45 year RESIDENT- Questions Political Circular Statement/ Police Chief/Kepes/Devine

Hi All,
Another message from a concerned citizen... that I am forwarding to you with his permission. 
Below begins the messages from Mr. O'Grady:
  
Just an added note:  The issue here is that of Brian Kepes, who is running for Township treasurer against Dan Devine, and the political circular I referred to was published by Kepes, who quoted, or misquoted the police chief.  The questionable integrity in this is Kepes.

I added this, because I didn’t want the main issue to get lost.

GJO


On Jul 13, 2016, at 11:22 PM, GJ OGrady <gjogrady1@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi,

I sent this material to our subdivision and to those who might find it of value, with the integrity of our township staff being an issue.

I have lived in Bloomfield Township for more than 45 years.  This is my first encounter, but if you find it of interest, please share it with others who have a similar interest.  As to whether of not I receive recognition is of no concern to me.  As I told the police chief in a one and only telephone conversation, I was greatly annoyed to see a political circular based upon hearsay, based upon hearsay.

You can go on-line and see the “set-up” or the “sting” against Devine, see the July 13, 2015 Bloomfield Township Trustee Meeting, starting at approximately 45 minutes into the meeting, Agenda 5.  As I could determine, that part of the meeting was designed to hank Devine.

Note too that I don’t know any of the people.  I don’t have a dog in this fight.  I just didn’t think it was right.  Little people - with more responsibility than they can handle.  It seemed like a “gang” hit.

G. J. O'Grady


Subj: Political Circular disparaging Dan Devine
To all of you, Greetings.

Yesterday, July 7, 2016, I received a political circular promoting Brian Kepes for township treasurer, and disparaging Dan Devine, by way of a statement attributed to township Police Chief, Geof Gardard.
I responded to the circular, by letter, addressed to Geof Gaudard,

Essentially, I asked Chief Gaudard to clarify his statements, quoted by Kepes, which were basically abstract innuendo and rhetoric, disparaging Dan Devine who is running for reelection for Bloomfield Township Treasurer.

Note that, typically,  I don’t support any of political candidates, except with my private vote.  But, in this instance I found it necessary to take a more specific and public position.

I below is a copy of my letter to the police chief.   If any of you in our subdivision or neighboring subdivisions have any comments, I would like to know your thoughts.

Respectfully,
Gerald J. O’Grady


July 7, 2016

Geof Gaudard, Bloomfield Township Police Chief
Bloomfield Township Police Department
4200 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan  48302

Subject:  Political Mailing - Brian Kepes

This afternoon, I received a mailing circular promoting Brian Kepes for Treasurer. On one side of the circular, Kepes promotes himself by apparently quoting you, following a Header, which reads:  "We can't trust Treasurer Dan Devine"

Note here that I don't know Kepes or Devine, nor have you and I ever met.  But, I take strong issue when I see rhetorical, unsupported hearsay of the kind attributed to you, in which Kepes illustrates, what I assume to be, your photograph, followed by your statement, of July 13, 2015:

"My officers said they had concerns about Mr. Devine's conduct and ability to handle finances in the township.  His thought processes were not normal.  They thought it would impact his ability to perform as treasurer."

So, to clarify this statement I ask:

Who are the officers?  Certainly, if you are going to reference people with such a definitive and alarming statement, we should know who they are rather than just give a vague reference such as "my officers."

Does that mean all of your officers, some of your officers, two of your officers - - Names, please!

What "concerns" did these officers have about Mr. Devine's conduct?  And, be specific!

What "concerns" did these officers have about Mr. Devine's ability to handle finances?  And, be specific!

These "officers" expressed that Mr. Devine's "thought processes were not normal." - - How were Devine's thought processes not normal, and further, what credentials do these unnamed officers have that might allow them to have the expert and professional ability to know one's "thought processes?"  Are they psychologists in any way?  Do they have medical degrees?  Or, what gives them this amazing power?

And, finally, when you stated that "they" thought "it" - - what was the "it" to which you were referring which "would impact Devine's ability to perform as treasurer?"

I certainly have respect for the township's police officers.  But I also believe that you discredit them, as a group, when you attribute to your officers a blanket disparagement upon Mr. Devine.

By comparison, if you personally know of concerns that would reflect upon Mr. Devine's abilities, you personally should stand on your own to voice your opinion, because I would be very interested in learning what you know - - - - - that I should know, when it's time for me to vote for the township treasurer.

Rhetoric fails; so too does your credibility, when voicing rhetoric - both, yours and that of Brian Kepes!

A reply is expected.

Respectfully,
Gerald J. O'Grady
cc:  Dan Divine & Brian Kepes / Also - Email to local subdivision groups


July 12, 2016

For your information, late this morning I talked with Chief Gaugard.  He didn’t have much to say, except to invite me to discuss the issues.  I basically told him I wasn’t interested in meeting with him.  And, he said he wasn’t interested in providing me with a written reply to my letter.

Below  is my in response to our brief telephone conversation.

July 12, 2016

Geof Gaudard, Bloomfield Township Police Chief
Bloomfield Township Police Department
4200 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan  48302

Subject:  Political Mailing - Brian Kepes

Sir,

This is a note following our brief telephone conversation this morning:

I appreciate your call in response to my letter pertaining to Brian Kepes and his Political Circular.

I also appreciate your offer to discuss the issues that I raised, but rather than discuss the issues, I am more interested in a written, a direct and a specific reply to the questions I asked.  Accordingly, I told you that I wasn't interested in a meeting for discussion.  Conversely, you told me that you would not give me a written reply to my questions.  That leaves a stalemate with my questions open and unanswered.

My letter to you focused upon Kepes' quotation attributed to you, at a July 2015 township trustee meeting.

Note that I was taken aback when you stated, or otherwise indicated, that you had not endorsed Kepes' use of your name and your photograph in his Political Circular.  But, when I recommended that you publish a disclaimer to that effect, you declined.  I take it that your silence is in fact, your endorsement.

As a means of addressing the issues of my letter, you offered me the option of going on-line to view a video recording of the July 13, 2015 township trustee meeting (during which you expressed the approximate sentiments quoted in Brian Kepes' Political Circular).  - - - Thank you; I viewed the video.

Note that the length of the meeting video is 2 hours and 22 minutes.  At 43 minutes into the video, the meeting turned to Agenda Number 5, regarding certain personal reactions of the township treasurer, during a time of family distress.  The meeting's Agenda Five focused upon Devine’s criticism of the township for violating certain rules of confidentiality, pertaining to an emotional family matter about Devine's missing and possibly kidnapped daughter - - (Criticism about which it is reported that Devine later apologized.)

One Trustee questioned you about the township's Workplace Code of Conduct, and that of an Employee Handbook, which, according to your reply, covers police officers and non-sworn individuals and civilians who work for the police department.  According to your answer, your code of conduct apparently questions or otherwise prohibits a township employee from making allegations against another township employee - - - See 53:53 minutes into the meeting video. - - - [Please say this isn't true, for if it were true, corruption could run amuck with employee's fearful and unable to voice concerns of wrongdoing.]

At this Trustee Meeting, you, Chief Gaudard, made comparisons of Devine's conduct, at the time of a distressful family matter, to that of a police officer, - - - indicating that IF an officer, or another employee of the township's police department, had displayed examples of emotional conduct similar to that attributed to Devine, POLICE PROTOCAL would have required departmental physiological review into that person's thought processes, and physiological testing of that of that person's ability to perform professionally.

Now, Chief Gaudard, this is where your misleading spin evolves into the distortions published against Dan Devine that we see in Kepes' Political Circular, for the reason that:  Your comparison of behavior is based upon POLICE PROTOCAL, intended for police officers and employees of the police department who handle emergency vehicles and guns or weapons of mass destruction, as they affect matters of life and death, for themselves and for the public at large, - - - - - - which have nothing whatsoever to do with the somber and somewhat boring job of township treasurer, or the performance and the ability of the township's treasurer, whose tool of trade is a mundane pen or a pencil, rather than a killing machine.

As I understand a summary of the issues, Devine was worried about a family member, at a time when he was critical of your police department's personnel.    Your public stand of criticism about Devine simply extracts your "pound of flesh."  He criticized your department.  So what?  Your stand against him is not only unprofessional, but it exemplifies your inability to objectively perform your job.  And, the same can be true of the character of the township's supervisor and the trustees who may have censured Devine.

It is misleading and petty for you and Kepes to attempt to capitalize on this entire matter, that had nothing whatsoever to do with Dan Devine's job or his professional standing to do his job, by publishing your distorted words, saying:

"My officers said they had concerns about Mr. Devine's conduct and ability to handle finances in the township.  His thought processes were not normal.  They thought it would impact his ability to perform as treasurer."

Note that Devine went on record with his objection to this matter being put before the township's July meeting as an agenda item, for the reason that the matter was essentially an ad hoc item.  Devine was simply hung-out-to-dry, without public and possibly without legal notification of review for discussion of the issues.  In this regard, those who censured Devine should themselves be censured.

I leave these thoughts with you, and I will share my findings with others who have inquired about my findings.  Certainly, you are free to respond, but comments about comments are, for the most part, meaningless.  A written statement stands for what you are.

An apology to Dan Devine would be more meaningful.

Respectfully submitted,
Gerald J. O'Grady

You DON'T Pay Water/Sewer Bills to FUND Retiree Healthcare/@ $2.7 Million

Hi All,
This is a follow up blog to :  http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com/2015/10/will-twp-rob-restricted-w-fund-to-pay.html

At the Monday, October 26, 2015 Board of Trustees meeting, Supervisor Savoie with the help of employee Jason Theis, Finance Director,  attempted to get approval to make  a "simple electronic transfer" of $2.7 million dollars.  They stressed that it was the right and easy move to make.  Agenda item # 5 was presented as such:

This agenda item was eventually TABLED and will be back on the AGENDA in November 2015.
All Bloomfield Township taxpayers should be OUTRAGED by this proposal to transfer $2.7 million RESTRICTED dollars from the Water and Sewer Fund... (money collected from water and sewer BILL PAYMENTS) and proposed be deposited into the Retiree Healthcare Trust VEBA.  Once transferred, it can not be returned. 

ADDING to the insult is to find out that the water and sewer fund currently has over $50 MILLION dollars.  Why?  Why the huge increases over that past years in water and sewer rates for each household while sitting on that much money?  The township has even BONDED recent projects for water and sewer.  That debt perhaps could have been LESS by paying cash for the project without the need for BOND FEES and 20 years of INTEREST.   All this money collected from the bills for water and sewer .... looks like an easy target for a  "transfer" of funds... but I don't think it is legal.  These  W&S funds are not township  "slush funds" to be used where ever an underfunded problem is noted.  The General Fund, money collected from TAXES (millage money) is responsible for the wages and benefits the leadership has promised over the decades.  Don't bill us for one thing and try to spend it another way... illegal...my opinion.

The problem for most in attendance and some on the Board of Trustees was that the agenda item had NO supporting documentation.  Supervisor Savoie tried to blame Treasurer Dan Devine for not doing research.  Excuse me. Devine was chastised earlier this year for incurring attorney fees without Board approval.  Why didn't Savoie bring transparency and documentation to the meeting to support his request?  The agenda item didn't even say the amount:  $2.7 MILLION dollars.

The agenda item # 5 was originated with Theis and Savoie.  Employee Theis, said that the actuarial and/or the auditor noted that the Retiree Healthcare Trust VEBA was grossly UNDERFUNDED.  Well, yes!  About 98.7 % underfunded.  Try $ 157 MILLION or so.   This was NO surprise.  The Township has been paying the Retiree Health Benefits on an annual basis for years.  A portion of each department budget goes to Retiree Health Care.  Problem is, only enough is collected to pay for the CURRENT bill.  Problem is, the law changed and the Township MUST make this information transparent to the taxpayers.  Problem is, that $2.7 million is not part of your TAXES, that money was collected as a BILL to pay for water and sewer service.

The Water and Sewer BUDGET... already has line items to pay THEIR SHARE of the current year retiree health benefit bill. 
 

Take time to view the audio/video archived tape of this meeting.  Listen to Savoie, Theis, the Trustees and the audience members who chose to speak. 
Trustee Corinne Khederian was absent... AGAIN.  A too frequent occurrence.
Choose Oct. 26, 2015 video:
Board of Trustees Meetings

Why didn't Supervisor Savoie, who is in charge of setting the budget, make plans over his 4 years of being Supervisor to fund the Trust?  WELL, he was more concerned apparently with giving ALL the employees, including himself, 2% pay increases for EACH of the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.   With pay increases come the  increased pension/health benefits/obligations.  The union employees are working under a six year contract.  There was a wage "opener" in the years 2013 and 2015.  NO PROMISE of a change in wages... just the opportunity.   Savoie saw the opportunity to give ALL employees raises. So he did, with the vote of the Trustees.  Too bad all that money wasn't directed into the underfunded retiree health care trust.  What budget is paying for those employee wages/benefits?

Every two years, Milliman, Inc.  produces a report for the Township on this Retiree Healthcare Trust.
The last one was in 2013.  Apparently this year, this FUND really stands out as a PROBLEM in the status of the Township.  Here is the 2013 report...which Savoie and all Trustees received in 2013.
[PDF] Summary Annual Report 2014 Charter Township Of Bloomfield Retired Employees' Health Care Benefits Trust
...1. Gregory J. Schwartz and Company 2. RBC Correspondent Services 3. Milliman, Inc....
...1.07% as of the latest report dated 7/1/13 from Milliman, Inc....
More

The taxpayers have GENEROUSLY given approvals for millages throughout the decades.  To find out during Supervisor Savoie's leadership that the Pension Fund was $85 Million Underfunded and at the same time say nothing about the $145 Million Underfunded in the Retiree Healthcare Trust  (at that time) and say nothing or do nothing is almost criminal.  Most of the Trustees have been with the Township for several 4 year terms.  They have all failed in their duty to protect the interests of the taxpayers.

It will be FOOLISH for any future millage approval or millage renewal without first getting full disclosure of the 30 FUNDS  apparently holding enough money to rate this Township AAA.

How many FUNDS are UNDERFUNDED?
How much money is invested?  What Funds?  Are the Funds co-mingled?  Are the Funds earning money or losing money?  How much DEBT is there at the Township?  Perhaps the STATE TREASURY Dept.  should step in and do a COMPLETE  or even a forensic audit. 

It will be FOOLISH for any future millage approval or millage renewal without first evaluating all the departments of this Township for excessive spending and a clear plan to FUND the  obligations our current and past leadership has promised.

From 2008 to now, many municipalities made hard decisions about employees and budgets.  However, this Township took another direction and asked for a 20 year 1.3 millage to maintain the "status quo"  and has spent that $4 Million PLUS collected each year to grow government spending... and avoid funding the important obligations.   Most of the contributors to that "stealth" February millage ballot in 2010 were VENDORS and EMPLOYEES of the Township... with the campaign to vote YES their idea.

Supervisor Savoie has already started collecting money at a fund raiser for re-election in 2016.  Some of those same 2010 vendors and employees are now contributors to the Re-elect Savoie campaign. 

Millage renewals will be on the ballot in 2016.... could be before November.
All 7 Bloomfield Township leadership positions are AVAILABLE at the November 2016 election.  
The six year employee contract expires March 31, 2017. 

I hope several people will step up and challenge all 7 positions in November 2016.  The Township is in great need for a CHANGE...  for fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Township ADDS agenda item/Censures Treasurer Dan Devine

Hi All,
What was scheduled as a rather routine township Board of Trustees meeting had a SURPRISE addition to the agenda on Monday, July 13, 2015.

I knew you could change the ORDER of agenda items, but I didn't know you could ADD a completely unrelated agenda item without PRIOR notice to the public.  Township Attorney Bill Hampton told me after the meeting that it is in Robert's Rules of Order that permit adding an agenda item to a PUBLIC meeting without prior notice.  I guess I need to re-read that document.

I feel that the Township KNEW about this issue ahead of time and could have put it on the agenda... or even waited 2 weeks for the next regularly scheduled meeting IN ORDER TO GIVE NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF THEIR INTENT.  They didn't.  I find that UNACCEPTABLE.

Trustee Corinne Khederian... was the person who wanted to discuss the recent article(s) about Dan Devine that recently has been making news.  She was the person to request the ADDED agenda item.  She was the one that began the public "discussion" of Dan Devine. 

The first person to write about this issue was Lisa Brody in Downtown Publications.   After the meeting I asked her how did she know to FOIA this police report.  She told me some police officers told her about it.   After that, Jay Grossman of the  Hometown Life  and The Detroit Free Press also wrote an article on the subject. 

Treasurer Devine admitted to speaking to the Township Police department, but claimed he did not file an official report.  

Now, this wasn't ANY agenda item... the "discussion" of Treasurer Dan Devine  ended with a motion of a pre-written Resolution for Censure of Mr. Devine by Trustee Neal Barnett and the motion was supported by Trustee Corinne Khederian.  The vote was 5-2 for Censure  with Treasurer Dan Devine and Trustee David Buckley voting NO.
 
The ADDED agenda item was obviously pre-planned:  who knew? ....  Some audience members were given a heads up to attend; the police chief and 2 police officers; the fire chief; someone made a written copy of the motion to add the agenda item; Trustee Neal Barnett had written copies of a Censure Resolution he wrote earlier in the day;  there was other paperwork (not fully discussed but handed out to the trustees) by Trustee Brian Kepes and there was at least one other township employee in the audience that was not needed for any scheduled agenda item. So... was he or others attending the meeting here for the "show"?   I forgot to mention the several news reporters and a photographer that often shoots pictures for the township and local papers.  Wow....  a pre-planned SECRET TO THE PUBLIC.... scathing agenda item. 

I told Supervisor Savoie after the meeting, that this agenda item... could have waited 2 weeks... and could have been POSTED properly.   My gut says... he was OK... with doing it this way.

Apparently Mr. Devine was prepared to make a public apology to Mr. Savoie at the end of the regular meeting, but seemed to have no prior knowledge that this "added agenda item" was coming.  With some saying Mr. Devine may have made a false police report,  thus, he remained quiet and did not respond to some questions without legal representation and/or legal advice.

While most of the "discussion" centered on the reported "kidnapping" issue, the Resolution to Censure went way beyond that.  Trustee Barnett included other issues in the Censure Resolution that he wrote and those other issues were not completely discussed tonight, thus Trustee Buckley was questioning the wording of the Resolution and thus voting no.

The best way to learn of this ADDED AGENDA ITEM and CENSURE of the Treasurer.... is to WATCH it on video.  It will take a day or so... if standard procedure is followed... to get the video to this link:  http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/Services/cable/Videos/BoardOfTrusteeMeetings.asp

However, ......The Township also REPLAYS the Monday Board of Trustees meeting on local Bl. Township  cable TV...  Comcast  channel 15  and AT&T ??     It will be TUESDAY, July 14 @ 2pm.

I spoke at the Board meeting... enough said here.  My blog archives also speak volumes about the Township. 

In November 2016 ..ALL 7 Township government positions are on the ballot.   PLEASE... QUALIFIED people need to step up and get on the ballot.  The Township is in need of a TOTAL new slate of candidates.

Clearly, not all items were presented in the Board Packet for this meeting.  I asked during public comment, that all "extra items" presented about the ADDED agenda item be put in the Board Packet....for the public to see.  Don't know if that will happen.
Marcia

PS>  To Anonymous:  You can comment on my blog... but I have a system set up so I can review the comment before being published....or not....  I never publish any comment that also adds a link to some other website.  I'm not here to advertise your business.