Somebody tookmy signdown.
That may seem like a small
thing to anybody else, except this
was my sign, posted for years in
every office I occupied that read:
Susan Is AlwaysRight.
It was put upmany, many years
ago after a long string of coinci-
dences appeared to verify my
infallibility, leaving a large num-
ber of staff members in awe of my
reasoning talents. It actually was
dumb luck and sheer coincidence,
but the sign they made and hung
up always made me smile, even
when I had incontrovertibly
erred. They also put a nameplate
on my door that read: Leona
Rodham Harding Bobbitt, which
used to make me laugh out loud,
but it disappeared long ago as did
all but one of those names from
the news.
So, my sign is gone and I sort of
miss it. OK, Imiss it a lot.
Not as much as I miss themind
I used to have that prompted the
sign. Old age is having its waywith
me and I'm lucky to remember my
ownname by the time JonStewart
hits the small screen. But, I still do
have a few synapsing brain cells
left, enough not to be confused by
the disingenuous claims of a city
official who sent me an email to
correct what he characterized as
misinformation or errors in a
recent news story.
Lordie, my first thought was,
how did I mess this up? Did I mis-
understand the court clerk when I
called? Did I write down the
wrong information when I talked
to the defendant's attorney? Is
everything I was told a lie?
Because, anymore, I have to be
extra careful, what with prema-
ture senility creeping up on me
and all.
And after all, I've only been
doing this for about four decades,
so I'm sure to get easily confused
and not understand those pesky
legal terms and nuances, right?
And it's not like I can pick up the
phone and call a either a cracker-
jack attorney or police official
whowill explain it tome, because,
after all, I changed his diapers,
baked him cookies and helped get
him through college and law
school. Oh, wait, yes it is.
So I took the time and spent the
effort, which in my case, wasn't a
small thing, and checked. I called
the court clerk again, who was
sure I was crazy. I called the
defendant's attorney, who also
thought I was a pest and didn't
have time to explain this tome the
first time, much less go through it
again. And I called the defendant
himself to be sure I heard correct-
ly and didn't misunderstand what
he said.
So I felt a little better about that
one.
Then the
woman called
to tell me that
despite what
the Plymouth-Canton Marching
Band people tell me, their group
isn't the first one to be asked to
perform in the Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade. She
insisted that the band from
Belleville had been invited and
performed several years ago and
thought a correctionwas in order.
Oh geez. This one could really
be trouble. Politicians will threat-
en and dissemble and often just
plain lie, but band or sports team
parents? They will make you wish
you'd never seen a keyboard,
much less learned to use one if
youmess up.
My only redemption came
when the caller explained that the
Belleville band had been asked to
the Macy's parade in Chicago, not
New York. The Plymouth-Canton
band members are going to the
Big Apple. A designation, once
revealed, the caller said I should
havemademore definite.
OK, maybe, but I wasn't really
wrong.
And this month, the letters just
keep coming. Oh, I get some real
doozies. The best ones are always
unsigned and contain everything
from extensive and boring family
histories, pleas for helpwith court
appeals and paroles, requests for
money (lots and lots of those) and
even marriage proposals, or that's
how I tend to characterize them
and some of their rather graphic
suggestions. There have even
been a few death threats during
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
October 27, 2011
Just about everywhere you look these days, you can see a
similar scene: signs bobbing, people shouting or leaning over
podiums pointing accusatory fingers.
There's a lot of anger out there and much of it seems to be
directed at some level of government.
That's not to say we're against people protesting when they
see something they don't like-their ability to do so is one of the
things that sets this country apart and above so many others-
but theway they do it sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.
At a recent Romulus City Council meeting, for example, citi-
zens stood up to accuse their leaders of wrong-doing, make
vague threats, hurl insults and even to 'enrich the lives of their
citizens through their absence.'
Well, quite frankly, that's not the most effective way to make
a point or a request.
There's an old saying that 'You can't fight city hall.' That's not
exactly true; citizens can have a tremendous impact on the
decisions their leaders make as long as they realize that the
people behind the dais aren't punching bags, but citizens them-
selves.
Here are a few tips.
First of all, be respectful. Anybody remember the Golden
Rule? It still applies.
Second, and this follows right along with the first, don't
insult the people you are asking to provide you with informa-
tion, answers or simply to see your point of view. Chances are,
they'll bemore receptive towhatever youhave to say.
Third, don't assume there's a conspiracy or the people you're
talking to have done anythingwrong. Chances are there's a logi-
cal explanation for what they have done or are planning to do.
The reason a city official is compensated for his mileage, for
example, is because everyone is entitled to that reimburse-
ment-if not from the company they work for, then through their
tax returns. It's not necessarily a kickback.
Fourth, don't make threats or demands. A simple request is
a goodplace to start.
Be brief. Don't assume that, just because the mayor, council
president, township supervisor or whomever is chairing the
meeting cuts you off when your time is up that they're trying to
take away your voice in government, step on the constitution or
in anyway trample your civil liberties.
Finally, aword of thanks generally goes a longway, too. Even
if you can't summon a 'thank you for serving,' a polite phrase
such as 'thank you for your time,' is appropriate and it doesn't
mean you have to put anybody's campaign sign on your lawn.
It's a simple step that canhelpput the 'civil' back in civilization.
It's important to remember that these people are not crimi-
nals (or enemies) and, for the most part, they are not self-serv-
ing, either. They're representatives, neighbors who cared
enough to try to have a positive impact on the community
around them. By showing a little respect and some proper
decorum, you canhave a positive impact on them, too.
It's important to remember that these people are
not criminals (or enemies) and, for the most part,
they are not self-serving, either.
”
Because, anymore, I have to be extra careful,
what with premature senility
creeping up on me and all.
”
How to effectively fight city hall in 6 easy steps
Center fees criticized
To the editor:
This is a copy of a letter
addressed to the City of Romulus.
The Romulus Recreation
Center was constructed for the
enjoyment of all citizens of
Romulus. The center provides
families and individuals with a
variety of activities which pro-
mote health and recreation. It is
an asset to the community and a
place for safe fun for the citizens
of Romulus.
During a recent phone call to
the center to inquire about the
policies and prices for family
admission, I was surprised and
disappointed with the informa-
tion I was given. Families are lim-
ited to six persons in size, two
adults and four children. The
membership fee is $400 per fami-
ly. If a family has more than four
children, a fee of $50 is charged
for each additional child.
To have a recreation center
available in our city is a luxury
for the many families who use it
for relaxation and exercise. The
recent economic downturn our
area is experiencing may crate a
hardship for many families who
would like to use the facility.
Large families should not be
charged a higher fee. The addi-
tional fee for families having
more than four children is dis-
criminatory and does not support
family life. I respectfully propose
the membership fee for the
Romulus Recreation center by
the same for all families, making
it a community center for all citi-
zens to enjoy, regardless of family
size.
While care has been given to
invite the families of the center's
employees and airport visitors to
use the recreation center for a
fee, it saddens me that many fam-
ilies who live in Romulus may
not be able to afford to use it
because of the additional fees
assessed to larger families. I am
proud of the beautiful Romulus
Recreation Center and will con-
tinue to voice my concern that is
not equally available for all citi-
zens of the city, many who have
lived their lifetime in Romulus
helping to make it the family-
friendly city it is. Please change
the fee schedule to a flat family
admission rate for all families,
without regard to their size.
Beatrice Shepard,
Romulus
Medicare changes lauded
To the editor:
More than many in our state,
Michigan's seniors are struggling
to make ends meet these days.
Many face tough decisions such
as whether to buy groceries or
pay the electric bill. Even those
doing well know they have to
pinch every penny in this uncer-
tain economy.
With ‘maturity’ often comes self doubt
See
Old age
, page 7
See
Letters
, page 7
Letters