Livingston Democrats choose new leader

The Livingston County Democratic Party has a new leader after the Executive Committee chose Hartland resident and University of Michigan grad Jordan Genson to succeed Judy Daubenmier at the county convention on Nov. 18.

The committee also chose Genoa Township resident Kelly Raskauskas as vice chair, and rounding out the officers are Annette Koeble as treasurer; Mary Evergreen, secretary; and Judy Volk, vice president for membership.

Judy has done an excellent job in the more than two years she has served as chair. She has planned some unique and inexpensive fundraisers to energize the surprising number of Democrats in the county – like the movie nights and ice cream socials, and she has honored the party’s core values with community events like blood drives, supporting area food banks, helping children and honoring veterans.

She also helped recruit a near record number of quality candidates for political office, and she served as a successful watchdog on the all-Republican County Board of Commissioners.

I don’t know a lot about Jordan Genson, but I’ll venture a guess that he is one of the youngest chairs the party has had in some time. I sat next to him on the floor at the Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in April, and I am looking forward to the energy he will bring to the job.

Kelly Raskauskas was an energetic county commissioner candidate this election cycle, and I see her at every party function I have been able to attend. She brings lots of energy and knowledge to the position, and she has done some excellent research on the mistakes and gaffes of the board of commissioners. She also has one of the most impressive resumes I have ever seen.

Raskauskas holds a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA cum laude in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University. Raskauskas serves as the President of the Friends of the Brighton District Library, a non-profit group that supports programming, special events and equipment for the BDL throughout the year. She is also a volunteer at the Greenhills School in Ann Arbor.

County Democrats will get a chance to meet the new officers, as well as enjoy one of the great events I talked about, with the best food ever, put on by the party with the annual a holiday potluck set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at party headquarters, 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600, in Green Oak Township. All you need to do is to bring a dish to share and a donation for Gleaners Food Bank of either cash or food. I can personally attest to the fact that the food is phenomenal.

In addition to the potluck dinner, the party is also looking to help those in need in the community this holiday season. The party is looking for volunteers to help shop for winter clothing for needy children through the Warm the Children program sponsored by annarbornews.com. The program finds the needy children and provides enough funds to purchase $90 in winter clothing for each child. We provide the volunteers willing to help the families shop for the clothing at Target. If you would like to help, please contact Pam Green, coordinator the county’s Blue Tiger programs, at pgreen1210@sbcglobal.net.

The party is also participating in the Salvation Army's Adopt-a-Family program. We will be buying gifts for a needy family selected by the Salvation Army. If you would like to make a donation to the program, you may mail a check, made out to "Cash," to party headquarters. Contact Pam Green for more information, as well as to volunteer to help with the shopping.

Tough question shuts down chamber forum

The Livingston County Board of Commissioners is hoping that voters are stupid, and they are doing everything possible to hide more than $101 million in bad debt taxpayers are in the hook for until after then Nov. 2 election.

The Livingston County Democratic Party brought to light that the all-Republican Board of Commission backed $101 million in principal and interest from bonds by townships for Special Assessment Districts (SAD) for water and sewer infrastructure for developers to be paid back when people moved into the new developments, but because of the Bush recession, many developers just walked away, leaving the township and county taxpayers holding the bag.

The Democrats have been demanding that the county come clean by holding a townhall meeting to explain the situation, but the county has done everything legally possible to hide the extent of the bad debt from the public. On Thursday at its monthly breakfast meeting, the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce had county officials come in and make a presentation that turned out to be little more than a campaign speech. If you anted up your $25 to get into the event hosted by the most pro-Republican organization in the world, you simply heard a whitewash, and the first time a tough, or any question, was asked the chamber director ended the forum.

According to the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, it was nothing but a campaign speech from Board Chair Maggie Jones. She only talked about the great things the county has accomplished, but the fact that most of the stuff - like the Livingston County Ambulance, which has been around since 1971 – took place years ago.

For the all the good news, the Board has had its share of mismanagement that always gets swept under the rug, like the foreclosure crisis in Livingston County, which has the highest rate of property tax foreclosures in the region, awful roads and the financial drain at the county airport.

The Board has tried to hide the debt by forming something called the “Debt Management Committee,” and it meets the bare minimums of the Open Meetings Act by placing the notice of its meeting on a bulletin board in the board offices. After the county Democrats submitted a FOIA request for the meeting minutes, it turned out they had not even been approved. Only after they received the FOIA request did they even approve 10 sets of meeting minutes, going back for more than a year shortly after getting the FOIA request.

Conveniently, the chair of the sub-committee is not running for re-election after four terms on the board, giving the board a possible scapegoat.

The local daily newspaper has done a lousy job acting as a watchdog on the all-GOP board, but they could no longer ignore the minutes deception. Last week it finally came out it with an editorial on it. The Republican editorial board hates to criticize Republicans, so the criticism was very muted and couched as more of a question.

“But (Commissioner Jack) LaBelle said there was nothing "sinister" about the lack of minutes on this most critical committee. Then he said that the board didn't want to be "pitting the county against townships." Such a comment makes it seem that the Democrats are correct in saying that the county board was trying to keep the public in the dark about the nature of this issue, particularly since county officials have more recently suggested that some township officials were reluctant to acknowledge the possible inability to pay the looming debt payments.”

Pretty tame. The editorial should have demanded transparency from the board and administration, and it should have demanded the county hold a townhall meeting to inform the public of the extent of the problem and the possibility of an emergency financial manager taking over some townships.

By the way, this would be a townhall meeting where taxpayers don’t have to pay $25 to hear from their elected officials.

Livingston County roads in worse condition than Detroit roads

HOWELL - Thanks to the all Republican County Board of Commissioners, our roads are worse than those of Detroit.

To illustrate that fact, the Livingston County Democrats are announcing a “Worst of the Worst” pothole contest in a bid to find the worst pothole in the county. This is similar to a statewide contest.

Figures from the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) have shown that 37.4 percent of Livingston County roads are rated “poor.” Livingston County Democrats would like to know which pothole among the hundreds of miles of poor roads is really the worst.

“With so many bad roads to choose from, it shouldn’t be hard to find a winner,” said Judy Daubenmier, chair of the Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee. “We all drive on these roads each and every day, resulting in damage to our vehicles.

“Yet our all-Republican county commission has decided that the best use of public funds is to expand an airport that fewer and fewer people use,” she said. “This is an example of the wrong kind of priorities for our county. Bad roads not only cost us money out of our pockets. They also turn off people and businesses that might want to locate here. We don’t have to put up with bad roads. We can do something about it by changing leadership on Nov. 2.”

The MITA compiles a report annually on the number of miles of poor roads in the state. The 37.4 percent figure for Livingston County, based on the November 2009 report, is nearly double the 20 percent of roads in the city of Detroit rated “poor.” Statewide, only 32 percent of the roads were rated “poor.”

Some areas of the county have virtually all the miles of roads covered by the report rated “poor.” In Iosco Township, for example, 35 of 37 miles, or 96 percent, are rated “poor” by the report.

“It’s a sad commentary when a wealthy county like Livingston County can’t afford to keep its roads in better condition than the city of Detroit,” Daubenmier said. “The situation will only get worse as more and more of our tax dollars are spent paying off debt for infrastructure in subdivisions the county backed that were never finished, leaving less money available for services.”

Daubenmier noted that while townships have been making bond payments for the unfinished subdivisions, they are using money loaned to them by the county’s delinquent tax revolving fund. Now they must begin repaying the county that money plus interest, while continuing to make the bond payments. The double-whammy will devastate services. Instead of spending the interest received by the delinquent tax revolving fund on the airport, Daubenmier said it should be returned to the townships in the form of road repairs.

MITA has estimated that the average Michigan motorist spends $370 a year for vehicle repairs and time spent stuck in traffic due to poor roads. As a way to defray part of that cost, the Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee will award a $50 prize to the person who nominates the winning pothole.

Contestants are invited to submit a photograph of what they think is the worst pothole in the county. They should include their name, address, phone number or email, and the location of the pothole so that it can be inspected. Entries may be mailed to the Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee, 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600, Brighton, MI 48116. Entries also may be emailed to livcodems@sbcuc.net. In lieu of a photograph, contestants also may submit a video and upload it to youtube.com. The link to the video should be emailed to livcodems@sbcuc.net. The deadline is noon on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

In case of a tie, the entry submitted first will be the winner. Entries will be judged by officers of the Livingston County Democratic Executive Committee. The winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 29.

MITA is a broad-based, bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens with the goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.

Here are the townships in Livingston County with the number of miles covered by the report, the number rated “poor” and the percentage.
Township Miles in Report Miles Rated Poor Percentage Rated Poor
Brighton 136 23 17 percent
Cohoctah 51 39 76 percent
Conway 45 29 65 percent
Deerfield 40 21 52 percent
Genoa 124 39 31 percent
Green Oak 112 35 31 percent
Hamburg 65 21 33 percent
Handy 66 29 43 percent
Hartland 93 18 19 percent
Howell 98 22 22 percent
Iosco 37 35 96 percent
Marion 57 24 41 percent
Oceola 60 26 43 percent
Putnam 40 19 47 percent
Tyrone 32 80 41 percent
Unadilla 49 19 47 percent
TOTALS 1153 431 37.4 percent

Support the Democratic ticket

The stakes are high for the election in November, and the choice appears to be to continue to climb out of the Bush recession, or to go back to the failed Republican Bush polices that created the worst recession since the Great Depression, and the Livingston County Democratic Party is gearing up for the election with a couple of events.

Livingston County Democrats will kick off their 2010 campaign on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero on Saturday, Sept. 18, with an organizational meeting for volunteers. Farhan Bhatti, deputy campaign manager with the Bernero for Governor Campaign, will conduct training for volunteers beginning at 10 a.m. at Livingston County Democratic Party headquarters, 10321 Grand River Ave., Suite 600, in Brighton.

“Anyone who wants to see Michigan work again is invited to come and learn how they can be part of the team for Virg Bernero,” said Judy Daubenmier, chair of the Livingston County Democrats. “As Lansing mayor, Virg has shown that he understands what needs to be done to put people back to work in Michigan.”

No past political experience is necessary. The training will provide all the information volunteers will need to be able to work effectively for Bernero and his running mate, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence. Coffee, tea, and bagels will be provided.

As mayor of Lansing, Bernero attracted more than a half a billion dollars in new, private investment to the city, which retained and created more than 6,000 full-time jobs. He erased more than $40 million in city budget deficits without raising taxes or laying off any workers. Bernero shared in the sacrifice, cutting his own pay and benefits.

The party is also hosting a fundraiser called “Campaign Countdown 2010.” The event is set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at Barnstormers Banquet Center, 9411 E M-36, Whitmore Lake. We need to will make sure our candidates have the resources to compete down the stretch with the deep pockets of the Republican Gubernatorial nominee, made from shipping jobs overseas. Suggested donation is just $25 per person and includes appetizers and a cash bar. Sign up now via Paypal.

Invited guests include U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, Gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero, his running mate Brenda Lawrence, Attorney General nominee David Leyton, Secretary of State nominee Jocelyn Benson, 8th Congressional District nominee Lance Enderle, Michigan Supreme Court nominee Denise Langford Morris and Supreme Court Justice Alton Davis. Additionally, all the local candidates will be there, too.

So sign up today by Paypal or send a check made out to Livingston County Democrats to 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600, Brighton, MI 48116.

Newspaper attacks Democratic Party for doing the job they didn’t do

Most people have no problems with a simple mistake, especially if they learn from it. But, when the same person makes the same mistake five times and an elected official elected to uphold the law covers for that person, most people lose patient.

Republican Livingston County Commissioner Carol Griffith failed to file campaign spending reports for nearly two years, but the Republican County Clerk covered for her, and the Secretary of State Terri Land let her off the hook without a fine or even a warning. But even worse, the Republican editorial board of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus saw fit to write an editorial calling campaign finance reports and falsifying legal documents “trivial.”

The editorial entitled “Dems don't help themselves by picking silly fights” takes the Livingston County Democratic Party to task for daring to bring this to light, saying, the “party doesn't help itself when it keeps picking silly fights, such as the complaint it aired last week over a trivial campaign-filing violation.”

Tell that to Rep. George Cushingberry Jr., D-Detroit, who had to have a court trial to clear himself of the same thing and Rep. LaMar Lemmons III, R-Detroit, who was found guilty for failing to file two or more campaign finance.

Griffith should have filed five reports over the last two years – a report before the August 2008 primary, a report after the August 2008 primary, a report before the November 2008 general election, a report after the 2008 general election, and an annual report for 2009. None of those reports is on file with the Livingston County Clerk’s office.

Here’s the real irony here: this violation of campaign finance law and case of special treatment never would have been discovered and would continue if the Democratic Party had not discovered it.

It was not too many years ago that newspapers, including this one, was the watchdog for government malfeasance. What it comes down to is that instead of doing their job, the newspaper attacks the Democrats for doing the job they should have been doing.

It’s time to restore some honesty and transparency to the all Republican County Board of Commissioners so violations of the law will not be shoved under the rug.

You can start by voting for Griffith’s replacement, Kelly Raskauskas, D-Genoa Township. Raskauskas holds a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA cum laude in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University. Raskauskas serves as the President of the Friends of the Brighton District Library, a non-profit group that supports programming, special events and equipment for the BDL throughout the year. She is also a volunteer at the Greenhills School in Ann Arbor.

If you don’t live in Raskauskas’s district, you still have a choice. Vote for one of these qualified people.
District 2 Thomn Bell
District 3 Dane Morris
District 5 Dave Berry
District 6 Keith Tianen
District 8 Amir Baghdadchi
District 9 Barry McBride

Fundraisers on tap this week

Campaign season is in full swing with lots of fundraisers, and I just wanted to give a shout out to some of my friends.

Livingston County Democrats had the most candidates file for the nine-member Livingston County Board of Commissioners since at least 1998, and Kelly Raskauskas is one of the most qualified. She is running in the 7th District, which includes the city of Brighton and part of Genoa Township. She has been a leader in the community, serving as president of the Friends of the Library in Brighton. She has a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

She has a fundraiser set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15. To RSVP and for directions, call (734) 878-6792.

My friends at the Monroe County Democratic Party are holding a campaign kickoff at 5 p.m. this Saturday, July 17 at UAW Local 723, 281 Detroit Ave. in Monroe. For $15 you get a steak dinner and soft drinks. Tickets can be ordered online.

Come out and enjoy some great fellowship and good food, and many of the candidates will be there. Monroe’s two House seats are under attack, and Republicans are targeting the seats in the blue collar, union town.

House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee, is term-limited, and Bedford resident Mike Smith is running for the seat against a large field of Republicans. Rep. Kate Ebli, D-Monroe, is running against a well know Republican, and she can use your help.

We need your help, and I will see you there.

Don’t forget the fundraiser for Jim Delcamp, the Democratic candidate for the 66th h Michigan House District, that will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Brighton House Restaurant, 10810 Grand River Road, Brighton.

Come out and enjoy a scary movie with the Livco Democrats

Come out and enjoy another informative, scary and factual film from Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore this Friday with the Livingston County Democratic Party.

The party will show the movie “Capitalism: A Love Story” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4, at party headquarters, 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600, Brighton. An ice cream social -- featuring ice cream and all the trimmings -- will follow. Suggested donation is $10 per person or $15 for two.

On the 20-year anniversary of his Moore’s groundbreaking masterpiece "Roger & Me," Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans. But this time the culprit is much bigger than General Motors, and the crime scene is far wider than his hometown of Flint, Mich.

Come out and enjoy some good fellowship, ice cream and learn about credit default swaps, derivatives and why the global financial system collapsed under George Bush.

Call (810) 229-4212 for more information.

Near record number of Democratic candidates file to run for Board of Commissioners

BRIGHTON -- Livingston County Democrasts celebrated filing day, the day candidates for the August 3 primary and November 2 General elections must officially file to run for elective office, with pizza and strategy.

The county Democrats have not had a member on the nine-member county Board of Commissioners since 1996, but with seven candidates filing to run, that is the most candidates since at least 1998. In addition to that, Democrats have candidates for all three Livingston County Michigan Legislative positions, as well as for the 8th District seat in the U.S. Congress in Kande Ngalamulume.

“I wouldn’t say it was under the radar,” said Judy Daubenmier, chair of the Livingston County Democratic Party.” We have been recruiting candidates and meeting from as far back as February.”

The performance of the county board has been dismal over the last two years. That performance includes a $16 million slush fund from the delinquent tax fund to pay for pet projects while cutting sheriff road patrols, firing employees and refusing to support county veterans.

“There is a clear lack of vision in the county,” Daubenmier said.

One potential problem is the something called “toxic Special Assessment Districts (SAD)“ for water and sewer improvements. During good economic times following the Clinton Administration, the county pledged its full faith and credit to local townships to make utility improvements. New residents moving in would be on the hook for the special assessment and water and sewer taps to pay back the bonds, but that’s not happening. Those payments are now coming do, and the county could be on the hook for millions of dollars.

In fact, according to the county’s budget book, the debt is more than $111millon.

“They brag about keeping taxes down and that we have the second lowest tax rate in the state, but we have this huge debt ready to fall on us like a hammer,” said Donna Anderson, the Vice-Chair of the Livingston County Democratic Party. “I never hear about this debt in the paper.”

In the state Legislature, the candidates are Genoa Township resident James Delcamp for the 66th District, Hamburg Township resident Garry Post is running for the 47 District seat and Green Oak Township resident Chuck Fellows is running for the 22nd District seat in the Senate.

Here is the excellent field of candidates for the Board of Commissioners:
District 1 TBA/Possible write-in
District 2 Thomn Bell
District 3 Dane Morris
District 4 TBA/Possible write-in
District 5 Dave Berry
District 6 Keith Tianen
District 7 Kelly Raskauskas
District 8 Amir Baghdadchi
District 9 Barry McBride

Celebrate Filing Day with the Liv. Co Democrats

For political geeks like me, tomorrow. May 11, is akin to a national holiday. Tuesday is filing day, the day candidate for the August 3 primary and November 2 General election must officially file to run for elective office.

Every single state office is up for election this year, from the Governor on down, including the Secretary of State, Attorney General and the state Senate and House, as well as local offices that are on two years cycles, like the Livingston County Board of Commissioners.To mark that event, the Livingston County Democratic Party is celebrating Filing Day at 6:30 p.m. with pizza. The HQ is located at 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.

You can come out and meet the full slate of Democratic candidates, as well as hear from former East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh, who is presently running for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, to discuss campaigning and local and state issues.

In predominately Livingston County, the Democratic Party has set some realistic goals,and they have been meeting since March on ways to be successful in areas where Republicans hold a majority.
The plans is to field a candidate in every race, and to focus its resources on one or two races that are winnable on the nine-member Livingston County Board of Commissioners. The board has been all Republican since 1996, but the Democrats have a plan to change that. So far, it has a candidate in all the districts but one; the 4th District that includes the Townships of Handy, Iosco and Unadilla, the Village of Fowlerville and parts of the township of Howell and Marion. That’s a little disturbing because the last Democrat on the board came from Unadilla.

Here is the excellent field of candidates:
District 1 Pam Green
District 2 Thomn Bell
District 3 Dane Morris
District 4 TBA
District 5 Dave Berry
District 6 Keith Tianen
District 7 Kelly Raskauskas
District 8 Amir Baghdadchi
District 9 Barry McBride

In the state Legislature, Hamburg Township resident Garry Post is running for the 47 District seat that includes the townships of Cohoctah, Conway, Deerfield, Hamburg, Handy, Hartland, Howell, Iosco, Putnam, Tyrone, and Unadilla, most of the city of Howell, and that portion of Marion Township included within the city limits of Howell.

Post has actual business experience as the owner and operator of a manufacturing business, as well as managing real estate. Post is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Detroit College of Law and the Duke University Fuqua School of Business’ “mini-MBA” program. Post practiced law in Michigan and co-founded a law firm from 1980-1988 before moving to North Carolina to pursue a career in manufacturing. He rose to become President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Athol Manufacturing Corporation. Athol supplied vinyl coated fabrics for cars, truck and buses including major mid-level automotive companies.

After the sale of Athol in early 2000, Post began pursuing a career in real estate and rental property management. In his present position, Post manages rental properties near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor with a focus on student housing.

In the State Senate, Green Oak Township resident Chuck Fellows is running for the 22nd District seat held by term limited Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Marion Township. Fellows is a member of the Green Oak Township planning commissioner, a teacher and a member of the Michigan Department of Community Health Board.

The deadline to withdraw from the race is 4 p.m Friday, May 14. Other important dates are July 6, the last day to register for the August primary, and the last day to register for the General Election is Oct. 4.

Edwin B. Winans Dinner on tap Friday

Lt. Gov. John Cherry and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, will be the featured speaker at the Livingston Democrats' 27th annual Edwin B. Winans Dinner Friday May 7 at the Lakelands Golf and Country Club, 8760 Chilson Road, Hamburg Township, put on by the Livingston County Democratic Party.

The dinner will feature excellent food, conversation, a silent auction, a cash bar and a legal 50-50 raffle. As always, there are always some surprise special guests as election season ramps up.

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 now are $60 per person. Reserve now via Paypal. Or call (810) 229-4212 or email livcodems@sbcuc.net with your name and pay at the door. This is the party’s largest fundraiser, so come out and support the party and get ready for an exciting election season. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Light up a child’s Easter with ‘Dress an Angel’ program

“In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.”

Dressing up has been an Easter tradition for many years, at least according to Irving Berlin, but in Michigan’s tough economy with wages down, many families will not be able to buy that Easter bonnet and dress and nice suit for their children. The Blue Tigers Committee of the Livingston County Democrats is stepping up to lend a hand with the“Dress an Angel” program with the Salvation Army to benefit needy children.

The Blue Tigers are asking that if you have some nice, new or gently used dress clothes hanging in your closet, please consider donating them this week to the "Dress an Angel" program. If your children or grandchildren are older and like to shop for children, please pick up some nice dress clothes to brighten a child’s day.

As well as clean used dressy clothes for children of all ages, children can also use accessories such as purses, socks and shoes as well. You can drop them off at the Livingston County Dems' office by Saturday, March 27, with a note stating they are for "Dress an Angel."

Our office is located at 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place office park in Brighton. The office will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today through Thursday, March 25. Or call (810) 229-4212 or email livcodems@sbcuc.net to make other arrangements. If you have questions or need to make special arrangements for drop off, please contact Pam Green, coordinator of Blue Tiger Democrats, at pgreen1210@sbcglobal.net.

Local Strategy and Candidate meeting set

The Livingston County Democratic Party is holding its first Strategy and Candidate
meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday March 16 at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand
River, Suite 600, Brighton.

The meeting will focus on an overview of campaign planning and fundraising, as well as the voter statistics for all races. Part of the meeting will be devoted to a report on the party’s research on the issues and some ideas for campaign strategy.

All of the elected offices in the county are held by Republicans, with the exception of a couple of township board offices in the southern part of the county. But party officials are taking heart because the county is becoming more moderate and the Democratic vote is improving.

One of the main goals of the party is to field a candidate in every race, and to take a seat on the nine-member, all-Republican Board of Commissioners. There has not been a Democrat on the board since 1996. The goal is to make them accountable to voters and defend their dismal record over the last two years. Resources will be focused on the more vulnerable seats

The filling deadline is for the August primary is May 11. The Commissioners earn
$15,053 a year and have full health care benefits. Nominating petitions require 20-50
signature or a $100 filing fee.

Call (810) 229-4212 for more information, or if you are interested in becoming a
candidate.

Push to end one party rule in Livingston County begins

BRIGHTON – The nine-member Livingston County Board of Commissioners has been all Republican since 1996, but that may change in November based on a meeting held Tuesday night at the Livingston County Democratic Party headquarters.

The party wants at least one Democratic candidate in each district, and it plans to focus its resources on one or two races that are winnable. The meeting was part pep talk and part strategy session with advice from a couple of candidate who have won in predominately Republican areas: Oakland County Commissioner Dave Woodward and Rep. Marc Corriveau, D- Northville.

Judy Daubenmier, chair of the Livingston County Democratic Party, said challenging incumbents simply keeps them honest and more accountable to voters.

“Incumbents have to defend their record, and it keeps them from drifting to the extreme right,” she said. “Opposition in elections protects the democratic process.”

The results of the last election indicate the party may have some success in November.

“We know our county is becoming more moderate,” Daubenmier said. “We know (Michigan Supreme Court Justice) Diane Hathaway took Livingston County; as well as stem cell research and medical marijuana.”

The Board of Commissioners has been less than stellar in the last couple of years, with gaffs such as a $16 million slush fund from the delinquent tax fund to pay for pet projects while cutting sheriff road patrols and refusing to support county veterans.
“They refused to levy a tiny, tiny tax for the vets they are required by law to do,” Daubenmier said.

Woodward said raising money to win a commissioner seat is not that difficult, and he should know. He was the chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party for six years. When he took over, Democrats only held a few seats on the 25-member Board of Commissioners, and it now has 12 seats.

The former state Representative said there are plenty of assets available to help Democrats win seats.

“Any campaign is based on three principals; reputation, communication and dollars,” he said. “With all three of those principals you can win in a Republican area.”

Corriveau agreed with that, and he said in his case, doors trumped dollars, and he knocked on thousands of doors.

“(Former House Minority Leader) Dianne Byrum was always saying, dollars and doors,” he said.

Corriveau first ran for the 20th District seat in 2004, but lost badly, 60-40 percent.

“I learned how to run a campaign,” he said. “I learned from my mistakes, and I never made them again.”

He went all out in 2006, personally knocking on thousands of doors. He won by a mere 900 votes out of 42,000 votes cast. Last year he won by 9,000. He is forgoing a third term in the House next year where many say he could be Speaker of the House to run for the open 7th District seat currently held by a Republican, in what some people are saying could be a tough year for Democrats.

“That’s just taking a long view, and people vote for the candidate who relates to them,” he said. “I think the voter is less enamored with the R and the D if you tell them what you will do for them.”

The party plans another meeting for potential candidates at 6:30 p.m. March 16 at party headquarters. 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.

Daubenmier said any candidate would have the support of the local and state party that includes a speech coach to the Voter Activation Network (VAN) as well as a campaign office open 365 days a year.

“The use of this office is a huge asset,” she said.

Help end one party rule in Livco

One party rule in Livingston County has thumbed its nose at helping veterans and turned its back on economic develop projects that bring jobs, like mass transit, but there is a chance to change that.

The Livingston County Democratic Party is in the midst of recruiting candidates to fill all partisan races in 2010, and towards that end the party is sponsoring a seminar tonight headlined by two men who are familiar with winning in predominately Republican areas.

Former state Representative and current Oakland County Commissioner Dave Woodward and Rep. Marc Corriveau, D- Northville, will give candidates tips on how to turn the tide here. Corriveau won the seat in 20th District held by a Republican on his second try in 2006, and he is currently a candidate for the Senate seat in the 7th district currently held by term-limited Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton.

It has been reported that Woodward is in discussions with the campaign of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero about becoming the campaign manager for his run at the Democratic nomination for Michigan Governor.

Democrats in the county have made steady but slow progress in gaining members, but they still do not have a single Democrat on the nine-member Board of Commissioners. In 2008, for example, President Barack Obama carried 43 percent of the vote in our county compared to the 36 percent won by Kerry in 2004. The local party is growing in organizational skills, campaign tools and volunteers. The party is better-equipped than ever before to help candidates win elections.

Running for office can be one of the best experiences in your life. Win or lose, the campaign will leave you a smarter, stronger person with lots of new friends.

The seminar will kick off at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Tuesday March 2 at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.

The next Michigan AG will pay a visit to Livingston County

The next Michigan Attorney General, Richard Bernstein, will pay a visit to Livingston County on Thursday, Feb. 25.

Bernstein, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Attorney General, and Dennis Denno, who is seeking one of two Democratic nominations for Michigan State University board of trustees, both will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Livingston County Democratic Party executive committee. The meeting is open to all.

Bernstein, an attorney with the Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills, is chair of the Wayne State University board of governors. His practice focuses on complicated issues of public policy, often fighting for the rights of the underrepresented.

Denno is chief of staff for Michigan Senate Democratic Floor Leader Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit. He has been active in Democratic politics and various Arab-American causes his entire adult life. Denno has a bachelor's degree from Michigan State and is a lifetime member of the Michigan State Alumni Association.

Nominations for Attorney General, Secretary of State, and the university boards will be voted on at the Michigan Democratic Party's August convention. The party, however, will endorse candidates for secretary of state and attorney general at an April 17 endorsement convention. The meeting will take place at the party headquarters, 10321 East Grand River Ave. Suite 600 in the Fonda Office Park, 48116.

The liberal media promotes teabagger SOU watch party

You simply cannot buy this kind of earned media, and I’m beginning to wonder what kind of connections a Hartland Township resident and tea bagger named Wes Nakagiri has with the management of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.

Last month the paper highlighted his blog, and his teabag misinformation on the health care bill, and this month they are promoting his State of the Union watching party in Hell, here in rural Livingston County. As a former reporter, I can tell you the most coveted spot in the newspaper is on the front page above the fold, and that’s because the story can be seen and most of it actually read in every single newspaper box in the county. That’s exactly where this story ran in the print edition today.

Why the fact that some tea bagger in conservative Livingston County hates President Obama and loves the huge profits insurance companies are making on health care is front page news is beyond me.

Just last month the newspaper chose to do an entire story on the fact that this guy started a blog on the fake, Astroturf tea party movement. It appears, at least on the surface, that this might actually be a grassroots effort unlike the tea parties promoted over the last year by rightwing Washington, D.C. lobbying groups, but I doubt it. However, you won’t have to pay $550 to attend like you would at the tea bagger convention. But if you must go, I hope you spend some money in Hell in Putnam Township to support a local business.

As for health care, Dateline NBC put a real face on the problem last night. It’s worth watching, especially if you believe the tea bagger lie that the government gets between doctor and patient.

If you want to watch and actually hear the first of President Obama’s eight State of the Union Addresses on Wednesday instead of carrying racist and insulting signs, I would invite you to a State of the Union watch party sponsored by the Livingston County Democratic Party. It will be held at 7 p.m. at Memories Lounge, 1840 S. Old U.S. 23, Brighton. The speech begins at 8 p.m., but come early and you can order off the menu and then watch President Obama on big screen television. I attended a debate watching party there last year, and the food and the atmosphere were fantastic.

Come out and enjoy the evening with some friendly, respectful people and support a local business.

What this proves is there is no such thing as the Liberal media.

What: State of Union Watch Party sponsored by the Livingston County Democratic Party
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 27.
Where: Memories Lounge, 1840 S. Old U.S. 23, Brighton
Why: Watch President Obama with friends and respectful people and enjoy good food and perhaps an adult beverage.

Stand up and be counted and get paid for counting

The 2010 census will have a huge effect on Michigan because it will determine how many Congressional seats we will have in the U.S. Congress and how many federal dollars will come to the state.

To help people better understand the importance of the 2010 census, the Livingston County Democratic Party is holding an informational seminar at 11 a.m Saturday – Jan. 9 - at the party’s headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.

A representative of the regional U.S. Census Bureau - Terry Campion, Partnership Specialist - will be in Brighton to speak about the 2010 census and recruit people to work on the census. The general public is invited to attend, and these are paid jobs. This is an invitation to find out how to apply for paid work as a worker in the 2010 census.

In addition to finding out about jobs, Campion also will speak about the history of the census, why certain questions are asked on the census forms, steps census officials it’s vital that every person in Michigan be counted so that the state gets its fair share in these tough economic times. There will be also be opportunities for questions. Coffee and tea will be served.

Call (810) 229-4212 for more information.

Clarke may challenge Cheeks-Kilpatrick for Congressional seat

State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, may be running to unseat U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Detroit.

The term-limited Senator told subscription only MIRS last week that has been approached to run against the long-time Congresswoman. He has not made a final decision but he has not ruled it out. I hope he makes a run.

Kilpatrick has represented the 13th District for seven terms. But after her son – former disgraced Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick - was embroiled in scandal, she faced two challengers last year, and she was almost unseated in the primary. The two Democratic challengers basically split the vote, and Kilpatrick squeaked by. The 13th District represents most of the east side of Detroit, as well as some of the northern portion of the Downriver area. Clark’s 1st Senate District is located within most of the 13th District where he is very popular. Clarke also challenged her son for Detroit Mayor in 2005, but failed.

MIRS reported that polling has indicated that Kilpatrick is vulnerable once again in 2010. Although Kilpatrick has never been involved in a scandal, that I’m aware of, it would be great to have someone as upright as Clarke in the office.

Clarke serves as the minority vice-chair of the Health Policy Committee and the Commerce and Tourism Committee. He also serves on the Judiciary Committee, the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and the Government Operations and Reform Committee. He has been an outspoken champion of foreclosure protection and insurance reform, and he has spoken passionately about it on the Senate floor.

Livingston County Democrats are familiar with Clarke after he spoke at the annual Edwin B. Winans Dinner in 2007. He told the story of how his political career began as an undergraduate at Cornell University when he beat another undergraduate from a rich, well-connected family named Ann Coulter for a student council seat.

Clarke grew up from humble beginnings in a working class neighborhood on Detroit's lower east side to attend an Ivy League university and become an attorney. He was raised alone by his mother, who worked as a school crossing guard, after his father passed away when he was just 8 years old. While in the third grade, an observant teacher recognized his artistic ability that promoted him to take art classes at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and it eventually led to a scholarship to Cornell University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Clarke then attended Georgetown University Law School. After he received his law degree he returned to Michigan to practice law. He was elected to his first of three terms in the Michigan House in 1990. Clarke is not afraid to challenge an incumbent. He unseated an incumbent in the Senate in 2002, and he took on the incumbent Detroit Mayor in 2005.

Some Democrats pushing to change the name of the annul state Jeff-Jack dinner

One thing I like about being a Democrat is that there are so many different kinds of people in the party with many different views.

We have Blue Dogs, pro-life Democrats and Pro-choice Democrats. Try finding a pro-choice Republican; They are few and far between and becoming more scarce everyday. We often fight with each other because we have such a big tent. Unlike the Republicans, we don’t have a purity test. I guess that’s why more people call themselves Democrats.

So, it was with surprise that I learned that the Livingston County Democratic Party recently passed a resolution asking the Michigan Democratic Party to remove the name of President Andrew Jackson’s name from the title of the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner, the MDP’s largest annual fundraising event held at Cobo Hall in March, known affectingly as the Jeff-Jack.

The resolution objects to the 7th President’s human rights record and his actions toward Native Americans. The notorious Indian Removal Act of 1830 forcibly removed Native American tribes from their traditional tribal lands in the southern states of Georgia and Florida to west of Mississippi, and it became known as the “Trail of Tears.”

Despite that record, someone told me Jackson should not be viewed in the light of today’s policies. Regardless, it raises an interesting debate. The Indian Removal Act was very popular at the time, and many Americans favored extermination of the Native American tribes instead of removal.

The Livingston County Republican Party calls their annual fundraising dinner the Reagan Dinner, and Reagan was no great shakes as a president; he wasn’t even the best Republican president.

Jackson, like many of the Founding Fathers, was a slave holder. But unlike previous presidents, he was the first president that was not born an aristocrat.

He was born in poverty from Irish immigrant parents in 1767 in Coastal Carolina, and his father died while his mother was pregnant with him. Jackson and his brother joined the Continental Army as boys serving as messengers during the Revolutionary War, and they served where the most vicious fighting of the war occurred in the Carolinas where atrocities on both sides occurred. Jackson and his brother contracted Small Pox while captives of the British, but his brother did not survive, leaving Jackson with no family.

Jackson was a self-made man and a frontiersman that became rich farming and raising race horses, but, unfortunately, he became rich on the work of slaves in Tennessee.

Jackson became a nationally recognized cultural hero following his defeat of the British in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, earning the nickname “Old Hickory.” The only thing close is the adoration of General Dwight Eisenhower following World War II.

This is an interesting question that should be examined and debated. There is no doubt Jackson was a great man, but he needs to be viewed in the time he lived. No one is denying George Washington was a great man, but he owned some 300 slaves when he died. There is also no doubt Abraham Lincoln was a great man, but he was actually hated by many during his time. And, even though he signed the Emancipation Promulgation freeing the slaves, he favored colonizing them outside of the United States.

Come out and celebrate with the party party on Saturday

Come out this Saturday and party with the party party as the Livingston County Democratic Party celebrates the holiday season with their annual potluck dinner.

The party is set for 4 p.m. Saturday Dec. 5 at the party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place Office Park, Brighton 48116. All are invited. Simply bring a dish to share and a donation of cash or food for Gleaners Community Food Bank or cash for the Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family program. The party will provide table service, coffee, tea and lemonade.

Speaking from personal experience, Livingston County Democrats can really cook, and the food is fantastic. If great food, helping your community and great conversation were not enough to get you to come out, State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, will be the special guest.

Whitmer became the first Democratic candidate to announce she is running for Michigan Attorney General. She has gained a reputation and record of standing up for the consumers and the vulnerable, and she has also been a sharp critic of Senate Republicans.

I hope to see you there. Call (810) 229-4212 for more information.