The emails published in the next several weeks are real. They are the product of anger, hatred, misunderstanding, confusion, partisanship, or perhaps even a little insanity. I will produce them as completely as is possible, and in no particular order, and no names will be used. This introduction will accompany each post.
Unfortunately not everyone has ‘it.’ And by ‘IT,’ I mean the ability to converse and convince in a way that is both ‘convincing’ and ‘..conversant.’ Having an idea of the message you want to convey, and actually closing the deal are two distinctly separate accomplishments. Picture a lawyer attempting surgery, standing before the patient with a scalpel and …attempting to live up to his or her (yes – binary) imagined gall bladder removal.
Some of the letter writers would be better off just telling Commissioner Betsy to do her own danged complaining, because they just can’t deliver on her goals without stepping on their schwantz, ..or the other binary alternative.
| Subject: | Just FYI |
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| Date: | Mon, 1 Feb 2021 14:14:56 -0800 |
Dear Sirs, I am not a resident, so probably you may ignore my note, but you should be aware that the Proud Boys are considered a hate group by the premier tracker of these groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center.
FULL STOP. ..You blew it at “I am not a resident.” The actual email looked like a 1000 page Stephen King novel complete with creepy clown Pennywise, dead animals, and running men. A bit of advice? If you want your work to be read and considered, try saving the ‘what I have to say doesn’t matter’ part till the end of the dictionary sized message.
Spell check is a tool that lends credibility to one’s serious messaging. Brevity also helps as the eyes don’t start to roll until the third or fourth paragraph.
| Subject: | Brandishing by a Commissioner Public Comment |
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| Date: | Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:50:24 -0500 |
Hello, As I am unable to attend today's last minute special meeting due to a work obligation, I'm submitting my public comment in writing and would like for this statement to be read into the record. I am a Grand Traverse County resident and I'm writing to express my severe disappointment with some of the members of this board. An elected official is defined by: "a person in charge of some public work or duty." I'm a member of the Traverse City Planning Commission and I am considered a public official during our twice-monthly meetings. The pandemic has moved our meetings to the virtual space as well, and in the evenings so that the public actually has the possibility to attend and voice their concerns/opinions on all aspects of city planning. I'm appalled by the last minute scheduling of this meeting during a week day in an attempt to cover up the issue and move on without much input from the public. This entire issue *should have *been dealt with exclusively at the next regularly scheduled public meeting; 2/3/21. I hope you don't sincerely think this will be ignored by local, national, and international media. Never once has a single planning commissioner interrupted a member of the public while they're providing their comment. I watched last week's meeting in *horror* as an elected official picked up an assault rifle and brandished it on film while a member of the public provided their comment to this publicly elected board. I'm friends with folks that own guns and never once have they brandished it to me across their chest. It's simply not something "well intentioned" people do. Like I previously mentioned, it is abundantly clear at the start of the meeting that you are operating in your *public* capacity during these meetings. Let's not pretend this is a disputed issue. I saw the chairperson, Hentschel, and vice-chair, Clous, during that meeting and have heard them continue to say this last week that they simply didn't think it was inappropriate behavior in a virtual public meeting. I did not see other commissioners behave so disrespectfully, nor have I seen them misunderstand what it means to be in a virtual meeting these last couple months. The behavior of a few is now tainting the entire view of this board. I simply cannot synthesize the numerous opinions I have on this matter into a single meeting. Frankly, it'd be hard to condense it all into one 3 minute public comment, too, but I'm going to try my best in the following paragraph. I hope that you know over 1,446 individuals in this community that you've effectively dismissed by attempting to handle this matter in an unacceptable and watered down version of an "apology" will not forget what you've done. These members belong to every single district in this county and they will remember how they were so casually brushed off by some of you. They will tell their friends and family how they were treated by this public board. The Record Eagle and Detroit Free Press will remember how you handled this situation. You're setting a precedent and I hope that you don't take that lightly. However I will leave you with this quote by Teddy Roosevelt: "*We face the future with our past and our present as guarantors of our promises; and we are content to stand or to fall by the record which we have made and are making."* xxxx xxxxxx
“Synthesize” away. There was nothing original here anyhow. Leftists don’t like these particular commissioners, and you’ve been tasked by one of the others whom you DO LIKE. And piling on to a non-issue is far more civil than a person considering making a point then deciding against it, right?
There are longer emails ..
| Subject: | concerning Mr. Clous |
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| Date: | Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:23:28 -0500 |
As a resident of Grand Traverse County, I must state my great concern over the poor behavior and judgment of certian members of the commission. Disgraceful
Well not THAT one.
I can imagine the setup – BC: “Can you send a letter of outrage? If we all stick together we can shape the world” Writer: “Hold my beer. ..no ..Wait, let me finish it (and a few more) first.”
Have fun with the next one. Sometimes people know how to spell, but cannot make a point in 60 seconds (or maybe five to eight points), AND seem to have a problem with paragraph breaks.
| Subject: | Significant competency and ethical concerns regarding a pattern of problematic behavior |
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| Date: | Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:36:58 +0000 (UTC) |
Good morning to all, I am writing to address both concerns regarding competency and ethical issues concerning Grand Traverse County and its Board of Commissioners. I believe the status of how our county currently outlines accountability and ethical concerns is seriously compromised. This places our county at risk, especially financially for decisions made specifically for political grand standing or personal gain that adversely affect our community as a whole. There is a disturbing and counterproductive pattern of behavior coupled with a lack of governance that has contaminated our Board of Commissioners. It calls into question how we as a county, part of a broader community in Northern Michigan, function to better ourselves and promote the wellbeing of our community members. There are indisputable facts that give rise to concerning questions that need to be considered and addressed. Do we have an organizational tolerance for unethical and incompetent behavior as a result of pay raises and bonuses disproportionately given to those currently responsible for ethical accountability? It certainly does look as though there exists an intentional abuse of power, specifically by the Board of Commissioners, who have consistently shown monetary favor towards the county administrators. When all the other entities under their discretion have received straightforward, standard annual salary increases; it does make one wonder why special bonus money is given to only a select. Is this trying to thread the needle of corrupt or improper payments to the only current avenue for ethical accountability; the County administrator Nate Alger and Human Resource director Donna Kinsey? Interestingly, both of whom were hired in 2018; 2.5 years ago. Or, could this be the current Board of Commissioners exploiting an organizational blind spot for their personal advantage? Working yet another avenue to ensure personal support? As per is required, pay scales and bonuses are published on the Grand Traverse County website; the pattern of payments/compensation speaks for itself. Let me give an example of what drives my concern. Nate Alger started July 2018 (2.5 years ago) and to date has received both a pay raise and bonus money in the thousands of dollars on more than one occasion. Meanwhile, there are numerous employees working for the county that have not had a pay raise of any kind for years. Decisions being made with tax payer dollars to selectively favor a few is not stated expectation of the role of the Board of Commissioners; especially when it is done at the peril and expense of the community. For instance, Nate Alger gives notice to several employees there may be layoffs in April 2020 threatening the livelihood of several members in our community as a result of budgetary concerns with regard to the effects of the pandemic. The Board of Commissioners also inexplicably denies first responders money already earmarked for them from federal sources ( not local taxpayers dollars or part of our county budget) for their efforts during the pandemic. Yet, this same Board of Commissioners gives Nate Alger, our county administrator, who is compensated with our taxpayer dollars, another pay raise and thousands of dollars as a bonus in May 2020. Let that just sink in a minute. We are going to possibly put people who live and work and are dedicated to our county and community in a financially stressful situation, so we can provide hefty bonuses and salary increases for the guy who just made a decision to lay people off in the county? That doesn’t square with me. There seems to be a pattern of improper, I would consider definitely unethical and bordering on corrupt funneling of money at the County level that requires serious investigation. At a minimum there should be revision of employee benefits that includes pay raises for all or none. Meanwhile, the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners give themselves a hefty ( 72%) pay raise (local taxpayer dollars) to not govern and instead create controversy. Clearly knowing the intentions of some of these Board members would be controversial, unethical etc. additional taxpayer dollars have to be spent on having the county attorney present to run interference and publicly try to absolve the county from responsibility for the absurdity that is occurring from the Board of Commissioners. Who later would need to make a statement saying the Board of Commissioners were “not technically employees of the county”, so the ethical accountability process at the county level did not apply to them. Interesting. How is it then Brad Jewett proposes receiving employee benefits as a County Commissioner? Employee benefits equals employee ethical accountability process, but remember both the Human Resource director and the County administrator are in charge of this process. Wow, I see a serious conflict and ethical red flags waving wildly! Let’s place all of this in the inappropriate pot of what is our Board of Commissioners. I think it is safe to say no one has to wonder now why the ever growing list of issues our county is facing will continue to spiral out of hand from lack of governance, ignorance, and poor organizational accountability. It is pretty clear why these same individuals repeatedly responsible for lack of governance, utter incompetence, ignorance etc. are the same individuals refusing to establish a basic ethical policy by which all Board members should abide. Establishing ethical guidelines, accountability and an effective process by which unethical behavior can and should be required to be dealt with before our community faces irreparable harm. Honestly, after the Ron Clous and Rob Hentchel incident, which is completely inexcusable, I am fairly sure we are well on our way. By the way boys, “If the good Lord had wanted us to wear guns on our hips, we would have been created with a gun” Beyond disappointed, xxxxxxx xxxxx District 3
Well, the “good Lord” DID make Sulphur, Potassium Nitrate, and Carbon. According to such wisdom, “the good Lord” might not have meant anyone should ever enjoy a sandwich either, as there is some assembly required, and where that goes is rather obvious.
Such a manufactured crisis is perfect for expressing all manner of complaints that most certainly could not stand on singular merit alone. I can only imagine the thought process “..If only one of the commissioners would do something the news will promote as ‘outrageous,’ then I can pile on with my own laundry list of petty grievances!”
And that last one WAS copied to the press contacts as well. “Will someone PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO ME???“
Maybe tomorrow we publish some R-Rated content? General bitching just doesn’t hit the troll meter sufficiently. There are so many emails, its hard to decide which direction to go next. So much possibility!
Stay tuned.
