There was ‘no intent to mislead the public’
By Barb Pert Templeton
Whether or not a public hearing notice existed to inform Algonac voters about an election for a special assessment for the fire department was brought up again at a recent city council meeting but this time a new voice was heard.
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan.
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan was introduced at the July 1 meeting by City Manager Denice Gerstenberg during her regular report to the city council. She told officials she had a “special guest” as Doan stepped to the podium.
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan addressed the members of the city council at a recent meeting.
The issue came up last summer when city resident Sandra Simmons brought the omission to the council’s attention. She has repeatedly told them during public comments at council meetings that the public was not properly notified about the hearing.
At a meeting last month Simmons again stated that there was a lack of a public notice for the public hearing in 2024. She added that a denial of her FOIA request for a copy of the public notice included a notation from the city stating the notice didn’t exist. If that was the case, then Simmons said she was right all along. She then specifically asked Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey when she was going to admit that she was right and the city was wrong.
After stating she had admiration for Simmons determination and due diligence with the topic Davey stated “hopefully I have (now) given you what you asked for, I’ve mentioned it here, you were right and I was wrong.”
The topic has also been addressed in the past year by Mayor Rocky Gillis and City Attorney James Downey.
Fire chief speaks
Stepping to the podium Doan began by stating the fire department serves as a cornerstone of public safety in the community and is dedicated, impartial and non-political.
“Regrettably, a local resident has continued to attend city council meetings and spread social meeting misinformation and unfounded allegations concerning the special assessment for fire services which was approved by the voters on Feb. 27, 2024,” Doan said.
While he said of course citizens have the right to question and scrutinize government actions the claims being made are “inaccurate and have created unnecessary confusion within the community.”
“This targeted harassment and intimidation of public servants detracts from genuine concerns that deserve attention,” Doan said. “And I would like to address these claims directory, openly and respectively.”
Doan shared a brief background on the issue including how the special assessment to support fire services came about including several meetings where discussions on the issue were addressed by city officials. A decision was made to put the item before the voters and it was on the ballot in February 2024.
Prior to the election Doan said a July 5, 2023 city council meeting agenda was posted on the city’s website and at city hall as required by the Michigan open meetings act. A resident who submitted several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking a copy of the public notice of July 5, 2023 was provided with a copy of the agenda for the city council meeting.
“Any FOIA request submitted that ask questions or make statements are denied because the purpose of the FOIA Act is to provide copies of public records, not to answer questions,” Doan said.
He added that since the matter was placed before the voters a public hearing was not required and the absence of a public hearing did not constitute a violation of the open meetings act.
“At no point was there any intent to mislead the public or act inappropriately,” Doan said.
He then listed numerous ways the city administration took action to inform the voters of the upcoming special assessment ballot issue. The list included putting information in a newsletter for residents with their water bills, passing out information at public events, placing prominent statements on the city’s website and a formal presentation on the topic was part of council meeting on Sept. 5, 2023.
The Feb. 27 ballot issue approved the special assessment for the fire department with 630 in favor of the plan and 390 opposed to it.
Doan said after the election one resident continued to question the validity of the special assessment for fire services. In response to the resident’s continued complaints the city attorney appeared at a March 18, 2025 council meeting to address the subject once and for all.
The attorney stated that the city had gone above and beyond to inform the public and “no misconduct” was identified in the process. The city attorney recommended a retroactive public hearing be held and it was held on April 25, 2025. Doan pointed out that “nobody from the public spoke.”
“The alleged irregularity was cured,” Doan concluded.
Council thanks chief
During council comments at the end of the recent meeting several members took time to thank Doan for his presentation and explanation.
“Thank you to Chief Doan for what you said,” Councilman Ed Carter said.
Davey thanked the fire chief for speaking up on the issue.
“Thanks for clearing up some things that needed to be cleared up, I appreciate that,” Davey said.
Councilwoman Cathy Harris also thanked the chief.
“Good job Chief Doan, it was a very good speech, thank you very much,” Harris said.
Meldrum said she appreciated Doan reiterating that the process the council took on the matter was right.
