By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

STERLING HEIGHTS — Cries of “no more taxes, cut your budgets!” rang out from the lawns of Sterling Heights City Center as hundreds of people convened for a Tax and Spending Protest April 15, the deadline for federal and state tax filings.

Organized by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, the event attracted attendees from throughout Macomb County and beyond who are disgruntled with the current state of affairs.

“We’re protesting reckless government spending. We’re protesting tax hikes at the state level, at the federal level, at the local level,” said Leon Drolet, the organization’s president. “We’ve got, I’m going to say, about 300, 400 people out here with us today to tell Sterling Heights and to tell Lansing and to tell Washington, D.C., enough is enough — you’ve got enough of our money. It’s time to start spending it wisely instead of blowing it all on benefits and pensions, and all kinds of things for the government class at the expense of the citizen class.”

Drolet said MTA selected Sterling Heights as the protest site because city officials are considering a 1.9-mill tax increase as part of the 2010-11 budget. So while the event’s focus was general, he said, it’s an example at the local level of what tea party supporters oppose.

Sterling Heights Councilman Michael Taylor, the only city official to publicly oppose the tax hike, broadcast pre-recorded calls to nearly 10,000 city residents, touting the event.

“I think it’s the wrong thing to do to raise taxes when people are hurting so badly,” he said. “I think by the turnout today, I think that that’s resonating with people. I’m glad that people are coming out and letting our leaders know that we have to live within our means, so city government should have to live within its means.”

Yellow “Don’t Tread On Me” flags and homemade signs were rampant where rally attendees gathered on the south side of Utica Road, bearing slogans like “Give me liberty, not socialism,” “You’re fired” and “Repeal and remove.” A giant pig with “Cut gvt. pork” on its flank was perched in the parking lot.

Paula Chibani of Macomb Township fitted her grandchildren with sandwich boards declaring “I’m not your ATM” and “Stop mortgaging my future.” John Bridge of Harrison Township scrawled on his sign, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.”

Gino Emmi’s elaborately illustrated sign decried “Obamacare.”

“I came out because prior to last year … I never protested anything in my life,” said Emmi, who lives in Macomb Township. “I’ve seen the leftwings protesting everything from the war to health care to everything, and it’s like, you know what? I think it’s time we start being heard.”

St. Clair Shores resident Marty Prehn also pegged health care reform, which he said was “railroaded” through, as his biggest grievance.

“We want our message to be sent to Washington loud and clear that we want you to do what we want you to do, and not what you think is best for us,” he said. “Let us make that decision.”

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, appearing at one of several tea party stops for the day, encapsulated in his speech what seemed to be the two overarching themes.

“Can you just imagine the president in the White House tonight with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid … acting like kids on Christmas, saying to each other, ‘It’s Tax Day. We have all this money and so little time to spend it. What are we going to do?’” he said.

He quipped that Gov. Jennifer Granholm had just returned from a trip to Europe, where she was looking for “supporters of Obamacare, because she couldn’t find any here in Michigan.”

While the crowd on the south side seemed concerned with broader issues, across the street, a smaller group of counter-protesters zeroed in on city concerns.

Most hoisted “Save Our Services” signs, alluding to the slew of municipal positions and amenities that reportedly would be axed without a millage increase.

Many were current or retired city employees; others were residents and representatives from other unions showing solidarity. They were joined by a handful of City Council members, including Mayor Richard Notte and Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Romano.

Joseph De George, a 31-year resident who rallied alongside the “Save Our Services” camp, said he’s convinced that, through bipartisan cooperation, there’s a way to preserve the status quo in Sterling without raising taxes.

“I think both sides need to work together to find an alternative way to keep the 120 people, I believe it is, that they’re talking about laying off, and to make both sides happy,” he said.

De George pointed out that many people at MTA’s rally weren’t Sterling residents and had little interest in the city’s proposed tax hike.

“I don’t want to see my services cut. I enjoy the things that make Sterling Heights worthwhile, and I don’t want to see them disappear,” said Dan Paszkiewicz, a 25-year resident. “I feel whatever it’s going to cost —$45, $50 more — is not enough to get rid of these people. If I dial 911, I want the police to come, I want the fire to come. I enjoy the parks here. It’s just a good place to live. And I want to keep it that way.”

You can reach Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1046.