Hi All,
ANOTHER USELESS E-NEWS...5/26/16 from the Bloomfield Township government and Mr. Kowalski. I attached the township website link to Mr. K. 's E-News at the end of this message, but the last one posted is from May 1 st.
I'm a "watchdog" blogger and I don't get a salary and a pension like Mr. K. Therefore, I add opinion when I write to my "HI ALL" list.... but I also give you a LOT OF FACTS....and news.
1.
There is an election on August 2, 2016.... with challengers for every electable position.
The people I listed below should be elected for a better township government. I have been attending meetings for years. Trust me... vote for these people ... Absentee ballots are out soon. Please... share this message with others ... BEFORE the absentee ballots arrive. Thanks.
Winners in August will be the next elected officials, as there are no Democratic challengers in the November 2016 election.
There is David Thomas for Supervisor
There is Susie Kern for Clerk
There is Dan Devine for Treasurer
AND THE FOUR TRUSTEES:
There is David Buckley for Trustees
There is Jeff Axt for Trustee
There is Kirk Brannock for Trustee
There is Dani Walsh for Trustee
2.
There are 2 Township millages on the ballot on August 2, 2016.
VOTE NO and NO on the two millages.....my opinion.
I didn't ask the candidates I mentioned above their OPINION of the millages.
Why? Because I want you to vote for THOSE people....even if they may end up differing with me on those issues. You may differ with me on the millage issues, too.
But please consider WHY I say NO NO:
There are millions of dollars in a dedicated RESERVE fund for both of those departments.... more than what could be spent for one year. Those RESERVE funds can ONLY be spent on police, fire and roads. The township is NOT spending those RESERVE funds... perhaps to keep the AAA rating? Money in the bank?
Meanwhile, the township keeps raising wages/ increasing pensions/ and asking for more and more money. Time to put on the brakes. Let new leadership evaluate the budget and the needs. Spend those hard earned dollars we sent to the township in previous years to fund the police, fire and roads that is now deposited in the reserve accounts. The township asked for the money via milages .. to pay for police, fire and roads.... so spend those previous dollars ... That is what we expected...paid services, not savings accounts.
Did you know that the current township leadership takes GENERAL FUND dollars and transfers it to Public Safety and Road Department even though there are millions of dollars in DEDICATED funds? Dedicated funds can only be spent for the department the millage money was collected for.
The leadership should ONLY supplement the public safety and road department , when needed, with the DEDICATED reserve millions instead of using General Fund money. But they don't. WHY? Answer... because they can do it and they get away with it...because no one is paying attention.
Taking General Fund dollars each year and transferring millions of dollars to Public Safety and Road Departments depletes that source of money that should be spent for other departments and general payments ie: pensions, etc. When the other departments don't get the money from the General Fund each year...... the FEES the township departments charge us and others ie: contractors we hire/etc...go up.
When the township says: ... if you don't vote for the millage, we will have to lay off the police and fire or the road department people. NO NO NO....they are lying to you. There are millions of dollars in RESERVE that can be spent ONLY on police and fire....and roads.... so spend it this time.... and let the new leadership review the books. 10 years is a LONG time... especially when the people you elect are only there for 4 years. New leadership hopefully will examine the entire structure of township government and right size it for our community. That means... voting NO now gives new leadership time to assess and review... and if needed... put millage requests on the next ballot opportunity.
That's my recommendation on the millages. Detailed blogs to come soon. Absentee ballots come soon, too.
Local Proposals – August 2, 2016 Primary Election
Renewal of Public Safety Millage one of 4 millages dedicated to public safety.... this is NOT the only one... there are 3 more plus extra transfers...
Renewal of Road Maintenance Millage a $4 million plus ANNUAL budget for ROADS... and those folks that bought into that township trap of paying for re-doing own roads... are having to PAY $ 5000 to $22,000 EACH to pay for those new subdivision roads. Are you nuts... vote NO on the road millage. Oakland County is responsible for our roads. We are the ONLY township in the entire state of Michigan to have our own road department. Should we do some of our own work on roads. Sure, but $4 million plus budget ? NO
3.
Financial Sustainability Committee
meeting coming up Wednesday, June 1, 2016 @ 11 am. This is a public
meeting and all are welcome to attend. I'm trying to get the $50,000
Graystone Report in a format I can put in my blog. Frankly, the
township should have put it in a board packet for the meeting.
The township paid $50,000 to Graystone Consulting for a very thin
written report and a 2 hour consultation at a public meeting.
On
Friday, May 20, 2016 @ 10 AM, Graystone Consulting gave a 2 hour
presentation of their findings. It was ended at noon, because
Supervisor Leo Savoie said it would. He was wearing a golf shirt...
guess he had a tee time? Didn't seem to matter that some at the meeting
seemed to have more questions and that deadline for the meeting to end @
noon rushed Graystone through their presentation. And you want to
know why I want Supervisor Savoie gone? Really.. not good!
You
can get a copy of the AUDIO of the meeting that was held on FRIDAY, May
20, 2016 @ 10 am ..... yes...a day that the township is normally
closed. That's another issue.
Cost for that audio recording: $
0.33 yes... cents. Cost used to be $40 for a CD of the meetings.
Thirty three cents is one good surprise at the township... but that came
about because of the new FOIA law. The Graystone Consulting/ Financial
Sustainability meeting was held in the township hall. Too bad the
cameras that are available were not rolling. Should have been
audio/video recorded and archived. Supervisor Savoie brags about
transparency in his re-elect literature. Not true.
4.
There is a Design Review Board meeting same day/ Wednesday, June 1, 2016 @ 2pm.
No one (as in the public) knows the agenda until 18 hours before the
meeting... which is so wrong.. obviously the people on the agenda know
about it before 18 hours.... why can't the taxpayers?
5.
Senior Center is CLOSED on Saturday, Sunday and Monday this weekend....Memorial Day.
Mr. Kowalski forgot to mention this in his "township closings"
paragraph. By the way, I was at the senior center this morning
working on the puzzle. I like doing that because I only think about
colors and shapes.... not what $#@! me off about the township. When I
arrived, a lady in exercise clothing walked past the sign-in desk. I
asked of the staff... do you just allow people to pass the desk and not
sign in? "Oh, non-residents don't have cards ! " So I said, so if
someone just walks by without signing in... you just assume that it is a
non-resident? You don't ask why they are here or where they are
going? They said, "well, THAT person signed up for a class." Which
by the way is only $10 more than a township resident would pay.
Difference is.... YOU PAY for a 10 year DEDICATED millage and YOU PAY
for the never ending Bond for the construction of this building... and
other buildings at the "campus" and YOU PAY to attend the same class.
Many of the classes should be FREE... we already paid.
FYI: The
Senior Services department... has NEVER (over 10 years now) submitted
an annual report like the other township departments. How many
NON-residents officially "joined" our tax paid government senior
services... for $10 extra a class..... and how does the staff MONITOR
their coming and going? Do they leave after the class or just stick
around and take advantage of other equipment or services? Just
asking.
My news and opinions... Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. Remember why we celebrate.
Marcia
PS:
I think Greg Kowalski should resign or be fired. He didn't last at the Eccentric... and he was "given" this job as part of the "friends and family" hiring culture.
He
does NOT give us GOVERNMENT news in his E-News most of the time. When
he does, it is often just a recap of a meeting he never told you was
happening in the first place.
The BHSD can write their own school event articles. They are NOT part of township government.
The
Library has their own newsletter and website. The library is a
separate taxing authority and NOT part of township government.
The Dream Cruise can promote their own event. They are NOT part of township government.
The food "lesson" can be put on Cable TV with one of the cooking shows. WE pay big bucks $$$$ for cable.
FYI:
here is the township website link for the E-News... but it was last
updated May 1, 2016. This township is as useless as the newsletter.
Sorry, as of this date, you cannot see the message sent to township
residents. You didn't miss a thing.
http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/EmailList/MailingListArchiveMessages.asp
Since
you can't read the useless E-news... watch the May 23, 2016 Board of
Trustees meeting especially concerning agenda # 7. Once you start the
video, drag the white rectangle to the time of 1:16:15 to go directly
to item # 7. Another reason why this township needs to vote for the
people I listed at the beginning of this blog. I commented several
times... the board did not like my comments... but they were true.
http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/Services/cable/Videos/BoardOfTrusteeMeetings.asp
Agenda # 7 was a redo from May 9 agenda #6. I wrote a blog about it:
http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com/2016/05/savoie-and-gang-not-good-for-twp.html
Showing posts with label 2016 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016 election. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Secrets or Lack of Transparency at Bl. Twp.?
Hi All,
This morning I received the Bloomfield Township E-News ... sent minutes after midnight... informing me in a side column blurb, that the Township offices are CLOSED TODAY.... THURSDAY, July 2 for the 4th of July holiday. There was and is no notice on the home page of the Township website giving any forewarning. http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/
WHAT?? Friday, July 3, is the Federal Holiday day off, but since the Township doesn't work 5 days a week, they decide they are ENTITLED to a Thursday vacation day??
It is PAST TIME for the taxpayers to INSIST that the township government operates on a 5 DAY WORK WEEK.
Here is what Greg Kowalski, wrote:
Bloomfield Township offices will be closed Thursday, July 2, in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. The Senior Center will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.
In addition, the Bloomfield Township Public Library will be closed Saturday, July 4. The library will reopen at noon on Sunday, July 5.
Greg Kowalski's Bloomfield Township E-News never really tells us about the Township government news. Once again, he wrote about the Woodward Cruise happening in August. He wrote about the Bloomfield Hills school construction and about a Charity organization. He is not at The Eccentric newspaper anymore.
Why is closing government offices on a Thursday....a secret? Or is it just plain lack of transparency? Please read my OTHER "secrets or lack of transparency" issues below.
MY: "Hi All, MARCIA's News" about our Twp. government....maybe not news...but rumors and opinions :)
1. Nepotism: is the "family and friends" hiring system at the township, as I call it. Leo Savoie says it is not a problem. The problem is that jobs are not posted for the public in many ways. Despite calls for job postings to be more transparent, often family and friends are getting the jobs. Rumor has it that the Fire Chief now has his son as an employee. Did Supervisor Savoie approve that hiring? If so, why didn't he say anything at the special study session (Thurs., May 28, 2015 @ 8 am) when the nepotism question was raised? Is it to keep the public from knowing what is really going on at the Township?
How open and truthful was the township when speaking to Lisa Brody when she was gathering ,information for her article on nepotism? See: http://www.downtownpublications.com/Articles-features-c-2015-06-25-220857.112113-Government-nepotism.html
Children/spouses/ relatives/friends of employees may get the summer positions or full time/part time positions somewhere in the township. Even how Greg Kowalski got his job should be called in question as to where, when and how the job he was hired to do was posted.
The nepotism policy of the township should be changed and more importantly, the JOB POSTING and hiring policy should be reformed.
2. Who is Lewis G. Bender, PhD and why is he interviewing trustees and others?
See his webpage: http://lewbender.com
Seems one of his specialties is Workplace Conflict.
Did Supervisor Savoie contact him and hire him to do something at the Township? Did Savoie do this with the APPROVAL of the Board? If so, at what PUBLIC meeting was this discussed? Is this just another step in Savoie's attempt to change the job description and pay for the job of Treasurer or Clerk before the coming 2016 election cycle?
On April 13, 2015 this was a very controversial agenda item:
What is the mission for Dr. Bender? Rumor has it that Dr. Bender also met with Department Heads? Why? Who is left out of some meetings and why?
What about the PUBLIC? We should know what is going on behind closed doors. Having small meetings with a hired person, asking questions presumably about how the township government is working and how the elected and hired personnel work together.... is a problem...especially when we, and perhaps some of them being interviewed, don't know the PURPOSE of the hiring of this man.
3. Contract RAISES... were given to ALL employees 4x since 2011, without any apparent negotiation committee in place or used. The special six year contract that was signed in 2011 prior to former Supervisor David Payne's "retirement" (aka as quit in the middle of his elected term) had wage openers in 2013 and 2015. In both cases, ALL employees, not just the ones with the contract, were given 2% raises for 2013 and another 2% for 2014 and then again 2% raise for 2015 and 2% more for 2016. That included raises for the elected officials... Supervisor, Treasurer, Clerk. Is that how TOWNSHIP government works? They suggest their own raise and vote on it?
When I asked Supervisor Savoie about where that money in the budget is coming from for the 2% raises times 4, he indicated that property values are increasing and that the employees had wage freezes in prior years. WELL, yes, there was a reported wage freeze, but step and longevity increases and promotional raises, etc. continued per the contract.
Also, please do NOT FORGET, that in February 2010, the township asked the taxpayers for a 1.3 ten year millage to KEEP THE STATUS QUO. The economy was hurting for everyone. But this ten year millage was intended to be TEMPORARY. The township collects $4 million plus from this "temporary millage" every year.. for ten years. This was to make up for lost revenue. Now, the money is being used to increase wages and other benefits and more hiring of employees.
4. New Contract Language Have any talks or ideas or suggestions been tossed about at the township? Maybe. Rumor has it that the number of years worked at the township may be LOWERED to be able to collect pensions and health benefits. Is that a negotiable item/ or will it just be an "update" in an employee handbook? Rumor has it that the retiree health benefits are/were "adjusted" so living in upstate Michigan or other places, participants would be able to remain "in network" so extra fees and costs would not be paid by the retiree. Guess who pays?
The EXISTING employee contracts should be part of public record that does NOT need to be FOIA. WE, the taxpayers, should know not only WHO is hired, but under what conditions and at what price. We should also know who in those contracts are "perked" with vehicles...car maintenance...car insurance..gasoline..etc.
Did you know that the township pays the retiree health benefits each year/ as billed? That is rather misleading. There are over 200 current retirees. We can lay off employees to save money, but we can't lay off retirees. That money has to keep being spent each and every year...until every retiree and/or their beneficiaries are dead. Is this a negotiable item in the next contract? When will the township explain the potential REAL liability of retiree health insurance over the future decades?
5. Much more to tell... to think about... to reveal... wish more people in the township would pay attention to what is going on. Read my archived blogs going back to 2011. Many of the issues remain today.
6. PLEASE CONSIDER placing YOUR NAME on the 2016 ballot. Please be qualified to perform the job you are considering. Be prepared to have that decision made PRIOR to May 1, 2016 in order to get your name on the August primary ballot.
Marcia
This morning I received the Bloomfield Township E-News ... sent minutes after midnight... informing me in a side column blurb, that the Township offices are CLOSED TODAY.... THURSDAY, July 2 for the 4th of July holiday. There was and is no notice on the home page of the Township website giving any forewarning. http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/
WHAT?? Friday, July 3, is the Federal Holiday day off, but since the Township doesn't work 5 days a week, they decide they are ENTITLED to a Thursday vacation day??
It is PAST TIME for the taxpayers to INSIST that the township government operates on a 5 DAY WORK WEEK.
Here is what Greg Kowalski, wrote:
Bloomfield Township offices will be closed Thursday, July 2, in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. The Senior Center will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.
In addition, the Bloomfield Township Public Library will be closed Saturday, July 4. The library will reopen at noon on Sunday, July 5.
Greg Kowalski's Bloomfield Township E-News never really tells us about the Township government news. Once again, he wrote about the Woodward Cruise happening in August. He wrote about the Bloomfield Hills school construction and about a Charity organization. He is not at The Eccentric newspaper anymore.
Why is closing government offices on a Thursday....a secret? Or is it just plain lack of transparency? Please read my OTHER "secrets or lack of transparency" issues below.
MY: "Hi All, MARCIA's News" about our Twp. government....maybe not news...but rumors and opinions :)
1. Nepotism: is the "family and friends" hiring system at the township, as I call it. Leo Savoie says it is not a problem. The problem is that jobs are not posted for the public in many ways. Despite calls for job postings to be more transparent, often family and friends are getting the jobs. Rumor has it that the Fire Chief now has his son as an employee. Did Supervisor Savoie approve that hiring? If so, why didn't he say anything at the special study session (Thurs., May 28, 2015 @ 8 am) when the nepotism question was raised? Is it to keep the public from knowing what is really going on at the Township?
How open and truthful was the township when speaking to Lisa Brody when she was gathering ,information for her article on nepotism? See: http://www.downtownpublications.com/Articles-features-c-2015-06-25-220857.112113-Government-nepotism.html
Children/spouses/ relatives/friends of employees may get the summer positions or full time/part time positions somewhere in the township. Even how Greg Kowalski got his job should be called in question as to where, when and how the job he was hired to do was posted.
The nepotism policy of the township should be changed and more importantly, the JOB POSTING and hiring policy should be reformed.
2. Who is Lewis G. Bender, PhD and why is he interviewing trustees and others?
See his webpage: http://lewbender.com
Seems one of his specialties is Workplace Conflict.
Did Supervisor Savoie contact him and hire him to do something at the Township? Did Savoie do this with the APPROVAL of the Board? If so, at what PUBLIC meeting was this discussed? Is this just another step in Savoie's attempt to change the job description and pay for the job of Treasurer or Clerk before the coming 2016 election cycle?
What is the mission for Dr. Bender? Rumor has it that Dr. Bender also met with Department Heads? Why? Who is left out of some meetings and why?
What about the PUBLIC? We should know what is going on behind closed doors. Having small meetings with a hired person, asking questions presumably about how the township government is working and how the elected and hired personnel work together.... is a problem...especially when we, and perhaps some of them being interviewed, don't know the PURPOSE of the hiring of this man.
3. Contract RAISES... were given to ALL employees 4x since 2011, without any apparent negotiation committee in place or used. The special six year contract that was signed in 2011 prior to former Supervisor David Payne's "retirement" (aka as quit in the middle of his elected term) had wage openers in 2013 and 2015. In both cases, ALL employees, not just the ones with the contract, were given 2% raises for 2013 and another 2% for 2014 and then again 2% raise for 2015 and 2% more for 2016. That included raises for the elected officials... Supervisor, Treasurer, Clerk. Is that how TOWNSHIP government works? They suggest their own raise and vote on it?
When I asked Supervisor Savoie about where that money in the budget is coming from for the 2% raises times 4, he indicated that property values are increasing and that the employees had wage freezes in prior years. WELL, yes, there was a reported wage freeze, but step and longevity increases and promotional raises, etc. continued per the contract.
Also, please do NOT FORGET, that in February 2010, the township asked the taxpayers for a 1.3 ten year millage to KEEP THE STATUS QUO. The economy was hurting for everyone. But this ten year millage was intended to be TEMPORARY. The township collects $4 million plus from this "temporary millage" every year.. for ten years. This was to make up for lost revenue. Now, the money is being used to increase wages and other benefits and more hiring of employees.
4. New Contract Language Have any talks or ideas or suggestions been tossed about at the township? Maybe. Rumor has it that the number of years worked at the township may be LOWERED to be able to collect pensions and health benefits. Is that a negotiable item/ or will it just be an "update" in an employee handbook? Rumor has it that the retiree health benefits are/were "adjusted" so living in upstate Michigan or other places, participants would be able to remain "in network" so extra fees and costs would not be paid by the retiree. Guess who pays?
The EXISTING employee contracts should be part of public record that does NOT need to be FOIA. WE, the taxpayers, should know not only WHO is hired, but under what conditions and at what price. We should also know who in those contracts are "perked" with vehicles...car maintenance...car insurance..gasoline..etc.
Did you know that the township pays the retiree health benefits each year/ as billed? That is rather misleading. There are over 200 current retirees. We can lay off employees to save money, but we can't lay off retirees. That money has to keep being spent each and every year...until every retiree and/or their beneficiaries are dead. Is this a negotiable item in the next contract? When will the township explain the potential REAL liability of retiree health insurance over the future decades?
5. Much more to tell... to think about... to reveal... wish more people in the township would pay attention to what is going on. Read my archived blogs going back to 2011. Many of the issues remain today.
6. PLEASE CONSIDER placing YOUR NAME on the 2016 ballot. Please be qualified to perform the job you are considering. Be prepared to have that decision made PRIOR to May 1, 2016 in order to get your name on the August primary ballot.
Marcia
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