Residents press Lapeer City leaders for cleanup, transparency and civility

Residents used the public-comment period at a Lapeer City special meeting to push for clearer event cleanup requirements, demand transparency about leaked personnel materials and urge elected officials to improve conduct.

Karen Prechaco, who said she lives in Metamora and grew up near the city, appealed for better organization around the city’s July fireworks. She said the fireworks event is July 11 and that volunteers plan to clean up on July 12. "I cleaned up as much as I could. I spent, like, a week out there cleaning up," she said, and asked the city to include cleanup staffing requirements in special-event applications.

Ken Kapp of Gloria Township said he had heard that an evaluation for "Mister Womack" was circulating in public and called the reports a rumor, saying, "I don't know if it's true or not. I've been told what some of the scores are." John D'Angelis of Menomar Township directly accused an individual he identified as Mister Womack of being behind leaked emails and disparaging material, saying, "I think you're behind the whole thing." The transcript shows no response from the named individual during the meeting.

Several commenters also criticized the council's recent rebukes of two commissioners and urged more transparency. One public commenter said elected officials should speak in English at meetings or provide translations so residents can follow remarks.

Melissa Cake, who identified herself as a longtime city resident and business owner, said the discord among officials was disappointing and told leaders, "be better." Brenda Wells, speaking on behalf of the American Legion, offered thanks to the council.

The public-comment segment closed with the council moving to its consent agenda. Several speakers linked the need for an extra special meeting to the earlier rebukes of commissioners, saying the rebukes prompted the additional meeting-related expense and disruption.

Next steps to address the cleanup requests or the allegations raised by commenters were not recorded in the meeting minutes included in the transcript.