Oratory to Warren City Council, Feb. 20, 2007

Re: Warren Department of Property Maintenance request for additional funding

I was embarrassed that I forgot to load my new coat with pens.  I had to borrow one to fill out the Public Address Affidavit.  I was 4th to enter my name among the town criers. It seemed all for naught when they voted not to discuss the issue and remain tabled.  When public participation was called no other residents came forward to speak.  McWilliams up to bat, hitting lead-off today.

Presenter: Jim McWilliams - 30315 Wagner Rd., Warren, MI 48093

Warren’s Department of Property Maintenance should be abolished immediately. It is an example of self-serving government intent on expanding its own sphere of control; nothing more than a failed money-grab. By his own words, Mayor Steengergh admits it was created so that fine-revenues would stay in Warren instead of dissipating to Lansing. So much for saving revenue, the department is a negative cash-flow operation.

I just realized I came out swinging and attacked the MAYOR of the city.  The number one guy in the city.  FEAR STRIKES

The over-zealous nature of the citations themselves are in question. It is my understanding that approximately 3900 citations were issued in the first 6 months of operation. Figuring there were approximately 120 business days in those 6 months, I calculate over 32 citations a day, or one citation every 15 minutes. I would guess that it would take longer than that to inspect a property and complete the associated paperwork. In order to write citations at that rate, inspectors must simply choose a neighborhood and go door-to-door writing tickets. This is not so much a system to eliminate blight as it is a vendetta against the lower-income neighborhoods; a "poor tax" if you will. And yet with all these tickets written, the department created to save money is a financial burden.

Boy I hope I got my figures right

This department has shown over the last 8 months that it is a financial drain. The original operating budget has been depleted. Now the Mayor wants another $135,000 to fund the operation through June. Do we need more money so we can "turn up the heat?"  How much faster can we write tickets?  We would be better off giving that money to the people that need to make the improvements, rather than funding a board that will fine them for not being able to afford it in the first place.

I have great confidence in the unanimous acceptance of this concept.  My fortitude is rallied. I see the council members PAYING ATTENTION to me. 

The Mayor claimed it would force negligent property owners to make improvements. Consider though, the primary reason for property neglect is lack of money. How do you expect to improve property by fining the owners that cannot afford the improvements? The fact that over 2/3 of the fines issued are delinquent speaks volumes of the root cause.

BOOM!  I saw heads perk up when I said this.  I scanned the council from left to right.  Mr. Weicek was wide-eyed and my confidence SOARED.

I speak for many Warren residents who feel this Blight Court is simple cronyism. The appointment of Dean Ausilio as a Blight Court judge caused quite a stir considering his history of frivolous litigation. The Mayor's request that we approve additional funding to avoid laying off his appointees tells us that he values their jobs more than the financial well-being of the taxpayers in our city.

A second attack on the mayor.  Mental note: skip any future negative references to the mayor.  Next mental note: find an issue to side with the mayor.  Do this quickly and point out that people of conscience will always agree on some things and disagree on others.  He is very skilled at MAKING THINGS HAPPEN, find a way to work together.  INCLUDE!

If the taxpayers must contribute to blight-reduction, we would rather spend money fixing the problems instead of enforcing the laws.  Take the same amount of money consumed by the Blight Court and employ local workers to actually fix the problems.  This would produce the most positive economic activity.  More people would work and more repairs would be made.

This made 3 of them smile.  Brownie points just went up.

Perhaps blight in Warren would be better addressed by a private advocacy group. There is a non-profit group in the early stages of organization in Warren that exists explicitly to work with residents to determine their needs and organize volunteers.  If council denies the requested funding I volunteer to facilitate a meeting between the organization and city officials; in the hopes that we can improve our neighborhoods through cooperative action, rather than punitive action, saving the city a big chunk of money along the way.

I saw a nod on the right side, but I could not tell who it was.  ...another confidence boost.

I sincerely hope Council votes to deny the request of funds.  With 1/3 of the City Council seats up for election this year many residents will scrutinize which council members advocate government bloat, and which advocate fiscal responsibility.

They all seamed to beam with pride.  I felt it in me.  I thought I had done a DECENT job delivering the speech.  And there they were; I scanned from side to side to see EVERY councilmember looking me in the eye.  My chest grew.  I closed my folder in symbolic gesture and said "thank you."  I turned to return to my seat and EVERY PERSON in the auditorium began to clap.  It stopped me in my tracks.  The elderly woman with her notes stood up.  Then I noticed the police officers in attendance were standing, but I cannot say certainly if they were ALREADY standing, or if a particular point I made resonated with them.  In any event, at this point I realized I had a miniature standing ovation.  I gave the people a BIG smile, heck, I felt like smiling so it turns out to be mutually beneficial.  At this moment I could imagine what it felt like to gain public support outside of my parents.

The entire room had their voice after me.  A woman made an impassioned plea for the state of her neighborhood. The family displaced by builder negligence explained in practical terms the breakdowns of the system.  The woman that stood for me during the STANDING OVATION chipped in with her practicalities as well.

Meeting adjourned -

Immediately a man sitting nearby introduced himself along with a congratulatory handshake.  He asked about the burgeoning non-profit organization I spoke about.  I think someone from behind gathered my attention for a bit.  Then, quickly it seemed, I saw Councilman Weicek heading directly toward me.  As expected he arrived with his hand out.  What the heck, another confidence boost.  Then it makes me wonder what will happen someday when *I* am denounced on some issue; how will I handle the criticism?  I shook his hand and he was a fountain of nice words for me.  I lost the specifics in the wash of compliments - hey, that's how I remember it anyway.  After a short time I saw Chairman Fouts approaching on the same path Mr. Weicek took earlier.  It was as if they studied the same lines backstage.  Well, not quite that exact, but the sentiments were exactly the same.  I honestly felt priveledged that people of public station would hold regard for me.  In one moment the pride in my life increased.  Maggie insisted that they each take a copy of my speech.  Mr. Fouts asked to contact me about future unspecified business. (sometimes I get to inject the ARTISTIC version, 1st Amendment and all)

We accompanied Mr. Fouts to the door and left him chatting with, what I presume, is a media reporter.  I'll have to stick around and talk to them sometime.