Let me introduce myself.......

by: Gemzerb

Tue Jun 29, 2010 at 17:23:48 PM EDT

I grew up in Egelston Township of Muskegon County, Michigan.  I graduate from Oakridge Public Schools in 1999.  After a summer internship in the City of Muskegon Clerks Office, I started college at Wittenberg University.  In the spring of 2000 I followed my father's example by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as an infantryman.  My next two years were spent balancing school and military duties.  

In the spring of 2003, my unit was deployed to Iraq for the initial push to Baghdad.  When we returned from Iraq, I went back to college distinguishing myself as a leader amongst my college and military peers.  

In 2005, I was finishing my senior thesis and preparing to return to Iraq.  I graduated in May of 2005 with a degree in Philosophy, a minor in Political Science, and significant course work in women's studies.  We began our active duty deployment in June.   While in Iraq I achieved the rank of sergeant.  I returned home in 2006, and found my community to be in need.  Several friends and I formed the Muskegon Oakridge Alumni Association in order to foster greater community and support education opportunities for Oakridge Students.

In 2008, I volunteered for Mary Valentine as a doorknocker and precinct captain, where I learned about the good that a State Rep could do, not just in legislation, but also in constituent services.  Mary and her staff taught me that if you want to work hard for the people, you must work hard reaching out to the people.  

I also did some work with my father and his fellow United Steel Workers to canvass for then Candidate Obama in Jackson, Michigan.

Two events led me to enter the race for State Representative.  In 2009, the Oakridge Alumni Association had a banner year of fundraising for our scholarships and grants.  In the same year, devastating cuts were made to education across the board.  This disadvantaged many of the working class families I lived among, and had the effect of eliminating everything achieved by our organization.  A short time later, I heard that Mary planned to run for the 34th Senate District, and I was compelled to make sure whoever replaced her cared about education, working families, and our State.  

I am working very hard to keep this seat in democratic hands.  To date I have knocked on over 3,450 doors, made over 1,000 phone calls personally.  My campaign as a whole has reached out to over 7,000 people.  I know we can have a better Michigan, and a better way of life. It will take a mountain of hard work and dedication and a willingness to break from what is comfortable but unsustainable and move to what is unfamiliar but more just and reasonable.  I invite all my fellow readers of West Michigan Rising to help as we endeavor to make the title of this blog an apt narration of our community.  Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Branden Gemzer
Candidate, 91st District
State Representative
Branden@BrandenGemzer.com
(231) 903-3838  

Fred Johnson Face Off

by: gauchiste

Wed Jan 20, 2010 at 09:25:52 AM EST

Fred Johnson, a former marine, knows what he's getting into.  This is a great chance for Fred to get a first shot at mixing it up with his competition.  

The forum is being held on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 pm, at the Howard Miller Library, 14 S. Church St., Zeeland.  We strongly urge all supporters to attend.

This is a public meeting, in a public place. Fred's campaign says they've been assured by the organizers that they are welcome, that they will receive fair, civil treatment, and that they want to hear from Fred.  

We must show the same respect and civility.  But, let's show up, and show that Ottawa's not as red as they might think!!  

Re-charge your video phones -- this should be an interesting night!

Preparing for the Future of the County

by: philgoblue

Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 18:19:18 PM EST

Last Thursday, George Erickcek, of the Kalamazoo-based W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, gave his annual forecast speech for The Right Place Inc.

Erickcek predicted that the Kent-Ottawa-Muskegon economic area will see a slight decline in growth and jobs in 2009, but slight increases in 2010.  However, he argued that West Michigan is doing significantly better on the economic and jobs front than the rest of the state and is more on par with the rest of the nation. If DC can get their act together, Michigan and America can come out of the recession and West Michigan will lead the way to economic recovery.  Indeed, with the right policies we can still become the model medium-sized city in the entire Midwest.

Sierra Club Sues Holland Board of Public Works

by: philgoblue

Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 17:34:35 PM EST

The Sierra Club took action today to force the Holland Board of Public Works' James De Young coal-fired power plant to employ modern controls for soot- and smog-forming pollution that is a leading contributor to asthma and other serious health problems.  Over the past decade, the more than 40-year old plant has been repeatedly modified to keep it operating past its retirement date without installing required modern pollution controls....

The Sierra Club suit filed in Federal District Court today charges the City of Holland and the Holland Board of Public Works with violations of the federal Clean Air Act.  Sierra Club is seeking enforcement of the Clean Air Act, installation of modern pollution controls, and penalties to hold the De Young plant responsible for its pollution.

For more see Holland BPW: Expanding the Coal Plants of the Past or Building New Alternative Energy Systems?

Just In -- Hoekstra Officially Announces Retirement from Congress

by: Matthew.g.lawrence

Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 08:50:57 AM EST

Rep. Peter Hoekstra was to announce Monday morning that he will not seek a 10th term in Congress in 2010.

Hoekstra is not playing particularly coy on his more-than-probably upcoming announcement that with DeVos out of the race, Hoekstra is jumping in to run for governor:

"I have been traveling around the state, talking to people about possibly making a run for governor, and I've received a lot of positive feedback. I'm seriously considering it. But my wife and I want to take some time and make sure we make the right decision about what to do with the next phase of our lives. Running for governor may be part of it."

So, dear readers, who do you think runs on the Republican and Democratic sides?

Hoekstra Retiring from Congress to Run for Governor?

by: philgoblue

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 19:07:46 PM EST

With Hoekstra leaving Congress, thoughts turn to who might run in a Republican primary to replace him.  Possible names include State Senator Wayne Kuipers from Holland, State Representative Bill Huizenga, and maybe Secretary  of State Terri Lynn Land (if she moved a few miles west into the district).  Any others you can think of?

With an open seat, will Fred Johnson run again?  

Granholm Announces Job Growth in West Michigan

by: philgoblue

Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:00:00 AM EDT

You can chat with Governor Jennifer Granholm about these developments and others at her sixth annual swing through Grand Rapids is next week TONIGHT:

Sweet September
General Reception
24 September, Wednesday
5:00 -- 6:30 pm
Frederik Meijer Gardens
Grand Ballroom
1000 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids
$100 per person

For more information or to RSVP, please call Jordan Rossen at (517) 485-5100 or see the Sweet September event website.

West Michigan Go Vote Workshop Next Weekend

by: philgoblue

Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 16:04:10 PM EDT

West Michigan Go Vote is a day-long, nonpartisan workshop devoted to inspiring and equipping women with skills to get active during the election season.  This is the perfect training for campaign volunteers, first-time voters and any woman interested in making sure Michigan women cast ballots at the polls this year.  

Go Vote participants will hear from other women who are working on local civic engagement efforts in West Michigan, learn about the difference women make in elections, and create their own unique blueprint for getting out the vote this fall.

The event is free and lunch will be provided.  It should be a packed and fun day!  

Michigan Campaign for Change to Open 40th Office

by: philgoblue

Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 08:42:04 AM EDT

Today the Campaign for Change will open their 40th campaign office in Michigan. With this weekend's openings, the Campaign for Change will meet its goal to in operating at least 40 offices in Michigan -- twice the amount in operation in 2004. Organizers in the local offices will work with supporters in the community to build the strong base of support for the Senator and other local candidates (let's hope so). Local offices will serve as a resource for the community to learn more about Senator Obama's policies and to participate in campaign events and volunteer opportunities.  

Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Bart Stupak will be among the elected officials that will help to open the new offices. Following the office openings, volunteers will be in the community registering their neighbors to vote.

It's a rainy day in West Michigan, but that can't dampen our enthusiasm as we must win this battle ground state for Obama.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Holland Office Opening
Senator Debbie Stabenow and campaign supporters
10:00 am
1 W. 5th St.
Holland, MI 49423

Hart -- Oceana County Office Opening
Community leaders and campaign supporters
1:00 pm
16 S. State St.
Hart, MI 49420
* Volunteer Canvassing Kickoff to begin at 2:00 pm

Manistee Office Opening
Senator Debbie Stabenow and Campaign Supporters
1:00 pm
378 River Rd.
Manistee, MI 49660

Allegan Office Opening
Community leaders and campaign supporters
2:30 pm
527 Water St.
Allegan, MI 49010
* Volunteer Canvassing Kickoff to begin at 3:30 pm

Click here for your local Campaign for Change office.

Remember, you can give directly to your local Campaign for Change (so that the money doesn't go to Chicago, but stays right here to get Michigan's 15 Electoral Votes and helps elect local Democrats) by going into the HQ, finding the local County Party representative and writing a check to "X County Democratic Party" and asking that it go to fund yardsign purchases, HQ rent and opperations, and Get Out the Vote work.  I highly recommend this over sending the money out of state to Obama HQ since we're not seeing a ton of that money come back here to our HQs.

Holland City Council Meets Tonight on New Coal Plant

by: philgoblue

Wed Sep 03, 2008 at 11:41:52 AM EDT

This effects everyone.  The Press reports that air in Kent County is largely polluted from the massive Consumers Energy J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant along Lake Michigan in Ottawa County (wind blows west):

EPA officials say pollution from power plants in Ottawa County -- most notably Campbell -- is a big reason the air quality of Kent County, measured at those trailers, violates new, stricter standards.

Under pressure from local residents, Holland BPW and City Council held a public forum Thursday, 28 August on Coal Plant Expansion, which attracted about 50 people who testified over a 3 hour period, mostly in opposition to coal plant expansion.  The Press has a report on that meeting.

Partners Dedicate New Upper Macatawa Natural Area in Ottawa County

by: philgoblue

Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 14:17:56 PM EDT

On Thursday, the Ottawa County Parks Department will dedicate its newest and largest property -- the 583-acre Upper Macatawa Natural Area located south and east of the I-196 highway.

Derk Walkotten, executive director for the Macatawa Greenway Partnership told The Grand Rapids Press:

"The Upper Macatawa Natural Area is the most significant project that's happened in our watershed."

This major new park was made possible by an impressive partnership between local, state and federal governments, environmentalists, conservationists, farmers, and all kinds of outdoors enthusiasts.  Ottawa County Parks partnered with the Macatawa Greenway Partnership, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Michigan departments of Environmental Quality and Transportation, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Ducks Unlimited, the Macatawa Watershed Project and the Holland Audubon Club on the park. The partnership raised $450,000 for the project.

More than $6 million has been invested in land acquisition and restoration efforts, from county parks millage funds to a $500,000 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality grant approved in 2004.

County Parks Director John Scholtz said:

"The project is a testament to what can be accomplished when many partners work together toward a common vision."

Upper Macatawa Natural Area Dedication
19 June, Thursday at 4:00 pm
At the Upper Macatawa Natural Area 84th Street entrance north of Adams Street in Zeeland Township

From Russia with Hate, or Agema Wants to Return to Our Glorious Traditions of Breaking Treaties

by: philgoblue

Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 10:41:53 AM EDT

It seems big game hunter and sometime State Representative (heck, he's already part-time) Dave Agema (R-Ottawa County) wants to break federal treaties and bring an end to tuition waivers for Native Americans attending Michigan's community colleges and public universities.

However,

tribal leaders stress the tuition waiver is included in treaties between the Indians and the state and federal government. It is a "political relationship" that should not be affected by the state Constitution or the budget crisis, said Frank Ettawageshik, tribal chairman at Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians....

Treaties enacted in the 1800s and 1900s called for free public education for American Indians....

Not to be too worried, it seems Agema is so unfamiliar with the job of being a legislator that he has yet to actually introduce the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Dave, to learn more about the Appropriations Committee, click here (hint: you're actually on it).

7:00 PM 5-30-2008! Ottawa County Democratic Party Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening

by: Bill_Kim

Thu May 22, 2008 at 23:25:49 PM EDT

The office is located on 5th and Central in downtown Holland.  

Wind Farms Heading for West Michigan

by: philgoblue

Tue May 13, 2008 at 23:39:18 PM EDT

Two energy companies -- Traverse City-based Heritage Sustainable Energy and Iberdrola Renewables of Spain -- are making plans to build wind farms on the rich farmland known as the Ridge in Kent and Ottawa counties between Sparta and Conklin.

The companies quietly have competed against each other to buy up leases for wind turbines that would "tower above apple trees and pastures in places like Sparta and Chester townships."

Heritage Sustainable Energy told The Press it has signed leases with farmers covering 4,000 acres around the ridge and plans to start harvesting local wind with 15 to 30 wind turbines within 2-4 years.

Heritage project coordinator Rick Wilson says his firm will be conducting tests to determine the best sites for the turbines, planning on using the existing nearby transmission lines, and likes the project location since it is near

"the city of Grand Rapids is really trying to orient themselves into being a green city."

According to Wilson, with the tips of the blades reaching 400-475 feet (100 feet taller than the tallest buildings in the city) the wind farm would "be a pretty prominent element on the landscape. You'd probably be able to see it from downtown Grand Rapids."  The power generated could be enough to power over 25,000 homes.