UAW President Ron Gettelfinger featured speaker at annual fundraising dinner

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger will be the featured speaker at the Livingston Democrats' 25th annual Edwin B. Winans Dinner Saturday at the Hamburg VFW Post, 8891 Spicer Rd., put on by the Livingston County Democratic Party.

Gettelfinger negotiated the historic labor contract with the big 3 automakers last year that included the union taking control of retiree health care costs. He is also a strong advocate for a national single-payer health care system that would make health care accessible and affordable for every U.S. citizen. He is also involved in the negotiations to seat Michigan’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention this fall.

The dinner will feature excellent food, conversation, a silent auction, a cash bar and a legal 50-50 raffle. There will also be some special guests, including state Sen. Hansen Clarke – last year’s guest speaker - and Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith from neighboring Salem Township in the South Lyon Area.

The dinner is also the opportunity for the party to honor the hard work and dedication of its many hard-working volunteers over the past year with awards like the John D. Donohue Citizenship Award. The award is named after the last Democrat to serve on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, who passed away while in office in 1996. Other awards that will be handed out include The Herb and Ruth Munzel Distinguished Service Award, the Chairman’s Special Recognition Award and the Unsung Heroes Award.

The fundraising dinner is named after Edwin B. Winans, Governor of Michigan in 1890-1893. He lived in Unadilla and Hamburg Townships and represented Livingston County as a State Representative, probate judge, and Governor. He is buried in the Hamburg Cemetery. Winans Lake is named after him. Tickets are $60, and tickets can be obtained by calling the Livingston County Democratic Party at (810) 229-4212, or at the door if they are still available. The event starts at 6 p.m. and the dinner begins at 7 p.m. This is the party’s largest fundraiser, so come out and support the party and get ready for an exciting election season.