Esteemed Council Members,
Allow me to express the opinion of one resident – taxpayer – voter – homeowner – husband – father – etc.

In general I am in favor of smaller governments. I feel that we should be very careful when we consider offering services outside the basic 3 branches of government. For example, though I use the pool at the Warren Community Center frequently, I feel since it is run as a business (per-use fees) it would be more appropriate for it to be a private business. However, I am not suggesting the closing or privatizing of the pool; I merely include the example for perspective.

The issue of playground equipment for Underwood Park has recently come to the public eye. I have lived in Warren most of my life. I currently live near 13 Mile & Hoover, but my previous residence was within walking distance of Underwood Park. Indeed I often took my children there to play; in fact my daughter attended Warrendale Elementary which shares the expanse with the park. I have not been to the park since 2003, so I cannot speak absolutely about its current condition, but my recollection is that the existing equipment showed its age, but was still enjoyable.

If I were a council member today, I would vote against funding new play equipment. This is clearly a luxury item. I feel it would only be appropriate to consider this kind of spending during economic prosperity. Does a budget surplus exist? If not, I offer that if I were having difficulty paying my car loan or phone bill, I would not buy a swing set for my back yard. I hope municipal government would be as frugal with their budget as I am with mine. Further, if indeed a surplus existed, I would vote to reduce taxes before inventing new ways to spend it. Indeed, for the residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Underwood Park, a tax break of say $50/year may have greater benefit to their lives than new play equipment (unless the current equipment has deteriorated to the point where it is dangerous). Their reality is that a seemingly small amount of money would make the difference between Saturday lunches being Ramen noodles, or Chunky Soup.

More so, where are our priorities? Surely there are more pressing needs somewhere. However, I will not elaborate this point, since you as council members are much more familiar with city operations than I.

In addition to my statements about the budget I would also like to add my criticism of Mayor Steenberg’s comments on the issue. I am ashamed for our city that he resorted to personal attacks regarding this. “Liars and hypocrites,” “lip service,” and “hates children” do not address the issue at all. Are his arguments so weak that he cannot speak of the issue, but resorts to attacking the character of people with differing points of view? This sort of non-persuasive tactic has backfired and is an embarrassment. I would oppose his point of view merely because he resorted to this type of behavior. My opposition will be expressed the next time his name appears on a voting ballot. I trust the 8 members of Council voted on this issue using reasonable judgment of what they thought was the right thing to do, with no regard to under-the-table deals or personal prejudice.

I don’t expect the expression of my opinion will necessarily influence the final outcome of this issue, but I feel it is important enough that you hear my one voice. Perhaps when considering another issue you may be reminded of my words and consider it as part of the whole community of which you represent.

Lastly, I gathered your email addresses from the City of Warren web site, but addresses for Mr. Fouts and Ms. Moceri are not provided. I ask that Madam Secretary Vogt (I hope I used the correct salutation) forward my sentiments to them, as I believe that is the role of Secretary.

Thank you for your consideration.

Your neighbor,
Jim McWilliams

DEAR JIM,
YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED, I THINK THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS REVERTED TO A SLAM TYPE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN TO DISCREDIT COUNCIL AND CAUSE A STRONG LACK OF COMMUNICATION THAT HAS BEEN VERY VISIBLE UP ON COUNCIL. INFORMED DECISIONS MAKE THE BEST SOUND DECISIONS. SAFETY OF OUR EQUIPMENT IS A NECESSITY AND SHOULD BE MONITORED. I WILL ACESS ALL THE EXTRA INFORMATION THAT WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD AT OUR COUNCIL MEETING AND FOLLOW THRU WITH A DECISION. I DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT (CHILD HATER) ALONG WITH OTHER DISCREDITING PHRASES WERE USED BECAUSE NOT ONE SINGLE COUNCIL PERSON UP THERE HATES CHILDREN. I THINK IT IS JUST USED AS A PLOY TO SPLIT COUNCIL UP AND TO KEEP COUNCIL VS ADMINISTRATION ALWAYS FIGHTING. I THINK WE NEED TO BOND TOGETHER AS A BODY AND WORK OUT A COMPROMISE FOR SEVERAL ISSUES.
THANK YOU AGAIN,

Councilwoman Donna Caumartin