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"Last
Month" at the Political Committee Meeting
Read the notes, or if there
is an available link click on it and read about what was discussed
at a given political committee meeting.
2009
NOTES
FROM THE 02/17 SEMG POLITICAL MEETING
We gathered for our first meeting since November.
Detroit Mayoral Election-
It was decided that the SEMG Political Committee would make
a recommendation for endorsement in the August Primary. Ann
Kerwin and Ed McArdle will guide the process. Among the issues
we will be addressing are the Incinerator future, how a potential
Mayor would enact the US Mayor's Conference on Climate Control
and opinions on the Zero Waste Conference.
Local Elections-
It was decided to operate in much the same manner we ran the
2007 elections. Sierra Club Political Committee members would
act as sponsors for Mayor and City Council elections of their
choosing. A sponsor would not have to reside within that district
but would have to have knowledge of the local issues and become
familiar with the candidates.
So far we have sponsors for the following districts:
Mitch Mitchell- Rochester Hills, Troy (unless Mary Bogush
has time)
Kevin McGunagle- Farmington
Gayle Bettega- Berkley
Ed McArdle- Taylor
If any other Political Committee members would like to sponsor
a district, let me know.
Change in Meeting Dates-
We were finally able to take a vote on changing the meeting
date to better serve the endorsement process. It was decided
to switch from the 3rd Tuesday of each month to the 2nd Tuesday
of the month.
This is contingent on the SEMG Ex-Comm approval. It is our
hope that Carol would switch the Ex-Comm to the 3rd Thursday
of each month. The change will save valuable time in the endorsement
process.
If approved, our next meeting will be March 10th. Mark your
calendars!!
New Chairperson-
I have been unsuccessful in getting someone to replace me
as Chair. It disheartens me to hear suggestions to perhaps
suspend the Committee. My offer is still open to help anyone
who wants to fill this vital and fulfilling position within
the Sierra Club.
2008
• FROM
March 18, 2008 POLITICAL COMMITTEE MEETING, JIMI'S IN ROYAL
OAK
Held at Jimi’s in Royal Oak
Attending: Mitch Mitchell(chair),Hal Newnan, Richard Kuszmar,Tom
Schultz,Gayle Bettega,Kevin Mc Gunagle,Gillian Talwar,Brad
Wilson,Marie Wiegold, Lizz Newell, Ed McArdle,Mary Bogush
OLD BUSINESS-
We finalized Early endorsements for Congressional candidates.
This included a spirited debate on the merits of Congressmen
Levin and Dingell. This debate will be continued at the next
meeting. The National Sierra Club is very concerned about
this.
The suggestion was made by Marie to obtain a written reason
why any of the Group Political Committee’s endorsements
are rejected by any higher committee.
We discussed news on candidates who have filed for State Rep
and County Commissioner races.
Brad brought news of a fundraiser for Sarah Roberts (D) in
Macomb’s 24th. While we have not endorsed her, I sent
a personal message to the Political Committee in regards to
this. The fundraiser is in Lansing on Lobby Day so some people
may be in town for it. If you can not make it, do not worry.
There will be more opportunities to support this outstanding
environmental candidate.
NEW BUSINESS-
We completed the County Commissioner questionnaires for Macomb,
Oakland and Wayne counties.
Marie and Gillian did a great job pulling the information
together so that we had targeted issues for each county. The
whole committee did a fine job of discussing each question
at length and adding the finishing touches. It’s no
secret that this committee is the pride of the Michigan Chapter
and it is efforts like this that keep us held in high esteem.
Outstanding work, all!!
We had a brief discussion about inviting guests to the next
meeting. Perhaps Bernard Parker to fill us in on Wayne County
happenings. I also have been trying to get Sarah Roberts in
to see us. Fred Miller would also be good. The next meeting
will be the calm before the 2008 election storm so we have
an opportunity for issue education. What is everyone’s
thoughts on this? Let me know.
Dates to remember:
April 15th – next SEMG Political meeting
May 13th- candidate filing deadline and 3rd Party declarations
June 10th- special County Commissioner questionnaire endorsement
session at Jimi’s
Mitch Mitchell
SEMG Political Committee Chairperson
2008
• FROM
FEBRUARY 19, 2008 POLITICAL COMMITTEE MEETING, JIMI'S IN ROYAL
OAK
ATTENDING: Mitch Mitchell (Chair), Carol Izant, Ed McArdle,
Kein McGunagle, Ann Kerwin, Gill Talwar, Hal Newnan, Richard
Kuszmar, Gayle Bettega, Bev & Dave Wolf
Recall Updates: We discussed the crazy, convoluted upside-down
world of recalls. The Marie Donigan recall language was rejected
on appeal. Thankfully this one looks dead. Aldo Vagnozzi's
is alive pending appeal. Steve Bieda's is alive but there
doesn't seem to be any enthusiasm or strength to any of the
recalls. We must stay vigilant but hopefully these all die
slow deaths, for both parties.
Website: Hal Newnan gave us an update on his much needed attention
to our website. He will be adding new items and information
as needed including an edited version of these notes. Yea
Hal!
Endorsement Sub-Committee: The Committee approved a group
that will study State Representative questionnaires and give
endorsement recommendations to the full Committee. The group
includes the County volunteers Mitch, Lizz, Ed, Hal and Brad
Wilson. Also included are Bev & Dave Wolf and Ann Kerwin.
Thank you to all these people who will be doing a lot of work
in the coming election cycle.
County Commission Endorsements will be done by the full Committee
with Primary endorsements done in a special session on Tuesday
June 10th.
Everyone received a copy of the Sierra Club Endorsement Criteria.
Congressional Endorsements: The Committee took votes on Sander
Levin, Carolyn C Kirkpatrick, John Dingell and John Conyers.
All of these candidates were previously endorsed. E-mail me
if you want the results of the votes.
We also had a spirited debate on Early endorsing Gary Peters.
The results of all these votes were passed along to the Group
Ex-Comm.
In our announcements, Ed told of a mass transit summit hosted
by Congresswoman Carolyn C Kirkpatrick. It will be held on
March 3 at Wayne State Community Arts Center. Time is 9am-2am.
Please contact Rodney Johnson at 313-965-9004 for more information.
2007
• May,
Mitch Mitchell, Chair (.pdf)
2006
• January
by Jim Nash (.pdf)
2005
• January
by Patti Smith (.pdf)
• February
by Ed McArdle (.pdf)
• March
by David L. Richards
• April
by David Llewellyn
2004
• February
by Jim Nash (Word doc.)
• March
by Patti Smith (.pdf)
• April
by Bev Wolf (.pdf)
2003
• November
by Jim Nash (.pdf)
• October
by Jean Gramlich (.pdf) |
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