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An Open Letter to Chief Stevenson
Topic Started: May 15 2011, 09:48 PM (1,144 Views)
LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
An Open Letter to Chief Robert Stevenson, and the Public:

Dear Chief Stevenson,

I am writing to you regarding what I see as a misuse of Livonia's police officers.

LPS board president Lynda Scheel has claimed a legal right to have your officers remove my camera from the front row of the audience section, and force me to go to the back row. Your officers have been called to enforce her wishes.

To date, I have moved my camera when asked, in order to cooperate with the officers. I have been waiting until I was able to get a copy of the written rule that she is using as the basis for her claim. I recently received 2 documents from LPS in regards to this, but only by using the Freedom of Information Act.

The documents (attached) clearly do not provide a basis to deny me the right to quietly tape a public meeting from the front row.
The first is simply advises they can remove someone for committing the crime of disorderly conduct.

The second (titled "Board Meeting News Coverage") advises the press that "taping and videotaping shall be conducted in such a way as to not disrupt the dignity and function of the Board meeting".

I have done nothing that comes even close to disorderly conduct, and I am not a member of the media, broadcast or otherwise.
The board could have created a rule to restrict the general public from taping from the front row, but chose not to do so.

The Open Meetings Act requires that any restrictions on videotaping of a public meeting must be in writing. This was confirmed in attorney general opinion 5183. In fact, the Michigan Association of School Boards addressed such restrictions in their publication "Open Meetings Guide, 10th edition":

"Public Participation: A school board may establish public participation rules that assist in balancing the board's interest in conducting an orderly meeting with the individuals' rights under the First Amendment. The rules must be reasonable, flexible, and written in a way that encourages public participation. To be enforceable, the rules must be adopted by the board of education, and recorded in the board minutes. 1977 OAG 5183."

If Ms. Scheel wants to restrict me from videotaping from the front row, she needs to follow the law, and try to convince her fellow board members to change the board policy. The Open Meetings Act was not written to protect politicians from the potential embarrassment of cameras in the hands of people they disagree with. Having my camera in the front row breaks no law, but it gives me an unobstructed picture, and clear audio. In the end, that is what Lynda is trying to avoid.

In the past, I have moved my camera whenever a Livonia Police officer asked me to. However, I must respectfully advise that I will no longer do so.

I will always obey an order from your officers. But with what I know now, I will not move my camera unless they order (not ask) me to do so, and that failure to do so will result in my arrest.

Respectfully,

Loyd A. Romick

Posted Image

Posted Image

“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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bailey
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
great job!!!! Keep up the good work. More people back you than you think!!!! ;)
mouse
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LPSisPoor
Advanced Member
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Loyd - I admire your stick-to-it-tiveness (sp?) in proving wrong doing by all those LPS losers.

Keep up the fight. November is just around the corner!!
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
A response from the Mayor's office:

Dear Mr. Romick,

At this time, please be assured that I will make the Mayor aware of your viewpoint with regard to videotaping Livonia Public Schools’ Board meetings and your concern regarding police enforcement at said meetings.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Petroskey
On behalf of Mayor Jack Kirksey
(734) 466-2201
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Purple Haze
Veteran
LPS Reformer
May 19 2011, 09:36 PM
A response from the Mayor's office:

Dear Mr. Romick,

At this time, please be assured that I will make the Mayor aware of your viewpoint with regard to videotaping Livonia Public Schools’ Board meetings and your concern regarding police enforcement at said meetings.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Petroskey
On behalf of Mayor Jack Kirksey
(734) 466-2201
and do you think Lynda will disobey an edict from Jack?
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
She voted for Randy's Raise.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Sage
anonymous
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Purple Haze
May 20 2011, 10:31 AM
LPS Reformer
May 19 2011, 09:36 PM
A response from the Mayor's office:

Dear Mr. Romick,

At this time, please be assured that I will make the Mayor aware of your viewpoint with regard to videotaping Livonia Public Schools’ Board meetings and your concern regarding police enforcement at said meetings.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Petroskey
On behalf of Mayor Jack Kirksey
(734) 466-2201
and do you think Lynda will disobey an edict from Jack?
The mayor's letter seems a little vague as to his position on the matter. Does the mayor dictate the police department's actions?
Edited by Sage, May 20 2011, 09:37 PM.
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Mrs.M
Veteran
Sage
May 20 2011, 09:35 PM
The mayor's letter seems a little vague as to his position on the matter. Does the mayor dictate the police department's actions?
That's because there was no position expressed other than, 'I'll let the mayor know your opinion as to videotaping.' The person who replied from city hall, merely confirmed they were in receipt of Romick's opinion.

It'd be unlikely Kirksey would issue his opinion anyway, city hall/city government and LPS are two different entities, unless you're speaking a recount of ballots
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
The response from Chief Stevenson

******************************

From: Stevenson, Robert [mailto:rstevenson@lpdmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 7:58 AM
To: 'Loyd A. Romick'
Subject: RE: LPD and the Open Meetings Act

Mr. Romick,

Thank you for being cooperative and respectful with my Officers in your past (and future) interactions. It is extremely appreciated.

It is my understanding that the School Board has received complaints that some people have felt intimidated by being filmed at such a close proximity. As such, they are going to modify their recording policy and not allow ANYONE to record while sitting in the front row. In my conversation with Donald Knapp, the Livonia City Attorney, I was told this would be a reasonable and enforceable policy as long as it is applied to everyone and not just yourself.

I would encourage you to contact Mr. Knapp at 734-466-2515 if you have any further questions.
In addition, please feel free to contact me in person at 734-466-2301 if you need any further assistance in this matter.

Very Truly yours,

Robert Stevenson

+++++++++++++++++

Note that chief Stevenson used the bold and underline on "everyone", not I.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
By the way. Does anyone remember the BOE meeting when they agreed to change board policy on who can sit in the front row with a camera?
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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steve emsley
Member
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Circuit and Appeals court have recently applied the LETTER OF THE LAW re: OMA violations in Wayne County. ;)

OMA: Taping

(1) All meetings of a public body shall be open to the public and shall be held in a place available to the general public. All persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting except as otherwise provided in this act. The right of a person to attend a meeting of a public body includes the right to tape-record, to videotape, to broadcast live on radio, and to telecast live on television the proceedings of a public body at a public meeting. The exercise of this right shall not be dependent upon the prior approval of the public body. However, a public body may establish reasonable rules and regulations in order to minimize the possibility of disrupting the meeting.

"Some People" that are supposedly "feeling intimidated"?

You decide if that meets the above criteria.

I can think of many many valid reasons one would need to sit close, desire to sit close, desire to film close, etc. and see no reference to how it is disruptive to the meeting.
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Vanna White
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Veteran
steve emsley
May 28 2011, 12:16 AM
Circuit and Appeals court have recently applied the LETTER OF THE LAW re: OMA violations in Wayne County. ;)

OMA: Taping

(1) All meetings of a public body shall be open to the public and shall be held in a place available to the general public. All persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting except as otherwise provided in this act. The right of a person to attend a meeting of a public body includes the right to tape-record, to videotape, to broadcast live on radio, and to telecast live on television the proceedings of a public body at a public meeting. The exercise of this right shall not be dependent upon the prior approval of the public body. However, a public body may establish reasonable rules and regulations in order to minimize the possibility of disrupting the meeting.

"Some People" that are supposedly "feeling intimidated"?

You decide if that meets the above criteria.

I can think of many many valid reasons one would need to sit close, desire to sit close, desire to film close, etc. and see no reference to how it is disruptive to the meeting.
Mr. Romick has never, ever been disruptive. I think it is his cool and calm demeaner as he asks the tough questions and points out issues (including the absurdity of some of the BOE's actions) that likely drives them crazy. it would be easier for them to deal with him if he were actually disruptive, loud, screaming, ranting, etc, but this has never been the case.
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
They are also unhappy that I like to point out their behavior visually, like giving Randy a 50K right before a $13,000,000 in the red, like so:

Posted Image
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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