The FACTS DO matter!

This chart (click on chart to enlarge), prepared by MSU Extension for Muskegon county, clearly sounds a warning not heard by our county spenders.

"...beginning in 2011 expenditures will rise faster than the rate of inflation over the next five years. Consequently, expenditures are projected to be greater than revenues for EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER".

We have hit the iceberg and our "leaders" are more worried about ordering their own dessert than lowering the lifeboats!

Our county leaders continue to spend and the employee contract negotiations (80% of total county spending) are being negotiated without ANY commissioner input.

In other words, union negotiator negotiating with union friendly negotiator.

The resident of Muskegon has NO seat at the table.

"Free laptops" tells us a lot about those commissioners.

This is the story of a mindset.
This week, five county commissioners (Bob Scolnik, Marve Engle, Ken Mahoney, Anthony Longmeyer and Scott Plummer) voted to have the county buy themselves "free" laptops (using a fund intended to purchase flower's for the deceased.) and double the cost with "free" software and professional setup.
The same laptop you or I could buy at Best Buy for $350, they found available for $800.(thankfully the motion failed)

This purchase was necessary, the "freebie-five" tell us, because "We need to move to the 21st century", "this will save money in the long run", "it will protect the environment" or even "computers are a tool just like a shovel and our employer must supply us with free tools".

Well, pretty compelling arguments.

But county leaders tell us that times are tough, cuts will be made, taxes may go up.

Our county currently has over $100 MILLION dollars in unfunded pension and health benefits for county employees. That means we ain't got the money to pay for all those retirees!

And  the commissioners just voted to spend $44,000 (and up to $160,000) for a consultant who will undoubtedly consul them that we need a new multi-million jail.

So if it were me or you, we'd realize we're just about BROKE!

And those "compelling" arguments of the commissioners......well maybe you'd see some of them already using computers during the meetings. But you wouldn't because none do.

Funny thing is, most of the commissioners already own laptop computers.
Only Bob Scolnik has even brought his to a meeting and discarded it early in the meeting to go back to the more convenient paper agenda.
His poor laptop never saw a commission meeting again.

The fact is, if the "freebie-five" commissioners were really serious about cutting costs, they'd demand an end to the wasteful mailing of county paper to their homes. They are in the building TWICE every week! Why are we mailing them ANYTHING?

If they were really serious, they'd move themselves "into the 21st century" with the laptops they already own. But they haven't done that.

If they were really serious about saving the county money, those that don't already own laptops would buy one with the $35,000+ per year compensation they already receive. But they haven't.

If they were really serious about protecting the environment, they'd demand an end to the wasteful mailing and excess printing of documents. But they haven't.

If they were really serious, they wouldn't pretend that six or seven meetings a month is the equal of a full time job. But they have. 

If they were really serious, those who already have laptops would already be using them at every county meeting to save the planet, save Muskegon taxpayer's money, show that THEY are in the 21st century and prove how much more efficient the laptop is than paper. But they haven't. 

If they were really serious, they'd see that even though this is only a few thousand dollars, the symbolism of their own actions would be a positive motivator for all of the county to realize that times are tough and we all need to do our part. But that's not what they did.

Sadly, their actions belie their words.

They're not really serious at all.

They are just like little children in a toy store, demanding more and more "free" toys from a hardworking Mom who is simply out of money.

And it is just that mindset that has our county in such a perilous financial situation.

Mr Commissioner, tear down this wall!

Once again lots of big spending at the county commission meeting.

And once again, the votes of the spenders are hidden from the voters.

The wall of secrecy sure isn't for our benefit.

When commissioners vote in committee, EVERY vote they make to spend your money hides who voted for what.

Just a notation "motion passed" or "motion failed" (a VERY rare occurrence).

What do they have to hide?

Lots!
Scolnik, Engle, Mahoney, Plummer and Longmeyer just voted for free laptops for commissioners. The vote failed but their votes won't be public or added to the minutes because the board doesn't allow committee it.
You think they'd be proud...yeah right.....

Call your commissioner and demand they tell us how they voted! 

County board outrage of the week!

Lots to be outraged about and it's only Tuesday:

To authorize the Administration to solicit a proposal from RQAW Consulting Engineers and Architects to complete a Feasibility Plan for the Muskegon Prison facility. $44,200 (NO BID contract!)

To authorize staff to apply for funds from the Homeland Security
Department under the Port Security Grant Program (CFDA 97.056) in the
amount of $1,000,000 (one million) dollars with no match. ($1 MILLION???)

To authorize staff to apply for funds from the Homeland Security
Department under the Emergency Operations Center Grant Program,
CFDA 97.502 in the amount of $100,000 with Central Dispatch providing the 25% match ($25,000). ($ 1 million isn't enough?)


To approve the revisions to the Muskegon County Board of
Commissioners' Personnel Rules 1,5,9, 14, 17, 18,20,23,29,32
and 33. (read these changes. You can get fired if you don't identify yourself as a county employee when you are on line. Whistle blowers will get fired if they out badness. Not good at all!)

To approve an increase in the Initial Assessment rates for both Mercy Health Partners Life Counseling and Catholic Charities West Michigan to $90.00 per assessment from $60.00 and $70.00 , respectively. Authorization is also requested to increase the caps for both of their Community Mental Health Outpatient Mental Health Contracts to $20,000.00, effective May 1, 2011 through September 30,2011.

To authorize the Public Health Department to create and fill one Community Nutrition Specialist position to be funded 100% with WIC federal funds, with no effect on county general funds.

To accept the offer of purchase from Nugent Sand Inc., in the
amount of $7,925 ($500/acre).

To authorize the Human Resources/Employment and Training Department to solicit bids for an entity(s) to provide Energy Conservation Apprenticeship Readiness (ECAR) services for jobseekers from the City of Muskegon Heights.

The Community Development Director position is responsible for oversight of the Community Development Department as created in the FY2010 budget which consists ofthe Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Muskegon County Airport, and the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS). The position has been vacant since October 1, 2009; in the absence of the position the County Administrator has assumed the oversight responsibilities of the department programs. Based on other Director positions in the County with the same level of responsibility the pay scale should be upgraded from ND00018 ($65,944 -$84,126) to ND00030 ($72,831 -$92,749).

The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners has been discussing and investigating the probability of purchasing laptop computers or other electronic devices to assist in their role as Muskegon County Commissioners.
It was suggested the Commissioners utilize their Flower Fund to purchase the electronic devices for each Commissioner. The software for the devices would be purchased via the Equipment RevolVing Fund.

Muskegon Tea Party Tuesday 7:00pm Whitlows!

Hello Muskegon Tea Party activists!

We will meet again tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00 pm, June 14 (Flag Day!) at Whitlows.

For those who want to eat before the meeting, we will meet at 6:00 for dinner in the restaurant.

Everyone is invited.

You may have noticed that the Muskegon Tea Party conservatives have been in the Chronicle lately:

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/letter_county_commissioner_off.html

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/letters_muskegon_tea_party_sha.html

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/letters_law_clearly_explains_h.html

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/05/letters_tea_party_invites_insp.html

And chairwoman Susie Hughes' new facebook page "Muskegon County-board" is an amazing compendium of information.

You MUST check it out!

And that is great!

But our own little county is 100 MILLION in debt to unfunded pension and health benefits for its employees.

And the big spending left has been hard at work trying to recall the governor and many GOP Michigan reps. and senators.

And showing their strength at rallies statewide.
"Keep up the spending and more" is their cry.
If they win, your children and grandchildren will lose, big time.

Our meeting tomorrow night will focus on how WE THE PEOPLE (those who pay the bills) can bring our quest for rational spending and accountable government to those who don't know what us TeaPers are really about.

And after the regular meeting at around 8:00 is over, Susie will present easy to use pointers for those who want more help in connecting with the "social media" like facebook, twitter, M-Live and other media.

So see you Tuesday!

Come alone or bring a friend... or two!

Remember, as our lovable Captain Bertch has so often said "they don't understand we're broke"!

Jim Riley

"It's the SPENDING Stupid!"

Carmen's Cafe today 2:00

Most every Tues. and Thurs. 2:00-3:15 political chat at Carmen's Cafe.Today has 2 interesting items:

1. $80 grand to train 10 Heights kids for jobs in the construction business......you might ask "what jobs". They probably won't.
2. Remember the big millage that raised money to redo the Frauenthal and the Walker.
Well, that money has been paid back but the county wants to keep the millage and spend the money on......well, they don't say.

We'll talk about that today at 2:00
Everyone invited.
Just ask for Riley!

Guess which Muskegon Marina...

MuskegonPundit: Guess which Muskegon Marina..

"Guess which Muskegon marina is city owned and which is owned by a tax paying, privately owned company.
Why does ANY government body own marinas?"

My letter to Muskegon county commissioners

An open letter to our Muskegon County commissioners:

Lady and gentlemen Commissioners:

On May 19, a gentleman who appeared to be blind, was led into the commissioner's board room and asked if this was the Transportation committee meeting.
Unfortunately, that meeting had been canceled two days earlier. ( http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/minutes/waysmeans_11_05_17.pdf    pg. 4 "New Business")
The unfortunate citizen had no way of knowing the committee meeting was canceled unless he'd read the minutes of the ways and means committee meeting posted online two days before. The agenda for the Transportation Committee was left with a dead link for the day. He quietly accepted his inconvenience. No board member offered an apology.

Last week a, highly unusual, special meeting of the Public Works committee was called at the beginning of the Full Board meeting.
"AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR “COST OF SERVICE CONSULTING” TO
PERFORM A RATE DESIGN STUDY FOR THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM
PER THE SPECIFICATIONS IN RFP 11-1884 TO UTILITY FINANCIAL
SOLUTIONS FOR $24,585."
There was no explanation why this hurried, special meeting was needed just 12 days after the last Public Works meeting. It was simply put in front of the commissioners with little time for them to vet or understand, voted on and voted on again a few minutes later by the full board.
There was no public notice of this special meeting.

The commissioners have recently called for monthly "planning sessions". These are important, intensive and informal meetings intended to address major issues facing our county. They are also, by law, public meetings requiring adequate notice to the public. There has been a board policy of providing no specific public notice for the date, time or location of these meetings. Sometimes a mention in a committee's minutes. Sometimes not even that. One would have to read, in great detail, every one of the committee or full board minutes to find this nugget of information. If it was available at all.


Our commissioners will soon face tremendous challenges as they try to maintain county services and keep our county solvent.
They will need more than citizen committees and consultants to deflect the criticism likely to arise from the tough decisions ahead.
They will need the confidence and good will of the citizenry.
A citizenry that trusts our county leaders are honest and up front with the issues we all face.

Last minute meeting cancellations with no public notice, last minute spending items added to meetings different from the normal meeting with no public notice and no-public-notice at all for the very important "planning sessions" are not the way to engender public trust or support.

Gentlemen and gentle lady, this e-mail is not just a complaint.

It is a request that you all support changes that will address the problems of communication with those who have given you your great responsibility and their trust.

Muskegon County hires consultant to study sewer rates

Muskegon County hires consultant to study sewer rates MLive.com
"As is the county's rating policy, the four men rated the seven proposals without looking at the bid price."

This is classic Muskegon county at its worst.

The pubic works committee under Marve Engle scheduled a no-public-notice, last minute meeting minutes before the full board was to vote to make this contract permanent.

Most of the commissioners had no time at all to review the spending and only minutes later had to vote again to spend, spend, spend.

The drain commissioner was against it, as was the only county commissioner who gives a crud, Alan Jager.

Typical Chicago style. Ignore the low bidder. Rush the vote. Twice.

What a wonderful bid process! Rank the bid without knowing what they cost!!

My my, I'll take the new Cadillac Mr. Commissioner Engle. Price don't matter no more, do it?

And make no mistake no mistake about this "consultant's" real purpose.

They will recommend that water/sewer rate be raised.

So for $25 (and counting) the commissioners won't have to make that vote on their own. They'll just do what YOUR $25,000 (and counting) told them to do.

Folks, if you wonder why our county is in such a state of near collapse, take a good look at your county commissioners .

And look closely at the only commissioner who has the courage to tell the truth, Alan Jager.

A pox on the rest of them!

Letters: Tea Party invites inspection | MLive.com

Letters: Tea Party invites inspection MLive.com

Gentleman in need of help from government abuse

Another man willing to employ and succeed in Muskegon county who has run into the bureaucratic buzz saw.
Folks, we can make our county business friendly.
But we've got to stop these types of abuses!

Muskegon company hiring is a challenge

An executive at a major employer in Muskegon county making a presentation to the Muskegon county commission.
Imagine that finding workers in Muskegon would be a challenge.
Folks, we have a culture problem in our county.

I don't understand liberals.

I really don't understand liberals.
They offer themselves as experts on the conservative right in our country without any first hand facts at all.

Except those supplied them by those on the extreme left who openly admit they hate conservatives.

As a local Muskegon Tea Party member, I'd be happy to introduce you to the truth about us TeaPers.

On social issues, most prefer the end of post-birth abortion and we support the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution.

We agree with President Obama that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

On fiscal issues most agree that spending more than we bring in is wrong.

We believe that allowing government bureaucrats to spend the national (and local) "credit card" but leaving the payments to our children and grandchildren will destroy their very chance at the American Dream.

We believe that leaving our children with trillions of dollars of debt is a form of child abuse.

That increasing the amount of government workers and their out of control compensation, at every level, is unsustainable and downright destructive.

We believe that our education system is broken and the education unions need to be held accountable.

We have disagreed with republicans and democrats alike.

But the biggest difference between conservatives and liberals is that we believe in our American capitalistic economic system.

We don't believe that government today does much very efficiently and that the less government must do the better.

A taxpaying private company doing the work of a tax sucking government agency produces revenue and efficiency.

We are not anti government.

We pro accountable and efficient government.

And we do not have accountable or efficient government at any level in our country today.

There are consequences when our elected leaders vote to spend money they not only do not have, but must borrow from future generations.

There are consequences when the majority of the electorate simply trusts our leaders to do the right thing without requiring them to be accountable for their decisions.

We conservatives see the consequences of fiscal irresponsibility and are fighting to restrain out of control spending, unaccountable government and the growth of anti-business governments everywhere in our great USA.

If you'd like to meet a real Tea Party member, join us at Whitlows every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 7:00.

Everyone is invited.

Stop being the victim of your own self censorship.

Say "Hi" to me!

Jim Riley

An amazing event!

This is a first for me.
And maybe a first for the Muskegon County commissioners.

They voted "No" on two spending bills!
Both are listed in the posts below.

They voted to end discriminatory favoritism and stopped the $3000 gift to the Muskegon Heights summer festival. They give no other city/township events any "free" money and it was about time they ended this obvious racial pandering.

Super kudos to Muskegon Tea Party chairwoman Susie Hughes for being the "point of the spear" on this one!

And they voted to reduce the $3000 request from the Miss Michigan pageant to $2000.

Let's hope this is a sign of future tough-love budgeting for our county.

Coming Thursday!-Muskegon County Board of Commissioners

Muskegon County Board of Commissioners
(click link-go to May 19 "Community Development/ Strategic Planning".)

Another "feel good" for the commissioners but a decidedly "feel broke" for the taxpayers and residents of Muskegon county.
Even more interesting is that Muskegon Heights is the only county municipality to get financial support for their event.
And no strings attached!
$3000! Ka-ching! What a county!

Spendathon continues:Muskegon County Board of Commissioners

Muskegon County Board of Commissioners
(click link-go to May 19 "Community Development/ Strategic Planning".)

Our county is over $100 million in underfunded pension and health care debt.

That means we're effectively broke. So we make promises someone else must keep...and pay for.
All so we can have a happy day giving someone else's money away.
Note that the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee suggested $2000. 
The request is for more, $3000.

Muskegon county apportionment from a republican's view

Interesting that the final determining vote was from republican party chairwoman Christina Achterhoff.
Christina's public comment about the 11 district plan “I just feel if this is accepted that I think there will be zero Republicans on the board come 2012,”, was printed in The Chronicle.

Let's see how republicans fared:
This is the 11 commissioner plan that was voted down.
Markel/Waters YES. Tony T/Tony M/Christina Achterhoff NO

http://www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk/apportionment/11-1_large_map.pdf
This option is similar to the current districts.
Jager's district essentially intact.
Engle's district essentially intact.
Snider's district essentially intact
Scolnik's district split but the addition of RP shouldn't keep the new district 8 from staying republican.
And the new district 9, "East NS is a potential win for republicans if they attracted a candidate.
Mahoney's very close district 1 remains a possible win.

Possible net republican wins 6/11 54%
Most likely outcome in 2012: 4/11 36%
Current districts:
http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/map.htm


District w/Commissioner Name
1 Kenneth Mahoney
2 Alan Jager
3 I. John Snider II
4 James J. Derezinski
5 Marvin R. Engle
6 Lew Collins
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony T. Longmire
9 Rillastine R. Wilkins
10 Benjamin E. Cross
11 Robert Scolnik

This is the 9 district plan that was adopted:
Tony T/Tony M/Christina Achterhoff YES  Steve Markel/Nancy Waters NO

http://www.co.muskegon.mi.us/clerk/apportionment/plan_9-3_large_map.pdf
Jager has a tough task in beating Derezinski (yes, Jim has told me he will run again) in Eggleston and he has no name recognition (yet!) in Mooreland/Casnovia. But Derezinski hasn't run a contested election in a long time and Jager's middle name is "giant slayer". Toss up.
Engle's district should stay with Marve. Lou Collins looks like he'll be out.
Snider's not running and the new, expanded (GOP leaning) district will depend on who runs.
Scolnik's district should be safe for a republican.
Mahoney's district adds Blue Lake and Dalton. Both townships voted solidly GOP in 2010. This one stays with the chairman unless a newcomer realizes the opportunity here.

Net possible republican wins: 5/9 55%
Most likely outcome in 2012: 3/9 33%

Feel good programs with no follow up.

These are all authorized programs voted by the Muskegon county commission in a two week span late last year.
None have any follow up requirements to see if they achieved their goals.

2011-19 AUTHORIZE STAFF TO APPLY FOR FUNDS UNDER THE JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATION PROGRAM CPS11/01-01 The Courts and Public Safety Committee recommends, moved by Snider, seconded by Collins, to authorize staff to apply for funds under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (CFDA #16.745) in the amount of $50,000 with an in-kind match of $12,500 to be provided by the County of Muskegon for planning funds expand programs providing appropriate services for multi-system-involved juveniles with mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Roll Call Ayes: Cross, Derezinski, Engle, Longmire, Chairman Mahoney, Plummer, Scolnik, Vice Chairman Snider, Wilkins, Collins Nays: Jager

2011-20 APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT CPS11/01-02 The Courts and Public Safety Committee recommends, moved by Snider, seconded by Collins, to approve the acceptance of the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant in the amount of $21,000 for the purchase of gang activity software through OSSI and Sheriff overtime patrols. Roll Call Ayes: Cross, Derezinski, Engle, Longmire, Chairman Mahoney, Plummer, Scolnik, Vice Chairman Snider, Wilkins, Collins Nays: Jager

2011-23 AUTHORIZE THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH NETSMART NEW YORK, INC., FOR THE CONSUMER CONNECT SOFTWARE HR11/01-03 The Human Resources Committee recommends, moved by Plummer, seconded by Engle, to authorize the Community Mental Health Executive Director to sign the contract with Netsmart New York, Inc., for the Consumer connect software, effective January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2015 at a cost not to exceed $56,050 in Fiscal Year 2011 and $223,011 over the five (5) year period of the contract.

2011-31 AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH MUSKEGON COUNTY AND LAKESHORE COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES HR11/01-11 The Human Resources Committee recommends, moved by Plummer, seconded by Engle, to authorize the Board Chair to sign the agreement between Public Health Muskegon County and Lakeshore Coordinating Council for substance abuse prevention services, subject to final review and approval by Corporate Counsel, in the amount of $120,331.00, effective from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, with no effect on County General Fund. Roll Call Ayes: Derezinski, Engle, Jager, Longmire, Chairman Mahoney, Plummer, Scolnik, Vice Chairman Snider, Wilkins, Collins, Cross Nays: None



2011-35 AWARD THE PROPOSAL FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRAC, TO JAMES T. STOKES TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE CLASSROOM BASED SERVICES WM11/01-04 The Ways and Means Committee Recommends, moved by Collins, seconded by Snider, to award the proposal for a one year contract renewable for up to two additional years based upon performance and the availability of funding, to James T. Stokes to provide intensive classroom based services designed to enhance the life and employability skills of jobseekers with little to no work history who are now entering the labor force. Muskegon County Board of Commissioners January 13, 2011 Full Board 3:30 p.m.

2011-35 AWARD THE PROPOSAL FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRAC, TO JAMES T. STOKES TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE CLASSROOM BASED SERVICES Roll Call Ayes: Engle, Jager, Longmire, Chairman Mahoney, Plummer, Scolnik, Vice Chairman Snider, Wilkins, Collins, Cross, Derezinski Nays: None

2011-36 AWARD THE PROPOSAL FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, TO COMMUNITY ENCOMPASS TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION SKILLS TRAINING, WORKPLACE READINESS TRAINING, AND GED ASSISTANCE WM11/01-05 The Ways and Means Committee Recommends, moved by Collins, seconded by Snider, to award the proposal for a one year contract renewable for up to two additional years based upon performance and the availability of funding, to Community enCompass to provide construction skills training, workplace readiness training, and GED assistance for

18 to 21 year old high school dropouts. Roll Call Ayes: Engle, Jager, Longmire, Chairman Mahoney, Plummer, Scolnik, Vice Chairman Snider, Wilkins, Collins, Cross, Derezinski Nays: None

Head buttin' commissioners.

The new Muskegon county apportionment districts have Alan Jager and Jim Derezinski sharing the same space.
And Marve Engle and Lou Collins facing off when the music stops..
Everyone else has essentially the same district lines.
Or at least no encroachment by another commissioner.

We will have 9 Muskegon county commissioners for the next TEN YEARS!

Two less that the last 10 years.

The county apportionment commission just voted.
Markel N
Tague Y
Achterhoff Y
Moulatsiotis Y
Waters N

Let the political jousting begin!