ROLAND HALLIDAY: Vote for candidates who will solve problems, manage budget
Stop all the whining. Soon all of us not running for political office will breathe a sigh of utter and complete relief. It will be over. The Michigan Primary Election at least will be over. Of course, there is the general election in November, but at least this portion will be behind us. But why [...]
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Good editorial. Well put.
Record Patriot readers:
In regard to inflammatory ads and mailings by supporters of Matt Emery, Jim and Mark Evans, Ted Wood and Christine Smith against me and my fellow candidates:
Copying and pasting comments to create a biased view of a candidates’ stance on the issues is easy. What our opponents are not including in their ads is our stated commitment to fully address the concerns and needs of the community. Nor are they including the steadfast belief of me, Susan Zenker Guy Sauer, John Nugent, and Deb Gatrell that planning and zoning should be initiated by the WILL OF THE PEOPLE not by the will of a township board.
I’ve been talking at length to people in the community and I’m confident that the voters of Joyfield will elect the candidates who promise to put ALL of the citizens of this Township back in control.
Tom Hart
Candidate for Joyfield Township Supervisor.
Tom,
Do you really think it is inflammatory to ask political candidates to stand behind their own words? Why should the voters believe that you have now, on the eve of an election, sincerely changed your mind? Are you no longer an environmentalist who is willing to accept a turbine without compensation. Is Deb Gattrell now in favor of zoning? Has Susan Zenker suddenly seen the light and now believes that wind development should be fair for all?
All,
Tom and his supporters would like you to believe that the passage of the planning commission ordinance by the current board was a one sided decision. Nothing could be further from the truth. The PC ordinance came after over a year of discussion at township board meetings and it came after the February election in which planning was the primary issue. This board promised during the campaign to enact planning and to join the collaborative initiative. They did what they promised. Isn’t that what we want elected officials to do?
If the passage of the PC was so one sided why did the board nominate a balanced advisory committee that included Tom, Guy and Susan? Let’s also not forget that the board sent a mailer to every address in Joyfield township encouraging participation in the master plan process.
By contrast, when zoning was ended, after nearly 40 years, it was done with virtually no public input.
When it comes to putting the citizens of Joyfield back in control Tom’s advocacy for ending the planning commission means the citizens of Joyfield will have NO CONTROL. Planning gives the people control. Ending planning hands over control to companies like Duke. Did you feel like you had any control when Duke was bearing down on our community.
If you vote for Emery, Wood, Smith, Evans and Evans you will be voting for candidates that have consistently supported planning from the beginning. If you support Hart, Zenker etc. you will only have promises.
The planning commission ordinance was as Gary says, rammed down the throats of residents with virtually no public input, no prior announcement to the residents, no legal review and NO PUBLIC HEARING. The ordinance was published in the paper, THEN, months later, reviewed by a lawyer and REVISED. How backwards is that? That showed a desperation to RAM it through at all costs, then make sure it’s properly written. Is this how proper management works? Are there any management experts out there who can tell us if this is acceptable management?
Balance on any committee is in the best interest of the board so people cannot point fingers and accuse them of blatant one-sided behaviors.
Tom is not advocating for the end of the planning commission, and neither am I or any of my other running mates. The planning commission issue is in the hands of the voters at this time.
Promises? Who’s promising what to whom? Is Matt Emery promising to challenge the State of Michigan if elected supervisor?
It was eluded to in Mr. Meyer’s letter that “strong and inclusive planning and zoning” can stop anybody in their tracks, including the state of Michigan. Does that mean those Mr Meyer’s support are willing to use township money to challenge the state of Michigan? It’s already known that Mr. Emery is opposed to the production of natural gas. Who’s money is he going to use to challenge the State of Michigan? Sure Mr. Emery consistently supports planning, but Mr. Emery also supports people who are against development and growth in this township. Without development there is no progress, without progress there is no new growth, with no new growth there is only death.
Several golden opportunities for this township, have been lost because of narrow minded thinking and poor planning. This township could be well into the planning and zoning process, had the narrow minded thinkers not made assumptions and not jumped to conclusions, voting down a proposed planning and zoning millage in November. Here we are many months later, further behind than ever before. Great way to PRESERVE things.
I have one more question. If elected, how does Emery, Smith, Wood, Evans and Evans plan on ending the bitterness, hostility and anger in this township, all the while running a mean-spirited campaign and spreading rumors to instill fear? Do they think people will quickly forget? Are these people we really want running the township? To be honest, I didn’t have a negative opinion about Ted Wood, or Chris Smith, or even Mark Evans, but their acquiescence in this smear campaign against their opponents is reprehensible. Guilt by association.
How many times must I say, I’m a changed person, and quoting, (out of context) something I said a year ago, is a waste of money. It was a YEAR ago. People change, with experience gain wisdom, with knowledge gain insight and tolerance. Well, some people change……
Well everyone, there you have it. This is the Susan Zenker I have been telling you about. She posts an incomprehensible 450 word rant and then finishes by telling us how she’s changed and gained wisdom.
Mr. Gattrell on the other hand appears to be obsessed with a pro-wind sign that was placed under their big sign on US31. Gary, are asking us to believe that you are not pro-wind?
I’d also like to comment on the recent mailing that many of you have received from one of Tom’s and Susan’s core supporters. This same person told me after last week’s board meeting that if we win she will put everything the board does up for referendum for the sole purpose of continuing the acrimony. How’s that for working with the whole community?
BTW. Tom Hart stated very clearly on this board that he wants the planning commission voted down.
Susan, if you and Tom want people to vote “Yes” for the planning commission then you need to make a very clear statement right now. Vague statements about supporting the planning process are not acceptable. Do you want people to vote “Yes” on the planning commission? Yes or No.
Susan’s comments about the state of Michigan, intrusive zoning etc. are quite simply nuts. I don’t know of a better way phrase it. Golden opportunities? Is she talking about Duke? Who is she accusing of poor planning? It is her supporters that want to end the planning commission.
I’ll let my previous post stand to address all the other issues.
Kurt, no I am not obsessed with the fact that a pro-wind sign was placed there, I am furious that someone would stoop that low. The point is not that it was a pro-wind sign, the point is that someone is trying to cloud the issue. If it was not to muddy the waters, then perhaps we can put one in your yard. You are not interested in the truth. You are only interested in what can benefit you. I offered to prove that the lies by Mr. Evans were that and you seem to avoid the possibility of having this information verified for you. That tells me that you are not interested in the truth. Every resident should take a second look at this type of person who will stoop so low to do things of this nature to get elected.
As for the comment regarding everything being put up for referendum, do you really think this is wrong? Don’t you think the people should have the right to have a vote in what is to be their rules & regulations that they must live by?
BTW, Kurt how did you know where the pro-wind sign was located????? I never said where it was but you seem to have knowledge of where it was, hmmmmmmmm. The sign was removed at 7:10 this morning and if I am correct, your work is south of your home so you would not have seen this sign.
One last thing: I overheard two people talking today and one said that they had a new slogan: Support wind energy, save your marriage.
My comments about Mr. Emery and the State of Michigan is not nuts, it’s the truth, it’s written in a letter to the editor by a friend of yours and it’s not written as intrusive, it’s written as inclusive, and those are words also from your friend. Be sure you read carefully before you misinterpret someone’s comments. Mr. Emery himself, verbally attacked both Tom Hart and I at our very first Planning Advisory Committee, demanding to know why we had signed gas leases, and how irresponsible it was to do so, and how he believed it was possible to challenge the State of Michigan’s rules. Thank Goodness neither Tom nor I took offense or we would have not been able to work side by side with Mr. Emery for as long as we have.
Susan,
In my opinion they must be very afraid of the outcome of this election if they would stoop so low as to under the darkness of night put pro-wind signs under your campaign signs in an effort to scare residents about wind turbines. Is this what they plan on doing? To do all of their work by darkness of night and keep all of the residents in the dark?
As for Mr. Krueger, thank God it is only his opinion. He only wants to cite rumors when it is in the best interest of Mr. Emery and his group. They have lied which can be proven on several occasions during this election and the past. If the residents vote them in, they deserve everything they get.
Absolutely none of those running with Tom Hart have claimed to want unregulated wind as you continually state. Have you seen a No to planning commission sign next to their signs?
As far as the ordinances passed being discussed for a year, it was a one sided discussion. These ordinances were “rammed” down the resident’s throats. You keep bringing up the old board and zoning was discontinued without public input – that was the old board and guess what, if you haven’t noticed, they are no longer there! Also, it wasn’t the township who dropped zoning, THE COUNTY DROPPED IT!!!!!! Rather zoning goes in or not, has anyone come up with a true cost of what it is going to cost? They want you to just trust them and according to their actions, they CAN’T be trusted. They will lie and do underhanded things to get what they want. Do you want these people in office, I sure don’t!!!!
If Mr. Krueger does not believe my statements, I would be more than happy to take him by the hand and let these people tell him to his face, the facts. Mine are not rumors.
Gary Gatrell
Gary, you have figured out our campaign strategy. It’s all in the placement of blue signs. We have whole teams of people sneaking out at night relocating blue signs. Sometimes we move them at night then put them back exactly where they started in the morning just so no one is the wiser. Very clever of you to have figured this out. Good work!
Thank you very much Kurt. I appreciate your honesty because I know this is as close to a confession as I am going to get from you. I am glad you finally realize your mistakes.