THE NEXT N.A.A.G. MEETING IS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2013 @ 12:00 NOON
CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SAGINAW, MI
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Numerous shots fired in South Side Saginaw apartment leads to nine felony conviction
Willie G. Youngblood
Derrick B. Lister
SAGINAW, MI — A Saginaw man faces up to life in prison after a jury convicted him of nine felonies in a Thanksgiving 2011 incident in the Birch Park housing community.
A jury on Thursday, Jan. 31, convicted Willie G. Youngblood Jr. of assault with intent to murder, conspiring to commit that crime, and seven other felonies.
Youngblood's trial before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson began Tuesday and continued Wednesday with testimony before concluding Thursday with closing arguments. The jurors deliberated for about two hours before convicting Youngblood.
Youngblood, 35, was convicted for his role in a Nov. 24 incident at 3118 Birch Park off Hess on Saginaw's South Side.
Prosecutors said that after Derrick B. Lister's girlfriend and another woman argued about Lister, Youngblood and Lister forced their way into the other woman's apartment, where numerous shots were fired inside. Nobody was shot in the incident.
Youngblood also was convicted of first-degree home invasion, conspiring to commit that crime, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, possessing a firearm as a felon, and three counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. The jurors acquitted him of an additional assault charged and the accompanying felony firearm charge.
A trial date for Lister, 46, is pending. Lister is charged with the same nine felonies of which Youngblood was convicted.
Assault with intent to murder and conspiring to commit that crime both carry maximum penalties of life in prison. As a fourth-time habitual offender, Youngblood also faces life maximums for the home invasion and conspiracy charges.
A sentencing date was pending.
Phil Ludos, six-digit salary
View full sizeAssistant Saginaw City Manager for Public Safety Phil Ludos speaks at the Saginaw County Courts and Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013.
SAGINAW, MI — Assistant City Manager for Public Safety Phil Ludos is now earning a more than $100,000 annual salary, according to the city's budget documents for the current fiscal year.
Ludos, who was hired in January 2011 at a $96,038 annual salary, now oversees city police, fire and inspections operations.
According to the 2012-2013 budget, the city allocated $102,406 for the fiscal year to cover the administrator's compensation. Both before and after the pay rate range, Ludos was one of the highest-paid administrators in Saginaw City Hall, second only to City Manager Darnell Earley.
Earley currently earns an annual salary of $110,000, the same wages promised in a 2005 contract when he took over as interim city manager.
The difference between Ludos' starting and current salaries is due to both a 1 percent across-the-board pay increase for city employees in 2011, the last such increase given, and the contracted step increase owed Ludos.
Ludos' contract, received by MLive in response to a Freedom of Information request, spells out no specific contract term, though the city is given authority to terminate it at any time without any written notice.
If Ludos decides to resign or retire, the contract requires him to provide 14 days written notice.
He is promised six months of his salary as severance pay if he is terminated by the city for any reason other than "for poor work performance, violation of work rules, or any other cause related reason."
This section of Ludos' contract has churned up controversy since he was hired, called by some an "incentive" for the administrator to work toward changes to Saginaw's police and fire departments that would render his position unnecessary.
Ludos and Earley have recently worked on a proposed police services contract with Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel in an attempt to balance the city budget.
Most other top administrative employees at Saginaw City Hall are also entitled to severance pay equivalent to six months' wages, including the following:
Development Director William Ernat, Executive Assistant to the City Manager Debbie Buck, Assistant to the City Manager/Budget Administrator Yolanda Jones, Deputy City Manager/CFO Tim Morales, Employee Services Director Dennis Jordan, Technical Services Director Jeff Klopcic and Director of Water and Waste Water Treatment Kim Mason.
Two administrative-level employees without severance pay written into their contracts are Public Services Director Phil Karwat, and City Clerk Janet Santos.
According to the city manager's contract, Earley is entitled to three months' salary if terminated by city council without cause.
Ludos is entitled to the same benefits package as other non-union city employees hired at that time, including paid time off, paid holidays, short and long-term disability, a defined contribution retirement plan, a voluntary deferred compensation plan and health and other types of insurance.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
THE HAIR CUT
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, "I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, "I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
Monday, January 28, 2013
EARLY-MORNING FIRE GUTS SAGINAW RENTAL HOME ON S. MICHIGAN
View full sizeA fire caused about $70,000 worth of damage to a home locates at 703 S. Michigan.
SAGINAW, MI — A fire that began about 4 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, severely damaged a two-story rental home that was occupied by four tenants in three separate apartments, the Saginaw Fire Department reports.
Some of the tenants were inside the house at 703 S. Michigan when the blaze started, but everyone escaped without injuries, according to Saginaw Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Filary.
The house was split into five apartments, Filary said, and the fire originated in the main level of the approximately 2,500-square-foot home and caused about $70,000 worth of damage to the structure.
"It was windy that night, the winds really made the fire spread quickly," Filary said.
The fire department used a truck-mounted ladder and hoses on the ground to soak the fire, clearing the scene after about four hours, he said. One firefighter sustained a minor shoulder strain injury, Filary said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A rental agent in charge of the property could not give any additional updates about future plans for the home, but confirmed that four tenants occupying three apartments in the building were displaced by the fire.
BY-LAWS (S.W.S.N.A.)
SOUTHWEST SAGINAW
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (S.W.S.N.A.)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME AND BOUNDARIES:
S.W.S.N.A. SOUTHWEST SAGINAW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
BOUNDARIES: City Limit at Superior & Gratiot South to
Tittabawassee River, and South-side of Gratiot and City Limit of Superior east
to Saginaw River.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE:
`
To preserve and improve our neighborhood in accordance with the Laws &
Ordinances of the City Of Saginaw and the State of Michigan in co-operation
with the Saginaw Police, Scenic, and our Community Police Officer.
ARTICLE III
S.W.S.N.A.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
A. MEMBER: Must be a
property owner or renter at least 18 years of age who reside in a home or
apartment with-in the S.W.S.N.A. boundaries.
B. VOTING MEMBER: (FOR OFFICERS) shall be a member who has
attended at least four (4) general memberships meeting in the preceding twelve
(12) months.
C. Signing in his/her name at the
general membership meetings to be counted for voting purposes.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS:
The Executive Board Committee shall consist of a President,
Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Event coordinator.
THE TERMS
AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
Terms for all Executive Board Committee seat are to be on an
alternating system so you have some of the Board members still in office for
the changeover of new officers coming in. Any board member can run after their
term has been completed for as many times that they desire.
1. THE PRESIDENT: (2 YEAR TERM) “or until (the officers)
successor is elected.”
A. Shall preside at all general
membership and Executive Committee meetings.
B. Shall have the power to appoint
special committees as directed by the needs of S.W.S.N.A.
C. Shall represent S.W.S.N.A. in all
extra-curricular events except when this is not possible. In such cases he or she may appoint another
member to represent him or her.
2. VICE PRESIDENT:
(2 YEAR TERM) “or until (the
officers) successor is elected.”
A. Shall perform the duties of the
President when the President shall be absent.
3. RECORDING SECRETARY:
(2 YEAR TERM) “or until (the officers)
successor is elected.”
A. Shall take minutes at every general
membership meeting and be responsible for the care of said minutes.
B. Shall handle all necessary
correspondence at the direction of the Executive Committee.
C. Shall maintain custody of the
S.W.S.N.A. By-Laws.
4. TREASURER:
(2 YEAR TERM) “or until (the
officers) successor is elected.”
A. Shall keep account of and be
responsible for the Treasury of S.W.S.N.A. during the terms of office.
B. Shall have charge of any and all
monetary transactions of S.W.S.N.A.
C. Shall sign all check drawn upon funds
of the S.W.S.N.A. Organization. All checks shall also require the signature
of either the President or Vice President, and must be approved by the
Executive Board Committee.
D. Shall give financial report at the
general membership and Executive Committee meetings and prepare an annual
report of the finances of S.W.S.N.A. showing the receipts and disbursement
during the current year. The annual
report shall be submitted by the retiring Treasurer when his or her term is
completed to the Incoming Treasurer.
5. EVENT COORDINATOR:
(2 YEAR TERM) “or until (the
officers) successor is elected.”
A. Shall coordinate, schedule and plan
for upcoming special events.
ARTICLE V
NOMINATIONS
AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
A. Final Nomination and election of
officers shall take place during a general membership meeting.
B. Method Of Elections:
1. Election shall be by secret ballot
with one vote per eligible member of those present at a general membership
meeting. (SEE ARTICLE III SECTION B) or if one (1) has been nominated for an
office, the chair simply declares the nominee elected (which is referred to as
an election by acclamation)
2. A simple majority vote of those
eligible members present is required.
3. An individual may hold only one (1) elected
position at a time and may not be on any other Executive Boards with-in the
S.W.S.N.A. boundaries.
C. Nomination Committee:
1. PURPOSE:
A. the
selection and nomination of candidates to fill the elective officer of
S.W.S.N.A.
2. DUTIES:
A. Shall
be formed at the January meeting to poll the members on their desire to fill an
elective post and /or nominate a member to fill a post.
B. Shall meet as needed to prepare a slate of
prospective officers for election which will be presented at the February
meeting. Nominations for any office may
also be presented from the floor. After
requests for additional nominations for any office, nominations shall be closed
for that office.
C. Shall contact the nominated member to
determine if the member is willing to fill the position for the term. If the member is willing to run for the
office, the nominating committee will place his/her name on the slate of
prospective officer. In the event that
the nominating committee identifies more than one candidate for an office, all
names for that office will be printed on the slate of prospective officers.
D. Shall be responsible for preparing and
publishing a slate of candidates to all members at the February meeting to be
voted on at the March general membership meeting. This slate will be published on the S.W.S.N.A.
website if available, no later than two weeks prior to the March meeting.
E. Shall
prepare the ballot, tally all votes, and present the results of the election
following the voting at March meeting.
Any S.W.S.N.A. member may volunteer to fill a position or may nominate
another member for a position. All
nominated candidates shall meet the requirements of having attended at least
four (4) meeting in the preceding twelve (12) months. The nominating committee will contact the
nominated member to determine if the member is willing to fill the
position.
Resignation from Office:
In event of a Board members
resignation from office, a special election to fill the vacancy shall be held
at the next general membership meeting in which the resignation is accepted and
a temporary member fills the vacant seat until the term has been completed.
Then an election will be held to fill the position for the 2 year term.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS:
1. Shall be held on the third Tuesday of
each month with the exception of December due to holiday.
2. Meetings will be held at the Becon of
Hope Church, 2109 W. Michigan Ave. Saginaw, Mi.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD:
A. There shall be an Executive Board
Committee consisting of a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary,
Treasurer and Event Coordinator.
B. It shall be the duty of each
Executive Board Member to attend all meeting of the Executive Board if
possible.
C. The vacancy of any office of the
Executive Board shall be filled by a simple majority vote of eligible member in
attendance at the next general membership meeting, to fill the remaining term.
D. The President has the power to spend
up to fifty ($50.00) dollars for organizational purposes without the consent of
regular membership. All other
disbursement shall be submitted to the general membership at the next general
membership meeting for approval.
E. The Executive Board shall meet
monthly as decided at the January Executive Board meeting, or at the request of
the President, or upon the request of any two (2) Executive Board Committee
members.
ARTICLE VIII
REGULATION AND PROCEDURES:
1. Any project using the name, signage
or materials or anything resembling it of S.W.S.N.A. must have prior approval
of the Executive Board using it will result in loss of membership.
2. Political candidates may be
introduced at the meeting and the membership be informed that the candidates
will be available for question after the meeting. Speeches by the candidates will not be
allowed.
3. All volunteers serve at the direction and
discretion of the Executive Board of the S.W.S.N.A. The
board reserves the right to discontinue the services of any volunteer whose
attitude or behavior does not serve the best interest of S.W.S.N.A.
4. S.W.S.N.A. reserves the right to
discontinue the membership of any person or group using foul or offensive
language or disruptive behavior during the meetings.
5. No firearms to be carried by any
member will be allowed at S.W.S.N.A. general membership meeting.
6. Any member in violation of the
regulation and procedures is subject to immediate removal from S.W.S.N.A.
ARTICLE IX
1. RATIFICATION AND
AMENDMENTS:
2. These by-laws shall be reviewed
periodically and may be altered, amended, or changed by vote of sixty (60)
percent of the members at a scheduled general membership meeting. Proposed alterations, amendments, or changes
will be available on the S.W.S.N.A. website if available for membership review
prior to the meeting that the alterations, amendments, or changes are voted
upon.
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