Former Mayor Jerry Ellis: "If They Can Do This to the City Manager, They Can Do It to Anybody"

In this episode, I sit down with Jerry Ellis, attorney and former mayor of Farmington Hills who served our community for 25 years. Jerry doesn't mince words - scheduling a Friday afternoon meeting at 4pm without telling all council members the purpose is "totally unacceptable" and "like trying to do something behind everybody's back." As someone who helped structure our city charter and steered Farmington Hills through the Great Recession, Jerry knows what good government looks like. We discuss how secrecy and exclusion destroy the foundation this city was built on - nonpartisan cooperation and mutual respect among council members. Jerry shares stories from his time in office, like having a vigorous public debate with Councilwoman Nancy Bates over childcare facilities, then taking her out to dinner afterwards. That's how it's supposed to work. When council members can disagree respectfully and still break bread together, you have healthy governance. Jerry also addresses what happens when employees see their city manager targeted in a clandestine manner: "If they can do this to the city manager, they can do it to me." Morale goes to the floor. For someone who managed workforce reductions during the recession without mass layoffs - treating employees like family while saving the city $2 million annually - Jerry understands that trust flows downhill. Break it at the top, and you've broken your entire organization.