MML November/December 2022 Review Magazine

Figure 3 Percent of jurisdictions reporting negative impacts from harassment, threats, and violence on local government functions, by experience of jurisdiction personnel

58%

44%

40%

Some abuse(s) reported No abuse reported toward jurisdiction representatives Statewide

38%

36%

32%

29%

28%

27%

23%

18%

17%

Willingness of people to work or serve in the jurisdiction's government

Willingness of residents to engage (e.g. serve on committees, etc.)

Ability of jurisdiction personnel to do their jobs well

Board/Council decision-making process on potentially contentious issues

Note: responses for “other,” “none,” and “don’t know” not shown.

It has been hard to not be made aware of the increase in abuse the last few years. Over the summer, two men were convicted for their involvement in the attempted kidnapping of Governor Whitmer. A quick Google search results in pages of articles describing incidents of threats and abuse happening all over the state. The League’s CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin was interviewed by the Detroit Free Press on these issues. “It’s a very, very difficult time to be a local official. They’re much different than your seasoned politicians at the state and federal level. Most of these people are putting in a ton of time for next to no money,” Gilmartin said. It is evident that this attitude is a growing phenomenon, not just in Michigan but the rest of the country as well. “Overall, it’s become mainstream for people to try and tear

down institutions. You see that in the rhetoric nationally and at the state level. I think at the local level, city hall represents an institution.” When digesting this information, it is important to acknowledge, as Gilmartin pointed out, that many of our local officials put in a lot of time for little to no compensation. Working within municipal government is not easy, and this uptick in abuse has already begun to discourage residents from participating in their local government. The League will continue to support its members through educational programming and seminars. We know your job is not easy and we commend you for taking on a role with the scrutiny and potential harassment that may come with it.

Morgan Schwanky is a content developer for the League. You may contact her at 734.669.6320 or mschwanky@mml.org.

18 THE REVIEW

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022