Supervisor gets flack over not reappointing Dr. Carl Johnson

There were two members of the Van Buren Township Planning Commission whose terms were expiring, so Supervisor Linda Combs reappointed one and didn’t reappoint the other. She appointed a newcomer, instead.
It is the duty of the supervisor to select people for positions on boards and commission, with the approval of the board.
Her decision on the planning commission members brought lots of discussion at the work study session of the board on Oct. 5 and the regular board meeting on Oct. 6.
Don Boynton was reappointed and Ronald K. Jackson was newly appointed. Dr. Carl Johnson, a six-year member of the planning commission, was not reappointed.
Supervisor Combs said that two positions expired and “a gentleman came to us and wanted to serve on the planning commission,” referring to Jackson. Combs said he works as Transportation Maintenance Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Transportation and was “excited and eager to serve.” She said she wanted her appointments to reflect the diversity of the community.
She said he had experience in plan review and permitting processes.
“These appointments are yours,” said Trustee Reggie Miller. “I respect that decision.”
Trustee Miller said she had to speak out concerning Dr. Johnson’s expertise and education. She said his education was not considered as strongly as others and she thinks Dr. Johnson is better qualified for the position.
“I do not want to diminish Dr. Johnson,” Supervisor Combs said. “The public has asked we diversity… and not leave someone on indefinitely.”
Trustee Jeff Jahr said Dr. Johnson’s name did not appear on any of the paperwork for the appointment. He said the board all knows Dr. Johnson and his work.
“I did not realize we were replacing him until the work study session when it was discussed,” Trustee Jahr said. “If asked to replace Dr. Carl Johnson, I would vote no.”
“I didn’t know, either,” Trustee Miller said, referring to the work/study session the day before.
“If we voted no to Mr. Jackson, that wouldn’t get Carl back,” Jahr said.
“The whole board recognizes and applauds Dr. Johnson,” said Trustee Phil Hart. Then, he welcomed Jackson to the position.
Trustee Brenda McClanahan made the motion to approve the re-appointment of Boynton and appointment of Jackson with terms to expire Oct. 1, 2018. Treasurer Sharry Budd supported the motion and it passed unanimously.
Combs said Boynton “has contributed greatly to this committee and will continue to serve the community well in this capacity.”
She called him up to the podium to explain the Master Citizen Planner certificate he earned and he said it was “a rigorous program.” The township paid for Boynton to attend programs throughout the state, including Mackinac Island, to earn the certificate.
Because the agenda is set up with correspondence and public comment on agenda items coming before the agenda items are discussed several members of the audience read letters under correspondence praising Dr. Johnson’s work and saying his removal from the planning commission is a loss to the community.
They said Dr. Johnson had the expertise to ask the right questions that finally headed off the proposed co-generation plant on the former Visteon campus.
Combs said she did due diligence and didn’t want to give a rubber-stamp re-appointment.
Dr. Johnson was appointed to the planning commission by former Supervisor Paul White, who was defeated for office by Combs.
John Delaney pointed out that Supervisor White also appointed another PhD, Dr. David Wilson, to the Environmental Commission and Dr. Wilson is doing a lot of work to prevent coal-tar driveway paving because of its carcinogenic properties.
In other business at the Oct. 6 meeting, the board:
• Approved the appointment of David Senters to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a term to expire Oct. 1, 2018;
• Approved the second reading of an amended zoning ordinance to rezone 0.37 acre of land on the south side of Mott Road, west of Denton Road, from C-1 (General Business) to R-2A (Single Family Residential);
• Postponed any action on a contract for paving repairs in Walden Woods as part of a Wayne County program. A special meeting has been set for 4 p.m. Oct. 15 to consider the contract after it is determined whether the county commission approved the funds at the morning meeting that day;
• Heard School Board Trustee Sherry Frazier ask the board and public to support the Van Buren Public Schools Sinking Fund renewal vote in the Nov. 3 election. “We are reducing the amount of taxes you are paying,” she said, referring to the board authorizing going out for only .5 mill instead of the more than 1 mill now being levied;
• Heard CeJay Marshall speak in favor of the 6.5 mill levy being sought in the Nov. 3 election by VBT for Public Safety. Nothing new is being added to the Public Safety Department, but the increased 2.5 mills (township taxpayers now pay 4 mills for public safety) would allow the township general fund to keep the 2 mills now used for public safety to use instead for possible Visteon Bond payments. Marshall said the 6.5 mills would pay for public safety and benefit the township. “I want it to become the premier community everyone talks about”;
• Heard Tanda Owens, a 20-year law enforcement officer, ask for help with blight in her subdivision, which she didn’t wish to name publicly so people wouldn’t come in and drive around to see the problem. She said for the last seven years it has been getting progressively worse. Trustees Miller and McClanahan said they wanted to talk to her after the meeting to see how the township could help;
• Heard Marshall get up and begin to give his remarks, when John Delaney said it was his turn to talk and to let Marshall talk when it was his turn was “bullshit.” The two stood and yelled at each other and when they wouldn’t stop, Combs adjourned the meeting for five minutes and called police. She said she had been pushing her panic button, but no police officers came. Sgt. Bart DeVos showed up and she asked him to stay until the end of the meeting. Delaney then was allowed to speak when the meeting reconvened;
• Heard Delaney point out the Local Development Finance Authority has had a vacancy for four solid years that Combs hasn’t filled. He complained about one man who was reappointed to the LDFA who only attended nine meetings out of 60 scheduled over the past few years and another man who was appointed to a board overseeing township construction problems, when he is known for not securing permits himself before beginning construction. “I said you need to have new blood in those cases,” Delaney said, adding he did not suggest Combs should take people out who were doing a good job. He said Combs said the public said it wanted “new blood,” but she knows it was him she was talking about and twisting his words;
• Heard Pam Ruff say when it was said Boynton took classes, but Dr. Johnson didn’t, that was an insult. She said that implied that someone was willing to better themselves and Dr. Johnson didn’t. Combs said she didn’t mean that. Ruff said Leonard Armstrong hasn’t attended meetings and Combs said Ruff shouldn’t criticize Mr. Armstrong. Ruff said that’s not criticizing him to point out that more than half the time he doesn’t come to meetings and so they can’t hold meetings because there is no quorum. “Are you a resident?” demanded Combs of Ruff, who moved from VBT to Canton. “Are you volunteering?” Ruff said no to both.