The Recall Radicals Worship “Lenin’s Law" As They Pursue Their Self-Serving “Revolution”

“A lie told often enough becomes the truth”

— Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), was a Russian Marxist revolutionary, and creator of the Soviet Communist Party.  Lenin lead the 1917 October Revolution and helped found the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).  As head of the Bolsheviks, he led the Red Army to victory in the Russian Civil War before establishing the world’s first official socialist state.

Lenin adhered to a philosophy that if you tell a lie often enough, especially to those who may not be connected and know all the details, the people will eventually believe that lie as truth.  This is how Lenin built his power base to become leader of the socialist/marxist empire.

According to Lenin’s Law, detail and fact are not important.  POWER is important.  Under Lenin’s Law fiction becomes fact and deception becomes destiny.  Why is this relevant?  Because the group pushing to recall Shelby Township officials are implementing Lenin’s Law.

The words and deeds of the Nightingale/Save Shelby gang would certainly make Lenin proud.  This group is spreading fiction as fact in hopes of making their deception our destiny.  These people (some residents, some not) are running around neighborhoods using falsehoods, distortions and selective interpretation to prop up their recall.  This includes lies about DARE, false statements about how the new police station is unnecessary, falsehoods about Supervisor Stathakis raising taxes, and untrue comments about higher spending supposedly enacted by the current Board.

A lie told often enough becomes the truth! This has become the official motto of the Nightingale/Save Shelby recall.

Given the recall group’s lack of concern for truthfulness, most residents see this recall for what it really is: a power grab.  Remember, those behind the recall have a personal motive: TOWING.  Oh sure, they claim “it ain’t so” and say they only want what is best for our township.  Do you believe them?  Do they really only want what is best for themselves?  If these people care about Shelby as much as they claim to, why are they spreading malicious and malignant lies, rumors, and distortions of reality?

The Nightingales and others recall extremists, including some members of the police union, don’t care about our township.  Let us rephrase that.  They only care about Shelby Township as long as they have control over township spending, control over who gets jobs, control over who receives township contracts, and control over the budget.  Beyond that, the recall goons think they have the right to say anything, discredit anyone and destroy everything.  The ends justify the means.  Sounds very much like Lenin’s revolutionary rhetoric!

Truth vs. Lies About Shelby’s DARE Program

The DARE program first arose during the “Business from the Floor” segment of the Tuesday, April 5th Board of Trustees meeting.  Shelby resident Norm Dziadzio came to the podium and asked about DARE after hearing comments that the program has been eliminated.  Dziadzio wanted to know if those remarks about DARE’s elimination are correct.

Supervisor Stathakis then informed Shelby residents that, despite what they have been hearing, DARE is still very much in effect in the public schools.  In fact, he noted that he and other Board members had recently attended several DARE graduations in Shelby Township.

In response to Dziadzio, Trustee Paula Filar went a even further.  Filar mentioned that she had received several calls from residents who had heard that DARE was eliminated.  Mrs. Filar gave an informed summary of DARE’s restructuring, as proposed by Shelby Police Chief Robert Leman.  The purpose of these changes, supported unanimously by the Board of Trustees, was to save money while making sure students continued receiving drug awareness and education by keeping DARE within the schools and essentially the same.

This discussion, which shot holes into Save Shelby’s DARE comments, didn’t sit well with some people.  Two days later, Trustee Manzella sent an e-mail criticizing Trustee Filar for speaking the truth about DARE.  Here again, Manzella used this opportunity to blame Supervisor Stathakis for DARE’s elimination.  Below is Manzella’s rambling e-mail:
______
From: lisa@timesavingappraisal.com [mailto:lisa@timesavingappraisal.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 10:59 AM

Subject: Re: DARE

Paula, this would have never came up again, nor would you have gotten all the phone calls you claimed you were getting, if Rick hadn't spoken at all the DARE graduations and told the parents that the Board eliminated DARE but only he and you and sometime Viar supported DARE.  At several of them he specifically stated that, where he could have stated that although the entire Board supported DARE, this was a decision the entire Board was forced to make.  I'm you and and I would not have gotten the phone calls we did if that was clearly an honest statement made at the graduations.  Furthermore,  if the treasurer and supervisor, where not under the impression that the 2 of them could out-wit and/or bully and intimidate Christine Johns, we would not have been saddled with the crossing guard situation because of this decision.  The diplomatic way this was handled all along is a joke and it seems like the only reason this came up again is because residents were lied to at many of the graduations and we are going to blame Bob Leman for this, there is no other logical reason to revisit this. Lisa
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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Shelby families, and public school officials, we have spoken with have absolutely no idea what Lisa Manzella is blabbing about in her e-mail above.  From what we ascertain, Supervisor Stathakis did not say that the Board eliminated the program during DARE graduations.  Once again “Lisa the Liar” is making things up!
   If you don’t believe the truth about DARE, call your nearest public school.   Better yet, contact Superintendent Christine Johns yourself to learn the truth.

Anyway, the discussion about DARE really struck a chord with Manzella.  Why is she afraid of the DARE discussion?  Is she terrified of being exposed as an outright liar?  As for Lisa Manzella’s complaint that Shelby has been “saddled” with school crossing guards, that is a nothing but nasty slap in the face to these dedicated men and women.  We will make sure to tell every crossing guard we meet how Trustee Manzella truly feels about what these hard-working men and women do for our children.

DARE came up yet again at the April 19th Board of Trustees meeting.  This time the subject was raised by recall advocate, and Save Shelby spokeswoman, Val Alspaugh.  Alspaugh tried to lead people into believing that Shelby Township gave DARE back to the schools in exchange for taking over school crossing guards duties.  She tried to link the two, even though the evidence illustrates that DARE and school crossing guards are not related.  These are two separate issues discussed at two separate times — each with their own challenges and legal requirements.

Responding to Save Shelby’s newest misinformation about DARE, Trustee Paula Filar informed the public in a fact-based discussion.  Filar outlined the process whereby DARE was restructured as proposed by the Police Chief and approved by the ENTIRE BOARD (7-0 vote).  Mrs. Filar presented a summary of DARE and why the program was being changed to save money while still giving students continued access to drug education.

After listening to this presentation, Alspaugh didn’t know what to say or do.  Filar’s facts directly contradicted Alspaugh’s theory (some call it B.S.) about DARE.  So what happened? Didn’t the DARE talking points given to Alspaugh by her fellow recall advocate, and Save Shelby supporter, Trustee Manzella take into account what to say when confronted by the truth?

The Nightingale/Save Shelby recall gang is primarily responsible for spreading lies about DARE.  The Save Shelby website reads:

“board members canceled the DARE program which broke off a past agreement with Utica Community Schools. Under the past agreement Shelbys cost was approximately $50,000 to DARE and liaison officers and Utica Schools covered the cost of approximately $185,000 for crossing guards. Now with the DARE program canceled, Shelby Township must hire and train all crossing guards -- net increase in cost to township residents is over $100,000 and Utica Community School students no longer benefit from the DARE program.”

Contrary to what the Save Shelby gang says, the Board of Trustees DID NOT cancel DARE.  School students are still benefiting from the program.  Save Shelby’s statement on DARE is a lie!  In fact, given this group’s love of lies, residents can’t believe anything these people say about anything.

Worried about Save Shelby’s quickly disintegrating credibility, Alspaugh’s priority at the April 19th meeting was damage control.  She selected bits and pieces of information from various sources to try and prove (somehow) that Save Shelby’s statements about DARE are correct.  These people still believe that the program has been eliminated — which it has not.  Furthermore, Save Shelby’s ongoing assertion that DARE and crossing guards are related is also a fraud.  UCS gave the crossing guards back to local communities in order to cut the school district’s multi-million dollar budget deficit.

Alspaugh said it was her “understanding” that DARE is no longer in schools.  Trustee Filar disputed that claim and asked Alspaugh where she was getting her information?  Alspaugh refused to answer.  She fumbled with her papers and said she got it from newspapers, notes, etc.  Even though she was trying to come across as a DARE expert, she ended up looking foolish.

The Nightingale Rage Against Shelby Taxpayers

Speaking of foolish, let’s focus on Nick Nightingale’s performance at the April 19th Board of Trustees meeting.  All dressed to impress in his mismatched suit and tie, Nightingale ended up impressing no one.  When he approached the podium we could see the enormous chip on his shoulder.  Nick was angry about DARE — probably because statements that he and his Save Shelby “friends” have been making about the program have been exposed as pure lies.

Showing contempt for township officials and residents, Nick Nightingale attacked the character and integrity of Supervisor Stathakis and Trustees Mike Flynn and Paula Filar.  Nightingale even had the nerve to question the truthfulness of Trustee Filar.  When attempts were made to provide answers to his questions, Nick said he wasn’t interested in listening.  As he said once before when asked by Supervisor Stathakis if he wanted an answer to a question, Nick Nightingale tersely replied “No...it don’t matter what you say anyway!”

The Nightingale family’s “it don’t matter” attitude is the real problem.  “Don’t bother us with facts because Trustee Manzella has told us everything we need to know.”  This is why most residents are wisely refusing to jump on their recall bandwagon.

Once finished speaking from the podium, Nick Nightingale went back to his seat.  Trustee Paula Filar then began discussing DARE and outlined the process whereby minor changes were made to the program.  Immediately when Trustee Filar began speaking, Nick Nightingale, in classic form, shouted from the floor.  DECORUM BE DAMNED!  Supervisor Stathakis asked Nightingale to calm down, but Nick refused.  This public disruption resulted in Nick Nightingale being escorted from the Board room.

Once the ruckus was over, Trustee Filar then proceeded to clarify the DARE situation.  She put little Nightingale in his place by saying, very firmly, that she takes her job as a Trustee seriously.  Mrs. Filar told the Nightingales, and the entire Save Shelby bunch, that she is not lying and resents being labeled a liar.  You go girl!

Filar read minutes from the August 11, 2009 Trustees work session called to discuss staffing in the police department.  During that the work session, DARE came up in the broader review of police department restructuring.  Shelby’s police chief presented six scenarios for the Board’s consideration.  The minutes from this work session are 17 pages in length, far too long to reprint in their entirety here.  However, we encourage you to read them and discover the truth about DARE.  Minutes from are available for FREE.  Just send an e-mail to stopskip08@aol.com and we will forward a copy.

However, for discussion purposes we have highlighted key points from this meeting:

MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009 IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 52700 VAN DYKE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN.

The work session was called to order at 3:07 p.m. by Supervisor Richard Stathakis.

Members Present: Richard Stathakis, Terri Kowal, Paul Viar, Paula Filar, Michael Flynn, Lisa Manzella,
Doug Wozniak

1. Discussion regarding Police Department Promotions

Police Chief Robert Leman made a brief presentation regarding the current organization of his department. He pointed out that a sergeant’s position and ieutenant’s position are vacant as a result of recent retirements in June of 2009.  He submitted a list of scenarios to the Board for consideration.

Scenario #1 - Make the promotions, with no new hires. The DARE officer and one school officer will be assigned to the road to fill the two vacant patrol officer positions that were vacated as a result of these upcoming promotions.

Scenario #2 – Make the promotions with no new hires. The position of the traffic officer that will be promoted from police officer to sergeant will not be filled. We will only be replacing one patrol officer with the DARE officer. That will provide two school liaison officers. He will be short one traffic officer.

Scenario #3 – Make the promotions with no new hires. Don’t fill the traffic spot. The DARE officer will be on the road. Our two school officers would do part school liaison work and part drug resistance program (tentative).

Scenario #4 – No promotions – no new hires. The command spots will be filled with overtime.

Scenario #5 – No promotions. The administrative lieutenant will be assigned to the road to replace the retired lieutenant. The detective/sergeant would be assigned to the road to replace the retired sergeant. The DARE officer will patrol, investigate or replace the detective/sergeant in the Detective Bureau.  The two school liaison officers would remain at the school and serve in the capacity as half drug and half school liaison officers.

Scenario #6 – no promotions. He would take one day shift sergeant and fill the opening on nights. This would leave the Police Department with two vacant positions on days. One shift would have a vacant lieutenant position and one shift would have a vacant sergeant position. They would attempt to backfill those on days with the two captains and the administrative lieutenant. However, the weekends are not covered. We would be paying overtime for the weekends anytime benefit time is taken on the weekends. They would also be paying overtime for two hours in the morning, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and then from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

Mrs. Filar had a question concerning Scenario #5. Mrs. Filar asked what would be the savings if you didn’t touch the DARE position.

Mrs. Manzella asked the Chief which scenario that he presented tonight is the best choice for his department. Chief Leman responded #3.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Option three, as proposed by the Chief, removed the two DARE officers from the school and put them on the roads protecting the public.  There would be no new hires for the two DARE positions.  This is the option that the Chief wanted, and the Board unanimously supported to restructure Department staffing.  Any comments by Manzella and her Save Shelby cohorts about Supervisor Stathakis pushing DARE’s elimination are false.

Mr. Stathakis agreed we do not want to cut services. For that reason, he doesn’t feel he can support Option #3. He doesn’t feel this Board is ready today to cut the DARE program. That is what we would be doing if we went for Option #3.  He feels we need a lot more information than we have now.

Mr. Flynn doesn’t want to cut officers on the road. Mr. Flynn agreed with Scenario #5. He proposes that we have discussion with Utica Schools with regard to picking up some of those costs. If they pick up DARE and/or the two
school liaisons then perhaps we can afford these promotions.

Mr. Stathakis stated we have not completed discussion with the schools so we really don’t know what they can pay for. Before we start cutting programs, we have to be aligned with our school system. He believes prior to this discussion taking place, he doesn’t see how we can proceed with anything but Option #6.

Sgt. Virginia Kovalcik feels the main thing here is the DARE program. She was a DARE officer and a school liaison officer for many years. She doesn’t believe the schools will cover any of the Police Department’s expenses for these services. She felt DARE is a very good program and briefly provided her past experience with this program. However, times have changed. Every single high school in the Utica School District now has a full-time retired police officer, including police Chiefs, in their schools. They have more authority than our Police Department.  We need probable cause to check something out. They only need reasonable suspicion. They can go in and get all of the information and hand it to us and we don’t have to talk to the students. They do all of the preventative programs and they in a sense have taken away much of our responsibility She worked hard to enhance the DARE program and she would hate to see something happen to it. However, it is more important to have the officers on the streets because they are not as necessary in the schools as in the past. Sgt. Kovalcik feels the age group we have to address is junior high (7th or 8th grade). She feels we can do that with one officer to handle some prevention programs.

As you can clearly see from these minutes, acting upon advice from Chief Leman and a former DARE officer, the Board decided to restructure the police department.   The DARE positions were not filled and the schools have since taken over the program.  Supervisor Stathakis clearly said he did not want to cut DARE.  There is nothing sinister here the DARE program remains essentially the same today as it was before.  The Save Shelby crew’s DARE distortions may serve their political goals, but they are a disservice to residents who support a strong township.

A Statute of Limitations On An Elected Official’s Actions and Words?

When she got home from the April 19th Board meeting, something was bothering Alspaugh.  So she went to the Shelby-Utica Patch website and typed this comment (typos and grammatical errors included):

Valarie Alspaugh
12:51 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
    Although I am a bit disappointed that I was unable to finish my planned statement this evening, I was unaware that the time that is taken for others to answer my questions counted towards my time, but I am glad that I actually got some answers. Therefore, I am not going to complain about not being able to finish.
   I am fairly new to this community, but nowhere near new to the problems that scandal and controversy can cause a community. After reviewing hours upon hours of video of past Board meetings, I have come to notice that there are a few citizens (and after tonight a Board Member) who refuse to get of the "yester-year" bandwagon. True or not, it is high time some folks realize that what happened in the past is not the issue that is effecting the Township today.


We couldn’t believe our eyes.  What could have prompted Alspaugh to come up with the notion that what an elected official says and how he or she votes on an issue in the past has no relevance today?

In reviewing the meeting, the only thing we could think of were were comments about public speaking times.  Responding to a resident who came up to complain about not having enough time to speak during five minutes from the floor, Treasurer Viar brought to light some very interesting information.

Treasurer Viar first cited a Macomb Daily article from July, 4, 1998 when Clerk Terri Kowal was quoted speaking about reducing public comment at Board meetings.  At that time, the limit was ten minutes and some Trustees, namely Trustee Nancy Bates and Trustee Dave Kady, were pushing to reduce speaking time to three minutes.  Here is what Macomb Daily reporter Frank DeFrank wrote:
   Trustees Nancy Bates and David Kady want to cut the time limit imposed on residents who address elected officials during the public comments portion of regular Board of Trustees meetings.
   Bates would like the time limit reduced to three minutes.  Kady said he’d be happy with five.  Both claim meetings then would run more efficiently.
   The two first-term trustees may have enough support.  Clerk Terri Kowal and Treasurer Linda Stout both endorse a reduction in the time limit.
   Kowal surveyed more than a dozen communities to compare their policies with Shelby.  She found most limit public comments to three minutes per speaker.
   “There is not another community in the world that allows 10 minutes,” Kowal said.  “This board has to take these meetings back.  These are our meetings to conduct business.”

Treasurer Viar continued by citing remarks that Trustee Lisa Manzella told the same newspaper when the current Board voted to reduce speaking time from 10 minutes to five minutes back in 2009.

As reported in the February 25, 2009 issue of the Macomb Daily, Manzella said that vote didn’t go far enough.  Manzella said she thought five minutes was “overly generous.”  Then, in that same story, she stuck the knife in our back even further by adding “our meetings have been hijacked” by residents who come forward to speak or raise points of concern at Board meetings.

Clearly, Alspaugh didn’t like the fact that her two friends on the Board, and their past statements and votes, were being brought up again as an issue now.  Using Alspaugh’s assertion about past practice of public officials, we come up with the following scenarios:
• Alspaugh likely believes Manzella’s advocacy for spending $20 million police/court building (without a public vote) doesn’t mean anything to our township today.  We believe it does.
• Alspaugh probably thinks Manzella’s comments about Board meetings being hijacked by residents who ask questions doesn’t matter.  We strongly disagree.
• Alspaugh probably feels that her friend Manzella’s support for $50 million in new spending for a campus is irrelevant to today’s financial discussions.  We recognize the relevancy of this matter.
• Alspaugh most definitely thinks what an elected official told a reporter about an issue years ago has no merit today.  Most Shelby Township residents believe that there is no statute of limitations on votes or statements by elected officials.

Most taxpayers disagree with Alspaugh’s views.  What elected officials did and said years ago DOES matter today.  Past actions are known as that public official’s “track record” which gives us an insight into future decisions.  We are not talking about private citizens.  We are talking about public officials, paid for with public tax dollars, who take public votes on public issues that directly impact the public.  While everyone can understand Alspaugh’s desire to defend her two Save Shelby “friends” on the township Board (Trustee Manzella and Clerk Kowal), just as she did with her DARE argument, Mrs. Alspaugh proved that she just doesn’t get it.

In fact, Alspaugh insistence that past practice means nothing, combined with Save Shelby’s pack of lies about DARE, the police building and everything else, shows just how out of touch with reality these people truly are.

Until next time...