Harumph, I had to dig to find my new posting. "Glass Parking lot lawyers should not throw stones. I hope that by commenting first to alert more Patch readers that tonites meeting will include Mr.Rasor's attempts to squelch the proposed ethics oath/affirmation made by commissioner Cappello as reported in the Review.

Rasor needs to resign, and Ellison needs to retire.

Ronald Wolf - please help me out here:

Question 1) Was the business opportunity that Rasor pursued open to every other resident? I think it was. Anyone could've applied for a parking lot license for AB&E, right? So no problem there.

Question 2) Was Rasor in a position as a city commissioner to directly influence how much money he made off the parking lot? If so, there is a serious ethical issue. I don't know if he had this ability or not though. I'm not clear here on the details - could Jim Rasor have directly steered profits his own way? If not, then I don't see a problem here either.

Question 3) If he couldn't vote or otherwise influence the outcome of his personal desire to submit a bid for the lot, then what did he do wrong? In other words, did Rasor take advantage of a special privilege afforded him by his role on the City Commission? Or did he have the same opportunity that every other Royal Oak resident did? Was there some special inside information that gave him important knowledge or special access to profits that others couldn't have made?

As long as these answers are "No" then we should stop this witch-hunt. In this case, he's just a good businessman...we need more of those in politics, and the ladies of the commission should respect the free market and avoid PR stunts.

If these answers are "Yes" (i.e. he had special privileges to make a profit off the city that no one else did) then he needs to go.

It's as simple as that in my mind.

He wasn't acting in the best interest of the city as a elected city commissioner. His first priority as a commissioner should have been to have administration secure the Fresard lot, without trying to operate the lots for his personal enrichment.

Instead, Rasor gets amnesia and forgets that the city ran parking stations on the very same parking lots for the last two years. Rasor was tryng to redirect $20,000 +
in parking station revenues that for the last two years flowed into city coffers.

Hi guys. There is no conspiracy here. Please note, it's just me and me alone at Royal Oak Patch, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. This blog came in over the weekend and I am just now catching up. Thanks for being patient.

Theo, to rehash this would take pages, there are still unanswered question. On remark of yours bothers me "he is just a good businessman". Is it in our charter that this city is to be run by and for businessmen, or do residents also have a say in the matter of who gets approved and for what and why?
Just tonite Mr.Rasor wanted to know if his business knowledge would conflict with a decision if he has personal knowledge of an applicant through his practice. I would say that depends: #1. Did your client pay you for your advice and help in procuring a favorable decision by the commission? #2. Do you yourself have a personal stake in the matter? just two questions in that if the answer is yes Mr. Rasor has the right to participate in the discussion, but ethically he should recuse his vote.

Whats the big deal about an honest commissioner stating "I would like to recuse myself to avoid any incrimination regarding the stipulations of our ethics ordinance."
I would vote for the re-election of that honest incumbent if I ever heard it said.

WHOOPSRe: my last Theo comment that was:" Dennis" Griffin I initially asked for, even asked for a David Griffin who I thought could help me contact Dennis, he is at the Pyramid office of CBRE in Southfield. No, repeat, No calls whatsoever were returned. My name is not Jim I guess.

Theo, your comments are designed to incite people. Are you saying you would have been comfortable having commissioner Rasor financially enrich himself with a business dealing with the potential hotel developer prior to Rasor having to vote for approval for the hotel development proposal at the city commission and planning commission levels?

You're either ignorant, or just taking a contrarian position to stir it up.

At this point, Razor couldn't get elected as dog catcher. Time to move on Jimbo. You've become to fat and gluttonous at the public trough. Just go.

Time for a new city charter, apparently a new city manager by the looks of his engineered master plan that just throws stuff against the wall to see if it sticks. Nothing tangible in it. Tons of window dressing.
We could use:
*parking spaces for library patrons only at no charge for two hours.
* a downtown park/plaza complete with adequate comfortable wood benches on the paths and around the fountain. Chess tables, fixed tiles and tree footings, a toddlers swing by the butterfly garden.
* signs on Main directing tourists to structure parking on Lafayette.
* Free parking in the Lafayette structure to allow for more shopping downtown from 9am- 6pm
* a better attiude towards bicycles, more bicycle racks, signs on residential streets warning to watch for bicycles.
*a downtown free parking holiday weekend to encourage people to visit. Royal Oak days- could co-incide with existing garage sale, or glass show. Promote it!! Stop looking for ways to gouge the public, give us a break!
* 22 Michigan cities have successful city income taxes so non resident businesses and professional help pay their way, retirees, students, low income exempt. Ours should be a flat rate with no discrimination and at no more than 1.1 5% almost nothing especially if you give an exemption of the first five thousand dollars.

If you can't laugh you have to cry. The comment was mean't to point out we should be more greatful that we do not have those problems and maybe not take each other so seriously, I mention out of a hat Egypt and Syria, but for that matter the rest of this crazy world where whole families including women and babies are starved, murdered, and much worse every ticking second. That is sacrosanct? Why? Because the poor are of no economic interest to us? Yes, thats not funny. You are offended? Too bad. Watch the tube and wait til they drop the big one for more laughs.

Shoot, regarding master plan, tennis courts, lots of tennis courts, great exercise and you do not have to organize a team. Whereever there is a tennis court add a couple of hoops too. Oaky kids only see hoops in the school gym and on television. Both half court BB and tennis do not require coaches and screaming parents.

Do you believe this city is paying another private company twenty thousand dollars, and you know that will increase?, All to redesign a new logo to purportedly to attract more cars to our downtown already filled up parking lots?
Here I go again! Twenty thousand dollars can pay for: (pick one) a new tennis court, maybe two basket ball courts, benches and chess tables for Stardream with added improvement to fountain, swing and slide next to the butterly garden, improvements for the butterfly garden.
Wait a second while I place two fingers in my ear and go YAAAAAAAAAAAAA while Mark, or one of my myriad critics who keep telling me how ignorant I am (admit I did not know Johnson does not vote- so what, he tells them what to do and they blindly do it., yes, tell me those improvements I suggest cannot come from the commission, they have to come from Parks and Rec, or other boards that are presently broke. Tell me one more time. Q.-why do we have money for "promotion" but not for these things, especially when we apparently get this money by raiding the parking fund?.

Agree with you on the parking signs Ronald, 20K is a complete waste of money.

Leave poor Jimbo alone. Narcissistics always dig there own graves in the end... case in point... look at other local notables Kwame Kilpatrick and Bob Bashara. . .

Debbie Campbell - can you tell us where in the charter it says the City Manager has to live in Royal Oak? Will you be attending a City Commission meeting to tell the world about this blatant disregard for the City Charter that you are speaking of? Or do you have another plan to raise awareness of this issue, Debbie Campbell? I mean a plan that goes beyond internet postings that only a dozen or so people contribute to. What do you think the City should do?

Ted... you provcative charmer you!

Here is another question and I would like to hear a straight anwer from hizoner, and on down. I cannot help but notice there is a big premium given on team playing and getting along by more than a few on this commission. Even a pothole the size of the Fresard parking lot which almost derailed its credibility has been smoothed over.
One other thought on the idea of a proposed city income tax that I believe could be tailored to make everyone happy. Have you ever contributed to a charity that said if you give now, whatever you give will be matched (doubled) by another benefactor.
As I said previously, make it a flat 1.15% for both residents and non residents exempting residents who are retired senors, limited income, on disability, students, and of course the unemployed will not be subject. Then on top of that exempt the first 5 thousand of income for both residents and non residents. So imagine that for every dollar a resident pays, the city gets in return a dollar from a non resident to offset city expenses, maybe even two or three considering the numbers of non resident businesses and employees, involved.eg- DJ. Mayor, you made it obvious you read Patch. Forget it came from me and think about it. 22 Michigan cities have one,
Getting to the point, which is more important, a commission meetinng that runs smoothly withouf problems or the welfare and best interests of all the residents that should be placed over interests of non resident business owners hypothetically?

So eager to raise taxes on working people and their families. Will I receive a corresponding cut to my property tax? I hope you aren't exempting yourself from this income tax.
The non-resident income tax rate can not be in excess of one-half the resident income tax rate. You need to change state law to make them equivalent.
The list of Michigan cities that impose an income tax is riddled with failures. All you will do is drive families out of town. Welcome to Pottersville.
If you are going through the trouble of changing state law, how about changing the law that would allow us to implement a per drink tax? You just have to beat the liquor lobby is all. There is no way the income tax rule will change. Why should a non-resident pay the same as a resident? They don't live in the community. Business can relocate just like a resident. The hospital can stop expanding and adding specialty health services. They have plenty of room to grow on the border of Troy and Sterling Heights.

Like Bob said, I believe that as a result of the housing crash, the Commission has given Johnson some leeway on this. Also, I do see Johnson around town from time to time for various events--not a lot, but some.

I've live here for nearly 50 years and this is the first city manager that hasn't resided in Royal Oak. He is paid a tremendous amount of money to do the job, and I want someone who lives. works, and sleeps here doing the job.

He can't possibly know what is going on in the neighborhoods by sitting in his office at city hall. He is never in the community when things get rowdy in the downtown after midnight, and that happens all the time.

Enough excuses. Move here, Mr. Johnson, or let's find someone willing to invest in our community to be city manager.

Is Royal Oak not good enough for the Johnson's?

Debbie Campbell
Per your comments:
Present status of City Manager Donald Johnson’s employment agreement dated 15th day of February 2010,mainly Section 11. Moving and Relocation Expense’s. “Johnson has offered to establish residence within the corporate boundaries of the City of Royal Oak within a reasonable period after the date of this agreement, and thereafter to maintain residence within the corporate boundaries of the City. The city has agreed to accept that offer. In consideration for Johnson’s offer, the City shall pay Johnson’s actual and necessary moving expenses, including packing, moving storage, costs (if any), unpacking, and insurance charges. Johnson shall obtain three (3) estimates from reputable moving companies, and the City shall pay an amount equal to the lowest of the three estimates directly to the moving company selected by Johnson.”

On a FOIA returned this week the H.R. Director indicated that Mr. Johnson's residency status has not changed.

Why isn't the mayor and city commissioners demanding that this contract provision be met?

Great question John...ask it at the next CITCOM meeting. See you there!

Why? sit down and I will explain it all to you.There is no arrogance like the arrogance of power. A common theme even in fairy tales( The Emperor's New Clothes)..
Lets face it this guy has made himself indispensible to this commission, at least in his opinion. He is a good bean counter, has even arranged for a grant or two as I have heard, but indispensible I do not think so. Why the resistance to bring in an outside accounting firm such as Plante and Moran? Three guesses. It takes two to tango and city hall has a very crowded dance floor. Play on, we especially love the violins.

I have an idea!!!! The City Manager, along with all City Commissioners and the City Attorney, should be required to recite a pledge that they live in Royal Oak prior to every official city function.

Now we just need to find a City Commissioner who is willing to take the law into his/her own hands and write an arbitrary pledge. Any ideas who might be willing to write this Residency Pledge?

If I don't trust your ethics, why would I trust you to dictate my moral values?

S'pose dis: You do not respect the city's charter. You take the city's money. You tell the city it can't have Gran Fondo. You tell the city to tell the restaurants to take the flowers off the railings. You tell me I should it on the walls instead of a bench.
Now your boss the Mayor, he listens to you more than he listens it me, right?
This makes you better than me even though I am a resident and your not, right?
Now s'pose we residents decide to run a candidate that promises to replace you, the city manager with a resident?
Now there are two jobs at stake, just because you do not care to live in a community that apparently does not meet your standards, but its still ok to take their money.
Is all of the above true? Is the conclusion logical? Don Johnson I am awaiting your opinion. Mayor what is your opinion? Who is more important, your friend Don, or the residents who feel that our charter is not respected in this instance it could be easily disprespected in other instances?. Jim Rasor you are a resident what do you think? What is your legal opinion? or, does the city have to retain your firm to get one? Just asking.

What a bunch of hosers. Clamp it !

I was being sardonic and facetious of course Theo. Look I respect all the hours that go into running this mini metropolis, I just want to not see all that effort squandered in lame decisions made purely to get whatever the problem is off the table.
The next thing you know the tail is wagging the dog, the city manager becomes both manager and umpire, the mayor and everyone else just sounding boards.
Of course there is the ethics vacuum occupied presently by mega-bars, EMagine, AB&E, and and outside special interests in sheeps clothing (mostly LLC's and their attorneys).
We need a new city charter with checks and balances even a lay peron can read in less than an hour, We need common sense.

Do you give you dog or cat a choice before you open the can and put it in the bowl? Sorry but that is exactly the way I feell the master plan was put together. Anyone with eyes to see knows that the parts of our downtown that affect residents get the least attention. You all know my pet peeves.
A rotten shame that more emphasis is based on the perception of democacy than its actual implementaion. more emphasis on get along, and as well as business that, includes the need for healthy exercise, acessable free library parking, and a central park for outdoor recreation and socialization.

Dear residents, it seems a lot of blogs are competitive in that they have to keep receiving responses to be maintained on the "most popular blogs". I guess the patch takes a lesson from our constitution which if not amended by our supreme court ever so often would also dissappear from the screen. Another complaint is if you read the postings lately you would think that RO's population was less than Zug Island. Judy, why not consider keeping, or even revitalizing a blog if the issues have not been addressed, or are still germane. I ecourage Patchers to post if you like the issue. Forget the author, the more you post the more the issue remains. Kind of like American Idol.
Debbe Campbell I have not heard from you lately, your well researched comments are missed, hope you are well.

It is in the nature of the world and especially the Internet, that most topics fade away over time. It is also natural that the "most popular blogs" have the most reponses. Otherwise they aren't the "most popular", are they?

I understand your frustration with not being able to start a topic over unless the Patch runs an article that lends itself to it. C'est la vie.

Serendipity the Patch listed this site as still active and I would like to inform the readers that I have contacted "Dan" in Lansing who assists Jim Townsend and reminded him that I sent two e-mails with my descriptive suggestions to change the states rules regarding the imposing of a city income tax with the aim of making it more egalitarian and amenable to all involve. The goal is to counteract some of the damage inflicted by prop A and the Headlee amendment and enable successful cities such as Royal Oak by giving it more options other than raising millages.
I would think Governor Snyder would like to see cities such as ours to be as self sufficient as possible. I have always said RO's best asset is its central location with proximity to 696, I 75, Woodward, Detroit, and Birmingham. Something the morons that replaced Michael Duggan who resigned from the DMC did not consider after the spending of thousands before canceling (my opinion).