The official Tanglewood Homeowners Association made a presentation to the City Council on February 11, 2008 relative to another group using our name; soliciting funds in our name; and staging an illegal election in our name.
The City Council pretended neutrality and indicated it was a neighborhood issue. However, it was quite apparent the council had secretly addressed the issue earlier in their closed "study" sessions and passed the buck to the city attorney, who then acted as if he was the other groups personal representative.
"Government For The People"
The City Attorney rationalized his involvement because "a group of residents came to him complaining that the association was in "disarray". A group of residents: NOT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS.
Instead of giving a fair hearing to both groups and conducting fact-finding, he made a decision to interfere; and in an unprecedented show of control, orchestrated the facilitation of an election of individuals who he then endorsed as the leadership on behalf of the residents of the community. Essentially, the city attorney dictated it is HIS "right" to determine leadership in the Tanglewood community, rather than the residents. A true show of a lack of respect for the civic rights of the residents.
Although, there are no Michigan laws nor City Ordinances which govern neighborhood association operation, the city attorney claimed he was acting in accordance with "the law".
Associations operate by thier own enacted By-Laws.
Our officials are using valuable resources to pay overtime to city employees to interfere in neighborhood associations. Yet, everywhere you look in the City of Southfield there are vacancy signs; near empty office buildings; neighborhoods full of foreclosed homes; roads in horrible condition; and trash lining Greenfield and Southfield Roads.
If one REALLY wants to see what "disarray" looks like, they just need to look around the City of Southfield.