Fred Roperti's Reflections

The Deed is Done - WITHOUT....

Hi again,

Despite the questions I asked (see yesterday's post, "Did you know...") the board voted 4 to 3 to install Johnson and Rosati as Salem's new legal firm. Hmm. Win every case brought by a developer for a township, get replaced without so much as a "thank you." Does that strike you as professional? Would you run your life or business that way?

When the Salem Board voted 4 to 3 to replace Salem’s legal representation of McLain & Winters with Johnson & Rosati might it be said that they did so WITHOUT YOU IN MIND?

It defintely was done:

·     without searching for the best legal representation possible, admitting “political” motivations (please see the A2 News article, Salem Township Officials Fire Longtime Attorney in Controversial Vote.

·     without due diligence or consideration for the records of the firms under consideration.

·     without notice to three Board members, the public or the current attorney.

·     without consideration for the pending $50,000,000⁰⁰ (fifty million dollar) arbitration,  against the highly successful winning attorney for developers: Robert M. Carson - what will the arbitrators think of a township board that replaces the attorney that argued before them, without notifying him or the other board members? If you were an arbitrator on this case would you think the Salem Board was honest and above reproach?

·     without consideration for the nine-year, undefeated record of Doug Winters against developers, attorney of record from McLain and Winters, and on-going litigation issues.

·     without consideration for the losses of Carol Rosati (Johnson & Rosati) to Robert M. Carson.

·     without checking the claims of Carol Rosati that she “knows how to deal with Carson” (did she mean by losing to him?).

·     without consideration for Johnson and Rosati’s prior experience with Salem township, when they were replaced in 1997 because they could not fulfill Salem’s need for an attorney firm that  could successfully deal with challenges that developers were posing then – is this déjà vu all over again?

·     without consideration of Carol Rosati’s proposed consent judgment on Salem’s behalf to allow a 16-pump gas station with fast food restaurant, 6000 sq ft restaurant, and 35,000 sq ft retail shopping center in direct violation of our Growth Management plan and zoning laws protecting us from uncontrolled sprawl.

·     without consideration that the above consent judgment was not approved and the entire suit dismissed only through Doug Winters’ intervention. (You’ll note that there is not a shopping center, restaurant and huge gas station, along with the uncontrolled, unregulated growth in Salem today – you can thank Doug Winters for that, even if our township board doesn’t).

 

 

DID YOU KNOW THE TOWNSHIP IS VOTING TO REPLACE TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY'S AT TOMORROW'S MEETING?

Yes, I mean the same attorney's that have kept us rural and tax free by (among other things) winning a $2.1 million judgement and restoring our monthly income? Did you get notice about this? I didn't. Here are my questions to the board, I hope you join me in asking our representatives for explanations.

From the Desk of A.A. Roperti….11/23/09

To the Salem Board of Trustees:

I will be seeking answers to the following - at the appropriate time - during the Salem Board of Trustees meeting to be held this Tuesday, November 24, regarding agenda item: Interview and Selection of Salem Township Legal Counsel. I am providing these 10 questions in advance to avoid surprise, and to facilitate intelligent and useful debate and discussion. I apologize for the lateness of this document, but it was unavoidable due to this agenda item just becoming available to the public.

1. The township has retained its rural character, quality of living, and local tax-free status due in large part to the successful, committed and honest representation that McLain and Winters has provided Salem over the past nine years. Why are you considering replacing them?

2. To seek to replace Mclain and Winters with minimal notice, at a meeting held two days before a major holiday gives the appearance of impropriety, why is it important to do this so quickly, and seemingly under the radar of the public?

3. In speaking with a trustee, I am informed that he did not know of this agenda item until he got his board packet. A committed township attorney is the lynch pin of a successful township - board discussion, motions, and ordinances are worthless without having the ability to enforce the vision of the people, and for someone willing to do the best for the township without limits. Why would this board not do everything it can to make all its members aware of what it is planning in so crucial a decision? Why would the Board want to put less effort into finding attorney representation than it does in finding someone to cut the lawn? Surely this board recognizes that attorney representation is more important than lawn care to the future of this township.

4. Why is the board considering applications from attorney firms that have not provided their hourly rate, relevant references, and history?

5. Why is the board considering applications from attorney firms that represent developers that have sued townships in behalf of the developers? Are these firms willing to divest themselves from developer clients should Salem Township decide to allow them to represent them?

6. Why is the bid proposal policy being waived when it does not apply to professional services such as selection of township attorney? It gives the appearance that there is misdirection afoot. What is the purpose of this motion?

7. It is known that Johnson and Rosati previously represented the township, and that rather than go to court to uphold our township zoning ordinances, they began negotiations for a gas station, fast food restaurant and other such businesses in our township. Which board members support Johnson and Rosetti for township attorneys?

8. It is also known that Marcia Van Fossen has a personal relationship with the principals of Johnson and Rosati. How did their name come to be on the short list of potential law firms?

9. It is known that Mr. Winters represented Supervisor Heyl’s neighbor in a dispute over a kiddie pool. Mrs. Heyl as president of the neighborhood association spearheaded the actions against the neighbor’s pool. I would like to give Mr. Heyl the opportunity to speak openly about this to dispel any cloud of personal motivation superseding the township’s best interests. The timing and lack of notice of this action, especially in light of the victories that McLain and Winters can claim on behalf of the people of Salem township, already raise a cloud of suspicion for the motivation for these actions among reasonable people. To leave potential personal bias unexplored is to invite the public to mistrust the motivations of their elected officials.

10. I have heard that there was extensive email conversations held with these law firms without full board knowledge. Can those board members that had these conversations identify themselves, and describe the nature of these email conversations?

Memories of the Class of 1949 - the Plymouth Rocks

Our Plymouth High School class of '49 held a 60th reunion on September 12, 2009 at the Hilton on Sheldon Rd.  It's hard to believe 60 years have gone by since graduation, where oh where did the time go, and so quickly?  I lived in Livonia, as did others in my class, and we had to bused to Plymouth since we did not have a high school in Livonia at that time although they were working on Bentley High.  There we were, 18 years old and ready to conquer the world, and now those of us left are now 78 years old.  But everyone attending the reunion all really looked good.  In fact, the good-looking girls attending the reunion looked VERY good.  Maybe it's just ego that I don't want to consider myself, or my classmates, as old people.

 

Out of our class of 130, 39 attended our 60th reunion.  Sadly to say that 69 classmates are deceased, and we haven't heard from at least 22 others.  Three of us live in Salem Township, including Ferman Rohraff and Bob Houghton.  I was on the reunion committee to help out but Doris Tillotson White and Dick Weinert did most of the work and we are grateful for their effort at every 5 year reunion.  Several of us were asked to speak to tell about our most interesting experiences, mine being the Township Supervisor for 8 years.

 

I think about my good buddies from Livonia:  Don Patterson, Ted Burton, Jim Wagenschutz, and Jim Kolak and all the fun we used to have.  Don Patterson was probably my best buddy and we used to hang around together driving our Fathers' cars around going to fast food drive-ins, which were plenty in those days.  My favorite memory was Don Patterson and I driving around Hines Park at night looking for parked cars.  When we found one, we threw a lighted fire cracker under the parked car.  The couple in the car would get a rude awakening and they would yell and cuss at us, and we would take off laughing.  Well, one evening we did that to a couple in a 1940 Chevy.  At that time we were driving Don's car, a 1932 Chevy, that his dad gave to him for a birthday present.  This guy in the '40 Chevy was so enraged that he took after us!  We didn't know if he had a gun or what.  We got onto Schoolcraft Road fairly quick heading east, but the top speed of our Chevy was only 61 mph, but the guy's car was much faster.  We tried to lock our doors, but they could only be locked from the outside.  We were finally able to get the outside door key loose from the ignition key chain, while Don is yelling all the time "Alfred, get the censored door locked!"  So we're traveling 61 mph and I have my head outside trying to lock the damn door which finally got locked.  Eventually, the guy in the '40 Chevy gave up the chase, and I can assure you we were  relieved.  Needless to say, we gave up this kind of fun and spent more time at the drive-in's.

 

We had a great time at the reunion visiting with those we haven't seen for years.  Then talking about old times as though it was last week or something, but yet I can't remember things I did yesterday.  I'm hoping that somehow we could still have another re-union although it would be in 2014, that would be iffy at best.  In the meantime my best to all my classmates for good health and thanks for all the good memories as we prepare for another and new life. 

 

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%

Candidate Night Answers

These are the questions asked at the Salem Area Historical Society Candidate Forum, my answers as well as an open and closing statement. Each candidate response was limited to 100 words. Please send me your questions through my email fred@fred-roperti.com or by leaving a comment on any post on this site.

 

Fred

 

Opening statement:

 

I’m asking for your support for another term as Township Supervisor. I’d like you to know from me why I am running again. Had there been a candidate that demonstrated an understanding of the issues, a willingness to learn the facts rather than just to attack, I would not be running. I love this township, I didn’t just build a house 29 years ago; this is where my heart lies. I’m concerned about the “changes” that are promised. That is why I’m running again; I’m working hard to win and to support the candidates I know will put Salem First. 

 

Closing Statement

 

As a young man in the 1950’s, I watched the many acres our family farmed in Livonia paved over at an alarming rate when some self-serving individuals got onto the Livonia township board. That’s right; Livonia was once a farming community, more rural than Salem is today. What’s left - the Roperti Turkey Farm - now sits on a 5-acre island in the midst of a sea of sprawl, a monument to “change” – change that benefited a few at the expense of the rest. I don't want that to happento Salem, and that’s why I’m asking for your support. 

South Lyon Herald - You Just Never Know, Continued!

Well, I appeared in a story on the front page of the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday, and on the front page of the South Lyon Herald on Thursday - along with a bystander, my daughter Gina.

Apparently some people, that have nothing better to do with their time but create conspiracy theories, decided that Salem Township Clerk David Trent went out in the street and started handing out ballots (which, sadly, is NOT the most absurd thing I've heard in this election). Do I need to say now that that's not true? But please, don't believe me - take a look for yourself...(click to view full size)

I'm wondering, when these people look under the bed do they see dust bunnies, or Russian spies?

In any case, the plot thickens....remember the story of Chicken Little? When Chicken Little gets hit on the head by a "ballot" falling out of the sky, it just ain't news until Chicken Little runs off and tells Henny Penny all about it. In our story, Henny Penny is the editor of a small town newspaper.

Well our little Henny Penny is so excited by this piece of "news" from Chicken Little that he rushes out and publishes a story on the front page reporting this fact: "one of those that received a ballot without submitting an application was Gina Roperti, the supervisor's daughter." Henny Penny forgot to mention that when he spoke to David Trent, that David told him that all the applications were right in his hand and running through the copy machine for Mr. Penny to pick up. Hmmm. But somehow, the story ran as fact anyway.

Do you think there'll be a retraction and apology on the front page next week?

Oddly, there was enough lead time on this story that Henny was able to spread the story to others, and quote their reaction. He contacted Turkey Lurkey with the State, and Goosey Loosey with the County, he was so excited just thinking about these ballots falling from the sky that he completely forgot about the facts... maybe when "Foxy Loxy" reminds Mr. Penny of how far afield he has roamed from his employer's Principles of Ethical Conduct, he'll think twice before printing known and unsubstantiated fantasies.

In light of what I just read reported as "news", I am amazed looking at these Principles of Ethical Conduct. The story was written with complete and utter disregard for his employer and his profession.  Mr. Penny smears me, my daughter, and David Trent, all while knowing what he is writing is not the truth, in an attempt to influence an election. FOR SHAME!

In the Detroit Free Press - You Just Never Know!

Last week I read an article in the Free Press about GM retirees having their retirement health care benefits reduced...I decided to write a note to the reporter- at about 2 am - about the comments that some GM salaried retirees had made.

To my surprise, Meghana Keshavan called me, came out to Salem, interviewed me, had me photographed and the story appeared - on the front page of the Freep, no less -  all in less than a week! You can the entire story below...

Murtle the Turtle, and her cohorts

I was driving from Northville into Salem on 8 Mile a few weeks ago– just at the Salem border I saw a car parked on the shoulder, and a few feet away an older gentleman and a young boy. They were both looking down and taking small steps. I saw a wetland in the background, and guessed correctly…they were sheparding a turtle to its destination.

 

A few weeks prior to that, I was driving down 5 Mile between Curtis and Currie Road, and saw a large pile of brush in the road. I moved over, and as I passed the “brush” I saw it move and suddenly realized that it was a turtle. I stopped the car and decided to help “Murtle” cross the road, only to find out that Murtle didn’t want any help, thank you very much! She/he swung around at me (turtles move surprisingly fast) and gave me a dirty look. As we eyeballed each other, I decided that Murtle’s reluctance to be helped wasn’t going to deter me.

I picked up and gave her/him a “helicopter” ride to the edge of the road that she was headed to, put her down and bid farewell. I went back later to make sure that she wasn’t back in the road, and she was long gone.

Interested to know more about our Michigan Tortugas (Spanish for “turtle”) and road crossings, I did a little Googling and found that it’s okay to help turtles out of the road when you make sure you assist them in the same direction that they were going. Need I say this?...if it’s a snapping turtle, you may want to think twice about your body parts – specifically keeping them well out of reach of some serious jaws. The state has also put up a “turtle fence” on US-31 to keep the Muskegon River turtles from finding themselves under the wheels of traffic. A hazard to motorists swerving to miss the turtles, this stretch of road was known as one of the deadliest for turtles in the nation. The fence doesn’t stop the turtles from getting to the other side of the marsh, just requires them to swim rather than walk.

Salem’s dirt roads are a blessing to the turtles of our area for several reasons. First, dirt roads are not as impervious as paved roads, so rain water that runs off the road travels slower and retains less heat. That makes a tremendous difference to aquatic habitat near roadways – water temperature artificially raised by runoff from paved roads can be devastating to all aquatic wildlife, not just turtles. This is why Salem is one of two communities that still have trout in its streams! To learn more about this, please visit the Johnson Creek Protection Group  – they have a great picture of a brown trout on the site.

I find it awe-inspiring to think about how we are connected with the earth and its creatures – living in Salem puts this connection right in our faces, if we just take the time to look and listen.

Watch out for those turtles – Fred

A Farm Grows in Livonia?

Here's an article about the Roperti Turkey Farm - formerly the Roperti Dairy Farm -where I milked cows before and after school - day in and day out. Development has created a Roperti Turkey Farm "Island" - this article is from youngest sister Chrisitine's perspective....

By HANK SCHALLER

11/18/2002

November 18, 2002 LIVONIA - Don't tell Christine Roperti how juicy the white meat on your Butterball turkey was last Thanksgiving. "The white meat on our turkeys is very moist," boasted Roperti, 57, whose parents, Tom and Mary Roperti, opened Roperti's Turkey Farm when milking 40 head of dairy cattle for the Twin Pines Farm Dairy became too much of a chore.

"We wouldn't be in business since 1948 if we had dry white meat." "My father had a buddy who raised chickens and turkeys, and he suggested that my father get in the turkey business," she recalled. "He got rid of the cows in 1947 and started raising turkeys in 1948. We started with 50 turkeys, then went to 100, 200 and 500, and now we raise 4,500 turkeys a year. "When we started raising turkeys, there were farms all over Livonia," she said. "Now we may be the only farm left." For 54 years, turkeys raised by three generations of the Roperti family have been a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tradition for hundreds of families in the Detroit area. Some customers have been depending on the Ropertis for their holiday gobblers for 30 years or more. "We used to grow all our own corn, wheat and oats on 250 acres, including two large fields near Six Mile and Haggerty roads, where a shopping center now stands," Roperti recalled. The family now purchases the grain it feeds its large Wilford White turkeys, but otherwise the five-acre family farm at 34700 Five Mile Road continues operating as it has for years. "Wilfords are a large breed of turkeys that are very breasty and very meaty," Roperti said. "I get the turkeys when they are 8 to 9 weeks old and weigh about 2 pounds from my grower in Zeeland. I pick up the turkeys around the last week in August so I can sell them from Oct. 1 to Dec. 23." The secret to good tasting turkeys is the right diet, she said. In fact, the company motto on fliers distributed in neighborhoods in Oakland and Wayne counties tells customers of the importance of what a turkey is fed: "Remember, fresh is not the secret. The secret is what they've been fed." "Animals are what they eat, and that goes for turkeys, too," Roperti explained. "Our turkeys are fed corn, wheat and oats that are mixed with a high-protein mash from the time they arrive (until) the last two weeks before they are killed, when they are fed nothing but corn. "The larger turkey farms can't feed the turkeys the way I can because they can't get their money back," she said. "Some allow their turkeys to graze, feed them fish meal or anything that's cheap." The busiest time of the year for the Ropertis is the four-day period immediately before Thanksgiving, when about 4,000 of the turkeys are killed and dressed by the family and a seasonal staff of 35 employees who set up a production line. "For those four days before Thanksgiving, I'm working 17, 18 or 19 hours a day," she said. "I just can't sleep any more than four or five hours when we get to that time of the year." During these hectic times, Christine runs the store; her oldest son, Tony, is in charge of killing the turkeys in the "red room"; her husband, Wesley Bates, runs the scalding and defeathering room; her youngest son, Tom, runs the dressing table; and Tom's wife, Ferida, acts as the farm's secretary. Besides getting turkeys ready for the roaster or deep fryer, the family also sells turkey smoked for 12 hours right on the premises, using apple and cherry wood with a little wet hickory thrown on top. Ironically, when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, the Roperti family takes a pass on turkey. "My family has seen too many turkeys at that point and would hang me up like a dead turkey if I put turkey on the table," Roperti said. "Thanksgiving is sort of a party for us. "For Thanksgiving, we have filet mignon, lobster and stone crabs and key lime pie that my niece sends up here every year from Florida," she said. "She sends us the stone crabs and key lime pie in exchange for a turkey, of course."

©The Daily Oakland Press 2004