Letters to the editor

(Editor’s note: Due to the number of letters we’ve received, Managing Editor Gary Gould’s column will return next week.)

Corrections officers have sacrificed

As a corrections officer, I am proud of my job and the opportunity to serve Michigan citizens in the fight against crime. My job allows me to give back to my fellow citizens and to my community both in Genesee County, where I live, and in Lapeer County, where I work at the Thumb Correctional Facility.

My fellow corrections officers and I love our jobs even as we are aware that what we do can be dangerous. We know Michigan is in need of budget reforms. That’s why corrections officers and other state workers are among the first to help Lansing find a solution — by agreeing to pay cuts, long hours, higher health costs and other concessions.

Some of these have sadly also resulted in layoffs, which means our communities have fewer safeguards against criminals. State employees have helped Michigan save more than $3.2 billion since 2001.

We have made sacrifices repeatedly. It is time for politicians to step up to the plate, cut their pay and perks, and stop unfairly slashing public services and public employees that only endanger people. — Michelle Swain, Davison

A fix for DMS traffic

I’ve read at least a couple opinions in this paper regarding the traffic situation at the Davison middle school as kids are being dropped off in the morning. I’ll resist the temptation to go into a rant about the dangers posed to the kids or the apparent egoism that enables adults to guiltlessly indulge in cutting (get caught doing that at Cedar Point and they’ll throw you out of the park!).

I will mention that this behavior causes the established drop of line to wait as administrators hold the line while cutting students meander across and then again as the vehicles that dropped them off merge back in line ahead of where they left it. So parents/kids who are following established procedures are penalized not once, but twice.

The best solutions are the simplest and of course address the root of the problem. I’ll suggest two similar, simple solutions to address two ‘near’ root causes (sorry, no simple solution for egoism).

Near Root Cause #1: Driver/student is running late, need to get student into school as quickly as possible.

Solution #1: School staff/administrators stand on the parking lot side of the established drop off line. Kids dropped off by ‘cutters’ are held on the parking lot side until there is a break in the established drop off line and the school staff/administrator feels it is safe for them to cross. What? There might not ever be a break in that line? Exactly — this solution takes away the benefit of cutting. Want to get into school more quickly? Stay in line.

Near Root Cause #2: Driver doesn’t want to wait in line.

Solution #2: School staff/administrator (or maybe that policeman who used to show up every once in awhile) stands in the parking lot where

cutters’ are attempting to merge back in with the established drop off line and holds those vehicles until there is a break in traffic and the school staff/administrator (or policeman) thinks it is safe for them to merge. (see ‘what?’ under Solution #1.) Want to get out of the parking lot more quickly? Stay in line.

If the school were to implement one or both of these solutions I’m thinking the cutting problem and the risk to kids is near zero within a week. —

Michael D. Close, Davison

Martin is a loose cannon

I am not in favor of consolidation at of Davison city and township. When I attended the meeting at the Senior Center I was surprised at how people were willing to spend other people’s money on a for the feasibility study. If people believe in something strong enough, they should be more than willing to pay to see it through. Don’t ask other people to pay for it, use your own money.

The politicians also presented the false hope that when consolidated they might be able to bring in more jobs. Don’t hold your breath on that one. To cap off the meeting (Jack) Abernathy (former Davison City Manager) stated that while the governor is watching. Don’t hold your breath on that one — the governor has been watching for eight years while Michigan gets poorer and poorer.

The first two sentences of Section 8.1 of the City Charter are as follows: The Council shall appoint a City Manager who shall be responsible to the council. The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the government under the direction and supervision of the council and shall hold the office at the pleasure of the council.

Without the knowledge of the city council, Dale Martin proceeded to meet and talk with other politicians on how to get this consolidation started. These secret meetings were refereed to by his political allies “discreet” thinking outside the box and simply water cooler talk. But now let two or more council members chat about city business and they are accused of secret meetings, violation of the Open Meetings Act and threatened with court action. Is this hypocrisy? Martin is a loose cannon among us. While other municipalities are cutting staff and wages to deal with the recession, Martin asked for a got raises for nonunion city staff. In the October Index he said he envisions a new Municipal Center at a new downtown location, he wants more room for courts and living options downtown for the 20- somethings. Now its consolidation with the township. Martin is a big spender in a small town — we cannot afford him! — Robert D. Rose, Davison

Add-ons not deductible

Your article on the Davison Township/City consolidation meeting was well written and factual. I do take issue with Township Supervisor Kurt Soper’s statement that the township levies about 3.75 mills — including special assessments and voter approved police millage.

My 2009 Davison Township winter tax statement indicates 34.35590 mills, which does not include garbage of $122.74, police of $123.26 and Black Creek drain of $1.45. In addition these “add ons” are not tax deductible on State of Michigan or Federal tax returns.

The city of Davison, on the other hand, levies about 13 mills, according to Mr. Soper. If you are quoting attendees it’s important to get your facts straight. — Edward Moss, Davison Township

Council not acting in city’s best interest

If it is true that the majority of the Davison City Council voted to eliminate the position of DPW director and fire Brian Klassen for budgetary, and not personal, reasons, then why didn't the council wait until the new budget was drafted and debated? If the firing wasn't in retribution for Mr. Klassen's whistle-blowing against council member Jim Hershberger's alleged interference with city employees, wouldn't it make sense to actually look at the budget before slashing it? Half of the council has been serving for three months and have no experience in budgeting for a city, so why is there such a hurry to start firing staff, especially competent staff?

Even if you were to set these questions aside, shouldn't a plan for a replacement be made before firing the person responsible for overlooking a staff responsible for clearing our roads of snow, and overseeing our water treatment plant? Their stated objective of hiring a supervisor from the current staff and giving him a 40 cent/hour raise for the duties seems implausible, especially considering the responsibilities of the job, and the fact that many of the most experienced on the staff reportedly are looking to retire soon.

In the three short months since the last council election, we have an investigation into allegations of Open Meetings Act violations, a repeal of the successful Rental Inspection Ordinance, and a lot of rancor. The council has also taken the unprecedented step of repealing ordinances with a single vote, instead of the past practice of repealing laws with new ordinances, which require two public readings and offer a chance for public input. Any requests for explanations for any of these acts have fallen upon deaf ears.

Come May, the new members of the city council will have been in office for six months. According to state law, a recall can not be initiated until the office holder has served for six months. Recall campaigns should not be taken lightly, and should be used only in cases of malfeasance.

Firing an important and competent department head without first establishing that the department will still function properly, disregarding precedent, showing indifference for the charter and council rules, and opening up the city to risk of a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, all in the first three months of the term, on top of inspiring a State Police investigation, isn't a good start, unless your goal is defining “malfeasance.” —

Kevin McKague, Davison

Pet owner asks city to stay out of her home

The recent discussion regarding an ordinance allowing residents to own only two dogs and two cats has me wondering when this city became a condo association with rules for everything. Ordinances seem to be almost flying out of city council these days.

I have lived in this city for nearly 30 years and, despite not having any of the recent ordinances, have always been pleased with the state of the city and how folks kept their homes up. Sure there are a few problems here and there, but usually nothing that a friendly conversation or a little "look the other way" wouldn't take care of. If someone failed to shovel their sidewalk, the neighbors just shoveled theirs a little farther so the way was clear. If animals got into someone's garbage because it was not in cans or because someone needed to put their garbage out early for some reason, either the owners or their neighbors picked the mess up and that was that. Frankly, I cannot recall that happening more than once or twice in the entire time I have lived here anyway.

Now I am told that I can only own two cats and two dogs. Why? Because someone else feels that more than that is too many?

There may be a problem here and there, but such an ordinance will certainly affect more good pet owners than bad ones. Is there some reason the problems cannot be dealt with on a case by case basis so that a blanket ordinance is not required?

What exactly is the purpose of registration of “vicious” animals? Is the city trying to cover itself in case of a lawsuit? With problems facing this area due to economic challenges, I find myself wondering if is this an appropriate use of city council's time and resources.

I ask the city council to stay out of my home. Local government exists to make sure our lives and our property are safe and the services paid for through our taxes are provided, not for managing our lives or our lifestyles. — Marie Miley- Russell, Davison

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