Lisa and Skippy Sitting in a Tree...

... K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

Well, okay, maybe not quite kissing, but you can be sure that these two political peas are VERY close these days.  Why?  Because Trustee Lisa Manzella is the latest target of a recall by an angry township resident upset with Manzella's conduct in office.

Immediately after learning that she was the target of recalls, Manzella told newspapers that she would have no comment, and then proceeded to comment (in a written statement) that she has hired "legal counsel" - at least that she what she wants us to believe.

What probably REALLY happened in this scenario is that Manzella, nervous about being kicked out of office, called her good friend and political mentor Skip Maccarone (who is an attorney) seeking assistance.  And of course Skip, being the kind and generous person we all know that he is (tongue firmly planted in cheek) offered to help poor old Lisa.

If there is anyone on the Board of Trustees who deserves to be recalled from office, it is definitely Lisa Manzella.  She has been running around the township spreading lies and malicious rumors about people for quite some time now.  Recently, she has been bragging that she is the only township official without a recall "issue" to contend with.

Well guess what?  Seems as though this particular recall has hit a sore point.  On November 30, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Manzella took to her Facebook page (her social media of choice for spreading lies and misinformation) and declared "the gloves are off."

Um ... hey Lisa ... is the threat of taking off your gloves supposed to scare us?

Beyond the recall situation, the much larger issue is Trustee Lisa Manzella's double-dealings with township residents.  We say "double dealings" because while she tells her handful of Facebook friends and the press that she cares about what we say, in practice Manzella has demonstrated that she really doesn't give a damn about the people - except when it advances her politics or boosts her ego.  While some call Manzella's antics "politics as usual" others see her actions as the worst kind of politician: one who uses people for their own selfish purposes.

Manzella's reluctance to listen to the people is well known.  In fact, some people have said just the thought of public input nauseates Manzella to no end.  Given her actions and statements as Trustee, we tend to agree.  Lisa Manzella could really care less about what the people think, because she is of the mindset that she is right, and everyone else is "misinformed."

Hmmm...where have we heard this before?  Oh yes, when Skip Maccarone was the tyrant of Shelby.

When Skip was running the township his way, Manzella was a loyal servant and cheerleader.

• When Skip Maccarone wanted to spend $20 million for a police/court building, Manzella offered to chair the committee to build that over-priced "justice center."

• When Skip unveiled his plan (in February of 2005) to spend $30 million more for his "campus" of new buildings (that our township could not afford) - including a new recreation center, library, township pool, parks and recreation building, new cable television studio, and a township-run radio station (among other things) - Manzella was the first township official to publicly support it.

• When Skip decided to force this massive spending plan down our throats without a public vote, Manzella jumped on the "no public vote" for bonds bandwagon.

• When Skip told us not to worry, that he could spend $50 million (or more) for things without having any impact on the township, Lisa Manzella bought that BS hook, line and sinker.

Can you imagine what our township's financial condition would be today if Skip's dream (nightmare) was built?  Can you say "massive tax hike?"

Why was Lisa Manzella so beholden to Maccarone and his grand spending plan?  More on that later...

Recently, Manzella (in an obvious attempt to rewrite history) has been trying to make us believe that she supports the people.  She talks a good game, just like those liberals in Congress who always say they are on our side, until they have to choose a side.  Then, their true colors emerge.

Since taking office, Supervisor Rick Stathakis has made it a point of inviting residents into "priority meetings" to help guide township programs and activities.  The Supervisor said the point of these meetings is to gain greater insights, ideas and advice for the township.  The priority meetings serve as a way for residents to interact with their elected officials and have a greater voice in township decisions.  So far, these meetings have worked well and set realistic priorities which the Board of Trustees has addressed.  It is worth noting that Shelby Township is one of the very few communities in Michigan (indeed across the country) which involves residents in one-on-one sessions like this.

You would think that, given the public's concern about government, all elected officials would welcome these meetings and embrace the opportunity to engage with people on priorities for our township.  Thankfully, most Shelby Trustees agree - and we salute those who see the value in public meetings like this.

However, by contrast, Shelby Trustee Lisa Manzella spits on public input.  She has declared that she will not attend these meetings, because she has other more important commitments.  As Lisa Manzella sees it, when it comes time to listen to the people she has better things to do.

What shocked us is that Manzella actually used her Facebook page to announce that she will not attend these annual priority meetings.  It is one thing to have an excuse for not attending, but quite another to be so brazen in her condemnation of these meetings.

Here is what Manzella wrote on her Facebook page about these meetings in an exchange with another township resident.   We apologize for the typos in this exchange, but unfortunately some people don't take the time to spell check their rants before clicking "send".

Barbara Kiel  Question: saw little blurb in Free press that shelby was holding public meeting on wed( no date) in municipal board room to discuss Twp priorities for 2011. The second meeting will be at Cherry Creek on wed Dec 7(?) 7pm. I checked twp website for more info and could not find it. Do you have more info about this? I will email Rick as well.  
November 26 at 2:24pm

Lisa Manzella  yes, email rick. its his "annual proirity meeting" dog and pony show. I will not be going, fortunately I have other commitments those nites. He sounded a little desperate to get people to attend at the last Board meeting!

November 26 at 2:49pm

As you can see, Manzella never misses an opportunity for a snide or backhanded comment, even to a simple request from a resident seeking information about public meetings.  

What is Lisa Manzella's problem?  Does anyone know?  Surely there must be a psychlogical disorder to explain this?  Perhaps the bitterness from the last election (when Shelby Township voters wisely kicked her spending buddy Skip Maccarone out of office by a historic 70%-to-30% margin) still lingers?

We applaud Supervisor Stathakis for wanting to hear from the people.  It is just too bad that politicians like Lisa Mazella are so jaded that they see evil in everything.  It has gotten so bad that making an announcement urging residents to show up and make their voices heard is deemed by Manzella as "desperate."  She also sees this as the Supervisor's priority meeting?  Well, all we can say is that Lisa Manzella truly has a warped view of her duties and priorities as a public official.

 
Hopefully, the 2011 priority meetings will be well attended.  It would be great for democracy if the rooms were packed.  This way, instead of just complaining when politicians make the "wrong" decisions, residents can actually be part of the discussion about the "right" priorities for our township.

We are facing some very tough times right now.  This is why it is crucial that Shelby Township residents make their voices heard and attend these meetings.  While Trustee Lisa Manzella may frown on public priority meetings as a "desperate" tactic, we see things differently.  We appreciate being given the opportunity to have a say in what our township should be doing.   After all, we are paying the bills.

Given Manzella's hatred for public input, we're glad that she has opted not to attend.  In light of her attitude, it is highly doubtful she would add anything positive to these meetings anyway.  

Until next time...