137 E Dowland #1
Ludington, MI49431
March 28, 2011
Mayor John Henderson
912 Seminole
Ludington, MI49431
RE: Third Ward Councilor, Application for Appointment
Dear Mayor Henderson,
I would like to apply for the position of City Councilor of the 3rd Ward for Ludington, Michigan, recently vacated by Brent Scott. I have resided in the third ward since July, 1994, on-site managing six low-rent apartments for 13 of those years, served on the Ludington Fire Department for 8 of those years, and created and operate a local website, The Ludington Torch, which serves as a free public forum and as a 'watchblog' for the citizens of Ludington and the surrounding areas.
My expositions on local corruption have gained me some unique problems. I have recently been banned from entering the Ludington City Hall/Police Station, a problem which needs to be addressed if I were to become the next Third Ward Councilor. I also have some pending legal matters with the City regarding alleged activity performed or condoned by agents of the City, in which I would have to abstain from some participation in as a council member due to conflicts of interest.
My recent termination from private employment while directly serving under your supervision was also based on my involvement with my watchblog, according to my immediate supervisor. He rated my job performance and attendance as perfect, but said my continued professional relationship with local public officials was the key as to whether my job was to be kept. As you may know, there have been two highly prejudicial articles in the local paper about my FOIA requests and being banned from City Hall as a direct result of them. FOIA requests, in my opinion, are not reasons to publicly attack someone’s character, particularly with what I have uncovered about the City’s bidding history and poor accounting practices. But I was let go without any evidence of unprofessional acts on my part. If I had/have some, let me know.
Also, contrary to what he has been told him, I have not called you a murderer for abandoning your support of the Ludington lifeguard program, whose absence likely led to the death of Anthony Goldsmith this last summer. I merely think you were hypocritical, due to your very public support of it in the past, and your part was as an accomplice for negligence at worst. Your involvement with the LFD as an MFR must make such a loss weigh heavy on you, and I would never knowingly add to that burden you’re forced to bear.
But if you approve this application and the City Council approves your recommendation, I swear I will fight for the rights of the people of the third ward and Ludington, and do my best to roll back taxes and fees that have especially burdened us all in these last few years. To this end, I pledge I will not vote for any ordinance that raises fees or taxes, and will rally against those presented that will restrict the rights of our citizens. I will strive to make LudingtonCity Hall an open, accountable, and honest public body, and ardently oppose those forces that do not. According to the City Code, I will also perform my services as a city councilor at a rate of $50 per year, unlike the $3600 that has been granted over the last few years to each, in a manner that is strictly against City law. I will offer a full resume upon request.
Sincerely yours,