It Is Our Responsibility To Question Elected Officials
To the Editor:

Last week, I wrote a letter to the editor with my concerns for the irresponsible spending of our tax dollars by City Hall. Another major concern I have with City Hall is the blatant disregard of the city charter. Aletter was written several weeks ago by Mary Nichols, listing the abuses.

The city charter is the constitution of the city. It protects the citizens of St. Ignace from the public officials. In other words, the city charter limits the power of the city government. In Mary Nichols' letter, the abuses are numerous. Even worse, those involved make light of the charter, and feel it is for their use and discretion, and not for the protection of the people.

Another example of the abuse of City Hall was a "secret meeting" held a couple of months ago to hide the raise for a city employee. I wrote two letters pointing this out, and the county prosecutor went to the council and stated that such practice is illegal, and if it were to happen again, they would be fined.

My concern, again, is the apathy of all of us; it is what they depend upon. It is our responsibility to question our elected officials.

After last week's letter, I received several phone calls. One was amazing; the caller did not identify himself, and his parting comment to me was to call me a "commie pinko." I haven't been called that since the 1960s. Ironic that someone who speaks out or questions government is a commie pinko. Well, Putin, here I come.

Last, I would like to thank one, and only one, council member for standing up against the mass of mediocrity in City Hall. Thank you, Willie LaLonde, I am proud I voted for you.

Joe Durm St. Ignace