An open letter to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and Steve Williams:
Today (Aug. 19), Mr. (Steve) Williams called me concerning several things, including but not limited to my recent letter to the commission concerning judge bashing emanating from open commission meetings, and his grievances with the judicial system. I must state at the outset that I do not represent Mr. Williams.
I can assure you all that this telephone call lasted far longer than the time allowed at the opening and closing calls to the public at commission meetings.
Later in the day he sent me a text message, apparently attaching a copy of the video of a prior commission meeting at which he also addressed the commission. I have not opened that attachment.
I made clear to Mr. Williams, as I did in my recent letter to the commission, that I agree with Commissioner (Mel) Paunovich’s remarks that the commission does not have jurisdiction over Livingston County judges, and that if he is unhappy with a judge’s decision(s), he has the right to appeal or file a complaint with the Judicial Tenure Commission for ethics violations, if there are any.
I cannot devote my time to a running dialogue with Mr. Williams. He was not mentioned in my letter, and I want the communications to stop. I have enough on my plate and cannot be involved in his legal journey.
My request of the commission was that it should stop using its time, talent, internet broadcasting, and resources at county commission meetings — paid with taxpayers’ dollars — for political purposes or to air personal grievances
I would not be surprised should you decide to seek counsel from your attorney before deciding on these issues.
I trust that at some point we will all learn of the commission’s decision in this regard.
Daniel A. Burress
Retired Livingston County Circuit Court Judge
