Muskgon County Republican Dues Schedule

Annual Membership Dues Invoice
Muskegon County Republican Party

If you have already paid your 2009 dues please disregard this notice.

2009 Annual Dues (dues are for 12 months)
Membership Levels

General Membership $ 30 (Includes newsletters, invitations to events, & Get Involved Opportunities)

GOP Club Membership $ 75 (Includes above PLUS one Lincoln Day Dinner Ticket)

Century Club Membership $150 (Includes all general membership opportunities PLUS one Lincoln Day Dinner Ticket PLUS one ticket to one other event for the year)

400 Club Membership $400 (Includes all general membership opportunities PLUS 2 Lincoln Day Dinner Tickets, 2 tickets to one other event for the year PLUS private VIP receptions & reserved seating at events)

Please print this Invoice and include your payment -
Mail to:
Muskegon Republican Party Treasurer - 143 Ruddiman Dr, N Muskegon, MI 49445


Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

e-mail______________________________________________________________
Please include your email as we are in the process of converting to e-mail whenever possible.


Phone:_____________________________________________________________

Membership level desired__________________Amount Enclosed_______________
Personal Checks only
Please make the checks out to Muskegon GOP
Political Contributions are non tax deductable

From an email from Susie Hughes Vice-Chair

Dems Consider GOP Reforms

Dems Consider GOP Reforms

Senate, House Republican plans public for months to balance budget, avoid shutdown, and protect essential services WITHOUT raising taxes

Calling today's 11th-hour marathon budget session a step in the right direction, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer today invited the governor and House Democrats to make their outline to balance the budget public and demonstrate their sincerity by moving it through the legislative process.

Bishop said his caucus already sent House Democrats and the governor their plan to balance the budget without raising taxes, noting a clear difference in priorities between Republicans and Democrats.

"The Senate Republicans have a public plan that has been vetted through committees and passed by the full Senate," said Bishop, R-Rochester. "We are looking forward to a budget process that is transparent and clear, not held behind closed doors with unaccountable and unelected mediators. As we close in on the Oct. 1 deadline, we are also looking for expedient action from the House and governor."

Elsenheimer noted the House Republican plan to Reinvigorate, Reinvest and Reform Michigan was introduced 43 days ago on July 22. The House Republican plan creates jobs, balances the budget without raising taxes, and preserves stimulus dollars to jumpstart the state's economy.

"Republicans have a plan to solve the budget crisis without raising taxes - and we're ready to balance the budget today," said Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin. "The GOP plans are on the table, before the public, ready to go. I'm disappointed that the state is in the shadows of another government shutdown after the House Democrats' summer vacation, and when the ideas proposed today start to move in the form of legislation, then we'll know they are serious."

#####


____________________________
Phyllis Browne
Communications Manager
Michigan House of Representatives
(517) 373-1690 office
(269) 806-4936 cell
____________________________

Ken Punter makes it Official

Breaking >>>>> Punter makes it official, he is running for the 91st


________________ ______________________________________________________
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Ken Punter, 49, of Ravenna, has announced
his candidacy for the 91st District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives and is running as a Republican.

Ken is the manager and minority partner in Crockery Creek Farms; located in Ravenna and Fremont.

Ken is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and retired as a Lieutenant
Colonel in the Marine Corps after 22 years of active and reserve duty. He has served
on the Ravenna School Board, the Ravenna Zoning Board of Appeals, and the
Ravenna Community Educational Foundation.

He was a Cub Scout leader, spent time as a little league coach, and is a registered MHSAA official for cross country and track.

Ken is a first generation American and believes in giving back to the community
as is evidenced by his service to United States Military and the activities he has
participated in at the local level. He is especially adamant about being a “Servant
Leader” for the 91st District.

Ken’s campaign is of a grassroots nature and will require many volunteers and
contributors to win the August 3, 2010 primary and subsequent November 2nd election.
More information about Ken can be found at votePUNTER.com.

Citizens for Ken Punter
P.O. Box 73
Ravenna, MI 49451
(231)853-6109
www.votePUNTER.com
kenpunter@votePUNTER.com

Paid for by Citizens for Ken Punter

Candidates for the Primary 2010 testing format

1. Republican Primary Candidates for 34th State Senate Seat.Map of District. Muskegon,Mason,Newaygo and Lake Counties.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Senate_state_16748_7.pdf

Goeff Hansen


Web site
http://www.hansen4senate.com/
Interview at Bottom Up Politics
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com/2009/06/goeff-hansen-interview-34th-state.html

Calendar of political events

CALENDAR FOR
FUND RAISERS AND MEETINGS POLITICAL and
WHAT NOT.


Now thru the Elections, 2010

Aug. 6th, Thurs. 8am

53rd meeting of the Carmen Group. Good talk of all things political. Great Food. The first is free the second is your tab. 8am-9am or so. Corner of Clay and Jefferson downtown Muskegon. Carmen's Restaurant.

Aug. 8th, 12 - 3pm

The Muskegon County Republicans will be having a pot luck celebration of their 102 years as a County Party. It will be called the Summer Grand Old Potluck. It will be at Pamona Park in Fruitport.Link to Pamona Park
-----link-----
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pamona+park+Fruitport+Michigan&sll=29.545177,-81.572878&sspn=1.120625,1.757812&ie=UTF8&ll=43.129553,-86.154957&spn=0.029378,0.054932&z=14T
--------------
The plan as I understand it is to have an old fashioned picnic with the County Party providing the meat and soft drinks and everyone just bring a dish to pass. If interested in helping; get hold of Susie Hughes or David or give me a call, at 231-728-3455.This will be what we make it. Let's get to talking it up, families are welcome. This could be a warm friendly family thing. PDs, lets make this a thing to remember. Again keep checking back; I'll add updates as I find them.
---------------------

Aug. 10, Monday Noon

Monthly Muskegon County Republican Caucus Lunch. Noon at the Pizza Ranch 1848 E Sherman.A good place to find out what will be on the agenda or to get something on the agenda for next weeks Executive Board Meeting. See link below for map.

---link-----
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pizza+ranch+sherman+muskegon&sll=43.256125,-86.267683&sspn=0.007329,0.013733&ie=UTF8&ll=43.208929,-86.205254&spn=0.055677,0.109863&z=13
-----------

For further info or if you have something to add or a new event you want put up here, feel free to call me. Any day or time.

Bob Carr 231-728-3455
glhotdogs@verizon.net

Leon Stille endorses Hansen for 34th Senate seat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE;
July 29, 2009

CONTACT: PETER WILLS
231‐342‐3772


HANSEN EARNS MAJOR ENDORSEMENT IN BID FOR STATE SENATE

Former 34th District State Senator Endorses Hansen for his old seat
(HART, MI) – State Senate candidate Goeff Hansen (R‐Hart) today announced that he has
received the endorsement of former State Senator Leon Stille (R‐Spring Lake) in his bid for the 34th State Senate seat. Stille represented the 34th District (formerly the 32nd District) before retiring due to term limits.

“Michigan is faced with some very serious challenges right now and I believe that Goeff Hansen is the best person to represent our interests in the State Senate as we struggle to turn our state around,” Stille said. “His experience as a local small business owner, combined with his determination to get the job done right, will ensure West Michigan has a strong voice at the table working for us.”

Senator Stille served in the State Senate from 1994 – 2002, where he focused on education and agriculture issues as the chair of the Senate School Aid (K‐12) Appropriations Subcommittee and the Education Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Farming, Agribusiness and Food Systems Committee and member of the Education Committee.

“I am pleased to have earned the support of Senator Stille,” Hansen said. “As our state senator, Leon Stille worked diligently to protect our natural resources and farmland and provide for a quality education for all of our children. As your next state senator, I pledge to continue to focus on those issues as part of my priorities for our district.”

Goeff Hansen is the owner of a local family business and is currently serving his third term as a state representative. He lives in Hart with his wife Tami. Together they have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Senator Stille’s endorsement comes as Hansen announces over 200 endorsements from leaders across the 34th State Senate District. To see the complete list of supporters or to learn more about Hansen’s background as a family business owner, his voting record as a state representative, or his plan to cut taxes, reduce spending and grow the West Michigan economy, residents are invited to visit his website at www.hansen4senate.com.


Paid for by Goeff Hansen for Senate P.O. Box 167 Hart, MI 49420

Linkable site. To Hansen's E-Zone actual pre-bill doc.

>>>>>>>> edit <<<<<<<<<

As I sometimes do I use this site as a dump site where I can put word docs and such so they can be linked to from my other sites. The following is from the Hansen for Senate committee and is a word doc. covering what the final bill will look like when enacted around July 14th. The bill will amend the Renaissance Zones bill, to include more small business' among other things.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be a Conservative

>>>>>> end of edit <<<<<<<

Economic development; renaissance zones; entrepreneurial
renaissance zones (e-zones); create.
Economic development: renaissance zones
A bill to amend 1996 PA 376, entitled
"Michigan renaissance zone act,"
by amending section 3 (MCL 125.2683), as amended by 2008 PA 217,
and by adding section 8g.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 3. As used in this act:
2 (a) "Agricultural processing facility" means 1 or more
3 facilities or operations that transform, package, sort, or grade
4 livestock or livestock products, agricultural commodities, or
5 plants or plant products, excluding forest products, into goods
6 that are used for intermediate or final consumption including goods
7 for nonfood use, and surrounding property.
8 (b) "Board" means the state administrative board created in
9 1921 PA 2, MCL 17.1 to 17.3.
2
02852'09 JLB
1 (c) "Development plan" means a written plan that addresses the
2 criteria in section 7 and includes all of the following:
3 (i) A map of the proposed renaissance zone that indicates the
4 geographic boundaries, the total area, and the present use and
5 conditions generally of the land and structures within those
6 boundaries.
7 (ii) Evidence of community support and commitment from
8 residential and business interests.
9 (iii) A description of the methods proposed to increase economic
10 opportunity and expansion, facilitate infrastructure improvement,
11 and identify job training opportunities.
12 (iv) Current social, economic, and demographic characteristics
13 of the proposed renaissance zone and anticipated improvements in
14 education, health, human services, public safety, and employment if
15 the renaissance zone is created.
16 (v) Any other information required by the board.
17 (d) "Elected county executive" means the elected county
18 executive in a county organized under 1966 PA 293, MCL 45.501 to
19 45.521, or 1973 PA 139, MCL 45.551 to 45.573.
20 (E) "ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS" MEANS A NEW, FOR-PROFIT START21
UP BUSINESS OF 100 EMPLOYEES OR LESS REGISTERED IN AND WITH THIS
22 STATE ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2009.
23 (F) "ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY" MEANS A FACILITY OR
24 OPERATION THAT HAS AS ITS PRINCIPAL FUNCTION THE RESEARCH,
25 DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORT, MANUFACTURING, OR PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR AN
26 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS.
27 (G) (e) "Forest products processing facility" means 1 or more
3
02852'09 JLB
1 facilities or operations that transform, package, sort, recycle, or
2 grade forest or paper products into goods that are used for
3 intermediate or final use or consumption or for the creation of
4 biomass or alternative fuels through the utilization of forest
5 products or forest residue, and surrounding property. Forest
6 products processing facility does not include an existing facility
7 or operation that is located in this state that relocates to a
8 renaissance zone for a forest products processing facility. Forest
9 products processing facility does not include a facility or
10 operation that engages primarily in retail sales.
11 (H) (f) "Local governmental unit" means a county, city,
12 village, or township.
13 (I) (g) "Person" means an individual, partnership,
14 corporation, association, limited liability company, governmental
15 entity, or other legal entity.
16 (J) (h) "Qualified local governmental unit" means either of
17 the following:
18 (i) A county.
19 (ii) A city, village, or township that contains an eligible
20 distressed area as defined in section 11 of the state housing
21 development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1411.
22 (K) (i) "Recovery zone" means a tool and die renaissance
23 recovery zone created in section 8d.
24 (l) (j) "Renaissance zone" means a geographic area designated
25 under this act.
26 (M) (k) "Renewable energy facility" means a facility that
27 creates energy directly or fuel from the wind, the sun, trees,
4
02852'09 JLB
1 grasses, biosolids, algae, agricultural commodities, processed
2 products from agricultural commodities, or residues from
3 agricultural processes, wood or forest processes, food production
4 and processing, or the paper products industry. Renewable energy
5 facility also includes a facility that creates energy or fuels from
6 solid biomass, animal wastes, or landfill gases. Renewable energy
7 facility also includes a facility that focuses on research,
8 development, or manufacturing of systems or components of systems
9 used to create energy or fuel from the items described in this
10 subdivision.
11 (N) (l) "Residential rental property" means that term as
12 defined in section 7ff of the general property tax act, 1893 PA
13 206, MCL 211.7ff.
14 (O) (m) "Review board" means the renaissance zone review board
15 created in section 5.
16 (P) (n) "Rural area" means an area that lies outside of the
17 boundaries of an urban area.
18 (Q) (o) "Urban area" means an urbanized area as determined by
19 the economics and statistics administration, United States bureau
20 of the census according to the 1990 census.
21 SEC. 8G. (1) THE BOARD, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF
22 THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND DEFINED IN SECTION 4 OF THE MICHIGAN
23 STRATEGIC FUND ACT, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2004, MAY DESIGNATE
24 ADDITIONAL RENAISSANCE ZONES FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
25 FACILITIES WITHIN THIS STATE IN THAT PORTION OF A CITY, VILLAGE, OR
26 TOWNSHIP IF THAT CITY, VILLAGE, OR TOWNSHIP OR COMBINATION OF
27 CITIES, VILLAGES, OR TOWNSHIPS CONSENTS TO THE CREATION OF A
5
02852'09 JLB
1 RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY WITHIN
2 THEIR BOUNDARIES. A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL
3 BUSINESS FACILITY SHALL HAVE A DURATION OF RENAISSANCE ZONE STATUS
4 FOR A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS.
5 (2) EACH RENAISSANCE ZONE DESIGNATED FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL
6 BUSINESS FACILITY UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 1 CONTINUOUS DISTINCT
7 GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
8 (3) THE BOARD MAY REVOKE THE DESIGNATION OF ALL OR A PORTION
9 OF A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY IF
10 THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
11 DOES 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING IN A RENAISSANCE ZONE DESIGNATED
12 UNDER THIS SECTION:
13 (A) FAILS TO COMMENCE OPERATION.
14 (B) CEASES OPERATION.
15 (C) FAILS TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION WITHIN 1 YEAR
16 FROM THE DATE THE RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
17 FACILITY IS DESIGNATED.
18 (4) THE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER ALL OF THE FOLLOWING WHEN
19 DESIGNATING A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
20 FACILITY:
21 (A) THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON LOCAL SUPPLIERS WHO SUPPLY RAW
22 MATERIALS, GOODS, AND SERVICES TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
23 FACILITY.
24 (B) THE CREATION OF JOBS RELATIVE TO THE EMPLOYMENT BASE OF
25 THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN THE STATIC NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED.
26 (C) THE VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT.
27 (D) THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE
6
02852'09 Final Page JLB
1 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY IS LOCATED.
2 (5) THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
3 THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
4 FACILITY.
5 (6) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT" MEANS A
6 WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND AND THE
7 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY THAT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED
8 TO, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
9 (A) A REQUIREMENT THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
10 COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.
11 (B) A REQUIREMENT THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
12 REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND ON ALL OF THE
13 FOLLOWING:
14 (i) THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT MADE AT THE FACILITY.
15 (ii) THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED AT THE FACILITY AT THE
16 BEGINNING AND END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF
17 INDIVIDUALS TRANSFERRED TO THE FACILITY FROM ANOTHER FACILITY OWNED
18 BY THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY.
19 (iii) THE PERCENTAGE OF RAW MATERIALS PURCHASED IN THIS STATE.
20 (C) APPROVAL OF THE BUSINESS PLAN BY A STATE RECOGNIZED
21 ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT RESOURCE AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.
22 (D) ANY OTHER CONDITIONS OR REQUIREMENTS REASONABLY REQUIRED
23 BY THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND.

Linkable site. To Hansen's E-Zone overview

>>>>>>>> edit <<<<<<<<<

As I sometimes do I use this site as a dump site where I can put word docs and such so they can be linked to from my other sites. The following is from the Hansen for Senate committee and is an overview, background and sallient points of Goeff Hansens soon to be legislative effort to amend the Renaissance Zones bill, to include small business'.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be a Conservative

>>>>>> end of edit <<<<<<<

Entrepreneurship Renaissance Zones (E-Zone)

Overview

The legislation creates an Entrepreneurship Renaissance Zone for any new, for-profit startup business of 100 employees or less registered in and with this state on or after July 1, 2009.

• The bill follows the general framework of what’s currently in the Renaissance Zone Act with respect to eligibility, geographic parameters, length of Ren Zone status, etc.

• No real property or personal property taxes, and no MBT, for a period of five years.

• MI Strategic Fund may designate additional zones; no limit.

• The parameters for legitimacy and commitment would include operational standards, local economic impact, job creation, capital investment, purchase of local raw materials and an approval of a business plan by a state recognized entrepreneurial support resource. i.e. SBTDC, SCORE, MSU Product Center, Michigan Works, incubators, etc.

General Points

• This bill incentives innovation and creativity. It encourages and supports our state’s small and start-up businesses.

o Ex. There is tremendous growth potential in fish farming in this state. The aquaculture industry can be a source of job creation and local food, and can evolve into a leading industry in this state. This new state financial incentive would allow us to harness Michigan’s greatest natural resource for everyone’s benefit.

o There are numerous small business services that are working every day to help Michigan citizens grow the economy. I believe this tax-free incentive for business start-ups can serve as another tool in the toolbox of economic recovery.

• Alleviating the burden of expensive start-up costs helps entrepreneurs speed up the process of turning their ideas into viable businesses, sharpens their focus on innovation and job creation. Emerging companies should be given every resource to increase their chances of success.

• The “Start-up Business Renaissance Zone” legislation is a strong, pro-active move toward encouraging and supporting our state’s small and start-up businesses.

• Small businesses are the engine of our economy. As a local family business owner, I’ve created jobs for hundreds of local families. I know what works and what doesn’t. I’m a proponent of entrepreneurial revitalization and believe that our current economic condition presents opportunity. In the 1970s, FedEx, Southwest, Microsoft, Apple, Genentech and Charles Schwab were started. Young talent migrated from previously lucrative jobs and toward start-ups.

• Excessive regulations, a burdensome and confusing tax code and high tax rates are stifling business growth and job creation in our state. Through lower taxes and less regulation we can encourage business development and attract new businesses to our state. New policies such as my Tax-Free, Start-up Business Renaissance Zone legislation will promote entrepreneurial efforts.

Background

• The Seidman College of Business at GVSU recently published a report entitled “Entrepreneurship Climate in West Michigan”. It stated that fewer people in West Michigan were starting up their own businesses. One of the barriers includes expensive start-up costs and lack of investment funds from either the state or through lending institutions.

• The process of starting a business may include start-up options, forms of business ownership, financing a new venture, financial management, selecting a location, marketing, regulatory compliance and understanding fundamental principles of business.

• Statistics, from the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA), indicate that new business create a MINIMUM of three jobs, including the “owner”, right at start-up. In fact, they are strongly advised, by business counselors, to seek out partners to cover the “trinity” of entrepreneurship – namely “Product or Service, “Marketing” and “Finance”.

• Summary of a major Kauffman Foundation survey on what “Entrepreneurial America” wants to see from government – it’s NOT what they’ve been getting:

Americans Want Government Stimulus for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship, Reveals New Survey from Kauffman Foundation

Americans want to see more initiatives that aid small businesses, like the $15 billion package unveiled by President Obama, according to a new poll released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The survey, conducted by pollster Douglas Schoen, consisted of a random national sample of 2,000 Americans. The survey indicates strong public sentiment that the government should be doing more to encourage individuals to start businesses and create jobs, which is ultimately the long-term solution for the country's economic woes. Three hundred of the 2,000 respondents are entrepreneurs and 300 are aspiring entrepreneurs.

By 63 percent to 23 percent, survey respondents prefer giving individuals the incentives they need to start their own businesses as opposed to allowing the government to create new jobs directly or through big corporations. Further, as a means of leading the country out of the economic crisis, 63 percent of respondents say the United States government needs to encourage the creation of new businesses, which will create sustainable, long-term employment opportunities and economic growth, while only 22 percent favor the government creating new jobs in the public and private sector.

"These two statistics--which produced similar results--underscore the public's deep and abiding belief that the government should facilitate entrepreneurial activity by creating the conditions and policies that make it easier for individuals to take a risk, as opposed to the government itself creating jobs," said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.

More findings are available from the full survey, which is available for download at
www.kauffman.org/recoverysurvey. Other statistics about entrepreneurs and the economy are available at www.kauffman.org/researchfacts.

Fiscal Impact questions:

The fiscal impact is indeterminate. There would be no less impact to local/state govn't since they're not currently receiving this tax base.

• Within the last three years of a Renaissance Zone period, the Michigan Renaissance Zone Act requires the eligible entity to begin paying 25% of their annual tax obligation, followed by 50% and 75%. Under this bill, the first two years would be tax free and thereafter, the state and local unit would begin to receive tax revenue.

• The bill requires that the business provide an annual report of their activities to the Strategic Fund Board.

• The bill does allow for the city/village/township to consent to the creation of a ren zone for an entrepreneurial business facility.

• Also, if the start-up does not meet the bill's benchmarks, the MSF may revoke the ren zone.

• If the foregone tax base remains a concern, the MSF may consider this within the larger context of total economic impact of an "e-zone" within the community.

• If, for the first 5 years, these entrepreneurs can direct all available capital towards job creation and successfully executing their business plan, the foregone revenue from real/personal/MBT will have been worth it.

Just Give 2 --- Great New Activist Site

As you know I try to get involved with my community, not so much by joining things because I’m not a joiner by nature.

I prefer the one on one approach. My conservative principles tell me that the one on one approach is good too, as it cuts out the middle man. In the realm of helping others it is the cheapest, quickest way to do it that way. In the realm of politics as well; they say all politics is personal. It wouldn't hurt politicians either to take a more direct and personal approach to helping their constituents whenever possible.

On my other blog Bottom Up Politics I try to ask myself what can I do today? What one small thing can I do today in my neighborhood to help things out? It might be just shoveling my own sidewalk so kids can walk someplace other than the street. At least give them the option. Lol. We all do something well, share it with your neighbors.

What I’ve found is that doing one little thing tends to suggest other little things and pretty soon you may be organizing a few of your neighbors into seeing that your side of the block is shoveled from corner to corner or some other bizarre type of nearly socially unacceptable old fashioned behavior. Lol.

What I’m trying to get to is that I found a great site which is about how to be an activist in the cause of limiting government intervention in our lives, by doing it ourselves. Below is the link. This is not complicated stuff; simple direct and easy, just a few ways to help our neighbors. Simple common sense rules are involved here; not a six volume set of Community Health regs.

-----link-----
http://justgive2.com/service/
--------------

The name says Just Give 2 (hours a week). This is not about joining some gov. charity or volunteering for the peace corp. or any other type of nonprofit so they can organize the “volunteers” and make their wages.

This site simply reminds us how easy it really is to help our neighbors. It really doesn’t for example take the County Health Dept and a special state grant to help your neighbor plant a garden or maybe start a few neighbors on a common piece of land or vacant lot to start a community garden.

How long does it take to watch a neighbor’s kid for an hour so they can run to the store? I know, sorry it’s a trick question. But then again it could take the rest of your life being friends with your neighbors.

That list of things is a great starting point. Every political party should post it for its members to see, but that’s another story. Our parties are the ones who need the real help. First we have to help ourselves then our neighbors and then later we can deal with the parties by getting involved at the local level and demand that they listen to their neighbors.

If you have any quick things to do to help, leave a comment or better yet go to the site. Then go do it and let us know what happens.

Gee just when you thought I was done, another page on the Just Give 2 site is how to be an activist and take the country back. (Sound familiar? – “Take Muskegon Back”) They say to do this so we can put the We back in “we the people”. I like that. This they say only takes 1 hour a week. See link below.

-----link-----
http://justgive2.com/activisim/
--------------

I might add to this, go online and find your local, city, village or county web site. The first week spend some time searching out when they hold meetings, some will have agendas on line, if not they have phone #s listed just call and find out how to get the agenda for a meeting ahead of time. Then go, just sit in the audience and learn. See how your government works. The next week or two pick a subject close to your heart and research it. Teach yourself to be an expert. Then when you’re confident speak up then speak out.

The list that Just Give 2 gives us is a great start but the list is really infinite. Whatever you can think of to do is a good thing. Anything is better that sitting home doing nothing. If you have an idea, let us know, add a comment on the blog.

By the way, once started it feels so empowering that you probably will get addicted. Just ask Mel Gibson, FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Sat. Tea Party Convention.





I had been really excited all during the April 15th “Tea Party” thing, and all the stuff leading up to it.

The whole affair nationwide was a smashing success. Finally; here was something where the average American could stand up and be heard, directly. This was a chance for the 4,000 who were in Lansing to be a part of the news. For those who were there, they saw and heard the different reasons why people took time off and showed up. We the people knew without the filtered news commentary why we took that time off to go to Lansing or one of the 25 other “Tea Party” protests across the State or any other of the some odd thousand Parties across the Nation.

For once the million or so people across this, their Nation didn’t have to rely on the media to tell them what was happening. We had found the new media. We “not so few” felt good in that knowledge. We also felt confident with our knowledge, confident enough to see and understand at a deeper level how slanted and corrupted the media has become. For me and many others the smears and attacks and half-truths were hurtful, it was becoming personal.

Well since then, there has been a lot of activity on the Tea Party front. There has been a bunch of different conservative organizations trying to become identified with the “movement”. Some of the groups are trying to control the direction of the Tea Party thing. Local branches have formed in different areas throughout the state. Some are tax based, some are centered on family values, others gathering around constitutional purity.

I have been watching and a part of this great enthusiasm starting to fracture and divide and I’ve sadly sat by and watched. Again I felt powerless. Well along came an article on Right Michigan by Wendy Day about a “Tea Party Convention”.

-----link-----
http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2009/6/1/214350/2609
--------------

Nick and others later on during a "break out" talking about "New Media" Nick's on the left.




Well I started digging by clicking on the link in the article which took me to the convention site. This site, this convention, seemed to be what I was looking for. This promised to be a way to gather again all the diverse groups and ideas that gave rise to the Tea Party in the first place. I talked it up and blogged about it. I registered but had a problem with Pay Pal, which turned into a blessing as I had to email Melanie (Wendy’s partner) and she emailed me back so that personal touch was what I needed.

For various reasons I put off getting hold of my blogger buddy to finalize our plans to drive to Lansing. Well I finally called and Thurs. we set it up. We also decided to become delegates to the convention. This involved getting 25 signatures of friends etc. Well it took me almost all day Friday to hunt up 25 people. As Jim picked me up in the old Circuit City parking lot Sat. morning at 6:15 for our trip to Lansing, he provided the 25th signature. That whole process of getting names was less about the people I contacted but seemed more about helping me define what I was up to with this. Again talking with other people usually teaches me a lot about myself.

Below Blogger friend Jim + Jack McHugh, Me + Jack, Jim on the prowl.








As we were nearing Lansing, I was hoping there were going to be enough people attending, to become meaningful. Well there were. I talked with Wendy at our lunch break and she said around 240. BTW, my friend and I had a great political and other discussions on our way there.

The event was at the Capital City Baptist Ministries, which is a complex of buildings; including a field house, auditorium and church proper among others; great space. I would like to preface the recap by saying how well run and professional the convention was.

It all started with a continental breakfast for the bleary eyed and registration etc from 8-9am. Then the action began.



The opening ceremony was well set up with a good group of speakers for the whole group. We then divided up into smaller “breakout” groups according to our tastes. After the work sessions we all came back together for lunch and listened to our keynote speaker Jen Gratz. WOW.



More on her later then we had a 5 min. presentation per ballot proposal which we were to vote on. There were 5.

-----link-----
http://www.teapartyconvention.com/?page_id=520
---------------

After that we broke up again, this time by geographic area. (Northern Mi. Western Mi. Central Mi. and Southeastern Mi.) The biggest crowd by far was from Central Mi. Below is our group from West Mi.



After that we again all assembled and listened to Thayrone X a radio personality from WAAM 1600 out of Ann Arbor. We then heard the ballot results. The Fair Tax people won the day.

I did meet some friends from Livingston County. Arlene is pictured below.



I didn’t get home until nearly 5pm; a full day and my brain was full.
Now about Jen Gratz. As I alluded to earlier, I was starting to feel that the Tea movement was starting to die a slow death and that I was feeling helpless. Well up to the microphone stepped Jen Gratz.




I had researched her on You Tube and everything I had seen told me that she was an impressive person. What impressed me was her determination. She had the fire of youth. She was willing to take the platitudes we feed our youth as truth.

She applied to the UofM and was turned down while people she knew of color whom she felt had less ability than she were accepted. She single handedly fought the fight. Don’t get me wrong, she had people who supported her but she never gave up. As she said and from the You Tubes I’ve seen, the whole of government was against her. In Michigan both parties sided against her, only Mike Cox stood up for her. In an election year all other politicians and other government run or funded non profits ran for the PC cover. Even most churches.

This Tea Party thing is something too that is swimming against almost all of organized government and all its funded auxiliary groups. Jen Gratz showed how one person can still, with the constitution in hand, make change if it is backed by the people.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Jen Gratz was triumphant in the end on election day? Was she happy? Of course she was, was she proud, well that is obvious when you see her talk. How did she do this. Her leadership and personality was a big factor, but the idea she had was the key that made her quality apparent. The other factor that made it possible was the “initiative process”.

This process allows for law and constitutions to be rewritten or changed by “popular uprising”. Seems strange that conservatives are now using what the liberals brought forth. Liberals can use a little chagrin from time to time.

Times do change and Conservatives after all do know “Make Do, Make it Now, Make it Work”.

The politicians also were out and trying to just be seen but were not intrusive. I for one think that is a good thing. Politicians need to listen more to what’s going on with real people and less with what is going on in their political circle. The big names I saw were Pete Hoekstra, Mike Cox, Terri Lynn Land. No speech making just mingling.








I give credit for the effort of Wendy Day and her bunch for keeping a tone of unity throughout. With all the various “one issue” groups that were there in force, she fought a stunning battle by not fighting. For that I give thanks, and will volunteer what I can for her (US).





This group was as close to coalition of the various factions of the conservative spectrum that I have participated in. The meaning of Democracy and lessons in civil discourse were what I walked away with. There at the end as in the beginning; there was a unity of purpose. Though it seemed vague and wispy, Freedom I must remember is also a fragile thing that needs constant looking after. I think Wendy in her closing remarks pulled it together by saying something to the effect that as with the first revolution future generations may look at us and wonder how we could come together and make the necessary sacrifices to save our country, or look back and wishing we had.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Garden to Table,, Well not quite.

Well Thursday morning at our regular "Carmen Group" breakfast; guns, amo, the economy and politics were discussed. Jon D. from Hoekstra's group stopped in and we got to talk some serious politics.

click on pics to enlarge




We covered it all from picking asparagus to operating a loader at Marve’s farm. Well seriously Jon D. told us of the planned time that Pete was going to actually go out and pick asparagus on a farm, in conjunction with the Asparagus Festival. This is part of Pete’s plan to work up to 100 jobs around the state to help get in touch with Michiganders.

Dave W thought, as the rest of us did, that the “100 jobs” idea was great. He asked who had thought it up, and Jon D said that Pete did. I said I thought it dovetailed into the bike tour really well.

If you know anything about picking Asparagus you know the hard stoop kind of labor it is and that our previous President regarded as work Americans won't do. During the conversation I said something like, "so Pete'll be doing the work Americans won't do?" Jon D kinda grinned and said no more.

Jon D. has often stopped at our “Carmen Group” to grab a breakfast and to stay in touch with the local polls. It worked well today Marve who runs a leaf composting site at his farm suggested that maybe Pete could do some work for him too. Marve who is always looking for cheap labor, especially heavy equipment operators seemed really pleased with the idea. A good way to mix politics and the bottom line. I’ve always claimed Marve was a true fiscal conservative.

I too took advantage of the situation and asked Jon D if Pete would be interested in being interviewed by me at Bottom Up Politics. He said that he would. After some emails I’m hoping to get that interview. Jon also promised to email me info on Pete’s schedule so I can blog and investigate the goings on. I will post it as I get it.



On the Love Community Garden front, I picked my first crop of radishes, thinned my carrots and planted 4 tomato plants to my little bed. Also have been harvesting friendships with a couple of neighbors I never met before this garden thing.





Life goes on. Twenty some garden beds, twenty some neighbors, think about it.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Karen Buie's "Surprise" B-Day Party

Got this email from Bob Scolnik. That guy is quick.

TO ALL: Please join us at a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR KAREN BUIE! Sunday, May 31st at the Bent Pine Golf Course Club House from 3 - 5 PM. Lunch will be served...please arrive a little before 3 PM. Please RSVP to Karen's husband, Larry Jenkins at: larryjenkins26@yahoo.com or call him at (713) 882-8931. We hope to see you there!
Bob & Merle



Karen Buie-Jenkins Surprise Birthday Celebration

When....................Sunday May 31st, 2009
Where...................2480 Duck Lake Road, Whitehall MI 49461
Bent Pine Golf Course Club House
(Take Whitehall Road to Duck Lake Road & Turn Left)
Time.....................3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CATERED LUNCH
RSVP (713) 882-8931 Larry Jenkins or RSVP by Email
larryjenkins26@yahoo.com

-------------------
I talked with Larry and he said that all are welcome to come and say hi to Karen and enjoy. He also said I could post this and it wouldn't hurt the "Surprise"

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Calendar of Events

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Voulnteering and just watching

I spent Sunday volunteering and then just plain watching what others had volunteered to help put on. First about the volunteering.

Want to get involved in your community? It is as simple as asking “What Can I Do Today?”

Keep it simple though. Just let them know you can help with something for a specific amount of time etc. Do something you want to do, something you think will make you happy. Something you think will fit you. I say "You Think" because volunteering tests what you think. Remember some surprises are pleasant.

There are lots of things and good causes to pick from. Don’t fret about picking the perfect one. Just pick one put in a couple hours helping out and see if you like it. If not and you didn’t make any grandiose promises; it’s a win win situation. You learned something and they got some needed help.

Then the "work" starts. I call it work, but I consider it a fulfilling and constructive use of my time. If I considered it actually work, I would become a “Paid” volunteer and start demanding my rights. Instead I volunteer and exert my rights to keep them strong.

The knowledge I seek I try to learn from the doing.

I “work” where I feel I’m needed. I work with whom I choose. On rare occasions this type of grouping seems to overcome some strong type A personalities. The egos disappear and everyone pitches in and things get done seemingly without effort. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in some Wall St. boardroom or at a local charity event; when it happens it is a joy to be involved. The concept of “work” never even enters into it. Sorry for lack of pics. As we got busy. The pics were taken before the event as we were setting up and sorry to Ruben as he couldn't come untill 10:00 I believe. That he was able to come at all is a wonder as he has two full time jobs.

Click on pics to enlarge





This happened Sunday from 7am till around 2pm in Fruitport at the Car Show, a part of Old Fashioned Days. Mike, Morning, myself and someone I just met named Ruben got together and worked at a tent selling coffee, pop and donuts and later grilled up hotdogs and hamburgs for sale. Ruben did most of the cooking, he was good at it.

Mike is the one who set up the whole thing, he did all the work. He brought the trailer full of all the supplies, and grill and coolers galore, Ice and food and pop and all that including the tent tables and chairs etc. That guy is a piece of work. The rest of us just helped set up the stuff then sell the goodies. Mike made that experience possible.

I’m blogging about how we took the stuff there and turned it into a well run little deal. After a short break in period we all just did what was needed, changing rolls on the fly to get the job done. I left for a couple hours as I was obliged to see the “Lost Boat” Ceremony in Muskegon. I managed to get back and help out a couple more hours then help tear it all back down and load it up. My kudos to Mike,Morning and Ruben.

I blog about this stuff to constantly remind me that keeping my ego out of things is a major thing I need to work at. I actually volunteer vs. writing about it, to help to also keep reality in the equation. (ego+ego) + cooperation = a get it done attitude = contentment in a job well done. Kind of the plus side of ego.





In between the Car Show I attended the “Lost Boat” event in Muskegon at the USS Silversides museum on South side of the Muskegon Lake Channel. This I’m ashamed to say is the first time I attended. Hat/Tip to Muskegon Pundit and Gordo.

It was a beautiful day, it was a moving ceremony which actually took place upon the deck of the submarine. Bleachers were set along side with seating behind and also from the Museum deck behind that. Everything combined to make this a good memorial to those who lost their lives helping defend our freedom. There was a rear Admiral, local dignitaries, a symphony orchestra playing John Phillip Sousa stuff, an excellent trumpet player (Pamela Smitter Baker) on the top bridge playing taps.







Be sure to click on pic below. She could play that horn.




The Tolling of the Boats was moving.
During the War, over 50 boats were lost, some with all their crew. As each boat was read off and the way they were lost stated, the Bell would toll once. The shear numbers of crew and boats lost were impressive. As I listened to the different ways in which they were lost and or captured and held prisioner, I couldn't help but better understand the sacrifices that were made for me a baby boomer, and our country.





There was also a flyover with a missing plane formation. A perfect simulatation of the sacrifices made by them. My pics are not great but you get the idea.

Most impressive were the surviving sub vets, dressed to the teeth. Their strength and pride were evident even after all these years. I was glad to have witnessed this. When I was home that evening I viewed a one hour documentary flick I rented from NetFlix called "Submarines - Steel Boats, Iron Men. A point made in the movie was that on board a submarine (more so than any other branch of the military) the crew lived, had to live as a close knit family. They had to not only be polite but watch and help each other due to their long confinement in small spaces. As I watched the "Survivors" I could still tell the bond was there. I hope the pic below showes some of that.



Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Web site stuff.

I know the web site sucks. We are trying to reorganize it. Don't spend much time there or you will get frustrated. We are working to get changes made. What can I say, it's a process. We meet then we hash out something then it gets sent on to someone to make the change. It takes time, but we are making progress.

Spent an extra morning at Carmen's today. The three originators of the "Carmen Group" met "off Day" Wed. morning to get some business done on the web site. This was a follow up to our larger meeting earlier in the week. Some new changes will be coming to the site. A calendar and new and better coming events.

A plus for me was the information relating to Precinct Delegates and their duties.

We are trying to make it a lot more personal with pics of events and articles about what and how the GOPers are interacting with the community.

We also are putting up buttons to help us and readers get involved. We hope this part of the web site will grow into an educational tool for those who want to learn about out city village and township governments, with links to scheduled meeting and articles on how to get involved in your municiple government.

We are striving for ways to make it easier for people to become involved not only in their governments and communities but show how the Republican party can be of help to do just that.

We have tried to set up the methods for timely change, time will tell. Tomorrow is the Reg. Carmen Group. We'll talk about it some more I'm sure.

http://www.muskegongop.com

Like I said don't waste much time here yet, put us on your favorites and check back at least once a week. In a couple, the changes will start appearing.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Update just in. Got an email from Josh about the 23rd veterans appreciation event being put on by Muskegon Patriots.
-----email-----
Well, we now have someone for an invocation, live singer for the anthem, and parking permission for the side of the causeway! Looks it looks as though everything has come together for the event. If you think of anything thats missing let me know. Otherwise we will see you there on Saturday... good luck with your other apt.
Josh
----------------
A singer, invocation and legal parking on the sides of the causeway. See you there at 10:30 sharp. We have sound system and music provided by Chris Beck and three speakers. We'll be rockin on the river flats in the desolation in land of Mordor, under the mighty tower of Suaron himself. As we hold our banners high we look to the West in these perilous times, fighting a delaying battle hoping for Gandolf the White.

Pipe Dreams and other things

Updates, we had our County GOP Meeting. The only really new business was that the County Party nailed down the location for the Aug 8th Grand Old Picnic which will be held at Pamona Park.

It was discussed by the Precinct Delegate chair that we were planning on a coffee and donut get together, June 13th and not just PDs were invited but volunteers too. We may not put PD in the name for the donut and coffee thing. It was also discussed that nothing much would be done this summer as it was summer and what not, and that we need not do anything until closer to the election, to his benefit Farhat our Chair thought perhaps we should do something. Again it was brought up about our not overwhelming the Precinct Delegates. We at least are succeeding at that.

Also the idea of me doing interviews of the township officials was canned. Not the idea of the interviews just the me part. It wasn’t my idea to start with and I guess my proposal on how I’d like to do it wasn’t accepted. I got an email, nothing was said at the meeting. I was asked I offered, we are both off the hook.

I’ll just keep blogging as I want and volunteer for stuff. I seem to do better one on one outside the party anyway. I’d like to get with a candidate however, and I have one in mind. As it happens, and as I’m permitted, I’ll share how that works.
My quirky talents may work better for a candidate than a party anyway.

Getting back to the meeting we did have a college Republican attend and he was frank about his desire to run for State if not National office in 10 years. It was good to see some fire in the belly of someone under 50 for a change. I suggested that he work for another candidate and start to learn the game. I also told him to try to start building up his base by doing things, by getting involved with his age group as well as they will be his voters in ten years. Start a young Republican group, I wish him well and told him to feel free to call etc. I’d be happy to help as he wants it. I’m sure he’ll get all the help he doesn’t want.

The Muskegon Patriots May 23rd event honoring our Veterans Is moving right along. I blogged on Bottom up Politics about the details of the event.

-----link-----
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-23rd-at-causeway.html
--------------

Blue Sky Lions news.
In an emergency meeting called to accept change or deny a lease agreement with the City of Muskegon for the Old Fire Barn and Blue Sky Lions; nothing was decided. After both sides threw down their gauntlets and threatened to pull out it became obvious nothing was going to be decided.

This Club was formed with over 50 members and over the course of a few months, we find ourselves down to 4-8 people, bickering and arguing. Each meeting is chaired by a different person, so the next meeting we argue about the previous meeting and what THEY did. The good will and public support for this has dried up as seems obvious by the lack of attendance. Well I decided I’d had enough and left. I found out late nothing was decided.

I got into this hoping to help the youth of Muskegon one on one. This is not proving to be the case I’m afraid. The International Lions are the ones footing the bill for the renovations etc for the Old Fire Barn. The Blue Sky Lions would be responsible for raising approx. $25-30,000 @ yr. min. for the overhead of Ins and utilities and programs. The only volunteer (unpaid) that I heard came from the International Lions. They have the contractors lined up who will do the work for free. I could help out there. The Blue Sky Lions only seem interested in applying for grants so they can buy volunteers to man the programs.

Sorry, so far I don’t like what I’m hearing. This group lost the only fundraiser it had because we couldn’t find enough volunteers to man a candy bar booth at “Old Fashioned Days”!! This was a proven money maker and was given to us by the Fruitport Lions and we had to give it back. I’m sure though given enough time we could write a grant somehow to fund that fundraising effort for next year. In the mean time I and another are going to help the Lions of Fruitport for generosity and how we left them holding the bag for their troubles.

I just feel my little efforts in our Love Community Garden was more fruitful (forgive the pun) than all the time and fruitless (there I go again) meetings I’ve gone to in connection to Blue Sky Lions. I could’ve spent a nice Sat. morning instead helping at the First Congregational Church serving breakfast, actually helping others instead of helping further someone else’s agenda. There are way too many helpful things to do out there than waste my time, wandering around in a bureaucratic maze.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Muskegon Patriots Veteran Day Event + some updates.

Muskegon Patriots had another organizational meeting for the May 23rd event they are putting on at Veteran's Memorial Park on the Causeway between Musk. and North Musk. Here is a link to the event on their new and always getting better website.

-----link-----
http://www.muskegonpatriots.com/may_event_page.html
--------------

I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. I counted 12 people. We are optomistic about the turnout. Josh has talked with the police to make sure things will go smoothly. There will be three speakers, and a sound system, as before. The speeches will not be long this time. This is about Veterans.

I just noticed that there is no home button on the above link. Below is a link to the home page.

-----link-----
http://www.muskegonpatriots.com
--------------

If you notice there are now shirts and hats and buttons for sale. These will be for sale at the event the 23rd of May. These will be for sale through the 4th of July event in Lansing. See Website for info. Josh is working on a pay pal way of ordering them off the web site. We are working on how much postage is etc.Please keep coming back to the site as it is changing almost every day at this point. I just bought the shirts and they will be for sale at the May 23rd Veteran's Tribute.

Remember this is a volunteer outfit. No dues, the money to do what we've done has come from the pocket of mainly Josh. These shirts etc, and our donation jar are to help keep this alive. We are more than happy to break even. We decided at this last meeting that we needed to get some money to break even in order to keep this going.

Josh is very adamant and we agree about transparency. Receipts are on the web site, at least a quickly as they can be collected scanned and entered.

---------------------

In other local news, on my way to the post office to check postage costs, on my way from Shirts N Stuff where we ordered our shirts etc. I drove down Getty and past Pastor Duncan's church next door to the projects. I previously attended a tent revival and blogged a couple times about his selfless ministry on my Bottom Up Politics blog.

-----link-----
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com/search?q=Duncan
--------------

Well as I was driving past I noticed his big nearly semi sized trailer open and I did a u turn and stopped. I hadn't seen him in a long time. The windows of his church/activity center were broke and he had found some large windows in remainder at some warehouse in Battle Creek if I remember rightly. He was delivering them to his church. Also there were some people out helping clean up the property and he was mowing it.

We talked and once I made sure that he wasn't getting grant money, I volunteered to offer my services to help design and install the windows setup. He seemed genuinely happy to accept my help. I gave him my blog/Precinct Delegate card and we had a good talk about the evils of bureaucracy and the hooks governtment money has and the trouble it can cause. We even talked about Dave Ramsey and the financial ministry Ramsey has on the radio.

I hope to get involved with this. Anyone else out there in the trades that want to lend a hand feel free to contact me.

Bob Carr
glhotdogs@verizon.net
231-728-3455

Muskegon didn't Adopt a Precinct

1. “Adopt a Precinct”.



Just called the Mike Nofs' Campaign for an update and talked with Steve Sachs. The campaign is in the middle of their Jobs First Bus Tour of the 19th State Senate District comprised of Jackson and Calhoun Counties. Steve said Mike was excited by the large turnouts he has been seeing. I was excited by the way Mike is conducting this campaign. This Jobs First Bus Tour is a “Bottom Up Politics” type of thing.

I then asked Steve about the “Adopt a Precinct” program and whether they were making headway. I was hoping for something positive. I got more good news than I wanted. Muskegon County no longer has to worry about me pushing the “Adopt a Precinct” program. It’s too late for us. Steve said of the 167 precincts in the 19th Senate District they only have 12 left to fill and they will be filled by the end of the week. Sounds like a lot of counties around the state realized the importance of this race and put their efforts where their mouths were.

From the response I received from Muskegon County, I see that I need to work on my Salesmanship skills. Anyway that is awesome news for the Nofs Campaign. Steve said I was welcome to join up on my own and others also. I’m debating, what about any of you? A little door to door in a foreign county seem like fun? No passport needed.

He also said that the county chairs will be mailed a letter asking for financial help. I told him good luck with that. Lol.

Kudos however to the State Party, Terri Reid and Holly for their roles in making this happen.

As I’ve blogged in the past this election is more important than just getting a better majority in the Senate; it is about showing voters that the Republicans are not dead. It could be about drop kicking some enthusiasm into other close races across the state the following year (2010). For all you sports fans, it is about momentum. This Special Election could be great for the Party. Mike Nofs is a serious fiscal Conservative. This will be a crucial race for us to win.

I feel Mike Nofs seems to have found a way to tap into the angst out there as evidenced by the Tea Party popularity. But make no mistake the Dems will throw everything including the kitchen sink into this race to stop that from happening. Dirty politics won’t take long to emerge. If Mike wins against that onslaught; other Candidates should take note for the elections in 2010.
--------------------------------------------

I Want Specifics

Specifics Specifics I holler. I want some specifics.

Sounds good, I’m getting out there telling everyone what we need. We need specifics, we can’t get anything done without specifics.

OOOOOOPS. What the hell do they expect me to do now? WORK????.

Jack McHugh sent out an email from the Mackinaw Center with a whole list of specifics, three lists to be precise. Damn him anyway. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he works for a think tank or something?

Well all kidding aside, his email is great. His three tools are blueprints on how to gather information on legislators and public officials with questionairs and research links to allow us to become fluent on what our elected officials have done to protect our individual freedoms.

Specifics well here are some links filled up with them.
Links:
http://www.mackinac.org/10508
http://www.mackinac.org/10509
http://www.mackinac.org/10510

Here is the email in full. I must admit to admiring Jack McHugh. I keep comparing him and McCotter to William F Buckley. Just me. Also I didn't put all the links in but just go to the web site I did highlight it's all there.

-----email-----

Friends -

Since the Tea Parties, the questions that everyone has been asking are "what next?" and "what else can we do?"

The Mackinac Center has posted three important tools with some answers. All three are now live on Mackinac.org.

The first is "Tea Party Activists have Attitude," and it describes the 'tude they should have to change the incentives on members of the political class.
(First item: "Tea Party activists aren't impressed that their politician is a 'nice guy.' They're all 'nice guys' - get over it, and hold them accountable for their deeds rather than their smile.")

The second installment is called "Ten Minute Tea Party Activist" and it lists 10 specific actions activists can do.
These are more sophisticated than the usual "civic creed" nostrums - I think you will like. This list is now live on Mackinac.org (and will be the featured Current Comment on Monday).

Finally, a "Candidate Quesionnaire for Tea Party Activists" provides "hard-to-dodge questions that suggest whether a candidate for the Michigan Legislature actually supports limited government principles."
Emphasis on "hard to dodge" - these go way beyond the "Do you support tax and spending cuts?" that they all say "yes" to, and which tell you nothing.

Please don't hesitate to spread these tools far and wide.

Thanks for all you do.

Regards,

Jack McHugh
----------

Now I know this email was about more than political parties. It was to give us the tools to hold our political parties and the individual politicians in them accountable to the people and to conservative ideas of fiscal responsibility thru smaller government.

I post this email, these tools on this blog as I see them as a prime way for PDs to educate themselves about candidates so we can influence our party and people we know to influence elections in order to elect officials who better reflect what we want.

The Macinac Center is at the forefront not only State wide but nationally of formulating conservative solutions to the problems of the day. They luckily were in position with the infrastructure in place to help lead this ground swell and not let is waste itself upon the shore.

If you have time also check out their recent study and videos on Michigan’s Film Initiative. Mac Center are the ones leading the charge in putting out viable solutions. Their three “tools” are a great example. They have been doing this ground-breaking stuff for a long time now.

There is another Jack out there in right field and his name is Jack Hoegendyk a blogger and ex congressman from around Kazoo who has been fighting and continues to fight the good fight for common sense government since I can remember.
I also got the following email from him. Echoing the other Jack’s remarks. I saw them both by the way at the Tea Party in Lansing.

-----email-----

What Do These "Tea-party"
People Stand For?

If you haven't already figured it out, the tea-party movement is not a passing fad. Excitement and passion for real change is growing; the April 15th events were not the climax, but the beginning.

The word 'change' has been used to the point were it has practically lost its meaning, but the tea parties have demonstrated that taxpayers are not looking for change to come from government, they want to bring change TO government.

This movement has grown to where it may lead to a realignment of political parties. I have been hearing since 2007, when Republicans went along with the tax and fee increases and enacted them into law, that we have only two options as voters: Democrat and Democrat-light.

It is time elected officials wake up and realize this is real. Voters will be looking for something very different in candidates for office in 2010 and they won't be easily fooled. They will be seeking candidates who believe in:
• Individual Liberty
• Personal Responsibility
• Limited Government
• Economic Freedom
Voters believe government has grown too large, spends too much, taxes too much and intrudes into every aspect of their lives: their schools, their homes, their businesses, and their private property. They want a government that protects their constitutionally guaranteed rights to life, liberty and property. Voters are looking for candidates who value the rule of law and the protection of human life from conception to natural death.

Right now, neither party has the interests of the voters and taxpayers at heart. Voters are convinced that elected officials, regardless of party are concerned first and foremost about their next election, and that they only listen to the lobbyists and special interests, the takers who continue to demand more dollars from the state coffers.

If I were an elected official, I would be nervous, if not worried. Incumbency will have less value than it has in many years, and it may even be a detriment. Voters will be demanding accountability; they will be asking questions and expecting answers, not platitudes. Party affiliation will not help either. Candidates in "safe" districts will not be able to assume that if they win the primary, they have the election in the bag. None of the old rules will apply. It will be a very interesting election year.

I welcome your feedback, feel free to send me a note.


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Find out who stands between you and higher taxes. Read about the latest tax and fee schemes being proposed in the legislature...and MORE!

www.JackForMichigan.org
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Sorry the graphics didn't come thru. Go to his blog it is great.

I don’t know what else to say but join the revolution. Let's Organize and Bring Change TO Government. It's spring and time to start pruning.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative.

Grass Roots and Gardening

We , the Muskegon County Republican party had it’s first ever Precinct Delegate Workshop. This was a spur of the moment event trying to tie it in with the Jon Huntsman Dinner a half hour later in the day. For not being a formal workshop affair, it came off nicely. I was excited our County Leadership decided to have one.

Click on any pic to enlarge





It was a first step. I hope it was the ice breaker we needed. Christina Acterhoff the Fruitland Township clerk gave a talk. As our County Chair David Farhat said we need to first learn to crawl then walk then run. Well being the unrealistic, pushy hot head we all know me to be; I’m glad the crawling is over.

Seriously though the people who were there seemed willing to do something. As Marlene Chockley said in her formal Precinct Delegate Workshop she put on in Brighton that I attended; “people just need to be asked”. That’s the PDs job, It’s also our job now to quickly get them something to do. Something short easy and quick yet and here is the main point; something important that will help us make a difference come 2010

Pat Uriarte as Chairperson of the PD Committee for the County was there and taking names and talking to the PDs that showed up. At the meeting Susie our Vice Chair said she needed our list of Republicans and possible Republicans contacted and updated. This could be the first official PD job to do. This list needs first to be put in order by Precinct then given in pieces to the PDs we have and whoever else they can recruit to call the people and confirm their address etc. We need to figure out a script to give the PDs along with the names in their precinct. A chain of command to pass the findings on to so the list will actually be changed and become a better tool to get out the vote when the time comes.

The PDs can also use this as a way to get their foot in the door of their precinct.
If you follow this blog you know I’m big on PDs being the backbone of this party. If the National, State , and County Party are willing to listen to PDs they are willing to change. That is the first step. Our County Party Sat. morning took that first step. Now we few, we proud, we PDs that took that step with them need to do the rest of it.

David Farhat sent an email to the PDs congratulating us and suggesting a regular meeting at our headquarters. I would like to see our PD Committee Chair Pat call a meeting of PDs to discuss that or an email thing.

I would like to try to set up a formal PD Workshop designed on more of a how to basis instead of a goal oriented one. David Farhat’s suggestion for a regular meeting could be about the startegy for the election and deciding what the PDs should do and what they can and will do etc.

The main thing at this point is to work with the PDs we have. Get them what they can use, like precinct maps and any lists of republicans in their precincts. Susie started with a list of PDs. Check out my side bar and I have other useful stuff to navigate your precincts. The main thing is the old standby question. What Can I Do Today? That has gotten me off my feet more often than not. Just walking around a couple of blocks looking at my neighbors, and maybe just saying hi to someone works. Anything is better than nothing.

Hopefully this blog site can serve as a tool to help us live up to its name.

Organize-Take Muskegon Back.

Regards, Live Dangerously.




After that there was a nice luncheon with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr of Utah. Nice to see in person someone who might be running for President in 2012. I was too fired up by the PD thing, I enjoyed the networking this luncheon provided. Got some good talk with Jim McCormick and Goeff Hansen. Oh yeah Mr. Yob brought his guy with him who is running for Gov. and showed him around. Like I said I was having more fun talking to the real people there.

After the PD Workshop I changed clothes and was able to help out at a service project put on by the new Blue Sky Lions club of Muskegon. Helped my friends in my neighborhood; Morning Bear, Pastor Phillips and fellow gardeners had a chance to get some dirt and lumber to build some raised beds on our garden we started last year at Pastor Phillips’ Love Fellowship Baptist Church with his blessing and help.

Below some before pic.



Next are some during pics.





Next are some after pics. We did good.





As you can see from the pictures it turned out pretty well. The Lions especially Mike and Sue helped out a lot. Mike Brought the equipment. In the end after the normal struggles we finished before dark. What a great improvement over last year. Don’t get me wrong, the garden did good last year. But this year there will be no stopping us.

A big Bottom Up Salute for all those who helped especially Morning Bear, Pastor Phillips, Al and Mike and Sue.

King of the jungle maybe, but I learned even Lions get tired.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative