To say Councilman Paul Smith of Sterling Heights has a flair for drama would be an understatement.
This week he stood up, literally, against construction work in his neighborhood by blocking a backhoe as though it were a tank in China's capital during democracy protests. Roger Weber has the tale at WDIV:
Councilman Paul Smith of Sterling HeightsCouncilman Paul Smith called 911 dispatch while blocking the path of a backhoe and yelling at the driver. On the 911 recordings you can hear Smith saying, "I'm a city councilman. I'm telling you to stop. I'm ordering you to stop now."
The backhoe was helping build the Cobble Creek subdivision near Smith's home, but when it went onto the street Smith stood right in front of it like the iconic picture at Tiananman Square. . ..
The 911 dispatcher urged Smith to move away from the backhoe, but Smith stood his ground.
The councilman tells Kim Russell of WXYZ:
“It is just like Tiananmen Square. You stand in front of the tank for freedom. . . . I was fighting for my neighborhood."
Smith complained that the backhoe had no license plate, WDIV reports, but Sterling Heights police say that's not needed on construction vehicles with yellow flashing lights.
The developer plans to file a temporary restraining order against Smith so work can proceed unhindered, according to Weber.
