Don Dunklee’s latest rant against the City of Davison, its employees or people who want to improve the businesses environment downtown. I have had several people ask me, what did the city or more specifically I ever do to Mr. Dunkleee?
I have met Mr. Dunklee and remember him as a nice guy. I remember helping him out when he was manager of one of our Rite Aid stores. Yes, he was doing a charity fun raiser and the Mayor and I, along with some others stood behind a plywood cut out and received pies in the face to raise money for charity. I even believe Mr. Dunklee won regional store recognition for the event.
I remember Don as the store manager who would greet you with a wave and cheerful hello when you walked into his Rite Aid at the corner of State Street and Flint Street.
I remember when I interviewed Don and several other local people when our Community Development Director position came open. I actually think Don was still managing the Rite Aid at the time.
Like most people, Don has disagreed with decisions of government. And like many, Don has taken the opportunity to vent and air his grievances using “Letters to the Editor”. I think this is good.
What concerns me is when someone believes only they have the “answer”, and attempt to stifle someone else’s same basic right to air their thoughts. Mr. Dunklee in his last installment to the Davison Index states this about this blog “…be considered a waste of taxpayers money as it appears to be the personal/political opinion of its writer.”
It might shock Mr. Dunklee, but there are many people who keep up with what is happening in Davison via this blog. It is really anything but political. You have never seen, and I hope never will see me nor my staff campaign for or against anything on this blog.
What you may see is a different perspective, some information you may have not known, or even some basic information on how our local government works. Mr. Dunklee hints a possible impropriety (even though he probably knows of none by the wording he uses) when he states “If the city manager were an elected person, one could argue he is “campaigning” at taxpayer expense, a violation of several laws.”
I do support Mr. Dunklee’s right to speak or write his opinion. Like most people, he brings up an interesting view on some issues, but I wish he and others would not stoop to insinuate wrongdoing, or criminal behavior when there is none. This actually detracts from any credibility and looks as though they are just attempting to vilify and slander others.