Week in Review: the Gnashing of Teeth
"All we were asking for was your full faith and credit."
Week in Review
County Commissioners, Tuesday, November 12
LifeWays Bond Request
CEO of LifeWays, Maribeth Leonard, LBSW, MBA (she/her/hers) presented an impassioned plea for the County to help the $100+ million per year LifeWays to save some money on their new building.
This new building—fittingly to be located in the industrial area—would be neither “a shelter” nor “a primary care center,” but it would include an 8-bed “crisis residential unit” meant to treat individuals in-house for up to 14 days. This would serve as “an alternative for individuals . . . for some being in the jail.”
LifeWays received quotes from various banks at different rates and downpayments. The possible bond from the County would give them the best rate, and thus, their “formal request”—
for the Hillsdale Board of County Commissioners to issue a bond on behalf of LifeWays, a Community Mental Health Authority for the purposes of new construction of the Hillsdale Mental Health Facility.
After a short discussion, the Commissioners rejected the LifeWays bond request, Wiley and Leininger for. Our unexpected heroes:
Ingles
Benzing
Lanius
According to Ingles’ summary of the numbers presented to him from LifeWays, the “Community Mental Health Authority” is projected to receive $4.44 billion in revenue between 2023-2049. The entirety of the building project is estimated to cost $15.5 million.
Emergency Management Job Description Update
The County’s emergency manager carries out “disaster response plans.” The Commissioners, led by Benzing, made this part time job into a full time job, because of Hillsdale County’s. . . many disasters? According to the agenda,
Under the general supervision of the ETSB, the Director is responsible for the implementation, management and operation of the Hillsdale County Central Dispatch communications center which provides dispatch services for all law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical agencies in Hillsdale County.
Benzing, pleased to be adding more positions to the County staff: “I appreciate my fellow commissioners in supporting making this a full-time position. . . I’m happy that we’re able to get that updated.”
Thomas Whitaker, outgoing Emergency Management Director: “When the proverbial ‘stuff’ hits the fan, we have to have those contacts in place. . . those Non-Governmental Organizations, the avenue to the State.”
For Whitaker, “this aligns us with other counties, such as Jackson,” so it must be done. The cash-strapped commissioners passed the expansion, 4-1; Leininger against. The County will hire for this position in the coming months.
Public Comment
Not getting everything that they wanted immediately, LifeWays executives (and county officials who sit on LifeWays’ board) lined up to throw a collective tantrum about Hillsdale County.
Wiley, on his own virtues and his colleagues’ vices: “We do the best for the County, but today we failed. . . by not providing the bond that LifeWays requested.”
Maribeth Leonard, weeping and raging, resolving to extract a pound of Hillsdale’s flesh: “We will persevere as an organization, and ‘No’ just means a different path as an organization moving forward.”
Unnamed man, on the superiority of Jackson: “Why does Jackson County have the [LifeWays] facility that they have? Why did they support a bond to help their community?”
Cassie Watson, LifeWays Executive Director and Lenawee County resident, passive-aggressive: “I hope this is not a message to your community. . . that you don’t support the services that we provide. . . Because I think that’s an obligation.”
Shannan Clevenger, LifeWays COO: “All we were asking for was your full faith and credit. . . This was about providing full services at the same caliber that the Jackson County residents receive.”
Michael Thompson, CEO of Segue, a LifeWays provider: “I don’t know if the decision can be revisited at a future time, but I hope that it can.”
Remember, people of Hillsdale, that this organization of wealthy therapists came to your County and berated you when your representatives didn’t cave to their demands; remember that they said you owe them your full faith and credit; remember that they want to transform your County with your money. Despite their pedantic sophistry and embarrassing performance art during public comment, this isn’t about the good of Hillsdale County or its families. No, it’s about the organization—
Upcoming Events
City Council, Monday, November 18
Airport Tug Purchase
The Airport would like to purchase a “tug” machine for $25,000.
External Links
“The Michigan Department of Transportation has committed to making changes to the infamous Hallett Street rail bridge in 2026.” HDN.
“Casey Wheatland, meanwhile, is a newly appointed political scientist whose PhD comes from the conservative private university, Hillsdale College.” The Guardian.
“A jury awarded a Catholic Michigan woman $12.7 million in a religious discrimination lawsuit after her former employer — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) — refused to give her a religious exemption from the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and fired her.” Catholic News Agency.
“Buttigieg reportedly scored well in a poll of potential gubernatorial candidates.” Detroit Free Press.
“I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (‘DOGE’).” President Trump.
“Many federal employees are terrified that we’ll be replaced with partisan loyalists — not just because our jobs are on the line, but because we know that our democracy and country depend on a government supported by a merit-based, apolitical civil service.” Politico.
“The Democrats’ Coalition of the Fringes was more effective when each victim group got, seemingly, a brief turn at the top.” Steve Sailer.
“All American domestic policy should be re-ordered with flourishing families at its heart.” Mary Harrington reviews Kevin Roberts’ new book.
“There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support school-based mental health initiatives.” Manhattan Institute.
“Welcome to the strange world of lethal drugs, a shadow world largely unmonitored by health authorities, where supply chains can suddenly disappear, where new experimental mixtures come and go, and where best practice remains decidedly unclear.” Dan Hitchens.