Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC Makes Howell Endorsements for 08

I got this press release sent to me. I wasn't on the panel this year due to time constraints, but I trust these people as the objective questions and scoring is the same. I'm not in Howell anymore, so I don't follow the schools there as much as I used to, but the Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC is still based in Howell, and most of the founders and a plurality of active members are still in that district.

CONCERNED TAXPAYERS PAC MAKES HOWELL SCHOOL BOARD ENDORSEMENTS

The Concerned Taxpayers Group, PAC, of Livingston County endorses Olav "Kris" Kauserud and Doug Moore for the two full-term positions up for election on the Howell School Board on November 4th. In the partial-term election for the Howell School Board, The Concerned Taxpayers Group, PAC, of Livingston County endorses Deborah Drick. All of the candidates were invited to participate in the endorsement process. Questionnaires that were returned were evaluated by our panel using an objective scoring method. Our panel consisted of citizens from Howell Twp., Cohoctah Twp., Brighton Twp., and the City of Brighton. This citizens panel is very concerned about the future of our public schools in Livingston County. The voters of Livingston County should have as much information as possible about which candidates will work towards responsible fiscal stewardship and to promote a sound educational environment in our public schools. The candidates endorsed above will work for positive change in those areas if elected.

Paid for by the CONCERNED TAXPAYERS GROUP, PAC, of LIVINGSTON COUNTY with regulated funds. 1*** (Address removed), Howell, MI 48855

County Commission: Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC endorses James Mantey and Ronald Van Houten

I just got this in the email box from Bill. I heard talk about interviews upcoming in a couple of primary contests, but I forgot about it completely. I wasn't on the panel here, but I trust the judgment of the Concerned Taxpayers Group and their PAC panels. This is the first County Commissioners race they are involved with. I hope it is not the last race either as I'd like to see the mission expand from its school board origins (enhancement millage).

I don't normally post press releases, but I make an exception for the Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC as I am one of the founders of that organization. I stepped down due to time constraints awhile back, and the position I had there was left in good hands. I can't ask for anything better.

The email:

CONCERNED TAXPAYERS GROUP, PAC, OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

For Immediate Release - July 1, 2008
Contact: William Johnston (phone number removed)
Howell, Michigan

TAXPAYERS PAC PICK MANTEY AND VAN HOUTEN

The Concerned Taxpayers Group, PAC, endorses James Mantey, District 2 and Ronald Van Houten, District 4 for the Livingston County Commissioners race on the August 5th ballot. Both candidates are running in the Republican Party primary. Ronald Van Houten is in District 4, which includes all of Handy Township, Iosco Township, Unadilla Township, Precinct 1 of Marion Township and Precinct 3 of Howell Township. James Mantey is in District 2, which includes Precinct 2 of Howell Township, Precinct 3 and 11 of Genoa Township and all of Deerfield and Oceola Townships.

This evening a panel of Livingston County citizens interviewed four candidates from Districts 2 and 4. The interviewing process is done as a public service to the citizens of Livingston County. The voters of Livingston County should have as much knowledge as possible about which candidates will control taxes and excessive government growth.

Both candidates have the desire, the knowledge and experience to guide Livingston County through the difficult economic times of the present and the future. Livingston County is being hit by the declining economy of the state, collapsing real estate values and increased operating costs. The growth of Livingston County revenue has slowed and with no signs of improving in future years.

Paid for by the CONCERNED TAXPAYERS GROUP, PAC, of LIVINGSTON COUNTY with regulated funds
(Address removed)

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.

Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC makes endorsements

From the Argus

The Concerned Taxpayers Group PAC, which advocates fiscal responsibility in education, was the first group out of the gate, making endorsements in the Brighton Area Schools, Howell Public Schools and Pinckney Community Schools board races.

Bill Johnston, head of the Livingston County-based group, said it is endorsing Irene Besancon and Greg Rassel for the two open seats in Brighton; Bill Harvey and Doug Moore for the two open seats in Howell; and Jason Reifschneider for the open seat in Pinckney. None of those candidates are incumbents.
(snip)
"These endorsed candidates know the needs of the students and the community," Johnston said. "They also have the ability to bring their school boards back to financial reality."

With the economy in the situation it is in, it is essential that good fiscally responsible individuals are elected to the school boards, as well as any other elected position. We're past the point of gimmicks and need some real solutions to the fiscal mismanagement at all levels of government.

One danger I see if the schools run high enough defecits is a state takeover. I do not want to see that. These candidates will do their best to prevent that from occuring in the long term.

Concerned Taxpayers Group featured in Argus

Dan Meisler wrote a good feature on Bill Johnston, the founder of the Concerned Taxpayers Group. I encourage everyone to read the full article.From the Argus

Activist sticks up for taxpayers
By Dan Meisler
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Bill Johnston says he has been a political conservative his whole life — "That's the way I was raised."
But when Livingston County's five main school districts proposed a countywide millage in 2005, Johnston took the next step and formed a political action committee called the Concerned Taxpayers of Livingston County.

"That pushed us over the cliff. We had to defeat it," Johnston said. "It wasn't going to accomplish anything for the kids."

The millage failed, and the Concerned Taxpayers gathered about 120 supporters.
"There was a definite need" for a group like his, said Johnston, 66. "I am really surprised at how easy it is to accomplish something — a little bit of patience and not offending people is all you need."

It was a 2-1 victory, and we were outspent 4-1. A small correction is that the PAC wasn't involved in the millage which uses a different committee (ballot question). Times are tough in this economy and have been for a while. All units of government need to live within their means, just like the rest of us.

The PAC was formed the next year, so we can make sure our school boards are fiscally responsible. The Concerned Taxpayers Group will be conducting interviews soon, and endorsments decisions, if any should be out soon afterward.

When Johnston started scaling back his workload, he had more time for political endeavors. He said he's worked for Republican presidential candidates going back to Bob Dole, but at heart considers himself more of a Libertarian — "smaller government, lower taxes, protecting rights."

But he said he backs Republican candidates because Libertarians don't have the support to win many elections.

I'd like to see more of the republicans get back to smaller government, lower taxes, and protecting rights. That's another article.

Argus preview of School Board 07

From the Argus

School elections taking political bent
By Dan Meisler
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

The days when school board elections were barely noticed may be in the past, as pressure from state budget cuts, political parties and community groups are raising the profile of the campaigns and injecting a partisan atmosphere

Miles Vieau said it best.

"It's always been political; it's just been kind of a quiet politics,"

For years there was an old boys/old girls club that controlled things. Elections were run by the schools. The election dates were set by the schools. We had 3-10% turnout most years, largely by MEA affiliates and their supporters. It was a great setup for them.

Some rumblings really started to occur around 03 and 04. Chuck Breiner was involved in a bidding war between Rochester and Howell and received a big raise. At the same time, the school asked for a Headlee override to raise taxes on businesses. Write in candidates for the school board nearly won, and the override lost. It did pass later on a September election.

One key was Chris Ward's bill to limit elections to four days in a year. One in February, May, August (primary), and November (general).

Then came the enhancement millage. Four of the five school districts based in this county supported a property tax increase due to the inability of the districts living within their means in this rough economy. The Concerned Taxpayers Group was born out of this. Despite being outspent 4-1, the enhancement millage failed 2-1, losing in every district. Turnout was about 25-30% - 3-7 times a normal turnout. The old boys club did not control the election.

At the same time, there was a controversey over the rainbow flag raised in Howell schools. That's been covered enough and I don't wish to rehash the controversey. However, I do believe that was a factor in the millage's defeat.

The County GOP took a stand for fiscal discipline and joined the Concerned Taxpayers Group in opposing the tax increase. This brave move was a shot at the old boys club.

After the enchancement millage's defeat, people thought it was important to stay active in the schools. That's why the Concerned Taxpayers Group formed a PAC to make sure our school board members are fiscally responsible. The LOVE Group also formed a PAC to address their concerned about the values issues in their schools. Both PAC's made endorsements, as well as the County GOP. The MEA affiliates made their endorsements as well (as usual). The turnout was 20%, much higher than the customary 3-10%.

That brings us to today. The Concerned Taxpayers Group will be back. I assume the LOVE group will be as well. The MEA will be back. I'm not sure what the GOP or Democrats will do. We'll wait and see there.

The best news about this is that the voters will be informed and that the old boys club can not control everything. While the old boys network will have their say, so will the rest of the voters in the districts. People will have a choice this election, and there won't be the blind voting and few choices which was common in the past.