Loyalty Pledge to the Oakland County Republican Forum

While I was in Troy at the Oakland County Republican Forum, Setting the Record Straight presentation, I picked up a membership form. I was thinking of joining, until I noticed the pledge at the bottom of the form. I realized too how far apart Democrats and Republicans are on the social issues of the day, at least as defined by the far right wing of the Republican party.

'Right to work' petition looks unlikely

Dems dogging DeRoche

Political Activist Facing Charges

Activist faces charges after scuffle with police

Activist faces charges after scuffle with police
By Sandra Armbruster
Eccentric Staff Writer

A Rochester Hills Democrat claims that his arrest Monday at a meeting of the Troy-Clawson Republican Forum was politically motivated.

“I did nothing wrong. I will be vindicated,” said Bruce Fealk.

Fealk faces three charges of assaulting a police officer, trespassing, and hindering and resisting arrest. All are misdemeanors punishable by a 90-day sentence, if convicted.

Fealk’s attorney, Paul Stevenson, said Fealk will have to make a court appearance in the case by March 12.

Troy Police confirmed the incident happened, but would not name Fealk as the person arrested, since he was allowed to post a bond and not face an arraignment on what are disorderly conduct charges.

The arrest at the Troy Community Center came after Fealk tried to videotape a forum meeting that featured a panel discussion on Black History Month and civil rights.

Lt. Gerry Scherlinck said a forum “representative told him that it (videotaping) was not allowed. He refused to stop, leave.”

At that point, the community center manager was summoned by forum organizers, who reportedly told Fealk that he would have to stop or leave the building.
Police were called, Scherlinck said, who reiterated that he would have to stop videotaping.

“He refuses, and there was a struggle between him and a police officer,” according to Scherlinck.

Stevenson said that incidents, such as Fealk’s, are sometimes used “to try to criminalise political activity and political speech.” In this case, he said, the city attorney may deem the incident doesn’t merit the “time and taxpayer’s dollars” to pursue.

A political activist, Fealk has actively campaigned against Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg from Bloomfield Township.

According to 9th District Republican Committee Chairman Glenn Clark, Fealk has a record of harassing local elected officials, which prompted forum organizers to call the authorities.

In a Rochester Hills parade, Fealk wore a papier mache head of Knollenberg. He also has demonstrated in front of Knollenberg’s house.

“Mr. Fealk is a radical political activist who knows no boundaries,” Clark said in an e-mail.

Clark says that Fealk is raising funds and campaigning for Democrat Gary Peters, who is challenging Knollenberg for the 9th U.S. House seat. He also called for Peters to say whether he is “with Fealk or against him.”

“I support him (Peters), but I’m not working for him,” Fealk said. He later said that Clark “was technically right, I have raised money for him...But as a citizen, I’m not connected with him.”

The incident was “totally unfair and totally political,” he said, adding that he has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union.


sarmbruster@hometownlife.com | (248) 901-2585

How Greeen is Joe?

Today's Metro Times has an article, "How Green is Your Candidate?" Mike Brownfield, Joe Knollenberg's campaign manager feels Joe is being unfairly graded.

But Mike Brownfield, Joe Knollenberg's (R-Bloomfield Hills) campaign manager, says the league's scorecard is.

"This is just another politically motivated hit job by a group with a long-standing record of attacking Republicans," he says. Knollenberg has supported cleaning up the Rouge River, protecting the Great Lakes and improving Oakland County's drinking water during his career — actions and positions that are not reflected in the league's scorecard. "Frankly, it's shocking that they don't consider any of that work," Brownfield says.

To read the National Environmental Scorecard for 2007, go to www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Michigan Job s at Stake: Pass Granholm's Renewable Energy Plan Now

It's time for action in the Michigan legislature on a renewable energy requirement and the time to act is now. Governor Granholm is right, that delays will cost good paying jobs in Michigan. Let's get behind the Governor and demand action from the Republicans in the state Senate.

Plan would boost hiring of Michigan workers

Thank you to Michigan Democrats for proposing some legislation that just makes sense. I'm so sick of reading stories about good jobs being outsourced to low-wage countries. It's about time that we start standing up for Michigan workers and the middle class in this country. Thanks you Michigan House Democrats for standing up for middle class, Michiganders. I hope this package of bills doesn't got to the Senate to die.

Oakland County candidates file to put names on May ballot

DeRoche Recall Petition Rejected

Skinner drops bid for Congress in 9th District

Skinner drops bid for Congress in Oakland County

2/25/2008, 5:29 p.m. ET The Associated Press

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — Democrat Nancy Skinner is no longer running for Congress in Oakland County.

The former radio talk show host lost to Republican Representative Joe Knollenberg in a close race in 2006.

She was expected to face former state lottery commissioner Gary Peters this year in the Democratic primary in the 9th District, which includes parts of Oakland County.

Skinner announced her decision to withdraw Monday.

She says Democrats need to rally behind Peters, who was beating her in fundraising. Skinner says a costly primary would have jeopardized Democrats' chances of beating Knollenberg in November.

Knollenberg is a major target for Democrats.

Skinner says she will devote more time to her consulting business and appear as a commentator on cable TV shows.

Bruce Fealk's testimony to the State Senate Subcommittee on Funding Higher Education

On Friday, February 22, 2008, I drove 4 hours round trip and spent approximately 3 hours on campus at Alma College to have an opportunity to respond to Dennis Lennox's ridiculous assertion that the state delay funding CMU's education budget in response to the hiring of Gary Peters as the Griffin Endowment professor in the political science department.

Birmingham Eccentric: Peters Sides with Workers

Peters sides with workers

Gary Peters has taken a stance for the working man, calling for economic changes in Oakland County and lashing out at Rep. Joe Knollenberg, his Republican rival for the 9th U.S. House seat.

"I will be a strong voice for the working men and women of Oakland County and will fight to bring and protect high-paying jobs and ensure health care is available," Peters said Wednesday at the Pipe Fitters Local 636 in Farmington Hills.

Peters was joined by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen. Several workers were also in attendance to share their stories of struggle.

"Congressman Knollenberg has partnered with the Bush administration in leveling a disastrous economic policy that has undermined the rights of workers, dished out incentives for companies to invest oversees, and stood idly by, watching the exodus of thousands of Michigan jobs," Peters said.

"Gary Peters is a proven problem solver with a record of results for working families. No one will fight harder on behalf of his constituents and for every Michigan job," Van Hollen said. "Whether it's voting to outsource American jobs or blindly supporting the Iraq war, Joe Knollenberg is one of President Bush's most loyal rubber stamps and is out of touch with the struggles and priorities of working families in this district."

Peters and Van Hollen were joined by Dan Pier, who after 31 years of working for Farmer Jack grocery store lost his job.

"Our current congressman believes that Michigan jobs can not be saved," Pier said. "I do not agree with this. Our present situation calls for someone who will work for us in Washington and in Oakland County and not sit idly by as companies undercut wages and prices while our jobs disappear. We need a change in leadership and I know that Gary Peters will put the priorities of working men and women in Oakland County first."

Farmington Eccentric: Vagnozzi booked as 'Legislator of the Year'

Vagnozzi is booked as 'Legislator of the Year'

State Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills, was named 2007 Michigan Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Library Association and was honored at a reception Friday at the Farmington Community Library.

"It means a great deal to me to be honored by the Michigan Library Association," Vagnozzi said. "My work for the libraries of Michigan is connected to my deep respect for the ongoing care and service our libraries provide to people in the community."
Vagnozzi is a lifelong advocate for Michigan libraries. In 2005, he was appointed to the Library of Michigan Board. He also served on the Farmington Community Library Board of Trustees and on the library's Friends of the Library Board. As a City Council member and mayor of Farmington Hills, Vagnozzi fought for funding for the library and endorsed and personally assisted with at least four local library millage campaigns.

Since his time in the Michigan House of Representatives, Vagnozzi has worked to sustain funding for libraries as chairman of the House Appropriations History, Arts and Libraries Subcommittee.

"Rep. Vagnozzi is a champion for libraries," said Gretchen Couraud, Michigan Library Association executive director. "He has worked extremely hard for funding for our state libraries and truly believes, as we do, that libraries are the catalysts that connect people to technology and information in the community."

The Michigan Library Association is a professional organization dedicated to the support of its members, to the advancement of librarianship, and to the promotion of quality library service for all Michigan citizens. MLA's membership is comprised of nearly 2,200 individual and institutional members from public, academic, private and special libraries.

Greimel and Rogers: Counties benefit from bigger Cobo Center

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW COBO IMPASSE

Commissioners: Counties benefit from bigger Cobo Center

BY TIM GREIMEL and MIKE ROGERS
• February 22, 2008

The economic imperative for expanding Cobo Center is clear. According to a study by economist David Sowerby, more than 16,600 jobs are directly tied to Cobo activities. Almost 5,000 of those jobs are in Oakland County. Moreover, 80% of the jobs are directly tied to the annual North American International Auto Show, and organizers of the auto show have long warned that, without an expansion of Cobo, the show would be forced to move to another state or would be significantly diminished in importance.

Based on reasonable concerns raised by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has revised his Cobo expansion plan to make it more affordable. By reducing the proposed expansion from 270,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet, the new plan costs $100 million less than the previous one.

This and other commonsense changes mean that the hotel and liquor taxes that are currently levied to pay for the last Cobo expansion would only need to be extended for seven years, from their scheduled expiration in 2015 until 2022, in order to pay for the needed expansion and renovation of Cobo.

Activities at Cobo contribute approximately $180 million to Oakland County's economy every year. That constitutes an 18-to-1 annual return on the hotel and liquor taxes that Oakland County hotels, restaurants and bars would pay if the taxes are extended for seven years.

There is room to question a handful of details about Ficano's proposed plan, but Lansing's leaders should not allow squabbling over details, which can easily be resolved, to stand in the way of facilitating the expansion of Cobo and the economic growth and jobs that it provides.

Some will undoubtedly question why our state and region should invest in the City of Detroit in the wake of the scandal that has engulfed Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his administration. But the expansion and renovation of Cobo Center have never been about Kilpatrick. They have always been about fostering economic growth in southeast Michigan.

Now more than ever, it is critically important that we invest in our region's economy and create jobs by expanding Cobo.

TIM GREIMEL, D-Rochester Hills, and MIKE ROGERS, R-Farmington Hills, are Oakland County commissioners. Write to them in care of the Free Press Editorial Page, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226 or at oped@freepress.com.

Lennox Lies to Senate Committee

Yesterday I attended the Michigan Senate Hearing on funding for higher education. (Click here for the story in the Saginaw News.) Dennis Lennox appeared with a couple of his friends. Dennis made a 12 minute presentation to the committee, asking the committee to delay any funding increase for CMU based on his complaint that Gary Peters should not be running for Congress and holding a teaching position at the same time. Unbelievably, Lennox said that his campaign wasn't political, even though he's held press conferences with Saul Anuzis, Chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

I also had a chance to testify and brought up the point that all 3 major candidates for President of the United States are holding publicly funded jobs as Senators and are running for President, with no complaints from the U.S. citizenry. I also brought with me and mentioned to the committee that the CMU budget for Peters' position is $0. It is funded by a private endowment.

I made this little video.

State must dump dirty energy from coal

Stabenow promotes green jobs initiative

City of Pontiac must repay $800,000 in tax revenue

Legislation would heop protect seniors from abuse

Eccentric: County commissioners plan re-election bids

County commissioners plan re-election bids
By Annette Kingsbury STAFF WRITER

Though the filing deadline is still a couple of months away, the four incumbent Oakland County commissioners who represent greater Rochester have all announced they are running for re-election. One of them is facing a challenge from within his own party.
Sue Ann Douglas, R-Rochester, who represents District 12, Michael Gingell, R-Orion Township, District 3, Tim Greimel, D-Rochester Hills, District 11, and Bob Gosselin, R-Troy, District 13, are all seeking re-election. Republican Frank Johnston of Rochester Hills has filed paperwork indicating he will run for Gosselin's seat. He could not be reached for comment.

Gingell, Greimel and Gosselin are all in their first term on the board of commissioners. Douglas is the current commission's longest-serving member.
All four incumbents said the county is facing tough financial challenges due to Michigan's difficult economy. But they all want to stick around to help solve the problem.
"I've been part of the team that has changed Oakland County government and I plan to be there to finish the job," Douglas said. "We have made Oakland the premier county in the nation by reforming the way we operate. ... I'd like to be there to help guide Oakland County through this difficult time and continue to reform Oakland County operations."
Gingell, whose district includes Oakland Township, said he will continue to work on government efficiency. Click here for the rest of the story.

Detroits News Covers Van Hollen Campaigning with Gary Peters

Dems step up efforts to unseat Knollenberg

Democratic candidate Gary Peters, party leader join forces at local rally in bid to oust GOP veteran.

Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau

FARMINGTON HILLS -- Democrats on Wednesday previewed their line of attack in what promises to be one of the nation's hottest congressional races, when a top party campaign official came to Oakland County promoting Gary Peters' bid to unseat veteran Rep. Joe Knollenberg.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, stopped with Peters at a Pipefitters & Steamfitters Local 636 to rally organized labor support before attending a Peters' fundraiser later in the day. Van Hollen, whose job is to expand Democrats' narrow House majority, said the combination of a changing Oakland County district and Knollenberg's support of President Bush make the seat ripe for a takeover.

"If you look at the political constituency here, it's one we think is very up for change," Van Hollen said. The fact that Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, won a narrow 2006 victory over a relatively unknown and underfunded challenger, and Democratic polling showing Knollenberg with a low approval rating, "make it pretty clear that there's a huge amount of discontent with the incumbent," Van Hollen said.

The DCCC heavily recruited Peters, the former state lottery commissioner, to challenge Knollenberg, despite the fact that the 2006 challenger, Nancy Skinner, is running again this year. Skinner held Knollenberg to just 52 percent of the vote despite having almost no name recognition when the race began.

In addition to Van Hollen, Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, has traveled to Michigan to help Peters raise money, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has a spring visit planned. The DCCC's aid means fundraising assistance and the possibility of independent advertising in support of Peters as the election nears.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.

Peters Ramping Up Effort Against Knollenberg

Politically Speaking: Skinner: All-star, but can she hit? No!

In today's Detroit Free Press, the Politically Speaking column covers Nancy Skinners being the DFA All-star, but they also mention she only had $6700 as of the end of December in cash on hand.

Click here for the story.

An All-Star, but can she hit?

Nancy Skinner of Royal Oak got a boost in her challenge to Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg last week.

Democracy for America, a progressive blog, named Skinner its 2008 All-Star among 98 candidates for Congress. It could bring Skinner much-needed campaign cash. She reported only $6,785 in her campaign fund at the end of 2007, compared with Knollenberg's $1,035,640.

Skinner's Democratic rival for the seat, ex-lottery commissioner Gary Peters, reported $358,516.

Peters is to campaign today with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Levin: Michigan's Delegates Will Be Seated

Governor Jennifer Granholm at the Activate '08 Conference

I was fortunate enough to attend the Activate'08 conference in East Lansing on Saturday at MSU. It was mostly young college students and a couple golden oldies. This is the video of Governor Granholm's presentation to the group.

MCRI/Proposal 2 may be struck down by federal judge

I don't normally quote things from right wing blogs, but this is good news.

From OutsideLansing.com (Chetley Zarko) I know. I know, but this is worth reading.

Folks, the name of my first blog was (still is) Power, Politics, & Money. That derives from a quote from a lawyer who once told me in reference to judges and rulings that "There is no law. Only power, politics, & money." The inference is obvious. Judges more often judge based on politics, and even occasionally are bought.

So in a lawsuit founded on the thinnest reeds of truth and the longest stretches of imagination, forces have been waiting for a local federal district judge to rule on the federal constitutionality of MCRI, which Michigan voters passed 58% - 42% in 2006. The 6th Circuit Appellate Court above this judge has already issued a ruling that the case is unlikely to succeed on its merits, but when you're a liberal appointee you owe your political career to the cause, and Judge Lawson has been giving signs in recent hearings and procedural calls that he will rule against MCRI, invalidating the will of the Michigan people because he knows better than them.

Here, Peter Schmidt, an excellent and neutral writer (too neutral at times), explains the hints and indicators.

Michigan's Proposal 2 ban on affirmative-action preferences, passed by 58 percent of that state's voters in November 2006, seems somewhat likely to be ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson in the coming weeks or months. Not only did Judge Lawson previously issue a decision--later overturned--to temporarily block the enforcement of Proposal 2, he also has made several procedural calls against advocates of the measure in handling two lawsuits (later joined into one) seeking to have it overturned. Moreover, when Judge Lawson held a February 7 hearing on whether the cases should go to trial, both his line of questioning and the procedural calls he made suggested that advocates of Proposal 2 weren't exactly on his Valentine's Day shopping list. Throw all of these tea leaves together, and it's no big leap to read them as portending that Lawson will strike down Proposal 2 in a summary judgment (without holding a trial).

If Judge Lawson does issue a summary judgment ruling Proposal 2 unconstitutional, two developments are almost certain: An appeal of his ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the onset of headache-inducing confusion in Michigan as state agencies try to decide whether to comply with Proposal 2 while its legality remains up in the air.

One of the lawsuits challenging Proposal 2, filed by the NAACP and ACLU, argues that it violates the Equal Protection Clause by essentially walling off racial and ethnic minorities from receiving the same sorts of admissions preferences that public colleges give to other subsets of the population, such as military veterans or the children of alumni. The other lawsuit, filed by the group By Any Means Necessary, argues that, without affirmative action, college admissions criteria irremediably discriminate against black, Hispanic, and Native American applicants, so Proposal 2 has the effect of imposing a discriminatory system.

Judges on the Sixth Circuit have already expressed skepticism toward these arguments, concluding in a December 2006 ruling that they did not see any reason to forestall enforcement of Proposal 2 because they did not think the arguments made against it will prevail in the federal courts. And similar arguments were ultimately rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit--in a decision that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to reconsider--in cases challenging California's Proposition 209, a 1996 ballot measure with language very similar to Proposal 2. So if Judge Lawson strikes down Proposal 2, the setback may well only be a temporary one.

Shame on US. Is this how we should do health care?

I was watching 60 Minutes Sunday night and they did a story about Denmark's astoundingly happy people. One of the reasons Danes are so happy is that they never have to worry about their health care, how to pay for college, senior care, it's all paid for by the government. Students even get paid to go to school and there are full maternity and paternity benefits. I know to Republicans this is blasphemy, but look at this article I found today. Do you think this is how people living in the richest country in the world should have to pay for health related costs, like recovery after a debilitating ilness? I say no. We can do better.

Couple battle husband's illness

Life changes fast.

You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends. -- Joan Didion

Life changed for Gregg Glowacz and his wife, Victoria, on July 15, after an afternoon on the Detroit River watching the hydroplane races. After 23 years of marriage, they were full of love and life, a pair of 52-year-olds getting home to the suburbs on a Harley.

And no, life didn't change in an instant because of the motorcycle. Only back at home, safe in their Royal Oak colonial, did the pain begin to mount in Gregg's head, a throbbing pain that took him down, writhing, to the floor. She called 911. His job, as director for ambulatory services at Beaumont, overseeing services at the hospital's satellite offices, was only two weeks old. For a year before that, he'd worked in a similar job at a Chicago hospital, hoping to return to Detroit, thrilled to finally get "a dream job" here.

For seven months now, Gregg Glowacz has been in residence at Beaumont, now as a patient. The headache was a cerebral aneurysm. There was a surgery, and a blissful day or two when he was talking and moving. And then, 48 hours later, two cruel strokes that took away his speech, his motor skills, and, at times, all hope.

Hard, steady progress

"Why did this happen to me?"

That's the question anyone would ask, that Gregg forms without words for his wife. Mentally, he is alert and all there. But it's been two months of hard, steady progress in physical therapy and, then, transfer to a convalescent home (the insurer insisted) and a setback of fever, pneumonia, and physical reversals.

But no one's life has ended. He is still very much alive, alert, struggling to regain the use of his limbs.

Victoria Glowacz -- everyone calls her Vicky -- is a mammogram technician at the hospital. She's blonde and lively -- the kind of woman who spotted her future husband in a hospital corridor and, when he didn't take the hint, asked him out. Now she is determined to keep working with him, to spend "every cent we have on physical therapy, if that's what it takes."

Event will help with costs

Their friends -- and they have many -- are trying to help. Lauret Cwiek, who first met the couple two decades ago, at the Oxford Inn where she still works as a server, e-mailed me and then called, persistently, to say her friends are terrific people whose lives have been upended. She's hustled, along with others, to create an event to help with all the expenses of Gregg's return home. It's Friday, at the Elks Lodge, 1451 E. Big Beaver, from 7 p.m. (Call (248) 689-2500 for more information.)

Oakland Commissioners Newsletter

In doing research for this new blog about politics in Oakland county, I've been going over the Oakland county commissioners' web site. Most of the commissioners have a template newsletter. However, an interesting observation is very evident. The newsletter hasn't been updates since the spring of 2007. Hasn't anything happened worthy of being in the newsletter and conveyed to the citizens of Oakland county for almost a year?

Let's focus some sun shine on our county government and ask for at least 4 newsletters per year with information relevant to Oakland county residents.

It does appear that Commissioner Coulter has updated his newsletter as of the fall of 2007.

Monday, February 18 Stories

There is a wealth of political news today. The Oakland Press covers local Dems and their reaction to the tight race for the Democratic nomination. Katie Jacobs, prolific Letter to the Editor writer, urges Democrats to stand up to President Bush, a feeling I share. This could be a big week in the push to start impeachment hearings also. Democratic activists have been meeting with Congressman Conyers and word on the street is it's starting to sway him to start hearings.

The Detroit News covers the weekend Republican state convention, where Republicans acknowledge, they're in for a rough year.


CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.

Detroit News covers the Republican state convention
State GOP gathers, digs in for 'tough year'
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
LANSING -- The Michigan Republican Party kicked off its convention here this weekend with a prayer to "deliver us from liberalism and secular humanism" and for "the election of conservative Republicans."
It's unclear whether the Almighty will be offering any aid come November, but the GOP will need some sort of help if it's to endure what is shaping up as a difficult 2008 election season.
"We're definitely on the defensive," said Michael Brown, an assistant prosecutor from Monroe and one of the 3,000 or so local activists milling around the convention floor at the Lansing Center. From those grass-roots Republicans to the top of the state party leadership, there were acknowledgements that a number of factors point to a challenging year:
• In the presidential race, the state GOP lost what may have been its best chance to carry Michigan for the first time in 20 years when Mitt Romney bowed out this month.
• In the U.S. Senate race, a popular incumbent with a huge financial advantage -- Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit -- makes the all-but-certain GOP challenger, state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, among the longest of long shots among Senate hopefuls across the country.
• Democrats are targeting two Republican-held U.S. House seats, promising to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into bids to unseat veteran Rep. Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Township and freshman Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton.

Katie Jacobs urges Democrats to stand up to President Bush on FISA

Join Andy Meisner as he launches his campaign for County Treaurer

Andy Meisner for Oakland County Treasurer!

Event Information

Andy Meisner, Democratic Candidate for Oakland County Treasurer Click here to RSVP

Join Andy for beer and pizza at Como's Restaurant & Pizzeria (22812 Woodward at 9 Mile) in Ferndale on Monday February 18, from 7PM to 9PM. This is a campaign kick-off event and all Troy Dems members are invited. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

Elected in 2002, Andy Meisner began his political career as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman Sandy Levin. He was responsible for policy relating to crime, community-oriented policing, community coalitions, drug courts, unemployment compensation, and foreign affairs including the Middle East. Andy also is co-founder of the Michigan Democratic Action Network, a grassroots organization with members in Michigan and Washington, D.C., that works to engage young adults in the political process.

Andy received accolades from the Michigan Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) for "demonstrating outstanding leadership and advocacy for support of education on behalf of children and youth." He also received an Environmental Leadership Award by the League of Conservation Voters for having a 100% rating on their 2003 Michigan Legislative Scorecard.

He lives in Ferndale with his wife, Johnna.

Rochester City Council to Screen Manager Candidates

Council to screen manager candidates
By Annette Kingsbury
STAFF WRITER

Rochester City Council will hold a rare Saturday meeting Feb. 23 to review applications for the vacant city manager position.

More than 50 people have applied for the job. Mayor Stuart Bikson said the council will review all the applications, though consultant Mark Nottley will do some pre-screening. Bikson said he's pleased with the interest in the job.

"We have had tremendous response from people all over the country," he said. "We think we are going to have an outstanding city manager to take over. ... We are very confident that very soon we are going to have a new city manager."

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the municipal building. 400 Sixth St. Interim City Manager John Hiller said the names of the applicants will not be released Saturday. Rather, each will be assigned a number.

Oakland County Commissioners Minutes 2/7 Meeting

Click here to read the minutes of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting from February 7, 2008.

Jessica Cooper announces run for County Prosecutor

Jessica Cooper, former circuit court judge, to run for Oakland prosecutor
by Greg Kowalski
staff writer

Former Oakland County Circuit Judge Jessica Cooper will run for Oakland County prosecutor on the Democratic ticket.

Speaking at the Race Relations & Diversity Task Force meeting this morning at The Community House in Birmingham Dave Woodward, chairman of the Oakland County Democratic Party, said Cooper “has the credentials... and name recognition” to capture the seat, which is being vacated by David Gorcyca, who is not seeking re-election.

Woodward also said she has the fund-raising ability to run a successful campaign.

Cooper, a Bingham Farms resident, achieved national attention in 1999 when she presided over the trial of Jack Kevorkian, ultimately sentencing him to 10 to 25 years in prison for one of his assisted suicides. In 2001 she was elected to the state Court of Appeals, from which she resigned earlier this year.

She received a law degree from Wayne State University.

Gorcyca was elected prosecutor in 1996.

Cooper could not be reached for comment Thursday morning.

Woodward was speaking at the Task Force meeting with Dennis Cowan, chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party, on the topic of how important voting is no matter which party you favor.

Andy Meisner considering run against Patrick Dohany for County Treasuer

Lawmaker urges creation of county land bank

By CHARLES CRUMM

Of The Oakland Press

State Rep. Andy Meisner says it's time Oakland County Treasurer Patrick Dohany created a land bank to help put the brakes on the rising number of foreclosures in the county.

The Ferndale Democrat, who cannot seek another term in the state House because of term limits, has been approached to run against Dohany, a Republican, this year.

"I've got a lot of constituents in Ferndale, and in Pleasant Ridge and Huntington Woods, who are suffering," Meisner said. "I'm a little upset. I want those programs for Oakland County."

A land bank program exists in Genesee County. A government land bank manages, disposes of or redevelops property that has been foreclosed but not sold at government auction.

There were roughly 8,000 Oakland County foreclosures in 2007.

Dohany, the county treasurer, said his office has been looking at creating a land bank for more than a month.

Oakland Press covers Oakland Races

Sunday's Oakland Press had this story about how Democrats have an edge in picking up term-limited seats in the Michigan House this year. Click here for the rest of the story.

Something weird going on at Oakland Politics

This video of a Glenn Clark interview with Jim Thienel is on www.oaklandpolitics.com. I saw it, watched it and made comments. There were 8 comments on the video about Glenn Clark, specifically one of the comments was about the fact that Glenn Clark is on the payroll of John McCain while serving as the chair of the Republican 9th District Comittee. Click here to view the FEC report. Chetly Zarko, the owner of Oakland Politics, has taken down the comments without explaining why. Very interesting. Click here for the posting on Oakland Politics.
You will note that it says there are 8 comments, but when you go to the comments page, no comments appear.

Oakland Right Interviews Glenn Clark, Chair of 9th District Republican Committee (+) by: chetly Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 02:59:06 AM EST

Here's a video of Glenn Clark, which will appear on The Oakland Right cable access show. Clark gives us insight into his and the 9th District's plans and activities.

Discuss :: (8 Comments)

Oakland Democratic Politics Blog Debuts

Let it be so. Phil Reid suggested it and now it's a reality. So post away. I can grant posting rights to you if you would like to post here.