In an unprecedented move, two ex-Shelby Township supervisors – former political enemies Rick Bottcher and Skip Maccarone – are publicly calling for the recall of the current Shelby supervisor, Richard Stathakis.
All three are Republicans, but the similarities end there. Bottcher was ousted by Maccarone in the 2000 elections, and Maccarone was blown away by Stathakis in 2008.
The argument Bottcher and Maccarone make in favor of the recall was laid out in a letter to the editor in Sunday’s Advisor/Source newspaper. Apparently, the correspondence grew out of a chance meeting — followed by a planned discussion — between the two about the controversial moves made by the township which have led to the recall.
Bottcher and his successor agreed there is only one way to describe the questionable zoning decisions made under Stathakis’ leadership, despite considerable public opposition: unprecedented.
“Ignoring questions brought by the people that elected officials represent at board meetings is inexcusable. Totally ignoring the will of the people cannot be tolerated,” they wrote.
“Do not be fooled or led astray. This recall is not about a towing contract,” the two added. “Deception, faux religion, political trickery, messengers of elected officials disguised as ‘concerned citizens,’ and honest, honorable employees of the township being maligned, harassed into resignation or retirement, and snickering at their ill-health, is not supposed to be the order of the day. That too is unprecedented.”
“Do not be fooled or led astray. This recall is not about a towing contract,” the two added. “Deception, faux religion, political trickery, messengers of elected officials disguised as ‘concerned citizens,’ and honest, honorable employees of the township being maligned, harassed into resignation or retirement, and snickering at their ill-health, is not supposed to be the order of the day. That too is unprecedented.”
If you want to read the full text, here it is:
“As former political opponents, some might be surprised that we have always cordially greeted each other whenever we have met. Recently, one such chance meeting occurred. After exchanging courtesies, the number of recall petitions being sought to remove township board members came up.
“Now we may not see eye-to-eye on some things, but we do agree that our experience as chief elected officials of Shelby Township leads us to believe that something is very wrong with its administration. We agree that no one is perfect and all elected officials make mistakes. We have both made our fair share. But the number of zoning changes being approved in the face of deafening public protest was difficult for us to understand. The word we used was “unprecedented.”
Agreeing to change a consent judgment to convert planned condos to apartments on 22 Mile and M-53 made no sense to us. It was unprecedented. “What about the residents who bought a condo that will now have the same construction next door as an apartment? What was the reason for the change?” But moreover, we both asked, “What was the rush to make that change?” What is in store for other neighborhoods, condos or not?
“We also spoke about the massive rezoning approved on the southwest corner of 23 Mile and M-53. There was legal action filed by Mr. Bottcher that carried through the next administration up to the Michigan Supreme Court. The township prevailed. And with that, this land was to remain zoned single family. But the zoning has now been changed to allow multiple family, condos and commercial retail space. This change in zoning after succeeding in the courts is unprecedented.
“We both believe that the timing and circumstances of rezoning the southwest corner of 24 Mile and Schoenherr was just plain wrong. We were both astounded by reported threats made by an elected official against a planning commissioner to influence her vote. Again we agreed, “Unprecedented.”
“Holding public office is always difficult. But one must never forget who elected you. Ignoring questions brought by the people that elected officials represent at board meetings is inexcusable. Totally ignoring the will of the people cannot be tolerated.
“Do not be fooled or led astray. This recall is not about a towing contract. Deception, faux religion, political trickery, messengers of elected officials disguised as “concerned citizens,” and honest, honorable employees of the township being maligned, harassed into resignation or retirement, and snickering at their ill-health, is not supposed to be the order of the day. That too is unprecedented.
“Any more zoning decisions that spite the people these two officials swore to serve is too great a price for this community to pay. We believe that the extraordinary remedy of recall is a necessary process that we support. And we know there will be a reply to this letter, because that is not unprecedented.
“Richard Bottcher, Shelby Township trustee, 1988-1996; Shelby Township supervisor, 1996-2000
“Ralph Maccarone, Shelby Township supervisor, 2000-2008.”
“Now we may not see eye-to-eye on some things, but we do agree that our experience as chief elected officials of Shelby Township leads us to believe that something is very wrong with its administration. We agree that no one is perfect and all elected officials make mistakes. We have both made our fair share. But the number of zoning changes being approved in the face of deafening public protest was difficult for us to understand. The word we used was “unprecedented.”
Agreeing to change a consent judgment to convert planned condos to apartments on 22 Mile and M-53 made no sense to us. It was unprecedented. “What about the residents who bought a condo that will now have the same construction next door as an apartment? What was the reason for the change?” But moreover, we both asked, “What was the rush to make that change?” What is in store for other neighborhoods, condos or not?
“We also spoke about the massive rezoning approved on the southwest corner of 23 Mile and M-53. There was legal action filed by Mr. Bottcher that carried through the next administration up to the Michigan Supreme Court. The township prevailed. And with that, this land was to remain zoned single family. But the zoning has now been changed to allow multiple family, condos and commercial retail space. This change in zoning after succeeding in the courts is unprecedented.
“We both believe that the timing and circumstances of rezoning the southwest corner of 24 Mile and Schoenherr was just plain wrong. We were both astounded by reported threats made by an elected official against a planning commissioner to influence her vote. Again we agreed, “Unprecedented.”
“Holding public office is always difficult. But one must never forget who elected you. Ignoring questions brought by the people that elected officials represent at board meetings is inexcusable. Totally ignoring the will of the people cannot be tolerated.
“Do not be fooled or led astray. This recall is not about a towing contract. Deception, faux religion, political trickery, messengers of elected officials disguised as “concerned citizens,” and honest, honorable employees of the township being maligned, harassed into resignation or retirement, and snickering at their ill-health, is not supposed to be the order of the day. That too is unprecedented.
“Any more zoning decisions that spite the people these two officials swore to serve is too great a price for this community to pay. We believe that the extraordinary remedy of recall is a necessary process that we support. And we know there will be a reply to this letter, because that is not unprecedented.
“Richard Bottcher, Shelby Township trustee, 1988-1996; Shelby Township supervisor, 1996-2000
“Ralph Maccarone, Shelby Township supervisor, 2000-2008.”
well said….and oh, so true! Hopefully the recall against Paul Viar is successful also. I can only think that if the 2 recalls are not successful it will only be because some residents feel they will just wait until the end of their term and not vote them in again if they should run for office. Stathakis and Viar totally ignore the will of the people of Shelby,it is clear they do whatever is in the best interest of the builders and developers that line their pockets.
After 16 years this is the first board that is actually thinking of the majority of citizens interest and those that don't believe it are the unhappy minority that could not get their wishes granted at the taxpayers expense.