Cadillac city leaders, meeting for the first time since the death threats aimed at two council members and their families abruptly cancelled their meetings two weeks ago and they got an earful Monday night.
So far, the death threats have not netted any arrests, but city leaders decided to continue to hold the meetings at city hall, with a beefed-up police presence.
The meetings included two hot button issues, where a lot of people were expected to weigh in, including the city manager’s yearly evaluation.
They also discussed the PFAS contamination recently discovered in private wells in the city.
Konrad Isch was one of dozens who came out to speak up about his concerns over city manager Marcus Peccia, even asking for his resignation.
“The time is now to act to help our community heal. The lack of action in holding our City Manager and his staff accountable is unacceptable,” said Isch.
Isch even went so far as to ask for his resignation.
“The city has been mismanaged for quite a while, the best answer is that Marcus should no longer be our city manager,” said Isch.
Lots of people were there hoping to learn vital information at Monday’s meeting; they had to add more chairs outside of the council chambers to accommodate everyone.
Others spoke about their concerns about the lack of enforcement for short term rental ordinances and the proposed ordinance would require homes within 200 feet of a public water main to be connected.
“Even where I am over on Sunnyside, that area there a lot of wells are now they’re required to hook up and it seems like an undue hardship because I think some of those wells have been tested and there’s no PFAS,” said one concerned resident.
Some even accused the city of hiding when they knew about PFAS being present
“It’s been swept under the rug for so many years, and now you’ve got sick people,” said another resident.
But Peccia said that’s not true, citing the website where the city has been sharing information.
“I can absolutely say nothing is being hidden. There is there is no conspiracy to not share with the public or to share with the city council where things are,” said Peccia.
Others just wanted more to be done, like one resident who lives on Marathon Drive, and is battling two types of cancer.
“Suffering two cancers. Right now, I don’t know if it had to do with PFAS or not. I’ve lived there for 32 years, and they’ve done nothing to help the underdeveloped part of the city,” said the man.
Others tried to come up with solutions, a few even suggesting a citizens advisory committee.
The city council did have at least one supporter, worried about the hostility aimed at them.
“The anger and hatred thrown back at our elected city officials, and for people sitting behind me is not acceptable. And in the end, we need to honor people that are attempting to work on a solution and not bring the hate speech and the anger any further,” said the resident.
Peccia did tell the public that the city is looking into putting in a watermain for Marathon Drive that’s estimated to cost $300,000. He said it could be funded through leftover covid money.