My record reflects consistently championing the rights of taxpayers and property owners.  There are several months left in the term, and I will continue to do so.

All too often the leadership we elect forgets their limited role when handling public resources, and the best intentions become nightmares for the citizens we serve.  Land owners find themselves losing control of their personal resources through onerous regulation and restrictions, and the money we pay for operating legitimate government is misspent.

We can approach the health and safety of our communities without making rules so restrictive that essential freedoms are lost.

In Michigan,  there are forces that would demand power over employment to a point where one cannot follow his or her preferred choice of trade without a payoff. Labor unions tie up key industries with rules that our nation’s founders would NEVER accept as even remotely reasonable.  And sometimes our state legislature is afraid to do what is right.  Should not a person who is willing to work be allowed to do so without being extorted?

I believe in Right-to-Work, and will continue to champion it, and do what is right without regard to political pressures.

Worsening our political climate, is a tendency to believe that ‘investing’ public moneys into certain favored businesses is the proper role of government.  A practice started during a prior administration has NEVER produced the predicted results, picking winners and losers, and using revenues from those who have no interest in the specific favored enterprises,  a practice our current representative doesn’t seem to have any plan to change.

Economic Development with taxpayer dollars is corporate welfare.  It is wrong, and unnecessary, and distorts free markets.

Some county issues can illustrate appropriate philosophy of government. One is in the particular programs it should be operating.

Early in my term, as promised in my campaign literature, I took on those who felt government is the best way to provide youth recreation.  In 2010, the county board decided to turn a 62-year-old tradition, American Legion Youth Baseball, into a government program.  While claiming success, the parks management was losing money immediately.  I led the fight  to successfully return the program to the veterans who built the program for a solid 2011 season, and this year it is again on track to enjoy another great season with its independence from government control.

Government doesn’t HAVE to be involved with everything, does it?

There are many problems to address.  As simple as the language we speak, or the laws we enforce.

Then there are financial issues that will not be solved by an inappropriate bridge project that will only serve to move control of a trade border over to the Canadian government from an American family’s control.  Or solved by more subsidies by the federal government in expensive rail projects, but based on historical evidence provide only a siphon for local and state dollars through operations that do not pay for itself.

Great government boondoggles take away from our ability to maintain the infrastructure we already have in place.  Short term fixes and gimmicks are not the type of tools a government properly managed should use.

And roads by the way, have been suffering. (in case you haven’t noticed)

Why is it we pay so much into gasoline taxes and cannot maintain our roads?  It’s because the funds taken in do not all go to the roads.  the damage done to our vehicles and the lost fuel economy costs each of us daily as we exercise our freedoms to travel.  It costs us in the products we purchase and is a hidden tax on living period.

Fuel taxes should be allocated to road funding only.  If taxes are needed for other services they should be imposed with those services specified as recipients.  Taxpayers should have a clear understanding of WHY they are paying taxes, and general fund fungibility is destructive to transparency.

And transparency is paramount.  Open reporting and accountability is something I have always felt to be important for good governance.  Improvements to the state website should have transparency updates regularly.

Last (for now) but certainly as important as any issue in the state, is education.

I applaud recent improvements on the delivery of education services to our youth.  School choice and options that break the mold of traditional models promise much in helping our children learn and succeed.  I would continue to advocate for more of these types of improvements, and seek even more alternatives that offer the best bang for the taxpayer dollar.

I have filed to run for Michigan’s 104th State Representative seat (Grand Traverse County).

If elected, I hope to be able to provide the consistent principled leadership that Grand Traverse County voters expect.

Thank you.

After screwing up the first 10 or so, it wasn’t long before I got the hang of it, and was producing semi-pro quality pieces before long. Enough fortunately, to be able to pass a few to the biggest supporters before going into full electioneering mode.

As we are cat people, (three in the house) I had figured it would be funny to place a button on our black cat ‘Liberty’ and use for fun discussion. Figuring we could say “see even the cats support the candidate!”

After attending (and working for an hour at the VFW breakfast) the first pancake outing, we headed over to the station 9 firehouse in East Bay township. After going through a veritable ‘murderers row’ of politicians who had volunteered for the event, my small posse was ready to sit down for the second meal of the morning. It was probably good that I had eaten very lightly at the first.

The food in both places, very good.

Fully a third of the attendees, and probably 80% of the working crew at the station nine affair were politicians seeking office, and I was not as uncomfortable as I thought I might be sporting obvious campaign buttons and identifying items in the popular community event.

Along with nearly every politico in the county, a couple of the notables, County commissioner Rob Hentschel and Jason Allen were there, with the latter and his entire family in attendance.

At one point talking to Jason’s father and commissioner Hentschel, I brought out the picture above, and explained “You have NO IDEA how hard it is to settle the cat down long enough to pin the button on .. ” and then noting Jason’s daughter looking on showed her the picture saying “See Kitties LIKE to wear buttons!” then quickly corrected myself to her realizing that impressionable minds and this type of humor might not be a great mix. hehe.

Jason? You might to watch that for a while. )

Anyhow, it was good to get out and see the community with these two events. I will be looking to be at more of them so I can meet more of the folks in our county.

Traverse City, Mich.– Due to the recent storm damage, Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) has announced the earlier than usual opening of the Brush Drop-Off site located at 2471 N. Keystone Road. The site is now open to the public.

Hours are: Tuesday from noon to 7 PM, Thursday and Saturday, 9-3 PM. Acceptable materials include: brush, branches, grass  clippings,leaves-$5.00/cubic yard or $1.00/bag. Untreated construction wood-$8.00 cubic yard, Pallets-$1.00 each, stumps .50/inch up to 18″ diameter. Unacceptable materials include: sod, rootballs, dirt, concrete, painted or stained wood, and particle board.

Grass clippings and leaves must be separated from branches. These are to be placed in 2 different piles at the Brush Drop-Off site.

Additional information can be obtained at www.RecycleSmart.info or by contacting the RecycleSmart Hotline at 941.5555.

After viewing this, take a trip to this site and read a little on the lake which was removed.

The Grand Traverse County Republican Party has arranged a Meet & Greet with Congressman Dan Benishek.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

7pm-8pm

Grand Traverse County

 Governmental Center

Lower Level-Cafeteria

400 Boardman Ave

Traverse City, MI

At the time it was TOP SECRET thus a reason to be using a northern most operational area that still had infrastructure.

While talking to the new TVC Airport director Kevin Kline today, he showed me this picture of a US Navy TDN-1 Drone being winched either aboard or off.  Note the power plant and the Park Place in the background.

Interesting history.

Not all launches were so successful apparently as can be seen at this  site (blog) that is dedicated to aircraft carriers and activities surrounding them.

How fitting it would be to have some measure of freedom be re-declared and promoted.  On Wednesday July 6th 2011, it will be.

I am presenting this resolution to the Grand Traverse County board of commissioners for approval.  It is merely a declaration of belief that workers ought not be trapped into a scheme of having to pay for union representation if they do not feel represented in order to keep their job.  It is a statement that we as Michigan workers are truly free, and third party interests in our employment are subservient to OUR wishes, not the other way around.

This is the resolution I am offering:

Whereas , we agree with President John F. Kennedy’s executive order regarding federal employees, that all persons “should have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization,” and of equal importance, “or to refrain from any such activity.”

Whereas , to ensure individual freedom of choice, we believe that no person should be compelled, as a condition of employment, to: (1) refrain from voluntary membership or financial support of a labor organization, or (2) become or remain a member of a labor organization, or (3) pay any dues, fees, or assessments to a labor organization.

Whereas , we believe that the freedom to choose regarding union membership or financial support is a civil right, and that job discrimination on the basis of union membership or non-membership or financial support or nonsupport should be prohibited by law.

Whereas , in addition to being a matter of individual freedom and civil rights, those states that have enacted laws prohibiting the threat of being discriminated against or fired based on union affiliation have experienced dramatically higher job creation and income growth, a benefit Michigan can no longer afford to do without.

Whereas , over the last decade, Michigan suffered the biggest loss of jobs of any state in the nation, while the top five states for the creation of new private sector jobs over that same time were all states that protect employees’ individual freedom of choice regarding union membership and financial support.

Whereas , according to the U.S. Census Bureau, two-thirds of the states which guarantee employees individual freedom to choose regarding union membership and support have higher per capita income than do the citizens of Michigan.

Whereas , over the last half-century, eight of the top ten states with the highest average annual growth in income were such voluntary unionism states, while Michigan ranked 50th among the states.

Whereas , when adjusted for taxes and the cost of living, families in voluntary unionism states have been found to have over $2,000 more disposable income each year than in states such as Michigan, where employees face the threat of being discriminated against and fired if they choose not to join or financially support a labor organization.

Whereas , we conclude that in addition to protecting our citizens’ individual freedom and civil rights, passage of a state law guaranteeing voluntary unionism and prohibiting job discrimination based on union affiliation will also dramatically improve Michigan’s ability to attract and create new jobs and thus stimulate our economy.

Therefore be it resolved , that the Grand Traverse County board of commissioners hereby calls on Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature, and specifically Senator Howard Walker and Representative Wayne Schmidt, to propose and enact an Employee Freedom To Work Act that will safeguard our individual freedom and civil rights by guaranteeing that all persons in Michigan have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization, or to refrain from any such activity in order to to acquire, keep or maintain employment.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Gov. Snyder, Sen. Walker, and Rep. Schmidt, and also to the boards of county commissioners of the other counties of the state, who we urge to join us in calling for the enactment of an Employee Freedom To Work Act for the people of Michigan.

Please join us on the 6th of July in the commission chambers at 7pm for the debate that surely will follow.

I think it is very good.  Great in fact!  I doubt the Rotary prefers to have this out in the open, but I certainly am ready to ask the questions.  This discussion needs to start.

How can the Rotary advocate big government, facilitate plans that wind up putting private property owners at odds with “regional planners”, and still expect to be viewed as a 501(c)(3) organization?  A charity has POSITIVE impact.  A perception of positive by some, while engaging the negatives of others is not at all something that is free of politics.  Fixing homes, feeding the poor, scholarships, providing education for self reliance, all charitable measures.

Creating an environment that can be (and often is) used to force land owners to capitulate to “visioning” plans they disagree with is quite opposite of (c)(3) consideration.

Per the IRS:

Charitable Organizations

If your organization is applying for recognition of exemption as a charitable organization, it must show that it is organized and operated for purposes that are beneficial to the public interest. Some examples of this type of organization are those organized for:

1. Relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged,
2. Advancement of religion,
3. Advancement of education or science,
4. Erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works,
5. Lessening the burdens of government,
6. Lessening of neighborhood tensions,
7. Elimination of prejudice and discrimination,
8. Defense of human and civil rights secured by law, and
9. Combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

The fifth consideration alone is worthy of analysis.

I stated my concern two times with regard to recent activities by the Rotary and its grant making.  The letter that I wrote is available here.

The editorial today as usual reflects ignorance of cause and effect, and frankly overstates the positive effect the Rotary has on our community.  To say that we would be like every other depressed community with the absence of Rotary Charities is ludicrous.  This ignores the natural beauty of our area, and/or any other efforts that would be made in the absence of merely ONE affective organization in our midst.

To treat this (now politically engaged) organization as a sacred cow that must not be even looked upon with suspicion a keen eye, ever, is to ignore the history of man and the effect of money on what we are as human beings.

Imperfect and corruptible.