Happy New Year Shelby Township!

The countdown clock to August 5, 2008 is ticking. Can you hear it?

That ticking sound is $kip Maccarone's worst nightmare. It is a sound that will get LOUDER as the year progresses, and we near the date when we finally get the chance to tell $kip Maccarone to "get out of our township!"

Keep the faith. We only have a few more months to suffer under the miserable leadership of $kip Maccarone. A new day is fast approaching when Shelby taxpayers will get a Supervisor who cares as much about the people who pay his salary, as he does about spending the people's hard-earned tax money.

Campaigns are always a challenge, and this is about to get fun!

If you want to join our efforts, sign up today at stopskip08@aol.com.

Talk to you again real soon.

The Truth Guys at the INSIDE OUT

God Rest Ye Merry Taxpayers

In the spirit of the Christmas season sing along
Sung to the tune: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

God rest ye merry taxpayers let nothing you dismay,
Although Skip Maccarone will spend our township broke today.
We have a chance to make a change to make our Township great,
The solution comes on election day...2008.
We will get our chance to dump Skip in '08.

Our township's spendings growing fast, to feed old Skip's ego.
More taxes and fees paid by us, our bank accounts are low.
Foreclosures up and jobs are down, yet Skip ignores the facts,
But the truth is that times are really bad ... really bad,
And our township's leadership is truly sad.

Who can we trust to speak for us, and spend our money right?
To treat people with fairness, and stop picking a fight?
For seven years we've watched Skip act, his tempermant uptight.
Oh it's time Shelby had somebody new...somebody new.
Someone who won't look at us and say "screw you!"

We can't believe a word he says, Skip's lies have grown too tall.
His blind ambition drives us nuts, he has no clue at all.
Elections are a perfect way to even up the score.
Yes, we all have a chance to make a change ... make a change...
The solution is for Skip to go away ... go away...
On Tuesday, August 5th ELECTION DAY.

==

Stay connected and let us know what's going on as we work to send $kip Maccarone packing. You can contact us at stopskp08@aol.com. We welcome your comments...even those from the small minority who still support $kip Maccarone.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008
The Truth Guys at the Inside Out

SNOWBALL FIGHT

Response to our Halloween video was so strong, we couldn't resist. So below is a JibJab video featuring our township's finest in action!

Pay special attention to who instigates the "battle."

We can't tell if this is a snowball fight, or a Shelby Township Board of Trustees meeting! You decide.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

A Shelby Township Christmas Story

How the SkipRinch
Fooled Shelby

Christmas is a time for celebrating with family and friends. For children, Christmas is a time of the year looked to with excitement and wonder. We all remember what those days were like.

One of our family's trademarks for the Christmas holiday season is the annual Christmas television shows. Frosty the Snowman; Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer; Santa Claus Is Coming to Town; and our personal favorite -- How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

During Christmas 2003, a special holiday flyer was mailed throughout Shelby Township entitled How the SkipRinch Fooled Shelby. This parody of the Grinch was so well done, we couldn't resist putting this holiday story on our blog so more people can enjoy it.

So below is the link to website hosting the PDF file for the SkipRinch. We think you will find it humorous, and one which reinforces why we must make a change in the Shelby Township Supervisor's office in August 2008. Click on the link below and enjoy!

The SkipRinch

P.S. Don't forget that 2008 is an election year.
We have much more to say about Supervisor Skip Maccarone. However, in the spirit of the Christmas season, we will wait until later.
Our motto is: We can't wait until 2008!

Merry Christmas
"The Truth Guys" at the Inside Out

Why Not Cut Township Spending?

After watching the Tuesday, November 20th Shelby Township Board of Trustees Meeting, that is the big question taxpayers are asking themselves. Why is our township continuing to spend, while other communities are cutting back?

Let's face it...Michigan's economy is lousy and won't get better any time soon. Given the economic times we are living in, cutting spending makes perfect sense. Everybody is cutting back. Families are spending less for holiday gifts. Corporations, big and small, are spending less, and cutting their payroll. But here in good old Shelby Township, under the "guidance" of Supervisor $kip Maccarone, our government just keeps on spending and spending and spending -- more and more and more.

The township's 2008 budget has been adopted. At the Tuesday, November 20th Board of Trustees meeting, there was a great deal of discussion concerning the budget. Remember, while $kip Maccarone constantly brags about being a "conservative" he spends our tax money like a liberal. The Supervisor is responsible for preparing the budget. Spending falls directly in the Supervisor's lap, even though he has tried to pawn this off on the "Board."

Once again, our township will spend more money in 2008 than we did in 2007. In fact, hundreds of thousands of dollars more! Why? Well, if you listen to $kip, he makes it sound like there is nothing that he can do about it. "The spending is contractual," $kip has always said. To our amazement, he said it again at the November 20th meeting, adding that the cost of paying for township government is what it is.

If that is the case (and we seriously doubt it) then it is time to cut the township's contractual spending. If this is just another one of $kip's long-running excuses for doing nothing about spending, then it is seriously time to cut $kip Maccarone off the township payroll.

What was truly unbelievable is that when another Trustee brought up a simple point of not being able to support the Supervisor's continuous spending, $kip got snippy. His face got bright red. He stupidly called the concerns about spending a baseless political attack, which he "resents."

Poor $kip. The truth is that $kip Maccarone is the one who has been attacking our collective pocketbooks ever since he was elected. What's worse, there is no indication that he intends to change course. Taxpayers rightfully resent what $kip has done to EXPAND township spending at our expense.

Since $kip's first election in 2000, there has been a dramatic upward spiral of spending. Whenever he is challenged about spending, $kip brushes off any and all concerns. Township property assessments and fees (paid for by taxpayers and businesses) have been increasing just enough to cover $kip's increased spending. "Our finances are strong," $kip has told the newspapers in the past. So, as far as he is concerned, the township can just keep on spending?

The problem is that while the spending keeps going up, the past growth which was the basis for Maccarone's spending has stalled. Property values are stagnant. Home foreclosures are at historic highs. Families are losing jobs, health care and hope. New homes are going unsold, while existing homes are taking more than a year to sell. That is the reality of life in 2007.

Hey $kip, do us a favor, look around. Other more responsible communities are not just raising spending because they can, as you have done. They are cutting spending because they must. These other elected officials understand their fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. Maybe you could learn a thing or two by talking (or more importantly, LISTENING) to them?

We thank Treasurer Paul Viar for reminding the Supervisor about what is going on in other communities. Based upon $kip's body language (some not visible on television but clearly apparent to those in the audience) we could tell that $kip didn't want to be bothered by the Treasurer's very pointed comments about spending and the troubles facing other communities.

Once again, $kip has shown that he does not want to be distracted by facts when it comes to spending our hard-earned tax money. As Ronald Reagan would say: "there you go again!"

Shelby Township is a great community. But our township's greatness is seriously threatened by $kip Maccarone's spending. Whether it is for political reasons, or that $kip doesn't understand the realities of life, his spending threatens to do seriously long-term damage to our township.

QUESTION: Is our township government spending tax money because it CAN, or is it spending money because it SHOULD?

There is a HUGE difference between these two words -- a difference that, for whatever reason, $kip Maccarone fails to understand.

Maccarone's motto is that since the township has the money in the budget, why not spend it? If we have so much money that the township looks for ways to spend, why not trim the budget?

One prime example of this is the recent purchase of police riot gear. Sure, $kip says we need the helmets and shields. Okay, so when is the last time you read or saw a TV news report about a riot in our township????? Yet, $kip says we need to be "prepared" for such an event in our township????

Before you go off and scream that we are anti-police, you need to understand that we are fully supportive of our township law enforcement officers. In fact, we have family and friends in law enforcement — in Shelby Township, at the Macomb County Sheriff's office, and in other police agencies across Michigan. We also have family and friends employed as firefighters — both full-time and paid-call. So don't listen to $kip's rants about how we don't care about public safety, and how $kip is the only one who does. When he says this, $kip is LYING. Just because we ask questions, does not mean we don't care. In fact, we care more than those who don't ask any questions at all, and just rubber stamp $kip's spending!

The issue is SPENDING. Township police purchased the riot gear because they COULD - they have the money in their budget. Never mind that this equipment will remain locked in a closet, likely unused. The point is $kip thinks we need the equipment "just in case" we have a riot, or are called to assist a neighboring community with an out-of-control crowd. The only community we can think of where this would apply would be the City of Detroit.

Yes, our police must be fully equipped and trained. But this should be to meet the daily needs of law enforcement as they work to serve and protect township families. Shelby is a safe community. Do we really need riot gear? $kip's excuse for this expenditure was because of a labor strike more than ten years ago. As $kip said, when Shelby Township police were called to back up our fellow officers in Sterling Heights, Shelby didn't have riot gear.

Why not?

BECAUSE SHELBY TOWNSHIP IS A SAFE COMMUNITY!

We never felt we needed riot gear...that is until $kip Maccarone moved to town.

Hey $kip, guess what...this isn't Detroit. Back in the days when you were a Detroit beat cop working under Mayor Coleman Young, Detroit probably needed riot gear. Detroit was (and is) a violent city. In fact, a just-released FBI crime report ranks Detroit as the most violent city in the country. No wonder police officers in Detroit need heavy artillery, including riot gear, SWAT teams, armored vehicles, bomb squad, etc.

$kip's experience in the back alleys of Detroit has NOTHING to do with life in the neighborhoods of Shelby Township. His continuous effort to compare Shelby with Detroit is just plain stupid! Okay $kip, we all get the point that you were a police officer. So can you now stop throwing it in our face already!

This is the same lame excuse $kip gave when he wanted a one-horse mounted division. Remember, how excited $kip got when he said how the mounted horse division worked while he was on the beat in Detroit? So $kip thought it would be great to spend our tax money to start his own. He went sprinting to his friends at local newspapers to promote the "township police horse." The name of the horse was Gunner. Since, as we were told, it wouldn't make sense to go up and pet a township police car, $kip figured taxpayers would want to pet a police horse. Yah, right!!!!

Did it work? Of course not! The township horse is gone, and so is all the money $kip spent to train and equip the horse. $kip desperately wants the issue and image of the police horse to go away, because he knows it was an embarrassing waste of money. However, we intend to keep bringing this up, because the horse is a great example of needless and wasteful spending.

Shelby Township taxpayers must take note about what is going on in our community. Unless the budget priorities of the township are adjusted to represent modern times, $kip Maccarone will spend our township broke.

Add to that $kip's plan to spend in excess of $50 million ADDITIONAL tax dollars for his enormous township "campus" and we all better start ordering new checks from our bank now to pay for this spending. The bills are piling up every day, and Shelby Township taxpayers will be paying more and more for $kip Maccarone's budget-busting spending priorities.

That is, unless we make a change in 2008!

If you have something to share with us, send us a note. Our e-mail address is stopskip08@aol.com.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Remember -- the only thing we have to fear from $kip Maccarone is FEAR itself.

Don't be fooled by $kip's blah-blah-blah bluster and threats of FBI investigations. We've heard it all before, and we know better! Don't let $kip Maccarone deny us our democratic rights. This is still America. Power to the people!

HAPPY THANKGIVING

The INSIDE OUT wishes all Shelby Township families a very Happy Thanksgiving.

This is an important time of the year. So when you are sitting around the dinner table with family and friends, take time to count your blessings.

Remember, that one of the many blessings we enjoy in our township democracy is the right to VOTE.

The 2008 primary election (where races for the Board of Trustees will be decided) is now less than nine months away. Given persistence, and hard work, this will hopefully be the last year that Supervisor $kip Maccarone gets to eat turkey on the taxpayers' dime.

Enjoy the holiday. Rest assured that we will return once the turkey and leftovers are gone!

Until then, if you have something to share, send a note to stopskip08@aol.com.

Notes From Our E-Mail File...

We must be doing something right, because Shelby Township residents are taking notice and sending us comments. Most of the e-mails we have received so far have been complimentary, and for that we say "thanks." Our intent with this blog is to inform...and entertain.

As you might expect, $kip has encouraged his small and declining band of supporters to send us a few nasty notes now and then. Free speech gives these "Maccaronites" the right to complain. However, we give those letters to NOBS ... and boy does he have fun tearing them up!

Here are a few thoughts and comments from our Inside Out readers..........

(1) "Come one, nobody ever called Maccarone a 'Super Supervisor' you're making that up."
We told you our intent is to expose the "truth" about Shelby Township. In the September, 2003 issue of Business Matters Magazine, the publication by the Sterling Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, Lillian Adams used that phrase to describe $kip Maccarone. If you don't believe us, feel free to call (586) 731-5400 and ask for a copy and you will see for yourself. We wonder if Adams (or anyone else at the Chamber) feels the same about $kip today? We hear that opinions have changed dramatically.

(2) "Where did you get the information outlining Skip's thoughts about political teamwork? Very interesting."
That information came directly from $kip's political website in 2000. It is documented. After $kip got elected, the website quickly vanished. Why? Could it be that $kip didn't want people like us to keep track of him? Sorry $kip, but we printed the pages of the website before you cut it. SO WE HAVE THE PROOF!

(3) "I wish you would shut up. What would it take for you to stop?"
Three simple words: DEFEAT $KIP MACCARONE! Help us do that, and we will all be happy.

(4) "You people are crazy! Mr. Maccarone is the best person I have seen in a while for this job. We need him working for us. The problem on the Board is with the other Trustees, not Mr. Maccarone. I believe him and have full faith in him."
We really don't need to comment, we just wanted you to see what some of $kip friends are saying. They seem blind to reality. It is truly sad some people just never learn.

(5) "I don't remember a meeting, as you describe, where Maccarone outlined his campus plan without other Board members being there. When was that?"
That meeting was held at the Township Hall in February of 2005. It was taped and shown over and over on Shelby Cable. At the meeting, $kip spoke like an expert on EVERYTHING from development to planning; from taxes to financing his campus. The camera was on $kip the whole time, and no other viewpoints were heard or considered. Sorry, but we find it impossible to believe that any elected official has all the answers, as $kip portrayed himself at that meeting.

(6) "I love your mascot NOBS. How can we get these made into buttons and t-shirts?"
Good question. Unfortunately, we don't have the capabilities to do that. But feel free to print the mascot and make your own button. What a better way to show your support for our campaign to Stop Skip in 2008! You can bet that if NOBS started showing up all over the township, somebody would take notice. Who knows, $kip might even try to pass a new ordinance banning NOBS in the township!

(7) "What do you mean the 24 and Van Dyke development isn't progressing. Isn't that $kip's campus plan."
For clarification, the Shelby Center Design Plan was passed BEFORE $kip became Supervisor. It would be privately developed, not paid for by taxpayers. It was a plan which included development proposals for all four corners of 24 Mile and Van Dyke. It included residential, commercial and special uses and would bring tax revenue into our township. This plan was selected for the 1999 Outstanding Planning Project Award by the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association (MAPA) and the Michigan Society of Planning Officials (MSPO). This was discussed in the Source newspaper in 1999.

Despite all the planning that went into this project, when he first ran for Township Supervisor $kip Maccarone vehemently opposed it. Why? Because it was not his idea? Whatever the reason, $kip made it clear that under his administration the Shelby Center Design Plan was dead.

However, when he realized there was public support for this concept, and that the City of Warren and Macomb Township were developing their own downtown projects, complete with recreation centers, Maccarone got project envy. He then flip-flopped in support of the plan. However, three years had gone by since $kip's flip-flop, and his reborn "support" of the Shelby Center Design Plan was too little, too late.

In the May 30, 2003 Detroit News story titled "Downtowns come to life" Maccarone tried to take credit for this plan. The reporter wrote: Ralph Maccarone, Shelby Township supervisor, said the downtown he envisions will be a mix of "modern materials and old-world charm."

Given how the reporter wrote this article, since $kip had a vision it sounds like he was actively involved in planning the project, doesn't it? However, when this plan was being written in 1999, $kip was nowhere to be found. He did not attend any of the public "vision" meetings with residents and businesses to discuss the plan. While trying to paint the perception in the Detroit News that he was one of the architects of this plan, $kip did NOTHING and had no interest in this plan at all, except to trash it at election time and then try to claim some credit for it in the newspapers later on. If you want a copy of the Shelby Center Design Plan, call the Township's Planning Department at (586) 726-7243.

By comparison, $kip's $50 million campus plan would be paid for by Shelby taxpayers. It will take money away from taxpayers' pockets. $kip supports this campus plan 100 percent, and is actively pushing it.

Why did $kip oppose one plan (which won a planning award) and embrace the other (which has been criticized by taxpayers and elected officials)? That is a good question. Could it be that the Shelby Center Design Plan was not $kip's plan, while the "campus" plan is? Is this a situation where $kip is concerned about who gets credit and publicity?

(8) "How do you have all this information on Mr. Maccarone?"
$kip once said that he keeps dossiers on people in the township. After hearing that, and seeing it as the threat it was intended, we figured -- why not do our own dossier on $kip Maccarone. Could be fun! So we started keeping track of his actions and words. We have piles of old newspapers, Board meeting tapes, and other pieces of information. Rest assured that if $kip said it, did it, or thought about it, we have it in our $kippy dossier.

If you would like to see a larger copy of $kip's internet home page from 2000, click on the photo above.

(9) "Are you Shelby Township residents?"
Absolutely. Why else would we care so much about what $kip Maccarone is doing? Yes, we are proud Shelby Township taxpayers who love our township, but dislike our Supervisor. Come on, you know that we can do better!

(10) “Great blog site and very well done I might add. I would have never thought of spelling $kip the way you did with the dollar sign. I like it!"
Thanks. We wish we could say that the dollar sign for $kip came about after very intensive debates and focus groups. But actually, it was a simple idea from one of our writers who felt it symbolized Maccarone's penchant for spending tax money. Sometimes it is the simple things in life which make the greatest impact.

(11) "You mentioned a Macomb Daily article about Mr. Maccarone's statement about taking the campus to a vote of the people. He says he never made such a statement. So how do I know you didn't make that up. Maybe there never was such an article?"
Would we lie to you? As we have said, our intent is to inform...and tell the truth. Here is the link to the article from the Macomb Daily. Read for yourself.

(12) "I find your site very informative. Who are you?"
We are disgrunted Shelby Township taxpayers fed up with $kip Maccarone. That's the best way to describe us.

These are just a dozen of the many e-mails we have received. If you have something to share with us, or just want to tell us what's on your mind, send your e-mail to stopskip08@aol.com.

THE SURVEY SAYS

The results are in...
...from the Inside Out's first two official, unscientific, surveys of Shelby Township residents. Our thanks to everyone who took time to vote, and give us your views about our township. Over the next several months, we will be here to help spread the word about Skip Maccarone, and explain why we can (and must) do better in 2008.

Our poll of Shelby Township voters showed the following:

SURVEY #1
"HOW CAN WE BEST IMPROVE OUR TOWNSHIP?"
Retire $kip Maccarone ... (85%)
Improve our roads and sidewalks ... (15%)
Spend $50 million on $kip's campus ... (0%)
Cut township spending to save money ... (0%)
Make Shelby a city ... (0%)

As you can see, the overwhelming answer was that the best way to make Shelby Township better would be to encourage $kip Maccarone to leave township government. The best way we can accomplish this is with our VOTE in 2008.

Some people sent us e-mails saying that cutting township spending is also a top priority for them, but that retiring $kip ranks EVEN HIGHER. Besides, when we give $kip his pink slip, the other issues and concerns will take care of themselves. With $kip gone, we will have a Township Board dedicated to doing more to control spending, as well as a Supervisor who will respect and listen to the people.

NOTE: Nobody who voted in our survey said it was a good idea to spend $50 million on $kip's "campus." So $kip's allegiance to his campus shows how out of touch he is with residents.

SURVEY #2
"WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE NEXT TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR?"
A common sense leader who listens to people (54%)
A real conservative who will cut spending (27%)
Someone with a business approach to running our township (18%)
Someone who can UNITE the Board of Trustees (0%)
Just keep doing what $kip has done 0 (0%)

THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!

Clearly, Shelby Township residents want something different than what we have now in our Township Supervisor. They want someone with common-sense who will LISTEN to us; someone who will cut spending to reflect the current times; and someone who will take a business approach to running our township.

Nobody -- repeat NOBODY -- who voted said the next Supervisor should just keep doing what $kip has done. Why? Could it be because residents now understand that $kip Maccarone has been a negative influence on our township, and realize that we can't afford four more years of $kip Maccarone?

The Inside Out has been operating for a few months and readership is growing daily. We are also getting quite a few reader comments to our blog entries -- these comments appear below each official entry. Based upon these comments, it shows us that people have taken notice of us and like what we are reporting. Moreover, this blog gives residents the opportunity to air their feelings without fear of retaliation or threats of FBI investigations from $kip Maccarone.

We will have another survey soon. In the meantime, keep those e-mails coming to stopskip08@aol.com.

Beware the Ticking Time Bombs

Watch out Macomb County taxpayers, our County's financial ticking time bomb is about to explode, and when it does the economic carnage will NOT be pretty!

As reported in the Thursday, October 25th editions of the Detroit Free Press and the Macomb Daily, Macomb County is on the verge of a historic budget meltdown that would jeopardize many of the things that we now take for granted. The financial crisis confronting Macomb County -- more accurately, the crisis confronting every Macomb County homeowner, business owner and taxpayer -- is unlike anything we have ever experienced. Worse, this crisis is likely to linger and expand in the coming years.

Yes, our County is in BIG trouble. This is why elected officials in cities and townships across Macomb County are scrutinizing their budgets. Everyone, that is, except Shelby Township Supervisor $kip Maccarone. Shockingly, $kip seems oblivious to the realities of life today in Michigan and Macomb County, and is pressing ahead unaffected by the economic alarm bells going off everywhere.

$kip keeps spending tax money as if the township's pot is overflowing. Since the Supervisor is the person responsible for preparing the annual budget, spending falls directly in $kip's lap. He may try to pawn responsibility off on the Board of Trustees, but he won't get away with it. The bucks stop with him. He is the one who directs Department Heads to spend less or more, and he has been reluctant to even consider budget reductions.

$kip either doesn't read newspapers (unlikely), doesn't believe what he reads (possibility), or worse, thinks that none of this will ever touch Shelby Township residents. For residents who watch the Board of Trustees meetings, it is clear that $kip is not bothered by the bad news. $kip points to township audits showing strong finances to justify his spending. This is the crutch he is using to support his proposal for a massive $50 million township "campus." The problem is, what impacts one community ultimately impacts another, and failure to plan ahead will mean very tough times for everyone when the economic realities hit us.

Documents show that the township's general fund revenues (taxes) for 2007 are projected to be around $15,600,000 while general fund expenditures are projected to be around $19,400,000. This means that to balance the township's budget for 2007, as required by state law, the remainder must come out of the township's general fund reserves. In other words, the township must take around $3,500,000 out of its general fund reserve (savings account) to support $kip's spending. What would happen if you did this with your family's budget?

The general fund reserve balance is projected to be $9,300,000 for 2007. Taking $3,500,000 out of the reserve to balance the budget (as required by Michigan law) will take the reserve fund down to a little over $5,500,000. Continue down this path, as $kip wants to do, and Shelby Township's general fund reserve will soon be depleted. Then what will we do? Where will the money come from to balance the township's budget when the piggy bank is empty?

If you think we are over-dramatizing this point, think again! This is precisely what Macomb County has done to cover its spending. Four years ago, Macomb County had millions in reserves. Today, the reserve is gone, the bank is empty, and a $16 million deficit is staring us in the face. Frankly, we don't like what we see.

We applaud our township officials who have voiced concern about rising spending. The Treasurer, Clerk and a few Trustees (not all, but a few) deserve our thanks for understanding what is going on. As for $kip, when our township is forced to raise taxes or cut deep into programs which benefit Shelby families, the fault will rest with HIM.

Hey $kip...you can run, but you will not be able to hide. You will be held accountable for your actions - or rather your inaction - when Shelby voters get their say.

$kip is holding our future in his hands, and the ticking time bomb is about to explode. Unless we work for change, the collateral damage from the financial explosion will be massive and far-reaching.

No person is an island, and no municipality can (or will) stand on its own. Everything is interconnected, and eventually the dominoes fall. Will our township be ready? That is the big question hanging over all our heads. Unless we change course, the likelihood is that when the economic troubles hit, we will have little choice: higher taxes or less services.

This will be the true legacy of $kip Maccarone. When this day arrives, we will all be asking ourselves why we didn't fire $kip long before any of this happened.

Don't be afraid of $kip Maccarone. Use the power of your free speech and your democratic rights to demand accountability and bring needed change to our township. YOU have the power!

A Shelby Halloween Horror Story...

In honor of Halloween, we feature the following short movie. This was sent to us by an e-mail reader, and we could not resist.

So sit back, get your popcorn, and enjoy this township horror story -- featuring some of your favorite township characters.

$kip's Disgraceful "Service" To Shelby Township Taxpayers

We previously discussed $kip Maccarone's crybaby attitude about his township salary.He has griped that he is "grossly under-compensated." Despite $kip's rant, we showed, without question, that he is very well compensated for the work that he does as a politician spending our money.

This time, we will focus on $kip Maccarone's much-touted "service" to our township. He wants us to think he has done, and is doing, such a great job. But what is the truth?

$kip's definition of public service is evidently much different than everyone else's. Not only does he think he should be paid more (covered in a previous post), but he also really thinks that because he is the "Supervisor" that he controls (or should control) everything and everyone.

$kip also thinks that he has all the solutions to all our problems. This is why he takes a "go it alone" approach to things ... forcing other township elected officials to read in the newspapers what "the township" (a.k.a. $kip) is up to.

The facts are that under $kip Maccarone's watch:
• Township spending is higher (highest in Shelby history), and that's NOT including $kip's plan to build a massive $50 million "campus"
• The Supervisor's pay is higher (although $kip has publicly complained more than once that he is "grossly" underpaid)
• Township fees to residents and business owners are higher
• Assessments on township property (personal and business) are much higher
• Confidence and trust in the Supervisor is lower
• Cohesion on the Board of Trustees is lower (because of $kip)

What has $kip done to justify his "grossly-undercompensated" taxpayer-funded salary? Good question. As a whole, our seven-member elected Board of Trustees has done far more than $kip could ever accomplish. In fact, whenever $kip has decided to do something all by himself, he has always created an embarrassing mess.

Here is a "thumbs-down" rundown of $kip Maccarone's record of disservice to Shelby Township taxpayers:
— Proposing his $50 million "campus" without consulting with other township officials. Those who watched Skip's February, 2005 dog and pony show on Shelby TV, complete with graphs and fuzzy finances, were amazed. How could anyone buy what Snake Oil $kip was selling? How could anyone propose such massive spending without consulting with others or considering the long-term impact of such a decision?
— Cancelling Shelby's yearly fireworks celebration (he did that in 2005). $kip did this without consulting other Trustees. $kip claimed the township could not afford the $12,000 (give or take) that it costs for the July 4th celebration (but we can afford $50 million for his campus?). He also said fights at Riverbends Park and "drunks making nuisances of themselves in public" were others reasons he cancelled the fireworks. If so, how many people were arrested for such behavior? Public anger convinced the Board to resurrect the fireworks, to $kip's chagrin. The fireworks are now held in August each year to coincide with the highly-successful Shelby Township Art Fair.
— Creating a township "mounted police division." This was supposed to be a big PR hit, showing how much $kip cares about public safety. The purpose: controlling Shelby's "rowdy crowds." $kip recalled fondly how a mounted horse division served Detroit police officers while he was "on the beat." So he spent our tax money for a ONE HORSE MOUNTED DIVISION. $kip told the Macomb Daily on March 25, 2001 that the officer (who happened to have a horse) was "a working police officer with this capability. We'd be foolish not to use it." Other comments made at the time the horse idea came about were "Have you ever seen a kid walk up and start petting a police cruiser?" and "I used to watch Bonanza just to see Little Joe's horse." Well, guess what? $kip's mounted horse idea flopped! The horse was eventually given its trotting papers, after $kip foolishly wasted thousands of our tax dollars to properly "train" and equip this horse.
— Promoting an ordinance to ban fireworks sales at temporary structures for the July 4th holiday. The township was sued, and $kip's law was overturned by a judge as unconstitutional. Shelby taxpayers had to pay $10,000 of our money to support $kip's law in court, plus the township's insurance company had to pay thousands more to defend the township. Now, because of this lawsuit, the township could be at risk for higher insurance premiums.
— Promoting an ordinance to punish residents with blaring car radios. Sure, these boom boxes are annoying, and whenever we hear one we tell the driver "turn your radio down!" The vision of Shelby's finest patrolling our township with decibel meters testing the sound levels of car radios and ticketing drivers convinced the Board to scrap $kip's boom-box ordinance.
— The Soccer City Dome. $kip made this HIS issue, and look at the mess that resulted. Inflated this dome is an eyesore, and deflated it is an ugly mess. Either way, homeowners living near this white monstrosity lose.
— The 24 Mile and Van Dyke Shelby Center Design Plan. $kip points to the widening of the 24 Mile and Van Dyke intersection (an idea discussed long before he moved into the township) as progress. However, he will not mention the larger issue. When he first ran for Supervisor, $kip opposed the award-winning Shelby Center Design project. During the 2000 the "Meet the Candidates" forum, $kip said he opposed the plan because, in his opinion, it would bankrupt the township. As a result of $kip's stonewalling, the development, praised as a breakthrough for our township, is going nowhere fast. Furthermore, given the weak economy it is doubtful that this plan will be fully developed anytime soon.
— The "PEANUT GALLERY". We will never forget how $kip stared down from his taxpayer-funded political perch at the April 17, 2001 Board meeting and belittled township residents as a "Peanut Gallery." Taxpayers came down to voice concerns to the Board, and $kip made it clear he didn't have time to be bothered. Township residents revolted against such overwhelming arrogance and contempt for the people. Skip later tried to dismiss the significance of this comment, smiling, joking, and reflecting fondly upon his childhood days watching Howdy Doody. Howdy Doody? Okay...who is the real dummy here?

Public service is not about how much money you can pocket as an elected official. It is not about how much taxpayer money you can spend on your political ambitions. It is not about telling everyone how great you are and how much you know. It is not about trying to control everything and everyone. It is not about how much you can try to accomplish on your own, so you can then run to the newspapers claiming credit. It is NOT about $kip Maccarone.

True public service is about serving the public. Isn't that enough? Apparently not for $kip. When he ran for office, $kip said: "As for praising the good works of your elected officials, their job is to do good work. Their election to public office is recognition enough." This is a direct quote taken from Maccarone's 2000 campaign website.

Today, seven years after King $kip took his township throne, things have changed. Now, $kip actively looks for ways to create publicity for himself. He uses the local newspapers and his Shelby TV show "Shelby This Week" to try and sell the concept of him as a leader.

Sorry $kip, but the media stuff just doesn't work any longer. We see through all the fluff, and know what you are up to. More importantly, we know what you are really like when the cameras are turned off. So, the jig is up!

Keep sending your ideas and your thoughts to stopskip08@aol.com. Remember, as Shelby Township taxpayers we are all in this together! This is why we all need to stick together.

(Un)Happy Income Tax Hike Day!

October 8, 2007

Today is Income Tax Hike Day in the State of Michigan. This is the sad day when Michigan's income tax goes up from 3.9% to 4.35% -- a whopping increase of 11.5%. Today is also the day when the 6% sales tax expands to many services.

This $1.35 billion tax hike is among the largest in Michigan history. Since 2001, Michigan has steadily risen among a ranking of the states with the highest state and local tax burden, according to the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., advocacy group. With the current 11.5 percent income tax increase, Michigan now ranks 11th, up from 14th, in the percentage of personal income paid out in taxes.

This is definitely NOT a day of celebration, but rather one of mourning. The political wizards in Lansing have decided that the best way to "improve" our state's very poor economy is to raise taxes. Take money away from people and businesses who desperately need it, and give it to the politicians so they can spend it.

Not much common-sense here, if you ask us!

Yes, Michigan faces a tough budget situation, one which directly impacts Shelby Township residents. Lost revenue sharing dollars has hit our township, as it has communities across Macomb County and the State of Michigan. We have heard repeatedly how this situation has negatively impacted our township, but what happens now? Will our township get our revenue-sharing dollars back, since Lansing politicians now have more money to spend? We highly doubt it, but we'll reserve judgment for now.

Instead of seriously addressing budget reductions, our lawmakers have opted to raise income taxes. They are also expanding the service tax to hit more small businesses. Not only that, they are also talking about raising the sales tax again. This is bad news for us, but even worse news for politicians. Remember, they have to come and ask for our votes in 2008.

Now, weigh that situation against what is happening in our beloved Shelby Township. $kip Maccarone, the township Supervisor, eagerly wants to build his $50 million "campus." He says it can be done without higher taxes. Apparently things are so golden in Shelby that $kip wants to soak us for another $50 million.

But it doesn't take a wizard to realize that the township DOES NOT have the money to build, operate and maintain $kip's "campus" without a large influx of additional funds. Those funds will come from US. This is why $kip's plan is being met with such skepticism from the rest of the Board of Trustees -- and a great deal of mistrust from taxpayers. This is compounded when $kip tells us that he was elected to make spending decisions like this, without asking the people what we think. Not only is that arrogant -- it is WRONG.

Shelby taxpayers are just ordinary men and women. We work for a living, pay our federal income taxes, rising state income taxes, sales taxes, township fees, property assessments and millages. At the same time, we are also trying to to put food on our table, put gas in our cars, pay our mortgages, heating bills, light bills, take care of our families, while trying to save for our kids' college education and our retirement. It is not easy, especially when the politicians keep grabbing more and more of our cash, but we do it everyday.

Now, tell us to fork over another $50 million so that $kip can build his grandiose township campus, and listen to our response: "Go away $kip and take your campus plan with you." What amazes us most is that $kip seems puzzled that Shelby taxpayers doubt his promise to do more with less?

At a time when Michigan faces difficult finances and a weak economy, $kip keeps telling us that Shelby Township is in terrific financial shape. Apparently, although Michigan is suffering, $kip Maccarone's Shelby Township is a financial island all to itself -- untouched by the outside world.

The people aren't dumb. We know a political bamboozle when we see or hear it. What $kip is doing is trying to sell us something that we can't afford. Like a used car salesman, $kip is telling us that we can afford the higher-priced vehicle, with all the extras, when what we really need, and what we can afford, is basic, reliable transportation.

For $kip, spending $20 million for a police-court building makes perfect sense, and spending $23 million ($3 million over initial projections!) for this building is EVEN BETTER. Watch your wallet Shelby Township taxpayers, because the price will probably go up yet again, and they haven't even broken ground yet!

Spend ... spend... spend. Sadly, that's all most politicians can think about. True, there are those wise elected officials in our township and in Lansing who understand that government money is OUR money, but there are not enough of these people to go around. So the result is that we get stuck with decisions like this, that end up sticking it to taxpayers.

We think that $kip should stop trying to spend our township broke and do something to cut our township spending. This is why taxpayers are rightfully cynical when we hear promises that our township can easily afford to spend $50 million -- and it won't have any impact on our family budgets. Who is $kip trying to fool?

Times are tough, and they require tough choices. Supervisor $kip Maccarone doesn't want to make them (and apparently neither do some politicians in Lansing) so we need someone who will.

As far as we're concerned, 2008 can't here get fast enough!

Until then, break out the Kleenex and join others protesting Income Tax Hike Day. By the time the politicians are finished we will all be crying the POCKETBOOK BLUES.

Remember Shelby taxpayers, if you have something to share with us, send an e-mail to stopskip08@aol.com.

Politician $kip Maccarone: Phony As A Three Dollar Bill!

Governing a large township like Shelby, with over 70,000 residents, is serious business. To do it effectively requires a commitment to living up to your word and working for the people. It also boils down to PRIORITIES.

(1) Does a politician put the people's interests first, or his own?
(2) Does a politician understand the responsibilities of political leadership, or is he so blinded by political ambition that he can't see what is going on around him in the lives of ordinary people?
(3) Does a politician work with other duly-elected officials, or is he a lone crusader fulfilling his own agenda?
(4) Does a politician listen to people's opinions and consider alternative viewpoints, or does he tell people what their opinion and viewpoint should be?

A few weeks ago, the “Truth Guys", as one e-mailer called us, were shocked to hear $kip complain about his salary. He was quoted in the July 29, 2007 Source newspaper, our township's local newspaper, "Frankly, when you talk about the three elected officials in the township, we are paid well below what other municipalities make." Strange, we haven't heard the Clerk and Treasurer complaining?!?!

$kip went on to explain how he is just looking out for us poor souls who pay taxes, because without higher salaries we just won't get good people to serve in public office. "My opinion is that it discourages qualified, effective candidates from running if they feel they will not be fairly compensated."

That's $kip's opinion...but what is the truth! If you go back and look at past elections, for Shelby Township and everywhere else, you will see many candidates running for all offices - in both political parties. Frankly, we don't remember any, including $kip himself, who complained as candidates about the salary of their positions...until now.

Okay, so $kip's complaint about compensation was a just a one-time thing, right? Wrong! In fact, this topic came up before the last election and, once again, $kip showed his desire for higher pay. "Essentially, we're grossly under-compensated when compared with (the other) communities," Maccarone said to the Macomb Daily on November 23, 2003.

GROSSLY UNDER-COMPENSATED!!!!!! Excuse us...but that phrase is GROSSLY ARROGANT.

Nobody told $kip that as Supervisor he would rake in the cash. Fair compensation is one thing, and we all agree with that. Everyone who works hard (both in government jobs and, more importantly, in the real world) deserves fair pay. But to complain to taxpayers about being grossly-undercompensated is OUTRAGEOUS.

Then, after lodging his salary complaint, $kip talks about RAISING his pay. Our ears hurt after hearing such garbage!

As you will see below, considering what $kip gets from Shelby taxpayers, he is far from undercompensated.

Did you know:
... $kip gets a taxpayer-funded salary of around $85,000/year. Multiply that by eight years, and by the end of this term $kip will have been paid more than $600,000.
... $kip gets approximately $10,000 of taxpayer money (give or take) put directly into his retirement account every year. That means by the end of this term, $kip will have soaked up another $80,000; and
... $kip gets free health care coverage and life insurance, paid for by taxpayers. We wonder what the value of those benefits are in the real world? Whatever that figure is, add it to Skip's total compensation; and
... Under township rules, if $kip has the right combination of years of service + his age he gets to keep his taxpayer-funded benefits for LIFE. In other words, we will all be paying to take care of $kip long after he leaves office. The value of these benefits is UNLIMITED!

Taken as a whole, the money and benefits that $kip receives as Township Supervisor are VERY FAIR ... far from his "grossly undercompensated" complaint.

At the Tuesday, October 2nd Board of Trustees meeting, the issue of political compensation came up once again. Treasurer Paul Viar brought a motion to rescind the previous motion to raise the salary of the next Board. In other words, the salary of the elected officials on the next Township Board (without $kip in the center chair) will be the same pay as the current Board. What's wrong with that? Look around at the real world (the world outside government) and you will see that this is happening everywhere. In fact, a pay freeze is still better than a pay cut!

$kip tried his best to defend the constant increases he has received. He claimed he was standing up for maintaining the "status quo." In other words, since the compensation of township politicians was raised before, the Board should just keep doing it over and over and over. He tried to distract from the motion with a ridiculous rant about changing the formula for health care benefits. Much to his credit, Trustee Jim Carabelli intervened to stop $kip's bickering distraction. Carabelli then successfully refocused the Board on the real issue at hand -- elected official compensation -- and asked for a roll-call vote on the Treasurer's motion to rescind the pay raises. Good job Trustee Carabelli.

As a result of this motion, $kip was backed into a political corner. He had little choice but to vote to support Treasurer Viar's motion to freeze the pay of the next Board at the current level, after spending several minutes trying to discredit the motion. His face was as red as a beet, but $kip had no choice. The final vote was unanimous to freeze the pay of the next Board.

So while $kip Maccarone spends him time whining about his compensation, and why he should be paid more, our township faces serious challenges. Challenges which require common-sense leadership. Challenges which require a true commitment to the people. Challenges which require creative thinking. Challenges which mandate that the supervisor work with the other elected Trustees. Challenges which $kip Maccarone seems ill-prepared to take seriously.

Shelby Township is a terrific community! Residents want, and deserve, a strong township. We want fully-trained and fully-equipped police and fire departments to protect us. We want good roads. We want a modern township library - be it new construction or a renovated building. We want quality development which maintains our property values. We want to protect the beauty of our trees and parks. We want, and deserve, the best.

$kip Maccarone wants us to think he is the only one who can give us what we need. $kip wants us to think that without him at the helm, our township would hit an iceberg and sink. Sorry, but the only thing titanic around here is $kip's ego! When you compare his words with his actions — politician $kip Maccarone is as phony as a $3 bill.

Okay, so $kip thinks he is "grossly undercompensated." Given that, maybe its time for $kip to go back to practicing law. We understand that most attorneys these days earn a pretty decent living.

Join us in our campaign to Stop $kip Maccarone! Use your power of free speech. You can contact us at stopskip08@aol.com.

Why Shouldn't Taxpayers Be Given the Right To Vote On Spending $50 Million Dollars?

There has been lots of discussion over the last two years about the township's new police-court complex. This has actually been talked about for many years, but the rhetoric has heated up recently.

The police-court building is just one element of Supervisor $kip Maccarone's much larger "campus" complex. Yes, we need a new building for our law enforcement professionals. Need is not the issue here, no matter what $kip tells the newspapers.

The issues are what the building will cost (is it $20 million? $23 million? Is it higher?) and how the township will raise the money to pay for it? It is also prudent to ask if it is wise, given the financial shape of our state, to spend this much money at this time.

A large majority of township residents, and some of our elected Trustees, have insisted that this go to the public for a vote before spending $50 million. Why not? Isn't that what democracy is all about?

Obviously not in $kip Maccarone's Shelby Township. When pressed about putting this to a public vote, $kip says that he never said this should go before the voters. In fact, he challenged anyone to produce evidence that he did.

Okay, we'll take that challenge! Below is an article from the Macomb Daily, the local newspaper for Macomb County, Michigan. Read the last paragraph very carefully.

=====================

SHELBY DEVELOPMENT PUSHED -- BUT IT MAY BE UP TO VOTERS
PUBLISHED: February 5, 2005
By Frank DeFrank, Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Shelby Township Supervisor Ralph Maccarone introduced this week a proposal for a $47.5 million development on the grounds of the municipal complex with a simple theme: "If not now, when?"

The answer could well be, "Never, if the voters don't sign on."

Maccarone unveiled Thursday a proposal for construction of a recreation center, library and auditorium, police station and district court building along with renovations to the Senior Center and municipal building.

The supervisor said the work is the compilation of three and one-half years of input "from several dozen experts, department members, elected officials, both past and present, and a host of residents.

"This work is not intended to be a 'plan,' " Maccarone wrote in his introduction. "It is intended as a beginning point that will encourage discussion that will lead to plan.

"Construction of new and renovation of old township facilities (is) long overdue, and to which our residents, of all interests and ages, are so well entitled."

Township officials, both current and previous, have considered similar projects for years. Maccarone, in fact, produced 15-year-old drawings he inherited when he took office showing the planned development of the township's municipal grounds.

Maccarone said the time is right to move forward with the project to coincide with private development of the Van Dyke corridor from 26 Mile Road to the Utica city limit. By creating a Downtown Development Authority, some of the increased tax revenue generated by the private development can be used to help pay for public improvements, he said.

The supervisor said the township could take advantage of its good bond rating to sell bonds to fund the project. The bonds would be repaid over some 30 years, he said.

"I have a high level of confidence that we don't need a millage (new tax) to do this," he said.

But funding may prove a major sticking point among other elected officials. Several members of the Board of Trustees, while expressing support for such a concept, are reluctant to commit millions of dollars without approval by voters.

Treasurer Paul Viar and Trustee David Kady recently expressed such concerns, and Clerk Terri Kowal added her voice.

"I have said all along we should not spend $40 (million) to $50 million without a vote of the people," Kowal said. "It's too big a burden on the backs of the taxpayers.

"Skip (Maccarone) says, 'If not now, when?' I prefer to do it when the economy comes back. I won't vote for it (without voter approval)."

Maccarone said he has "no problem" submitting the plan to voters in the form of ballot questions, although he reiterated a previous statement when he said: "We were elected to make these kinds of decisions."

=====================

That's how the Macomb Daily reported it.

Since $kip said he had no problem putting this to a vote of the people in February, 2005, what has changed over the last two-and-a-half years? Taxpayers are amused that $kip thinks he was elected to spend this kind of money. Not true $kip! If when you ran you told voters you wanted to be Supervisor so that YOU could decide how to spend an additional $50 million of our tax dollars, on top of the millions you are already spending, you would have been laughed out of the township!

Two years ago, $kip said in the article above that his campus is the result of more than three years of input "from several dozen experts, department members, elected officials, both past and present, and a host of residents." We have since learned that there was NEVER any discussion about his grand "campus" plan prior to his February, 2005 unveiling presentation -- except maybe between $kip and himself.

We strongly agree with residents who have written to us about this topic. Yes, the people's voice should be heard. We love our active-duty township police officers, and they do a commendable job protecting us and responding when the call for help goes out.

The issue is money and who should decide how to spend a projected $23 million dollars (or more). $kip says he should make that decision, and we disagree.

We should DEMAND a public vote on $kip's campus project. Anything less is a disservice to township taxpayers!

$kip seems unwilling to budge on taking this to a vote of the people. Why? What does he have to hide? This is precisely why people don't trust $kip any more.

Considering the way $kip has spent our money since being elected, and his plan to spend $50 million more, we may have to eventually change the official Shelby Township logo. After all, $kip seems to think money does grow on trees.

Remember, send your e-mails to stopskip08@aol.com. Together, we will have an impact and taxpayers WILL take our township back.

Our Watchdog of "Truth"

"Hey, great stuff..keep 'em coming. But I think you need a mascot. Something which symbolizes what you stand for and what you are trying to do."

We received that friendly e-mail advice days ago. Hmmm.....we never thought about that one. A mascot? What could it be?
- Something simple, yet compelling.
- Something which tells our mission at one glance.

After getting our brain trust together to discuss this, "what about a watchdog" one of our members said. THAT'S IT. WHAT A STROKE OF BRILLIANCE! Afterall, there was talk about building a $20,000 dog park in Shelby Township just three years ago.

So without further delay, we introduce to you our new mascot. His name is NOBS (which stands for NO bullsh--). As you can tell, NOBS gets pretty angry when politicians waste money. He gets even angrier when arrogance or political double-talk stands in the way of progress for people.

$kip may think we are barking up the wrong tree...but we shall see next year. In the meantime, watch out $kip...NOBS is sniffing around and may bite you in the @%#$ at election time!

Enough for now. We just wanted you to meet NOBS...the newest member of our truth squad.

Follow the Money (not the leader!)

FINALLY...after seven years, there is talk in the township about cutting spending. Actually, it is more like a whisper. Given that the Township Building Department will be more than a HALF-MILLION DOLLARS short of revenue projections for 2007, we are told by township officials that it is a good time to CUT.

Instead of taking the lead on this issue and doing what is right for taxpayers, the Board of Trustees is having to pull $kip Maccarone in this direction. Why? Big spending politicians like $kip Maccarone never like to cut. We applaud the rest of the Township Board for being prudent in trying to do something to save money. Treasurer Paul Viar has, without a doubt, been one of the most vocal Trustees on spending. He asks questions and demands answers about where OUR money is going. Thank you Mr. Viar.

Now back to $kip. You would think that if $kip wanted to be taken seriously about spending, he would do something serious about spending. However, here again $kip seems more willing to talk the talk than "walk the walk." Those who watch the Board meetings have seen $kip talk and talk and talk and talk about the problems facing the township. Declining state revenue sharing (certainly a major issue) is one of those things $kip talks about all the time. He warns about the dire consequences of these cuts to public safety and township services. Does $kip heed his own dire warnings? Of course not! Never has...and likely never will.

Put up or shut up $kip! When the Board meets to discuss budget restructuring what does $kip do? He graciously decides to reduce expenses in his office by $1,000. That is all $kip can come up with in a multi-million dollar township budget? Since that's all $kip can put up, taxpayers wish he would just shut up!

By comparison, the Treasurer's office will restructure and save us more than $32,000. The Treasurer will eliminate one position. This is a first step toward restoring fiscal sanity in the township. Again, thank you Mr. Viar.

Now, let's get back to $kip. The total savings from the Township Board's restructuring is estimated around $78,000 -- or so the newspapers tell us. Could be more - could be less! But $kip's $1,161 savings from his office is a mere pittance of the total savings to township taxpayers.

$kip tells the newspapers (he loves to talk to reporters!) that the township faces the layoff of two employees because of the budget situation. Then, in the very same article, says that the "laid off" workers can apply for other open positions in the township! Sounds more like a "shift and shaft" policy (shift employees around to shaft taxpayers) than a real policy to reduce costs.

"No one will lose their jobs due to this (restructuring)," Maccarone said. "There will be some changes and some people will be moved around, but no one lost their jobs because of the changes."

Now you know why some people say that government jobs are the most secure jobs around. There is always a pot of money (mind you it is OUR money) to pay the bill. Too bad that men and women living and working in the "real world" (outside government) don't have the same comfort level knowing that they will not lose jobs because of corporate changes.

$kip says these layoffs are the first he can remember since becoming supervisor. Our Township Clerk Terri Kowal says these are the first layoffs she can remember in her 18 years of service to Shelby Township. "We've done everything else we can do," $kip told the press. Oh really? Sorry, but we seriously doubt that!

Success in government hinges on the level of trust politicians have with the people. When you tell them one thing, and do another, that trust is gone. When you make false claims to support your inaccurate statement, that trust is gone. When you spend and spend and spend, at a time when everyone else is cutting, that trust is gone. When you belittle the people who put you in public office, that trust is gone (forever).

To end this post on a humorous note, a reader of this blog sent us an e-mail with an interesting poem. We are reprinting it below in the hope that $kip will read it and note the error of his ways. Hope you enjoy it!

=====

THE TRUTH ABOUT USER FEES
(The "Hidden Tax")

There once was a king who sat rather alone, on his gilded and cushioned tax-and-spend throne.

His bankers and builders were fairly content, but as far as the government's petty cash went...

The ledger book stuff didn't look all that good, 'cause the king and his cronies spent more than they should.

The king pondered and worried and paced up and down with a king-size and regal empirical frown.

It suddenly hit him, the answer was clear: he needed to hire a slick financier.

There were hucksters and lawyers and swindlers and thieves who had fiddles and diddles and tricks up their sleeves. But the king soon grew weary and sent them away, except for one lonely servant who managed to stay.

"Martini the Counter is my name your Grand Majesty,
and I have an adjustment for your treasury.
A user fee which is invented to please,
and the name of this tax is 'A penny a sneeze.'

"This fee is quite simple and causes no pain
a little exaction on everyone's nose-
a penny-a-sneeze for as long as it goes."
The king smiled and smirked and giggled and gasped,
"A wonderful windfall, solutions at last!"
A week or two later, the sneeze laws were passed.

The king kept on spending, and in very short time'
it was one sneeze a nickel, or three for a dime.
He hired accountants to keep all the books,
and a secret police force to chase after the crooks,
who might hide in their closet in the dark of night
to wheeze or sneeze well out of sight.

Martini in charge now of sneeze revenue,
soon hired the best seven hundred and two
Gesundheit inspectors with beady black eyes,
who denied fees are taxes - "just lies."

The king made a speech when the great moment came.
"Our nation is troubled, our heads bowed in shame.
The kitty is empty, the scepter in pawn,
both Visa and Mastercard are overdrawn.
But there is still hope with the relative ease,
of a small patriotic and taxable sneeze.
So let us all sneeze now. The first one is free.
The others cost money. Let's go: one, two, three...
AH-CHOO!"

The King then got arrogant, he moved much too fast,
these new user fees were too little to last.
So he added hiccups as taxable sin,
then limping, then dandruff, then scratching your chin;
but nothing worked out; so the kitty stayed dry,
and even politicians didn't know why.

The country is poor now, the cities eyesores,
the places of merriment all closed their doors.
The menfolk walk barefoot, their gaze stupified,
the women are trembling, their kids hollow-eyed.
No laughter is heard, and no soft lulliby,
except on occasion a clandestine sigh...
The birds in the trees stopped the songs in their tracks
for fear that there might be a bird-singing tax.

The king has been banished, his minions sent packing.
But his legacy of spending still leaves us lacking,
the money we need to keep our government strong.
You see, the king's taxing and spending was outrageously wrong.

What happened? How come the King lost his touch?
The truth is that a penny a sneeze ... was a penny too much!

=====

So remember this poem the next time $kip Maccarone talks about the need to raise "fees." Since becoming Supervisor, $kip has raised fees and assessements on residents, businesses and landowners. Now, with the township's Building Department being $500,000 in the red this year, watch out for even higher fees down the road! How else will $kip raise the money to build and operate his $50 million township "campus?"

President Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest presidents of our time, once told us that "A f-e-e is a t-a-x." He went on to point out how liberals always look for ways to justify higher spending by raising fees, called by some political observers as the "HIDDEN TAX."

Anyway you collect them, fees are just a slick method of imposing higher TAXES on ordinary citizens.

Remember, if you want to join this campaign to Stop Skip Maccarone in 2008, send us an e-mail at stopskip08@aol.com.

Oh what a tangled web he weaves....

..when Supervisor $kip Maccarone deceives!

Are we calling $kip Maccarone a liar! Nah....that would be mean.

Let's just say that $kip uses selective interpretation and perception of facts to try and prove that he is right all the time.

$kip never lets reality get in the way of promoting his political BS.

When $kip first rode his white horse into Shelby a few years ago as a candidate for Supervisor, a lot of us bought what $kip was selling. And why not -- look what we had at the time. The bar was set so low that anyone would have been better than what we had. So voters took the gamble.

With his classic wink and a grin, $kip made all sorts of promises - what politician doesn't? Promises are one thing, but actions are another. Below is a brief recap of what $kip promised when he ran for office. Read them and judge for yourself if he actually lived up to his words.

(1) "Simply stated, I want to bring professionalism, dignity, efficiency and excellence to the office of Shelby Township Supervisor."
-- $kip broke this promise to taxpayers a few weeks after taking office. He hadn't even finished unpacking his stuff and setting up his office when he decided to let his arrogance show.

(2) "I believe that we need a Supervisor who can inspire teamwork among Township Board members and who will treat citizens and the officials they have elected with diplomacy, dignity and respect."
-- Here again, $kip broke his promise. Remember when he called taxpayers a "Peanut Gallery." Nuff said! What about the way he chastizes and criticizes anyone with a different viewpoint? He has shown, time and again, that he does NOT understand the true meaning of teamwork. Instead, $kip does whatever he wants, and never consults, let alone talks to, other member of the Shelby Township Board of Trustees "team".

(3) "Under my leadership, there will be no disrespectful treatment of citizens or Board members at Board meetings."
-- Yah, right! $kip has taken disrespect to a new level of political bickering.

(4) "I look for Shelby Township to accomplish great things with lessened discontent."
-- $kip creates discontent. He is the the primary reason there is so much animosity on the Board of Trustees. It is amazing that the Board has accomplished anything at all, given his miserable leadership.

(5) "No single person can accomplish everything. But worthy goals can be achieved with the support and cooperation of the Township Clerk, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, our fine Township employees and you the citizens of the community."
--$kip regularly ignores the Clerk, Treasurer and fellow Trustees. He doesn't listen to Township employees and he talks down to the citizens of the community. $kip wrongly believes that HE -- and only HE -- can do everything...and when he does, things get messy!

(6) "I believe that it is important for your Supervisor to set a good example for all of the Township. He or she must set a positive tone in the community and among the other officials who you, the voters, elected."
-- The only thing positive about $kip's tone is......well......to be honest.....there is NOTHING positive about $kip's tone! As for him setting a good example for others, it was because of Skip's actions (or more accurately, his nasty four-letter vocabulary) that a township employee filed a workplace harassment suit against him, leading to the firing of a township employee. Great positive tone $kip!

These are just a half dozen ways that $kip deceived us. Truthfully, we've had enough of $kip Maccarone. His lofty promises have been replaced by lousy performance. Its time for $kip to pack his bags and go run for Macomb County Sheriff!

$kip loves to tell people who come to speak at Township Board meetings "your time is up."

Shelby taxpayers have a message for $kip Maccarone come August, 2008: YOUR TIME IS UP!

Until next time....keep those e-mails coming. Remember, you can contact us as stopskip08@aol.com.

We told you this would be FUN!

It's Time For Taxpayers To Take Our Township Back!!

Oh boy things are about to get fun...

...Fun that is for US --- not for Shelby Township's Supervisor $kip Maccarone. If you ask me (and you probably will) our Supervisor better stock up on the Tums..because his tummy may not be feeling so good once we start telling the truth.

This blog is in honor of all Shelby Township residents who want to find out more about your money, about your government, and about your eleced officials. WE are going to help differentiate fact from fiction about our township. Politcians beware...this blog and its editorials will give you a dose of reality.

Ain't democracy great? We especially like the whole part about "free speech!"

Shelby Taxpayers who are fed up and want to do something should not fret. Remember, 2008 is an election year - and what a year it will be. It is time for a change - and we need to change the person at the TOP - who just happens to sit in the center chair at the Board of Trustees' meetings.

Supervisor $kip Maccarone's runaway spending train is about to be derailed. When we come together, work together, and (more importantly) vote together, great things can happen. We have watched Maccarone's antics for seven-long-years, and it is time for something different. Our goal in 2008 should be to send Maccarone back to private law practice.

Even if we do, $kip's massive campus construction will be a long-term anvil around the collective necks of township taxpayers. Remember the $50 million that he promised we could afford for his campus? Remember his police and court mega complex, complete with a new library, new recreation center, new cable television studio, a brand new radio station (WSKP perhaps?), and a wading pool? Remember how $kip said the township could easily build and operate his "campus" without a single penny in new taxes. I may not be a financial wizard, but even my nephew said things just don't add up.

And yet $kip talks about TRUST! Trust $kip....with our money! Come on! Does he really think we are that stupid!

It appears to us that $kip just wants to build the whole campus thing - so he can tell everyone "look at the great things I did!" To our amazement, he is still promoting a Recreation Center. Even though residents told Skip "NO" -- during a recent taping of "Shelby This Week", $kip is seen pointing to vacant locations on the township grounds where, $kip says, a new library and a recreation center will go.

Yes, $kip still supports construction of a township recreation center...paid for by US! Guess $kip just doesn't understand the word no.

The Director of the Shelby-Utica/Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce once called $kip Maccarone Shelby's "Super Supervisor". Maybe $kip is so drunk with power that he believes this too! Residents living near $kip's soccer dome (sorry...ugly, pond-ridden mosquito trap) would likely disagree with the whole "Super" thing.

Enough for now. Rest assured that we will be back SOON. $kip should be warned that we are watching..we are taking notes..and we will remember in August, 2008.

Meanwhile, if you have information about $kip that Shelby taxpayers need to know, especially when it comes to spending our money, send us an e-mail at stopskip08@aol.com.

Unlike $kip, we would love to hear from you.