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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

foreclosure
By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Criticized for secrecy, Grand Traverse County moves meetings online

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 08.25.08 | 3:18 pm

Grand Traverse County will be the first county in Michigan to broadcast its meetings live on the Internet and offer a searchable online archive. The move is a complete turnabout by a county commission long criticized for its secrecy.

For decades the Grand Traverse County Commission refused to allow its meetings to be broadcast on the local public access channel, arguing that the cost was prohibitive. Many felt this argument was disingenuous, particularly after reform-minded Christine Maxbauer won a seat on the commission and began filming the meetings and airing them on the public access channel for free. Last year the commission refused to allow Maxbauer to film its annual goal setting meeting and had to pay her attorney’s fees after she sued them for violating the Open Meetings Act.

The Traverse City Record Eagle reports that last week the commission signed a three-year contract with IQM2 Intelligent Meeting Management to stream meetings live on the Internet and to archive them in keyword searchable format. People will now be able to search video coverage by agenda item and pull up the background documents related to each item.

The Record Eagle editorial board says the move shows a change in the political climate:

It is an astounding reversal that longtime county watchers may find hard to believe. But those who have looked closely at recent election results know that times — and the electorate — have changed.

More and more, voters and taxpayers want to know who is making — and influencing — policy and why. Who appears to have the ear of the board? Which commissioners seem willing to confront problems and solve them? Is the administration doing its job? Candidates who promise greater transparency and accountability are winning, and others are taking note.

One person certain to gain exposure through wider accessiblilty of county meetings is fifth term Republican commissioner Wayne Schmidt who is currently running against Democrat Roman Grucz for state Representative in the 104th District.

Comments

  • matt

    The 104th district deserves a state rep who is open and honest. Unlike Schmidt, Roman Grucz is against closed meetings and secret deals. This is an important election, and citizens should think twice about supporting Schmidt. His record as a county commissioner is laced with secrecy and questionable activities.

  • Tom

    I guess it is easy to try to smear someone with a strong public record. For a younger guy, Wayne Schmidt has done a lot for GT County. If you knew Wayne, talked with him, you would know he is honest, open and considerate person.
    I think voters are smarter than this, and recognize Grucz as a lawyer, with little community involvement, who will say anything to get elected. I for one do not think we need more lawyers in Lansing.

    • matt

      I'm not smearing the guy. I'm sure the majority of TC residents would not consider Schmidt's failed parking deck project to be a positive community contribution.

      Schmidt is constantly changing his positions on various issues. He donated money to Planned Parenthood 2 years ago, yet he's now a member of Right to Life? In addition, Schmidt has been known to tell people he's a Democrat in personal conversation, but runs as a fiscal conservative. What exactly is he? It appears Schmidt will say anything to get elected.

      Grucz does not attempt to be all things to all people. He's an honest and respected attorney who works on child-related cases, and he's a founding member of Citizens for Equity. In addition, he has a Bachelor's degree in business administration, and worked as a corporate executive for 20+ years. What is Schmidt's academic background? It vaguely says on his campaign lit that he went to the U of Chicago. However, he doesn't have a college degree.

      In the end, we need more qualified people in Lansing. Wayne might be a nice guy, but he's not qualified to represent the 104th district.

      • CommonSenseGT

        Matt -
        I wonder what makes Roman qualified to represent the 104th if Wayne is not? The fact that he has a JD? The fact that he has not worked inside the district for the past few years? The fact that he moved outside the district to try to get appointed judge, then moved back to TC to run again for the State House? The fact that he has worked in corporate America? The fact that he has not been involved on the hot issues of this community? The fact that he can jump on the anti-deck bandwagon but not have participated in a constructive way? The fact that he claims he is more pro-life than Wayne, yet wasn't endorsed by RTL? The fact that you claim Wayne gave to Planned Parenthood 2yrs ago when he did not? (That doesn't seem very honest and respectable).

        In my opinion, I think what scares Roman is the fact that Wayne IS more qualified to represent the 104th because of his life long involvement in the community, despite the fact that he does not have the slick academic credentials Roman does. I have a college degree. Does that make me qualified to handle the affairs of the state? I think not.

        I have read Roman's literature. He claims to be against “politics as usual and gotcha politics”. If this “New Direction” of politics includes the diffusion of misinformation and mocking attacks, then NO thank you. Wayne is way above this kind of politics and knows he can win without it.

        When you work with many groups from many backgrounds, it is typical that you get the reputation as trying, as you say, to be all things to all people, or “someone from the other side”. That is simply a typical knock on someone who has extended a hand or an ear to all groups, no matter what their political affiliation may be. To fix our state, this is exactly what we need. I see Roman likes to attack Senator Jason Allen…so if Roman is elected, what does he plan to do to work with Jason to fix our state? Or will we just get more mocking attacks?

        To close: I understand that Roman wants to be our next State Rep. and that it is fun to jump on board the anti-incumbancy sentiment by labeling someone a “good-ole” boy as he does in his lit. Its also fun to be an arm-chair quarterback to every tough decision that has been made by those who put their identities on the line to run our community. What takes greater courage is to show up and actually have a hand in the decisions. To come up with your own solutions. To take criticism for those solutions. And to see those solutions go down in flames, only to get back up and try it again to make our community better. This is what Wayne has done for years and what I hope he brings to Lansing, even if it does mean he will have to take shots from people who love to criticize, yet are unwilling to constructively get into the mix themselves.
        So keep taking low ball shots. It has what's worked in the past to win elections, but not what has worked to positively govern. I'll be voting for the person willing to make the tough calls at the expense of his political image.

        • matt104

          I will correct myself by stating that Wayne didn't give money to PP two years ago; However, he did donate money to PP in 2000, and he publicly touted himself as being pro-choice as recently as two years ago. Also, not all pro-lifers agree with the various positions of Right to Life, such as stem cell research and sex education. Unlike Wayne, Roman didn't want the endorsement of a group he disagrees with.

          I agree we need politicians who are willing to reach across the isle, but it's also important to stand for something. Wayne has a record of being pro-choice, yet he seeks the endorsement of Right to Life when he runs for state rep. Did Jason Allen tell him to do this? To be honest, I could care less about Wayne's views on abortion. However, his inconsistency is very suspicious. And Wayne does have a history of telling people two different things. Why would he tell some people he's a democrat when he isn't? That's not my definition of reaching across the isle. It's misleading for a politician to engage in such behavior.

          There's a difference between attacking someone, and criticizing their policies. State. Sen Jason Allen is not exempt from scrutiny. We need a state rep who is willing to make their own informed decisions, including disagreeing with Sen. Allen when it's appropriate. Roman will play that role, whereas Wayne will do whatever Allen says.

          Also, Wayne has been involved on the wrong side of the community's hot button issues. The parking deck mess last year is the epitome of a good old boy network, and the TC community agrees. The septage plant is also a debacle. What about the Open Meetings Act controversy? It's not low ball to question Wayne's record as an elected official.

          Obviously a college degree is not the sole qualifier for office, but it does count for something. A lawyer is capable of reading and writing legislation, and doesn't have to rely on a lobbyist to do all the work. And Roman's corporate experience is valuable in a time of economic crisis. Like I've stated, we need more qualified people in Lansing, and Roman has more qualified credentials. Wayne seems like a nice guy, and he probably has good intentions, but good intentions don't always yield good results. His involvement with the failed parking deck indicates poor judgement. In addition, his loyalty to Sen. Allen is not the new direction this district needs.

          In order to fix this state, we need to do a lot of things. there are no easy answers to complex problems. Like you said, we need some cooperation, but we also need state reps who are qualified, intelligent, independent, and willing to try something new. Roman embodies all of those qualities.

  • InvolvedCitizen

    Grucz claims to be against “gotcha politics”, and yet we can just look at the headline story in the Record Eagle about this bogus Campaign Finance violation. Grucz runs to the paper, BEFORE even filing a complaint because he knows its nothing, and even the experts quoted in the article said it was “small violation” at best. What happened to being against “gotcha politics”?

    To say Wayne is not open and honest is just plain not true, as are many of “Matt104″s statements. As another commentor stated, Grucz is just jumping on the anti-parking deck bandwagon even though he never participated. By the way….if Grucz is claiming to be so involved with Citzens for Equity he ought to consider attending a meeting this year.

  • matt104

    Yeah, and later in the article Dawn Hertz calls it a “blatant” violation. Next time read the whole article.

    Politicians like Wayne always play the “gotcha” card when they’re in the wrong. It’s a typical republican tactic. Simply put, he's an elected official, and should be held accountable. My advice: stop trying to claim people are out to get you, and start following the rules. Lansing doesn’t need more politicians who think they’re above scrutiny.

    Everything I said is true regarding Wayne. Do you really expect Wayne to have a mind of his own when he currently works for Jason Allen’s family? We don’t need two Jason Allens in office.

    Also, Roman is clearly a stronger candidate in terms of education. He's endorsed by the MEA, and he's been a member of Citizens for Equity long before this election.

    I have the sneaking suspicion that I’m arguing with the same person. Somehow I doubt Wayne Schmidt supporters read month old MM articles.

  • matt

    Yeah, and later in the article Dawn Hertz calls it a “blatant” violation. Next time read the whole article.

    Politicians like Wayne always play the “gotcha” card when they’re in the wrong. It’s a typical republican tactic. Simply put, he’s an elected official, and should be held accountable. My advice: stop trying to claim people are out to get you, and start following the rules. Lansing doesn’t need more politicians who think they’re above scrutiny.

    Everything I said is true regarding Wayne. Do you really expect Wayne to have a mind of his own when he currently works for Jason Allen’s family? We don’t need two Jason Allens in office.

    Also, Roman is clearly a stronger candidate in terms of education. He’s endorsed by the MEA, and he’s been a member of Citizens for Equity long before this election.

    I have the sneaking suspicion that I’m arguing with the same person. Somehow I doubt Wayne Schmidt supporters read month old MM articles.

  • InvolvedCitizen

    After reading your post, I did some research to find out the truth. I went to the Secretary of State web site ( http://www.michigan.gov/sos/) and went through the administrative rulings relative to section 57 of the Campaign Finance law. Counties in the past have taken action similar AND the intent of the law is to prevent “public funds being spent on political” questions. Posting, e-mail, normal press releases are NOT a violation of the law. In fact, it is perfectly legal for a Public body to deliberate and even endorse a ballot issue or candidate provided no funds are spent…e.g a donation, special advertising,etc… These rulings have been on the books for years. GT County did not spend funds, they just posted there may be a meeting of Commissioners.
    I'm sure you do not believe me, so read it yourself http://www.michigan.gov/sos/ in the section regarding Campaign Finance and Administrative Rulings. You may not even agree with the law, but that is the law.

    So, for a lawyer like Grucz to make an unjust and untrue public acusation against the County, weeks before his election, is either “gotcha”politics or irresponsible ignorance.

    Clearly you have you mind made up, but at least stick to the issues and facts, not innuendo and assumptions that even “Swift Boaters” would be proud of.

  • matt104

    There’s a difference between accountability and gotcha politics. Calling elected officials out on questionable behavior is not gotcha politics. Comparing this to a “Swift Boat” attack is beyond hyperbole. Simply put, the GTC board has engaged in numerous questionable activities throughout the years, and this recent case is worth discussing. Did Schmidt really check with state officials? At worst he lied to the Record Eagle about contacting the state office, and at best he didn’t even know whom to contact. Either way it makes Schmidt look foolish.

    And Schmidt’s response is just a ploy to avoid accountability. “This is my opponent playing 'gotcha' politics and we don't need more of that in Lansing.” Give me a break. You know what we don’t need more of in Lansing? Politicians like Wayne Schmidt who don’t understand the rules, and fail to admit fault. Times are really tough in Michigan, and we need to smart about whom we send to Lansing.

    I have made up my mind based on the issues and facts. Wayne has a spotty history, and will do anything Jason Allen says (which apparently nobody seems to disagrees with). Roman has a qualified background and sound ideas for the district. I’m voting for Roman, and I encourage people from all political stripes to do the same.

  • matt104

    There’s a difference between accountability and gotcha politics. Calling elected officials out on questionable behavior is not gotcha politics. Comparing this to a “Swift Boat” attack is beyond hyperbole. Simply put, the GTC board has engaged in numerous questionable activities throughout the years, and this recent case is worth discussing. Did Schmidt really check with state officials? At worst he lied to the Record Eagle about contacting the state office, and at best he didn’t even know whom to contact. Either way it makes Schmidt look foolish.

    And Schmidt’s response is just a ploy to avoid accountability. “This is my opponent playing 'gotcha' politics and we don't need more of that in Lansing.” Give me a break. You know what we don’t need more of in Lansing? Politicians like Wayne Schmidt who don’t understand the rules, and fail to admit fault. Times are really tough in Michigan, and we need to smart about whom we send to Lansing.

    I have made up my mind based on the issues and facts. Wayne has a spotty history, and will do anything Jason Allen says (which apparently nobody seems to disagrees with). Roman has a qualified background and sound ideas for the district. I’m voting for Roman, and I encourage people from all political stripes to do the same.

  • matt104

    There’s a difference between accountability and gotcha politics. Calling elected officials out on questionable behavior is not gotcha politics. Comparing this to a “Swift Boat” attack is beyond hyperbole. Simply put, the GTC board has engaged in numerous questionable activities throughout the years, and this recent case is worth discussing. Did Schmidt really check with state officials? At worst he lied to the Record Eagle about contacting the state office, and at best he didn’t even know whom to contact. Either way it makes Schmidt look foolish.

    And Schmidt’s response is just a ploy to avoid accountability. “This is my opponent playing 'gotcha' politics and we don't need more of that in Lansing.” Give me a break. You know what we don’t need more of in Lansing? Politicians like Wayne Schmidt who don’t understand the rules, and fail to admit fault. Times are really tough in Michigan, and we need to smart about whom we send to Lansing.

    I have made up my mind based on the issues and facts. Wayne has a spotty history, and will do anything Jason Allen says (which apparently nobody seems to disagrees with). Roman has a qualified background and sound ideas for the district. I’m voting for Roman, and I encourage people from all political stripes to do the same.

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