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.

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.

School Elections Report – Low Turnout, We lose

School Elections Report – Low Turnout, We lose

The results are in and basic elections 101 comes into play. When mainstream voters stay home in Livingston County, we as taxpayers lose. That’s exactly what happened. The only one of ours who won was Greg Rassel in Brighton. Thanks to all the candidates for doing a tough and thankless job. Congratulations to the winners and to the challengers for making the winners run a tough race.

Results:
Brighton
Greg Rassel – 1100 (win)
Beth Minert – 1068 (win)
Winnie Garrett – 808
Patty Bradley – 647
Irene Besancon – 628
Jared Geist – 504
Keith Van Hentenryck – 337
Wesley Armbruster – 220 (Wes dropped out and did not run a campaign, but his name was on the ballot anyway)
Write in - 6

Fowlerville (uncontested)
Mike Brown – 172 (win)
Sheila Burkhart – 167 (win)

Hartland
Elsie McPherson-Brown – 1114 (win)
Dennis Tierney – 1011
Write in – 11

Howell:
Ed Literski – 2162 (win)
Jeannine Pratt – 1788 (win)
Bill Harvey – 1667
Doug More – 1657
Dan Fondriest – 1116
Write in (Phil Nickels) – 191

Pinckney:
Anne Colone – 1059
Michelle Crampo – 870
Jason Reifschneider – 464
Write in – 137

Partial Term
Write in – 105 (Kevin MacRitchie) (Win)


The establishment in schools has a built in advantage. There are the employees of the school, the PTO groups, and some of the town elite involved. They generally think on similar lines in school related election, although there are exceptions. They ALWAYS vote in school elections, and have their best advantage when there is turnout like we had in these elections – around 10% or less overall, with a higher turnout in places like the Cities of Howell and Brighton, along with Putnam Township which are more liberal than the rest of the county. Those people turned out to vote. They earned their wins.

I’m not going to precinct crunch due to time constraints, except that most were as expected. (Brighton 1-2 more liberal, Howell City liberal, townships more conservative)

The other question remains. We get around 58% turnout in gubernatorial elections and got over 75% turnout in presidential elections. We got 15-23% turnout in school elections last year, and 25-30% turnout two years ago with the millage on the ballot? What happened to revert back to the 3-10% old days? Fowlerville is excused. They had an uncontested election once again.

I can’t blame the local paper, at least in Howell’s case. Howell had a ton of publicity. Brighton Hartland, and Pinckney had little publicity. Even with all of Howell’s publicity, there was still a very low turnout of 10-15%, with 6% in Cohoctah. There was a 20%+ turnout last year, and a 25%+ turnout in 2005. That’s still low compared to a primary or general election, but high for a school election.

These are the reasons I think most stay home:
1. May elections. People vote in August (sometimes) and November. Those are the big elections. How many people get excited about a school election? Only political junkies and those directly effected (and not even all of them).
2. No reason to vote. Many view that it doesn’t affect them unless there’s a tax measure on the ballot. The reason the Concerned Taxpayers Group stays active is so that they prevent tax measurers from being proposed in the future due to fiscal responsibility.
3. In Howell, social views dominated, not fiscal. The fiscal errors that are going on with the powers that be are overshadowed by the Love group. What dominated was the books issue and the personalities related to the Love group. The moderates and center-right voters in the district let everyone know what they thought about it. They stayed home and did not vote. It was viewed as the “book burners” vs the “social engineers on the left” with no alternative choices. Last year with “high” turnout (for a school board race) Wendy Day won in 2002 with 2506 votes with second place Westmoreland winning with 2147 votes. Last place non write in – 1658. This year, the WINNER got about 2150 with 2nd place getting slightly under 1800. The last place non write in – about 1100. People stayed home.

Advice to both social sides from someone more socially libertarian (NOT to be confused with a social liberal). Don’t overreach. The majority of people did not want a rainbow flag flying in the hallway, nor censorship of songs as religious content, or people messing with the boy scouts. Those were overreaches. These issues are what gave the LOVE group a following in the first place. Love was fighting the social engineering. The books were a different matter. While there is an argument over whether any, some, or all of the books were appropriate in a school setting (Personally, I want in the middle on that), going to the prosecutor, attorney general, and US attorney backfired. Even more so when it was a public spectacle. That was a classic overreach. If LOVE did not go to the government and had this settled over elections, maybe another 75 votes would have switched, or another 100-150 voters showed up. We don’t know. With the overreaches, you have two results, angry public sending you home (Democrats in 1994, Republicans in 2006), or a discouraged public saying “the hell with this one-upsmanship contest, I’m staying home since none of the candidates are worth my support.” Turnout was down 10% from last year with this.

Advice to the Taxpayers Group. I think it’s time for us to expand into more races on the county level. We should be more than just involved in school related elections. We may have been born from the 2005 millage, but there’s no reason we should not be active in any county level race, and maybe even the state rep/state senate races with two open seats in 08. The 05 millage is old news now, and unfortunately, most voters have short memories. The drop in turnout speaks to that.

Lastly, the big winners here – The Argus. I believe all of the Argus backed candidates won. Minert and Rassel in Brighton. Pratt and Literski in Howell. The incumbents elsewhere. I think their endorsement is going to be more valuable for these races than it traditionally has been in partisan elections (2002 and 2004).

School Election - May 8

Tomorrow's the school board elections. Most people claim to have education as a major issue when they vote. Here is the chance for us all to prove it.

The best candidates, as endorsed by the Concerned Taxpayers Group's committee are as follows:

Brighton Schools:
Irene Besancon
Greg Rassel

Howell Schools:
Bill Harvey
Doug Moore

Pinckney Schools:
Jason Reifschneider

Polling locations are found at the County Clerk's website. Polling locations

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

Brighton School Board Debates

Brighton School Debates
I was just at the Brighton School Board Debates. The biggest contrast I saw compared to Howell is the level of tension in the atmosphere. It was a lot more relaxed and businesslike in Brighton than it was in Howell. The level of animosity in the room was much lower here.

The debate format was 2 minutes for opening/closing statements with 1.5 minute answers. The debate was recorded and will be on local public access stations. I typed as quick as I could on the answers and they are as close to verbatum as possible, although as with Howell, much of this was shorthand and I apologize for the difficulty in reading this. I did my best.

Overall, while I think all of the candidates would do a good job on the school board, I hope that Irene Besancon and Greg Rassel win. I don't think anyone needs to vote "against" any of the candidates here as none of these candidates have shown poor judgment, have axes to grind, or bad decision making ability. There are no incumbents running here either so there will be new people on the board, no matter who wins.

Opening Statement (2min)
Irene Besancon – 13 years in Brighton. Daughter teacher. Grandchildren in Brighton Schools. We need to educate our children so they can take care of the world. Unique skills with Mathematics background. Balanced books and treasured many orgs. Teaches at Schoolcraft/Eastern.

Patti Bradley – 22 years in Brighton. Reporter Children in Brighton. PTO President at formerly, Spencer, now Scranton. Small business owner. Public schools educate 90% of schoolchildren in states. We need more than inadequate funding from state. We let Lansing decide with budget cuts.

Winnie Garrett – Livingston County resident 17 years. Training in human relations. Director of Human resources. Lifelong commitment to community service. Passion for quality schools, Brighton has excellent reputation. Use good skills to maintain and enhance schools. Concerned about funding equity.

Jared Geist – Make community better. Born and raised in Brighton. K-12 product of Brighton schools. Whole life involved in Brighton community.

Beth Minert – Moved to Livingston County in 1972, 1980 in Brighton. Teacher in Brighton 31 years. Retired. Been on several negotiation teams. Been on two school redistrict committee and one other (missed it). Went to Lansing in 2005 for school equity rally. Believe in public education system. Time for another educator on school board.

Greg Rassel – Director of Public Service, Royal Oak. Marine Corps. 13? Years in Brighton. Kids in system. Frustrated at boards kick the can approach currently. Need to take responsibility. Live within our means, not fund balance. Don’t bow to single issue groups. Maintain high level of excellence in school. We need to make community decisions based on long term. State level is important, but don’t expect much short term.

Keith VanHentenryck – Moved to Livingston in 1988. Self-employed and run business. Too much of adversial relationship with all parties. Compromiser. Stay within budget. Enhancing revenue good idea, but unrealistic goal right now.

Q1 – If you had one change, what would it be.
Irene Besancon – Agree with Bradley with planning long haul and with technology. Was involved in Dearborn Schools Engineering program. Taught students to think for themselves with original ideas and manufacturing. Apply tech as well as learn it. Need finances to do that.

Patti Bradley – Lack of future planning. Had to work on year/year basis. Need to look 3 years ahead. Cirriculum – not enough staff to accolplish updates. Tech needs updating.

Winnie Garrett – Lack of equity in funding. Optimistic it can happen. Control of state leglisature. Education not getting enough recognition that it needs. Need to focus on that. Brighton has excellent schools, but we can not be complacent.

Jared Geist – Strengthen and better and find better ways to communicate with district. The rest comes from that, including funding, etc. We need to inform public. Public relations. Public must be on same page as board. One of two candidates with website. It’s important and set up in FAQ format with questions. Phone number and email on website for all communications.

Beth Minert – Wants to piggyback off of Geist’s interest. Former Super Dennis McMahon had partners in education program. Wants to bring that back. New state required curriculum. Needs to make it relevant for students to business community. Arizona has radio program each week related to schools. Need to publicize more.

Greg Rassel – 1. Balancing the budget. 2. Look at upgrading facilities including technology. More reliant on schools of choice and need to compete with South Lyon, Howell, Walled Lake. Facilities must compete.

Keith VanHentenryck – Everything hinges on money. Budget is number one issue. Number of items not well capped.

Q2 – Would you support request for millage increase or headlee override for budget.

Irene Besancon – No. Moving companies having problem and can not get trucks back. Doesn’t seem fair to put more tax burden on residents here. However, we can use school of choice to get revenue. Keep good curriculum to keep students here and attract students. Can bring 1 million to our districts by filling slots.

Patti Bradley – Proposal A flawed due to millage. Need to get other districts to agree to seek money. Millage was defeated two years ago when we tried. Would not support millage at time.

Winnie Garrett – not tax raiser . Local districts not allowed to have millage so puzzled by question. Continue for advocate of funding equite. County does not support taxes.

Jared Geist – Short answer – no. Worst thing can do right now is millage. Looking at it wrong way. Do better with money we have right now. Amazing amount of for sale signs right now. Economy not greatest right now. Defecit right now. Not spend more money than have. Control spending and not ask for money since no guarantee money won’t get spent same way as current.

Beth Minert – not asking for headlee override right now. Would support it. Millage – reviewing Super Craig’s review. Increase of 500K in special ed budget. All these programs mandates, but not funded. Need to help these students.

Greg Rassel – Short answer no. Not right now. We must restructure first. That never happens.

Keith VanHentenryck – Short answer no. State can’t resolve it, not addressing next years. Too many foreclosures right now.

Q3 – Opinion of MESSA

Irene Besancon – I have advantage to live under teacher benefits. Teachers deserve good benefits, but we need to look at all options and truly feel Board has to say “We can afford to pay so much, not more than that. What’s best you can find for teachers under that dollar amount” We don’t know what budget will be, but prepare for worst case so we don’t cut what kids need.

Patti Bradley – Be careful. Insurance is part of collective bargaining agreement. Everything up for grabs with contract.

Winnie Garrett – Labor relations background. I don’t have enough information right now. Not familiar with what costs are. Not equipped to make decision.

Jared Geist – Referred to Howell declaring selves policy hold. We need to wait and see how that plays out. If we can provide benefits at cheaper costs, no reason not to do so. It may backfire, so we need to watch Howell first. Can’t spend more money than we have. If there’s other companies not affiliated with MEA, we need to look at it.

Beth Minert – Unlike Howell, brighton paid to keep MESSA. Will look at others and save money, but be careful. Do not let people go by wayside with pre-existing conditions. Look at history of company and premiums to see they do low cost first and double them within a year.

Greg Rassel Part of Structural change. We can’t prove we get best costs. In private sector, premiums are changing all time. Need to bid out competitive.

Keith VanHentenryck – Has to be looked at. Many school districts dropped MESSA, which is 3rd party admin, not provider. Lakeview, saved 500K. Blue Cross/Blue Shield repackaged, easily less expensive with same benefits.

Q4 – Regarding Brew haha relating to literature at Howell.

Irene Besancon – Policy establishment sounds good. Is the material best to deliver for curriculum?

Patti Bradley – We hire on teachers expertise for this. Parents had access to AP list. Availible to all parents in Brighton. Shouldn’t be issue.

Winnie Garrett – We need processes to avoid it and up to date and followed. Staff needs training. Committees – need to include different views so all are listened to. Chain of command needs to be followed. We need good conflict resolution skills, need to be respectful, return phone calls, etc. Total package will make it work.

Jared Geist – I don’t have lit or teacher degree but law, poly sciece, . Teachers need to do their jobs. We go down slippery road if we micromanage. Good policy right now.

Beth Minert – Brighton has way to deal with this. In HS, Teachers choose book, work with dept heads, discuss it, vote, give it to super and board. Look at other districts and goes to committee. Committee can read, discuss, and vote. May use as pilot or right away. Parents bring it to treacher, may offer alternative, and if more challenge, can go to board. AP – requested by college board. Different criteria.

Greg Rassel – Satisfied with Brighton process. We haven’t had that controversy,. Knock on wood. Fall back on Supreme Court statement. I know it when I see it.

Keith VanHentenryck – Works well now. Always be some book that pushes someone’s button, but right now no changes.

Q5 – Labor relations good, adequate, bad, at Brighton schools.

Irene Besancon – Adequate. Don’t like to see disagreements in last year or two, comes from mutual respect. At least people are courteous to each other. Need healthier respect for one another. We have good people and need to remember we are negotiation with good people and in best interest. That gets lost in conference. Both sides need to know what’s needed going in and be able to articulate it. Communication.

Patti Bradley – Adequate, need work. Super said 2.5 million. Head of union doesn’t believe it says Cried wolf. More communications needed.

Winnie Garrett “Traditional” – lose opportunities for win/win outcomes.

Jared Geist – Inadequate. We have to look at end result of what we have – budget defecit.End result needs to be good. Part of process did not work to good result, which is not adequate for me. It’s harsh, but we need to be tough with end result.

Beth Minert – Are adequate. Yes, tough times and some layoffs. Teachers are problem solvers and want to solve problems facing district.

Greg Rassel – Adequate. Contact to contract for a couple of years. Work to be done. Can’t go out until long term contracts are in place. We aren’t doing all we can to keep house in order fiscally.

Keith VanHentenryck – Adequate. Issues in past lead to situation where both parties unsatisfied. More compromise necessary. Conflicting interests.

Q6 – Have you been endorsed by PACS, unions, etc?

Irene Besancon – If you ask me to come, you are part of community. Endorsed by Taxpayers Group and Right to Life. I said things I concurred with their point of view, but it’s MY point of view. I did not say what they wished to hear. I’ve not received contributions outsides of people putting signs out. All money my own.

Patti Bradley – No. No endorsements. I did received contribution from graphic artist. Else, my own money. Not spending $1000 (Waiver)

Winnie Garrett – No endorsements or financial contributions.

Jared Geist – Piggyback on what Irene said. All of this is community service. Invited by RTL, Teachers Union, Argus, and Taxpayers. I’ll tell them what I say. I have beenendorsed by RTL. No contributions from PACs/Special interests. Campaign contributions from family and friends. I’m in debt. I’ll take that. Am under $1000 (waiver).

Beth Minert – Not seeking endorsements. Neutral. Nonpartisan. Checks from friends for yard signs. $100-175 range. Spent under $400

Greg Rassel – Interviewed with same groups. Endorsement of Taxpayers Group. Spend my own money.

Keith VanHentenryck – No. No endorsements. Low impact approach with low spending. Not taking contributions.

Q7 – Should negotiaton team have board member on it.

Irene Besancon – I’m surprised we don’t have one. Should have one there.

Patti Bradley – Board should have one there. We’re responsible for approving contracts.

Winnie Garrett – No. What happens, Board sets parameters for management with support of super on what issues are. Financial/non financial. Board has closed meeting as a group.

Jared Geist – Critical to have board member or two members. Board has duty to do
best we can. If most important is financial, need proactive approach and have members in process.

Beth Minert – On each negotiation team I was on, board was there.

Greg Rassel – No. Code of silence. Too many biases of individual. Hire admin for reason. More important financial advisor there.

Keith VanHentenryck – No as well. Board designed to run business of district in overview fashion. Micromagement – too many hands in pot and spoil the stew. Agree with Greg.


Q8 – Selcra relationship

Irene Besancon – They do outstanding job. Grandkids involved. Don’t incur costs because of them, maintains good facilities for community.

Patti Bradley – Should continues. Don’t know fee schedule, but need fee to use schools or soccer fields. Relationship should continue.

Winnie Garrett – Tradional. Agreed, but needs to know fee structure.

Jared Geist – Absolutely. Community theme. Selcra great for community. Well balanced education critical. Biased – as I’m soccer referee from selcra at one point. A lot of people see Selcra as postitive. Could factor through school of choice.

Beth Minert – Agree. Something should be paid toward.

Greg Rassel – Selcra does great job. Report to board several weeks ago. 80% self-funded. Bounced number to management he uses at Royal Oak. Great numbers. Facilities are heavily overused and needed upgrade to lower maintence costs.

Keith VanHentenryck – Good program. If it doesn’t cost too much, and needs to be close to self-sustaining.

CQ9 – Abscincence – support? (State requirement)
Irene Besancon – Follow mandate

Patti Bradley – Follow mandate.

Winnie Garrett – Support being in complice with state guidelines.

Jared Geist – Agreed with Garrett due to mandates. School board job isn’t to change mandate but to manage school. Not my job to alter what mandate is on that level. I have my own beliefs. Own believes sometimes best, sometimes not. Will be professional. Need to follow mandate.

Beth Minert – Follow mandate.

Greg Rassel – Parent of 17 year old. Great policy.

Keith VanHentenryck – Can’t follow Greg. Have to follow mandate. Need to teach well rounded course.

Closing Statement (2 min)

Irene Besancon – I’ve had experience in Livonia on school board advisory. Strong curriculum provider. I’ve been and produced two teachers. Want to be positive image for Brighton schools. Great community. Need to balance budget to grow, equity to staff, accountability to those paying bills.

Patti Bradley – I’m running for schools since I have kids that had good education in Brighton. So caught up in budget cuts that forget what the cuts affect. Has 6th? Grader.

Winnie Garrett – 17 years in community. I have expertise regarding community in Leadership Livingston, BHS volunteer. Part of BHS planning committees. Strong set of skills in leadership. Brings plaque of leadership award to confirm what she said.

Jared Geist – Communication is what this is all about. Anyone has more questions, I’ll stay and answer them afterward. I’ll talk to TV watchers. Gives Cell number - 810-210-9192 – will answer questions from public. I have fresh perspective, BHS graduate K-12. I have brothers in school as well.

Beth Minert – School is a foundation of community. Brings history of district, contracts to board.

Greg Rassel – 3 legged approach. Revenue. Reductions. Restructure. In reverse order. We need to look at what they’ve done in lansing. Unfunded mandates need to be addressed. Don’t need people at top of hill telling us to teach our children.

Keith VanHentenryck – I have a lot to offer to community whose board is supposed to look at business to district. I can do good job, but others here can do so as well.

Another debate Thursday, Geist cleaning up in online poll

With all the hype about Howell schools, let's not forget about the others. Brighton is having a debate as well this Thursday, April 26 at Green Oak Township Hall which is at US-23 and Silver Lake Road. 7:30 is the time.

As far as the online poll goes, Jared Geist is cleaning up so far with almost 100 votes already - in less than a day. I've also had the most hits on this site since mid November 2006 when the post election was covered. That's not a coinicidence. Now, I know this is not a scientific poll, nor intended to be. However, schools are a low turnout election. If enough of those online posters are from Brighton and show up to vote on the 8th, who knows what will happen. In six way and eight way races, usually the most organized candidates win, even with little funding. Joe Hune proved this in 2002 shocking most people with his win.

Some of the contested Brighton elections I've voted in had 3% turnout. Most were about 8%. The turnouts have been higher lately overall 15-25% in different municipalities thanks to millages, contracts and other issues. Turnout is going to be the biggest key in this race. That's as close of a prediction as you'll get from me. I'm not going to call this one since I think any of the five on the ballot could win in Howell, and so far I think five possible candidates could win in Brighton. It just depends on who shows up.

LOVE Group stays out

From the Argus

The Livingston Organization for Values in Education’s political action committee has decided not to endorse any candidate in the campaign for the Howell Public Schools Board of Education.

Vicki Fyke, founding member and spokeswoman for LOVE, said Monday that the group decided not to endorse any of the candidates because “we don’t know any of them.”

Interesting timing. Vicki was at the debate last night, and this release of "no endorsement" is out the day after all the candidates distanced themselves from LOVE. Maybe they did not care for what was said at the debate.

I've also heard rumors of new write in candidates as well, but apparently that was either not the case, or abandoned due to an unlikely chance to win.

Hopefully, whoever wins, the controversies will end with an acceptable solution.

Argus story and audio from Howel debates

From the Argus

Howell Public Schools Board of Education candidates sounded off Monday about the district's financial situation, teachers' contract, special interest groups and the superintendent at a forum held at the Paul Bennett Recreation Center in Howell.
All the candidates — incumbent Jeannine Pratt, Dan Fondriest, Bill Harvey, attorney Edwin Literski, Doug Moore and high school student Phillip Nichols — agreed that settling the teachers' contract is a top priority and that the district needs to work within a budget.

The audio from the debates are also posted online at the same page of the article.

School Board Debate in Howell

I was at the school board debate (actually candidate forum) in Howell. All six candidates were there. In my opinion, they all brought something to the table.

I thought Bill Harvey won. He had a strong presence, displayed his experience, and did the best overall job.
Doug Moore had the strongest answers in and of themselves. His answers were all substance. I am biased as I support Bill Harvey and Doug Moore, as do the Concerned Taxpayers Group.
I thought Ed Literski had some good comments on negotiations.
I hope Jeannine Pratt does not get any heat for her answer regarding MESSA. The board is in negotiation and considering that fact, she gave a professional answer that was needed for someone in her position.
I thought Fondriest had a couple of good answers, particulary with the bond and Parker High. It was a good counterpoint based on another answer and shows he has ability to think on his feet.
Phil Nichols is gutsy and determined. He got a raw deal by the election laws as he turned 18 after the filing deadline in early February. He could not file to be on the ballot, but can run as a write in. It would have been easy for him to pack it in and quit, but he's still running and is running a legit campaign as well. I wish him well.

These are shorthand notes and are as close to accuracy as I can come based on constant typing during the speaking. I'll warn you that they are hard to understand. The actual audio will be on the Argus website. I recommend the primary sources themselves when they are open to the public. I'll admit it's a lot better than what I've written here.

Opening Statement
Bill Harvey – Coach, Father of kids in school (valedictorian), good overshadowed with needless controversy. Won’t wait for state to bail out. 2.1 million increase by simply increasing students. Will listen to teachers.
Doug Moore – 25 years of global engineering experience. Parent of students. Taxpayer. Respect for everyone blueprint of success. Asking right Qs. Gathering information. Bring them to table. Discuss and come up with solutions.
Jeannine Pratt – Incumbent. District needs experience and consistency. Served on committees including PTO and bond committees.
Ed Literski – Taught before coming at attorney. Kids in schools. Long time resident. Special interests in schools. Teachers without contact. Immediate problem. No board member negotiating. Lobby lansing for funding.
Dan Fondriest – Everyone should vote. Father of 4, were in Howell. Take a careful ponder and decide.
Phil Nichols – Write in candidate (deadline). Teacher tudored him in math. Young perspective needed. Nervous. A+ for guts.

Q1 - End of school need, state not decided revenue cuts. Given state budget not in school fund. How does board address issues.
Bill Harvey - Somebody smarter than any one of us is all of us. Open up books. Opprotunities for community input and innovative solutions. Schools of choice $7000 to bring in. 1 student per classroom. No overhead costs. 300 students – 2.1 million. Losing students to Horning elementary (Brighton) – gifted students. Bring revenue in this way.

Doug Moore – Schools are business, but more than cuts. Revenue. Evaluate every expendidure. Ask community to do same. Amazing what light can be done. Information why students leaving – know to get students and revenue back. Contingency plan NOW to address budget cuts. No good negotiating with gun. Ask right Questions.

Jeannine Pratt – Know what has to be done. Has cut. Eliminated 73 staff positions. Several insurance. Did not add programming. Hands cuffed by state. Fought for answers and stonewalled by Lansing.

Ed Literski – Prop a objective. Worked for few years, fell apart. Long term equity in funding. 80% budget staff. First, contract and MESSA insurance. I’m attorney and mediator. Settle MESSA. Not complicated. Teachers offer pay difference. Acceptable solution.

Dan Fondriest – Michigan was mecca of manufacturing. Changed. Be awhile before additional funds. Work and continue to work to leverage lansing to get funding change. Long solution. Short term, run like company. Not easy. Tighten belts. Get contract settled. Been in contracts. Not acceptable.

Phil Nichols – With stare cuts, created problem with budget. Teachers need contract. Bring best teachers in so people want to go to school. School of choice.


Q2: - Compensation package – reason Howell worked without new contract. Board is district policy. MESSA coverage. Trade wage for benefits. How do you get both together.

Bill Harvey - Shocked that board member is not part of committee. I’ll do it if no one else available. I’m here to support education. Stability is needed. Don’t care who provides insurance. Different amounts for different benefits. Power to individual teachers. Bring revenue to schools. 290-400 students leave districts. Some willing to come back if we put controversy behind us. Replace students we lost. We do what more money from state but won’t happen soon. Bring students. We need change of board and image.

Doug Moore – I’m not privlidge to info. It IS board responsible to set amount of compensation. From there is negotiation. Board Concerned of total costs. Happy to offer compensation within framework to suit needs. Should be choice offered. Proposal for insurance pooling from state. Bipartisan.Where Lansing can help. What teachers see as their preference within that should be fine.

Jeannine Pratt – Board doesn’t want power over district. Same coverage under different carrier. Can’t say what I want due to unfair labor practice complaint. Board member can not be negotiatior due to full time jobs.

Ed Literski – establish budget. Not. How far apart are we? T side $600 per year? If taxpayers aren’t paying it, who cares. Other side $1000? Believe these are good faith negotiations. Do not believe this is bad faith on every side. Board member part of team. Everyone part of this. It’s the kids crisis.

Dan Fondriest - Everyone seen public comment. Internet blog sites. A lot of people complaining about teachers. 10 years ago. UAW Things changed. Some will come back. Some won’t. Must balance budget. Should be negotiatiable. Insistent that HEA wants MESSA, then we negotiate it. I wonder if board calls something win-win. All of board should be more involved in this. No contract, that’s awful we’re talking about this.

Phil Nichols – Teachers will help pay to keep health care. Schools are coming to say “this is numbers we produce. Take it or leave it. Both sides need to negotiate. If elected I will work to get contract, either with MESSA or program to save money and comparable in services to MESSA.

Q3: - Controversial issues – books, flag, etc. How has it been handled.

Bill Harvey – I observed change when I came back from Japan. I worked as consumer relation manager. Learned training. Complaints like cockroaches. Take them seriously. If you listen, you can learn. Greatest acclomplishments contributed by critics with opposing ideas. We discuss. “This can’t work.” I don’t have all answers, but I have open mind. If you come here with complaint, must be part of solution. Part of draw is great community we have. Once we go to board meeting, community disapeares. Education important, (Validictorian). Listen to what’s saying. Then we can improve schools.

Doug Moore – Other questions. Look at these decisions. Is quality better or worst? More costs to district? Opt out working? Unintended consequences? Good bad. Could handled better? Answer is how do we do this in future. Perception is problem. Critic more than happy to tell us that we are failure. Real and perceived problems. Future.

Jeannine Pratt – Handled as best as possible. Special interest group likes to stir pot. Diversity flag. Students put it up, not board or admin. Book issue. Special interest group against…has own beliefs…”appreciate that” but in long run, have committees in school. 82 teachers certified curriculum in education. What they do best. Addressed each issue. Many don’t believe board handled things appropriate. Not involved in day to day running of district. Things happen in individual schools, schools responsible. Info ends up in board room. We have been working on that.

Ed Literski – What’s best for the kids. Media is not best. They are here for controversy. When KKK rally came to Howell, that’s a shame. Community dragged down. Need board in business of educating children. Spending hour after hour defending this while we have no contract. Wasted time on special interest. “Isn’t that group that took education away from education.” Let them do their job.

Dan Fondriest – Issue got me fired up to get signatures. Not happy to see social engineering with LOVE group with other issues out there. Financial issues. School on line. Flex schedule, balance budget. MUST be done on time. We can’t be dragged down on social issues. Get votes right away. Keep papers out of issues.

Phil Nichols – Controversy. Good and bad. Makes you think and evaluate where stance is. Most give semi-bad look on schools. Me running for school board controversy so I have contributed a little bit (Referring to write in). Board job to make public school do best for public. All must be heard and find middle group. Make as many happy, not all will be. Too long for some decisions. Distraction. I won’t use time to use something that could be done in one meeting, that’s been done in four.


Q4: - Two part Q – Bond issue past, two HS opened this fall. Parker will be, Howell closed for renovation. 1. Admin thoughts. 2. Intention both open in fall of 08, how.

Bill Harvey – Tough Question. I’d hesitate to put blame on public as board’s responsibily. Reign super in. Needed new classroom space. Growth rate high, then changed. We should re-evaluate decidions due to changing environments. Where are we financially. What will we do with unsupervised students during day. Look at ALL of the situation, look at what we afford . When we have plan is right time to open Parker. No plan is jumping off cliff without measuring water at bottom.

Doug Moore – As bond goes, believe schools put in place for reason. Growth. Work towards plan to open both. Work on all part. Two parts. Revenue needed and costs. Revenue addressed by schools of choice. Costs – first looked at – do we need it? If we needed it, we should, work towards plan to open both. With facts on table. Idea how to get were we are today, and go where we need to go.

Jeannine Pratt – No blame here. On bond committee. District doesn’t say “We want to build a school” Plan is good plan. Flex schedule is forward thinking of this district. Not losing students, gained 1000 to Howell in 9 years. Have both open.. I’m optimistic. I hope it’s open. Board will work to educate the students in the district. Saved money by cutting renovation time.

Ed Literski – You are folks that decided and voted to it. Easy to say mistake. I don’t think it is mistake. We need them both open. It has to open. Less students than old school, then flex schedule. Challenge reopening 2nd school. Bond in 03. Economy doesn’t resemble It was then. I don’t what I’ll do about it as I don’t know revenues. Lansing cuts. That’s challenge. Resourceful board. Fiscally responsbilble.

Dan Fondriest – It’s a good thing and still a good thing (bond). Schools of choice – Parker is good magnate for it. 2008-2009 – both schools have to open. Can’t put plan together and say things change. Make it happen. Renovate HHS and open them both. No if’s and’s buts.

Phil Nichols – Unique perspective on this problem. I walk halls of Howell High. Congested. Opening up new school is good idea. Howell needs to be renovated as its older school. Athletes traditional. Both should open to minimalize stress. Both buildings used less. No point building and not using them.


Q5: - How do you assess performance of Breiner.

Bill Harvey – I’ve been manager. I’m manged ambition. Had to be responsible for direction they took. If they took wrong direction, I need to take responsible for that. If we look at school management. School board runs school. Super reports to board. I notice Breiner gives comments, sets agenda. It’s backwards. I can’t assess him. He’s not been given direction and guildlines. We need to give him guidelines to measure him so we know how he’s doing. We can take advantage of his vision, but curb autonomy.

Doug Moore – Most recent – inconsistency. One answer on different days. Must be improved. One school, one answer. What’s his job description from board. He’s leaving in next couple years. Has not asked for renewal of contract. What happens with this board is goals of NEXT super with goals and guidelines. Management.

Jeannine Pratt – Two jobs he’s interviewed for solicited by different school districts. Saginaw and Oakland ISD. Super isn’t easy job. I sit alongside him. He spends countless hours in this district. He can’t make everyone happy. District lost 5 admin positions, must be fulled. Breiner doing just as good as he possibly can do, not make everyone happy.

Ed Literski – I know Chuck. Not well. He’s creative intelligent man. Vision commended by all. Concerned with interview process as I see it ongoing. Involved in expansion which was his vision. He was helpful and instrumental. I’d like to see his. I am disappointed with interview elsewhere. Show must go on. Board committed, I’ll be committed. Wouldn’t matter who super is. Office here before and after. He’s been very good, but we’ll get through it.

Dan Fondriest – I wish I could say he’s root of all evils. He’s CEO. He needs to run day to day. Board needs to step up to plate too. Plenty of blame. Mentioned the state as well. Chuck is guy that needs to be guy to do it. Has contract. Prases MEAP, Flex schecule, Freshman. Chuck’s done this and that, but done a lot of good too.

Phil Nichols – Chuck Breiner has done his job. I’m not fan of fact that he’s looked for other jobs. He’s in charge of looking after schools. Why is he looking for job if he has Howell’s best interest. I’d like to see him be here and have chance to work for him. I think he’s done his job.

Q6 – HEA, MEA, LOVE, Right to Life, Taxpayers endorsement. Would you accept

Bill Harvey – I’ve been contacted by all groups. I have same position. Here’s my position. If you like my position, you can endorsement. I’ve not sought endorsements. I’ve been endorsed by taxpayers and right to life because they liked what I had to say. Coaching is where you look to individual. In board meeting, and someone talks to me, I treat person as individual , listen, make decision.

Fondriest – I run as indy, but may not vote that way due to social issues. I’ve been contacted by these PAC’s. I haven’t responded in most cases. I did meet with HEA. They are supporting me. Local organization. Taxpayers – political group. I did meet with Press/Argus. Not seeking endorsement but if it comes, fine. Board must be neutral, independent.

Nichols – I was contacted by two groups. Taxpayers by letter. Many questions did not help. Did not contact due to scheduling problem. Homework. Contacted by HEA. Track practice, but did talk to them. Love teachers. Not gotten endorsements. Nonpartisan, keep it that way.

Pratt – All new to me. Ran 4 years ago, no contact. Press/Argus did. Contacted, by taxpayers and HEA and did meet with them. Literski – joint campaign. We did. I did not received endorsement from HEA or Taxpayers Groups. Not at all contacted by LOVE Group. Contacted by RTL and did not return survey – does not belong in school issue.

Moore – I’m running to represent everyone. Interviewed by all. Taxpayers gave endorsement. Some think that since I won’t trash certain group, I belong to that group. Not true. If member can’t have civil discussion with someone disagree, shouldn’t be on board. Funding? I’m it.

Literski – Interviewed. Taxpayers stopped listening over Parker. Right to Life did contract. Agreed with Pratt on that. Love did not contact me. HEA – we interviewed with them. They will be endorsing me.

Closing remarks
Literski – should be exciting times. New school. Program.With Channel 6 here for that story. How public schools manage to come up with innovative creative. Asked about love, books, diversity, and Ku Klux Klan. Not about school system surviving economy. That’s why I’m here. Get teachers in contract. And school open. No agenda. Many say open minded. I too AM open minded. Need Howell on positive map, not negative map,

Moore – Indy outside voice to board. Financial district. Make sure ask questions. Focus on what we can control and not worry about cannot control. Schools work for parents and taxpayers. Employees should be proud to work there. Think about their ideas will be supported. No one has monopoly on good ideas. Engineering experience and leadership experiences. Know what’s needed for global economy.

Pratt – district involved staff, community with budget setting. I encourage you all to be part of that. Not attending and are public meetings. Encourage each of you to be part of it. I listen to people because I care. In end, this is pivotal election for HPS. Need focus of individuals without personal agendas and those who want best for our district.

Nichols – I’m student now. Create better learning environment. I bring new perspective to board. I know what works and what doesn’t since I’ve been there in hallways. I’m running since well rounded group of people representing is good. Well rounded group of people have ideas and compromise for what’s best for community.

Fondriest – Running as independent. Of the people, for the people, by the people. Outside of political orgs and be grass roots. Board of trustees that oversee finances of school. Admin and super are CEO and management staff. Board must be decisive. Priorities. Settling contract, budget, Parker, open HS, School of Choice and market, develop long term plans. Growth will come back. May 8 vote – two open seats. Two more LOVE would have censored freedom of speech.

Harvey – I’m an optimist and visionary and see a lot of good in school. I work with kids as coach and with boy scouts. These are good kids with much potential. Financial issues. Need to be addressed. Then we have three more years. Want to work WITH teachers and parents to bring Howell to the good headlings – high achievement. I want to model proper behavior to kids by showing respect to members of community. Starts at top, and I’m winning to do that.

School Board Endorsement Roundup - So far

The School Board Elections in Livingston County based districts are on May 8. The Concerned Taxpayers Group of Livingston County was the first organization to endorse candidates and lead the way. Right to Life and the MEA have now endorsed as well. The endorsements by the PACs are as follows.

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 has not endorsed yet.

Howell Schools
Concerned Taxpayers Group - Bill Harvey and Doug Moore
Right to Life - Bill Harvey and Doug Moore
MEA - Ed Literski and Dan Fondriest
LOVE Group - I haven't heard anything about endorsements yet. I've heard a zillion rumors including future write in candidates, but that's just it. Rumors.
Argus has not endorsed yet

Pinckney Schools
Concerned Taxpayers Group - Jason Reifschneider
Right to Life - Jason Reifschneider
MEA - none listed
Argus has not endorsed yet.

Hartland and Fowlerville - no endorsements listed so far.

A few interesting developments. The major one is the MEA "splitting teams" in Howell. Ed Literski is running as a team with Jeannine Pratt who is an incumbent. However, Pratt didn't get an endorsement by them. Fondreist and Literski (non-incumbent) did. Howell Super Chuck Breiner is being triple flanked right now. The fiscal conservatives are not supportive of him. The social conservatives can not stand him. The teachers union is not happy with him either. The latest fiasco with the debate also throws some fuel on the fire. Breiner losing support from the left and the right.

I'm surprised the MEA did not endorse, at least publicly, in Brighton and Pinckney. Pinckney especially since they have historicaly been strong there.

There are two upcoming debates.
Debate for Howell is on Monday at the Howell Rec Center at 7PM. There is limited seating there.
Debate for Brighton is on Thursday at Green Oak Township hall at 7:30PM

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.

Election Today - Whitmore Lake and Webberville schools

There is an election today - 2-27-07 - in the Webberville and Whitmore Lake school districts.

In Webberville, there is only one issue on the ballot. They want to borrow $6.5 million for furningshing and refurnishing equipment. Estimated milliage required to retire the bond debt is 2.15 mills.

In Whitmore Lake, there are three issues on the ballot.

1. Operating Millage Renewal Proposal - 18 mills.

2. Operating Millage Proposal - ANOTHER 18 mills. This is a seperate issue, and got my guard up and then some.

3. .10 mill increase for recreation

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.