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April 2016
Chair-Jackie Champlin 616-984-2648 Vice-Chair Caleb Robbins
Secretary – Kris Millard Treasurer – Marty Posekany 616-225-9264
Republican Update
Montcalm County Republican E-Flyer
Editor: Mici Bos Please e-mail articles for submission to [email protected]
Abbreviated summary of the March
2016 MCRP meeting: Meeting was held on March 22, 2016, at 6:00 pm.
Minutes of the February 2015 meeting were approved.
OFFICER’S REPORTS: Chair Jackie reported the good
news that the next state convention, which will be in
August, will be in Grand Rapids. Treasurer Marty
provided written report. Moved and received approval to
pay two bills.
COMMUNICATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA: Caleb reported
that he is coordinating with membership to have
information posted on our Facebook page. Also looking
at putting candidate and election information on our page
if they desire. Andrea asked about getting our Facebook
and Twitter information in the LDD Program.
LINCOLN EVENT: Andrea Krause and Lori Wilson
reported. We need a first LDD ticket sales head-count
tonight to see how we are doing. There will be round
tables at the LDD and a table of eight will be $260 and a
table of ten will be $320. You can buy these tables and
have them reserved for you group. Candidate tables are
available for $25.
DANISH FESTIVAL: Our usual space at Veterans Park
has been reserved for our booth/tent during the Danish
Festival. We will have a sign-up sheet at the next
meeting for those who want to volunteer for that as well
as those wanting to volunteer for parades this year.
ELECTED OFFICIALS: Representative Outman spoke
on budget issues, Detroit Public Schools, Flint Water
Crisis, and DEQ etc. Andrea Krause said she will be
running for reelection. Lori Wilson says the Register of
Deeds Office is very busy with projects. She has been
appointed by the Governor, to the Electronic Recording
Commission for the DTMB. Kristen Millard says the
Clerk’s Office is very busy with election work and the
budget issues. Sandy Raines states she is running for
reelection for Drain Commissioner. Mike Williams says
Sheriff Barnwell is retiring. County Commissioner
Chair Patrick Carr reminded us that the Headlee
Override proposal failed and Chris Hyzer leaves at the
end of the month. They are looking for creative solutions
to the budget problems.
Adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to get ready for the County
Convention.
County Convention called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Kris Millard called the roll of the 4th District Precinct
Delegates. Business continued with the selection of
delegates and alternates to the upcoming State
Convention.
Adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Senator Judy Emmons addressed the group and spoke
about the Detroit Public Schools issue.
Veteran’s Corner I have been busy attending committee hearings
for testimony in Lansing the past two weeks. Many of you
have seen or heard of the scathing performance audit that
was conducted on the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
by the Office of the Auditor General. The audit was
released on 18 February 2016. On 19 February the
current (at that time) MVAA Director, Jeff Barnes
resigned. On 19 February Governor Snyder appointed
James Robert Redford as interim director for MVAA,
effective 22 February.
Most of us know Jim Redford and I am very
pleased that he was selected to lead the MVAA and
correct this deeply troubling issue. He has presented well
at the hearings and is truly focused on getting to the
bottom of this and moving forward to ensure our
deserving Veterans receive the quality care they deserve
in the quality environment they need.
If you have never been to Lansing and observed
or participated in testimony or hearings before I urge you
to do so. Get involved – be involved! In case you didn’t
know, our state representative and senator are involved.
Representative Rick Outman serves on the House
Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Senator
Judy Emmons is Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on
Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
Several of these house and senate committee hearings
have been joint hearings with the House Oversight and
Ethics and the Senate Oversight Committees.
Please join me in supporting Jim Redford in this
endeavor. He is committed to getting this fixed and doing
the right thing – not the political thing. During her
testimony, Theresa Robinson, a Navy Veterans and
Commander of the United Veterans Council of Kent
County stated a quote from John F. Kennedy, “Let us not
seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer,
but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for
the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the
future.”
Moolenaar to Present Vietnam Veterans Pins on May 4 On Wednesday, May 4, Congressman John Moolenaar will
present veterans of the Vietnam War from Michigan’s 4th
Congressional District with the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary
Commemorative Lapel Pin as a thank-you and lasting keepsake
for their service and sacrifice for our nation. Pins are available to
any veteran who served during the Vietnam War years. The 4th
Congressional District is made up of 15 counties: All of Clare,
Clinton, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee,
Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon, Shiawassee, and Wexford
counties, and parts of Montcalm and Saginaw counties.
Details of the event are provided below:
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Finch Fieldhouse at Central Michigan University
1200 South Franklin Street
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858
To RSVP for the event, veterans should go to
https://moolenaar.house.gov/vietnamveterans or
call Representative Moolenaar's Midland office at 989-631-2552.
Full House at Update By Shirley Pool
Both rooms 303 and 305 were opened up to
accommodate the people who attended the February 22,
2016 Legislative Update at Montcalm Community College
in Sidney. Included in Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed
budget for 2017 is Section 298. Tammy Quillan passed
out information stating:
This proposed change that has not had any research or
analysis would transfer management responsibilities of all
Medicaid behavioral health dollars ($3 billion) from the
current publicly managed PIHP system to the privately
managed Medicaid health plans by the end of FY17. This
change would significantly harm an already underfunded
system of care for Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens. It
also went on to show that the current cost for
administration and partial risk reserves is 6% or
$180,000,000, but would increase to 15-17% or
$450,000,000 -$510,000,000 that would be spent on
administration, profit, marketing and risk reserves. Quillan
also estimated it would cost our county about 40
Montcalm County jobs and would mean less money being
spent on the people it is meant to help. This proposal
change results is roughly $300,000,000 less for services
and supports for Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens.
This budget is still in committee and Senator Emmons
and Representative Outman were not familiar with these
changes. The legislators were not able to provide a
response at today’s meeting but will be looking into this
along with the upcoming budget issues.
The Flint Water Crisis has been a hot topic on the news.
Outman noted that Governor Snyder has always had a
mantra of no credit, no blame, but instead to fix the
problem. He is committed to providing every Flint citizen
with clean, safe drinking water. The water crisis is a
complete disaster. The plan will cost $195 million. There
is money set aside to pay 65 percent of water bills and it
would be used as a credit and will keep the water plant
fully funded for a two-year period. $37 million for safe
water, $15 million for food and nutrition, $63 million for
treatment of children with high lead blood levels and hold
$50 million in reserve for a total of $232 million. There
are safe guards and caps that would be put in place.
There are safeguards the legislature will put in place. This
is the proposed budget as put forth by Governor Rick
Snyder, but the legislature still has to approve it.
Congressman John Moolenaar places much of the blame
of the Flint water crisis on the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The courts have put a hold on some of the
over reach of the EPA. He said the next president will
appoint the next director of the organization, so it is very
important who we elect in November. The Congress is
currently working on their budget as well. They hope to
have it done by spring and then they would move on to 12
appropriations as to how the money will be spent. He is
favor of the Pell Grants to be awarded year around, so as
not to place barriers in place for students who wish to
attend school in the summer.
Commissioner Betty Kellenberger, U. S. Congressman John Moolenaar,
Prosecuting Attorney Andrea Krause, Commissioner John Johansen and
Executive Director of Montcalm Care Network Tammy Quillan, MPA
In speaking about the VA, Moolenaar noted the system is
outdated and parts of it should modernized so that
veterans can go to doctors and hospitals that are closer to
their home.
Commissioner Dale Reyburn would like to see tax reform
that would make taxation fairer between the top 1% of the
people and the other 99%. Moolenaar explained he would
like to see off-shore money from businesses brought back
in the United States to pay their fair share.
The other big topic is the Detroit Schools. The state will
have to bail the Detroit School System to keep them out
of bankruptcy in order to provide an education to the
students. Gov. Snyder estimates it will take $715 million
to pay off the debt and another $200 million to help
transition to a new entity. If the schools do go into
bankruptcy, it will cost even more to pay the debt with an
estimate of $1.6 billion to $3.4 billion. Between the Flint
Water Crisis and the Detroit Public Schools, the
legislature is looking at a lot of dollars being spent in their
budget.
Important dates to remember
May 3, 2016, Filing deadline 4 pm at County Clerks
office.
Interested in becoming active in the Montcalm County
Republican Party (MCRP)?
Contact one of the officers listed above or e-mail us at
Secretary Johnson promotes the gift
of life, presents Shining Star awards
Citing an increased need for organ, tissue and eye
donors, especially in Wayne County, Secretary of State
Ruth Johnson today encouraged residents to join the
Michigan Organ Donor Registry.
“With more than 3,500 people awaiting a potentially life-
saving organ transplant, we still need more names on the
registry,” Johnson said as dozens of organ donation
volunteers visited Secretary of State offices statewide to
encourage people to sign up. “This is especially true in
Wayne County, where one-third of all adults waiting for a
transplant reside, and where 39 percent of adults are
listed on the registry, compared to nearly 55 percent of
adults statewide.”
Johnson was joined by Rick Hillbom, interim CEO for Gift
of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue recovery
program; Diana Kern, executive director for Eversight
Michigan, the state’s cornea and eye tissue recovery
program; those waiting for an organ, and family members
whose loved ones donated organs to save the lives of
strangers.
Johnson presented Shining Star Awards to Deacon
Lawrence Bailey, the Rev. Ronald Copeland and Artelia
Griggs for their work with the Angels for Life program.
Angels for Life reaches out through churches and other
houses of worship to share the need for organ donors. All
three of the awardees have been instrumental in sharing
the message in Detroit and Wayne County, according to
Gift of Life Michigan. Bailey is a kidney recipient.
Copeland is a liver recipient and Griggs is a donor
mother.
Johnson also announced the statewide Transplant Center
Challenge, a competition between each of Michigan’s
nine transplant centers to see who can add the most new
donors to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry over the
next year. Four of the transplant centers are located in
Wayne County, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan,
Harper University Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital and St.
John Hospital and Medical Center.
Johnson returns to Haviland Elementary On March 30, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson went back
to her Waterford elementary school to talk about the
woman for whom the school was named – Laura Smith
Haviland.
Haviland was an abolitionist who opened the first
integrated school in the country, called the Raisin
Institute, in Raisin Township in Lenawee County. She
also helped slaves escape on the Underground Railroad,
traveling throughout the country to assist those in need.
Johnson introduced 350 kindergarten-to-fifth grade
students to a brief history of Mrs. Haviland and the
importance of her work.
Lori Wilson Appointed to Electronic
Recording Commission By Shirley Pool
Montcalm County Register of Deeds Lori Wilson was
recently appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the
Electronic Recording Commission. The Commission is
housed within the Michigan Department of Technology,
Management and Budget and establishes standards and
practices so that county registers of deeds are consistent
with the standards and practices of offices in other
jurisdictions. Wilson will serve on the commission for two
years, with her term expiring on January 1, 2018.
Representative Rick Outman recognized Lori Wilson for
this special honor, at the March 28, 2016, Legislative
Update meeting. Wilson has served Montcalm County
since 1987 and has seen many changes. When she first
began, they hand wrote all of their records and stored
them on microfilm. Under Wilson’s administration, Lori
has overseen the modernization processes take place,
and the records are now automated and stored on
computers. The Register of Deeds is an elected position.
Congressman John Moolenaar
Seeking Second Term By Shirley Pool
Fourth District Congressman John Moolenaar visited the
Flat River Saloon in Six Lakes on Thursday, March 9,
2016 and announced that he would be seeking a second
term in the United States House of Representatives. He
said, “In Congress, I am aggressively pursuing jobs and
economic growth, fiscal responsibility middle-class tax
relief, a health care system that puts patients first and
national security policies where we win and the terrorists
lose. We live in the best country in the world and we have
the opportunity to contribute toward a greater future. I am
honored that you elected me and gave me the opportunity
to use my talents working for you. I ask you to do so
again this year.”
He continued, “Like you, I understand we can’t fix our
country until Washington Recognizes the best ideas don’t
come from inside the Beltway, but right here in the Fourth
District and places like it throughout the country.” He
added, “Our Founders believed in representative
government, of, by and for the people and they resisted
executive overreach. Our government has a core
responsibility to serve the people, not the agenda of a few
unelected, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats.”
“Now more than ever, the American dream is at risk.
Private sector job growth has been too slow for too long
and parents are worried that the next generation will be
worse off than they were. We can do better! Let’s give our
children and grandchildren every opportunity to succeed.
With your help, we can restore the American dream for
future generations,” He stated.
Moolenaar was elected to represent Michigan’s Fourth
District in the U.S. House of Representatives in
November 2014. He serves on the House Committee on
Agriculture, the House Committee on Budget, and the
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
The Congressional Fourth District covers 15 counties in
the heart of Lower Michigan which includes Montcalm,
Gratiot, Saginaw, Clinton, Shiawassee, Mecosta, Isabella,
Midland, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Wexford, Missaukee,
Roscommon and Ogemaw.
In Congress, Moolenaar has supported middle-class tax
relief, a balanced budget, more government
accountability, a health care system that puts patients
first, and national security laws that secure the border and
keep America safe. He has also fought for the 15,000
farmers of the Fourth District by opposing regulations that
would let federal bureaucrats have power over mud
puddles and ditches on farmers’ fields.
Prior to his election to congress, Moolenaar served four
years in the Michigan Senate from 2011 to 2014 and six
years in the Michigan House of Representatives from
2003 to 2008.
Moolenaar worked in the private sector at Dow Chemical
as a chemist and industry specialist. Later, he worked as
the Director of the Small Business Center at Middle
Michigan Development Corporation and as an
administrator at the Midland Academy of Advanced and
Creative Services.
Born and raised in Midland, Moolenaar graduated from
Herbert Henry Dow High School and Hope College, later
earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration from
Harvard University. John and his wife Amy have six
children and continue to reside in Midland.
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
www.moolenaar.house.gov
Jim Lower announces candidacy for
Michigan House of Representatives
Representative Rick Outman
endorses Lower’s candidacy
EDMORE, Michigan --- Jim Lower formally announced his
Republican candidacy for the Michigan House of
Representatives in the 70th District today, and at the
same time announced that current state Rep. Rick
Outman is endorsing him in the race. “I am Pro-Life, Pro-
Jobs, Pro-2nd Amendment, Pro-Family Values and I
believe that ‘We the People’ must be in charge of our own
government, said Lower. “We need a strong conservative
voice in the State House of Representatives with the
experience to get things done, I will be that voice. My
experience, strong work ethic, and relationships with the
people of this district will enable me to be effective on day
one.” Lower currently serves as the Edmore Village
Manager. Since becoming Village Manager Lower has
worked with the council and community leaders to create
new jobs, improve infrastructure, and expand inter-local
partnerships. By the end of this year at least 1.3 million
dollars of new investment will be made in the Edmore
community as a result of these efforts. “There are a lot of
exciting things happening in Edmore, Montcalm County,
Gratiot County, and the State of Michigan. I want to
continue working with other leaders to keep the positive
momentum going for our region,” said Lower.
Lower’s announcement was coupled with the
endorsement of current 70th District state Rep. Rick
Outman (R-Six Lakes). “James Lower has a wide array of
experience at the local, county, and state level. He is a
proven leader with a strong track record of success. That
is why he has earned my strong endorsement,” said
Outman. “I will be going door-to-door and working hard to
help Jim win his race. He is the type of hard-working,
effective, conservative leader we need in Lansing.”
In addition to his experience as Edmore Village Manager,
Lower has served as a county commissioner, aide in the
Michigan House, and as an aide to Senator Judy
Emmons. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics
from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in
Business Administration from Grand Valley State
University. He and his wife Kristen live just outside
Edmore in the Cedar Lake Community. Kristen works as
a chemist at a small lab in downtown Edmore. They are
parishioners of Nativity of the Lord Parish in Alma/St.
Louis. “If elected Jim will be an incredible asset to the
legislature. I have come to rely on his insight into
legislative issues. He cares deeply about this district and
isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right,” said Outman.
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of
Representative Outman. He has served this district with
integrity throughout his time in Lansing and I look forward
to doing the same,” Lower concluded.
For more information about Jim Lower visit
www.votelower.com.
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
Michael Van Kleeck, of Stanton, announces his
candidacy for Representative of the 70th District
in the Michigan House of Representatives. This
election cycle, Michael confirms his goals for
limited, responsible government, personal
liberty, strong family values, and constitutional
guidance.
“I believe this seat needs to be filled with a
person of character who is more concerned with
what is best for their district than their own
advancement,” Van Kleeck says.
Van Kleeck has spent the past 14 years
laboring in the Road Construction industry,
working with State regulations and inspectors.
During his winter off seasons, he has pursued
his degree in Economics from Central Michigan
University. “During my time in Road
Construction, I have seen firsthand the
deterioration of our state’s infrastructure. We
need to prioritize the infrastructure of our state
in order to bring good paying jobs to Michigan
and our district. We must do this without placing
additional burdens on our struggling, working
families.”
Van Kleeck resides with his wife, Emily and
children, Alice, Ezra, and Isaiah in the City of
Stanton. They worship with First Congregational
Church in Stanton. This is the second time Van
Kleeck has sought election in this district. In
2010, Van Kleeck withdrew his bid for the
Congressional seat in the 3rd District in favor of
current representative Justin Amash-R of Grand
Rapids in order to run for Representative of the
70th District.
Michael Van Kleeck
Announces Candidacy
for State House
www.votevankleeck.com
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
Michael J. Williams is a graduate of Michigan State
University with a Bachelors degree in Criminal
Justice. He completed his basic police training at
the Oakland Police Academy in Auburn Hills and
became a certified police officer in 1995. He was
hired by the Montcalm County Sheriffs Office in
1996 as a road patrol Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff Don
Godell. Williams has had assignments in the road
patrol as a general patrol Deputy, traffic services,
community policing officer, and K9 handler. As a K9
handler, Williams was partnered with K9 Xill from
1999 until 2007 and K9 Rex from 2007 until 2014.
In 2010, Williams was promoted to Sergeant. His
patrol and K9 responsibilities were expanded to
include oversight of Deputies, scheduling, grant
writing and administration, as well as other
administrative and supervisory tasks. He
subsequently became the senior uniformed road
patrol Sergeant and held the Staff Sergeant
rank. Last year, Sheriff Bill Barnwell promoted Mike
to Undersheriff. In that capacity he has overseen all
Sheriff’s Office operations including the road patrol,
jail, and administrative services.
Williams has been drawn to both community service
and leadership. He was previously elected to the
Central Montcalm Board of Education and is
currently a Trustee on the Montcalm Community
College Board of Trustees. He has served on the
United States Police Canine Association Region 19
Executive Board, the Montcalm County Deputy
Sheriff’s Association Executive Board and was the
President of the Montcalm County Command
Officer’s Association. Mike lives in the Sidney area
with his wife, Jeni. He has three children and an
exchange daughter who is now back in Spain.
www.williamsforsheriff.net
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
Dale Reyburn announces his
candidacy for 70th House
District Seat
Dale D. Reyburn of 798 N. Clay, Greenville, MI
48838, 616-754-7742 is announcing his
candidacy for the 70th House District seat for
the August 2, 2016 Republican Primary.
Mr. Reyburn has decided to not run to return to
his Montcalm County Commissioner spot but
instead to try and effect the lives and welfare of
not only the people of his local district but also
the people of the 70th and the beautiful State of
Michigan. Mr. Reyburn is a social conservative
and a fiscal moderate that has lived in the
Greenville area for 32 years and served for over
15 years on the Greenville Planning
Commission, and 2 separate terms as a
Montcalm County Commissioner, from the
City of Greenville. He started in the what is now
called the Financial Planning business in August
of 1974. He specializes in Retirement Planning
with mutual funds and variable annuities and
has a series 7 license. He is a 1972 graduate
of Central Michigan University with a double
major in Political Science and Sociology. He
has 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 2 great-
grandchildren.
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
My name is Charlie Noll and I have filed
to run for Montcalm County Sheriff. I
have lived in Montcalm County my whole
life and grew up south of Crystal on my
families farm.
I have worked at the Ionia County
Sheriff's Office for the last 20 years and I
am currently serving as the Undersheriff
for Sheriff Dale Miller. I have been in the
position for the last 4 years.
Charlie Noll
for
Montcalm County Sheriff
The articles in our newsletters are for information only.
They are not intended to be an endorsement by the
County party.
Be in the know, attend our meetings:
Meeting dates for 2016: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20 and Nov 17
Montcalm County Administration Building (Old Courthouse use west door)
Commissioner’s Room 211 W. Main St. Stanton MI
Mailing address: PO Box 131 Greenville MI 48838
E-mail address: [email protected] Web Site: www.montcalm.org/comresources5447.asp
2015-2016 LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Legislative Updates are open to the public and are free of charge. The meetings are generally held
on the fourth Monday of the month, from September through May. Occasionally, Updates take place
on the third Monday of the month (Updates held on the third Monday of the month are denoted
by an asterisk (*) in the table below). UPDATES WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 12:00PM AND END
PROMPTLY AT 1:00PM. Various human service agencies that serve Montcalm County provide a staff member to moderate
each event. These representatives will provide a brief overview of their agency/program prior to the
legislators giving their update and taking questions The meetings take place at Montcalm Community College’s Sidney
Campus; lunch is available from the Subway™ Restaurant located in the MCC cafeteria.
Any questions regarding the Legislative Update can be directed to Dan Petersen at (616)754-9315,
ext. 3336 or via e-mail at [email protected].
DATE ROOM MODERATOR
April 25, 2016
Doser Building - D303 Alison Barberi – Greenville Area
Community Foundation
May 23, 2016 Doser Building - D303 Dan Petersen, EightCAP
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