Where there is smoke there is fire. That is the old saying and is it no wonder that when the term "politician" comes up something else in your craw also rises.

This is why I am voting for Carlo Gionotti  you see I have observed too often how
Oakland Circuit Court works. Its a political club, and too many judges there make their decisions based on influence, not justice. Period. Any judicial candidate who receives contribtions from defense attorneys, any at all makes me want to puke.

Also there is a war going on known as "the war on drugs" the former councilman of Pontiac Everett Seay was set up by the FBI in a sting involving money laundering, taking a bribe, and drug trafficking even though the drugs he transported were not drugs but white powder. He never touched the drugs, never sold any, was never involved in a violent crime. This all brings me to the point that although his intent was not kosher (take the money and run), he was set up only because in these times it is too easy to find someone down on their luck who are willing to take a chance, especially if they come from a poor background, or in this case from a city that like Detroit lives and breathes corruption, or as we in our world call it "reciprocity" in the form of political smears. comps call them what you will.  If this does not go on everywhere, from Capital Hill to Royal Oak I will eat my shorts.

The former efm of Pontiac Fred Leeb who sold the Silverdome for a penny on the dollar is now working with the Silverdome. You would think someone should initiate an investigation. You would think the FBI should take the time to set him up. But no that is not how it works, the war on drugs has a higher priority although it catches only small fish. It will be interesting to see how Kwame fairs.

Is Royal Oak immune? I think not. It has a perfect system that in theory should work. But any system devised by man is no better than the politicians running it.

Politician is the rub and today it means anyone who has a ulterior motive involving a special interest who has helped with their campaign.

We do need an addtional milage, but why is downtown so active in supporting it?  Why, because they will benefit more than the residents who will collectively be footing easily eighty percent of the costs.  This is why I am changing my mind on supporting the milage. It should exempt those on a fixed income, or in proven financial hardship but to my knowledge there is NO provision for that. With the Royal Oak building boom the needed increase can come down substantially.

I would prefer that reassessments be made on houses that were sold in the past ten years and refurbished or had additions (finished basements, porches, etc) that would be fair and equitable. The same for all the mega-bars that have expanded their facilities. Can anyone tell me if they have been reasessed?

As far as Mitt vs Barack I am torn only because Obama is as much a politician as Romney is. but Mitt is at least honest about who he represents, the very rich. Obama though in my opinion just as fickle is the lesser of the two evils so it is with great reluctance I am switching my vote though I believe Obama will capitulate on Iran obtaining a nuclear weopon, he is no JFK.

Mitt, will probably be equally indecisive after the election on Iran as both are heavily influenced by big oil who knows they will be the first casualty if the Gulf of Hormuz is closed. If I could retrieve from history a president to take over it would be FDR, certainly NOT Reagan.

Last but not least our Parks and Rec department had a meeting last week at the Mehaney Senior Center, I believe the next meeting is on Dec 6th 7PM, I have discovered RO has neglected overgrown tennis courts besides a lackluster Stardream Fountain park that badly needs a facelift. As another citizen pointed out how the attention given to downtown parking shows where our commission's priorities lie. Show up at the next meeting if you can and support both issues! The bars and AB &E both certainly do not miss an opportunity to be heard!