Open letter to Atlas Twp. planning commission
Dear Commissioners:
Last month you indicated that the “Master Plan Subcommittee” of the Planning Commission was going to meet to decide on the format of the Master Plan update. You specifically indicated that the Committee would be making a decision on the method of public participation to be used in the consideration of the update of the Master Plan. I requested that I be notified of the time of that meeting and was abruptly told by Mr. Statson that I would not be told when the meeting was being held.
The Open Meetings Act of 1976 defines a “subcommittee” as a “public body”. It further defines a meeting as the convening of that subcommittee for the purpose of deliberating toward or rendering a decision on a public policy - such as the decisions on how to approach the update of the Master Plan.
The Open Meetings Act requires that all meetings, decisions and deliberations of a public body should be held in a public place available to the general public. It requires that all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting. It states that all deliberations and decisions must be made at the public meeting; that anyone can address the meeting; that minutes must be kept of the meeting and that “A meeting of a public body shall not be held unless public notice is given as provided...”.
According to the Open Meetings Act, the “subcommittee” is required to post a calendar of its meetings within 10 days after its first meeting stating the dates, times and places of its regular meetings.
At the Township Board Meeting on Monday, the Board voted to approve a $22,000 contract to Wade Trim (which they did without obtaining bids) to update the Master Plan including the decision that only 12 people would be asked to participate in the forum to determine the future development pattern of the Township. Since this decision was not made at last month’s Planning Commission meeting, it must have been made by the Master Plan Subcommittee and should have been made under the auspices of the Open Meetings Act.
The Act requires that any decisions that are made in violation of the Open Meetings Act must be invalidated and reenacted in a meeting that complies with that act; that members of a subcommittee who intentionally violate this act are liable of a misdemeanor and fines of up to $2,000.
This Planning Commission regularly holds “secret subcommittee” meetings that violate the Open Meetings Act. These subcommittees include the Site Plan Subcommittee, the Ordinance Subcommittee, and let’s not forget the secret “Where will we locate a mobile home park” subcommittee. These violations must cease. The committees must post their meeting times and dates and follow the rules laid out by the Open Meetings Act. Decisions made regarding the Master Plan update should be reenacted at a public meeting that follows the notice requirements of the Open Meetings Act. — Susan A. Arnold, Goodrich

Celebrity status
does not disqualify
In a recent letter to the editor it was suggested that I may not be Democratic enough to represent the 51st District in the Michigan House. And that somehow because of my so called “celebrity” status I am not qualified.
I am a Democrat, but, as I have said many times; Michigan is in trouble and we must stop thinking first as Democrats or Republicans, and think first as Michiganians. My first priority will always be Michigan and what is good for the 51st District.
As far as being a celebrity making me unqualified; I have worked as a broadcaster for 35 plus years. That is my chosen profession, and the work I always wanted to do. But I have taken a sabbatical from that to commit myself to representing the people of the 51st District and Michigan. What the letter writer didn’t say is that while I have been on TV and radio, I have been a Scout leader for over 30 years, currently serving as the Council Vice President of Program, overseeing the programs for thousands of Scouts in 3 counties. I am a member of the Executive Committee for the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, President of the Goodrich Educational Foundation, a Trustee, and past President of the Goodrich Board of Education, and a State Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards.
Service to community is not a new role for me, I have volunteered and taken leadership roles over many years, from board member of the old Flint Bluegrass Festival, Crim Festival of Races Committee member, Operation Brush Up, Board member of the Easter Seal Society, a Rotarian and more. While I may be considered a “celebrity” by some, I believe my work makes clear my commitment to my community and to service.
We need someone in Lansing; willing to make hard decisions, now. The class of 2020 is in our Kindergartens now, and as any parent can tell you, they will graduate in the blink of an eye. We don’t have time to wait.
We need to consider what we, the people of Michigan, think is important enough to spend tax dollars on, and what we can do without... and then make the hard decisions. — Michael J. Thorp, Democratic Candidate 51st Michigan House District

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