Updates

It's been a busy month with work, so I haven't had the time to update this site as much. A few things in the news.

Yesterday was the State of the State address. Here's the speech

Locally, the Argus is stirring up stuff with Brighton Schools again over the board's choice for president. Nick Fiani.

A school board member with the least amount of experience among his peers will lead the Brighton Area Schools Board of Education.
The board, on a 5-2 vote, selected Nick Fiani to serve as president at its Monday meeting. Outgoing Vice President Bill Anderson and Beth Minert voted no.
Despite serving only a year on the board, Fiani, 26, said he’s ready.
“I think I’m experienced and have the knowledge I need to lead the board and district,” Fiani said.
Fiani said the district has become more fiscally responsible, and he said this can be “attributed to my presence on the board.”

Many people don't know this, but Brighton Schools was in very real danger of  getting an emergency manager. They had deficits in a row and were not fixing the problem in an adequate manner. It took newer board members like Nick Fiani and John Conely along with Superintendent Greg Gray to stop that from happening. Some progress is being made, and they are starting to work their way out of danger. There's a lot of work still to be done. The MEA can't stand Nick Fiani and have a target on his back. Nick's got a tough job ahead of him, but he's a smart guy who is confident, able to adapt, and is very good with numbers.

Also, within the party, the campaign between Brian Calley and Wes Nakagiri is heating up. Both sides have been calling current precinct delegates and recruiting people to vote for their people to go to state convention to vote for their candidate. The state convention that elects Lt Gov will be after the August primary, where precinct delegates are elected. I'm concerned about the unintended consequences and fallout from this race from a party related standpoint. It has nothing to do with Wes and Brian themselves, nor their direct campaigns. They are running for office and have campaigns to run. The best chance they have is by influencing the voting pool, and that's what they are doing. If I was running for Lt Governor, AG, Secretary of State, and University Trustee, I'd be doing the same thing Wes and Brian's people are doing.

The concern I have is the party leadership fallout. Precinct delegates elect 1/2 of the executive committee for a county party, and the state delegates that elect district and state party leadership, as well as (eventually) RNC Committee members. I have seen some very cliquish sounding speeches (from a resident of another country, not Livingston) recently regarding party leadership talk.When I hear talk about "takeovers" and "purges", I have a real problem with that. In my experience 99% of the "takeover" pushers are also incompetents that do not know what they are doing, regardless of intention. The precinct delegates I hope win are those who are hard working and thoughtful independent thinkers who use facts and make independent decisions instead of falling into clique thinking that will get us in major trouble. These votes will affect us long after the Lt Governor race is decided. These will affect the structure going into 2014, a rare open seat for President.

 As far as Wes Nakagiri vs Brian Calley, I am staying neutral in this. Publicly and privately. I personally haven't made my decision outside of voting for the hardest working candidate that has the least amount of shenanigans from their camp. Run your election, and tell me why you should get my vote. Tell me how you would help the ticket send Mark Schauer back to Battle Creek. Schauer has a 14 year record. It's bad. He's the type that will talk moderate and vote far leftist because he does what he's told by leadership. Cap and Trade. Banning CPL in cars. Obamacare. Partial Birth Abortion. Public funding for abortions. Granholm's tax increases. Anybody but Schauer.

Construction politics at Brighton Schools (Millage and Contracts)

It's well known that the Brighton Schools millage folks spent a bunch of money. It was an 88 million dollar bond measure that narrowly passed.

Some of the money came from the MEA, as expected. Some of it came from school board members and administrators as expected. Some of it came from athletic booster funds, which I find mildly unethical as it should cut costs of athletics, but at least an argument can be made for it. Others are some community businesses with close ties to athletic programs and schools which I can understand. Customer loyalty. I don't view that as pay to play attempts because those businesses gave their support before this bond measure was even thought about.

 The most interesting part of the campaign finance reports for the millage election is all the construction ties, many of which aren't tied to the district. It reminds me a bit of Wayne County politics with Ed McNamara and his airport contracts. Now these aren't "no bid" contracts, but some of the winners have been donors.

Brivar Construction - $200
The Green Nexus - Solar Power Equipment - Hamburg -  $100
The Trombleys - Granger Construction as well as School Board - $110
Corrigan Oil - $500
Integrated Designs - $200 (Engineering) - Based in Marquette, although office in Brighton.
Barton Mallow - $1000 (Company $500, Sales rep another $500) - Based in Southfield, sales reps in Macomb.
Stifel Nicolaus - $1500 - Based in Okemos - Financial related company. I wonder what their ties are.
Contracting Resources Inc - $2250 (Construction management).
Sehi Computer Products - $250 - Based in Rochester Hills. 
Gracon Services - $75 (tech company)- Based in Okemos.

Those are donors. Some are in the district, like Corrigan and Contracting Resources. So far the winning contracts are, at least according to the Argus are as follows.

From June 3rd

$3 Milllion - SHW Group LLP (Oversight)
$800,000 - Barton Mallow.

From June 10th


Auch - $3million

These are oversights and managing contracts. We don't know the subcontractors yet, so there could be more winners.

Those that considered included Granger and Clark.construction. Clark worked with contracting resources (donor) and Granger worked with Corrigan (both donors). I don't know who is tied with Barton Mallow and Auch, although Barton Mallow was a big donor.

While there probably wasn't direct pay to play or at least no bid contracts, there probably was a big sales pitch for the millage to these groups. If this doesn't pass, you get nothing. Put it $1000 investment like Barton Mallow does, you get your contract and your sales commission. $1000 investment for $800,000+ contract. Great deal if you get it.

What I'd like to find out is how Auch and SHW ties into this. Who are the affiliates and subcontractors and how do they tie to the general contractor and their donations? That remains to be seen, as are any future contracts from this bond.

Today's Elections - Millages pass, and Dick Lugar just got fired

All the millages passed today in Livingston County.  Fowlerville and Hartland's renewals passed 4-1 and 3-1. Brighton's bond issue was much closer, but the organization of the millage supporters came through. On 32% turnout, the millage passed 4969-4476. That's the unofficial results from the clerk's office. The reason I think it passed comes down to one word. Athletics. Hopefully they spend the money wisely. We'll see if the current - and future - boards do that. 

We have a big win in Indiana tonight. Dick Lugar, F rated from the NRA and longtime opponent of the 2nd Amendment just got fired. Good. What somewhat surprised me is that this election wasn't even close.

From Yahoo News

Dick Lugar, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, was defeated Tuesday as Indiana Republicans chose state Treasurer Richard Mourdock over Lugar as the party's nominee.

Mourdock received about 60 percent to 40 percent for Lugar in the Hoosier state's Senate primary, marking a huge win for tea party supporters and conservatives across the country.

Mourdock, speaking at a victory rally in Indianapolis Tuesday night, said that many supporters who joined up with the tea party or other groups wondered at the beginning of his campaign if they could "do the impossible." "Tonight, you did," he said, to wild applause.

When conservatives show up, organize, and vote, good things happen. That doesn't happen as often as it should happen, particularly the organize part.

Argus story on illegal MEA affiliate mailing

I had an eye on this for awhile. As I posted the other day.

How many folks in the Brighton School District got a postcard mailing from the Brighton Education Association? On it, it says "Paid for by Brighton Education Association." However, there is no PAC by that name listed at the County Clerks office, nor the Michigan Secretary of State. The BEA did it again.

This isn't the first go around with the local MEA affiliates. Brighton/Howell. Howell seemed to clean up its act on its mailing after they got turned in for an anonymous mailing. They go through East Lansing for their mailing. HEA is an MEA affiliate, so that's perfectly legal.

This is however two in a row for the Brighton MEA. They got lucky in their defense with the John Conely mailing and got off on a technicality. It was one of those "definition of is" types of situations because of the wording of the ad. If you think I'm going to post the exact technicality here, you're crazy. I'm not giving anybody a blueprint to skirt the campaign finance regulations here. The BEA/MEA broke laws regarding PACs, but it couldn't be proven at that time because of one word not on the ad. This time however.....Son, your egos are writing checks your bodies can't cash.

The Argus had a story on this

Brighton Area Schools Board of Education member Bill Anderson believes a postcard sent out by the Brighton Education Association teachers' union supporting candidate Bill Trombley was illegal and plans to file a complaint with state election officials.

Trombley, making his first bid for the school board, was elected Tuesday and defeated incumbent Greg Rassel.

The postcard, sent out Nov. 1 to Brighton area voters, states it was paid by the Brighton Education Association. It also has several comments by Trombley stating why he was running. Of the four candidates running, the teachers' union endorsed only Trombley.

Anderson said it's a violation of campaign finance laws for a teachers' union to pay for campaign literature. He also said the postcard must be an independent piece that supports a candidate; instead, he said this postcard appears to be sent directly from Trombley.

"The problem is they failed to identify their political action committee on here," said Anderson, who is a legislative liaison for the Michigan Townships Association.

Addressing Anderson's points.

I think it's the PAC that paid for it, based on the newsletter comment, however the disclaimer doesn't mention a PAC. Someone else also turned them in, and on that complaint stated a failure to file campaign finance reports and statements of organization. I saw the complaint and double checked it. It's solidly backed up with evidence.

As far as the independent expenditures, PAC money can pay for just about anything they want as long as the expenditure is reported. What makes something "independent" is who paid for it. It's a bit sneaky with the terms "I am running" which is something I actually didn't notice. I'd have to check a few things to determine the legality of that, but I think it's still legal as long as the paid for by disclaimer is listed. I'll have to see what's considered "misleading" by law.

However, a BEA newsletter from October states a political action committee paid for the cards, "not BEA money."

I saw that newsletter. That "PAC," much like that 8-d Coordinating Council PAC, described in the newsletter is also not registered with the County Clerk or Secretary of State's office. THAT's what makes this mailing illegal. This
"PAC", which is been around for at least two election cycles, has not been registered. The statement of organization has not been filed. Triannual statements (if state) or Pre/Post General statements (if county) have not been filed. That's the illegality.

Anderson said this isn't the first time the teachers' union has had a problem with campaign literature.

"We're having a pattern here," Anderson said.

It's the 3rd time in the county alone that I've caught. And the MEA wonders why so many folks don't like their leadership. Maybe something like this can send a message, or at least a Mark Schaueresque fine.

I wouldn't expect anything less from MEA leadership at either state or local levels. I hope they now enjoy Tom McMillin as committee chair.

County Results and early Paul Scott results.

Some results are in.

Howell will be making some changes.
Mayor:
Phil Campbell - 669
Geri Moen - Incumbent - 499

Council:
Al Schlittler - quasi incumbent - 749
Doug Heins - 716
Steve Manor - incumbent - 615
Victoria Hertich - 454
Daria Devantier - 420

I'm not surprised by this. Joe Hune isn't as popular in the City of Howell as he is in Fowlerville. He's rather disliked by many of the establishment there. Joe still defeated Paul Rogers in the City of Howell in the primary. That was an opening set for challengers to the city government. Streetscape and its tax increase were the big issues there.

With that, I think one strategy backfired severely. Right before the election, the old boys/girls club circled the wagons. They came out with a letter of four former mayors (including Paul Rogers) backing the incumbents on the council and their favored challenger (Devantier). I think that hurt them bad and reinforced the status quo, streetscapes, and the like. Schlittler led the council votes, but was viewed as a moderate as a recent appointee and was supported by folks on both sides. Heins was a challenger and ran strong. Manor was the long term incumbent who survived. Moen was caught offguard by a strong challenger. Campbell worked extremely hard on this campaign and won.

In Brighton, all the incumbents win, as expected.

The millages in Green Oak are passing easily, as I expect. 2-1 margin+ for both of them. I also think this is helping the MEA/BEA in the Brighton School Board races. Minert (unofficially endorsed) will win, and Trombley started to pull away when Green Oak started reporting. What was a near tie is now a 190 vote deficit with six precincts to go. That's a small lead, except that the Green Oak precincts in so far both had major leads for Trombley over Rassel. Fiani is in the pack and won't catch Trombley.

Paul Scott's recall can go either way. Currently he's up 171 votes with 86% in.
Yes to Recall - 10,851
No to MEA - 11,022

Five precincts to report. I hope it's not Mundy Township that has yet to report. That's the roughest part of Paul's district.

It's going to be a close one tonight.

Election 2011 (Paul Scott, County races, MEA)

Many places have an election this upcoming Tuesday. Here's a list of the jurisdictions where there is an election.

In Livingston County we have several contested elections.
City of Brighton - Council
City of Howell - Council and Mayor
Brighton School Board
Green Oak Township millage.
I don't believe Pinckney Schools are contested. I haven't followed Byron, Morrice, Webberville, or Linden. Those school districts have elections, but they may or may not be contested.

Over in neighboring Genesee County, Paul Scott is up for a recall. The big reason he is being recalled is because the MEA doesn't like him. Instead of spending money on kids, the MEA put in over $150,000 towards defeating one person. Paul Scott. Paul Scott is chair of the education committee. If you are tired of the games the MEA plays, which include borderline and even illegal mailings, a message can be sent. Hopefully the 51st district will vote NO on the MEA recall. This recall is purely about the muscle and power of the MEA. This is the same MEA who is involved in intolerance, questionable mailings, and blatent lawbreaking. That is the MEA way. If Paul Scott survives the recall, it will be a major blow to the MEA leadership. Good luck to Paul Scott.

Speaking of the MEA, in Brighton, they have a sneaky mailing out endorsing Bill Trombley. Beth Minert has donated to MEA PAC in the past. The best choices for Brighton Schools are Nick Fiani and Greg Rassel. Fiani is a solid conservative and will be in the same mold as Miles Vieau. Rassel isn't with us 100%, but he is more good than bad and did not vote for the bad contracts. Fiani and Rassel are the best two running.

Brighton City Council. In the city, the incumbents are all running as a team with one challenger. Susan Walters Steinacker. Susan is the city watchdog closely scrutinizing all of the expenditures. The incumbents are Jim Bohn, Claudia Roblee, Jim Muzzin, and Chad Cooper. Muzzin and Cooper pushed to limit the call to the public. Bohn and Roblee opposed it. I took issue with Roblee back when she complained about the Bulldogs logo on some of the city decorations, but that's minor compared to limiting call to the public. That I did not support. Arrogance needs to be taught a lesson. The paper doesn't like Susan's brash style. Well, she's going to be brash at the council meetings anyway. If she's on the council, then there's no excuses. Overall though, I think the City of Brighton is a good shape considering the economy. There isn't a gigantic amount of mini-circles there and taxes raised for them.

That gets to the City of Howell. If I still lived there, I'd vote for Phil Campbell for Mayor. I'd vote for Victoria Hertich and Doug Heins for council. It's time to shake up the old boys and girls club there. Streetscape. Tax increases. Free speech zone proposals. Illegal ordinance restrictions on political bumper stickers and signs in car windows on election day. It's time for some changes. Campbell, Hertich, and Heins.

Lastly, Green Oak Township has a millage. Interestingly, the ballot committee did not turn in their campaign finance records on time. They are late and will be fined for each day until it is turned in. Their treasurer is Chuck Fellows, who was the state senate candidate against Joe Hune. You can't be late on those things.

Election day is Tuesday. Get informed. Get further informed. Once you are fully informed, vote. If you are not informed, don't vote.

Argus Story on the Conely and MEA/8-D Coordinating Council Mailing

I went into detail about the illegality of this mailing here and here.

The Argus investigated the claims by the 8-D Coordinating Council in today's paper. Here's the story on the mailing

Somebody didn't do their homework before sending out a postcard attacking Brighton Area Schools Board of Education candidate John Conely — and it turned out to be leaders of the district teachers' union.

The 8-D Coordinating Council PAC, a political action committee for Livingston County teachers' unions, sent out a postcard last week to Brighton-area voters linking Conely to 21 lawsuits in Livingston County.

The postcard asks, "Is this the kind of person you want for Brighton school board?" The postcard arrived in homes five days before Tuesday's general election.

The Daily Press & Argus reviewed all the cases and learned only 13 of the 21 involved the school board candidate. The other eight cases involved his father, longtime Brighton businessman Jack Conely, whose legal name is John D. Conely.

The mailing said a key word regarding the civil cases mentioned. It said involved. It did not say "found liable." It did not even say who was the plaintiff or defendant, nor mention if there was a settlement. Most of them were landlord tenant related. How often are those cases in court? If a customer did not pay the rent on his car or property, he was sued after a certain period. That's not unusual. I saw "civil infraction" on that list. Contested Traffic ticket. Big deal.

Barry Goode, president of the Brighton Education Association teachers' union and the 8-D Coordinating Council, disputed there were inaccuracies in the postcard.

Barry should get hit his own checkbook ready and pay up for not having his illegal PAC file its Statement of Organization (over 30 days late) and pre-general report.

There's more on the PAC:

The postcard clearly states it was paid with "regulated funds by the 8-D Coordinating Council PAC." The address is the local office of the Michigan Education Association office in Genoa Township. The MEA is the largest statewide teachers' union.

Although the MEA representative for Brighton schools wasn't available for comment, Barb Cameron, UniServ director for Hartland Consolidated Schools and Howell Public Schools, explained how the coordinating council and its PAC operate. Cameron and other UniServe directors are partially funded by the MEA and serve as liaisons between the state and local unions.

Cameron said the coordinating council is comprised of local teachers' union presidents and other teachers, and the PAC is an offshoot of the council. She said teachers donate money, which is separate from their dues, to the MEA. The MEA then distributes a portion back to local PACs. The coordinating council interviews local candidates and makes recommendations.

Cameron said this particular PAC is legitimate and subject to very strict guidelines.

This PAC is currently illegitimate and not following the most basic of guidelines. It's not registered with the Secretary of State nor with the County Clerk. There is no Statement of Organization. There also isn't any pre-general election report filed. As the local MEA's own newsletter points out, this PAC has been in operation for a period. It needed to file, and it failed to do so.

That's why I turned them into the Secretary of State's office.

Latest on MEA and 8-D Coordinating Council related shenanigans

In my last piece, I wrote about MEA being up to its illegal tricks. There's more evidence of illegalities.

Here's the newsletter from the BEA, Brighton's MEA branch. They discussed the PAC they formed here, and have admitted to raising money for the PAC. However, they did not register this PAC with either the County Clerk or the State of Michigan. They also failed to file any pre-general reports, as there isn't even a Statement of Organization. They certainly had enough to do a massive mailing of deceit.

A special thanks goes out to Barry Goode and the MEA's newsletter discussing the PAC. It made things easy when it came to turning your arses into the state. I attached those PAC pages, along with other evidence and sent it to Lansing for official filing.

I talked to a couple people in Howell Schools today, and I'm waiting for a scanned copy of their card. Unlike the Brighton mailing, this was a typical "support candidate x" piece from the MEA. It also has a disclaimer of paid for by MEA PAC (although with the wrong address for their PAC - as their PAC is from East Lansing). The address the MEA used was 3399 E Grand River Suite 203.....their branch office. That's the same office as the "8-D Coordinating Council" which sent the deceitful BS about John Conely.


If you're tired of the MEA and their cronies setting bad examples for our teachers with their illegalities, vote for John Conely in Brighton, or Mike Moloney, and Doug Moore if you're in the Howell School District.

MEA is up to their illegal tricks again

If you are in Brighton schools, you probably got a nasty illegal postcard spreading misinformation and disinformation about John Conely, courtesy of the MEA or its affiliate. This isn't the first time the MEA broke the law in their mailings. More information on that previous illegal mailing is here and here

Here's the front of the postcard with the name and address retracted.

What's illegal about that? I also said MEA. That card says something about "8-D Coordinating Council PAC" instead of the MEA. There's the problem. There is no 8-D Coordinating Council PAC registered anywhere in the Secretary of State's website, nor is it registered at the county clerk's elections division. I called the clerk's office today, and I checked their website. The PAC is not registered.

From the Michigan Campaign Finance Act

169.247 Printed matter or radio or television paid advertisement having reference to election, candidate, or ballot question; names and addresses; rules; exemptions; statement that payment made “with regulated funds”; violation as misdemeanor; penalty.

Sec. 47.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to subsections (3) and (4), a billboard, placard, poster, pamphlet, or other printed matter having reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question, shall bear upon it the name and address of the person paying for the matter. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to subsections (3) and (4), if the printed matter relating to a candidate is an independent expenditure that is not authorized in writing by the candidate committee of that candidate, the printed matter shall contain the following disclaimer: "Not authorized by any candidate committee". An individual other than a candidate is not subject to this subsection if the individual is acting independently and not acting as an agent for a candidate or any committee.

(2) A radio or television paid advertisement having reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question shall identify the sponsoring person as required by the federal communications commission, shall bear the name of the person paying for the advertisement, and shall be in compliance with subsection (3) and with the following:

(a) If the radio or television paid advertisement relates to a candidate and is an independent expenditure, the advertisement shall contain the following disclaimer: "Not authorized by any candidate".

(b) If the radio or television paid advertisement relates to a candidate and is not an independent expenditure but is paid for by a person other than the candidate to which it is related, the advertisement shall contain the following disclaimer:

"Authorized by ............................................".
(name of candidate or name of candidate committee)
(3) The size and placement of an identification or disclaimer required by this section shall be determined by rules promulgated by the secretary of state. The rules may exempt printed matter and certain other items such as campaign buttons or balloons, the size of which makes it unreasonable to add an identification or disclaimer, from the identification or disclaimer required by this section.

(4) Except for a candidate committee's printed matter or radio or television paid advertisements, each identification or disclaimer required by this section shall also indicate that the printed matter or radio or television paid advertisement is paid for "with regulated funds". Printed matter or a radio or television paid advertisement that is not subject to this act shall not bear the statement required by this subsection.

(5) A person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.

OR they did not file a Statememt of Organization for not being registered.

169.224 Statement of organization; time for filing; late filing fee; violation as misdemeanor; contents of statement; name of sponsor; amendment; statement as to receipts or expenditures; filing statement indicating dissolution of committee; exception.

Sec. 24.

(1) A committee shall file a statement of organization with the filing officials designated in section 36 to receive the committee's campaign statements. A statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after a committee is formed. A filing official shall maintain a statement of organization filed by a committee until 5 years after the official date of the committee's dissolution. A person who fails to file a statement of organization required by this subsection shall pay a late filing fee of $10.00 for each business day the statement remains not filed in violation of this subsection. The late filing fee shall not exceed $300.00. A person who violates this subsection by failing to file for more than 30 days after a statement of organization is required to be filed is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00.

(2) The statement of organization required by subsection (1) shall include the following information:

(a) The name, street address, and if available, the telephone number of the committee. If a committee is a candidate committee, the committee name shall include the first and last name of the candidate. A committee address may be the home address of the candidate or treasurer of the committee.

(b) The name, street address, and if available, the telephone number of the treasurer or other individual designated as responsible for the committee's record keeping, report preparation, or report filing.

(c) The name and address of the financial institution in which the official committee depository is or is intended to be located, and the name and address of each financial institution in which a secondary depository is or is intended to be located.

(d) The full name of the office being sought by, including district number or jurisdiction, and the county residence of each candidate supported or opposed by the committee.

(e) A brief statement identifying the substance of each ballot question supported or opposed by the committee. If the ballot question supported or opposed by the committee is not statewide, the committee shall identify the county in which the greatest number of registered voters eligible to vote on the ballot question reside.

(f) Identification of the committee as a candidate committee, political party committee, independent committee, political committee, or ballot question committee if it is identifiable as such a committee.

(3) An independent committee or political committee shall include in the name of the committee the name of the person or persons that sponsor the committee, if any, or with whom the committee is affiliated. A person, other than an individual or a committee, sponsors or is affiliated with an independent committee or political committee if that person establishes, directs, controls, or financially supports the administration of the committee. For the purposes of this subsection, a person does not financially support the administration of a committee by merely making a contribution to the committee.

(4) If any of the information required in a statement of organization is changed, the committee shall file an amendment when the next campaign statement is required to be filed. An independent committee or political committee whose name does not include the name of the person or persons that sponsor the committee or with whom the committee is affiliated as required by subsection (3) shall file an amendment to the committee's statement of organization not later than the date the next campaign statement is required to be filed after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence.

(5) When filing a statement of organization, a committee, other than an independent committee, a political committee, or a political party committee, may indicate in a written statement signed by the treasurer of the committee that the committee does not expect for each election to receive an amount in excess of $1,000.00 or expend an amount in excess of $1,000.00.

(6) When filing a statement of organization, an independent committee, a political committee, or a political party committee may indicate in a written statement signed by the treasurer of the committee that the committee does not expect in a calendar year to receive or expend an amount in excess of $1,000.00.

(7) Upon the dissolution of a committee, the committee shall file a statement indicating dissolution with the filing officials with whom the committee's statement of organization was filed. Dissolution of a committee shall be accomplished pursuant to rules promulgated by the secretary of state under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328.

(8) A candidate committee that files a written statement pursuant to subsection (5) shall not be required to file a dissolution statement pursuant to subsection (7) if the committee failed to receive or expend an amount in excess of $1,000.00 and 1 of the following applies:

(a) The candidate was defeated in an election and has no outstanding campaign debts or assets.

(b) The candidate vacates an elective office and has no outstanding campaign debts or assets.


History: 1976, Act 388, Eff. June 1, 1977 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 311, Imd. Eff. Jan. 4, 1978 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 138, Imd. Eff. Oct. 22, 1985 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 21, 1989 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 117, Eff. Apr. 1, 1995 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 237, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Admin Rule: R 169.1 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.

Either way it is $1000 that either the MEA or the so called "8-D Coordinated Committee PAC" should owe for their violatons. What brings the MEA involved here. Notice the address. 3399 E Grand River Suite 203, Howell MI. That is HQ for Central Zone MEA 8d

The MEA has a PAC. Why haven't they just used their PAC address? Maybe because it has an East Lansing official mailing address and they did not want that going out to voters. Maybe because they don't have the most stellar reputation in this county due to the antics of Joyce Powers and company on the Brighton School Board. John Conely is a threat to them, and they know it.

Either the MEA used a false address and name for their disclaimer, or their local affiliate failed to register as a PAC. Either way, they resorted to illegal tactics to do so. It's not the first time. That's how the MEA does things. It's unacceptable, and I'm turning them in for the 2nd time.

School Boards. John Conely, Doug Moore, and Mike Moloney are the best picks

One overlooked race in the general election is the school board races. These are downticket and overshadowed by the gubernatorial races. There are some good picks for the Brighton and Howell school board positions which are up for election this year.

For Howell - Doug Moore (endorsed in past from Concerned Taxpayers Group) and Mike Moloney. I'm confident they will do a good job there.

For Brighton - John Conely. With the previous mismanagement the last few years, it's just starting to rebuilt. Conely would be a great replacement for Powers, and can help restore fiscal sanity to the district where I went to school.

Regarding Howell, I had this forwarded to me from a current Howell resident. I knew Moore from back when I was with Concerned Taxpayers Group, and I've met Moloney at a GOP meeting.

---

The Howell school board election is really about whether the teacher
union takes over the school board as they did in Brighton 5 years ago.
Then, Brighton teachers managed to elect Joe Carney and others to
control the school board and, against the wishes of the administration
(superintendent), they approved a teacher union contract that Brighton
couldn't afford. Over 4 years, Brighton went from having a $4 million
rainy day fund to an almost $10 million deficit. They're operating
under a state ordered deficit elimination plan.

To repair the financial damage, Brighton has closed two schools,
increased class sizes and decimated their non-teacher staff. They've
lost almost 10% of enrollment or about 600 kids in 3 years.

The Howell Education Association has the same plans for Howell School District.

In Howell, the district finances have been handled well for the past 4
years and they have a strong financial position. The teachers union
wants to take control of the board by adding to the one person already
there. That's so that the teacher contract negotiations in 2011 will
go their way and they can lock in a long-term agreement that takes
every penny possible from the district. Per the HEA and the MEA, there
is no good reason for a school district to have a funds balance.

With that in mind, we should at least be aware of who the different
candidates are;

Teacher Union Endorsees

Mike Yenshaw
Jan Lobur
Marcus Wilcox

Other Liberals;

Mike & Kim Witt - Kim's sister is a teacher in Howell Public Schools.
Just like Joe Carney in Brighton, it's unlikely Kim or Mike would be
on the side of the district in the teacher union contract negotiations
in 2011. In fact, many teachers and administrators are supporting the
Witts despite the endorsements of Wilcox and Lobur.

Jim Pratt is another liberal though he didn't get the teacher
endorsement and doesn't appear to have much support from the employees
of the district.



Jason Raines - unknown

Pat Howle - well known in the school community,

Mike Moloney - endorsed by the livingston county gop - has taken the
no tax pledge, sees fiscal stability as the platform to build the
district. www.moloneynow.com

Doug Moore - endorsed by livingston county gop - ran before - endorsed
by concerned taxpayers PAC...etc

Livingston Results (UPDATED) - Skiba was destroyed, Anderson and Vieau projected winners in Brighton Schools

Hamburg Township sent a message with an exclaimation point. I predicted Skiba would be gone by a 60-40 percentage. I was way off.

Hamburg's precincts are in, and the result is clear. With all precincts in, the numbers are this.

Skiba Recall:
Yes - 4227 - 79.21%
No - 1104 - 20.71%

I don't think this changes much of what goes on with that board. I think several people need the heave ho, and getting rid of one person isn't going to do it. It does send a message, and while I think Pat Hohl and Phil Semprevino love the result, they need to watch it themselves, as I think they too would have been recalled if they were all. ANYONE would have been recalled in Hamburg if they were on the ballot. The best thing the board can do now is man up, keep their traps shut, work together and do their jobs.

The next step if things go like I think they will, is for the Livingston County Republican and Democrat parties to pick candidates to run in a special election. I am not on the county executive committee (I'm on district instead), so I have no official say in the decision. I will make my calls and use the limited influence that I have to hopefully persuade the committee to not take this race for granted, and pick someone who will do a good job and do his or her part to make the township no longer the embarassment of the state. I'll also add that right now, I'd pick the democrat to at least cover the spread in Hamburg, because the board has left a big opening.

In other races, the Brighton School Board race is very close. Barring recounts, Bill Anderson and Miles Vieau win. Joe Carney has been defeated as an incumbent.

So Far:
1. Bill Anderson - 1650
2. Miles Vieau - 1173
3. Randy Swain - 1115
4. Joe Carney - 923
5. Muriel Kaier - 776
6. Keith Van Hentenryk - 480
7. Frank Lucas - 190


Pinckney Bond outside of Hamburg
Yes - 676
No - 796

In Hamburg
Yes - 2286
No - 2315

Total:
Yes - 2962
No - 3111

Pinckney Millage outside Hamburg
Yes - 948
No - 526

In Hamburg
Yes - 3060
No = 1553

Hamburg Police Millage
Yes - 3217
No - 2278

Hamburg Parks Millage
Yes - 3528
No - 1955

Brighton Schools is too close to call. I think a possible recount may happen for the bonds. Other than that, it's fairly clear who wins/loses today in Livingston County.

Election 09

Tuesday is the first semi-major election day since Mr. Obama and his people took over Washington. There are no federal races outside of the special election in New York's 23rd district, however, so other dynamics besides the federal issues do matter.

The biggest ones to watch are Virginia and New Jersey. Their state elections are Tuesday. Virginia usually shifts opposite of the white house in its state government. Doug Wilder was governor when GHW Bush was president. George Allen and Jim Gilmore were governors during the Clinton years. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine during the GW Bush years. In New Jersey, Jon Corzine, gazillionaire leftist democrat and Goldman Sachs crony is in big trouble. It IS New Jersey, so I suspect he will survive and win at the last minute because it is so democrat leaning of a state, but we'll see what happens there.

In Michigan, we have the special election for the 19th district. It's a good national bellwether district, so it is watched closely. It went for Gore, Granholm twice, Bush once, and Obama. Mark Schauer won it first with the original borders. The second winner will be either Mike Nofs or Marty Griffin. Nofs isn't as fiscally conservative as I am, but he's a lot better than tax raising Griffin, and Schauer.

Most of the state has school board and city municipal elections. There are tax measures in several areas that need to be voted on.

Here in Livingston County, we have the following:

Brighton Schools - The budget situation here is crisis, and one of the biggest problems in Joe Carney. He things the district needs to spend, spend, and spend, and then have the state pay for it. It doesn't work that way. My support goes to Miles Vieau for one of the spots. That's easy. The second spot I'm not sure about. The Argus endorsed Bill Anderson. I have a LOT of hesitation there, because he supported that big enhancement millage, which in fact contributed to his defeat four years ago. He's better on fiscal matters than Carney, but that's not good enough. Some of my local republican friends and acquaintances (Anderson's probably their favorite) probably don't care for that, but what will happen when there is big pressure? Will Anderson back another millage? Miles Vieau did not do so.

I'm actually leaning towards Keith Van Hentenryck. He wasn't quite good enough to get the Concerned Taxpayer's Group endorsement when he last ran (I was on the panel for his interview. I'm no longer with the organization, although I still trust their judgment), but he wasn't bad either. He seems like a true independent who won't follow any side or clique.

Howell and Brighton City have their own elections. I haven't followed things enough there to have an informed opinion to say yea or nay.

Hamburg - There's a millage on the ballot there. Also, the big recall election of Matt Skiba. I have mixed views on this except to say that I'm glad I live in Green Oak instead. If Pat Hohl and Phil Semprevino were also being recalled, I'd probably support sending them all home. Skiba could be doing a better job, but he never had a chance in the first place. He is a friend of Cindy Pine, and that automatically with that board made him Persona Non Grata. At the first chance, they wanted him gone, and they were going to make his job as difficult as possible and then recall them. Even a Big Ten video replay judge could see it....well, maybe not them. Because of this, I'd probably reluctantly vote no as the least worse choice. That aside, I predict this passes with at least 60%. Skiba has not defended himself well enough. I am quite curious though about the recall campaign being able to stay under $1000 with the number of bigger signs.......

Other important elections are in our major cities like Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, and Grand Rapids.

There are other special elections that are below the radar of Virginia, New Jersey, New York 23 Congress, and Michigan 19 State Senate. On November 3rd, we have:

Alabama - House District 65
Georgia - Senate District 1, House Districts 75, 129, 141, 159
Missouri - House District 73
New Hampshire - House District 11
South Carolina - House District 48
Washington State - House Districts 9, 15, 16


I don't know much or anything about those districts, but they were mentioned by the Republican State Leadership Committee. In special elections, throw out the normal rules anyway on elections, because it is about turnout. Anyone can win a special election, even Democrats in Livingston County. (and I think they have a damn good shot in Hamburg, gift wrapped by people with R's by their name - although I never see them at the GOP meetings....)

It will be an interesting day. We need to make sure the good guys vote.

Part 2 - November 3rd Elections - 2009 - Local Elections

While the big elections in Michigan this November is the State Senate's 19th District, along with Detroit's mayoral and city council elections, Livingston County has its share of elections as well.

First off  - Hamburg:

Hamburg has a recall election on the ballot. It's a simple yes or no question. "Should Matthew Skiba be recalled from the office of Hamburg Township Clerk?" Much has been written about Hamburg in the papers.What happened if there is a recall, which I think will happen as things stand now?

I wrote about this September 3rd:

What will happen? I think Skiba is in a tough go right now, and needs to start defending himself more than he has been. If the election was tomorrow, game over, he's out. This is going to be a real nasty campaign.

So what happens if Skiba is recalled? I have to check to see if things have changed, but I don't believe they have been. The county political parties executive committees choose the nominees for replacement. That means the Livingston GOP and the Dems pick a candidate for Skiba's replacement. I am not on the County Executive Committee, but a different committee, so I have no vote on the replacement. I can give my two cents one way or the other in who to support/oppose, and go with that. I can say that I don't think that works to Hardesty or Hohl's advantage, since they aren't exactly active in the county party. Who's fault is that????? To use one of my favorite sayings, you don't win when you don't show up.

The nominated candidates will then run for the rest of Skiba's term, and face a major battle in August/November 2012.

Fair warning to Hohl, Semprevino, and company. You might not like the replacement candidates if Skiba is recalled. Even though I'm now on a different committee than the Livingston County GOP Executive Committee, I go to many Livingston GOP meetings, and I don't see you people there. I don't think you'll like who the democrats will pick either. I'm going to recommend a real independent voice if there's a replacement candidate after a recall.

Also in Hamburg, is a police millage. 1.5 mills.

Next - Schools.

Brighton and Pinckney have School Board Elections. Pinckney also has a $59,465,000 bond proposal on the ballot. The estimated millage to retire the bond is 2.45 mills. Pinckney also has a millage renewal on the ballot as well.

Pinckney has two candidates running for two positions. This one's over already. Margaret Eibler and George Rogers will win.

Brighton Schools have seven candidates for two positions. I'll have more details on this race later.
Bill Anderson
Joe Carney
Muriel Kaier
Frank Lucas
Randy Swain
Keith Van Hentenryck
Miles Vieau

Some school districts not based in the county, have spillover effect into the county. South Lyon has part of Green Oak. Whitmore Lake also has parts of Green Oak and Hamburg. Dexter I believe has part of Putnam Township. Lansing Community College has areas as well. I suspect Webberville and Stockbridge, but I can  not say for certain.

South Lyon has five people running for two spots. I know next to nothing about their schools outside of South Lyon High being a rival of Brighton in football, at least before the school splitting into two high schools. Don't look for me to make an endorsement here. I don't know enough about the candidates, which are:

Steven Brummer
Frank Domonico
Greg C Downey
George Ehlert
Carl Towne

LCC has seven running for three spots. I don't know enough here for any recommendation either.:
Deborah Canja
Brandon D Currin
Lawrence Hidalgo Jr
Larry Meyer
Thomas Patrick Morgan
Robert E Proctor
Deo Wells Jr.

Lastly, all Washtenaw County based districts (Dexter and Whitmore Lake in Livingston) have an enhancement millage of two mills which is on the November ballot.

Lastly - City races:

Howell:
The mayor (Geri Moen) and Board of Review positions (Dee Cole, David Teggerdine) are unopposed. There is a contest for City Council. Four candidates for three positions. I'll try and get more on this race later.
Michael Bartkowiak
Dawn Cooper
Scott Niblock
Paul Rogers

Brighton:
Six people are running for four positions. I'll have more on this later as well.
Ricci Bandkau
Mary Ellen Hundley
James Muzzin
Shawn Pipoly
Larry Schillinger
Susan Walters-Steinaker

In the case of the City of Brighton, there is a city council candidate forum on October 26. It will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 315, West North Street. I believe that's by the former post office building. Old timers in Brighton will get that reference.

Brighton Schools candidates filed

The Argus mentioned that seven candidates filed for the Brighton School Board. There are two positions that are open, with one incumbent and two former members running.

In fact, the Nov. 3 election is almost like a board reunion since two former board members — Bill E. Anderson and Miles Vieau — will be running.

A total of seven residents filed to run for the seven-member board, which has two open seats in the Nov. 3 general election. The deadline to file was 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The candidates are incumbent Joe Carney; former school board members Anderson and Vieau; and Randy Swain, Muriel Kaier, Keith Van Hentenryck and Frank Lucas.

Brighton schools has a deficit problem, and the big spending in the past is leading to the tough decisions that need to be made right now.

Carney is former chair of the Democrats in Livingston County, and is a leader of the fiscal liberals on the board. Bill Anderson got double flanked the same year Carney ran. The liberals got out the vote for Carney, and some of the conservatives turned a bit on Anderson for his support of the enhancement millage a few years back. Miles Vieau is a conservative, and was the only vote against the enhancement millage while he was on the board.

Van Hentenryck ran in 2007. Here's a transcript of the 07 debate that lists some of his answers.

I don't know a lot about Swain, Lucas, and Kaier offhand and need to do some research on those people.

In other news, Howell Schools appointed Michael Yenshaw to replace Phil Westmoreland who resigned. Yenshaw was on the board until he lost his election last November.

City Council member Claudia Roblee, don't mess with my school!

This is got to be one of the stupidest things I've read from the Argus in a long, long time.

The buzz!

Could Brighton High School's mascot be too rough-and-tough looking?

At least one Brighton City Council member thought so and wanted to see something else besides the famed Brighton Bulldog mascot on banners to be placed in downtown Brighton.

"I do not see that banner with the bulldog, the angry-looking bulldog with the spiked collar, as being aesthetically pleasing for our downtown," council member Claudia Roblee said.

Roblee, who has been an active school volunteer, said she would prefer seeing silhouettes of athletes, chess players and debaters on the banners. The school is planning to put up 36 banners along Main Street and Grand River Avenue for the 2009-2010 school year.

If I ever move from Green Oak into the city itself as I almost did in 06, I know who not to vote for right off the bat. I don't know whether she's a Republican, Democrat, or neither of the two. It doesn't matter. Don't mess with the Bulldogs!

I've lived in Livingston County for over 30 years. I've lived in the Brighton area one township away from the city for 27 of those 30 years and am a native of the area. I'm from Brighton, or as I like to say these days, "Old Brighton." I've seen the downtown in the 80's, 90's, and today. I went to Brighton Schools. Now not to go all Al Bundy here, as I unfortunately didn't score four touchdowns in one game, but this disrespect here really ticks me off. I put in a lot of my time for Brighton High as a student, player, and coach. If you object to a bulldog, my teams mascot for as long as I can remember, because it is not "aesthetically pleasing" to our downtown, then you are either ignorant of our community, weak, don't have an appreciation for our history, or all three. I don't know which. Considering that Ms Roblee is a school volunteer, she should know better.

Now, I have nothing against "athletes, chess players and debaters." I've worn all three of those hats at different times myself, but that is all generic. That particular bulldog mascot is ours. Out here, we're bulldogs, and the more intimidating the bulldog, the better. What message does that give to visitors? It's the message of a community supporting its school and their sports teams, which I always thought was positive. Some weak minded yuppies may be offended because it isn't highbrow enough for them like the modern art masterpieces (some of which I have no idea what they are) around town, but too bad. That's not what Brighton was about, and not what it should be about today. Leave the pretentiousness in Royal Oak.

Speaking of Royal Oak, this reminds me too much of this sissified "new urbanism" and wannabe "Royal Oak" stuff that I'm worried about Brighton trying to emulate. First the "annoyance" law, and now this? C'mon. Brighton shouldn't try to be something it isn't. It should be what it is, as that is what made it a great place to begin with. We aren't Novi. We aren't Birmingham. We're not Royal Oak. I'd rather not try and copy those cities, myself.

At least Kate Lawrence came through for us.

"For some of us who graduated from the school district, that's Brighton," Mayor Kate Lawrence said. "I'm in full support."

So, the bottom line is "Go Dogs."

Go Dogs, and time for this suggestion of banners to be chewed up and spit out.

Election Aftermath and Newt's warning of 08 disaster

In Brighton Schools, Krause and Leach won despite low turnout. Usually the union candidates win low turnout and that didn't happen yesterday. Hillary Clinton narrowly won Indiana and was trounced in North Carolina. The fight continues.

Newt Gingrich rips the DC GOP leadership, and rightly so with the special election losses and the trend since 06. From Human Events:

House Republicans Should Call an Emergency, Members-Only Conference
Faced with these election results, the House Republicans should hold an emergency members-only meeting. At the meeting, they should pose this stark choice: Real change or certain defeat.

If a majority of the House Republicans vote for real change, they should instruct Republican Leader John Boehner and his team to come back with a new plan by the Wednesday before the Memorial Day recess. This plan should involve real change in legislative, communications, and campaign strategy and involve immediate, real action, including a complete overhaul of the Congressional Campaign Committee. The House Republican Conference would then vote for the plan or insist on its revision.

If a majority of the House Republicans are opposed to acting then the minority who are activists should establish a parallel organization dedicated to real change. This group should focus its energies on creating the changes necessary to survive despite a conference with a minority mindset that accepts defeat rather than fights for real change (which is what we had when I entered Congress in 1978).

Nine Acts of Real Change That Could Restore the GOP Brand
Here are nine acts of real change that would begin to rebuild the American people's confidence that Republicans share their values, understand their worries, and are prepared to act instead of just talk. The Republicans in Congress could get a start on all nine this week if they had the will to do so.

Repeal the gas tax for the summer, and pay for the repeal by cutting domestic discretionary spending so that the transportation infrastructure trust fund would not be hurt. At a time when, according to The Hill newspaper, Senator Clinton is asking for $2.3billion in earmarks, it should be possible for Republicans to establish a "government spending versus your pocketbook" fight over cutting the gas tax that would resonate with most Americans. Lower taxes and less government spending should be a battle cry most taxpayers and all conservatives could rally behind.


Redirect the oil being put into the national petroleum reserve onto the open market. That oil would lower the price of gasoline an extra 5 to 6 cents per gallon, and its sale would lower the deficit.


Introduce a "more energy at lower cost with less environmental damage and greater national security bill" as a replacement for the Warner-Lieberman "tax and trade" bill which is coming to the floor of the Senate in the next few weeks (see my newsletter next week for an outline of a solid pro-economy, pro-national security, pro-environment energy bill). When the American people realize how much the current energy prices are actually a "politicians' energy crisis" they will demand real change in our policies.


Establish an earmark moratorium for one year and pledge to uphold the presidential veto of bills with earmarks through the end of 2009. The American people are fed up with politicians spending their money. They currently believe both parties are equally bad. This is a real opportunity to show the difference.


Overhaul the census and cut its budget radically. The recent announcement that the Census Bureau could not build an effective hand-held computer for $1.3 billion and is turning instead to 600,000 temporary workers to do a paper and pencil census in 2010 is an opportunity to slash its budget, shrink its bureaucracy, and turn to entrepreneurial internet-based companies to build an information-age census. This is an absurdity that cries out for bold, decisive reform (see my YouTube video "FedEx versus federal bureaucracy" for an example of what I mean).


Implement a space-based, GPS-style air traffic control system. The problems of the Federal Aviation Administration are symptoms of a union-dominated bureaucracy resisting change. If we implemented a space-based GPS-style air traffic system we would get 40% more air travel with one-half the bureaucrats. The union has stopped 200,000,000 passengers from enjoying more reliable air travel to protect 7,000 obsolete jobs. This real change would allow the millions of frustrated travelers to have champions in congress trying to help them get places better, safer, faster.


Declare English the official language of government. This real change is supported by 87% of the American people including a majority of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Latinos. It is an issue of national unity that brings Americans together in a red, white, and blue majority.


Protect the workers' right to a secret ballot. The vast majority (around 81%) of Americans believe that American workers have a right to have a secret ballot election before they are forced to join a union. Last year the House Democrats passed a bill that would strip American workers of the secret ballot. A new bill should be introduced reaffirming that right, and it should be brought up again and again until marginal Democrats are forced to vote with the American people against the union power structure.


Remind Americans that judges matter. Senate Republicans should mount an ongoing fight (including a filibuster of other activities if necessary) to get the American people to realize that liberals want to block all current judicial appointments in order to maximize the number of left wing radical judges they can appoint if they win the White House. This issue has three advantages. It reminds people that judges matter and that a leftwing radical Supreme Court would be bad for the values of most (70 to 90 percent, depending on the issue) Americans. It shows the Democrats are not engaged in fair play. It arouses the activism of those who have been disappointed by Republicans and have forgotten how bad a liberal Democratic Presidency would be.
What Is at Stake
No Republicans should kid themselves. It's time to face up to a stark choice.

Without change we could face a catastrophic election this fall.

Without change the Republican Party in the House could revert to the permanent minority status it had from 1930 to 1994.

Without change, the majorities of Americans who support the Republican principle of smaller, more efficient, smarter and fairer government will be in for a rude awakening.

It's time for real change to avoid a real disaster.

Newt's right, and I've been saying this since 06 on leadership. They should have apppointed a leader to lead the GOP house. John Shadegg and Mike Pence would have been much better choices.

Bush is no leader. That's not an attack, but a fact. He goes in his direction and damn the torpedos. That's not leadership. It's better than being a follower, but it doesn't always work, and rarely works if you can not communicate an effective plan - and the latter is Bush's biggest weakness. Right or wrong, he gets the blame for all the problems out there. He can be a part of the solution in the next six months with a veto pen, or he can be a problem. I think he wants to retire, and that can be a problem here.

I thought putting Boehner and Blunt back in charge was a big mistake in 06 since he was establishment. I told you so. The big government establishment was not working, is not working, and will not be working. Screw K Street. Screw the establishment money being everything. Screw Washington DC values and strategy. It's drying up anyway, because nobody wants to fall off the cliff. So what do you do when the truck is driving off the cliff. You don't panic. You don't keep driving in that direction giving up. You turn the damn thing around and go into a different direction. That's not happening right now. I told you so in 06 that without a change, we lose big again and replace big government with gigantic government statism. Beltwayitis is a fatal disease in politics. The GOP has split control - 1 out of three branches. They are acting like they have no control, and too many in the general public think they have control because of Bush. That's a horrific combination. Perception is reality, and they need to start leading and acting like they are in the majority, since center-right limited government conservative values are the view of the majority of the population. They got 6 months to impliment a good plan..But..but but...the committees won't bring it up for a vote. Then Bush needs to veto everything or the senate needs to fillibuster until it does. He needs to admit some bad decisions were made, and come through with this plan, as do the house minority, as do the biggest jokers of all which is the senate.

McCain gets on my nerves at times, but he's carved himself a niche as an independent thinker. That may just save the White House in 08. It won't do a damn thing downticket. I've never believed in coattails unless there is a 15 point win. Reagan had them. Bush I didn't. Clinton didn't. Bush II didn't in 2000. Bush II sort-of-did in the senate with a geography advantage since Daschle went national and forgot where he came from. Wins in Missouri, South Dakota, and the two Carolinas aren't really coattails in that sense.

Go back to the 1994 strategy. It worked for a reason. The economy was shaky. Clinton lost his signature policy. The country was in the wrong direction. Government was getting bigger. Scandal after scandal was going on. Sound familiar?

If the GOP put me in charge of strategy and message, I'll cut our senate losses at least in half (I have us down 6 there), and the house would be close to even or even a couple of gains. I'd even do this at a discount compared to what the DC consultants charge. Even better, Tom Cole needs to have Newt Gingrich run the NRCC.

Now back to my real work.

Today is Election Day - Krause and Leach for Brighton School Board

This is the 1000th post on this site. I didn't there would be that many here to be honest when it was launched in mid-05, nor after the slowdown on this site started when I decided to become a legal beagle.

Today is Election Day. The Indiana and North Carolina primaries are getting all the hype (hopefully Obama has two very narrow wins with Hillary winning the ones after this so they keep beating each other up). That is not the only election.

Closer to home, we have several school board races. Only one in Livingston County though is contested, and that is my alma matter. Brighton. Cheryl Leach and Jonathan Krause have been endorsed by the Concerned Taxpayers Group's PAC and will bring some needed fiscal restraint to the board which is currently spending the district into debt. Good luck to Leach and Krause. There are three candidates running for two positions. At least one candidate friendly to taxpayers is going to win.

Speaking of waste, May elections are a waste of money, and that goes double when the election is uncontested. This Argus reports shows that the uncontested election in Fowlerville is costing $7000. While Fowlerville is the subject of this report, it's not just a Fowlerville issue.
From the Argus

Fowlerville Community Schools will foot the $7,000 bill for today's uncontested school board elections.
On the ballot are two incumbent school trustees and five Fowlerville District Library board trustees up for term renewals, and there are no challengers for any of those seats.
While current Michigan law would allow the school district to host the election in November without incurring any costs, Superintendent Ed Alverson said paying for a May election cycle is worth it in the long run.
"Next year in May, we'll have our nonhomestead election where our 18 mills runs out," Alverson said. "When you have that cycle, that's 18 mills you shouldn't take for granted."
Alverson said having the millage voted on next May instead of waiting until November is a smart move, because the millage, if approved, equates to $2.4 million of the school system's annual budget. Michigan school districts are required to approve their annual budgets by June 30, and knowing whether or not the nonhomestead millage gets renewed will prepare the district if the millage doesn't pass.

Fowlerville is probably the least controversial school district in the county. There is almost never a contested election there. The only time the Concerned Taxpayers Group was active there was during the original countywide enhancement millage that started this organization. That's because the CTGPAC only gets involved in contested races.

However, there's another reason I'm sure he wants the elections in May. Smaller turnout. High turnout is always bad for millage elections. It's oftentimes bad for MEA candidates as well. In 10% turnout wins, it does not take a lot of votes to win. Sometimes turnout is so low, than I would have won a school race with the amount of votes I've received for precinct delegate...and I was uncontested for precinct delegate. That's bad.

$7000 is still $7000. It may be a drop in the bucket compared to $1 million, but it is never good to toss money out of the window. Fowlerville is better than most on fiscal management it and I'll generally give them a pass, but many other districts are fiscally irresponsible.

If you're in the Brighton district, don't forget to vote for Krause and Leach and bring fiscal responsibility back to the schools. No more debt.

Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC endorses Krause and Leach for Brighton School Board

I just got this in my email from Bill Johnston. I was not on the Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC's panel this year due to time constraints, but I still strongly support them and trust their judgment and their process used. I have a good idea of their questions. They are tough, but fair. This is the only contested race in May, and the only race the Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC is getting involved in this May. Rarely do endorsements strongly influence my decisions, but this one and SAFR-PAC (2nd Amendment issues) does more than any other endorsement. They do good work.

From the Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC of Livingston County

TAXPAYERS GROUP SELECTS BRIGHTON SCHOOL CANDIDATES

The Concerned Taxpayers Group, PAC, has endorsed Jonathan Krause and Cheryl Leach for the Brigthton Area Schools, Board of Education, which is on the May 6th ballot. The other Brighton candidate declined to be interviewed.

The candidates were interviewed by a panel of citizens made up from the Brighton, Howell, Hartland and Pinckney districts. This citizens panel is very concerned about the future of our public schools in Livingston County.

The interviewing process took place in Oceola Township on April 8, 2008 and the results were based on an objective scoring method. The main goal of our endorsement process is to advise the citizens of the Brighton district which candidates will best promote a sound educational enviroment for the students of Brighton. To accomplish this goal, the Brighton district must have board menbers who will truly represent the whole district and not just represent a special interest group.

The future Brighton School Board will have a difficult task with declining enrollment, deficit spending and uncertain state funding. Our two endorsed candidates will be a positive influence on the board if elected.

Leach and Krause deserve our support. We need fiscal responsible individuals at all levels of government.

Brighton Schools and State Supreme Court

Two things needs to be mentioned.

The first is regarding the Brighton School Board race.

I've found that in the Brighton Race (only contested one), that Cheryl Leach and Jay Krause are running as a team. Winnie Garrett is the other candidate. There is two positions available and three running. Garrett ran last time and participated in a debate. A rough transcript is here which has some of Garrett's answers to questions last year

The Concerned Taxpayers' Group PAC will be active in this race. I am not on the panel this election cycle for any May races, but will be interested to see who is endorsed, if anybody. I don't pay attention to a lot of endorsements, but that one is a big factor in any of my decisions. As someone formerly on the panel, I have a good idea what many of the questions will be, and have a general idea of the scoring system. I trust their judgment, even though I am no longer their treasurer, and am not an insider this time.

As far as State Supreme Court goes, I've heard a rumor. This may or may not be true, but I've heard from two sources (one inside, one outside the county) that Granholm wants her good friend Theresa Brennan to run for State Supreme Court (Deborah Thomas of Detroit has filed a committee). Remember what I said about today's district court judge will be tomorrow's high court judge and that biases matter? I told you so. Now I do not know if Brennan will take this job, or just stay on at District Court (where she is currently filed). We will find out at the Democrat Convention after the August Primary. However, head's up!

One person who IS running for State Supreme Court is Justice Clifford Taylor. Made famous by the hit piece from the democrats of "Markman, Taylor, and Young. Oh My!" ads, he is running for reelection. Our State Supreme Court is currently one of the very best in the entire country, despite the very semi-recent unprofessional conduct of Justice Weaver who I highly regret voting for in 2002. The Wall Street Journal Called the court the Finest Court in the country. If you remember the Kelo case, remember that much of that was taken from the State Supreme Court's Poletown opinion which ran roughshod over property rights. THIS court overturned Poletown, and would not give us Kelo on a federal level. THIS court followed the plain language of the bill and the law when interpreting the Concealed Carry battle back in 2000. If you support the 2nd Amendment, you know where to turn. Right here.

However, Justice Taylor needs your help. He has a lot of enemies from those who love judicial activism and hate strict constuctionism. The list includes radical leftist Jon Stryker and his Arcus Foundation, Geoffrey Fieger, Jennifer Granholm, the democrats, and the personal injury wing of attorneys. While I can understand the latter because of the line of work, it would not be good for Michigan. We don't need a radical like Granholm controlling this either.

Justice Cliff Taylor needs our support, and needs campaign funds. Money does not go far in the presidential races, but it goes much further in this race. If you have any extra money, and plan on only donating to one race, this is the one to pick. This is THE most important race in the state this year, including the presidency. We need to keep Justict Cliff Taylor on the Michigan Supreme Court. His campaign address is:

Committee to Re-Elect Justice Clifford Taylor
300 N FIFTH AVE STE 250
ANN ARBOR, MI 48104

Latest on Howell Campaign Finance Violations, Argus endorses in Brighton

First, Dan Meisler of the Argus wrote a story on the illegal MEA mailing. I mentioned the details here titled "Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law" The Argus article is here - From the Argus

A mailing sent out by the Howell Education Association teachers' union in support of two candidates for the Howell Public Schools Board of Education is in violation of campaign finance law because it doesn't identify who paid for it.
The postcards read, in part, "Howell teachers support Edwin J. Literski and Dan Fondriest for Howell school board," and are printed on paper the same shade of light green as the T-shirts union members have been wearing to school board meetings to protest the lack of a contract.

HEA President Doug Norton said it was just an oversight, and shouldn't reflect on the candidates.

"It was an oversight we regret," he said. "We also are confident all recipients understood it was from the Howell teachers and that it was paid for with our PAC dollars."
Norton said the approximately $2,000 spent on the 9,000 postcards was funneled through the Michigan Education Association's political action committee.

"It was supposed to have a 'Paid for by the MEA PAC' on there, but it didn't. The error was ours. It had nothing to do with the candidates we recommend," Norton said.

Neither Literski nor Fondriest said they paid for or reviewed the mailings.
(snip)

I believe that that Literski and Fondriest did not pay for or review the mailing. Fondriest kept this below $1000. Literski has not, but his campaign finance report looked legit to me. Literski is also running with Pratt as a team and not with Fondriest.

However, I don't buy it on the oversight. Besides the lack of a "paid for by MEA", there's no return address either, as their was in last year's mailing. I think Doug Norton is taking one for his team, but it's the MEA who fouled up this and their PAC. The HEA is an affiliate, but MEA is footing the bill. If I had to put money on this, MEA fouled up on purpose so they would not have to put the fact that they are in EAST LANSING, and not Howell. If they forgot only the "paid for by MEA" and had their return address, I'd write it off as a mistake. If they only forgot the return address and listed the "paid for by MEA part", I would have written it off as a mistake. But both of them, and by one of the Michigan's most effective PAC's? I doubt it. The MEA isn't exactly a politican rookie here. It looks better for East Lansing's MEA if Norton takes the heat, since he's from Howell and it can look like a local mistake, and not from non-county residents.

Also, The Argus endores Greg Rassel and Beth Minert for Brighton Schools. Rassel also has the endorsement from Concerned Taxpayers Group's PAC. The endorsement roundup for Brighton is now this:

Brighton Schools
Concerned Taxpayers Group - Irene Besancon and Greg Rassel.
Right to Life - Irene Besancon and Jared Geist
MEA - None listed. There are rumors, but until then that's just it. Rumors.
Argus - Greg Rassel and Beth Minert