Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting 4-4-2023: Zoom, Part-time Help, County Admin, and Vets

“Saugatuck in the 19th Century”

The County Commissioners Meeting was fairly productive. You can still tell there is some difference of opinion but for the most part things are moving along. There is some discussion on strategic planning which I find interesting because even local forms of government must have plans and when they do that well they can find they are staying ahead of the market. I believe Delta County (i.e. Escanaba) has a good opportunity to beat the market and realign to future opportunities (i.e. local products of market value that draw revenue and investments.). Each decision we make contributes for or against local growth and there are many pathways that can be taken (So I wouldn't judge every decision in short run but in its overall trend toward long run goals. This is why its important to define what these might be so decisions can be aligned accordingly. i.e. are we a vacation adventure area, SME manufacturer, digital nomad destination and start-up lab or are we something else? .)

Workshop

-Workshop on Admin Qualifications. Steering committee for approval. MI Works Executive Search, need more executive planning (I agree that strategic planning is important. Then need tactical and strategic. Tactical in short term up to a 5 year plan. Then a 10 year and 20 year plan based on longer term market trends.). Something about ARC monies for infrastructure and not anything else. The ARC money will (ARC Grant) end in 1.5 years and there will be difficult financial issues. Cost in retraining new people and finance. 3 year projection on cost was done. Projection of expenses. 70 hours of admin and 70 of original position by current interim administrator. Comment on firing and the issues it created. Appointment vs. hiring of position. Comments on hours, saving $100+K on position, and a few other concerns. Two people feel it should have all been settled already and we have discussed already. A discussion on bending finance committee and personnel hiring rules with interim position. Procedures issues. No discussion on finance committee approving money. Contract is still being discussed. There was an issue on not having the financial approval through the right committee and then approving her for money to be paid due retroactively without that official approval. Concerns that we cannot do things like we did in the past if we need to go forward.  One felt cannot go forward unless things are done differently and will vote accordingly and move on. (Something about birds. Cute Funny Parrots)

Regular Meeting

-Agenda items passing.

-One resident feels that commissioner is not representing the people. Owned a manufacturing company and consulting firm. He feels there are conflict of interest in both positions and one cannot double dip and protect one position through another with the same person. Feels that its an unethical issue. Job description should be memorandum of understanding and outlining duties. The job description created with this in mind. 

-Discussion on Conservation District and the revenue that the county made and where that is and whether or not its returned back to the county. Feels the board is not in a position to make a decision without understanding these issues. Have been seeking information since last October but the full information has not been received in accordance to Michigan Constitution and FOIA (You can find more information on MI FOIA.)

-Discussion on whether we can consider RFP at this time. There were other items included in the agenda and it should have been stopped at that time. Didn't feel one of the commissioners kept their word.

-Looks like the news came on for a minute through Zoom.

-Interim County Commissioner Dept. Heads: Brownfield redevelopment project. Online reservations for campground. User friendly. Every monthly excess revenue would be carried over into an account. 

-Sheriff Department Head: $240K cost to update courthouse construction. One additional deputy requested. From my knowledge of construction I agree that sometimes depending on the plans and the overall need to ensure structure integrity it is best to do it all at once. Sometimes, depending on which walls and other items are being broken out there may be places to reasonably incur a modest cost in phasing. An engineer would sort of need to project the costs and natural points where projects can be halted and then restarted. Financial discussion going to Finance Committee on costs.

-Conservation District Head: Discussion on not having restrictions on access to land to the South. Any complaint on county forest were investigated. A lot of self serving individuals. A cross country ski trial possible but cost with plowing. Similar issue with bike path that ends at Pioneer Trail. 2018-22 County has data entire QuickBooks report and where money was spent. $111K - a bunch of expenses. Kept the grounds person during COVID. $75K and work for the year. Lots of volunteer labor hours. Revenue was only $13K. Maybe up to $20K. Liked auditing background with interim county admin. Needs Conservation District to be reimbursed. Some false statements have been made in the past few months.

-Public Sector: Looking to get best we can get. Prefer community public service. Options to swap knowledge, education and experience. Vote yes on job descriptions. 3-2. 

-Advertising the position passes. 

-Process for applications passes

-Review of applications passes

-Interviews passes.

-Attorneys. Issues of conflict of interest things when such issues arise. $6K for services. Liability of suits away from tax payer. Malpractice or liability insurance. Motion passes. 

-Vets Funding: Spoke with another county. The person at the county said they don't have a lawyer. Another commissioner indicated that he talked about energy and attorneys and was forwarded emails for that county. A few names mentioned. Attorney's opinion provided. Something about the lawyers provided and then information was processed. Apparently there was different people part of the conversation and different people know different things. It happens. A legal opinion is offered. (I found this great video on veteran culture. We need to do a better job with our vets going forward. I respect them and I hope others do as well. Its important. '15 Things Veterans Want You to Know' )

-Budget. Storm water grants. $226K for sampling. Passed. 

-Out of county travel for commissioners. Passed. 

-Will be issues with cost and labor if someone takes over the parks management. $200K or more. Doesn't want an issue down the road. Don't build too big. Avoid an authority. Ad hoc would make more sense. Maybe having the county run it. County is taking over the work. Doesn't want monies received from the parks into the general fund. (I think this money should be different and in turn used to build and maintain the parks. The money should go into a park fund for future endowment of the park and removes it as an expense completely.)

-Someone retired. Awesome! Great Tod!

-Airport safety shut off. In budget. Purchase lesser of two. Passes.

-Part-time district court clerk position. Non-union. Some issues and county employees are burnt out. Lots of employees work in high stress environment. Its a tough job. Lots of negativity simply by the nature of the work. (Here is some stuff I found on Employee Burnout). Passes 

-$16-18 passes

-Zoom vs. YouTube recommendations. Wants Zoom to be eliminated. Livestream on YouTube. I wonder still how comments are going to be made? Maybe I missed it. Perhaps, it will be phone called in. That might work. Yep they said phone! A comment on ADA compliant with Zoom. Multiple phone lines, with blind abilities. You can sort of look up these rules if necessary. Here is something on ADA YouTube Compliance. One could also consider the Google Meetings (I don't know all the caveats but maybe worth an exploration.) I guess you can call in to an ADA coordinator with notice (I have dealt with this stuff many times and I'm still not an expert. Better to have someone look at it. ADA compliance officer and/or attorney.) 3-2 passes. 

-Escanaba community garden approval. MSU extension. Take ownership of the building. The size of the greenhouse. Greenhouse isn't very big. ISD builders. They just want to use county property. I support the community garden. Maybe a letter that releases the county from liability would make sense. Buildings and grounds to meet with the group. 

-Motion to go into executive session. 

-Approve interim administrator to take on new responsibilities with $384 per day. One wants a stipend but not full pay. Approved.

-Grant administrator and signature on grants by current interim admin. Approved. (Makes sense regardless of the firing issues)

-Resident came up and said that she wants the county to manage parks and wants the court house to be updated with bullet proof windows. Doesn't like hiring an extra municipal attorney. Concerns about what they are worried about. We all have our own political views. Concerned about comments on Fauci Flu and the politicization of some board members. 

-Wants Zoom. Doesn't like the phone call with YouTube. Feels like we are not representing the young. Happy of ADA. 

-Average age is 48 years of age. Wants to not use Zoom. Happy about ADA (Watch a video on ADA Overview)

-Concerns about not using Zoom. State it would be discriminatory to require people with disabilities to ask for special permission for access. 

-Another person is asking to keep Zoom. Cheap price. (I think the free subscriptions only include so many participants. The paid version allows for many more participants. )

-Another person says that not having Zoom would cut off those who call in and don't have computers. 

-Another person hopes that Department Heads to not take 30 minutes because the meetings are long.

-Another person worried about Zoom. Stated that people are frustrated that one commissioner does research and its ignored. There is no point in meeting when commissioners come with their mind's already made up. Feels that firing Emily is not strategic planning. 

-Another felt that some are following others who lost their elections. People vote and don't want certain people. Feel that some are in there to fulfill their own needs and not for others. Character every day. Do something or be something. Loosing is a game. They want to be someone. Comments online assault with false allegations and intimidation of wives and children. Mess with me he says, not my things, and not my family. Yikes, someone else now said it!

-Private citizen. Look over MMRMA before making decision on hiring civil attorney on frivolous lawsuits puts the county at risk. You start incurring costs past the point of settlement resolution. The county gets on the hook and it could be substantial. The MMRMA is run by the county. Malpractice only comes into play when the DA makes a mistake or messes up. 

-All 5 were elected to office. Lots of breaking up on microphone. Something about Zoom. 

-Want to thank from the youth of Delta County that they appreciate two of the commissioners for caring. 

-Do not play to the crowd but does play to the facts. If we save $100K then we should earmark $50K for Veterans Service Officer. People are concerned about tax. (Delta County Veterans Services) Great job on drugs and supporting people getting their life back in order. Sobriety Court Graduation. (Don't Get Upset)

- $13K for controller out the door. Save the taxpayers about $100K. Public Act 214. 1 out of 4 homeless and PTSD. Showing respect to vets is important. 

- One commissioner brought forward “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” Martin Luther King. **

adjourn 

* This is written in the spirit of First Amendment as an effort to understand and improve where possible. I shouldn't have to say that but unfortunately it is what it is. There are a number of people around who reported being targeted community members once they voiced their opinion. (It could be an indication of lax enforcement of laws and rights depending on which clan, group or religion one belongs. There were other community complaints by other members of society glossed over in the past. Some of them potentially serious. It seems to be a growing trend and I hope as a nation we can stop it. That would require different stakeholders to believe that certain American values are universalized across the population.) While I believe as a nation we will get there, it won't happen unless we value all members of our society as having certain endowed rights. 

**This is a different sort of discussion on the leaders that come along every once in a while and sort of flip the script on the way we view the world. I know a lot of diverse people so they may appreciate a discussion on MLK. MLK was a gifted man who thought about other people and the bigger picture of our nation and peoples. These transformational leaders sometimes carry with them the certain traits High intellectual and emotional capacity based deep within the way the brain is wired. The brain is a complex thing and how it is connected from a neural level impacts its capacities. I talk about a concept called mirrors sometimes. Its when the outside stimuli is processes deeply within the neural network and encoded sensations that are retriggered and that in turn creates a difficult task of separating what is a trait of another and what is a trait of self as the stimuli are blended. Sorry I digress..... MLK felt certain people were being prematurely judged unfairly as a collective whole and that impacts the signals/ value propositions they receive from their environment that creates people's misunderstandings. Harvard has a pretty solid discussion on the Connectivity of the Human Brain and how it functions in processing stimuli.  )

Interfaith Religions this Month: The Need for Open-mindedness and Universalization of Institutions Continues

Today is a beautiful day of Easter as well as many other religions of the world. I'm advocate of understanding the world's religions and the essential value systems of these 'Philosophies of God'. While I have my own religious beliefs, I believe that many of the greater philosophers and religious leaders preached very similar ideas of prosocial thinking. Some conceptualized their understanding of life through the religious lens of their time and place while others were more religiously neutral (i.e. Ancient Greek philosophies on democracy).  They all had something to say about the nature of life and governance.

Take a look at some of the Word's religions through the Interfaith Calendar. 

I'm a believer in open-mindedness with just about everything. Today, I listened to a religious speech and it was an important one in its own rite. It talked about avoiding hate and it talked about open arms with people because this life is temporary. I appreciate that because I think we sort of skip over those truer values in our perception of religious justifications of how we treat people (It goes back to the root value of all of the major religions. This is why reading, socializing and understanding other religious and cultures broadly changes perception of our responsibilities and duties. That draws from our root values associated with the world's major universal religions. i.e. apply across culture, country, and race/ethnicity.)

Take a look at this study on Open Minded Religiosity. 

The study doesn't come to significance because of the sample size but it does align with many other significant studies on open-mindedness and hate based behaviors. Basically the study says Authoritarianism-Conservatism-Traditionalism (ACT) styles were negatively associated with Open-Minded Cognition (OMC). Thus, it is wise to encourage open-mindedness as those who are religious and open-minded appear to have less prejudice (and I wonder less likely to act on that prejudice). Sometimes that is a difficult thing to talk about when people feel justified in their own religious beliefs and discount the values of others and their beliefs (Without actually understanding them. That is called ignorance. When they go down the rabbit hole and use power inappropriately it is called extremism.)

I'm a light R and believe in the value of religion in our (hopefully) open democracy with universal values and traits (Yes, I do have my own religious and philosophical beliefs. That is why I try and learn from many different religions and what the essence of their message may be Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and many others. Please don't be offended. Its easy to be offended in today's world. Understand the essence of what I'm saying.). I also believe in the value of other philosophies as a way to understand life, law, and good governance. 

(Let me say we are not yet a universal democracy but are adjusting that way. We were designed to be universal in our institutional applications as when we look at our artifacts, oaths, sayings, and beliefs they seek to support freedom of religion and speech as universal conceptions. It doesn't matter which religion we practice or what branch of government we criticize [I criticize that which is broke and praise that which is working in my mind.]. From a systems standpoint it also makes sense to support our shared values and encourage constant adjustments of integrity to reach this universal end. See Universal Values Artifacts and the consequences of not walking the talk in our values Decline in Religion and Patriotism)

While some feel that I have low value in society because of my Muslim sounding name and mixed race children I feel I'm doing exactly what we should be doing as a society. Discouraging extremism, supporting learning, encouraging open-mindedness, trying to find ways to develop new opportunities for our youth, and encouraging our outdated institutions to step up and move up to a more universal approach that will encourage human capital development that leads greater national competitiveness. There are some, perhaps many, that disagree with this approach (You are entitled to your opinion and I would disagree with anyone misusing authority to silence your freedom of speech or suppress your form of worship. Its an oath thing. To me, all religions teach us of our temporal place and greater pro-social responsibilities so if we value them we can learn from them.). I have seen how creepy things get when the misguided disagree with you. We are turning a page in our shared story as a nation and as a people because we have no options but to turn that page if we want democracy to be strong in the face of new challenges (Most people just follow the herd but I think the big players are starting to get the picture that their narrow walking paths may not come to a positive end so they will adjust because it is in their best interests, oaths and duties to adjust. Wait for it....there will be a few rolled eyes. Ignorance is Bliss but truth can be a little more blinding until your sight clears. Let us step out of the cave together and free ourselves from short sighted ideological blindness.). 

U.S. Winning in Oil Market: Will Demand for Oil Decline?

It looks like we produce as much oil as we consume. The silver lining is that we appear to be relatively energy independent and as we move to cleaner energy we will capture more of the global oil trade. We will also likely see the price and value of that oil decline based on oversupply and less demand. That all depends on what happens with our new infrastructure, which I'm sure is based in some EV development, as well as our clean energy price parity. 

(Check out these Supply and Demand Charts. When oil is in equilibrium its going to have one price and profit ratio but as it demand declines it will shift the equilibrium line. Some producers might at some point get out of the market and/or hedge their investments which is what they are likely doing now.)

The Threat Of Domestic Violent Extremism': Mayorkas

I would agree that we have a growing amount of extremism in the U.S. and a difficult time holding these groups accountable. It can be more difficult if there people in positions that would normally command authority and/or they have become an embedded network. Individuals radical to violence by personal grievances, anti-government, and violence by ideology of hate (Racial, religious, political). We do need to get a better handle on domestic extremism, what it looks like, and how its often tied to other potential crimes. I think since the Capital riots we have a better understanding of how these groups work and use tactics to intimidate local communities (Our system must be more diligent in going after and holding to account domestic extremism. Failure, is failure of our shared oaths and essential purpose as a nation. So many people believe in our freedoms and histories across generations who held these values.) 

The best you can do is sort of turn them in and ensure that there is a solid record of these behaviors. I have lots of friends from just about every religion and race (Different religions are practicing now for the holidays. They should be free to practice as they see fit. In some places that can be more difficult because of lack enforcement of these groups. In other words, they are probably very accustomed to breaking the law and getting a "free pass" for it. Unfortunately, society often pays the bill with low institutional trust and lower civic engagement.). Most of the people I have met from different religions are good people. The race or religion isn't the determinant, its the way these groups think and act that makes the difference (i.e. why I say it has a mental health component). Big data is likely to change the scope of things and things that are masked today will become more apparent tomorrow (Meaning we will see the cost of not holding such groups to account). I'm always a firm believer in tackling problems when they first arise and then ensuring we hold such groups and/or individuals accountable for integrity reasons (As a universal society the particular race, religion or ideology should not matter. If they do, we are not yet ready to maximize our Human Capital and that is one of the reasons why we are not fully competitive as a society yet.). 

Failure to make the effort means we are not universalized in our approaches. We see one type of extremism more or less important than another and that is the danger that led to the Capital Riots. We had a hard time seeing this type of extremism as dangerous to communities even though it has been around for a long time (We see it at the capital and hold it accountable because of the risk to lawmakers but struggle with it on a local level where the targets are just regular Americans ). When its investigated we often find it tied to all types of other things (civil and other crimes) because it was a pattern of thinking and misuse of power over people that leads the charge in aggression. They are not a soft people who encourage togetherness or open-mindedness (Its about power over not power with.). Things usually default to power dynamics and that is what makes them so dangerous to society. As they say on the really important stuff. Blah, blah, blah.... turn the page in our shared story.....

I kind of came across this study from Cambridge, 'Researchers have mapped an underlying “psychological signature” for people who are predisposed to holding extreme social, political and religious attitudes and supporting violence in the name of ideology.'

Great Video About Escanaba and Fishing. The Season Should be Starting

Thinking about getting my fishing gear out and getting ready to catch some big ones (Well, I hope they are big ones. Sometimes you can find these schools of fish just biting at the hook.). I have a little work to do on my boat and the trailer. I have a flat tire, the engine is broke and beyond repair, but I found another one. I think I have a few good places I can fix both from the shore and from the boat. It will be a good time to sort of sonar the bottom of the lake and find some good diving spots. This season should have some fun and exciting fishing going on. (I still like the concept of year by year small vessel commercial fishing if we have abundance. Of course we do have to clean our Great Lakes to maintain them as ecological and economic benefit to our town and the region.)

The Importance of System Integrity: Serving the Greater Purpose of American Society

First, I have to start with a few comments on what many people feel about system integrity. "Blah, blah, blah". While I take system integrity as the key to effective and efficient governance of systems there is a percentage of those who feel that as long as they benefit from a lack of system integrity there is unlikely to be any meaningful reform. The need to be more competitive and need to bring to full performance the 60% of society that has been marginalized seems to not be of any real concern. 

Even mentioning that being haphazard in our responsibilities, oaths, and principles of good governance has short, mid and long term consequences seems to get more rolling of eyes. The science means little but the politics mean much. The proof in pudding test seems to sort of highlight the differences between those who want to build a great nation and those who want to maintain the status quo. 

There will of course be change but it will be because the general population knows that we need these changes and perhaps begins to create pressure on these institutions to start adjusting toward a more healthy end. They will want a level of integrity to ensure that people are being treated fairly and seen as part of the very same society. That is a hard sell to some and often results in all types of retaliatory actions that not only smacks the face of liberty but also puts those who seek the betterment of society at a disadvantage. 

The sad aspect of this is that while we know human capital development is the one primary way that will make our society competitive again it is also the one thing that a certain segment will avoid at all costs.  The misapplication of law is often tool to enforced distorted values. 

Our only job is to remind them that they have obligations to serve this nation and it moves beyond their specific racial, religious or political perspective. Failure to manage for all of us means we all suffer and that includes the next generation. They will likely roll their eyes again and go back to long patterned behaviors. It is what it is! As a half citizen I will continue to push for a universal and competitive nation. Liberty is an uphill conversation when ethnocentrism is the primary driver of hate. This is where you roll your eyes and we wait to see if society will begin to increase the pressure to fix what many believe is unamerican and at times criminal in origin. 

I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of religion as Constitutional necessities. At least that is where my oaths and heart lay. Not sure about everyone else....

Let us turn the page in national development. I say that as a light R.......

*Appears there was another incident of following and targeting today around 4:30ish between Marquette and Escanaba. I have already may an FBI civil rights complaint and will do so again each time these incidents occur. There could be many interpretations when these things happens but considering the history of targeting and local extremism within some coordinated units it appears that it is worth reporting. Just to be on the safe side because if so it would be very if they have acted this way with others. I will continue to be polite and engaging and encourage more focus on our essential American values. That also include serving my community and treating the officers, of which the vast majority are good people, with the respect they deserve. However, bad apples are bad apples and should be removed and if necessary prosecuted. The violations that occur when we do these things strike at the essential values of who we are as a nation. We cant get around our American principles. Extremism has no place within law enforcement or in our country. It means that the system has lost control of these officers. I will consider putting in a complaint to Homeland Securityas well. Just in case I'm correct and this is related to prior incidents.  

US Data Show Inflation is Slowing: Mixed Signals on Recession

Inflation has been nipping at our heals and pushing the economy in a way in which prices are rising and lowering the value of our paychecks. (Here is IMF's discussion Calculating Inflation.) There are some signs that inflation is slowing and that could be beneficial. Furthermore, there is some whispering that a recession may not be a sure thing but the chances of it going either way are high. (Academics and forecasters often use complex calculations but sometimes it comes down to "I don't know". Become familiar with ambiguity in the modern global business world.). No one is really sure because the data seems all mixed up. I think this is what is sort of stumping our economists right now.

(I'm stumped on what all the numbers mean but I do believe in paying attention and trying to figure it out. Likewise, it is possible we are starting to shift into a digital platform transition were a few weird market ripples are going to occur but in general we should have upward trend lines of growth. Up a little here, down a little there, but in general upward trajectory. I'm sure there are going to be bumps along the way. Current international conflicts were really unexpected so that is also going to create a few ripples in the market and push supply chains to adjust with some market quirkiness.)  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics just released their April 7th, 2023 Report. You can read that in BLS April 7th, 2023 Press Release. 

-Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services, and health care.

-Raise interest rate to slow the economy.

-Working hours declining. 

-Analysts are unsure if recession is coming.

-Job losses Manufacturing and Construction. (I wonder why? I have a couple of ideas but not sure. Someone will say at some point so let us just stay in touch with the market.)

-5 per cent to 5.25 per is expected to be the peak while we are at 4.75 per cent to 5 per cent benchmarked.

You may want to read an article by Financial Times 'US data raises hopes Fed’s efforts to curb inflation are working' (You should check out their cool interactive chart. I looked up mining and logging because of the Upper Peninsula of MI and you can find its on the increase. Manufacturing is also rising but is tapering for the moment. It might be temporary.)