Fred Roperti's Reflections

Bad Government's Christmas Gift to You - Longer Waits for Emergency Help

Dear Board Members,

 On Thursday December 16, 2010 I learned of a proposed Township vehicle policy which requires Fire Department rescue/emergency response vehicles to be parked at the Township Hall property, rather than with the trained first responders assigned to the vehicle, resulting in emergency response times being increased.  

 Does this board believe that medical services will be provided in a faster, more efficient and safer manner by this policy? Apparently four of you do – the Board voted to immediately enforce the new parking requirement pending a Board vote on the new proposed policy.  This new policy will be considered for adoption at a "Special Board Meeting" scheduled for Monday December 20, 2010 at 11:00 AM, instead of a usual 7:00 PM starting time.

 Does this board believe that the residents that you are supposed to be serving will hear about this special meeting, called during Christmas week, and be able to attend at 11 am? Apparently 4 of you do. Would any reasonable person consider this a coincidence, especially when current use of these trucks has been in force for many years?  

 Currently, there are three pickup-type trucks which are assigned to, and stay with, certain Fire Department first responder personnel.  The purpose of this practice, should it not be obvious, is to quickly respond to any emergency experienced by our residents within our Township.  This has been a policy for years because there is a life and death component to time delay: heart-attack, stroke, accidents in the home or vehicle, children in danger of injury, or the initial stages of a fire where an immediate response may mean the difference between life or death, or permanent injury.  

 It should be obvious that any emergency response time is shorter when a trained-first responder can proceed directly to the emergency site without stopping, changing vehicles, and driving out of the way to do so.  

 The Board could have a list prepared from over the last 10 years of calls answered by these vehicles where an immediate response (prior to arrival of the large Fire Department vehicles, or police or EMS) provided critical help to any resident.  It will be apparent that this new policy, which removes the immediate use of an emergency vehicle, puts township residents at risk. 

 If any resident suffers harm as a result of this new policy, then it appears that the Township will be liable for damages if the Township Board knowingly approved a policy that could result in such harm.  Furthermore, if it is found that if such Board action was deliberately taken that falls within a pattern of on-going actions against certain fire fighters, then it appears the Township could also be liable for punitive damages.  Fulfilling vendettas and ruling personal fiefdoms does not make good governance. It only makes for liability, and ultimately, it is the residents that are harmed.

 I hope that the four Board members use this letter to recall their higher purpose of serving the public well, and vote in the best interests of the people of Salem Township. Please forward a copy of this communication to the Township Attorney who needs to be aware of these concerns and the potential liability to the Township.

 Sincerely,

 Fred Roperti 

 

 

Board Voting Monday December 20 at 11 am on our Health, Welfare and Safety - guess who's gonna lose?

On December 14, 2010 the Fire Chief received a call at 10:13 pm informing him that on a 4-3 vote (no - Brien, David and Susan) the board voted to park the small fire trucks - and at this time they cannot be used.  

 

Monday 12/20 at 11:00 am the Board planned a special meeting to adopt the attached vehicle policy.  This will allow them to adopt the policy with little resistance from the public. Download MOTOR VEHICLE POLICY (Revised 12-15-10) - DRAFT

 Your Tax Dollars at Rest                   

If you are concerned about an increase in response time when you call 9-1-1 for the fire department you may want to voice your opinion.  Emails can be sent to townboard@salem-mi.org.  The new policy will require firefighters to drive to the station, get a truck and then to the scene.  For the past 10 years the small trucks have driven right to the scene.

 

Please forward this to your friends and neighbors.

For the Salem Village Green, I thank you...

Previously I brought up the subject of the Village Green, how it was conceived as a perfect place in the Hamlet.  Also, I mentioned how it was built through the generous contribution of funds and services by many people and businesses.  No matter how often they have been thanked through phone calls and letters, it doesn‘t seem adequate.  Now I would like to list everyone that helped to make a vision come true, so you will know who they are and can thank if there is an opportunity.   

Cash contributions were divided into 3 categories: Platinum, Gold and Silver, as well as a category for Service Contributors. I'd like to show you a picture of the sign that lists these contibutors, but it has mysteriously disappeared from township property - coincidentally right before the November 2 election.

Platinum Contributions - $17,000     Dr. Jay & Wanda Moon                      Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center                Gary & Sherry Whittaker        Northville Crossing Venture LLC      Gold Contributions - $8,000 All American Storage Dr. Ann Cavendar Fred & Gina Roperti Garan Lucow Miller PC International Transportation Co. (ITC) Larry Sant, Builder McClain & Winters PC R&R Heavy Haulers Rotundo Brothers Schostak Brothers & Co. Silver Contributions - $2,575     AA Anchor Bolt Advanced Assessment Technology Chris & Megan Crespi Cribley Well Drilling Don Pennington, Township Planner Dr. Tim & Barbara Dobson Edith’s Market Eugene & Paula Hornback  Gardner Westcott Co. Karl’s Family Restaurant Lyco Engineering Maria Kearns Plymouth Office Supply Post Smythe Lutz & Ziel LLP Ron & Joan Handloser R&R Fire Truck Repair Salem Hills Golf Club Service Contributions - $23,550  DTE, Utility Provider - Utility Pole & Wiring Dave Herriman, Township Building Inspector - Carpentry Jim Fulkerson, Township Resident - Landscaping Mark Hamilton, Township Fire Chief - Soil Preparation Michael Bruggink, Landscape Architect – Architectural services Pat Curley, Salem Resident - Carpentry                       Plante Moran, Township Auditors - Accounting Services Reggie DeLuca, Township Resident - Concrete Work R&R Heavy Haulers, Township Business – Trucking Sign Studio, former resident – Township Green Sign Design,               Creation and Installation

The Salem Village Green is in the center of the Hamlet, and is intended to be the heart of the Township.

How Did We Get Here - a Partial Answer

In my last note I asked the question:  How did we get here?  After living here for 31 years I have never seen such vicious politics of vindictiveness and downright hatred for certain people on their “list.” Some of the people on the list include me, Linda and Mark Hamilton, Attorney Doug Winters, Assessors Pat and Greg Zemekis, Bonnie Cook, Brien Witkowski, David Trent, Ray Givens, Diane Ferris, and Fire Fighters Ed Signer and Kirk Ferris - and the list seems to be growning every day.  Can you imagine that their campaign literature includes as if it were nothing that Supervisor Heyl, Treasurer Uherek and Trustee Wallazy were elected to “clean out the cockroaches” that have infiltrated Salem Township Government.  Unbelieveable.

Sure, it was these same “cockroaches” that kept Salem Township rural this past decade.  In spite of the rapid development that was happening until the crash of 2008, there still is not a gas station or a strip mall in Salem, hard to believe.  More cockroach accomplishments...when I was elected Supervisor in 2000 there was about $2.7 million in the bank and by November 2008 there was $7.5 million in the bank.  That’s an average savings of $600,000 per year, including the years that our gas revenues were cut to $0 overnight, and we were paying large legal bills to reclaim our money.  And through successful litigation, we did get all our backdated revenue and restored our future revenue of at least $30 million in landfill gas over the life of the landfill. Very insect-like, right?

So why do they hate us so much?  In my case it might just be because I have zero tolerance for dishonest and deceptive people.  My father was that way and I’m that way too.  I  will not be intimidated by a few powerful bullies who have never done anything positive for the Township.  I’m not afraid of any person, machine or animal.  [Note to older sister Jen: Yes, I'm still afraid of you.] In fact, she often asks me "why are you so stupid..." questions. Right now I hear her yelling, "Why are you so stupid for getting involved in politics when you should be retired?”

 Good Question, Sis - Why Should I Get Involved?

This year I’m missing my yearly October trip to Vermont with my daughter so we can admire nature’s showcase of colors in the mountains.  I have put off Fall clean-up projects that I’m able to do with my tractor, it’s the best time of the year and I have always enjoyed it.  There’s not that many more years left for me to do the kinds of things I enjoy.  But it is much more important to me that the people of Salem Township know what is going on, and what is at risk. I have loved living in Salem Township for the past 31 years, and I would like it to continue to be a great place to live. That's why I served honestly and with integrity for 10 years, despite all the ridiculous and unfounded accusations I read about from the opposing camp. I wonder why they are so worried about smearing me instead of telling you about what they've been up to? They can't provide ANY proof whatsoever of what they accuse me of - because there is none - but right at their finger tips they have their record. Remarkable.

With what I have seen with this new Board the past two years, and what might happen to the Township in the next two years, how could I live with myself if I didn’t try my best to make this known?  We have this one opportunity to restore Salem to what it has been and should continue to be. 

Just look at the material that HEYL, UHEREK, AND WALLAZY have sent out thru their PAC "Salem Citizens for Truth." Looking at their flyers and postcards (despite using the word "truth" a lot) tells you that they have accomplished nothing but let their personal grudges, petty grievances, and hunger for power run this township, rather than what is best for the People of Salem.

I wouldn't normally tell people what to do, but I am asking you to do the right thing for Salem and RECALL HEYL, UHEREK, AND WALLAZY before they do something that can't be undone.

I'm sure we kind find honest people who have Salem’s best interest at heart to step up and serve our community. I'd like to be fully and permentely retired, not worrying what self-serving, community destroying is going on again down at townhall. At the same time, we need to keep  David Trent and Brien Witkowski who (along with Sue Bejin) have tried so hard to keep some normalcy in Salem.  It’s hard to imagine what it would have been without them the past two years. 

How Did We Get Here?

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe that it has been 2 months since I last posted news on this website, wow how time flies!  After taking an extended vacation to Europe through most of April and May, we left again in early September to spend time with my sister in Florida who had a stroke earlier in the year.  She is 88 years old and doing very well - there's some serious genetics at work there! We celebrated my birthday with lunch at a casino, where she won a $10,000 jackpot, while I played for 2 hrs on $11 at nickle poker.

Quick aside - I want to thank our new neighbors for watering the flowers in containers while we were gone and for watching the house, it was safe and secure.  Welcome to the neighborhood and Salem Township, M and R.

Being gone for so long during the spring and summer months put me well behind in work around my place.  Due to a car accident last year when I was rear-ended by someone chatting on her cell phone, I have been limited in my ability to work because of injury to my back and neck.  But thanks to help from my sister and nephew, most of the work in the garden and flower beds was able to get done, although there's lot's of repairs and routine maintenance that won't get done.

Upon our return from this last trip, we found the latest round of trash talk from the Recallable Three, Heyl, Uherek and Wallazy.  I'm not sure how printing photos of me, Linda Hamilton, and Bonnie Cook is supposed to convince residents that they should not be recalled. Is the idea supposed to be that since I squint when I listen, that their record in office is above reproach?  Or because Linda and Bonnie sit next to each other Heyl, Uherek and Wallazy shouldn't be recalled? I guess I just don't get the connection - does anyone?

Their record includes firing the township attorney who served us successfully for 9 years, who has done so much to preserve our way of life in the 8 years we were in office.  And on the same day, hiring a new Attorney firm in about a 30 minute interview by waiving Township Policy.  Then paying these same new Attorneys thousands of dollars to find ways to evict the Post Office.  They also dissolved the Fire Administrative Board (FAB) so they could directly go after the fire fighters forcing them to join a union to protect themselves.  And that’s just the beginning as you will find out in future news that will be posted on this website.   

I keep thinking to myself how in the world did Salem Township come to this point?  We are supposed to be a small rural community with working dairy farms and horse farms. We have hundreds of acres of hay, corn and soybeans.  Fields of sweet corn, tomatoes and pumpkins grown by our produce farmers.  That’s what Salem Township has always been, and that’s why it’s been a great place to live.  Now we have chaos and turmoil going on in the Township, why?  And that’s the intent of this website to bring forward news that will attempt to explain what’s behind all this chaos.  Then, hopefully,  residents can better decide what is best for the Township regarding these recalls.   

Recall Filed against Supervisor Heyl

It is unfortunate that our elected officials refuse to honor their oath of office. When I ran for office 10 years ago, we were in the position of having an uninterested attorney firm running the day to day operations of the township, our stance on appropiate development negotiable, and the unelected few setting the direction of Salem for the rest of us. I changed that during my 8 years in office. Now just 16 months later, we are in the same situation. Can we allow this to continue, and still expect to be the same community? Salem didn't happen by accident, and it won't continue to be the place we enjoy living without commitment.

Tomorrow, April 1, I am going to a hearing regarding the clarity of the recall ballot language I submitted on March 16. It's an open meeting at the County, and the first step in the process of getting a recall election scheduled.

Sunday Brunch

Enjoyed a lovely brunch at Fox Hills Golf Club Sunday morning. What a treasure Fox Hills is for Salem to have - along with owner-sisters  Kathy and Sandy. Even had a chat with Kathy while we were there. We also enjoyed the service provided by a very nice young lady, Chelsea.

I don't know how many Salem residents realize this, but because of the groundskeeping and conservation practices that Fox Hills initiated on their own, water entering their property leaves cleaner than it was when it entered. This is particularly impressive as golf courses have had a rather bad reputation as polluters (usually due to excess fertilizer run-off, and overly manicured expanses that add to fast run-off, which increases water temperature to unhealthy levels, and doesn't give contaiminets a chance to naturally absorb into the ground before immediately running into the stream).

Even if we as locals didn't know all this, Fox Hills has been recognized by the Audobon Society for their conservation efforts - the following is from the Fox Hills website, they said it better than I could...

Audubon Sanctuary Program

Fox Hills has been certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through Audubon International since 1996 and was the third course in Michigan to receive this achievement.  Certification was obtained by completing certification in the following categories; Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, Outreach and Education. Environmental Projects Successful environmental projects completed during the past 12 years include: Over 28 acres of turf have been converted to natural areas or native prairie grasses. Over 10 years of water testing 78 nest boxes for bluebirds, tree swallows, and nuthatches. Native tree and shrub plantings to reduce pesticides. Wetland plantings to improve water quality. Buffer Zones to reduce chemical and fertilizer runoff Installation of Bat Houses to biologically control insects. ¼ mile nature trail Nesting Boxes The nest box program generates over 150 desirable bird specialties such as bluebirds, tree swallows, and nuthatches which consume insects.  The nest box program helped fledge 109 bluebirds and 143 tree swallows. Wildlife A partial listing of wildlife sightings at Fox Hills includes a variety of birds such as herons, orioles, red tailed hawks, pheasants, woodpeckers and cedar wax wings.  In addition, other animals such as fox, mink, muskrats, rabbits, frogs and turtles are commonly seen. Over 100 species of wildlife/birds have been observed on our property.

Salem First or Politics First?

I can't stop thinking of why four Board Members, in a 2-hour Board meeting, would vote to replace our Attorney Firm, McLain and Winters, and actually hire a replacement without prior notice to the public and three board members - other than when it showed up as an Agenda item three days before the meeting.  Then to hire a new Attorney after a few presentations but without serious deliberation or public debate, without considering the potential serious consequences?  That is, they hired an attorney firm whose last action in Salem Township in 2001 was writing and submitting a "Consent Judgement" (you can view it here Salem prop judg) to the Court for approval of a 16-pump gas station, a fast food restaurant, a sit-down restaurant, and a Retail Shopping Center on Gotfredson Road near the M-14 interchange.  This action was recommended as the best course of action based on their expertise. As we know, the entire case was later dismissed by the court through our now former township attorney Doug Winters intervention, when he pointed out that the developer had not completed all available administrative remedies. That's just common sense whether you're an attorney or not.   Does this sound like a wise and prudent deliberation, or some kind of political pay back?  The four Board Members who pushed this motion through are Supervisor Robert Heyl, Treasurer Paul Uherek, and Trustees Marcia Van Fossen and Wayne Wallazy. 

 

Where else in the midst of highly developed communities could you find another Salem where we still have working dairy and horse farms, and hundreds of acres of open space for the growing of hay and corn, and produce farms growing sweet corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins instead of seeing sub-divisions or a "Retail Shopping Center"?  Where else would you find so many woodlands that give us peace and quiet and is Mother Nature's showplace for spring and fall colors?  Or the deer and their fawns coming out of the woods to graze in your back yard?   Where else would you find  wetlands where busy muskrats are building homes that the Egrets find to be a great place for sunning once the early morning mist slowly gives way to the warmth of the sun?  Where hawks make lazy circles in the sky?  Where we still do not have any strip malls, not even one gas station along with their traffic congestion?  

Would anyone ever think that this came about by accident?  We have been fortunate that during the time of extreme growth in surrounding areas that we had board members, and a Planning Commission that had a vision and dreams and took necessary action to keep those visions and dreams alive.  And even more fortunate that we had an attorney Doug Winters that shared those same dreams who showed us the way, the correct way, protected from outside interests who only had self-interests in mind.  An attorney that found for us another attorney John Whitman, from the Garan Lucow law firm, that was not intimidated by big name law firms and was instrumental in achieving a monumental decision against Gas Recovery Systems)  (GRS - they produce gas from our landfill) that will provide Salem with financial wealth and stability for at least the next 30 years. (you can view a copy of the check here Download GRS check).

I might have gotten on my soap box a bit, but I am passionate about Salem Township.  I'm grateful to all those that have helped to keep our quality of life as we know it today.  And the more people that can help keep this vision and dream alive, the better off we will all be.  I hope you will remember the names of the above four Board Members.

Sincerely,

Fred 

Election Results - November 2008

Salem Township Supervisor
Robert Heyl	2445	96.76%
Write-In	82	3.24%

Primary Election Results

Thank you for your support.

Fred

REP. PRIMARY SALEM TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
Robert Heyl	755	56.85%
Fred Roperti	572	43.07%
Write-In	1	0.08%
REP. PRIMARY SALEM TOWNSHIP CLERK
Mary Cowmeadow	643	49.61%
David Trent	652	50.31%
Write-In	1	0.08%
REP. PRIMARY SALEM TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Linda Hamilton	616	46.84%
Paul J. Uherek	698	53.08%
Write-In	1	0.08%
REP. PRIMARY SALEM TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Susan Bejin	612	13.64%
Bart Cann	457	10.18%
Dennis J. Draplin	507	11.30%
David C. Helm	274	6.11%
Dan Jenkinson	555	12.37%
Marcia T. Van Fossen	827	18.43%
Wayne W. Wallazy	662	14.75%
Brien Witkowski	587	13.08%
Write-In	6	0.13%