Taxpayers Will Continue To Fight City of Royal Oak Mismanagement

ROYAL OAK, Mich., Aug. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The State of Michigan Court of Appeals released its Appellate Opinion on Aug. 1, 2018 striking a blow to local business owners and citizens who had sued the City of Royal Oak over the Central Business District Development and the injury that has resulted due to lack of parking and resulting harm to the entire city.

"The decision by this three-judge panel consisting of Judges Thomas Cameron, Kathleen Jansen and Peter O'Connell should have a chilling effect on Michigan taxpayers," said Donald Nahat, a Royal Oak businessman and plaintiff in the lawsuit. "It robs taxpayers of their voice, and the opportunity to file, and have heard, lawsuits against local municipalities."

Former Royal Oak City Attorney and City Commissioner Charles Semchena, Jr., spent decades serving residents and businesses in the city and expressed his disappointment with the court's ruling.

"There needs to be meaningful checks and balances among the branches of government," said Semchena. "This ruling prohibits a business, taxpayer, or resident from bringing concerns about elected City officials to the attention of a court. There will never be a fair hearing or decision about their allegations of a flagrant disregard for businesses, seniors, taxpayers, residents, and the disabled. Everyone should be allowed his or her day in court."

Another plaintiff in the case and vocal critic of the city, Greg Stanalajczo, said, "In my opinion, a lot of things going on here appear to be eerily similar to things that went on in Detroit when Kwame Kilpatrick was Mayor. I strongly encourage the Oakland County Prosecutor's office and State of Michigan Attorney General to look into the complicit activity of the Mayor, City Commission, City Manager and DDA as they continually violate the city charter and favor political contributors with no-bid contracts over long-standing businesses and taxpayers."

Stanalajczo added that while the recent court decision may have hampered legal action at this time, it is the "court of public opinion" that will prompt investigations and the restoration of responsible government in Royal Oak.

The Take Back Royal Oak Coalition is a group of taxpayers including residents and businesses that want government transparency and to restore responsible leadership to the City of Royal Oak.

SOURCE Take Back Royal Oak Coalition