No worries folks!
I have not backed down on fiscal responsibility issues, or work on returning the proper role of government as the result of the coordinated effort to try and take my voice away.
The most recent letters to the editor at the record eagle are carefully arranged for maximum effect. In failing to note the name of one writer as a Democrat activist, and who is the wife of one of the other commissioners, that is also the VICE CHAIR of the GT Democrat party, the Record Eagle has failed in properly presenting opinion once again.
The letter the next day from that commissioner, failed to note his position as vice chair for the DEMOCRAT PARTY of Grand Traverse county.
A letter writer last week was Bernie (Bernol) Soutar, the candidate whom I beat by 30% in November for the 1st district seat which I represent. He is ALSO the TREASURER for the Grand Traverse County Democrats.
Coincidence?
Its political. Soften up the competition. The shellacking received by Democrats in the November election seems to have them digging in and taking shots well before the next election cycle coming up.
Its all good. Now that I understand their primary motivation, I can concentrate on finding unique solutions for Grand Traverse County’s fiscal future. We are not yet out of THAT crisis, but I can report that the administrator, and the board, are very conscious of where we are headed in this time of reduced property values and shrinking revenues. We are ALL (including that one commissioner) working towards solutions that get you more bang for the buck.
Today’s ROAD COMMISSION report had a brief clip about a couple of interesting items.
1. The tribal road inventory additions of some of the county’s non federal roads (holiday & Lafranier used as examples) could lead to federal dollars being brought in for their needed repairs. Though I am not a big fan of going out and getting federal money (I feel it happens all over so we pay for it anyhow) the tribal road inventory additions may help to repair specific areas that we have had difficulty putting together financing for.
2. The replacement for the Cass road bridge would be approx 9 million dollars. Think about this, and the Dam situation. Have I been talking about upcoming costs of removal enough? Maybe not enough, but I think you get the picture.
BASEBALL
A couple of folks on the parks commission seems to have a problem letting go of the American Legion baseball program. They would encumber the vets with more contract language than is necessary. We will be meeting with them on the 16th. The county board has the ultimate say, but procedurally we have to endure the attempt to burden the program operators with punitive measures. Stay tuned on this.
PENSIONS
3. In the midst of our migration from defined benefits to defined contributions for county employees, we are trying to find a solution that is fair to the employees, and allows them to accept promotions without being punished. The retirement system we utilize is pressuring us for an absolute decision that could cost the county a great deal. It was on today’s plate, but has been moved to the leftover shelf. Feel free to call me if you have any questions on this. (I’m in the book)
In fact feel free to catch me in the evenings or leave a message with Candy (truly my better half) during the day.
Jason Gillman is an advocate of responsible government at all levels. A long time resident (28 years) of Traverse City, and the region, Jason has raised two children with his wife Candy, and currently operates a Security Camera sales interest, that employs Five other county residents.
" I am a seeker of solutions, and feel the best answers are found when all the facts are known."
Jason is currently elected as a county commissioner with a term effective January 03, 2010 
Great perceptions based on reality Jason.
First on the Politics side. It is well known but often overlooked that all politics is a kind of warfare done by different means. What you have witnessed from the inside view is that some will betray you for their own personal future imagined gain. The Fourth Estate loves this kind of action especially if it fits their own objectives of transforming society in a secular humanistic way. Besides it sells newspapers. The media, as we refer to them today, are very adept at working the agent sabotour angle just so they can undermine credibility of “real men and women” who dare espouse truth that contradicts their agenda.
On the prospect of our county, and country’s, fiscal future by way of getting a greater bank for our buck – you have a lot working against you. Most of which are federal economic policies and organizations like the Federal Reserve Bank, with help from the U.S. Treasury, that are undermining the very value of the buck in question. The dollar value is shrinking because it’s quantity is increasing at near hyper-inflationary rates. Inflation is a hidden tax caused by the Fed that steals it’s value from all other dollars. County dollars will not go as far in the future so you will have to be innovative in conducting business, and of course cutting back spending. End the Fed and get commodity backed honest currency back into circulation. But that is not the job of the County Commission. Stand firm against those who wish to use “federal” dollars to solve our economic woes. “Federal dollars” IS our money.