The year of 2015 is finally rolling to a close and we have a bright, new year ahead: 2016. Let’s hope the new year is less trouble than the old year – both at home and abroad.
In 2015 in the tri-community, a reduced school millage Sinking Fund request was approved, but the Van Buren Township millage request that was billed for “public safety” was turned down. It was the 4-mill renewal plus a 2.5-mill new tax.
That VBT 6.5-mill proposal was whipped into shape out of the public eye and, so, many were irritated. At one meeting, a supporter said the board should not break it into 4 and 2.5 choices, as suggested, but to go for “the whole enchilada” and if voters turn it down, then, “We can get to work.”
Well, they have to get to work. The 6.5 mills was technically for public safety, but it promised nothing new for the extra 2.5 mills. The plan was for the taxpayers to pay 2.5 mills more so that 2.5 mills the board had been using from the landfill fund for public safety could be moved back to a special fund to help pay for the Visteon debacle. It wasn’t explained very well to the public.
Now, things have gone to blazes in public safety, so there is a lot to be done before voters will give them any more money. But, be sure, the board has to come back for at least the 4-mill renewal.
And, the library board is figuring out how much to ask for for a new library building. That question will be on the November ballot. Welcome to 2016.
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16 Comments
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First step of the new year is to terminate Laurain and Besson. This will be great for morale and spending. They both spend ridiculous amounts of township money on themselves.
One thing for sure, all employees are not treated equally. The voucher list presented for the Jan. 12 Board Meeting lists several employees whose college tuition is being paid for with our tax dollars. Ken Floro – $3100, Alex Schulz – $5,302, and Fire Chief Dan Besson $2,188.
We are not only allowing Besson to have another job at Schoolcraft College during regular business hours, we are also paying for him to be educated. It’s obvious why Besson thinks he needs extra personnel to complete his job….he’s never there.
The days of corporations paying for college AFTER employees work their regular jobs are long gone.
Those amounts are low. I believe a Master’s program is closer to $10,000.
There are other questionable spending habits among the township. I’m sure they will surface like everything else has. I am hoping to be able to put in my 2 week notice next week, for a career in another municipality. I would rather give up my seniority, benefits and pay than to work in a place where backstabbing is normal and accepted.
Well good for VBT Employee….it’s been a week and I haven’t seen any update. I know that place is awfull, I have several friends there who tell me whats going on. I keep hearing there is a certain employee who misuses his sick time and leaves his shift short handed all the time.
CeJay Marshall ‘ s knowledge of internal police department operations come from the man mismanaging the department. From what I hear, CeJay is spoon fed information from Director Laurain.
Questions continue, why does the Fire Marshall have a take home vehicle?
Oh ya, it’s going to be a great year!
I wish I could say that I have put in my notice. I’m still interviewing with another agency. I can say that you are correct regarding the “spoon fed” comment, but to include another township official as well.
The Fire Marshal has a take home vehicle because his Chief has pulled the wool over the Director and Official’s eyes. There are a few “untouchables” that get whatever they want, I’m not sure how the board doesn’t see through their lies. These are the many reasons that good people are looking elsewhere for jobs, especially after the “lay off” stunt pulled by Leon Wright, Budd and Laurain.
VBT Employee your are correct. The township did put out more than $3000 for Floro. In 2014, Floro was reimbursed $5,446 and in 2015, $5,340 totaling $10,786 for his tuition at U of M Dearborn FY 2014-2015.
I’ll FOIA all 2014-2015 employee tuition expenses. I had heard the township was paying for Floro’s Master’s. It’s sad, the norm for the township is to reward poor performance, flagrant policy violations and lack of dedication. Thanks for the heads-up.
Ms. Madigan – I have been employed at Van Buren Township for over 10 years and I am familiar with most of the things you discuss as if you actually have valid insider information. What you actually have; are sources that have limited information, personal vendettas, subjective opinions and special agendas to create an illusion of complete chaos. Nothing could be further from reality. Van Buren Township certainly has problems and challenges to overcome, but it is not the disaster your sources are leading you to believe. You should think twice before you allow yourself to be used in a bitter battle staged by your “handful” of informants that only represent a limited perspective and a very small percentage of what is actually taking place in Van Buren Township.
“The Real Story” presents a thought provoking insight. I have to chuckle as this deterrent post might make her feel compelled to stop her inquisitive investigative work. I also work within the walls of this organization and I have a different picture to paint. I believe her sources are in the form of FOIA’s, Township Meetings, and probably insider information being passed around. I have yet to read anything that has been inaccurate. It’s probably just painful when you are the subject of scrutiny. It’s embarrassing when a story goes public, that you wish you could bury so deep that no one would find it. Fortunately, these past few years of gross mismanagement are coming to head. It’s needs to be dealt with as our township is at serious risk of complete chaos. You can couple that with a grossly mismanaged school district.
These are the very same reasons that I am in process of making changes myself. I will not be left trying to salvage any job I can in the next 2 years because our township is bankrupt and everyone has flew the coop.
Nice try on the deflection attempt though Real Story, nice try.
Real Story, I would not call 62% of all VBT Police Officers surveyed a handful or a low percentage. I can understand why PO officers or FFs would not want to have their names published but what’s keeping you in hiding? When 62% of POLC union employees believe there is poor leadership, poor morale, and corruption in the department, the township needs to publically address their concerns.
Real story could not be further from the truth and I suspect he was recruited to write on someones behalf.
Needless spending has gone on for years and is finally being exposed by Madigan (thank you). I hope further information comes out about money wasted in the Township. For example:
Why does the police department spend money on thousands of rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, when the officers carry 9mm?
Why did the director use police funds to have illegal window tint placed on his issued vehicle?
Why is the fire chief driving a vehicle that has no markings anywhere, identifying it as a fire vehicle? Is he impersonating a cop? He has before…
As someone else asked, why does the fire marshal now have a take home car? I dont believe that is necessary.
Its hard to cry about upcoming bonds when so much money is wastefully spent by two individuals.
Well, the ammunition question is easy to answer. Director Laurain is the only employee who carries a .45 and interesting enough, he buys more ammunition on township dollars that isn’t needed. I would bet my paycheck he is stockpiling for his benefit. Ammunition is expensive.
The fire marshal has a take home car, because he is the only one who kisses up to the chief. When the chief isn’t around, strange of the fire marshal has a different opinion. This is the same person that has disseminated a major lack of trust on the FFs in the department. They refuse to work with him. Luckily, they don’t have to anymore.
The chief is driving and unmarked vehicle because he has desperately wanted to be a police officer his whole career. Unfortunately for him, he could never pass the physical agility testing after at least 20 attempts. The next lawsuit will be a citizen who was unlawfully detained by the fire chief because he has no clue as to what he is doing. Please Dan, stay out of police work, you are going hurt someone. Stick to what you do worst, fire business.
“VBT employee” has integrity and a moral compass, something you will not find at VBT. The reason the back stabbing is “normal and accepted” is because it is standard practice by an elected official.
Ouch. I didn’t know Chief Besson failed so many police agility, mcoles, etc. Makes you wonder how he passed the fire testing. In my opinion he needs to have where he doesn’t interact with people.
Is there any reason to continue living in Van Buren? I just finished researching all of the info on the school district which is in complete dismay. Then you have the township board who is worse than the school board. I would like to think there is something the township has to offer but I am having a hard time finding something. I can’t wait to see the VBT wages in the paper.
Good schools and good government is what sells homes in any community, when those key items are lacking, property values suffer. VBT school district is failing. VBT board needs “new blood”; the same people are voted in year after year causing stagnation and an inability to move forward with the “premier community” motto. Let’s be thankful we don’t live in Flint. 2016 is an election year so the people of Van Buren Township can create a grass- roots effort and vote for candidates that don’t just sit there like statues at board meetings and will actually talk to us about ideas and concerns.