Rees' Pieces: Threats against councilman foolish

(Originally published June 2004)

I have been following the East Scott Street saga for quite some time now, and I can understand why people are angry and oppose the plans to narrow the street.

But resorting to vandalism, obscene gestures, and threats?

You know who you are. I’m talking to you.

Your actions are deplorable, not to mention low.

A quick recap on events over the past couple months: the city council has been in a swirl of controversy over its decision to narrow East Scott Street from 41 feet to 33 feet, as part of its reconstruction project.

At the center of it all is Ward 1 Councilman Jeffrey Fitzgerald. At the May 10 meeting, the council was voting on a change order to keep it at its current width.

Fitzgerald went door-to-door surveying the east Scott neighborhood. He found that the vast majority opposed the narrowing, but that didn’t stop him from voting against the change order. He stated he had to do what he felt was best for Grand Ledge as a whole.

The change order failed, 4-3.

This, as you can imagine, upset many people. There was an uproar in the audience. One man, nearly knocking over a chair, yelled at Fitzgerald and openly called for his resignation.

At the most recent meeting on May 24, Fitzgerald gave a most disturbing report. His car had been “keyed” — which is using a key to scratch up the vehicle. People would drive by, waving, and then flash the middle finger. He reported threats against his wife, and children.

I’ll say it again. Deplorable.

Whether the council is right or wrong on this isn’t the issue.

Agree or disagree, there is a right way to make your voice known.

Posting a political sign in your yard is the right way.

Speaking out during the public comment portion at meetings is the right way.

Writing a letter to the editor is the right way.

Did you really think threats against a councilman was really going to help your cause?

You’ve given the citizens of East Scott Street and Grand Ledge a black eye.

At the last meeting, Fitzgerald once again was on the opposing end of a change order that failed 5-2.

While Fitzgerald denies it to be true, you may have even swayed his vote against the change order even more. Changing his vote now would make it look like you have power.

You should be ashamed of yourself.