Van Buren Township’s regular June 2 board meeting turned into a rally for fired Public Safety Director Jerry Champagne, who spoke about five different times during the public comment period – sometimes in tears — and strutted around the room and right up to the board table to talk to supporter Phil Hart during the meeting.
A total of 50 people came up to the microphone to speak, some for multiple times, some offering rude comments on the recent firing of Champagne. There were catcalls from the police wives on one side of the meeting room and loud comments and vulgar words from the other side.
While Clerk Leon Wright and Supervisor Paul White tried to bring order to the meeting, they were unsuccessful, with people ignoring their pleas and warnings.
At one point Clerk Wright said he would make a motion to adjourn if things didn’t settle down and Treasurer Sharry Budd warned Supervisor White sternly not to do that. The former board had lost an Open Meetings Act lawsuit when it adjourned the meeting while Dave Frankling was in the middle of a statement and Reggie Ion was waiting to speak to the board.
The public comment started badly. As Clerk Wright read the policy for public comment on how people need to remain respectful and civil and each had three minutes each to talk and no one could talk again until everyone who wanted to talk was done.
While he was trying to set the ground rules before a hostile crowd of more than 100, Kirsten Barker, a member of the Public Safety Committee¸ lunged forward shouting that White had made a racial comment to her by calling her an “Afro American.”
Several months ago, White had apologized for anything he may have said to upset her and she said she accepted his apology. But, she has continued to harangue him since about the comment he made when he was explaining how the Public Safety Committee is diverse.
He also made reference to a “person of color” on the committee to interview fire chief candidates, again trying to show diversity.
His detractors call these comments racist and are using it as part of a reason to recall White.
Before the regular agenda started at the June 2 meeting, Trustee Phil Hart said he wanted to voice his displeasure he was not consulted in the termination of Champagne. At one meeting, Hart said he was Champagne’s biggest supporter on the board.
“I’ve never worked for a supervisor of Van Buren Township who never consulted me in such an important manner before,” Trustee Hart continued and there was extended applause from the Champagne supporters who made up the majority of the audience.
“He brought professionalism to Van Buren Township, something we haven’t seen in 20 years,” Hart said.
He pointed out that Champagne has been seeking outside employment because he was unfairly treated and not respected.
Champagne recently has unsuccessfully applied for positions in Dearborn, Pittsfield Township, and Royal Oak.
“He’s the most professional public safety director I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” Hart continued, to extended applause.
“I want Jerry Champagne back in this spot,” Hart said, and more extended applause ensued.
Clerk Wright said, “We need to move forward on the agenda,” and they did.
The board held a public hearing in which no public spoke and passed three business items quickly. Clerk Wright read the policy for public comment.
“In the past, things have really gotten out of order,” Clerk Wright noted.
After two brief announcements, Trustee Jeff Jahr said, “I would like to discuss the termination of Director Champagne.”
Supervisor White said this is a legal issue and it should not be discussed in public.
“I think the audience should know how the board members feel,” Jahr continued.
“We cannot make any comments,” Supervisor White insisted, based on advice from the township’s labor attorney. Clerk Wright agreed.
The two officials said they based their stand on the Bullard-Plawecki Act, which states before a former employee’s disciplinary information may be disclosed, the employer would be required to send notice to that employee by regular mail before such disclosure. A violation of the Act would entitle the affected employee to start civil action in circuit court to compel compliance. The Act affords the affected employee entitlement to action damages, plus costs.
The labor attorney also cited the Open Meetings Act, which requires advance notification that a public body intends to discuss an employee’s disciplinary information at a public meeting, so the employee could request a closed session.
Also, the township’s Salaried Employees Benefits Manual provides for an administrative process if an employee is terminated from the township. The process includes both a review of the termination by the township’s three full-time elected officials and ultimately by the full board.
Discussions and deliberations about the termination of an employee before the administrative process has been exhausted could prejudice that process making it meaningless.
While Supervisor White tried to explain to the three hold-over board members from the last administration and the audience the reason for not discussing the firing publically, they refused to accept the explanation.
[Under previous Supervisor Cindy King there was no discussion at all at the board table about people she had forced out of their jobs. The people just disappeared and were not referred to, unlike the current situation.]“You stole my sign out of a private business,” yelled out Nicole Laurain from the audience at this point in the meeting.
Jerry Champagne walked into the meeting room and the crowd, packed with his supporters, went wild.
“We will be violating an individual’s rights if we discuss an issue in the process,” White said.
“You sent me an email that said, ‘Jerry Champagne no longer is employed by Van Buren Township’ and asked me to hold the information in strict confidence,” said Trustee Jahr, laughing at White for thinking such news could be kept quiet.
“You’re taking action because you have four votes,” Trustee Jahr charged. “I’m not one of them.” He referred to the majority of four board members of the total of seven needed to confirm the firing of Champagne when he appeals to the full board.
“I’m protesting action that was taken without consulting with the board,” Jahr said, and loud applause punctuated his remarks.
Treasurer Sharry Budd, also a holdover from the previous board, said, “It was very wrong the way it was handled.” She said she was coming home from Traverse City when she got a phone call from someone telling her about the firing. “You didn’t confer with the board. That was wrong.”
“What’s the Michigan Code?” Hart challenged Supervisor White. “Jeff, make your motion,” Hart continued, obviously referring to a previously set up plan.
“I will not accept a motion,” Supervisor White said and Hart replied, “You have no choice.”
“You work for us,” screamed out Dave Cushing from the audience. “Throw me out!” he challenged.
“I want to understand the law that says we can’t discuss this,” said Hart. “No more blowing smoke on Trustee Hart.”
“I did not vote for Paul White,” said Jane Kovach, an 85-year-old resident who started talking at the lectern before Clerk Wright could complete his comments to the audience because Hart, Jahr, and Budd had hijacked the agenda.
Supervisor White asked Kovach to please wait until Wright had completed his statement, but Kovach refused and kept on talking.
“The voters approved of that man, Paul White,” she said, saying she would abide by that. She said reading the rules that govern the meeting is not necessary since, “What good are the rules if you don’t follow them?”
Kovach said she loves everyone in this community and people should “Stick with what you feel.”
Jahr continued, “Jerry Champagne has done an excellent job … but I’ll defer to your ruling and not say anything more… on advice of counsel not to respond?” and White said, “Yes.”
Then the 50 speakers started in, but they were interrupted from time to time by Trustee Hart, who at one point said to White, “You can’t run a dictatorship.”
Max Johnson asked White to resign.
John Delaney, a resident of more than 40 years, said he was part of the majority that elected the new board and part of the minority there that evening.
He said the township had two other great public safety officers, Al Smolen and Mark Perkins, and they both were pushed out the door. Delaney said part of the issues from the past board were the millages the township didn’t need and the two Taj Mahals built for the fire department.
“I commend Paul White. Stay the course,” Delaney said.
Don Houttaker, a retired Wayne State University professor in finance, asked questions about how many employees have cars to take home. He was told two captains, three detectives, and special undercover officers for a total of nine in the police department. Under the written policy, the township furnishes the gas and maintenance and the officers have to be on 24/7 call.
On the non-police employees, the supervisor and one water department car are take-homes, but Budd said these are charged a percentage of the personal use quarterly under IRS rules.
Houttaker asked the average cost to the taxpayers for the police vehicles and the police captains said they didn’t know.
Kovach returned to the lectern to say her son was threatened with death by people at a neighbor’s party. Although the frequent loud parties, with drugs and girls from the Landing Strip, were reported to VBT police, Kovach said she was unhappy that VBT police did nothing about it.
When questioned at a recent public meeting, Champagne told her he knew nothing about it and then changed his story and took credit for the drug bust. She charged that Jahr, too, knew about the situation, but claimed he didn’t know. VBT did not try to resolve the problem she said.
She said her family had to get the feds involved to have a drug team kick down the door and stop the partying.
A man who said he was with the police officers union in Canton, but was not representing Canton, said Champagne is “a model and an icon in public safety.”
“There are 100 people here because they care and you don’t do anything about it,” he said. Champagne’s son works for Canton.
April Ruot, a member of the public safety committee, proceeded to grill board members on charges on the yellow recall flyer. She wanted to know who has paid health care and White told her every elected official has paid health insurance, which has been the case for decades.
Joyce Rochowiak said her husband was a former trustee, losing by only 30 votes.
Felicia Paris Brooks, who failed in her run for clerk in November, charged that Supervisor White’s Ford vehicle was made in Mexico. She complained about the BlackBerrys carried by White, Wright, and two directors. White explained that the township got them on sale, buy one get one free, and the service is less expensive than the previous cell phone service.
There was discussion about the water tower, which was begun by the Cindy King administration more than a year ago and now is being blamed on Paul White and used against him in the planned recall. Someone called out that Carl McClanahan, who was suggested as a fill-in public safety director while the position was empty, gave $100 to the political campaign of Clerk Wright.
A rumor that McClanahan was Wright’s campaign manager was countered by a June 2 memo from Wright that Wright’s wife actually was his campaign manager, but McClanahan supported his candidacy.
Dispatcher / Fire Fighter David McInally said he was called at the race track to go to the hospital where his daughter was taken and Champaign was at the hospital to support him.
Houttaker returned to the lectern to pursue his questions on the use of township vehicles by police officers. He said, “We know most Van Buren Township police officers do not live in Van Buren Township.”
He asked if an officer lives 15 miles away and uses the township vehicle to go to and from work, does the township still pay for gas and he was told that the township pays for gas.
Houttaker said by figuring in the value of the vehicles used by officers, he can add another $7,000to $9,000 to the officers’ benefit packages.
He asked if a cross-trained officer can use his take-home car to drive to the fire department for his second job as a fireman, and he was told that is so.
Mary Finn, an 18-year resident, said she was very concerned about the township. “This community is becoming more fractured.”
She said in this kind of economy, there are increased problems. “If you can’t figure out how to fix it, maybe you’re not capable of doing it,” Finn said to White. “This doesn’t feel right,” she said of Champagne’s firing. “It feels really, really unethical.”
Ken Landstrom, a fire fighter, spoke as a resident. He said that for an at-will employee if things aren’t going the way the leadership wants it to, the employee can be terminated.
Champaign came to the lectern, crying, and stating that he was unemployed. He said Landstrom had been fired from four jobs and one was for harassing women. Jahr, an attorney, sat at the board table smiling and nodding. Champaign said Landstrom worked hard to get White elected and Champagne fired. The personal attack was called out of order.
Clerk Wright said there is due process and there may be a time to discuss Champagne’s firing in the future, but now isn’t the time.
“This is the smoke I’m not taking any more,” repeated Trustee Hart.
Then the scuffle broke out between a Champagne supporter who assaulted a White supporter. The police hauled out in handcuffs the daughter who came to her father’s aid, both White supporters, and allowed the instigator, a Champagne supporter, to remain in the meeting room.
Former Supervisor Cindy King, who was defeated in the August primary, came forward with loud cheers and boos blending together.
She said the disorder in the meeting is “extremely symbolic of this group of people who can’t control the meeting. If you can’t control a meeting with 100 people in the audience, how can you lead 27,000 in the community?”
She said White was the 40th supervisor in Van Buren Township’s history.
King said people are almost assaulting in each other in the meeting. King said she wrote a letter of advice to Paul White in November that she wanted him to read publically, but he didn’t, so she read her own letter. She said seven board members working together will achieve more.
“The four of you are about as incompetent a group of individuals that ever served on a board,” King said to the new board members elected in November.
She said the rule about not speaking about the termination, without reference to lawsuit or case number, “tells me it’s bogus.” However, when King was supervisor, terminations were never discussed in public.
Champagne returned to the lectern saying he requested his first appeals before the three full-time elected officials and failed on a 2-1 vote. He said he believed Budd voted for him.
“My next appeal will be to the full board,” he said.
Hart wanted the board to vote right then.
White said that would be a violation of the Open Meetings Act since the vote was not on the posted agenda for that night’s meeting.
“I’m ready,” Champagne said. “I’m a man of integrity. Those pushing against me have been punished numerous times.” He said he worked tirelessly for two years in a row making sure the fire halls were built without mistakes. He said he increased the fire budget by 52% and the police budget by 14%. He said he was instrumental in getting the new fire apparatus.
“What’s really going on here is we have a small minority of fire fighters who want to work full time,” Champagne claimed.
Champagne said he was told by an attorney that he was the first one to appeal termination at VBT. He said White has a “large packet of unwarranted untruths” against him.
“I don’t know if you’ve been fired for cause,” Jahr said. “I don’t have information. He’s at will. If the majority of the board wants him gone, he’s gone.”
“There a process being followed. We will not have a vote tonight,” White stated.
After several more board comments and speakers from the audience, Champagne spoke again, “This issue is much bigger than Jerry Champagne … you’re gonna have big, big problems and I intend to pursue it if it goes that way… I suspect a week from now, I won’t be here, but they’ll be tearing the department apart. This will cause this board a lot of issues…”
“I have total and complete faith in Captains Brooks and Laurain,” said Delaney, returning to speak. “Why do we need a public safety director? Why not have a fire chief and a police chief and they answer to the township board? Save some money and promote from within.”
Senior Citizen Director Linda Combs said she needs to tell everybody how the seniors feel. “They support Jerry Champagne … and they are your biggest block of voters. They are not happy about what happened.”
King returned to say, “Jerry Champagne is nothing short of stellar…”
Bob Thorne, who at a previous meeting had announced he was leading a recall against White, got up and rained a series of charges against board members, while he was continually called out of order.
Ron Folks, a fire department battalion chief, said in order to do his job, he needs Champagne as a counselor and a mentor.
Attorney Barbara Rogalle Miller said the holdover board members were the ones that gave the bonds to Visteon without thoroughly presenting them to the community or holding a public hearing.
Hart took offense, saying this was a personal attack, and tried to talk over Miller’s voice and drown out her remarks. Miller said she wished Hart had focused on the Visteon issues more closely before he voted. She said the Visteon issue is the legacy of those three board members and now Visteon is in bankruptcy.
“Ms. Miller is once again short-sighted,” King replied, defending her administration that put the full faith and credit of the township behind the Visteon bonds. “Nobody had a crystal ball…”
After more contentious remarks, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.