HEADLINE - "Skip Maccarone Rips State Leaders" ... Okay, so what else is new?

Supervisor Skip Maccarone's arrogance and "know-it-all" mentality is well known, both in Shelby Township and across Macomb County. Ask around, and anyone who is "connected" in Macomb County will tell you that arrogance and Skip Maccarone go hand-in-hand.

This arrogance and frustration were on display once again during Skip's State of the Community Address at Cherry Creek on Wednesday, February 6th. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out on Shelby cable. What we found telling in this speech is how much Skip believes (in his own mind) that everyone else in elected office is doing the wrong things, and how he has convinced himself that everything that he has done, and continues doing, is correct.

As reported in the February 7, 2008 issue of the Macomb Daily, Skip used his annual address as a platform to vent his intense anger at state lawmakers. Instead of using this speech to promote a positive vision of our township, and of our township's elected officials, Skip's negativity was surprising to many who sat stunned and watched him speak. Some called it unnecessary, while others said it was "pretty typical Maccarone." One thing is clear: Skip's negativism toward Lansing lawmakers overshadowed everything else.

"I must say that the state has failed us all," Maccarone declared. "I cannot fathom the devotion to partisanship we continue to see overriding one's oath of office to discharge their duties faithfully and for the common good."

Skip used this occasion to slam Governor Jennifer Granholm and criticized the Michigan Legislature. Skip said both the Republican and Democratic parties are to blame for our state's financial mess, and both parties are rearranging chairs on the deck of a ship that is sinking quickly.

"I am incensed at the incredible lack of leadership in both Houses, both parties and the office of the governor," said Maccarone. "In their parochial attempts to do anything that comes to mind, they are literally rearranging deck chairs on a ship that is floundering."

We have learned that State Senator Alan Sanborn and State Representative Brian Palmer are privately critical of Maccarone's latest attacks. As one person told us, "neither Sanborn nor Palmer view themselves as rearranging chairs. Yes, our ship is in trouble, but the problem clearly rests with the captain of the ship. Mr. Maccarone has a right to his opinion, but he should be more careful about who he casts a negative light upon."

Those who have observed Skip Maccarone over the years are really not surprised by his inflammatory outbursts. Attacks like these are common. Just ask other members of the township Board of Trustees. Just ask any resident or business owner who has come forth at a public meeting to voice their opinion, only to encounter the wrath of Maccarone. Finally, ask any township employee about their interactions with Maccarone and they will (privately) be less than flattering.

Skip's superiority complex is well known by people who know full well what is really going on in Shelby Township government.

And so it goes. Skip Maccarone's tirades will probably intensify...as he realizes his days in office are numbered. The countdown clock to the August 5th election keeps ticking, and very soon the voters who have been ignored, brushed aside, and ignored by Maccarone, will get our say at the ballot box.

Remember, our e-mail address is stopskip08@aol.com. We would appreciate hearing from residents who believe, as we do, that the time has come for a new Township Supervisor.