I sat down with Jerry Ellis for Part 1 of a two part conversation on I Can See Clearly Now to reflect on recent events in Farmington Hills, Michigan, through the lens of long experience. Jerry is an attorney, a former mayor of Farmington Hills, and someone who played a role in shaping the city’s charter and early governance practices.
Our discussion centered on a proposed special City Council meeting scheduled during the holiday period, a meeting that was not widely publicized and whose purpose was not communicated evenly to all council members. The meeting was later canceled, along with the annual City Council planning session, leaving residents and city employees uncertain about what was happening behind the scenes.
Jerry’s first reaction focused on how unusual the circumstances were, particularly the timing and lack of notice.
“The scheduling of this meeting on a Friday afternoon at 4:00 is highly irregular.”
Jerry Ellis
He emphasized that transparency is not simply a best practice but a legal and ethical obligation. While personnel matters may be discussed in closed session, the existence and purpose of meetings must still be disclosed so residents understand what their government is doing.
“It’s in essence the law. We’re not allowed to conduct business behind closed doors.”
Jerry Ellis
We also explored how secrecy at the top affects morale throughout city government. Farmington Hills operates with five major departments, all reporting to the city manager. When leadership appears unstable or threatened, uncertainty spreads quickly among department heads and staff.
“The morale would go to the floor.”
Jerry Ellis
Jerry spoke with pride about the city’s workforce and its long history of stability, professionalism, and innovation. From his perspective, Farmington Hills has consistently been ahead of other communities because of strong management, clear roles, and mutual respect between council members and staff.
“The employees of this city are the best employees around.”
Jerry Ellis
Part 1 of this conversation highlights a core concern shared by many residents. Stability, transparency, and respect are not abstract ideals. They are essential conditions for maintaining effective city services and preserving the trust that Farmington Hills has built over decades.
