I, too, question why Nazis feel comfortable protesting in Livingston County. No doubt, even after all these years, Miles and past KKK activity is still attracting bad actors as Maria Stuart mentioned in City of Hope: Howell won’t stop trying to change its reputation.
This is not just a Howell problem, but a Livingston County problem. Kudos to Mayor Bob Ellis for his concern and effort, but focusing just on Howell is like bandaging your arm for the flu. A boost to efforts would be wholehearted support from our Livingston County Board of Commissioners to improve the county’s reputation. Sen. Slotkin’s roundtable at the Howell Carnegie District Library was a missed opportunity for the commission to show a strong, united front against future Nazi ugliness.
Recently, commissioners made decisions that affect our reputation: mandating notification of the sheriff’s contact with undocumented immigrants does nothing to improve our reputation but exploits fear of immigrants; deeming Livingston a “constitutional county,” although symbolic, encourages local authorities to disregard law and order; and allowing the Sheriff’s “press conference” on county property, maybe not illegal but inappropriate and contrary to acceptable procedures. Although the commissioners did not have direct control, they could have denounced the disrespectful behavior during President Joe Biden’s visit in 2o21, which made statewide news.
Until the county commissioners are on board and consider the broad effects of their decisions, Livingston will not shed its ugly reputation. Leadership matters and a commitment to action from the commissioners to improve Livingston County’s image could be a serious and powerful force.
Evelyn Gallegos
Brighton
