The seven Democrats for Livingston County Commission laid out an agenda for the county Monday (August 16, 2010) built around the framework of "Smart Leadership, Smart Growth."
The philosophy is simple -- leadership that is transparent, inclusive, and proactive will give us growth that stresses the local economy first, has a vision for the future that addresses transportation needs, and that enhances the quality of life for all citizens.
The candidates -- Thomas Bell of Oceola Township for District 2; Dane Morris of Hartland Township for District 3; Dave Berry of Conway Township for District 5; Keith Tianen of Putnam Township for District 6; Kelly Raskauskas of Genoa Township for District 7; Amir Baghdadchi of Hamburg Township for Distirct 8, and Barry McBride of Green Oak Township for District 9 -- spent nearly all of the news conference laying out proposals for meeting the county's transportation needs, attracting jobs, and protecting veterans. (David Berry was called out of town at the last minute and could not attend.)
The commissioner candiates' platform called for stopping the multi-million-dollar bailout of the money-losing Spencer J. Hardy Airport in Livingston County. The facility has lost $4.7 million over the last decade and has received $2.7 million in public funds instead of being expected to at least break even. Money spent at the airport, the candidates argued, could have been used for improving roads, or meeting other needs.
The candidates also called for more attention to county roads, 41 percent of which have been rated in "poor" condition by the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.
And they urged the county commisison to at least study the proposed WALLY commuter rail line between Howell and Ann Arbor -- a project supported by chambers of commerce in Brighton and Howell, as well as by the city of Howell and Hamburg Township.
The candidates also questioned why the part-time commissioners, who receive salaries from $15,325 a year, should also received perks such as health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and a pension for part-time work. They vowed to end the excessive perks for part-time work.
They also called for:
--Greater transparency on the part of the commission.
--A promise by the county commission not to back any more bonds for speculative real estate developments. The county commission has discussed a bailout from the state because developers have failed to pay assessments for infrastructure in real estate developments built in many townships in recent years.
--Making the county more welcoming to business with a one-stop shop for new businesses starting up in Livingston County, a county website that welcomes business, more emphasis on local business, including helping them link up with each other.
--An active parks and recreation commission that would develop hundreds of acres of land given to the county for park use but never developed, but instead has been rented out to private interests and posted with no-trespassing signs.
--A promise to continue levying the small millage for veterans relief, a levy that costs the owner of a $300,000 house a maximum of $7 a year. The levy, required by an 1899 state law, was not levied by the county commission for years and it only reluctantly agreed to do so when county veterans pointed it out to them.
It's a complete agenda -- and it shows where the current bunch has fallen short.
Showing posts with label County Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County Commission. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Livingston Leads -- In Foreclosures!
Livingston County Commissioners will probably try to keep this a secret, but the all-Republilcan board has presided over a county that is second-highest in the region in foreclosures.
According to a report from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, one in every 39 houses in Livingston County is in foreclosure. That's second only to Wayne County, where the ratio is one out of 34. WHMI had the story on Saturday (July 10, 2010). WHMI doesn't provide links to individual stories, but here is the link to the raw data from SEMCOG.
SEMCOG said while Wayne County's foreclosures likely were due to the decline in the state's manufacturing base. But in Livingston County, SEMCO blamed "overdevelopment."
Livingston County bragged about being the fastest growing county in the state from 2000 to 2009. And the Republicans on the county commission helped finance much of that overdevelopment, borrowing millions of dollars for improvements in new subdivisions that now sit half empty or worse. And guess who gets to pay the bill (now at $111 million) for all that "overdevelopment"?
The taxpayers, that's who.
That's Republican conservative values in action.
According to a report from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, one in every 39 houses in Livingston County is in foreclosure. That's second only to Wayne County, where the ratio is one out of 34. WHMI had the story on Saturday (July 10, 2010). WHMI doesn't provide links to individual stories, but here is the link to the raw data from SEMCOG.
SEMCOG said while Wayne County's foreclosures likely were due to the decline in the state's manufacturing base. But in Livingston County, SEMCO blamed "overdevelopment."
Livingston County bragged about being the fastest growing county in the state from 2000 to 2009. And the Republicans on the county commission helped finance much of that overdevelopment, borrowing millions of dollars for improvements in new subdivisions that now sit half empty or worse. And guess who gets to pay the bill (now at $111 million) for all that "overdevelopment"?
The taxpayers, that's who.
That's Republican conservative values in action.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
County Commission Penny-wise, Pound-foolish
Apparently, you can sell any wacky idea to Livingston County Commissioners if you tell them it will save money.
That's how a former county employee apparently put herself in position to steal thousands of dollars from the taxpayers, right under the noses of our county commissioners.
Julie Wyland Crouse was in charge of the county's medical benefits program, which meant she took in employees' benefits forms and claims and sent them to payroll for payment.
The county previously had paid an outside company to oversee the reimbursements, but, according to the Livingston Press and Argus story in editions for Thursday (July 16, 2009,) "Crouse convinced county officials that using Marwil was 'wasting money,' Gadsby said. As a result, county officials discontinued Farmington Hills-based Marwil's service effective July 1, 2005, leaving Crouse the sole person responsible for determining whether employees' were receiving the correct reimbursement, the detective said."
So, according to charges filed against her, Crouse proceeded to embezzle taxpayers' money. The Livingston County Prosecutor's Office has charged her with two counts of embezzling at least $1,000 but less than $20,000 from the county.
In other words, no one was watching what Crouse was doing. That's a violation of fundamental rules of accounting requiring checks and balances. County officials should have known better. But Crouse apparently spoke the magic words, "It'll save money," and commissioners stupidly fell for it.
That's how a former county employee apparently put herself in position to steal thousands of dollars from the taxpayers, right under the noses of our county commissioners.
Julie Wyland Crouse was in charge of the county's medical benefits program, which meant she took in employees' benefits forms and claims and sent them to payroll for payment.
The county previously had paid an outside company to oversee the reimbursements, but, according to the Livingston Press and Argus story in editions for Thursday (July 16, 2009,) "Crouse convinced county officials that using Marwil was 'wasting money,' Gadsby said. As a result, county officials discontinued Farmington Hills-based Marwil's service effective July 1, 2005, leaving Crouse the sole person responsible for determining whether employees' were receiving the correct reimbursement, the detective said."
So, according to charges filed against her, Crouse proceeded to embezzle taxpayers' money. The Livingston County Prosecutor's Office has charged her with two counts of embezzling at least $1,000 but less than $20,000 from the county.
In other words, no one was watching what Crouse was doing. That's a violation of fundamental rules of accounting requiring checks and balances. County officials should have known better. But Crouse apparently spoke the magic words, "It'll save money," and commissioners stupidly fell for it.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Commissioners Look At Buying New Toy
Remember those billboards before the election? The ones the Republicans put up to tell us all how fortunate we are to have one-party rule in Livingston County because the Republicans are so good at saving the taxpayers money?
Well, the election is over and the same Commissioners who said we couldn’t possibly afford a commuter system between Howell and Ann Arbor, one which would bring us new business and jobs, now want to buy a $1.7 million Central Dispatch system that will not do much more than the existing system.
According to the Press & Argus, November 26, 2008, the new system will help with record keeping.
“Obviously, it’s a more advanced system than what we have,” said Dick Winsett, director of Central Dispatch. “It would provide more information and newer technology to public safety for their record management concerns.”
There are numerous software systems that will keep records efficiently for the jail and prosecutor’s office. Some of them can probably be integrated into the existing Dispatch system. The County Commissioners should look at how other counties handle their records.
“The downside of this, of course, is our existing system with CLEMIS is very cost-effective,” said Commissioner Dave Domas, also chairman of the PublicSafety/Judiciary Committee. “We only pay $41,000 a year for the system that we’ve got, and it works.“It doesn’t do everything that we want,” Domas added.
So, Dave, why are you wasting time looking at a new system if it’s not cost-efficient? What do you want the system to do, Dave? Serve coffee and snacks at the Board meetings? Or did SunGard’s slick salespeople cause you to “need” a new system.
Put this one on the ballot, Dave. I guarantee you will lose. Or go ahead and buy the system and lose in 2010. People are hurting, Dave. They want something that will bring jobs and business here – something like the WALLY or spending money on our crumbling infrastructure.
What is it with our County Commissioners? After the 2006 election, they suddenly found $1.5 million for a new jail. After the 2008 election, after all the budget crunching and downsizing, we suddenly have the funds for a new Dispatch system? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark and the county of Livingston and the stink is coming from the Commissioners Board Room.
Well, the election is over and the same Commissioners who said we couldn’t possibly afford a commuter system between Howell and Ann Arbor, one which would bring us new business and jobs, now want to buy a $1.7 million Central Dispatch system that will not do much more than the existing system.
According to the Press & Argus, November 26, 2008, the new system will help with record keeping.
“Obviously, it’s a more advanced system than what we have,” said Dick Winsett, director of Central Dispatch. “It would provide more information and newer technology to public safety for their record management concerns.”
There are numerous software systems that will keep records efficiently for the jail and prosecutor’s office. Some of them can probably be integrated into the existing Dispatch system. The County Commissioners should look at how other counties handle their records.
“The downside of this, of course, is our existing system with CLEMIS is very cost-effective,” said Commissioner Dave Domas, also chairman of the PublicSafety/Judiciary Committee. “We only pay $41,000 a year for the system that we’ve got, and it works.“It doesn’t do everything that we want,” Domas added.
So, Dave, why are you wasting time looking at a new system if it’s not cost-efficient? What do you want the system to do, Dave? Serve coffee and snacks at the Board meetings? Or did SunGard’s slick salespeople cause you to “need” a new system.
Put this one on the ballot, Dave. I guarantee you will lose. Or go ahead and buy the system and lose in 2010. People are hurting, Dave. They want something that will bring jobs and business here – something like the WALLY or spending money on our crumbling infrastructure.
What is it with our County Commissioners? After the 2006 election, they suddenly found $1.5 million for a new jail. After the 2008 election, after all the budget crunching and downsizing, we suddenly have the funds for a new Dispatch system? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark and the county of Livingston and the stink is coming from the Commissioners Board Room.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
POVERTY BY THE NUMBERS IN AFFLUENT LIVINGSTON COUNTY
What do numbers mean? What do dollars mean? In the recent election campaign, the Livingston Republicans put up billboards and ran TV ads boasting about how they kept taxes low and attained an AA bond rating by their one-party rule. But all is not well in Livingston County
.
In the Press & Argus, Rich Perlberg: By the Numbers Your Help Is Needed, Nov. 16, 2008, the General Manager of the P&A gives numerous statistics that prove the existence of grueling, awful poverty in this affluent county.
This is not news to those of us who understand that poverty exists along with affluence. It can be seen by those who open their eyes. If those of us who ran for the State House didn’t know it, we heard about it when we attended the Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body forum last September 24. That is, we heard about it if we bothered to attend. Bill Rogers was evidently too busy counting tax monies to make it.
Perlberg writes:
“Those are some of the harsh numbers. They put into perspective the personal stories most of you hear — the neighbor who got laid off, the co-worker whose home is in foreclosure, the family that moved because there was no work here.
“The agencies that produced this report stressed how they are working together by seeking efficiencies, leveraging efforts for state grants and publicizing services, especially for those who have never before found themselves needing financial help.
“But they need your help, your money and your time. Look at it this way. If 3,000 homes were in foreclosure, that means 50,000 or more were not. Now more than ever, those are the folks who need to look past the numbers and help their neighbors — even, and perhaps especially, those they have never met.”
So what Rich is saying is what we saved on taxes, we should give to charity to feed the hungry, care for children’s medical needs and shelter the homeless. We should even give a little bit more to cover for the people who don’t contribute. Then we can feel good about ourselves playing Lord and Lady Bountiful. Yes, we can be generous and compassionate. What we are not is fair and just. Justice demands that we share resources with others. If we follow justice, the County may even borrow some money to help citizens of Livingston County – I think borrowing is one of the uses of an AA bond rating. Or we may even go so far as to allow our taxes to be raised a mill or two so that we can provide health insurance for the impoverished as well as the County Commissioners.
A new day is coming, a new political climate is blowing in the wind but we still don’t get it in Livingston County. Values are changing. Good government and low taxes are not synonymous.
Wake up! Livingston!
.
In the Press & Argus, Rich Perlberg: By the Numbers Your Help Is Needed, Nov. 16, 2008, the General Manager of the P&A gives numerous statistics that prove the existence of grueling, awful poverty in this affluent county.
This is not news to those of us who understand that poverty exists along with affluence. It can be seen by those who open their eyes. If those of us who ran for the State House didn’t know it, we heard about it when we attended the Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body forum last September 24. That is, we heard about it if we bothered to attend. Bill Rogers was evidently too busy counting tax monies to make it.
Perlberg writes:
“Those are some of the harsh numbers. They put into perspective the personal stories most of you hear — the neighbor who got laid off, the co-worker whose home is in foreclosure, the family that moved because there was no work here.
“The agencies that produced this report stressed how they are working together by seeking efficiencies, leveraging efforts for state grants and publicizing services, especially for those who have never before found themselves needing financial help.
“But they need your help, your money and your time. Look at it this way. If 3,000 homes were in foreclosure, that means 50,000 or more were not. Now more than ever, those are the folks who need to look past the numbers and help their neighbors — even, and perhaps especially, those they have never met.”
So what Rich is saying is what we saved on taxes, we should give to charity to feed the hungry, care for children’s medical needs and shelter the homeless. We should even give a little bit more to cover for the people who don’t contribute. Then we can feel good about ourselves playing Lord and Lady Bountiful. Yes, we can be generous and compassionate. What we are not is fair and just. Justice demands that we share resources with others. If we follow justice, the County may even borrow some money to help citizens of Livingston County – I think borrowing is one of the uses of an AA bond rating. Or we may even go so far as to allow our taxes to be raised a mill or two so that we can provide health insurance for the impoverished as well as the County Commissioners.
A new day is coming, a new political climate is blowing in the wind but we still don’t get it in Livingston County. Values are changing. Good government and low taxes are not synonymous.
Wake up! Livingston!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
County Commission Candidate Gets Top Endorsement
It's easy for candidates to get endorsements from people who don't know them very well -- answer a few questions the right way, figure out their hot button issues and zero in on those and you're in.
But when somebody knows a candidate really, really well, who has seen them in all kinds of situations, endorses them, that says something.
Especially when it's your kid.
Adrian Campbell Montgomery of Hartland, Democratic candidate for Livingston County Commissioner in the third district, has put together an adorable ad featuring her daughter, Aurora, advocating for her mom's candidacy.
It's cute -- especially when Aurora flashes the Michigan-mitten. And it's also accurate. Adrian will do a great job!
Adrian was featured in Michael Moore's movie on health care, Sicko. Her story about her health care provider's refusal to pay for her cancer treatment because she was too young brings audiences to tears. Even 8th Congressional District candidate Bob Alexander nearly broke down after hearing her talk about her experience at a recent Barack Obama Campaign for Change rally in Livingston County.
Adrian has pledged, if elected, not to take the free health care that Livingston County lavishes on its part-time commissioners.
So if you enjoy the commercial, help out Adrian by passing it on.
But when somebody knows a candidate really, really well, who has seen them in all kinds of situations, endorses them, that says something.
Especially when it's your kid.
Adrian Campbell Montgomery of Hartland, Democratic candidate for Livingston County Commissioner in the third district, has put together an adorable ad featuring her daughter, Aurora, advocating for her mom's candidacy.
It's cute -- especially when Aurora flashes the Michigan-mitten. And it's also accurate. Adrian will do a great job!
Adrian was featured in Michael Moore's movie on health care, Sicko. Her story about her health care provider's refusal to pay for her cancer treatment because she was too young brings audiences to tears. Even 8th Congressional District candidate Bob Alexander nearly broke down after hearing her talk about her experience at a recent Barack Obama Campaign for Change rally in Livingston County.
Adrian has pledged, if elected, not to take the free health care that Livingston County lavishes on its part-time commissioners.
So if you enjoy the commercial, help out Adrian by passing it on.
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