Birmingham's most outspoken blogger, Clinton Baller, is mad. The blogger behind the BhamBuzz is worried about current problems in the city and how the city commission is handling them. Today he's threatening to file an ethics complaint against commissioner Stuart Sherman (somebody should), thoroughly disgusted about the council's decisions regarding how to spend a $25 million parks bond issue, and looking for vision from the city's elected officials. His rant is long, but worthy of your time and attention, particularly if you are a resident or prospective resident of Birmingham.

We think his idea about reducing property tax rates is an important one, though challenging to impliment. Birmingham is losing some home buyers to other communities because of its millage rates.

Baller follows Birmingham city politics just about as closely as we follow Birmingham real estate trends. Some might not agree with him, but I find his site an excellent source for information about Birmingham politics. He's not afraid to tell it like he sees it, even if it means criticizing his allies publically.

Right now all local governments in Michigan are challenged by financial constraints. Our local economy makes the issues that Baller discusses all the more relevant.