Replace Republican with a Republican
I see the handwriting on the wall that a Democrat appointee will be chosen by the partisan judges. We elected a Republican clerk and one should be chosen from the GOP represented candidates. Mr. Miller lost the election, perhaps because Ms. Spranger rode the Trump bandwagon. But he also collaborated with the retiring clerk, Carmella Sabaugh, in election gamesmanship to exclude other candidates. To now allow Miller to act as our county clerk would be a travesty.
Anthony Forlini represented much of Macomb County as our state representative until his term limits excluded him from the office. He now works for the Macomb County Public Works. Mr. Forlini is a proven manager of many aspects of governing and business. He is a Republican. He should be given priority in this choice over any Democrat since this office was filled by a vote of the people. He is well qualified and already a Macomb County employee.
Donald G. Vonk
Harrison Township
Trump fails to lead
During the 2016 presidential campaign Donald Trump was extolled by many of his sycophants as a tough, strong, great leader. After 15 months of his presidency it should be clear to any objective person that Trump is at best a very poor leader. I realize that Trump’s rabid supporters will shrug my letter off as just another liberal smear job. Not so.
Great leaders ensure there are well-developed business plans before making major pronouncements on new/updated policies. In other words what will the policy cost, how will it be implemented and what ongoing checks points will be in place to determine the success or failure of the policy. Trump rarely if ever follows what any Business 101 graduate would know to be this basic business practice.
Great leaders surround themselves with the best available people. Given the unprecedented personnel churn in the current administration Trump either doesn’t recognize, can’t find, or can’t retain the best people.
Great leaders allow their subordinates to make decisions without fear of being undermined by their boss. If Trump’s subordinates were honest they would admit that Trump’s never-ending, poorly thought out tweets and off-the-cuff statements have caused them to scramble to alter or create plans not really knowing what exactly he means or wants.
Great leaders – not to mention mature adults – accept responsibility for their words and actions. Unless something goes well, Trump never accepts responsibility. When things go badly it’s always someone else’s fault. President Harry Truman adhered to the motto that ‘the buck stops here.’ Trump’s motto must be that ‘the buck is someone else’s problem.’
Great leaders don’t whine constantly about how unfair critics are to them. They learn from the criticism. Or respond to it with clear, cogent reasons for their actions rather than providing clarity. Trump’s word salads usually create more confusion and uncertainty.
Chris Charron
Eastpointe
Investigation out of control
Given the free reign that Robert Mueller has been given in the investigation into Russian collusion in the Trump presidential campaign, I would be very afraid if I were the librarian who was responsible for ignoring the overdue book fees of Donald Trump back in the 8th grade. She should lawyer up immediately in preparation for being called in for questioning and be ready to plead the 5th as Lois Lerner and Hillary Clinton’s IT guy, Bryan Pagliano, did.
Don Ruedisueli
Macomb Twp.