Terry Kuseske, 1949 - 2010 RIP

by: memiller

Thu Sep 02, 2010 at 20:30:34 PM EDT

Terry Kuseske died this afternoon at Rose Arbor Hospice.

I don't know that I have written about Terry here before. He was a remarkable man, who had a long history of service to his various communities, as a Dowagiac social studies teacher, and a Cass County Commissioner, before being elected last year to the Kalamazoo City Commission. He had come out as a gay man while a teacher, but (as he described it) only after building relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, so it became a positive experience for all involved.

Big Ten Conference Divisions

by: philgoblue

Wed Sep 01, 2010 at 20:47:53 PM EDT

Big Ten Announces Football Division Alignments and 2011 and 2012 Conference Schedules

Big Ten division winners to meet in inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game

Sept. 1, 2010

Park Ridge, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference office announced football division alignments beginning with the 2011 season as recommended by conference directors of athletics and reviewed and supported by the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors. Nebraska will officially begin conference competition in 2011, giving the Big Ten 12 football programs for the first time in conference history.

The winner of each Big Ten division will meet in the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game, to be played December 3, 2011, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The championship game will determine the Big Ten Champion and the conference's participant in the Rose Bowl Game or Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game.

The Big Ten football division alignments will include a division featuring Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin, and a division featuring Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern. Each school will play the other five schools within its division and will also face three teams from the other division, including one cross-division matchup guaranteed on an annual basis. The guaranteed cross-division matchups are Illinois-Northwestern, Indiana-Michigan State, Ohio State-Michigan, Penn State-Nebraska, Purdue-Iowa and Wisconsin-Minnesota. Names for each Big Ten football division will be announced at a later date.

Football this Saturday. Can't watch -- canvassing -- but will tivo.

Justice Caucus at the Convention

by: memiller

Mon Aug 30, 2010 at 01:13:58 AM EDT

I enjoyed the convention thoroughly, but only took pictures for part of the time. Here are a few from the Justice Caucus program, which was a great success. I may post a few more, and write about some highlights, but that must wait until tomorrow at least.

Democratic and Old Party Tickets for November

by: philgoblue

Sun Aug 29, 2010 at 19:21:47 PM EDT

Governor: Virg Bernero (Lansing)
Lt. Governor: Brenda Lawrence  (Southfield)
Attorney General: David Leyton  (Genesse County)
Secretary of State: Jocelyn Benson (Detroit)

University of Michigan Board of Regents: Greg Stephens and Paul Brown.
MSU Board of Trustees: Colleen McNamara and Dennis Denno
Wayne State Board of Governors: Brenda Moon and Ed Bruley
State School Board: Liz Bauer and Lupe Ramos-Montigny (Grand Rapids!)
Supreme Court: Judge Alton Davis and Judge Denise Langford Morris

Republican Ticket

Governor: Rick Snyder (Ann Arbor)
Lt. Governor Brian Calley (Portland)
Attorney General: Bill Schuette (Midland)
Secretary of State: Ruth Johnson (Oakland County)

That's nobody from the West Michigan heartland (Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan) or from Southwest Michigan. Ionia, heck, that's fringe West Michigan at best.

University of Michigan Board of Regents: Andrew Richner and Andrea Fischer Newman.
MSU Board of Trustees: Mitch Lyons and Brian Breslin
Wayne State Board of Governors: Diane Dunaskiss and Danialle Karmanos
State School Board: Eileen Weiser and Richard Zeile.
State Supreme Court: Robert Young and Mary Beth Kelly (thus another West Michigander -- Jane Markey -- was kept off the Republican ticket).

I'm guessing West Michigan Republicans are none too pleased with this ticket -- they shouldn't be, they've been snubbed.

My Recommendations for the Convention

by: philgoblue

Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 09:48:14 AM EDT

For Wayne State University board: Ed Bruley. Met Ed in Iowa a few years back. He's Bonior's longtime chief of staff and currently a Macomb County Commissioner.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to make it, though there is a chance I'll be there on Sunday.
-----------------------------------------------
Above are Phil's recommendations; I'll add mine here rather than create another diary.

I second Lupe Ramos-Montigny for State Board of Education. I've spoken with her a number of times, and she is great. So is Elizabeth Bauer for the same office. I learned quite a lot just by being in on an interview with her.

Sam Singh and Dennis Denno for MSU Board of Trustees.

Ed Bruley for Wayne State Board Governor.

memiller  

Stand with our troops in support of clean energy and climate reform

by: laurahbritton

Thu Aug 26, 2010 at 11:40:27 AM EDT

During my service in Baghdad as a truck driver for the US Army, I became accustomed to an institution that took quick and decisive action in order to deal with and respond to challenges.  And today, as a veteran, I have become familiar with the slow and deliberate pace of change in Washington.
Last month, I spoke at a White House energy forum which was attended by other national security experts including many representatives from the Departments of Defense and Energy.  Secretary Mabus and Deputy Secretary Poneman both expressed a joint, clear vision of a military committed to breaking dependence on oil, increasing energy efficiency, and developing and implementing new clean energy sources to fuel the fight.  
The military seems to be committed to getting done what the U.S. Congress cannot. The Senate could not muster up enough support to pass comprehensive climate and energy reform, even in the face of the Department of Defense's declaration that climate change poses a strategic threat to our national security. It's time to sidestep the bickering in Washington and take action for clean, American energy.  
For over a year, Operation Free veterans have travelled around the country educating the American people about the undeniable connection between our oil dependence, climate change, and our safety at home and abroad.  This has been a tough year, but we have rallied enormous support.  And despite the Senate's inaction, there are new fronts in our fight and new ways to make a difference. Besides comprehensive energy legislation, there are two important ways that Operation Free will be fighting to protect our security.
First, there are new rules coming that will make cars more efficient - decreasing our dependence on oil from hostile nations.  By requiring that our cars get better mileage, we will deny hostile countries tens of billions in oil profit and reduce carbon pollution.
Second, big oil companies and their lobbyists, fresh from halting climate legislation, are gearing up to take us even further backwards by trying to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from doing anything to halt the dangerous effects of climate.  My fellow veterans and I will be working to stop this new "Rockefeller Bill" from rolling back our progress.
The next step begins today.  On August 26, Operation Free veterans will descend on Marshall for a Town Hall meeting to raise these issues with the people of Michigan.  And that's not all - we'll be in Virginia, Ohio, and Florida over the next couple of weeks.
Together, Americans can break the logjam of special interests which, has for too long, put our security at risk.  Please join me in continuing this fight.  We hope you can join us on August 26 as a message that the people of Michigan stand with our troops in support of clean energy and climate change reform.  

BREAKING: Justice Weaver Resigns, Granholm to Appoint Replacement

by: memiller

Thu Aug 26, 2010 at 09:50:19 AM EDT

Governor's spokeswoman Liz Boyd says Weaver is to formally tender her resignation this morning and appear with Gov. Jennifer Granholm at a news event at noon

Boyd says the governor will appoint a replacement, and that action doesn't require the approval of the state Legislature..

Justice Weaver: (excerpts)

I am aware that the pundits believe I would win without party nomination. But that is not the point. I now believe that I can be of most use as a citizen.

The present system is deeply flawed. We need to promptly reform the process by which we select justices.

The open discord is the result of the formation of power blocs by justices, to promote agendas. Any time power blocs form, and the court locks up, independence and the people of Michigan suffer.

Of the seven Justices, four are from southeast Michigan, and two from Lansing.

The Michigan Supreme Court should not be a secret club.

When I say reform, I do not mean the elimination of the election of Justices.

In the last election, $7.5 million was spent to elect one spot on the Court.
This type of unseemly, exorbitant, and unhinged spending ... must be reformed.

The top two (of my) proposals: election of Justices by district, and elimination of the role of political parties from the process of Justice selection.

I remain committed, as a citizen, now, to act to reform ... to bring needed transparency and accountability.

Gov. Granholm (excerpts):

Justice Davis has served the public, and upheld our Constitution with honor. ... Justice Davis is the most experienced judge I have appointed - 26 years of experience. ... He has been universally praised by those who have appeared before him. ... "In the midst of conflict, Judge Davis has been the grown-up in the room."

Justice Davis (excerpts):

Justice Weaver's guiding principle has been "Do right, and fear not." I intend to follow the trail she has blazed. ... For my part, I believe in open, impartial, and prompt resolution of judicial disputes. ... In the north, where I reside, ... all of us have great diversity of life experiences. But we should all have respect for each other. ... I will do my best to advance these goals. ... The new realities require that we change our way of doing things.

This means that the MDP will be nominating two candidates for Supreme Court at its convention this weekend, a question that had been up for speculation previously.

Convention Questions

by: memiller

Sun Aug 22, 2010 at 14:11:42 PM EDT

The Supreme Challenge of 2010

by: memiller

Tue Aug 17, 2010 at 12:51:27 PM EDT

I contend that over all of those, the two Michigan Supreme Court seats up this fall are the two races that will have the most influence, for good or ill, on all of our lives for years to come.

More Justice Caucus Endorsements

by: memiller

Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 00:01:21 AM EDT

Judge Denise Langford Morris

Judge Deborah Thomas

Judge Shelia Johnson

It is a long-standing practice of the Caucus to endorse more candidates than are to be elected, if all of the endorsees meet the criteria of the Caucus, primarily that endorsees have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the progressive values of the Caucus.

The Justice Caucus also passed a resolution urging the MDP to nominate for both of the openings on the Court to be elected this November.

The Justice Caucus also announces the endorsement of the following:

David Leyton for Attorney General

Elizabeth Bauer for State Board of Ed  

Sam Singh for MSU Board of Trustees

Ed Bruley for Wayne State Board Governor

Kathleen Law for Senate 7th District

Garry Post for House District 47

With these endorsements, all of the candidates having requested endorsement at this time have been considered.

Poorly armed and somewhat dangerous: Tea Party candidates in the 2010 Michigan primary

by: pbratt

Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 15:18:36 PM EDT

Since early 2009, the Tea Party movement has gained an enormous amount of media attention. While claiming to be a non-partisan movement, the Tea Party is remarkably consistent with some of the core constituencies at the heart of Republican Party since the late 1960s. In particular, the themes commonly evoked by Tea Party participants (economic libertarianism, fervent individualism, and deep distrust of any governmental intervention) largely mirror the platform of Republican Representative Ron Paul's 2008 candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination. Indeed, many organizers of Paul's campaign and leaders in the Young American for Freedom (YAF) were behind many of the early Tea Party events in 2009.

The rise of the Tea Party movement represents in part a return of many conservative libertarians to the GOP. The candidacy of Barry Goldwater in 1964 did much to bring libertarians into the Republican Party, were they largely remained for following four decades. During his second term, George W. Bush was responsible for driving some libertarians out, as many became extremely disenchanted with the Republican Party's focus on social issues and increased governmental expansion. While not abandoning the Republican Party entirely, a sizable percentage of libertarians voted from Democratic candidates in 2006 and 2008 for reasons similar to those voiced in blogger Markos Moulitsas's 2006 Cato Unbound article.

Primary night live blog: Kent and Muskegon County

by: pbratt

Tue Aug 03, 2010 at 12:37:00 PM EDT

Thanks for following, and I'll write more later next week.

11:46pm With 97% of the vote in, LaGrand leading Dean 60% to 40% in the 29th State Senate Democratic primary. No word on where the precincts coming in, but I'm assuming GR is in.

11:45pm. Hovey and Nash are neck and neck in the 92nd State House race. Still too close to call in the 91st on both sides.

11:35pm. The two congressional races are still open on the GOP side. In the 2nd, Huizinga and Kuipers are essentially tied at 29%, with Riemersma back at 19%. In the 3rd, with only Grand Rapids out, Amash has 40% of the vote to Heacock's 24% and Hardiman's 23%. I said Amash was going to win months ago, and from the results so far, it looks like he will.

11:30pm. With just Gaines Township outstanding, looks like Ken Yonker is heading for another defeat at the hands of a libertarian GOP candidate. Eric Yonker looks likely to win Justin Amash's old seat. LaGrand pulling ahead in the 29th, but all of Grand Rapids has yet to report.

11:15pm. Looks like Kwame's mom is heading to defeat in the 13th Congressional primary. Wood-TV has called the 77th GOP primary for Hooker. Miles is winning the 3rd Democratic primary easily. McGregor pulling ahead in the 73rd.  

11:05pm. In the 3rd, with 37% of the vote in, Amash leads with 41%, while Hardiman inches up to 26%. No State Senate updates.

State House races, with Kentwood in, Eric Larson leads the 72nd District primary with 47% of the vote with 52% against Yonkers 42%. Peter McGregor has a narrow lead with 30% of the vote in the 73rd against Bruce Hawley (22% to 18%). In the 75th District GOP primary, Bing Goei wins with 57% of the vote against Jordan Bush's 43%. Goei will face Brandon Dillon in the general election in November. With 82% of the vote in the 77th GOP primary, Hooker narrowly leads Nate Viersman  29% to 27%. in the 86th, with 34% of the vote in, Lyons' lead is down to 49% against VerHuelen's 34%. Finally, in the 17th District County Commission Democratic primary, Candice Chivis has apparently knocked off incumbent James Vaughn.  

Primary night live-blog: Kalamazoo & environs

by: memiller

Mon Aug 02, 2010 at 20:41:42 PM EDT

UPDATE 1: Jones appears to have an insurmountable advantage over Mark Totten in the 20th. Sean McCann has won the nomination in the 60th over Chris Praedel and Dustin Harback. We won't have numbers for Grant Taylor's write-in for a long while, but based on checker/challenger precincts, Grant has fallen short.

UPDATE 2 (10 pm): Congratulations to new County Commissioner Mike Seals, a community activist and great guy who is unopposed in the fall. Congratulations to Bob Jones, who will go up against Tonya Schuitmaker in the fall for the 20th Senate.

Primary GOTV news from Kalamazoo

by: memiller

Sat Jul 31, 2010 at 14:33:07 PM EDT

At the 69th Annual Westwood Ice Cream Social last night, Tonya Schuitmaker (R), Bob Jones (D), and Mark Totten (D) were there from the 20th Senate race, Sean McCann (D) from the 60th House, and write-in candidate Grant Taylor (D) and Margaret O'Brien (R) from the 61st. This event always brings out the local politicos.

I've avoided writing very much about campaign controversies here, because I've been involved in some of them. Suffice it to say that I will be glad when this primary is over, and we can concentrate on the other side.

Over the fold, some notes about local Kalamazoo races.

Obama Finally Nominates Bowen for US Attorney for Western Michigan

by: philgoblue

Thu Jul 29, 2010 at 08:18:51 AM EDT

State House Pre-Primary Filing Statements Analysis

by: pbratt

Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 08:48:36 AM EDT

As with the State Senate pre-primary filing statements, I've performed an analysis of the top fundraisers for the Michigan State House primary races. Again, for those interested in the complete set of financial data, you can request a subscription at peterbratt@gmail.com.

The top fifteen candidates in terms of money raised are listed in the link provided below:
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

Five of the top 15 fundraisers are incumbents, and five of the 15 are Democrats.  Two of the top fundraisers are Mike Shirkley and Mark Ouimet, Republicans running in open swing seats (Districts 65th and 52nd) that the Democrats will be fighting to hold. It is interesting to note that of the top Democratic fundraisers, only one is from metropolitan Detroit (Rashida Tlaib District 12). If the Democrats remain in the majority (which I predict they will), I'd expect to see Scripps, Schmidt, and Tlaib in the running for leadership positions. In good news for the Democrats, Brandon Dillon, who is running for the 75th State House seat vacated by Robert Dean, raised a significant amount of money that leaves him with a comfortable cash on hand advantage for the general election.

The top 15 spenders are listed next (the second tab of the spreadsheet):
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

Once again, Republicans dominate this list, with self financers like Holly Hughes (District 91-Swing) and Jeff Oesterle (District 67-Safe DEM) repaying a large portion of their loans and thus leading the list. As with the State Senate list, many candidates with heavy spending are in competitive primaries.

Incumbents and candidates personally financing their campaigns dominate the list of candidates with the most cash on hand listed on the third tab of the spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

11 of the 15 candidates with the greatest cash on hand advantage are incumbents, and nine of these are Democratic incumbents, three of whom are in swing Districts (Dian Slavens District 21, Sarah Roberts District 24, and Lisa Brown District 39). This financial edge is a heartening sign for continued Democratic control of the House.

Finally, Republicans hold all of the top 15 spots on the fourth spreadsheet listing candidates with the greatest amount of personal debt.  
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

While money can't buy victory, it sure can help in competitive seats like Districts 21, 52, and 91. As in some State Senate primaries, the candidates are literally locked in a spending arms race in the final weeks until August 3.  

Oil Spill into Kalamazoo River Tributary - 840,000 gallons.

by: memiller

Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:39:19 PM EDT

More than 800,000 gallons of oil have been released into a creek in Marshall that feeds the Kalamazoo River.  Houston-based Enbridge Energy Partners said Monday that oil flowed into the Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River after a leak developed in its pipeline.   Enbridge said the 30-inch pipeline transfers about 8 million gallons of crude oil a day from Griffith, Ind., to Sarnia, Ontario. The leak originated from the Enbridge site, 16000 Division Drive, near the border of Marshall and Fredonia townships in central Calhoun County, according to a report Battle Creek Enquirer's website.   The pipeline crosses the Talmadge Creek about one-and-a-half miles southeast of the Kalamazoo River.

I am currently on vacation in Ontario, but heard of this by email from Kalamazoo Township Supervisor Terri  mellinger, who along with local emergency officials is closely monitoring the situation. The Kalamazoo River passes through our township.

Statement from Sen. Carl Levin:

I am deeply concerned about the effects of the oil spill near Marshall, including the environmental impact and the disruption to residents and businesses. It is also deeply worrisome that the oil from the spill has made its way into the Kalamazoo River.

My office has been in close contact with relevant federal agencies to make sure that those carrying out the cleanup have all the resources they need to complete the cleanup job as quickly as possible.

For now, the focus is on limiting the damage and cleaning up the oil. It is also vitally important that the company responsible for the spill bear the costs of cleanup and that it compensate anyone who has suffered damages related to the spill. I will continue to do all I can to ensure that both the cleanup and the compensation of victims are quick and effective.

State House and State Senate candidates Pre-Primary filing statements and some predictions

by: pbratt

Sat Jul 24, 2010 at 09:24:20 AM EDT

While I have much more information on my subscription only database, I figured that folks at West Michigan Rising might appreciate some basic information about a couple of races of interest. Again, for those interested, you can request a subscription at peterbratt@gmail.com.

20th State Senate District

First, in the 20th State Senate District there is a lot of money being thrown around. Lorence Wenke raised $317,260, spent $211,476 and has $125,125 cash on hand. Much of this money came from Wenke's own pocket, as he has loaned himself $365,000. Wenke is followed by Tonya Schuitmaker who raised $126,464, spent $146,767, and has $106,085 in cash on hand. Like Wenke, Schuitmaker has spent a large amount of her own money, providing herself with $100,000 in a personal loan. Schuitmaker and Wenke are both from different sides of the Republican tent-Wenke is an unabashed socially liberal Republican, while Schuitmaker has lined up support from conservative loyalists in the 20th District despite her inferior geographic position (being from Van Buren County rather than Kalamazoo). The third candidate in the GOP primary, moderate Larry DeShazor, has raised $34,141, spent $30,809, and has $3,331 cash on hand, with personal loans of $19,804. While many consider DeShazor to be the strongest general election candidate the GOP could run, his poor fund raising is likely to hinder him in this free spending primary. For what it is worth, I'm predicting Schuitmaker to win on August 3.

On the Democratic side, Mark Totten has again substantially out raised Representative Robert Jones. Totten raised $65,942, spent $112,928, and has $73,100 in cash on hand, with a personal loan of $32,704. In contrast, Jones raised $49,770, spent $40,639, has $9,131 in cash on hand, and has a personal loan of $10,377. While Ballenger is calling this race for Jones, I think Totten is going to pull this one out.  

State Senate Pre-Primary Filing Statements Analysis

by: pbratt

Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 09:14:45 AM EDT

State Senate Pre-Primary Filing Statements

While I have much more information on my subscription-only database, I figured that please might appreciate some basic information about the top fundraisers for Michigan State Senate primary races. Again, for those interested in the complete set of financial data, you can request a subscription at peterbratt@gmail.com.

Nearly all candidates have reported their financial data (with the glaring exceptions of Rebekah Warren in the 18th and Coleman Young Jr. in the 1st). The top fifteen candidates in terms of money raised are listed in the link provided below:
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

11 of the top fundraisers of Republicans, and two are in the 20th State Senate District primary. David LaGrand and David Hildenbrand are two other top fundraisers, and are potential opponents in a general election matchup in the 29th State Senate District. The top 15 spenders are listed next (the second tab of the spreadsheet):
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

Incumbents and candidates personally financing their campaigns dominate the list of candidates with the most cash on hand listed on the third tab of the spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

Republicans hold all but two of the top 15 spots on the fourth spreadsheet linked below.
https://spreadsheets.google.co...

While money can't buy victory, it sure can help. However, in a couple of primaries, namely the 11th and 20th Republican races, the candidates are literally locked in a spending arms race in the final weeks. Should be interesting to see what happens on August 3.

An analysis of the State House races will be provided later this week.

Join the New West Michigan Main Street Fund and Special Guests for a Unity Fundraiser

by: philgoblue

Sun Jul 25, 2010 at 09:13:31 AM EDT