Montcalm County Republican E-Flyer

Transcription

1 Republican Update Montcalm County Republican E-Flyer Chair-Jackie Champlin Vice-Chair Caleb Robbins Secretary Kris Millard Treasurer Marty Posekany Editor: Mici Bos Please articles for submission to April 2016

2 Abbreviated summary of the March 2016 MCRP meeting: Meeting was held on March 22, 2016, at 6:00 pm. Minutes of the February 2015 meeting were approved. OFFICER S REPORTS: Chair Jackie reported the good news that the next state convention, which will be in August, will be in Grand Rapids. Treasurer Marty provided written report. Moved and received approval to pay two bills. COMMUNICATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA: Caleb reported that he is coordinating with membership to have information posted on our Facebook page. Also looking at putting candidate and election information on our page if they desire. Andrea asked about getting our Facebook and Twitter information in the LDD Program. LINCOLN EVENT: Andrea Krause and Lori Wilson reported. We need a first LDD ticket sales head-count tonight to see how we are doing. There will be round tables at the LDD and a table of eight will be $260 and a table of ten will be $320. You can buy these tables and have them reserved for you group. Candidate tables are available for $25. DANISH FESTIVAL: Our usual space at Veterans Park has been reserved for our booth/tent during the Danish Festival. We will have a sign-up sheet at the next meeting for those who want to volunteer for that as well as those wanting to volunteer for parades this year. ELECTED OFFICIALS: Representative Outman spoke on budget issues, Detroit Public Schools, Flint Water Crisis, and DEQ etc. Andrea Krause said she will be running for reelection. Lori Wilson says the Register of Deeds Office is very busy with projects. She has been appointed by the Governor, to the Electronic Recording Commission for the DTMB. Kristen Millard says the Clerk s Office is very busy with election work and the budget issues. Sandy Raines states she is running for reelection for Drain Commissioner. Mike Williams says Sheriff Barnwell is retiring. County Commissioner Chair Patrick Carr reminded us that the Headlee Override proposal failed and Chris Hyzer leaves at the end of the month. They are looking for creative solutions to the budget problems. Adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to get ready for the County Convention. County Convention called to order at 7:00 p.m. Kris Millard called the roll of the 4 th District Precinct Delegates. Business continued with the selection of delegates and alternates to the upcoming State Convention. Adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Senator Judy Emmons addressed the group and spoke about the Detroit Public Schools issue. Veteran s Corner I have been busy attending committee hearings for testimony in Lansing the past two weeks. Many of you have seen or heard of the scathing performance audit that was conducted on the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans by the Office of the Auditor General. The audit was released on 18 February On 19 February the current (at that time) MVAA Director, Jeff Barnes resigned. On 19 February Governor Snyder appointed James Robert Redford as interim director for MVAA, effective 22 February. Most of us know Jim Redford and I am very pleased that he was selected to lead the MVAA and correct this deeply troubling issue. He has presented well at the hearings and is truly focused on getting to the bottom of this and moving forward to ensure our deserving Veterans receive the quality care they deserve in the quality environment they need. If you have never been to Lansing and observed or participated in testimony or hearings before I urge you to do so. Get involved be involved! In case you didn t know, our state representative and senator are involved. Representative Rick Outman serves on the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Senator Judy Emmons is Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security. Several of these house and senate committee hearings have been joint hearings with the House Oversight and Ethics and the Senate Oversight Committees. Please join me in supporting Jim Redford in this endeavor. He is committed to getting this fixed and doing the right thing not the political thing. During her testimony, Theresa Robinson, a Navy Veterans and Commander of the United Veterans Council of Kent County stated a quote from John F. Kennedy, Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future. Moolenaar to Present Vietnam Veterans Pins on May 4 On Wednesday, May 4, Congressman John Moolenaar will present veterans of the Vietnam War from Michigan s 4th Congressional District with the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin as a thank-you and lasting keepsake for their service and sacrifice for our nation. Pins are available to any veteran who served during the Vietnam War years. The 4th Congressional District is made up of 15 counties: All of Clare, Clinton, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon, Shiawassee, and Wexford counties, and parts of Montcalm and Saginaw counties. Details of the event are provided below: Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Finch Fieldhouse at Central Michigan University 1200 South Franklin Street Mount Pleasant, Michigan To RSVP for the event, veterans should go to or call Representative Moolenaar's Midland office at

3 Full House at Update By Shirley Pool Both rooms 303 and 305 were opened up to accommodate the people who attended the February 22, 2016 Legislative Update at Montcalm Community College in Sidney. Included in Governor Rick Snyder s proposed budget for 2017 is Section 298. Tammy Quillan passed out information stating: This proposed change that has not had any research or analysis would transfer management responsibilities of all Medicaid behavioral health dollars ($3 billion) from the current publicly managed PIHP system to the privately managed Medicaid health plans by the end of FY17. This change would significantly harm an already underfunded system of care for Michigan s most vulnerable citizens. It also went on to show that the current cost for administration and partial risk reserves is 6% or $180,000,000, but would increase to 15-17% or $450,000,000 -$510,000,000 that would be spent on administration, profit, marketing and risk reserves. Quillan also estimated it would cost our county about 40 Montcalm County jobs and would mean less money being spent on the people it is meant to help. This proposal change results is roughly $300,000,000 less for services and supports for Michigan s most vulnerable citizens. This budget is still in committee and Senator Emmons and Representative Outman were not familiar with these changes. The legislators were not able to provide a response at today s meeting but will be looking into this along with the upcoming budget issues. The Flint Water Crisis has been a hot topic on the news. Outman noted that Governor Snyder has always had a mantra of no credit, no blame, but instead to fix the problem. He is committed to providing every Flint citizen with clean, safe drinking water. The water crisis is a complete disaster. The plan will cost $195 million. There is money set aside to pay 65 percent of water bills and it would be used as a credit and will keep the water plant fully funded for a two-year period. $37 million for safe water, $15 million for food and nutrition, $63 million for treatment of children with high lead blood levels and hold $50 million in reserve for a total of $232 million. There are safe guards and caps that would be put in place. There are safeguards the legislature will put in place. This is the proposed budget as put forth by Governor Rick Snyder, but the legislature still has to approve it. Congressman John Moolenaar places much of the blame of the Flint water crisis on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The courts have put a hold on some of the over reach of the EPA. He said the next president will appoint the next director of the organization, so it is very important who we elect in November. The Congress is currently working on their budget as well. They hope to have it done by spring and then they would move on to 12 appropriations as to how the money will be spent. He is favor of the Pell Grants to be awarded year around, so as not to place barriers in place for students who wish to attend school in the summer. Commissioner Betty Kellenberger, U. S. Congressman John Moolenaar, Prosecuting Attorney Andrea Krause, Commissioner John Johansen and Executive Director of Montcalm Care Network Tammy Quillan, MPA In speaking about the VA, Moolenaar noted the system is outdated and parts of it should modernized so that veterans can go to doctors and hospitals that are closer to their home. Commissioner Dale Reyburn would like to see tax reform that would make taxation fairer between the top 1% of the people and the other 99%. Moolenaar explained he would like to see off-shore money from businesses brought back in the United States to pay their fair share. The other big topic is the Detroit Schools. The state will have to bail the Detroit School System to keep them out of bankruptcy in order to provide an education to the students. Gov. Snyder estimates it will take $715 million to pay off the debt and another $200 million to help transition to a new entity. If the schools do go into bankruptcy, it will cost even more to pay the debt with an estimate of $1.6 billion to $3.4 billion. Between the Flint Water Crisis and the Detroit Public Schools, the legislature is looking at a lot of dollars being spent in their budget. Important dates to remember May 3, 2016, Filing deadline 4 pm at County Clerks office. Interested in becoming active in the Montcalm County Republican Party (MCRP)? Contact one of the officers listed above or us at MontcalmRepublicans@gmail.com

4 Secretary Johnson promotes the gift of life, presents Shining Star awards Citing an increased need for organ, tissue and eye donors, especially in Wayne County, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today encouraged residents to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. With more than 3,500 people awaiting a potentially lifesaving organ transplant, we still need more names on the registry, Johnson said as dozens of organ donation volunteers visited Secretary of State offices statewide to encourage people to sign up. This is especially true in Wayne County, where one-third of all adults waiting for a transplant reside, and where 39 percent of adults are listed on the registry, compared to nearly 55 percent of adults statewide. Johnson was joined by Rick Hillbom, interim CEO for Gift of Life Michigan, the state s organ and tissue recovery program; Diana Kern, executive director for Eversight Michigan, the state s cornea and eye tissue recovery program; those waiting for an organ, and family members whose loved ones donated organs to save the lives of strangers. Johnson presented Shining Star Awards to Deacon Lawrence Bailey, the Rev. Ronald Copeland and Artelia Griggs for their work with the Angels for Life program. Angels for Life reaches out through churches and other houses of worship to share the need for organ donors. All three of the awardees have been instrumental in sharing the message in Detroit and Wayne County, according to Gift of Life Michigan. Bailey is a kidney recipient. Copeland is a liver recipient and Griggs is a donor mother. Johnson also announced the statewide Transplant Center Challenge, a competition between each of Michigan s nine transplant centers to see who can add the most new donors to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry over the next year. Four of the transplant centers are located in Wayne County, including Children s Hospital of Michigan, Harper University Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital and St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Johnson returns to Haviland Elementary On March 30, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson went back to her Waterford elementary school to talk about the woman for whom the school was named Laura Smith Haviland. Haviland was an abolitionist who opened the first integrated school in the country, called the Raisin Institute, in Raisin Township in Lenawee County. She also helped slaves escape on the Underground Railroad, traveling throughout the country to assist those in need. Johnson introduced 350 kindergarten-to-fifth grade students to a brief history of Mrs. Haviland and the importance of her work. Lori Wilson Appointed to Electronic Recording Commission By Shirley Pool Montcalm County Register of Deeds Lori Wilson was recently appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Electronic Recording Commission. The Commission is housed within the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and establishes standards and practices so that county registers of deeds are consistent with the standards and practices of offices in other jurisdictions. Wilson will serve on the commission for two years, with her term expiring on January 1, Representative Rick Outman recognized Lori Wilson for this special honor, at the March 28, 2016, Legislative Update meeting. Wilson has served Montcalm County since 1987 and has seen many changes. When she first began, they hand wrote all of their records and stored them on microfilm. Under Wilson s administration, Lori has overseen the modernization processes take place, and the records are now automated and stored on computers. The Register of Deeds is an elected position.

5 Congressman John Moolenaar Seeking Second Term By Shirley Pool Fourth District Congressman John Moolenaar visited the Flat River Saloon in Six Lakes on Thursday, March 9, 2016 and announced that he would be seeking a second term in the United States House of Representatives. He said, In Congress, I am aggressively pursuing jobs and economic growth, fiscal responsibility middle-class tax relief, a health care system that puts patients first and national security policies where we win and the terrorists lose. We live in the best country in the world and we have the opportunity to contribute toward a greater future. I am honored that you elected me and gave me the opportunity to use my talents working for you. I ask you to do so again this year. He continued, Like you, I understand we can t fix our country until Washington Recognizes the best ideas don t come from inside the Beltway, but right here in the Fourth District and places like it throughout the country. He added, Our Founders believed in representative government, of, by and for the people and they resisted executive overreach. Our government has a core responsibility to serve the people, not the agenda of a few unelected, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats. Now more than ever, the American dream is at risk. Private sector job growth has been too slow for too long and parents are worried that the next generation will be worse off than they were. We can do better! Let s give our children and grandchildren every opportunity to succeed. With your help, we can restore the American dream for future generations, He stated. Moolenaar was elected to represent Michigan s Fourth District in the U.S. House of Representatives in November He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Budget, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Congressional Fourth District covers 15 counties in the heart of Lower Michigan which includes Montcalm, Gratiot, Saginaw, Clinton, Shiawassee, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon and Ogemaw. In Congress, Moolenaar has supported middle-class tax relief, a balanced budget, more government accountability, a health care system that puts patients first, and national security laws that secure the border and keep America safe. He has also fought for the 15,000 farmers of the Fourth District by opposing regulations that would let federal bureaucrats have power over mud puddles and ditches on farmers fields. Prior to his election to congress, Moolenaar served four years in the Michigan Senate from 2011 to 2014 and six years in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to Moolenaar worked in the private sector at Dow Chemical as a chemist and industry specialist. Later, he worked as the Director of the Small Business Center at Middle Michigan Development Corporation and as an administrator at the Midland Academy of Advanced and Creative Services. Born and raised in Midland, Moolenaar graduated from Herbert Henry Dow High School and Hope College, later earning a Master s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. John and his wife Amy have six children and continue to reside in Midland.

6 Jim Lower announces candidacy for Michigan House of Representatives Representative Rick Outman endorses Lower s candidacy EDMORE, Michigan --- Jim Lower formally announced his Republican candidacy for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 70th District today, and at the same time announced that current state Rep. Rick Outman is endorsing him in the race. I am Pro-Life, Pro- Jobs, Pro-2nd Amendment, Pro-Family Values and I believe that We the People must be in charge of our own government, said Lower. We need a strong conservative voice in the State House of Representatives with the experience to get things done, I will be that voice. My experience, strong work ethic, and relationships with the people of this district will enable me to be effective on day one. Lower currently serves as the Edmore Village Manager. Since becoming Village Manager Lower has worked with the council and community leaders to create new jobs, improve infrastructure, and expand inter-local partnerships. By the end of this year at least 1.3 million dollars of new investment will be made in the Edmore community as a result of these efforts. There are a lot of exciting things happening in Edmore, Montcalm County, Gratiot County, and the State of Michigan. I want to continue working with other leaders to keep the positive momentum going for our region, said Lower. Lower s announcement was coupled with the endorsement of current 70th District state Rep. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes). James Lower has a wide array of experience at the local, county, and state level. He is a proven leader with a strong track record of success. That is why he has earned my strong endorsement, said Outman. I will be going door-to-door and working hard to help Jim win his race. He is the type of hard-working, effective, conservative leader we need in Lansing. In addition to his experience as Edmore Village Manager, Lower has served as a county commissioner, aide in the Michigan House, and as an aide to Senator Judy Emmons. He holds a Bachelor s degree in Economics from Michigan State University and a Master s Degree in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. He and his wife Kristen live just outside Edmore in the Cedar Lake Community. Kristen works as a chemist at a small lab in downtown Edmore. They are parishioners of Nativity of the Lord Parish in Alma/St. Louis. If elected Jim will be an incredible asset to the legislature. I have come to rely on his insight into legislative issues. He cares deeply about this district and isn t afraid to stand up for what s right, said Outman. I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Representative Outman. He has served this district with integrity throughout his time in Lansing and I look forward to doing the same, Lower concluded. For more information about Jim Lower visit

7 Michael Van Kleeck Announces Candidacy for State House Michael Van Kleeck, of Stanton, announces his candidacy for Representative of the 70th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. This election cycle, Michael confirms his goals for limited, responsible government, personal liberty, strong family values, and constitutional guidance. I believe this seat needs to be filled with a person of character who is more concerned with what is best for their district than their own advancement, Van Kleeck says. Van Kleeck has spent the past 14 years laboring in the Road Construction industry, working with State regulations and inspectors. During his winter off seasons, he has pursued his degree in Economics from Central Michigan University. During my time in Road Construction, I have seen firsthand the deterioration of our state s infrastructure. We need to prioritize the infrastructure of our state in order to bring good paying jobs to Michigan and our district. We must do this without placing additional burdens on our struggling, working families. Van Kleeck resides with his wife, Emily and children, Alice, Ezra, and Isaiah in the City of Stanton. They worship with First Congregational Church in Stanton. This is the second time Van Kleeck has sought election in this district. In 2010, Van Kleeck withdrew his bid for the Congressional seat in the 3rd District in favor of current representative Justin Amash-R of Grand Rapids in order to run for Representative of the 70th District. votevankleeck@gmail.com

8 Michael J. Williams is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. He completed his basic police training at the Oakland Police Academy in Auburn Hills and became a certified police officer in He was hired by the Montcalm County Sheriffs Office in 1996 as a road patrol Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff Don Godell. Williams has had assignments in the road patrol as a general patrol Deputy, traffic services, community policing officer, and K9 handler. As a K9 handler, Williams was partnered with K9 Xill from 1999 until 2007 and K9 Rex from 2007 until In 2010, Williams was promoted to Sergeant. His patrol and K9 responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of Deputies, scheduling, grant writing and administration, as well as other administrative and supervisory tasks. He subsequently became the senior uniformed road patrol Sergeant and held the Staff Sergeant rank. Last year, Sheriff Bill Barnwell promoted Mike to Undersheriff. In that capacity he has overseen all Sheriff s Office operations including the road patrol, jail, and administrative services. Williams has been drawn to both community service and leadership. He was previously elected to the Central Montcalm Board of Education and is currently a Trustee on the Montcalm Community College Board of Trustees. He has served on the United States Police Canine Association Region 19 Executive Board, the Montcalm County Deputy Sheriff s Association Executive Board and was the President of the Montcalm County Command Officer s Association. Mike lives in the Sidney area with his wife, Jeni. He has three children and an exchange daughter who is now back in Spain.

9 Dale Reyburn announces his candidacy for 70 th House District Seat Dale D. Reyburn of 798 N. Clay, Greenville, MI 48838, is announcing his candidacy for the 70 th House District seat for the August 2, 2016 Republican Primary. Mr. Reyburn has decided to not run to return to his Montcalm County Commissioner spot but instead to try and effect the lives and welfare of not only the people of his local district but also the people of the 70 th and the beautiful State of Michigan. Mr. Reyburn is a social conservative and a fiscal moderate that has lived in the Greenville area for 32 years and served for over 15 years on the Greenville Planning Commission, and 2 separate terms as a Montcalm County Commissioner, from the City of Greenville. He started in the what is now called the Financial Planning business in August of He specializes in Retirement Planning with mutual funds and variable annuities and has a series 7 license. He is a 1972 graduate of Central Michigan University with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. He has 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren. dalereyburn@att.net

10 Charlie Noll for Montcalm County Sheriff My name is Charlie Noll and I have filed to run for Montcalm County Sheriff. I have lived in Montcalm County my whole life and grew up south of Crystal on my families farm. I have worked at the Ionia County Sheriff's Office for the last 20 years and I am currently serving as the Undersheriff for Sheriff Dale Miller. I have been in the position for the last 4 years.

11 Find us on Facebook LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Legislative Updates are open to the public and are free of charge. The meetings are generally held on the fourth Monday of the month, from September through May. Occasionally, Updates take place on the third Monday of the month (Updates held on the third Monday of the month are denoted by an asterisk (*) in the table below). UPDATES WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 12:00PM AND END PROMPTLY AT 1:00PM. Various human service agencies that serve Montcalm County provide a staff member to moderate each event. These representatives will provide a brief overview of their agency/program prior to the legislators giving their update and taking questions The meetings take place at Montcalm Community College s Sidney Campus; lunch is available from the Subway Restaurant located in the MCC cafeteria. Any questions regarding the Legislative Update can be directed to Dan Petersen at (616) , ext or via at danielp@8cap.org. DATE ROOM MODERATOR April 25, 2016 Doser Building - D303 Alison Barberi Greenville Area Community Foundation May 23, 2016 Doser Building - D303 Dan Petersen, EightCAP Be in the know, attend our meetings: Meeting dates for 2016: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20 and Nov 17 Montcalm County Administration Building (Old Courthouse use west door) Commissioner s Room 211 W. Main St. Stanton MI Mailing address: PO Box 131 Greenville MI address: montcalmrepublicans@gmail.com Web Site: