Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Clemens honors two longtime volunteers; residents voice concerns about taxes and services
Summary
The Mount Clemens City Commission presented its Local Treasure awards to John Klene and John Emerson for decades of volunteer service and heard public comments about rising property taxes, a closed school building in a school zone, and requests for support for a local recovery-focused nonprofit.
The Mount Clemens City Commission presented Local Treasure awards on March 16 to two longtime residents, John Klene and John Emerson, recognizing their years of volunteer service and community leadership.
Mayor Laura read nomination letters describing Klene’s decades of volunteer work through JC Landscaping, the Mount Clemens Foundation, the Optimus Soapbox Derby safety program, Santa Parade coordination, school hall monitoring and chaperoning, and regular support for neighbors in need. After receiving the award Klene said he has lived in Mount Clemens for about 50 years and thanked the commission: “I really appreciate this award because ... I bought my first house in Mount Clemens.”
John Emerson was recognized for establishing the Loretta Jean Emerson scholarship, presenting local Black-history programs at the library, contributing to the Mount Clemens history book, and serving on neighborhood groups. Emerson told the commission he has lived in the city since 1967 and said he will “do whatever I can” to support the community.
During the public-comment period, resident John Haley urged the commission to address what he described as a steady 5% annual increase in property taxes since 2022 that is affecting seniors. Haley said he lives in a neighborhood zoned for Martin Luther King School, which has not been operating, and asked why the tax treatment remains the same. City staff clarified that the school district — not the city — owns the building and suggested the resident contact the school board about ownership and operating status.
Terry Booker, who identified a nonprofit called MIP's (Motivational Inspirational People), described personal recovery from substance abuse and asked how the city could support outreach to homeless and otherwise vulnerable residents. Resident John Scott praised the fire department after an overnight gas-leak response that residents said was handled professionally.
The commission’s awards and public comments were followed by regular business and votes listed elsewhere in this report. The meeting concluded after commissioner reports and a group photo.
