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Reader explains reasons for letter to council Print
Written by Kevin Walters
Wednesday, August 25 2010 1:35 pm

Dear Editor:
I feel  I owe the community an explanation for something I did recently that may have a public impact.  Those that are aware of what I did might be asking “why” and even if they understand “why” they might be questioning my timing.  Since this is a public issue, I feel the public deserves some answers.


I authored a long letter to the Village Council, and along with the letter I enclosed many pages of supporting documentation to provide the rationale I presented in the letter.  In all, it amounts to eighteen pages of reasons to terminate the employment of Marsha Powers as village manager.


Now many people will recognize my name and dismiss my letter as an attempt to “get even” for the fact that my wife was fired from village employ earlier this year.  I concur that my wife’s termination does have some bearing on this whole matter, but I am content to let that specific issue play out as it should – through the process outlined in the agreement between the union employees and the village of Holly.  In fact, I am very emphatic in the letter explaining that I do not want the council to intervene in any way in the proceedings relative to my wife’s charge of wrongful termination.


I wrote this letter to the council to offer them a chance to make a decision based on a complete set of facts.  You see, I have good reason to believe that the council regularly makes decisions without all of the facts in front of them.  I am trying to help remedy that problem.


If you had an important decision to make (let’s use refinancing your house as an example), you would want as much relevant information as you could get in order to make the right decision.  I am sure you would do some research and talk to a few different financial institutions before you made such an important decision.


The Village Council doesn’t operate that way, and they know that they don’t operate that way.  In our example, if the Village Council were to “refinance their house”, they would talk to one financial institution and that financial institution would know that it is the only party that the council will consult before they make their decision.  Do you think they will get all the information they should have before they make their decision?  Do you think that the financial institution might not disclose everything they know to the council (e.g. that other institutions offer a lower interest rate or lower closing costs)?  The whole premise of how the council gets its information is fraught with problems, yet they insist that the system is as it should be.


As an example, when my wife was employed by the village, she was forbidden (as all employees are) from taking an issue directly to council.  I could not do so either, because I am viewed as an agent of my wife.  Now that she is not employed by the village, I am free to contact them, and so I have.  It was in their best interests, so I wouldn’t be likely to get resistance from them – right?


The Village Council makes decisions many times after getting information from just one source.  If that source has the village’s best interests in mind and the Village Council has the village’s best interests in mind, then there should be no problem.  The problem arises when the source of the information has interests that conflict with the village’s interests.  You can see how that source might then “spin” information that is fed to the council or fail to fully disclose all of the information that the council should be getting. 


As for the timing, a fair observation is that I could have written this letter much earlier since my wife has not been employed with the village for over 5 months.  I want to address that question, too.


My wife’s work environment was a living hell as Susan Nassar and Marsha Powers treated her miserably in an effort to get her to quit.  Gwen stuck it out because she was involved with a lot of union issues that were the source of the animosity, and those issues needed to be addressed.  So when Gwen was fired, it offered relief from the daily abuse that she had endured for months.  Also, the termination was such a miscarriage of justice and so clearly violated procedures set down in the labor agreement between the union employees and the village that I knew that Gwen was basically getting a paid vacation.  So I had little incentive to write this letter earlier.  Besides, I kept hoping that the council would finally get around to dismissing Ms. Powers in the meantime.


However, the Teamsters and village have recently begun discussions with regard to the charge of wrongful termination.  Gwen could be back to work soon, and then I wouldn’t be allowed to contact the council.  So I figured I had better get the letter out before it was too late to do so.


The timing had nothing to do with the hearings regarding the unfair labor charges against the village.  That aspect is coincidental.  As a matter of fact, those hearings were originally scheduled to be held in May but were postponed due to a motion by the village.  And in May, I felt no compulsion to hurry and get a letter out.  To the contrary, I wanted Gwen to enjoy her paid vacation for as long as she could.


Now I find out that Marsha Powers did not inform the council about the hearings when they were scheduled in May, nor did she give them notice that the hearings were about to take place on August 16 and 17.  Am I surprised that they did not get that critical piece of information?  No!  In fact, it brings into sharp focus what I have been trying to tell them for months -- they are not getting all the information that they should be getting.  But that message has fallen on deaf ears.  It’s almost as if they can say there are no problems, because they are not hearing about any problems.


For those of you who may remember that some give and take on thehollyexpress.com website back in January and February stirred a certain councilperson to request that we take the discussion out of the public eye, I want you to know that my staying out of the public eye was not due to the problem being remedied.  In fact, there was no discussion of the issues with that councilperson, because the councilperson promptly quit corresponding with me.  But I got the message that the council was embarrassed by having their issues so openly discussed in public.  So I have given them time to address their problems without the heat that public scrutiny brings.  And from that episode I also learned that while you and I might think that remedying a problem is the appropriate way to get the problem out of the public eye, for at least one councilperson having the problem out of the public eye was remedy enough.   For this councilperson, I believe the adage that applies is: “Form over function.”  


So since the council still hasn’t addressed the problem that I first raised last winter,  I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are not fully aware of what the problem really is. (I do hope the practice of voluntarily sequestering themselves ends with this council.)  My letter was intended to offer them the chance to “do the right thing” once they had all of the information in front of them.


As for the charge that I am just the husband of a disgruntled former employee, I plead “guilty” to that charge.  I am very, very proud of my wife and I admire her composure and how she has handled everything that she has had to endure in the name of truth and justice.  The incredible burden she has had to bear with regard to the humiliation of the firing and the inference that she is not competent enough to perform her job is particularly galling because it came from the one person I know that has stretched the bounds of what one would consider to be “incompetence.”  The damage to her reputation is inestimable.  I can only hope that I will respond as courageously and honorably if I am ever called upon in that manner.


As for veracity and credibility, my wife and I will gladly sit for a polygraph on these issues.  Will the Village Manager offer to do the same?  I think not.


As a resident of this community, you should be upset once you understand what has been going on.  If you are a taxpayer of the village, the information should give you considerable pause once you realize how some of your tax dollars are being spent.  You also may come away somewhat disgusted to learn how affairs are being managed in your name.  Hopefully, this information will motivate you to demand a positive change in the interests of the community.


We are proud Americans that believe that truth and justice will prevail.  We are also capable of forgiving innocent mistakes.  But when you practice deceit on us and treat us unfairly, we will not shrink from a fight.  We believe we are engaged in this quest on behalf of the whole community, because the people of Holly deserve the best representation they can get.  


We are not asking for special treatment.  We have lived in this community our whole lives.  We love this town.   We are a part of this town.  And we have volunteered many, many hours to this town due to our involvement with river clean-ups and hosting canoe races in Holly for many years.  We only ask to be treated fairly in return.  


Thank you.
Kevin Walters

 
AYSO registration underway Print
Wednesday, August 18 2010 12:29 pm

American Youth Soccer Organization (established in 1964) is currently taking registrations for our new season beginning on Sept. 11. Most games are played on the Sherman Middle School soccer fields, 14470 N. Holly Road, Holly, located just north of the school.

AYSO is a non-profit, all volunteer organization that is dedicated to enriching children’s lives by providing a low-cost, fun, safe, child-friendly introduction to the game of soccer. 

We have teams beginning with U5 (four year olds) through U19. All teams are balanced with players of various skill levels, and coaches are trained to provide the most to develop each individual while also encouraging the players to work as a team.

The AYSO mission is to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on our philosophies: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, Player Development.

Every team member is guaranteed to play half a game. For more information and to find out how to register, visit our Web site at www.ayso823.org.

Sincerely,
Leona Russik
AYSO Master Coach, U5 Program
White Lake, MI

 
Friends of the Holly Township Library thank community for support Print
Written by Pat Pfenning
Monday, August 16 2010 6:39 am

What a great thing...we brought the circus to Holly!! But we couldn’t have done it alone.  It took a village to make this happen and it was great!

It has been more than 10 years since we’ve hosted a circus in town.  Holly has a great circus history – in fact, Battle Alley got its name because of an infamous fight between circus people and locals in 1880.  No fights this time – just a good time and great memories.

The Friends of the Holly Township Library would like to sincerely thank the following individuals and organizations who helped and supported this great endeavor:

  • Katy Hughes acted ten months ago on a suggestion by newly-retired Detective Scott Fisher to bring the circus back to Holly.  Her inspiration, forethought, diligence and persistence paid off.  Katy was the behind-the-scenes person who coordinated everything and brought the Kelly Miller Circus to town.
  • Many of our local businesses helped sell tickets:  the State Bank, McKay’s Do-It Center, Holly Foods, My Sweet Holly, and Zanie Janie’s.  The Village Offices and the Holly Township Library sold tickets too.
  • Ray Pfenning, Carl Roos, James Golden and Jason Hughes helped prepare and clean up the site.
  • Al Stanker agreed to allow the circus to take place on his property.
  • The First Baptist Church Youth Group (TYG) and their leaders did an outstanding job parking the cars.
  • Superintendent Kent Barnes and Holly Township Supervisor Jesse Lambert were our guest ringmasters at the shows and they rode the elephants.

No large event could ever happen without the cautious, caring eyes and ears of our community protectors:

  • Holly Fire and Groveland EMS were onsite and ever-ready to jump into action if their services were needed.
  • Holly PD helped plan the logistics of the event as well as monitor the crowd and handle traffic control.
  • Holly DPW assisted with site safety and planning.
  • If we have forgotten to thank anyone, please excuse us.

Being involved in this process showed me how incredibly community-minded the people are in this town.  Those who attended either or both of the circus performances enjoyed a wholesome, family-oriented afternoon of good, clean fun.  Young and old alike created positive, lasting memories of their experience.  Most of all, I was pleased to see how well everyone worked together by turning this suggestion of bringing the circus to Holly into reality.  Thank you everyone, who attended and who helped make the event a great success.


Sincerely,

Pat Pfenning

President, Friends of Holly Township Library

 
Rose Township resident calls for action Print
Wednesday, April 07 2010 6:58 pm

As most residents, I thought I was doing my part by voting every four years, and assumed our elected officials were spending our taxpayer dollars in a prudent manner.

I regularly attend Rose Township board meetings that are held in the old township building on Franklin St.  In 2007, the township purchased an old church on nearby Mason St. and moved their offices there even though they continue using and maintaining the old building for public meetings.

The township paid $225,000 for the old church.  Approximately $200,000 was spent on renovations, and an occupancy permit was issued by the Rose Township building inspector that certified the building met all state and federal building codes.  Total cost for the building and renovations totaled approximately $425,000.

A complaint was filed with the State of Michigan over American Disability Act violations with the newly renovated township building.  The state has investigated the complaint and said the building is in violation of the ADA state and federal building codes. Because of this non-compliance, the township has secured an architectural firm to evaluate the building from floor to ceiling, providing cost estimates to make the building compliant with all state and federal building codes.  

How much more money do the taxpayers of Rose Township have to sink into a building which, in  today’s market, is already questionable?  

Due to public outcry from township residents, a five member fact finding panel (of which I am a member), has been selected.  This panel is investigating how these decisions were made, and how the township was granted an occupancy permit with all the building code violations that have been identified.  

Additionally, there are healthcare benefits being paid with taxpayer dollars to less-than part time officials.  Rose Township is currently developing their 2010-2011 budgets.  In this depressed economy and with the reduction in property values, it is in the best interest of the taxpayers to hold our officials fiscally responsible to spend taxpayer dollars in a prudent manner, eliminating all unnecessary expense.

I encourage all citizens to get involved with your local government and find out what is going on. I especially encourage Rose Township residents to attend our meetings, hear the results of our five member panel, and ask your own questions of our elected officials. Taxpayer accountability begins with local government and works its way to Washington. Become involved and find out where your money is being spent!

The next fact finding panel meeting will be held at 6 p.m on Thursday, April 8 at the old Rose Township offices on Franklin St.  The next regular monthly board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on April 14 in the same location.  Contact the Township Supervisor at (248) 634-7551 and demand regular updates on the building code issues with the current township office, the architectural audit, and cost estimates to make the current township office code compliant.


Robert Hauxwell
3100 Maureen
Davisburg, Michigan
(248) 634-4670

 
Holly firework contractor spearheads fundraising effort Print
Friday, January 22 2010 4:40 pm

Dear Holly citizens and friends of Holly,


My name is Fred Hopper and I have been fortunate to be the guy who shoots your fireworks for you on the Fourth of July since 2001. I also live in Holly, and have since 2001. My wife’s father grew up here and moved back to Holly in the 1980s.


During our times of economic emergency, it was decided at the Holly Village Budget meeting last night (1/20/2010) that the village, as a governmental organization, would not fund the fireworks for the 2010 Fourth of July holiday. It was a hard decision for the council to make, and this was one of a number of discretionary expenses that were not funded. 


Our council recognizes that this is an activity and a day that the vast majority of our neighbors enjoy and participate in, with their own gatherings and activities.


Although it was a disappointment, I agree with the decision. If it is a choice between required services and personnel, and a party, it must be the party that does not happen.


With that said, the Village Council assured me that we could still have the fireworks display, and all of the activities throughout the day that our community has come enjoy if a source of funding can be found. I have been in contact with a few folks who are willing to help with the costs, but more money will be needed if the display is going to happen this year, and probably in the near future. 


This display has historically cost the village between $6,000 and $8,000, and that money is just not available this year, so I am asking for donations from the community. Individuals, businesses and benefactors can all help out.  If we all contribute a little bit, we can have a great display and a great holiday and make this a true Holly display.


I have started an account solely for the gathering of funds for the Holly fireworks at Citizens Bank, called the Holly Fireworks Fund. Any donations can be made directly at any Citizens Bank, or checks made out to “The Holly Fireworks Fund” and mailed to me at:


The Holly Fireworks Fund
c/o Fred Hopper
112 N. First Street
Holly, MI 48442


Click Here to donate now using PayPal!
 
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