Recall's Goal: Putting Their Family and Friends First – Taxpayers Last!

Those handful of residents who are trying to recall our township officials falsely claim their only concern is to Save Shelby.  Yeah, right!  Save Shelby from what exactly?  Conservative spending?  Prudent financial planning?  Lower taxes?  Greater transparency?  Effective and workable reforms?  Greater government efficiency?  Enhanced public involvement in township decisions?

Or, perhaps, these people are trying to save Shelby for themselves????

The people in this group may pump themselves up as some kind of saviors, but they are far from it.  In fact, most township residents have questioned whether this recall is a power grab upon democracy by one towing family and their circle of friends in order to keep their gravy train rolling.

Is this how they plan to Save Shelby?  Save it for their selfish needs?

Predictably, the Nightingale family will deny any public involvement in the recall.  Sure, they come up and constantly spew their rubbish at Board meetings.  But they try to distance themselves from the actual recall.  As if residents are unable to connect the dots?????

For some reason, this clan doesn’t understand that in the computer age anything (and everything) can be found and verified/copied/distributed with the click of a mouse button.  Google is a fantastic research tool!

Case in point, the Nightingales and their Save Shelby scheme have a formal Facebook page.  We have written about this in a prior post.  On that page they display a list of “friends” — people who believe so strongly in their recall that they want the whole world to know where they stand.  Some of these “friends” don’t live in Shelby Township, while others are relative unknowns.  Some people who were “friends” had their name removed after being exposed.  The rest of their “friends” are people who, one could successfully argue, have a calculated political goal.

We are listing the names of the key figures in the Nightingale recall campaign.  As you can see, it is rather simple to connect the dots and see why they is trying to take revenge on others.

Linda DeRocher Maccarone — Wife of former Supervisor Skip Maccarone.  Maccarone has a personal grudge against Supervisor Rick Stathakis who trounced her husband in the 2008 Supervisor’s race by an unprecedented margin of 70%-to-30%.  Especially remarkable given how Maccarone believed he was invincible and unbeatable.
   Linda Maccarone, who works as administrator at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township, considers herself a devoted Christian.  She was quoted in the January 11, 2008 issue of the Michigan Catholic (a publication of the Archdiocese of Detroit) as proclaiming: “I think people need to be reminded that through our baptism, we’re called to serve God in some way.”  Does Maccarone think badmouthing Shelby Township officials (especially the man who defeated her husband) and helping distribute misleading information for a recall is serving God’s will? 

Lisa Manzella — Current Shelby Township Trustee.  Manzella has said that she has no involvement with the recall, but facts (and her statements) tell a different story!  Her hatred for Supervisor Stathakis is well documented - both in newspaper stories and e-mails.  We will expose those later.

Joe Manzella — Husband of Trustee Manzella.

Vito Manzella — Another member of the Manzella Bunch.

Terri Kowal – Current Shelby Township Clerk.  Mrs. Kowal had her name proudly linked as a “friend” on the Save Shelby Facebook site until she got CAUGHT.  When confronted about this she denied any knowledge or involvement.  However, her name then vanished from the site quicker than an airplane at a David Copperfield magic show.  Coincidence?
   By the way, Kowal has perfected the Friends and Family Plan of governing.  Kowal hands out township jobs to family members as if it were part of her official duties.  Her sister, her daughter and her grandson.  We will expose the Kowal Family Plan in a future post.

Nightingale Towing — We are amazed that the Nightingales actually have their company Facebook page linked to the recall.  They encourage customers to check out the Save Shelby website for disinformation about their recall.  Since the Nightingale family apparently wants to control all future towing work, could this be why they are drooling at the idea of kicking out certain township officials? 

Marsha Nightingale — Nightingale towing family member.

Tiffany Nightingale — Another Nightingale towing family member.

Christina Nightingale — Yet another Nightingale towing family member.

Robert Newell – Another member of the Nightingale gang.  On his Facebook page, Newell describes himself as Automotive Technician and Wrecker Driver at Nightingale Service and Towing.

Val Alspaugh — Previously known as Valarie Short.  She has also used the alias MommaVee.  She is married to Bradley Alspaugh and is a close associate of the Nightingales.  As you remember, Mr. Alspaugh filed of two sets of recall petitions against Supervisor Stathakis back in 2009 after the towing vote.  Its pretty obvious whose side Mrs. Alspaugh/Short/MommaVee is on — and what her agenda is.

Tom Delies — Mr Delies filed petitions against Stathakis over a zoning issue.  He is a close friend of the Nightingales and an associate of Trustee Lisa Manzella.

Angela Marasco Freeman — Wife of 2008 Shelby Township Treasurer candidate Brent Freeman.  Although Mr. Freeman lost, we understand he plans to run again.  Both Mrs. Freeman and her husband are supporters of the Nightingales.  Could Mr. Freeman see the Nightingales as potential source of campaign cash if/when he runs for a future political office?

Jill Bleeda – She is a close friend of the Nightingales who spoke on their behalf (and verbally condemned Trustees) at the televised meeting when the Board voted unanimously to put towing services out to competitive bid.  She also came before the Board this year to urge residents to support the current Nightingale recall.

Cathy Morris — Friend of Jill Bleeda.  Morris and Bleeda are listed as employees of the Morris Insurance Group in Clinton Township.  They also list an office in Rochester.  Morris is also a personal friend of the Nightingales.  

Debbie Z. Zalewski — A Shelby Township real estate agent and associate of the Maccarones.  Zalewski is currently President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Rochester Chapter.
   Zalewski’s group is hosting a forum on April 14, 2011 in downtown Rochester entitled “Art of Negotiating” and her guest speaker is (SURPRISE!) Ralph “Skip” Maccarone.  At that meeting, Maccarone will be giving advice for how to get the edge over your competition.  Apparently, one way Zalewski, Maccarone and the Save Shelby gang want to get a power edge in Shelby is through a recall.

Richard Bottcher — You remember this guy.  He is a former Shelby Supervisor.  The joke around Shelby when he was in office was that he BOTCHED up everything (and anything) he touched.  He was an utter failure.  Is he, perhaps, looking for a political comeback?  We will expose more about his failed four years as Supervisor at a later date.

Finally, there is Noel Nightingale.  Good old boy Noel may not be listed as a “friend” on the Save Shelby Facebook page, but that doesn’t matter.  Noel’s home in SW Shelby is “home base” for his family’s recall and the center of their effort to collect money.

Back in October 2009, Noel launched the recall madness by filing petitions against Supervisor Stathakis after the township Board voted unanimously (7-0) to put towing services out for competitive bid.  The Nightingales verbally protested this vote, and began their witch hunt against some township elected officials.  Since Mrs. Kowal and Mrs. Manzella are “friends”, this explains why they are untouchable to the Nightingales.  The Nightingales were given a three-year towing contract after the first company was disqualified for failing to meet township specifications.  The vote to award them the contract was 6-to-1, with Trustee Mike Flynn dissenting.  Even though the Nightingales have their coveted towing contract, they continue their recall threats and attacks.

As you can see, this crew is certainly no ordinary family.  They are a politically-motivated gang with a axe to grind.  They are engaging in a campaign of deception and disinformation to try and kick out our township officials.  They want to turn Shelby Township into the Nightingale Republic of Shelby.  We can’t let them succeed.

Ask yourself if these people are being honest about their recall intentions?  Are these just concerned citizens, or people concerned about their personal interests? Are people like this, who are trying to hide the real reasons for the recall, qualified to lecture anyone about “transparency”?

If you are approached by someone pushing or encouraging you to sign a petition, speak up.   Decline to sign, and remember you do not have to provide these people with any explanation.  If they persist, tell them to leave or you will call the police.  If you can get the discussion on video, even better.  Send it to us and let us do the rest.

Finally, keep in mind the REAL meaning of the word RECALL:
    R = Ridiculous
    E = Effort to
    C = Create
    A = Acrimony by
    L = Ludicrous
    L = Loudmouths

Until next time...

Public Employee Pension Squeeze Threatens to Suffocate Us All!

From the INSIDE OUT e-mail files...

We begin by reprinting some e-mails we have received from interested readers.  Remember, if you have anything to share, or information to pass along, send us an e-mail.  The information will remain confidential, so there is no fear of retaliation.

 “Hey Inside out.  Like our neighbors, we are WORRIED about PENSIONS for township employees.  The information presented by the treasurer at the Mar. 15th Board of trustees meeting was eye opening.  I think our police officers do a good job.  But why they are getting involved in a political recall is strange.  Yes it is their right, but it certainly don’t make it right.”
M.S., Shelby Township homeowner

“I am a lifetime union member.  Worked my entire life in the real world - or what I call the private sector.  I am tired of hearing how public unions keep wanting, and taking, more.  Where I worked we had to accept less, or lose work.  That's the way it is in the real world.  I hope our trustees don’t cave to the whims of these people and give them whatever they want.  They want everything their way, and if they can’t get it the legal way they will try to grab it anyway they can, including forcing a recall.  And as for the Nightingales and their conduct -- don't get me started.  It’s time people start standing up to these bullies.” 
N.B., Shelby Township

“This recall needs to stop.  The people need to do what we can to let these jerks know we won’t sit by and accept their political games.  My friends have been talking about boycotting the Nightingales.  Maybe this is the only way we residents will get our message out loud and clear.” 
L.S., 38-year Shelby Township taxpayer

“The recall cranks just came to my house.  I told them no way and to go away.  They were surprised and didn’t know what to say.  I encourage other residents to do the same and not play their political game.”
D.H., Shelby resident

Thanks for writing.  As to the boycott suggestion, people are free to do whatever they want.  However, if you do organize one may we suggest changing the name from “boycott” to something like “do not patronize.”  It may be easier to convince residents not to patronize a particular company rather than engage in a more confrontational boycott.

Shelby Township’s financial picture is serious right now.  This is why we need people in elected office with a business sense of how to keep our township on the right track, without having to cut vital services or raise taxes to support operations.  Supervisor Stathakis and the Board have done their job — and for this they are being demonized by a few vocal antagonists.

The issue of public employee union benefits is huge, not just in Shelby Township but across Michigan and throughout the country.  Back when times were good, hardly anyone noticed the pension and health care benefits public employees receive.  However, now that times are tough, everyone is taking note.  What we are learning is that public employee pensions are larger than we thought, and the financial impact of lifetime health care for retirees and their families places an unsustainable burden on all taxpayers.

Studies show that public employee union benefits are much more lucrative than they are in the private sector.  Further, although unions brag about solidarity, studies also show that private sector union members are also angry about how public employee unions keep raking it in, while private sector union members, who are taxpayers, are earning less, are paying more for their health care and are being forced to accept cuts in pension benefits.  Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has discussed “shared sacrifice” as essential to getting our state back on the right course.  Unfortunately, while private sector workers are willing to sacrifice for the common good, many public employee unions don’t appear willing to give up anything.  In fact, they seem more eager to fight, including launching recalls to get rid of elected officials who dare talk about reform.

The legacy costs of public pensions and health benefits (funded by our tax dollars) have been a sore point for quite some time.  Even though taxpayers are picking up the tab, the unions resent making this information public knowledge.  Union leaders object when talk emerges of exposing the lifetime pensions and health care benefits union retirees receive.  Despite union protests, an overwhelming majority of taxpayers believe this information MUST be made public.  Taxpayers deserve to know what our money is being used for, how much employees are receiving when they retire, and what this means to our township’s overall financial strength and viability.

Shelby Township Treasurer Paul Viar has been a consistent voice for taxpayers since he was first elected.  At the Tuesday, March 15th Board of Trustees meeting, Treasurer Viar raised the subject of township employee retiree benefits and their impact on taxpayers.  Judging from the buzz across the township after his statement, there is a strong feeling of resentment that the police union, with their golden taxpayer-funded pensions and health care, is trying to remove our township officials.

We are reprinting Treasurer Viar’s remarks for those who may not have heard them.

_____________________________________

Remarks by Treasurer Paul Viar at the March 15, 2011 Shelby Township Board of Trustees Meeting

As everyone knows, the current recall is about a township zoning issue.

Should we believe that some members of the police union are circulating petitions about a township zoning case, when only 11 out of the 70 officers live in and pay taxes in the township?

It’s hard for people to reconcile that these union members are truly upset about a rezoning issue.  People are wondering if there is another issue – perhaps one closer to the union’s pocketbook - that has them upset.  It may interest residents to know:

Shelby Township taxpayers are on the hook for $5 million dollars to fund lifetime health care benefits for retirees at the 41-A District Court.

Taxpayers are also on the hook for a $30 million shortfall in Shelby’s police and fire pension fund.

Further, taxpayers are also on the hook for approximately $60 million in post-employment health care costs for retiring township general employees.

This means that Shelby taxpayers are responsible for an alarming $95 million dollars in unfunded pension and health care obligations.

I have warned many times in the past how this township needs to cut spending and change the way we do business.  I was often ignored.  My point was that if we refused to make changes voluntarily, the day would come when we would be forced to make changes.

Could we assume that some members of the police union are walking door-to-door soliciting signatures to kick people out of office because they did not get a pay increase the past two years that this current Board has been in office?

To give some history:
• In 2005 the police union asked for, and the township gave them, a 3 percent wage increase.
• In 2006, the union was given a 2.75 percent increase in pay.
• In 2007, the union received a 2.5 percent increase in pay.
• And in 2008, the union again received 2.50 percent pay increase.

However, times have changed.  In 2009, the first year this new Board was in office, the union requested a 3% pay increase and got no increase.  Then, in 2010, the union asked for a 2.25% wage increase and again got no increase.

In addition, from 2005 to 2008, retroactive pay received by union command officers resulted in an additional taxpayer payout of $725,338.95.

As we know, public safety officers are covered by Act 312 arbitration.  This Act prohibits strikes and empowers the union to seek binding arbitration for contract disputes.

Upon settlement of the last contract, there were nine issues in dispute, which the union took to binding arbitration. Due to economic conditions in Shelby Township and Michigan, the arbitrator ruled in favor of taxpayers, and against the union, on all nine of those issues.

The Command Officers union then sued the arbitrator for siding with taxpayers. That suit was upheld in favor of Shelby taxpayers by the Macomb County Circuit Court.  The union then appealed that decision, and the case is now before the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Since wages are one of the disputes in the current police union contract, I will refer to the Annual Final Compensation worksheet for one of the most recent police command officers who retired in 2010.

To compute a retirees’ pension, you take the highest three years of earnings in the final ten years of employment. Upon reviewing this one retiree’s Annual Final Compensation sheet, we see that:
• In 2007, this officer earned $140,952.97
• In 2008 this same officer earned $131,767.60
• In 2009, he earned almost $139,324.58

This command officer’s total compensation for those three years was $412,059.15.

Now here is the important point:  Using these years for pension calculation, as he did, means that this one union member, who retired at age 52, will receive $85,522 in pension, per year, every year, for the rest of his life.  This one retiree will get almost $86,000 of your tax money for his pension, per year, for the rest of his life.  And if he dies, the survivor will get 60% of that amount for the rest of their life.

Another issue in dispute for the union involves health care.  The annual cost of retiree health care for each command officer  — paid by taxpayers — is $16,647.58 per retiree.

If you add these annual pension and health care costs together, you get a final taxpayer obligation — to just one retiree — of more than $102,000 per year, every year, for life.

Some may say you’re talking about command officers, and they receive higher salaries, higher benefits and larger pensions. However, in the history of Shelby Township’s police department, only three officers have retired as patrolmen. Two of those were disability retirements.

If anyone doubts this data, or tries to say the information given is untrue, you can see it for yourself at my office. This is also available by filing a Freedom of Information Request with the Township Clerk’s office.  Since taxpayers are paying these golden benefits, we have a right to know the facts.

_____________________________________

Surprisingly, some people and interest groups in Shelby Township do not want residents to know what our tax dollars are being used for.  Some employees feel entitled to keep their salaries and benefits (paid for by taxpayers) a secret.  They have a good thing and don’t want it spoiled by inquisitive taxpayers.

However, since we are stockholders in this township, we have a right to know what OUR employees are earning (working or in retirement).  The unions want to keep this financial information away from us.  Could this be a big reason why some elements of the police union are supporting the Nightingale recall of township officials?  Are they trying to silence those who want to inform taxpayers?

Finally, we thank all our readers for their increased interest in The INSIDE OUT.  Viewership has soared recently, thanks in large part to an advertisement in the March 16, 2011 Shelby-Utica News.  We have reprinted the ad/cartoon at right, in case you missed it.

Is this editorial cartoon funny?  You bet it is!  More than that, however, this cartoon puts the recall stupidity into context - so people can see what is going on.  It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  If so, then this cartoon is worth a million!

The graphic clearly depicts two roads for our township:  a paved, modern road to the future, or a bumpy and crumbling path to the past. A tow truck is seen tearing the township hall off its foundation so it can drag it (and us) back to the days when unions got their way, there was little accountability through competitive bids for services, township spending was out of control, there were plans to spend $50 million dollars on new bonds (without a public vote) for oversized township buildings, and all taxpayers were facing the real risk of higher taxes.  Just imagine where Shelby would be today if, given our financial progress, we were saddled with trying to pay the bills on a $50 million campus!

Those who want to drag Shelby Township back to the way things used to be certainly have their preferred travel destination — but is it yours?

Don’t be fooled or tricked into signing their recall petition.  Keep in mind who is really behind it and what their actual motivations may be.  If they succeed, we fear this group’s message to this Board, and all future Boards would be:  “Remember Stathakis - we did it to him and we will do it to you.  Don’t touch our contract!”

If so, that will be disastrous for Shelby Township taxpayers!

Until next time...

TOWNSHIP ALERT: Beware of the Recall “Formula For Disaster”

Public debate and discussion are fantastic.  Not only do they embolden our democracy, but they also open our minds to new ideas and give people differing viewpoints on important issues.  Educated voters are the best voters, and the ones least likely to be mislead into making the wrong decisions.

Right now, the word RECALL is being thrown around almost everywhere you look.  We are hearing it here in Shelby Township, where a minority is trying to kick out township officials for doing their job.  We see it in Lansing, where some people are actually trying to recall Governor Rick Snyder for doing the job he was elected to do, even though he has only been on the job a few short months.  We saw it in Wisconsin, where public employee unions and their supporters, upset about changes to save that state from financial ruin, cried “recall” after lawmakers reformed the way state unions operate.

People who engage in this kind of recall extremism hope that the mere mention of the word recall will send a chill down the spines of elected officials.  Recalls are a way for special interests, and defeated politicians, to protect their agenda, promote their interests, and try to settle a political score.  More often than not, recalls are about the people behind them than they are about the public good.

When we examine the Shelby recall, we find that there are really three segments of our township that are actually behind it.

The Nightingale Family.  The Nightingales repeatedly claim their anger is not about towing.  They said it again at the Tuesday, March 15th Board meeting.  Since they keep repeating that this is not about towing, it leads us to believe that their whole issue may really be about TOWING!
   The Nightingale recall threats began in 2009.  When the Board of Trustees voted 7-to-0 to put towing services out to competitive bid, their recall chants started.  Noel Nightingale was the first to file petitions in response to the towing bid.  The Nightingales were, and still are, behind the recall. Their attitude seems to be that since they have done the towing work for 50+ years, they don’t think it is necessary for the township to get bids.  That may be their opinion, but what do you think?

Shelby Township Police Union.  Some elements of the township police union have joined the Nightingales by walking door-to-door trying to collect signatures.  Since the Board has not handed out pay raises that the union wanted during the past two years (out of concern for the financial well-being of the township), does the union think the best way to put more money into their pockets is to eliminate certain Board members?  

Nightingale Friends and Family.  Friends and family of the Nightingales have jumped on the bandwagon.  Is this recall designed to make sure the Nightingales and the unions continue getting what they always got?

Afters weeks of enduring personal character smears and deliberate misinformation from the Shelby recall addicts, Supervisor Rick Stathakis is speaking out.  His recent advertisement in the Source newspaper raises some very interesting questions that all taxpayers should get answers to.  We have scanned and reprinted the ad at right.  If you want a larger version, just click on the ad.

Supervisor Stathakis has decided that the most effective way to get the truth out to the people about this recall initiative is to speak directly to the people.  While Mr. Stathakis has taken a positive approach to help educate voters, his enemies are engaging in nasty personal attacks.  Do they believe the best way to advance their personal interests is to try and destroy the integrity of our township officials and smear the very community they claim they want to “Save”?

Is it the responsibility of government (any government) to put the personal interests of special interest groups, or the demands of employee unions, ahead of the needs of taxpayers?

The recall addicts feel entitled to certain things.  But what about Shelby taxpayers?  What are WE entitled to?
• Aren’t we entitled to have conservative elected officials who understand the financial pressures our township is facing and who are striving to save our township from bankruptcy?  Let’s never forget how financially-troubled Shelby was just three years ago, due to excess spending and a refusal to tackle tough issues.
• Aren’t we entitled to have elected officials with the wisdom and foresight to do what is right to protect our pocketbooks from higher taxes?  Let’s never forget how the last Supervisor (and Trustee Lisa Manzella) wanted to spend $50 million on a “campus” without any vote or input from taxpayers.
 • Aren’t we entitled to have independent township officials who are not beholden to, or frightened by, special interests or unions?
• Aren’t we entitled to an open discussion about the future of our township, without fearing retaliation from the people or groups who oppose change?

As a taxpayer, ask yourself what is more important to YOU?  The needs of one particular towing company, or the needs of your family?  What is more relevant to YOU?  What an employee union demands from taxpayers, or what taxpayers expect from the township employees we pay for through our tax dollars?

People have written asking what they can do to stop special interests from tightening their grip on our township.  Here are some tips to keep in mind:

(1) If you see someone on your front porch that you don’t know, don’t answer the door right away.  Get your cell phone camera, or digital video camera, and record what these people say to you about the recall.  Their reasons and justifications.  Then send us the video and we will post it for all to see.
(2) If you are approached by someone and asked to sign a petition, make the right choice and DECLINE TO SIGN.  When you say “no” the discussion is over.  Period!
(3) If, after declining to sign, these people persist on asking why you don’t want to sign, you have no obligation to speak with them about this, or to explain why you oppose their recall.  No means no.  If they still continue to spout their recall diatribe, speak up and ask the individual “what part of the word NO don’t you understand?”
(4) Ask them who they are really representing?  If they say they are just an ordinary concerned resident, don’t take their claim at face value.  You have a right to know who you are talking to and what their true motives are.

Some Twp. Democrats Join the Recall Attack. 
What Possible Motive Could They Have?

Residents who observed the Tuesday, March 15th Board of Trustees meeting saw some familiar faces speaking from the floor.  Even though the Nightingale Bunch, with their recall declarations, hoped to be the talk of the town, they were overshadowed by another character named Robert Denison.

This white-haired gentleman may be a new face to some, but he is no newcomer to politics.  We were shocked to see Denison stand before the Board at a televised meeting and arrogantly challenge Trustees to have him arrested.  It was comical to watch, and we couldn’t help but wonder if there is something seriously wrong with this guy?  Who, in their right mind, would publicly dare someone to drag him from the Board room in chains and handcuffs?

Denison screamed at the Board about how he stands up for ordinary people.  He painted himself as someone we can trust.  Can we?  Or does he, perhaps, have a more personal reason to come forth now and join the recall attack?

Robert “the Democrat” Denison is a retired International Representative from the United Auto Workers union.  He is a Democrat who ran against Congresswoman Candice Miller for the U.S. Congress in 2006 and 2008.  In fact, Denison has been a candidate for every political office he could think of.  First the Michigan State Senate, then State House, then the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, and most recently the U.S. Congress.

Here is what Act Blue, a political website promoting liberal causes, wrote about Denison when he was running for Congress:  “Our guy is Robert Denison, a Labor Union Organizer and Democratic Activist.  My gut says that the Union is going to turn out in force on this one and that they’re just going to carry the day.”

Denison was crushed in his attempt to defeat Congresswoman Candice Miller.  So what happened?  The union couldn’t “carry the day”?

At the March 15th Board meeting, Denison announced that he can’t be bought.  He made a point of emphasizing this self-righteous proclamation as he condemned Trustees, or any politician, who accepts campaign contributions when they run for office.  Is there something illegal about political candidates accepting voluntary donations from individuals and businesses that support a particular candidate and his or her agenda?  Is there something wrong with citizens wanting to support candidates for public office by volunteering for, voting for, or (God forbid) writing a contribution check to that candidate?

When he ran for Congress against Congresswoman Miller in 2006, campaign finance reports showed that Denison readily accepted campaign cash.  In fact, nearly all of his money came from the UAW PAC and other labor union political action committees.  He also collected thousands more from Democratic Party and liberal political committees.

So, while Denison now boasts that he can’t be bought, since he happily accepted donations from unions and their PACs during previous campaigns, doesn’t this suggest he might be “persuaded” to vote a certain way by his union backers?  If not bought, then maybe, perhaps, leased?

During his 2006 congressional campaign, the League of Women Voters asked Denison this question: “What government measures would you propose to improve access to affordable health care?” 

Here was his written response:
“Every industrialized nation in the world, except the U.S., uses a universal health care system to provide medical care for its citizens. I would work to support a universal health care system.” 

Denison clarified his position when the Shelby-Utica News asked, in a campaign questionnaire, what his priorities in Congress would be.  Once again, Denison said health care was a priority, specifying that as a Congressman he would work to “Develop a single-payer health care system.”

There you have it.  Robert “the Democrat” Denison supports government-controlled health care, and undoubtedly other liberal issues.  That may be his priority, but is it yours?

When he ran for Congress in 2008, Denison again collected campaign donations and nearly all that money came from his union buddies.  Since he loves campaign cash from unions, using his logic would he then be bought and paid for by the unions?

Robert “the Democrat” Denison is a perennial candidate who seems to have his eyes on another political prize – perhaps one here in Shelby Township?  Since he is a liberal Democrat, could this be why he is now trashing our conservative, Republican Board of Trustees?  Since he is a strong union member, could his outrage stem from the fact that our Board has gotten tough with township unions?  Could Denison’s vision of holding an elected township position explain his mystical appearance at Board meetings?

When you think about it, this whole recall debacle can be explained by a basic mathematical formula:
N x U + D = R
Nightingales x Unions + Democrats = Recall
THIS IS, WITHOUT QUESTION, A FORMULA FOR DISASTER!

These people claim that they want to Save Shelby.  If so, what are they trying to save Shelby for?  Themselves?

Until next time...

Uniting To Save Shelby Township From The “Save Shelby” Mob

Oh what a tangled web they weave, when Shelby’s recall radicals try and deceive!

The efforts by a small band of residents who want to get rid of our township officials - leaders who are cutting spending without impacting vital services, enhancing public safety, protecting Shelby taxpayers during tough financial times, and enhancing our overall quality of life - is backfiring.  The lies these people are circulating to try and trick people into signing petitions is having the opposite effect.

Most Shelby Township taxpayers recognize the truth and don't want any part of this political muck.  People we have spoken to about this, and exposed the truth about the recall, are angry at those involved and committed to fighting back against this band of dissidents.

What is surprising is the lengths that these people will go to push their ill-conceived recall, and the depths they will sink to try and trick and/or coerce people into signing their petitions.

Shelby residents are asking several poignant questions:
• Who is really behind this recall?
• Who is pulling the strings?
• Who is bankrolling this outlandish slap in the face to township residents?
• What is the real agenda here?

The answer is somewhat complicated, but one thing is certain: the Nightingale family is the chief architect of the recall.  They will deny it to your face, concerned about the backlash public exposure will cause, but the facts speak differently.

We have previously written about how their group is circulating lies and smears via Facebook.  We have been following their vain attempt to paint themselves as just ordinary residents with no political agenda.  But this is no ordinary family.  On the contrary, this is a family with a clear feeling of entitlement and a determination to keep people in office who will massage this feeling.

The Nightingale clan has a crude website to spread their lies.  Sadly, they are not about to let fact and truth get in the way of their message.  They will say anything, do anything and make up just about anything to try and convince people that our township officials are not doing their job.  They are lying, they know it, but they just don’t care.

We have long wondered who exactly was putting together the so-called Save Shelby website.  We had our suspicions, but they were just educated guesses.  Now the guessing is over.

As you can see from the graphic on the right, the Nightingale family is administering the Save Shelby website.  How do we know?  Because the home page of the Nightingale business Facebook page says very clearly that the Nightingales updated the website.  "Hi everybody, check out the new update to the SaveShelby site."  It also states that "Nightingale has updated Save Shelby."  So they can try and run from the truth, but they will never hide the fact that this family is responsible for spreading misinformation to their circle of "friends."  Click on the image for a closer look.

Here's another interesting fact.  On their website this group is pleading for money.  They ask that all donations be sent to a house on Huling Street in Shelby Township.  The obvious question is, “Who lives at 46822 Huling?”  So we went on-line to Shelby Township's website and, after scanning the township's assessing records (public information), got the answer.

According to Shelby Township's tax records, the owner of that home is Noel Ryan Nightingale.  If you don't believe us, go to the township's website and check it out yourself - this is public information.

Who is Noel Nightingale?  Where have we heard that name before?  Noel was the Nightingale who filed recall petitions against the Supervisor and Treasurer in 2009 after the Board voted to seek competitive bids for township towing work.

We all remember that televised Board of Trustees meeting where Nightingale family member after family member after family member came up to trash the Board.  We recall how one Nightingale crony pointed fingers and screamed at the Board in a very menacing manner.  The Nightingale recall threats started in 2009, and continue today.

Family patriarch John Nightingale is on record as saying “this is my township” when discussing the urgency of this matter.  He also told a small crowd at a recent recall gathering that he would personally recruit people from outside the township and pay them to get signatures.  The Nightingales like to cry foul about money and politics, but when it comes to bankrolling this recall madness, money and special interests buying a recall election are fine and dandy?

So the Nightingales are spreading disinformation, organizing meetings and asking for donations, all while claiming they have nothing to do with the recall?  Do they think we are that stupid?

The Nightingale family’s threats have been condemned as “political terrorism” as they pushed their “family first” demands upon the township.  We should all be alarmed when a small group can hold our township hostage to their demands.   President Ronald Reagan had a firm policy of not negotiating with terrorists, and Shelby Township should heed the Gipper’s advice.

Today, the Nightingales seem hell bent on kicking out Supervisor Stathakis, Treasurer Viar and anyone else on the Board who disagrees with their vision of entitlement.  Why?  Perhaps they figure if they can get rid of certain officials, and get their chosen people elected, they will never have to worry about bids for towing?  Will the Nightingales expect a return on their “investment” if they get their candidates elected to township office?

What the Nightingales are trying to do is NOT okay.  They are using false arguments to disguise the true intent of their recall:  CONTROL!  Their “family first” crusade against township officials and taxpayers must not succeed - or our entire township (and our cherished democracy) will be in jeopardy.  We can only hope that investigative reports by Fox 2 and Channel 7 will shed greater light on what is really taking place and who is hiding behind the curtain.

Are we condemning the Nightingales for participating in democracy?  Of course not.  By law they have a right to conduct their recall.  However, Shelby taxpayers believe that people who falsely complain that our Supervisor and Board lack transparency should be transparent about their recall by coming clean and telling the truth about who is involved and why.  Come out of the shadows and stand in the light for all residents to see and judge for themselves.  What do they have to hide? 

Meanwhile, if you see any of these people in your neighborhood, don’t fall into their trap.  Refuse to sign a petition and don’t let them try to fool you, bully you, trick you, or intimidate you into signing.  You have the legally-protected right to say NO - and no means no.

Until next time...