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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Danny Wells for Burton Mayor 2015
Yesterday at 1:47am ·
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This is our court date for Monday June 8th in the Honorable Archie Haymans courtroom. I filed a lawsuit against the City Clerk to keep Paula Zelenko off the ballot for election fraud. I have also filed a complaint with the State Police for Election Fraud against Paula. Mrs. Zelenko had other people get her petitions signed and she signed the bottom as the circulator which is a misdemeanor rendering the signatures invalid. We have signed affidavits from the folks that signed the petitions to substantiate our claims. All of the local media including the news stations and newspapers have had this information for weeks but refuse to make it available to the public. Only TV 25 showed up last Friday at the courthouse for our hearing and they still didn't do a story. We started working our way through the process on April 29th when I finally received the FOIA request I had put in a week earlier. We are very confidant Judge Hayman will do the right thing as we have talked to almost every person on all 3 pages and not one signature was signed in Paula's presence. We also know the State Police have interviewed a few people. Stay tuned.
Danny Wells for Burton Mayor 2015's photo.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:31 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| This is a great example of why I am running for Mayor. The pictures below are of 2 Freedom of Information Act requests that were filed last week at the City of Burton. One of them is simply asking the administration to separate the overtime and fringe benefits of all the city employees. The City Council has asked for this information several times but the administration has refused to give it to them. In retaliation for our FOIA the Mayor had one of her lackeys hang this up by the time clock with a note on it for all the employees and city council to look at what we are asking for. This is extremely unprofessional and very immature, I feel like we are dealing with a bunch of high school kids. All the city employees know their wages, overtime and benefit packages are public information and I am sure they don't care. The people that do care are the administrators that have had their pay nearly doubled in some cases and unbelievable benefit packages. The bottom line is the Council should not approve the budget without this information and by state law they have to give it to us. Stay tuned. |
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Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:33 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| Burton politics are never dull! Expect things to get worse. |
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Wed Jun 03, 2015 1:34 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/06/signature_issue_could_push_bur.html#incart_river
Signature challenge could push Burton mayor off November ballot
Roberto Acosta | racosta1@mlive.com By Roberto Acosta | racosta1@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on June 04, 2015 at 5:50 AM
BURTON, MI -- A potential problem with signatures on nominating petitions could knock incumbent Mayor Paula Zelenko off the November ballot as she tries for a second four-year term as the city of Burton's top official.
Attorney Glenn Cotton has filed a lawsuit against City Clerk Teresa Karsney, on behalf of mayoral challenger and former Burton City Councilman Danny Wells, stating Karsney did not respond in a timely manner to a Freedom of Information Act request. The suit also claims petitions for Zelenko's re-election bid were not signed by the person who circulated them.
If so, those signatures would be invalid, pushing Zelenko off the November ballot and leading her to file as a write-in candidate.
"We're trying to protect the integrity of the process," said Cotton. "We have election law. Everybody has to play by the same rules. We're going to say that Mrs. Zelenko, we believe, didn't play by those rules."
Cotton said if someone else signed the circulating petitions, the action would constitute a violation of state election law.
Zelenko needed to obtain 42 signatures -- or one-half percent of the number of people who voted for the Secretary of State race in the last election.
"The laws of the state of Michigan are very clear," he said, adding if the allegations are true, Zelenko's name would not appear on the November ballot. "The circulator has to sign the nominating petition."
dannywellsnewphoto2.jpg
Former Burton Councilman and mayoral candidate Danny Wells
MLive.com File Photo
Wells said the legal action came after he was advised by the state Bureau of Elections a complaint would have to be filed with the city, not Genesee County or the state.
He said he has enough affidavits from voters verifying the claim to get Zelenko off the ballot.
"What we're doing is we want to make sure the process is same for everyone," said Wells. "We're trying to hold elected officials to a higher degree of lawfulness. Ethically, we should be the top of the heap."
He alleges that while out knocking on doors residents told him they were being told no one was running against the mayor and several people had come to solicit signatures.
That led Wells to file a Freedom of Information Act request for Zelenko's petitions that include the residents' signatures and addresses.
While she certifies the signatures, Karsney said, at this point "I have no authority to take her name off the ballot." The ballots for August and November have yet to be printed.
"The judge is going to have to order it," she said. Part of the legal action by Wells states Karsney did not fulfill a Freedom of Information Act request in a timely manner, leading him to file a complaint with the county clerk's office instead of meeting the April 28 deadline to file one with the city.
But Karsney said she attempted to contact Wells by phone on April 27 to let him know the request for petitions was completed.
Regarding the claims Wells made, city Attorney Amanda Doyle said, "Procedurally I don't believe it's where it's supposed to be at this point. I think his complaints and all of his claims therein are completely merit-less. There is no relief to be gained by suing the city clerk."
"I firmly believe the complaint is, I would go so far to say, it's frivolous," she said.
Mayor Zelenko declined comment on the issue. She has hired an attorney.
Cotton reiterated "All we're trying to do again is to respect the integrity of the process. Those who didn't follow the rules shouldn't be on the ballot."
"If one candidate follows the rules, everybody has to follow the rules," he said.
A Monday, June 8, motion hearing has been scheduled in front of Genesee Circuit Judge Archie L. Hayman. |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:00 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Burton politics have always been a mess. I remember when Jim Kiertzner (former WNEM 5 & FOX 66 reporter) had a tip hat certain Burton council member would be meeting at Puzzler's after approving a resolution benefitting Rizzo. He sent in someone with a hidden camera, but the previous user did not recharge the camera battery. When the battery died Jim and his cameraman crashed the session. The cops were called and Puzzler's owner tried to block Jim.
Zelenko was there with her husband along with Ted Hammon. Although the police forced Kiertzner to leave the parking lot, he got some great shots of Ted Hammon hiding behind cars in an attempt to leave the premises from another vantage point. Hammon then got an officer to move his car where he could hide from the camera. Both violated Burton rules on driving city vehicles after consuming alcohol.
Rizzo was later investigated by Gain (the auto theft unit) over a false report of a stolen corvette. That investigation led to a confession by a suspect that he committed arson for Rizzo. Prosecutor Busch was handling the case and was angered by allegations now County Commissioner Ted Hammon tried to "back door" the investigation by approaching the Sheriff and asking to stall the investigation. The investigation revealed Hammon and Rizzo were friends and exchanged gifts, sometimes expensive ones from Rizzo. The feds took over the case and the only conviction out of Burton was "Skeeter" Abbey over getting a free lot from Rizzo. Kiertzner also uncovered the details of that plot. |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:32 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Hammon was also looked at because it was suspected that he had the jail phone contract changed to his former employer AT&T. The change raised the price of prisoner calls significantly. The County did not cooperate with the FOIA requests until there was an intervention. In the end their records were a mess with multiple copies of some documents, both complete and incomplete, and others missing.
Wells and former Burton Councilwoman Laurie Tinnin fought all through council meetings and outside. Tinnin was acutely aware of a state investigation into campaign finance violations involving Mayor Smiley. I remember reviewing he records and saw that the owners of the Courtland Mall had donations of numerous family members to Smiley. Some of these donations had to be children. This allegedly was laundering illegal cash donations from individuals who did not wish to be identified. Busch was also looking at this and the feds took over after he left office for private practice. |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:46 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Jaime Curtis first ran for office as a Burton Council candidate. He lost that race, which allegedly was financed by his wife, a Physician. A Burton resident brought documents to me asking that I file a campaign Finance complaint as they were afraid of retribution.
I had previously filed a successful complaint with the state against a second committee supporting Jeff Wright run by John Hightower. Hightower received a $5000 fine and a payment plan. County Clerk Carr asked that in the future I would direct all complaints through his office.
The complaint allegations involved Curtis citing a $1,000 waiver and then allegedly spending 20 to 40 times that amount in the election. Curtis was also part of the Smiley Team Committee although he did not fit the state rules because he was not showing his campaign committee.
I was given a set of glossy campaign flyers for Curtis that were distributed nearly weekly. He was also using the postage stamp of another candidate, also not allowed. The complaint was extensive and delivered to the County Clerk elections.
When I asked about the complaint later, County Elections Supervisor Rob Coffman laughed as he told me he had told his friend Curtis how to sidestep the complaint. Carr was on vacation and my original documents were gone. It seems Coffman grew up in Burton and knew all of the usual suspects. |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:04 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Transcripts from statements in the Rizzo GAIN case, arson and bribery investigation were leaked. Both Jim Kiertzner and The Bob Leonard Show discussed these documents. These were not complete and when the whole document came out, Burton politics were really looking like a cesspool.
Oddly when Rizzo was asked who he bribed, he basically said everyone but Laurie Tinnin. Rizzo implicated Jeff Wright in a money laundering scheme involving Wrights company at the time, Tara Aqua, and phony work contracts that set up the funds that Wright allegedly lent to his campaign.
The Attorney General Mike Cox investigated and sent the case back to Prosecutor Leyton for prosecution. Leyton was said to have told Robert Leonard that Cox said the case was a slam dunk and that Cox's office was very busy. Leyton sent the case to the Lapeer Prosecutor where it was "deep sixed". |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wright_(politician)
Jeff Wright is a Genesee County, Michigan official currently serving as County Drain Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Karegnondi Water Authority.
Early life[edit]
Raised in Burton, Michigan, Wright graduated from Atherton High School while taking some courses through the Genesee Area Skill Center. He then attended Ferris State University. In 1974, he took a job with the Genesee County Drain Commission.[1]
Political life[edit]
He became Deputy County Drain Commissioner in 1985. When the current Drain Commissioner Anthony Ragnone died in 1997, Wright applied to be appointed Drain Commissioner along with twelve other individuals. Ken Hardin was awarded the position. In 1998, Wright ran for the remaining term of Drain Commissioner. The incumbent, Ken Hardin was elected to the position. At that time, Wright started a water consulting business, Tara/Aqua Management.[1]
In 2000, Wright again ran for Drain Commissioner defeating Hardin in the Democratic Primary and winning the general election against Republican Robert Stewart. His platform was named the "Smart Growth Plan" which would reduce sewer spills, push for urban redevelopment, and retain farms and natural areas. An election supporting group, Friends of Jeff Wright, was investigated over using Flint City Council members’ names and NAACP’s name unauthorized in literature and investigated over possible improper campaign finance contributions.[1]
In 2004, Wright ran for reelection against Green Party Candidate Amber Carey and Republican challenger Robert Stewart whom Wright beat in the 2001 election by a 2 to 1 margin.[2]
In 2005 Wright was accused by Burton developer Blake Rizzo of money laundering. Rizzo made the allegations during an investigation by then Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney Art Busch into allegations that Rizzo committed insurance fraud and bribed officials relative to his property developments in the Burton area. The allegations became public when a 2003 transcript of Busch’s interview with Rizzo was leaked to the media.[3] No charges were ever filed against Wright and there is no indication Rizzo's allegations regarding Wright were ever even investigated.[1] Wright denied Rizzo’s allegations, noting that Rizzo admitted during the bribery and insurance fraud case that he committed perjury, which casts doubt on Rizzo’s credibility.[4] Busch stated that he did have enough evidence to charge Wright under state law.[5]
In 2006, Wright started the push to create the Karegnondi Water Authority started in 2010.[6][7] He was selected as the Authority's first Chief Executive Officer.[1]
In May 2010, Wright confirmed that he was an FBI informant in a corruption case against Sam Riddle, a Detroit political consultant.[1] Although Wright’s identity was not revealed until the corruption case against Riddle went to court in 2010, Wright participated in the investigation in 2007. As to the reason for his participation in the FBI’s investigation of Riddle, Wright stated, “I do not and will not tolerate any form of public corruption.”[8] |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:05 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:09 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Federal Anticorruption Law in the State and Local Context
of a bribe by a public official in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666,1 the federal statute ...
while Abbey served as a city administrator for the city of Burton,. Michigan, he ...
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/jlsp/pdf/Winter2013/Gaioni.pdf - - Cached - S |
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:17 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:20 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Politically Incorrect? Wells V. Zelenko
By Carrie RaCosta
810-452-2645 • cracosta@mihomepaper.com
BURTON — Former city councilman Danny Wells made public his second run for mayor of Burton on Tuesday morning, and he also made some statements for the public to further investigate, in regards to the current operations of City Hall under Mayor Paula Zelenko’s leadership.
Zelenko who defeated Wells in the 2011 election, is, according to her opponent, operating a “grand illusion” for the public and media.
Wells said he has factual information regarding alleged “illegal” activities, the violation of numerous charters, the writing off of city assets, and the editing of videotaped meetings happening since Zelenko took the helm of it all.
During his interview at Paul’s Coney Island (Owner Paul Margaris is pro-Wells) the fervent resident vying for the seat of city CEO said he had documents, statistics, and valid proof of the above cited transgressions, and would be able to provide them by press time.
As of Wednesday morning, Wells had not provided the information.
Over a cup of coffee, Wells said, “Right now, city hall is incompetent, vicious, and vindictive.
“Laughable,” is how he views the new budget.
Wells requested a pay freeze, hiring freeze, and a spending freeze when he was on council, but did not receive support.
“Now the council is feeling the brunt of it. The city is faltering now because of the budget,” he said.
Zelenko has found her precise and rigorous hiring process and staffing decisions have resulted in a win-win for both department personnel and tax-payer alike.
She said costly training dollars have been decreased or eliminated entirely with the hiring of individuals of much educational background and field expertise, who know how to remedy problems fast for residents.
With a multifaceted in- the- know team, there is a rich abundance of progressive attainment, as they are connected or once were with state government, law, and bring along a myriad of professional skills and beneficial social connections allowing the acquisition of grants the city so desperately needs to move forward.
“That is actually the opposite of cost-effective,” said Wells.
“Why would she need an executive secretary, a spokesperson, and an HR person? Normally a mayor just has a secretary. They are all her friends that needed a big paycheck,” he said.
Wells was referring to Chief of Staff Rik Hayman, Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations Sue Warren, and Executive Benefits Rep. Bette Bigsby.
He said he felt the three positions should be eliminated, and if elected he will, “come in with a different style, but not with guns blazing,” and slowly eradicate what he deems an issue of over-staffing in assistance to the mayor.
“Every mayor has a right to choose their administration. The city has always had these positions, but with different titles. My phases and position require me to get up off this seat and work with departments and the citizens. I need someone here. Positions are evolving fast now, with more roles and responsibilities. With that, I have people like Rik and Bette who are qualified to tend to matters while I am away working on other ones that were previously scheduled to be addressed in the city, ” said Zelenko.
“I had a working relationship with the mayor prior to this job in Burton. It isn’t like we exchanged Christmas cards. I wouldn’t call our relationship when I was hired, a friendship. Actually the mayor is doing the precise opposite off what she is accused of. We want to eliminate the practice of hiring family. There has been a lot of that in Burton’s past. Will I help the Mayor’s campaign? Yes. She is the best person for the job. Have I campaigned on tax payers dollars or on office time. No.” said Hayman.
As for Bigsby, Zelenko was familiar with her through related work in Lansing. Her degrees, including one in healthcare “made sense for the job,” said the Mayor.
Wells voiced additional discontent with the employment of what he terms, “two DPW directors.”
With the arrival of new DPW Bob Slattery, Greg Kray stepped down as deputy. According to city hall, Kray did get a pay cut with the switch back to his former position.
“It is only around a $3,000 difference, but I had no choice in the matter as it is per the Collective Bargaining Agreement that we are required to adhere to,” said Zelenko.
As for the many lawsuits Wells mentioned, and for which he is in the process of collecting data on, for public awareness, Zelenko offered the following information.
“It is almost impossible to find a city municipality where employees are fired in just cause, and not facing one or several lawsuits because of it. It is absurd to think that is a rare thing.”
Of Zelenko, Wells added, “Nothing’s getting done. She has zero respect for the council. The public cannot get to her. The public have been telling me they don’t have a voice.”
After he left the diner for a meeting, Paul Margaris took his booth, to share his thoughts on the topic.
“I think it is time for somebody else. Danny is a great local guy. Everyone deserves a chance. I say put in a few years, be fair, and move along and let someone else try it. The people vote for who they want to vote for. Sometimes again. What can you do,” he said.
Margaris’ only major complaint with Zelenko’s staff was the lack of notice by mail of the Center Road Project, for which he was notified last minute by a customer.
“I don’t read the paper. I mean how hard is it to send out a letter to your business people? Just pay for a stamp. That is all I ask. Seems cheap and fair to me,” he said.
Mayor Zelenko was appreciative when she heard of Margaris’ issue.
“I think that is a great idea. We should have done that, even though we did notify the Chamber of Commerce. That wasn’t enough. We are not perfect. That is another reason why we are happy to have Mr. Slattery on board, as he is great with that sort of thing. He really puts a lot of emphasis on informing and updating business owners,” she said.
“We are in a time that is different now, with ever-increasing responsibilities, technology, and that requires new titles, multiple roles, and a staff that can keep up with the fast-paced changes expected. This is our evolution,” said Zelenko.
“I am a firm believer in the constitution, and the city charter. That isn’t the case over there (City Hall.) At one point on council I drew up eight or nine charter violations to present. The meeting where I voiced this, they had videotaping and they cut out my statements. It isn’t on their web site, but I own a copy,” said Wells.
With two drastically different viewpoints and personalities, readers can look forward to continued interesting updates on Danny Wells and Mayor Paula Zelenko.
The people of Burton have the power, and although the race may be pretty intense, the choice-depending on who you are, appears to be pretty black and white with these two.
Both Wells and Zelenko love Burton, but beyond that, they both profess sharing absolutely nothing else in common.
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:22 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:27 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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2015-04-30 / Front Page
Zelenko’s Three-Year Tour: all aboard, progress anchored
By Carrie raCosta
810-452-2645 • cracosta@mihomepaper.com
BURTON — Reorganized. Revitalized. Revamped. Rejuvenated. Respected.
It is Burton City Hall and those employed under Mayor Paula Zelenko, pursuing forward-thinking initiatives with determination, set in place after the 2012 election where the current city CEO became a fixture seated in a role of example, with an ensuing incredible demand of intense responsibility along with it.
Once she became mayor, so began Zelenko’s goal-setting list of anticipated phases (three total) of progressive steps necessary, as a means to take the city into the light of future greatness.
After replacing Charles Smiley, Zelenko became the primary face and voice of the heavily-led mayoral city.
In several short years, filled with countless hours of hard work, above and beyond the job requirements, she has helped create a cohesive staff, comprised of carefully selected individuals with incredible resumes, and even more inspiring souls driven to extend themselves to do whatever it takes to make the community a special one.
Although Smiley didn’t have many funds to fill positions that became vacant during his time with the posi- tion, Zelenko managed to not just fill them-but fill them in a manner and array most impressive. Beyond that, it was a cost-saving maneuver for the residents benefit, as it negated the need for training, high-turn-over, and related financial burdens.
Even the most lucrative-blessed of city officials doesn’t always have an internal radar, or instinct to produce such an accomplishment.
Using sharp and well-educated insight, Zelenko made it a point to select the highest caliber of applicants for re-opened city vacancies.
The many individuals on board the team ship with Zelenko as captain by example, are equipped to navigate the up and down struggles imposed upon a community in a position most delicate.
Similar cities deteriorate in spirit, and in action when faced with strife and succumb to it, and others persevere with bolstered motivation and faith and inspiration imbued by their city leaders. There is an option to strive to make each successive day, better than the last one.
For Burton, Zelenko rationally follows the positive route. Her esteemed peers are align with that directional perspective as well.
Although many methods are subtle, they produce amazing results and serve as essential components in the “ongoing overlapping phases” for improving, modifying, and moving in the right direction.
Shrewd hiring has produced the well-oiled machine of inspiration to the community. Chosen among two dozen applicants, Sue Warren was selected to fill the role of Human Resource Director.
“When the Mayor looked to fill vacancies, she brought in exceptional folks with degrees and years of experience.
You never know when one of us will have to leave our desk, roll up our sleeves and dig a ditch, or something. Not a single person hesitates. You don’t find that anywhere else very often. The Mayor isn’t above us with those qualities. She is right there along with us, or before us, rolling up her sleeves and digging into the dirt when needed. At the end of day we always know we haven’t let her down, and we also leave for home knowing she hasn’t let us down either. ” said Warren.
Zelenko’s office, and in her opinion, “a progressive council unlike any other, that without on board and dedicated, much of our work would not be realized,” have joined forces to create and maintain a strong and respected police force, addressed the public’s cry for infrastructure improvements, spent endless hours reviewing and seeking time-consuming grants for improvements, and recently made headway with Steven Heffner’s long ago desired plea for technological updates, enhanced equipment, and all manner of necessary avenues for public access.
Their steps may seem small now, with few funds, but the city has paved the way to jump on giant opportunities when they present themselves.
Changes aren’t visually shouting quite yet, but in three years an impressive amount of progress for the better has already laid the groundwork for the possibility of reaching goals faster, all the while sustaining the spirit in the hearts of the people living, working, and playing inside the city of Burton.
City Hall is grateful to the many organizations that provide the joy, experiences cherished year after year, and visionary plans that remind all of their neighbors, that with heart and polite vigilance, many things are possible, and the future indeed looks bright.
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Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:29 pm |
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