Politics & Government
Group Ready to File Complaint if HRO Communication Leads to Violation
The group Royal Oak Voting AGAINST Prop A Special Rights says the Royal Oak City Commission has to be "very careful" if it decides to send voters information on the human rights ordinance.
A group urging a "no" vote on Proposal A, announced Tuesday it is ready to file a complaint should a letter to voters intended to explain the human rights ordinance (HRO) violate the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.
"We want the city commission to be aware that we are watching," said Dr. Fadwa Gillanders, a spokesperson for Royal Oak Voting AGAINST Prop A Special Rights. "They have to be very careful."
Last week, city commissioners voted 5-1 to direct staff to draft a letter to voters concerning the much talked about human rights ordinance for Royal Oak.
Commissioner Jim Rasor told leaders "there is a lot of misinformation out there" and that they have an obligation to educate the public.
"It's not really uncharted territory in terms of authorized expenditures or lawful expenditures of city funds," said City Attorney Dave Gillam of sending the public letter.
However, Gillam noted the city cannot utilize any public money in terms of taking sides or providing interpretations. It can only provide information, he said.
"How can you make it objective and unbiased?" Gillanders said. "We want this to be fair."
Gillanders said members of Royal Oak Voting AGAINST Prop A Special Rights plan to be at the Oct. 7 city commission meeting and are prepared to immediately file a complaint with the Michigan Department of State if there is evidence that city personnel have been used to affect the vote on Proposal A.
The group also plans to participate in public comment, she said.
"I am glad members of the public are concerned on this extremely important issue," Rasor said. "Interestingly, the genesis of the ordinance had quite a bit of public comment, which was 98 percent supportive of the HRO including business owners, landlords, and public officials like State Rep. Jim Townsend."
Rasor said he confident Gillam will advise the commission within the permissible boundaries of the law.
"Everything we do is on the agenda," Rasor said. "There are no secrets."
Gillanders, who describes herself as a passionate defender of First Amendment rights, believes the ordinance language stands for itself on the ballot.
Voters will decide on Proposal A on Nov. 5.
For more information on Royal Oak Voting AGAINST Prop A Special Rights visit justroyaloak.org.
For information on One Royal Oak, the group supporting the HRO, visit oneroyaloak.org.
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