To the editor:
Shame on the Ortonville Village Council.
In a subtle dialogue, six of seven board members selectively picked what village ordinances are to be enforced. The Monday night fiasco at the village council meeting can be viewed on Charter cable.
The council was questioned about the village sign ordinance and its subsequent enforcement. Village Council President Ken Quisenberry stated that, ‘until the village has an ordinance that can be enforced without having businesses taking down signs,? he would not enforce the rule.
Later that evening, a discussion regarding an old ambulance parked behind a village business was brought before the board. A discussion of the subsequent enforcement status of the ordinance pertaining to the ambulance ensued. The council appeared to be displeased with Village Manager Ed Coy because nothing had been done. Councilmember Mary Kassuba had ordinance enforcement on the village agenda for that meeting. Kassuba asked the council about two specific cases of about a half dozen pending’one case has been ongoing for more than two years, the other case was a business that has expanded without village approval. Each one of these is in violation of at least three different village ordinances.
Quisenberry stated that, ‘since one of the violators will not comply without going to court and it might cost the village substantial legal fees,? he was not going enforce the ordinance.When asked by Kassuba, ‘Are you selectively enforcing our ordinances?? Quisenberry replied, ‘If that is what you call it, then yes, I am.?
Since the new council has been in office, the village has taken 10 steps backward. They have replaced the office staff after spending hundreds of dollars to train a person they didn’t hire. They have laid off a very good employee during peak snow removal season to save money. Now, children going to school walk in the street because sidewalks are not plowed, and the village has paid a lot in overtime. When asked about the status of sewers in the village, Quisenberry gave his typical non-answer.
And lastly, if you have a problem with the village all you have to do is threaten court action? the village will back down.
Robert Flath (the younger one)
Ortonville