing to put the their name on this or is the movement really not as strong as we would be led to believe?? Wouldn't new names lend just a tad bit of credibility? I would be be more willing to completely buy into this thought if someone other than the same names popped up. Just something to think about. 3-10-2008-01 The petition language for the recall of Daniel Burke:
"Iron Mountain
City Council Member Daniel Burke voted to spend more than $200,000
for a city-wide reassessment and did not reprimand the City Manager
after the reassessment failed to update the tax rolls. He has failed
to hold the city manager accountable for instituting and
perpetuating unlawful working conditions in the Iron Mountain Fire
Department, costing city taxpayers $23,000 in fines to date. He has
voted to approve thousands of dollars in unauthorized expenditures
for engineering studies and Police Academy training that were
initiated by the City Manager without council approval. In order to
validate the unauthorized Police Academy training retroactively, he
voted to approve a police contract that included an early-retirement
provision costing the Police and Firemen's Pension Fund $87,038. He
also cast the decisive vote in the Pension Board's acceptance of the
early retirement. When unauthorized expenditures were brought to his
attention, he failed to question them or reprimand the city manager
for them, but, instead voted to retain him and give him a 4% bonus.
He attempted to intimidate a constituent by filing a frivolous
police report that was immediately dismissed by the County
Prosecutor.” The petition language for the recall of Robin Tchokreff:
"Iron Mountain City Council member Robin Tchokreff voted to spend more than $200,000 for a city-wide reassessment and did not reprimand the City Manager after the assessment failed to update the tax rolls. He voted to institute and perpetuate unlawful working conditions in the Iron Mountain Fire Department, costing city taxpayers $23,000 in fines to date. He has voted to approve thousands of dollars in unauthorized expenditures for engineering studies and Police Academy training that were initiated by the city manager without council approval. In Order to validate the unauthorized Police Academy training retroactively, he voted to approve a police contract that included an early-retirement provision costing the Police and Firemen's Pension Fund $87,038, according to the fund's actuarian. When these unauthorized expenditures were brought to his attention, he failed to question them or reprimand the city manager for them, but instead voted to retain him and give him a 4% bonus while repeatedly dismissing citizen complaints.
The petition language for the recall of Eden Caudell:
"Iron Mountain City Council member Eden Caudell has enriched her family at public expense by illegally recommending her mother for city employment, voting to pay her mother's compensation for that illegal employment, and failing to disclose their family relationship. She voted to spend more than $200,000 for a city-wide reassessment and did not reprimand the City Manager after the reassessment failed to update the tax rolls. She has failed to hold the City Manager accountable for instituting and perpetuating unlawful working conditions in the Iron Mountain Fire Department, costing city taxpayers$23,000 in fines to date. She has voted to approve thousands of dollars in unauthorized expenditures for engineering studies and Police Academy training that were initiated by the city manager without council approval. In order to validate the unauthorized Police Academy training retroactively, she voted to approve a police contract that included an early-retirement provision costing the Police and firemen's Pension Fund $87,038 according to the fund's actuarian. When these unauthorized expenditures were brought to her attention, she failed to question them or reprimand the city manager for them, but voted to retain him and gave him a 4% bonus while dismissing citizen complaints.
3-9-2008-03
God Bless America and Recall
3-9-2008-02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 7, 2008
Recall language for the recall of three Iron Mountain City Council members was filed with Dickinson County Clerk Dolly Cook on Friday.
Barbara Toedter, a first ward resident, filed the language calling for the recall of Eden Caudel, the current first ward representative. Ted Corombos, a second ward resident, filed the language calling for the recall of Robin Tchokreff, the current second ward representative. Third ward resident Carol Schneider filed the language calling for the recall of the current third ward representative Daniel Burke.
A statement was released by the filers. “We take this dramatic step only after much thought and deliberation. The election results in November showed voters were unhappy with the direction of our city by voting out three of the four incumbents. We had hoped a new, more cooperative tone would emerge, but it has become obvious after only five council meetings and a series of 4-3 votes that a city council with a majority of members concerned about the direct interest of the citizens and voters of Iron Mountain does not yet exist.
“All three of the members we are seeking to recall voted to continue the unpopular and unnecessary 5% TV cable fee. All three new members voted to eliminate it, but were outvoted 4-3.
“The outrageous, unauthorized spending by City Manager John Marquart without the city council first authorizing such expenditures was called to their attention. They were told it was against the city charter provisions and city policy manuals, yet they approved them without comment. In spite of all the documentation presented to them showing the violations by the city manager, they not only voted to keep him in his position, they saw fit to give him a 4% bonus, again by a 4-3- vote.
“As we move forward, we will point out in great detail to Iron Mountain voters how hundreds of thousands of their tax dollars have been spent foolishly and illegally with the approval of Eden Caudell, Daniel Burke and Robin Tchokreff. Their bad decisions and blind following of the city manager’s recommendations have put the finances of the city into a precarious position. This situation cannot be allowed to continue for two more years until their terms would normally end. The damage they and the city manager could do in that time period could very well be beyond repair.
“To add insult to injury, they voted, again 4-3, not to allow open dialogue with citizens at regular council meetings. Apparently they feel no need to defend their actions to you, the citizens and taxpayers who ultimately must pay for their actions. Time is of the essence if we are to save our beloved city from very serious financial problems. We cannot afford to wait two years.”
Additional Information: The signatures of approximately 225 registered voters from each ward are needed to place the issue on the ballot, but only after the ballot language has been approved by Dickinson County officials Probate Judge Thomas Slagle, County Clerk Dolly Cook and County Treasurer Margie Tarsi.
The deadline for handing in the signed petitions is May 2 in order for the recall ballot to appear on the scheduled August 5 primary election. 3-9-2008-01 Democracy never ceases
to amaze me. I've been way too passive, and I'm ashamed of myself.
3-8-2008-07
It would be nice if someone could
post the recall language here. On the Frog Country website,
Aaron Harper has published the complete language for each of
the three individual recalls. In addition, he had published the
complete statement released by the citizens filing the recalls.
Way to go, Aaron.
3-8-2008-06
I heard a refreshing story on TV6
News the other day.
Ishpeming is deep-sixing their Main
Street program. It seems that Main Street creates barriers to
developing other areas of the city, limits the involvement of
some businesses, and excludes others. Does anyone have that deja
vu feeling? Wasn’t that an issue discussed on this website in
the past? Some people would call it foolishness to point that
out (like 3-7-2008-03), but, common sense like Ishpeming is
showing is not foolishness to me. I think the key to their
common sense is that they have a Development Authority Director.
You’ll notice the word "downtown" is not in the title. What a
concept.
3-8-2008-05
I have been sitting quietly back wondering what was going to happen with a new council in place. I did feel we needed some change and had been hoping compromises could be made to make corrections with some current issues and then proceed forward.
I
like most, hoped it would never come to a recall, but I wonder
what is left to do. As a grandparent the last thing
I
want my grandchildren to learn is that it is ok to lie, to
break laws and to be inconsiderate of others feelings and then
be rewarded for that behavior. What kind of example are
we setting for those high school students that come and do their
mock council meeting? Not a very good one I would say. There
is no doubt, that any one person on the council is always
right, but that is what compromise is about. Perhaps a
reprimand to the manager with a an expectation of better
behavior and
a
loss of this years bonus would have been a start. Instead he is
rewarded for his indiscretions.
In
a time when the economy is less than ideal and the
dollar in our pockets just doesn't stretch far enough, does
it make sense to spend money foolishly causing the citizens in
our community more hardships? There is just no way to justify
careless spending. All that money wasted on a reassessment that
now has to be done over again, is just plain foolish. It is our
councils job to monitor
proper behavior of all it's employees, including the manager,
but all I see is a dropped ball. Maybe this is why the action
that passed came to be. Is it hard to admit that a mistake was
made by the previous council and now no one wants to except the
responsibility? We all make mistakes, but is it not best to
realize the error and correct it. That is what an honest and
forthright person would do.
You
don't continue with the same behavior that caused the error in
the first place.
It
had to be extremely hard for those who came forward to start a
recall. They have apparently had enough. I don't believe for a
second that these citizens were looking for revenge or to
personally attack those parties listed for recall. I believe it
was done because what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong
and one has to stand up for their beliefs at some point. In
this democratic society they are well within their rights and I
would hope people in our community will look at it that way. No
one can know how this will play out but each individual should
follow their own heart and do what they feel is right. Let
those who feel this step necessary, to carry on with their
decision without criticism. After all this is a free country!!
3-8-2008-04
Per post 3-7-2008-03, I’d like to
know what "foolishness" is being propagated on this website.
Whoever you are, you are not paying attention. Many of the
issues first appeared on this website, but that does not make it
foolishness. It means it was covered up, or the official
information was very misleading at best. Every charge or claim
in the city manager evaluation is valid, in my opinion. It
finally came out in official form at a City council meeting.
Ever gone to one of those, buddy? Then, it came out in the local
media, where it belongs. Now, people are again commenting on it
here, and the new issue of a completely justified recall. Many
of the points made are serious enough that just ONE of them
would have gotten the manager terminated if this wasn’t Special-interestville,
aka Iron Mountain for the last four years.
To give a bonus in these
circumstances is outrageous. Last year's even larger bonus was
equally, if not more outrageous, considering that some of these
issues were at the forefront of city business at the time. I
suspect the poster must have something to lose if the power base
shifts with a recall. That’s the only reason I can come up with
in the face of so much documentation that shows how hollow his
claims are. The poster must have a special interest to make his
hypocritical claims. The possibility of losing your
"sugar-daddy" is not a very good reason to keep these people in
office, Mr. 3-7-2008-03. At least, not for the rest of us.
3-8-2008-03
ref 3-7-2008-3
Thank you for your opinion Kenny
3-8-2008-02 Once there was a common
woman named Irene Montagne. Irene paid semiannually to take her
meals at a restaurant known as Sauté Hall. For a long time,
Irene was well fed on pork chops and lettuce. But the restaurant’s
owners became concerned over the increasing cost of food. So they
hired a master chef named Chef Frankly, who said “I can reduce the
cost of food and Irene will never know the difference.” So they
gathered in secret at Sauté Hall and drafted an 3-8-2008-01 To the author of 3-7-2008-03: I thought you said you were done posting on this site! 3-7-2008-05
Let me know when, where, and at what
time to be there and I will be the first to sign, who else is
in? I bet we could fill all the petitions in record time, lets
do it and show the fab 4 we had enough, or should I say 3.
Please lets make sure everyone who signs the petitions are legal
voters for their wards, we do not want to make this last any
longer than we have to. Lets get are city
back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3-7-2008-04
To the Web Master of the so
called "Truth" site,
We all know that you visit this web
site regularly and so we would like to ask you a question that
has never been asked on this site before.
Of course, because your
site only tells the truth, we know we will get an honest answer.
You do not have to tell us who you
are, but we would like to hear you deny the rumors that
you are Mr K.T. who founded, and operates this site.
When you write back in to this site,
please refer to this posting number and flatly deny our
assumption! We would like your answer, just for the record .
Remember, we are not asking you to
tell us your name, --- we just want to hear you deny the above
fact.
Remember --- as you always say
"The TRUTH" will set you free!
From a citizen
TRUTH Seeker
3-7-2008-03 As a resident of this city I am so tired of the foolishness that is being propagated on this website. There is nothing happening here except for a few people with not enough to do and a few people who are worried about their own financial gain. You think this city manager is ruining your town? Iron Mountain has been sliding downward for so long - take some credit for what was done for the past 25 years - or should I say what wasn't done. We had a city manager who sat behind a desk for years and years and did only what was absolutely necessary. Do you think all these things happened since there was a change on the council? Short memories. Our bad sewers, potholes, deteriorating neighborhoods, high tax basis, and downtown business losses didn't come about in the last four years. They happened over a long, long time. Part of it is a problem faced by many small towns but the people who watched over our city funds for many years should be truthful and take some responsibility. A recall like this is self-destructive. What is it you're looking for on your council - special interest retirees? These people on the council get little compensation for putting in their time - it's not like they're profiting from it. The special interest people have something to gain - perhaps keeping the rental ordinance from taking effect or being able to invest the city funds for their own gain. Don't worry - I realize this is futile. You're going to push a recall and work to get everything back to where it was. Good job. 3-7-2008-02 IM recall petitions Thank you Barbara Toedter, Ted Corombos, and Carol Schneider. I promise to sign as soon as the petitions can be circulated. There is hope for Iron Mountain after all. 3-7-2008-01
The "City Manager Evaluation" posted
below really puts things in perspective.
It staggers my mind that Marquart
still has a job, I'm sure he can't believe his luck either. He
has found a gold mine here in Iron Mountain, bonus on top of
bonus and can break any law or policy he wants without
repercussion.
I just want to give a huge Thank
You to Bruce, Tina, and Dave for sticking to your guns and
trying to do the right thing for this city.
Hopefully enough people will wake
up and realize what VanLaanen, Burke, Caudell, and Tchokreff are
doing to this city. It blows my mind that they would not only
condone, but reward Marquart's actions. It gives a good insight,
I think, into their real character and it's not pretty.
The people need to stop this and the
only way to do that is, unfortunately, by recall. I normally
don't condone most recalls, but it is desperately needed in Iron
Mountain.
3-6-2008-03 If we ever needed a reason to start a recall read the City Manager Evaluation. I guess all those people that were ever fined by the City of Iron Mountain can go and get their money back, since the City is forgiving all past mistakes. 3-6-2008-02
The information below was
handed out to everyone in the audience and to all council
members at the Monday, March 3, 2008 meeting of the Iron
Mountain City Council.
3-6-2008-01
I was so afraid that the 4 to 3 vote
was going to happen on all important issues. It now
appears that my fears were correct. I know that recalls are
expensive, but there are four members that need to be
GONE. PLEASE someone start a recall, if I were in town, and knew
how, I would. I am willing to help, will be back home the
beginning of May.
3-5-2008-03
It is a sad day for this community!
Dispite the efforts of our 3 newly elected council members to
bring control of this city back to it's citizens, Marquart and
his puppets are still in control of all issues!
What I read in the paper is
unbelievable!
Every vote since they took office
has been 4/3 4/3 4/3. all at the recommendation of the manager.
We no longer have a city government,
we have a dictatorship with Marquart as the dictator and Caudell,
Torchoff, Vanlannen and Burk as his henchmen.
To propose a termination of Marquart
and then have his henchmen approve a 3% bonus, is a defiance and
a slap in the face for every decent citizen in this town and it
will continue until someone or some group of people put a stop
to it!
Does anyone have an idea that will
stop this administration and it's puppets?
A recall is one solution but it must
start at once!
Tina's idea of a complete
investigation by the attorney general's office is another
solution, but action needs to be taken at once!
Any other ideas?
One ticked off citizen!
3-5-2008-02
I saw Dan Burke’s comment in the
newspaper. He must not know what is going on if he thinks there
has been a "witch hunt" happening. In order for this to be
termed a witch hunt, there would have to be a total lack of
documentation and evidence. That is not the case. When voting to
keep the manager, the vote was also condoning inappropriate, and
illegal procedures going on in our government. Doesn’t he see
that? How did this guy get elected, anyway? And then Eden
Caudell admits mistakes were made, but that we should "move
forward." How do you "move forward" when your vote condones the
past improprieties? It doesn’t add up to honest government
looking forward. The only thing that has changed is that it’s
out in the open, and it’s been officially condoned by four
council members. That’s moving forward? Not in my book.
3-5-2008-01 Democracy suffered
another blow at the Iron Mountain City Council meeting Monday
night. By the usual 4-3 vote by the "gang of four" they voted not
to allow discussion with a speaker at the podium. 3-4-2008-04
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT BREAKS
THE LAW, THEN THERE IS NO LAW.
What do I tell my kids about this?
I can't tell them the truth, can I? Thus, the chain reaction
into complete moral and ethical decay commences. If there is no
recall, then there is no collective conscience in Iron Mountain.
3-4-2008-03
What really happened at last night’s
council meeting, people? I wasn’t there, but I’ve seen the story
in the Daily News, heard the story on Frog Country, and saw a
brief mention on TV 6 News.
If I’m getting this correctly from
the media, three council members brought forth serious reasons
to terminate the city manager, based on documentation of several
mishandled issues. Some of these issues involved quite serious
allegations - with supporting documents - that laws have been
broken. One was even confirmed by the city attorney.
In response, four council members
voted to keep the manager employed after a motion was made to
dismiss him. What is that vote saying, people?
I hear it as, "In your face, Iron Mountain." "We don’t care if
laws are broken." "Now we know why you don’t trust us, and we
don’t care." "Go pound sand." "Laws be damned. We’ll do as we
damn well please." "Whaddya gonna do about it?" This attitude,
in a nutshell, is the heart of everything that everyone has been
griping about on this website since it came into being. How can
we possibly have trust in our government in these circumstances?
You know what, Iron Mountain? We
just had three dedicated new council members bring these issues
to light in the proper manner, and they (we) were snubbed. The
added insult of voting in a bonus is the height of hypocrisy
and arrogance. It’s a slap in the face to every resident of this
city. Our three new members did their part. Thank you so much
Bruce, Dave, and Tina. Now, it’s our turn to do ours. I don’t
want a government that thinks it’s okay to operate this way.
It’s time for the threatened recall to commence. An
investigation into the allegations of lawbreaking wouldn’t hurt,
either. Enough with the lip service, complaining, and threats on
this website. It’s time for action. Put up or shut up, people.
3-4-2008-02 It is in the hands of the residents, if they want things changed. 3-4-2008-01 Oh, wow. I just read the news about Marquart’s bonus. I have to wonder about the mindset of Eden Caudell. The quote from the Daily News, “I think we need to look at the important issues. We wish these things wouldn’t have happened. I think he (Marquart) wants what is best for the city. He is helping the city to grow and has done the job to move us forward,” Caudell said. What could she possibly be thinking when she said this? Where is the growth? I can only assume she means growth in the city coffers. She wishes things wouldn’t have happened? Well, sorry Eden, they happened and the man who already gets a $75,000 salary should be REWARDED? Everywhere I’ve ever worked, I only got bonuses for not only doing my job, but for doing excellent work all around. I never got a bonus for screw-ups. I think I want to work for Eden. 3-3-2008-02 It is a very sad day
today in Iron Mountain. 4-3 vote to keep Marquart, 4-3 vote to give
him a 4% bonus and Mr. Rosen made a motion not to give him bonus,
that motion failed 4-3. 3-3-2008-01 I just got the news
about Monday's council meeting. 4-3 against firing Marquart, 4-3 in
favor of a 4% bonus in spite of numerous laws broken by the
manager. Tchokreff actually tried to justify his vote by suggesting
that he respected Marquart's "managerial skills". 3-2-2008-06
I wonder if there are any attorneys
out there reading this site? Attached to this post are the
relevant sections of the Michigan Open Meetings Act and the Iron
Mountain Code of Ordinances that cover open meetings, and in
particular, closed sessions of the council. It looks to me that
the Iron Mountain Code language is MORE open than the Open
Meetings Act, and should be the rule followed for closed
sessions. The first page of the Open Meetings Act, hell, the
first section says that we can have rules that are more open,
and that such rules are not prohibited by the Act. If
that’s the case, then the recording and minutes of the Thursday
meeting should be made open for all to see, because employee
evaluations are not even mentioned in the City Code as a
valid reason for a closed meeting. That was how it was listed on
the agenda.
Again, any attorneys out there who
want to see our government straightened out?
3-2-2008-05
Recall
Van Laanen,
Tchokreff, Burke and Caudell now.
The longer we wait the more damage
will be done to Iron Mountain.
We can't wait to "Contiue the
Progess" until their terms expire. Can you say ghost town.
3-2-2008-04
These are sad times for Iron
Mountain. We have four (blind followers) council persons who
will defend illegal and irresponsible acts. They do not have a
single independent on their own or collectively. They listen to
Marquart with a hint of a question or fact finding on their own.
Our city can not afford another day with these four, Van
Laanen, Tchokreff, Burke and Caudell in office and
supporting the most deceptive, dishonest, and arrogant city
manager we have EVER HAD.
If we don't have a recall of these
four, we as citizens must accept the fact that we will have a
downtown with no businesses but tons of flowers and new parking
lots with no cars parked in them.
RECALL Van Laanen, Tchokreff,
Burke and Caudell NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3-2-2008-03 Count me in financially
and volunteer time for: 3-2-2008-02 After reading the posts here, I think the Monday meeting will be super interesting. Wouldn't miss it for anything. 3-2-2008-01 Did you see the
agenda for Monday's meeting on the city website:
www.cityofironmountain.com? 3-1-2008-01 DON'T MISS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 3, AT 6:30 PM The meeting this coming Monday should be a doozy. Regardless of the closed meeting held this past Thursday, all council members, new and previous, have the right to ask Marquart, in public, any questions they want regarding his past actions. It will be very interesting to watch the SPINMEISTER at his elusive best. The only way to get at him is to cut him short and then ask follow-up questions, one after the other. He will surely try his usual long winded-answers, like he always does every time he is in a squeeze. I totally agree with post 2-29-2008-02 about a thorough investigation. The "gang of four" as someone aptly named them, will probably object and try to squash it. They'll claim it will cost money, no reason to investigate, etc. The real reason is they are shaking in their boots at the mere mention of it. If they have nothing to fear and nothing to hide, they should welcome it to clear the air. If they object, then SURELY THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. And we know they do. Their main objection, though they won't mention it, is to guard the SPINMEISTER, and he needs all the protection he can get. Second, they know he has spend untold thousands of dollars without council approval. This tracks back to THEM. They approved the Vendor's Reports when they knew or should have know many charges were not approved. This get THEM into the area of MISFEASANCE OR MALFEASANCE in office and UTTER disregard of their fiduciary duties. So any investigation will sweep each of the "gang of four" into it big time. They are in a no-win situation if they don't fire Marquart. They are in even deeper trouble if they object to an investigation. There are provisions in state law wherein the minority members can petition the office of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION when a majority object. As duly sworn in public servants they have taken and oath office too observe the law of the United States and the State of Michigan, and have signed their signatures to that effect. Voting 4-3 to keep Marquart will put the gang of four in far more legal jeopardy than their simple minds can begin to comprehend. Actually, I hope they vote to retain him so that the BIG SHOW can start. That will be something to behold!! Iron Mountain has never seen anything like it, but WE'LL ALL HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT AS IT UNFOLDS. |