Dan Horning Fights For Michigan Families In His Battle For U of M Regent

Dan Horning Fights For Michigan Families In His Battle For U of M Regent

Currently, not a single member of the University of Michigan's Board of Regents is from outside of the Wayne/Washtenaw County area.

Dan Horning wants to change that.

 For Horning, the fight is personal.

"I love this University," Horning said, speaking about the University of Michigan. "I have served as a regent before. I bleed maize and blue-I know I can make a difference."

Horning believes the University needs to start looking at more qualified in-state students and accept less out-of-state and foreign students.

"Great Michigan kids are leaving the state because they can't get into U of M," Horning said. "How many future business owners, doctors, teachers, and community leaders are leaving the state despite the fact they are more than qualified to go to the University of Michigan?

The University has lost its rudder by displacing qualified in-state students for out of state students and students from overseas. This must stop."

Horning believes his past experience as a regent gives him the ability to hit the ground running.

 "Our kids deserve better," Horning said. "I'll fight for Michigan kids and I have the experience and persistence to do it effectively."

Horning notes all the current Regents are from other parts of the state.

"Not a single regent is from outside of the Wayne/Washtenaw County region," Horning said. "Regardless of your politics-mine happen to be conservative- the rest of Michigan deserves a voice. I'm the only chance for that voice to be heard."

Horning served as a regent before, but left when his term was up partly to protest the University's Affirmative Action policies.

"Race has no place in college admissions," Horning said.

Horning is one of four candidates for the Republican nomination for University of Michigan Regent. Delegates to the State GOP Convention in Novi August 23rd will determine who the two nominees are.

For more information about Dan's candidacy, check out

www.HorningForRegent.com

Why Won't Tountas Seek Another Term As Ottawa GOP Chair?

West Michigan Politics recently confirmed Ottawa County Republican Party Chairman will not seek another term. We talked to him about the decision recently.

"It's time to let someone else serve," Tountas said. "I sought a second term to solidify some of the things we started in my first term. I think I have done that."

Tountas notes past chairs only served one term.

"Jon DeWitte and Brad Slagh only served one term," Tountas noted, putting his decision not to seek a third term in perspective.

Tountas (who was recently named a partner at his law firm, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge) believes the party has grown in a positive direction during his time as Chair.

Tountas

"I wanted to get more young people involved in the Executive Committee and in the party in general and we have done that," Tountas said. "We have reached out to community groups and constituencies we didn't (do a good job) engaging with in the past... I think we have laid a great foundation for the next chairman."

Tountas also notes that "regardless of what one thinks about Governor Snyder, or Senator Meekhof, or whoever, we still have to fund our local operation and keep our local party strong-we still have to pay Faith." (Faith Steketee, Ottawa County GOP Executive Director)

Will Tountas be running for Ottawa County Prosecutor, or State Legislature in 2016 or 2018?

"I have no plans to seek Countywide elected office," Tountas said.

Storey: Stop And Recognize County Clerk Krueger's Record of Service

 Storey: Stop And Recognize County Clerk Krueger's Record of Service

Krueger

Before the primary election season heats up, it’s important to pause and recognize the 35 ½ years local elections have been in the safe, steady hands of retiring Ottawa County Clerk Dan Krueger. 
Two years ago the county added the Register of Deeds title and responsibility. Ensuring election integrity the four times each year Michigan conducts elections is the most important task entrusted to county clerks. Through all those years, Ottawa County voters could take for granted that their county clerk would do everything possible to conduct fair elections and ensure all votes counted equally. 


During his watch, Dan Krueger introduced innovations, many of which saved tax money. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then he was highly flattered as many of his initiatives were adopted throughout Michigan. Citizen Service is another hallmark of Mr. Krueger’s time in office. In many counties, there is one place and one place only to conduct business with the clerk’s office: the county seat. During his service, he operated four regional offices to make it easier in our time-stressed age for residents to conduct business: Holland area, the West Olive county complex, Grand Haven and Hudsonville.

 In addition, Dan Krueger freely made himself available after-hours to citizen groups hoping to understand the sometimes challenging Michigan processes to which he was entrusted. Through it all, he had an unwavering commitment to carrying out the legal requirements of the various documentary tasks assigned by law.

Regardless of his personal views, Dan Krueger met those requirements with resolve and good humor. This contrasts with a recent, disturbing trend of some officials not enforcing laws with which they disagree. Consistent, unquestioned election integrity, improved citizen service, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law over three and half decades are achievements due to Mr. Krueger’s care for public service. It is indeed a record for which all citizens should be grateful, even if we may have taken it for granted. It is a record that has excellence written in many corners.

Jim Storey is a political consultant and County Commissioner living in Holland, MI.

Breaking: Rep. Amash Posts Picture of Potential Ellis Supporters Stealing Signs...

Breaking: Amash Posts Picture of Potential Ellis Supporters Stealing Signs...

Justin Amash's enemies aren't limited to the halls of Congress.

 An Amash supporter, Brad Tobin, recently spotted two young girls stealing Amash yard signs in his Plainfield neighborhood. Amash took to Facebook, posting:

"Can anyone identify these young women who appear to be driving a white Lexus RX?

Third District resident Brad Tobin reports: "I caught these young ladies stealing one of your large campaign signs out of someone's yard. Then proceeding to break it in half and shove it in their car at the intersection of Hunsberger and Rahn in Plainfield Township Grand Rapids, MI 49525."

There is no confirmation that the girls are connected to Brian Ellis and Amash never said that, but it seems logical. Even if they are connected, no proof exists Ellis ordered the signs to be taken, but it certainly wouldn't be surprising given the tone of the campaign.

90th District LWV Debate: From "Common Core" to "Obamacare": The Top 10 Issues You Need to Know

 90th District LWV Debate: From "Common Core" to "Obamacare": The Top 10 Issues You Need to Know

The League of Women Voters hosted a debate for State House candidates in the 90th District Thursday night in Holland. 28 questions were posed to the candidates. 

All four candidates were in attendance. Daniela Garcia, Director of Government Affairs at Spectrum, Zeeland lawyer Geoff Haveman, Harmsen Contruction owner Bob Harmsen, and Republican activist and Precinct Delegate David Kroll discussed the issues for an hour and a half.

Here is WMP's breakdown of the top 10 issues that were discussed, in no particular order.

Detroit

When asked how we insure money recently passed by the legislature for Detroit is spent appropriately:


Haveman: "Taking money from taxpayers when sufficient assets are available to pay off the debt sets a bad precedent for other municipalities...We can't do anything about the past-what can we do for our future?"

Harmsen: "I Detroit is a popular city (and a) black eye on Michigan... Something had to be done, (but i worry) Detroit will fall back."

Garcia: "Detroit is Michigan and Michigan is Detroit. If we were in trouble in (the 90th District), I'd hope their would some assistance that would come our way."

Kroll: "We need to support fiscally conservative candidates for (Detroit) City Council."

Common Core

Harmsen: "I don't support it. It starts with money, then the tests will have to reflect Common Core. We need to move back to local control over our schools."


Haveman: One curriculum for 400 million people in 50 states is wrong headed. Education is not in the limited enumerated powers of the federal government...(curriculum) can definitely be done locally."

Garcia: "Let's be clear. Common Core is a grassroots program that the Governor's Association created... Every educator I talk to supports (Common Core)."

Kroll: Our founding fathers had a much more rigorous education and graduated college at 17, "We need a more complete education system-we need to challenge our kids more"

Immigration

Harmsen: "If people are here illegally, no drivers license, no voting rights...(we need to) control the flow."

Garcia: "I hope the Senate and House come to a resolution on this difficult issue."

Haveman: This is a federal issue, but we can work in the parameters of the US and Michigan constitution.

Gas tax increase:

When a college student asked a question about the gas tax increase, candidates must have forgot their college days because they did not see a correlation between being a college student already struggling and the gas tax being increased...

Harmsen: "I don't know how they go together...working families are struggling too."

Haveman: "I wouldn't support (raising the) gas tax."

Garcia: "When I go to doors and talk to constituents, they're willing to pay higher taxes" (for our roads),  (they are willing to pay) a number of taxes."

Kroll: "I would not support raising the gas tax."


How do we address school violence? A question was posed that quoted the number of school shootings since Sandy Hook, implying an increase. (In truth , gun violence in our schools is down recently, the media just reports on it significantly more)

Garcia: "The bigger issue is mental health...people should receive some assistance."

Harmsen: "No major concerns in Michigan for a while...the mental health issue is big."

Haveman: "We need to embrace a culture of life."

Kroll: "we need to get retired police in schools...(and possibly) have the Senior class take self defense classes."


How will you be accessible to citizens, as Dan Kreuger exemplified?

Harmsen: "it's very important... I'll give out my phone and email and set up regular office hours ... an individual contacted me (recently) because our current State Rep. (Joe Haveman) blew him off and wouldn't talk to him."

Haveman:  "I'll tell you why I'm voting the way I am. I'll tell you why I think that way and give reasons. I'll hold town halls and have open office hours...send me a text, I'll write you back-call me, I'll answer the phone."

Kroll: "I'll post my votes to Facebook and... hold monthly town hall meetings in six parts of the district."

Garcia: (being accessible is a priority and I will meet regularly with the Superintendent's Association and Healthcare and Agricultural interests because) "they are very important to me. Dan Kreuger has a wonderful replacement in Justin Roebuck...best of luck to Dan."


Marijuana: should it be decriminalized/legalized if it came to a vote of the people?

Harmsen: "too many problems..."

Kroll: "Keep it illegal...(it's a ) gateway drug."

Garcia: "I would not support it at this time."

Haveman: "It wouldn't be a priority...let's look at what happens in Washington and Colorado."

"Obamacare"

Daniela Garcia was asked if she would support Medicaid Expansion, as her supporter and current State Rep. Joe Haveman did. This prompted the candidates to discuss "Obamacare."

Garcia: "Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, whatever you want to call it...parts of Obamacare will never be replaced because of public demand...We all pay for individuals who don't have coverage, it was a hard decision the legislature had to make."

Kroll: I don't agree with Joe Haveman's vote when he did that and it's one reason I am running."

Haveman: Would have voted no and said "we need the free market, not a failed government system."


Harmsen: Would have voted no and said "the biggest things for business is uncertainty" re: Obamacare...

Proposal One in August-will it work?

Garcia: "I believe it will work if voters understand the issue... if voters vote yes, it should work."

Kroll: "I'm in favor of it... it will do some good."

Haveman: "I don't know if it will work."

***READ MORE About the 90th District Race BELOW***

Haveman vs. Haveman: You Decide

West Shore Forum recap

Hudsonville Debate Recap

Mystery Solved: Garcia Chose Hudsonville Political Meeting Over OCP Debate

Haveman

Kroll

Harmsen

Garcia

Mystery Solved: Garcia Chose Hudsonville Political Meeting Over OCP Debate

Mystery Solved: Garcia Chose Hudsonville Political Meeting Over OCP Debate

Despite 9 weeks of advance notice, Daniela Garcia, Government Affairs Director for Spectrum Health and candidate for State House in the 90th District, attended the Hudsonville City Council meeting Tuesday night instead of talking to voters at the Ottawa County Patriots candidate forum in Zeeland.

From Mlive:

"Garcia, a one-time aide to former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra who now works in

public policy

at Spectrum Health, told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press in an email earlier Tuesday that she would not attend the forum because of “a prior commitment.”

Garcia

A representative of Garcia’s campaign said she was attending a Hudsonville City Commission meeting. “She made a commitment to three forums – the Hudsonville Chamber (of Commerce), the (Michigan) West Coast Chamber and the Holland League of Women Voters (forums),” campaign co-chairman Kurt Van Koevering said."

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/07/candidates_absence_from_ottawa.html

As fellow candiate Bob Harmsen noted Tuesday night, these forums are so rare, voters have way too few options to meet the candidates. Choosing a City Council meeting over a debate is a poor choice on many levels.

Ms. Garcia clearly made a calculated move not to attend the Ottawa County Patriots forum. Let's just all "be real" about that. She could have attended a Hudsonville City Council meeting in March, April, May, or June. If she thinks OCP is an unfair forum, come out and say so.

Ms. Garcia, along with State Rep. Amanda Price, continue to ignore inquiries from WMP. We will keep the pressure on in our quest to hold our leaders accountable and get your questions answered. 

The 90th State House race is one of MIRS Top 10 primaries and is the biggest election in Ottawa County this year. Stay tuned for continued coverage, and check out tonight's forum in Holland:

 http://westmipolitics.blogspot.com/2014/07/wmp-event-alert-lwv-hosts-final-90th.html

Hat tip to Greg Chandler at Mlive. Encyclopedia Brown would be proud! :)

WMP Event Alert: LWV Hosts Final 90th State House Debate Tonight in Holland

 

 WMP Event Alert: LWV Hosts Final 90th State House Debate Tonight in Holland

The League of Women Voters will host the final debate for the 90th State House candidates tonight at Herrick District Library in Holland.

The event starts at 7 pm, and all candidates will attend.

Read more about the race on Facebook.com/WestMIPolitics, and check out our links below:

http://westmipolitics.blogspot.com/2014/06/hudsonville-chamber-hosts-90th-district.html

http://westmipolitics.blogspot.com/2014/06/west-coast-chamber-forum-90th-state.html

http://westmipolitics.blogspot.com/2014/07/haveman-signs-dont-appear-to-look.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/07/candidates_absence_from_ottawa.html

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20140708/NEWS/140709318/10923/NEWS

Harmsen

Garcia

Haveman

Kroll