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Antrim County Commissioners Race District #7: Echo, Jordan, Warner: LaVanway unopposed

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Dawn LaVanway, Republican incumbent, is running unopposed for District #7 in the August primary. She is passionate about the jail issue! See her responses to the jail questionnaire below. 

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening??? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people. Feel free to explain.
It would be nice to have two meetings a month in the evening for a few hours. Unfortunately, there are many policies, plans, evaluations and procedures that have been lacking over the years creating much on the agendas. Issues with departments need to speak in the day meetings to answer board questions which keeps the costs down otherwise it would be considered overtime for all employees at night.

2. a) Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way?b) Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project? If so, please explain. c) Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
No / No / No

3. Do you support the Stepping up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities? Please explain.
Yes. I would rather see people get help through programs funded partially with federal and state money than to institutionalize the people at a high cost to the taxpayers. Being institutionalized does not only affect the jail population, but their families as well.

Yes. I think the Sheriff would only want to help the public who are institutionalized.

4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail? Please explain.
There is no evidence of overcrowding. Stats have been decreasing. There is no research on saving space by moving the jail library to devices for people, have Commission on Aging cook the meals across the street saving space and money, decrease weight room area or digitalize jail files to make more space in the jail.

No cost report has been shown to put a second floor on the jail. No real estate report has been shown of all property available in the area that might be a better fit than the property near Animal Control in which environmental said you can build for a cost. No partnering with Village that will be needed to discuss infrastructure costs for a bigger jail if it is kept in same location.

How about looking at contracting out the jail to see if will save cost considering other communities built a new jail? The current jail is grandfathered in. If the County builds a new jail standards will need to be maintained. What will on-going operating costs be for a new jail? Will we need to take other offenders from other communities to pay for the new jail to keep the new jail operating?

I would think it would be the Sheriff pushing this issue trying to convince the taxpayers of the need, not five Commissioners pushing their beliefs of standards, liability, security, working conditions and gender from one Consulting firm’s report who builds jails. Commissioners are responsible for hiring an Administrator, approving budgets, policies, plans and procedures

5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
That would alleviate some questions. However, bringing back the same consultant Byce and Associates for special meetings at a cost of $3,000 to $4,000 when there are other questions is not getting any further with a plan costing the taxpayers a lot of money

6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision?
Definitely the taxpayers should be voting on this project! People in district 7 don’t want to pay for a new jail. Take a look at the July 18, 2019 minutes page 

I motioned to stop this process of moving forward because the taxpayers in District 7 are not in favor of continually overspending money every year on this project and nothing has been determined to show the taxpayers the NEED.

Move forward and work on services that are needed in the County such as maintaining the County buildings, fix roads, better internet access, better jobs (Business Park), and workforce housing.

7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
Let’s not make such an expensive decision without working together with the taxpayers. Some taxpayers in the County might know things and have experience in corrections, legislation, and funding. The County Administration building was built without the vote of the people many years ago. Let’s learn from that incident and move forward working together to make a better County. A plan working with organizations and agreed upon to administer grants and low interest loans are needed. The State of Michigan last year created a committee to take a look at jail reform to keep people out of jail because costs are so high it is putting Counties in debt. It would be nice if State and/or Federal money would pay if a plan was organized and thought out so the taxpayers in Antrim County are not out taxed.

Antrim County Commissioners Race District #5 Kearney and Custer: Vanalstine unopposed

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Terry Vanalstine, Republican incumbent for Antrim County District #5, is unopposed in the election. See his responses to the jail questionnaire below.

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening??? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people.
I made the motion the 1st meeting to have one day and one night meeting with doing away with standing committees and have all business done in front of the public. I think the work load could not be done with 2 night meetings as we need staff to come to the day meetings to update us on issues.

2. a) Do you or your family have any special interests or connectinons to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? if so, please explain.b) Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project? c) Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
No / No / No

3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities? |
Yes I think this program is a great thing. We need to get the people that need help help and keep them out of jail. Also with having this program we could reduce the cost of running the jail. I would think the sheriff would be all over this program as it helps the jail employees handle people that they are not trained in taking care of. I would also like to explore the possibility of moving the food service out of the jail and have coa deliver meals and I think that would free up space and reduce cost in the jail.

4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail?
I am not in favor of a new jail. But if I had to choose it makes more sense to build a new one because if we start redoing the old one we have to bring everything up to code. Now we are grandfathered In. I would also look at moving the jail outside of town. It would make the most sense as we could sell the property we have now and get it on the tax roles as commercial property to generate more tax base.

5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
It has already been known that it would handle a second story.

6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision?
I think the taxpayers of Antrim county should decide if they want to pay for a new jail. Then the board can start working on what we need.

7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
I think a combination of sources I think there is federal and state money available as well and fund balance and asking for a milage to help with it.

Antrim County Commissioners Race District #8: most of Mancelona Helwig vs O’Dell

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Two candidates have filed for Antrim County Commissioner in District #8, which includes Mancelona Village and most of Mancelona Township. 

Incumbent Republican Jason Helwig is running against Democrat challenger Dana O’Dell. We sent both candidates a questionnaire regarding their views on the new jail. Helwig’s responses are below.  O’Dell has not yet responded.

Democrat Dana O’Dell has not yet responded to the questionnaire.

Jason Helwig

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening??? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people.
I made the motion the 1st meeting to have one day and one night meeting with doing away with standing committees and have all business done in front of the public. I think the work load could not be done with 2 night meetings as we need staff to come to the day meetings to update us on issues.


2. a) Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? if so, please explain. b) Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project c) Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
No / No / No

3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities?
Yes I think this program is a great thing. We need to get the people that need help help and keep them out of jail. Also, with having this program we could reduce the cost of running the jail. I would think the sheriff would be all over this program as it helps the jail employees handle people that they are not trained in taking care of. I would also like to explore the possibility of moving the food service out of the jail and have coa deliver meals and I think that would free up space and reduce cost in the jail.

4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail?
I am not in favor of a new jail. But if I had to choose it makes more sense to build a new one because if we start redoing the old one we have to bring everything up to code. Now we are grandfathered In. I would also look at moving the jail outside of town. It would make the most sense as we could sell the property we have now and get it on the tax roles as commercial property to generate more tax base.

5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
It has already been known that it would handle a second story.

6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision? I think the taxpayers of Antrim county should decide if they want to pay for a new jail. Then the board can start working on what we need.

7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
I think a combination of sources I think there is federal and state money available as well and fund balance and asking for a milage to help with it.

 

Antrim County Commissioner Race District 6, Custer and Helena: Ricksgers vs Lockwood vs Barwick

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Brenda Ricksgers

Gary Lockwood

Three Republican candidates have filed for Antrim County Commissioner in District #6, which includes Custer and Helena Townships. Incumbent Brenda Ricksgers is running against challengers Gary Lockwood and Ronald Barwick.

Click here to see Lockwood’s candidate Facebook page.

Barwick did not reply.to our questionnaire regarding views on the new jail.  Responses from the other two candidates are below.

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening??? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people. Feel free to explain.
Answers:
Ricksgers: No, because there are people giving reports that need to do so during their working hours. Some of our day meetings go 6-7 hours, there just isn’t time to get it all in at night. Some of us, both young and older, are a morning person and after 8 PM may not be as alert for making important decisions. We do have one meeting each to try to accommodate the most people.

Lockwood: All meetings should be in the evening.

2. a) Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? if so, please explain. Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project? If so, please explain. Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
Answers:
Ricksgers: Not at all! / No / No

Lockwood: No relatives / No / No 


3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities? Please explain.
Answers:
Ricksgers: Definitely! I know he turned it over to Todd and not sure why. I have not had a chance to talk to him about it.

Lockwood: Yes, I but would like more concrete data from counties like Oakland who have done this.


4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail? Please explain.
Answers:
Ricksgers: I am one that is still considering. It is very hard for me to justify putting a lot of money onto a very old building. It is also hard to ask taxpayers to fund a new jail and with new programs coming to help keep prisoners at a minimum, I do not want to over build!

Lockwood: I have not seen the current jail, but I have heard that it is adequate for the number of inmates currently there. Renovating could be done to improve. Building a new jail no comment right now.


5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?Answers:
Ricksgers: That is a good question. We hired a hydrologist to study the land by Animal shelter and they said it would support a one story building and the talk has always been if there is a new build it would be two story! The animal shelter has had problems because of moisture!

Lockwood: I have heard that it was built to accommodate two stories. The county should look at the plan with a structural engineer with no connections from up here to see if it is possible. Until you see the plans, it’s hard to have an opinion.


6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision?
Answers:
Ricksgers: I do think the citizens should vote! I’m sure before it is done that will happen. Meadowbrook renovation was voted on by the people before the bond to build. We have I think 12 more years to pay for Meadowbrook. The bond is being redone to save $400,000 on it. I don’t think we can tax people without a vote!

Lockwood: It should be brought up to the voting populace.


7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
Answers:
Ricksgers: It may be a combination. I have contemplated this.

Lockwood: Many avenues: I have heard that money has been set aside that could build the jail. Taxpayers always end up paying for things like this if the funds that were allocated for this project have been re-appropriated.

Candidate Ronald Barwick did not reply to the questionnaire.

Antrim County Commissioner Race: District #4 Elk Rapids Boettcher vs Cooper

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Two Republican candidates have filed for Antrim County Commissioner in District #4, which includes Elk Rapids. Incumbent Ed Boettcher is running. Vincent Cooper is challenging Boettcher. Click here to see Cooper’s Facebook page. We sent both parties a questionnaire regarding their views on the new jail. Responses for both candidates are below.

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening? This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people. Feel free to explain. 
Answers:
Boettcher: I’m open to input and will listen to discussions as always. Please keep in mind that a meeting time which doesn’t work for you may be best for others. There is no perfect time. Also it needs to be taken into account; employee OT, employee availability and presenters availability. In general I voted against evening meetings. We haven’t seen any increase in attendance from morning to evening, OT is costly, at times it is helpful to be able to summon a department head during the meeting and the attention of the Commissioners seem to lessen in the evening. A 10PM finish time means a 14 to 15 hour day for some of us.

Ed Boettcher

Vincent Cooper

Cooper: I am a big fan of giving the community a chance at involvement and believe that it plays a very important part in our local government. The Board of Commissioners currently meets twice a month, one meeting in the am and one meeting in the evening. I think this serves, or at least attempts to serve, all the people of Antrim County. This is with the understanding that some people work during the evening/night. With two meetings a month it at least gives everyone a opportunity to try and attend some meetings. That being said if the BOC where to meet only once a month, then I would totally agree that it should be in the evening as the majority of the people I feel work during the day and this would give the greatest benefit for community involvement.


2. Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? If so, please explain. 2b. Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project? If so, please explain. 2c. Do you have any personal connections or previous work with the consultants Byce? If so, please explain.
Answers:
Boettcher: As I stated previously, I, my wife or my children have no ownership in any construction Company. I do have a lot of experience in building jails. I am a graduate engineer and feel I have a good understanding of jail construction. I have never worked with Byce, our consultant. My one son works for a mason contractor in TC, he has no ownership, and my three stepsons are all painters, primarily residential. I can’t imagine that this project would have any impact on their income. Of course I wouldn’t profit from a new jail. I would never make a decision as a commissioner for me personally. My concerns are my taxes, our quality of life and the future well-being of our county government. A more efficient county government, meaning lower costs, maybe we would all profit from a new jail.

Cooper: no, no, and no 


3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities? Please explain.
Answers:
Boettcher: Stepping up is a good program that I support. This is just another step towards attempting to divert incarceration. There is no silver bullet. This program will help towards our mental heath issues but it wont solve them. Given our current infrastructure some of the Stepping up program would be challenging to totally implement.

Cooper: I am not very familiar with the Stepping Up Program, but, after an initial glance, I believe this could be a beneficial program that could help people with mental and/or drug and alcohol illnesses to get the proper treatment and hopefully help keep them out of jail. If after more research it proves to be a feasible and successful program. I would think the Sheriff would want to take a closer look at and possibly implement the program.


4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail? Please explain.
Answers:
Boettcher: Currently I believe a new jail is the most cost-effective solution toward improving our current issues. Again, I remain open minded and will continue to listen to all good ideas which address these issues.

Cooper: I have not had a chance to see any analysis or had a chance to look at a cost to benefit on doing one over the other. That being said tax payer money must be spent carefully and wisely, whether it be on a renovation or a new building.


5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
Answers:
Boettcher: A second story would not be cost effective.

Cooper: With the size and scope of this possible project, all avenues should be carefully looked at and if it is feasible, investigated


6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision?
Answers:
Boettcher: I think that the citizens should vote for good educated pragmatic and common sense Commissioners. The specifics should be addressed by the Commissioners. We are a representative republic for a reason. When I hear all the misinformation, and uninformed comments out there I’m not comfortable with having the public vote on whether or not we need to build a new jail. Further, we still need a lot of questions answered before we make any decision. Having said that, of course if it is determined that a millage will be required, a vote would be necessary.

Cooper: On a project of this size and magnitude, it should be at a minimum a majority vote (6-3). With a majority vote required if the board is split 5-4 then the project motion should fail, or it should be moved and be allowed to be put to a vote of the people.


7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
Answers:
Boettcher: If we decide a new jail is our best solution we would then need to define where, what and how much this would actually cost. Then we need to decide how we move forward.

Cooper: While all three have a place and a time to be used, I am not a fan of bonding projects. As a dad of three young children, I do not like the idea of burdening them with the responsibility of paying for things that I did. To me that is the easy way out. I am a big supporter of saving for projects or things that are needed and paying for them with as little borrowing as possible. I realize with everything going on today that this is hard to do, but I have found the hard path is normally the right path.

 

Antrim County Commissioner Race: District #1 Banks and Torch Lake Township: Vey vs Rubingh

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Two Republican candidates have filed for Antrim County Commissioner in District #1, which includes Banks and Torch Lake Township. Incumbent David Heeres is not running. Republican Brian Vey did not fill out a questionnaire. Click here to see his candidate Facebook page.  

Jarris Rubingh

The responses for Republican Jarris Rubingh are below. To see his candidates Facebook page, click here.  

1. Do you agree that all meetings should be held in the evening? 
This would encourage participation from working community members and would open up the field of Commissioners to working people. I think evening meetings would make it easier for ordinary people with jobs to attend the meetings, and more citizen input is a good thing. I have attended commissioner meetings in the past and doing it during the day requires a lot of sacrifice to make up work time etc..

2. Do you or your family have any special interests or connections to any company that will bid on the project or be involved in any way? if so, please explain. b) Will you earn money from any part of the jail building project? if so, please explain.
I am a dairy farmer and do not have any leaning on whatever company would get the job. I do believe that taxpayer funds should be used carefully, and I would be more inclined to pick a builder who does the best job for the cheapest price to make taxpayer funds go farther. I would not make any money from the project.

3. Do you support the Stepping Up Program to reduce jail population? Do you feel that the Sheriff should make this one of his priorities? Please explain.
I am in favor of the stepping up program, because I believe that communities need to come together to fight crime and keep people out of jail. I also believe that our local churches should be involved because many local pastors have expertise in counseling people who have mental illness. Our county sheriff should be at the forefront of the effort to keep people out of jail and instead find ways to encourage people to be positive contributors to society.

4. Which of the options do you believe the board should pursue as far as renovating or building a new jail? Please explain.
I have not seen a detailed analysis of the different options on building a jail. I would like to see a cost/benefit analysis of each option before I commit to one idea, but I believe taxpayer dollars should be spent in a wise and careful manner.

5. Should the Board hire a Structural Engineer to evaluate the current jail for an addition, since it was built to accommodate two stories?
I would like to know what it would cost to hire an engineer before I decide if it would be worthwhile, but it seems like adding a second story would be a cheaper option than building a whole new jail.

6. Do you believe that the citizens should be able to vote on this project? Or do you think a board that is split 5-4 should have the $76 million decision?
I believe that citizen input is important. I also believe that raising taxes or placing tax millages on the ballot should require a 2/3 majority vote, which would mean that the vote to approve would have to be at least 6 to 3.

7. How do you think the project should be funded? Fund balance / millage vote / bonding our children’s future?
I have not seen how much money the county currently has, but I am worried about how our federal government seems to be very comfortable going farther and farther into debt by printing money. Most bonding proposals that I have seen usually go for about 25 years into the future. I do not think it is right to require our children to pay for something that they have not had the chance to vote on, also in general it seems to be far more prudent to save for a future project or need than to borrow money that must be paid back with interest.  

Antrim County Sheriff, Commissioner Candidate Views on the Proposed Jail

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Building expensive new facilities, including a new jail, has been a controversial issue in Antrim County. The proposals for the new facilities ranged from $40.2 to $75.9 million.  Last fall, the Antrim County Commissioners voted 5-4 to proceed with these plans, and arranged for public meetings. Then the Corona virus hit, and everything came to a halt. 

In the meantime, several challenges have appeared for the County Commissioners, who are all up for re-election. In addition, Triston Cole has stepped up to challenge incumbent Sheriff Dan Bean.

Here are the county positions on the August ballot, and a link to the candidate’s view regarding the jail:

Sheriff’s Race: Dan Bean versus Triston Cole

ANTRIM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

District #1 Banks and Torch Lake Township
Brian H. Vey, Republican, has filed. Click here to see Rubingh’s responses. Vey has not responded
Jarris Rubingh, Republican, has filed.
Incumbent David Heeres is not running.

District #2 Central Lake and Forest Home Township:
Joshua Watrous, Republican incumbent, has filed. Watrous did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “no” on plans to proceed with the jail.

District #3 Milton Township:
Karen Bargy, Republican incumbent, has filed.  There are no challenges. Bargy did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “yes” on plans to proceed with the jail.

District #4 Elk Rapids:
Ed Boettcher, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see both candidates’ responses.
Vincent Cooper, Republican challenger, has filed.

District #5 Kearney and part of Custer Townships:
Terry VanAlstine, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see his responses.

District #6 Custer and Helena Townships: Click here to see Ricksgers’ and Lockwood’s responses. Barwick has not responded.
Brenda Ricksgers, Republican incumbent, has filed.
Gary Lockwood , Republican challenger, has filed.
Ronald Barwick, Republican challenger, has filed.

District #7: Echo, Jordan, Warner and Chestonia Townships:
Dawn LaVanway, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see her responses. She is passionate about the jail issue!

District #8: Mancelona Village and part of Mancelona Township:
This is the only race that will be decided on the November ballot.
Jason Helwig, Republican incumbent, has filed. Click here to see his responses.
Dana O’Dell, Democrat challenger, has filed. She did not respond to the questionnaire.

District #9 Star and most of Mancelona Township:
Christian Marcus, Republican incumbent, has filed.  Marcus did not respond to the questionnaire, but voted “yes” on plans to proceed with the jail.

Minutes June 17, 2020 NWMLP Convention

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Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NwMLP) Nominating Convention Minutes   
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 @6:30PM
JK Whisper Cafe, 105 Industrial Drive, Buckley, MI

Call Meeting to Order – Chairperson Biskupski called the meeting to order at 6:45pm
Role Call – Present: Peter Biskupski, Ben Schulz, Ben Boren, Donna Gundle-
Kreig, Phil Lindsay, David Holmer. Others: Cory and Stephanie Dean, Jason and Shawn Crum, Frank Pelky.

Absent: Kristen Kuhn, Lauren Elizabeth Todd.

Announcements – July 18th State Convention. Purpose of last convention was to elect delegates for the national convention. Purpose of this convention is to select state candidates and approve local race candidates.

Next Business Meeting will be Zoom on August 19th @ 6:30pm

Presentation of Candidates by Political Director – 6 candidates are good
variety and all freedom loving.
Tom Gray: absent, but running for Homestead Trustee.
David Holmer: One of the co-founders for our affiliate, NwMLP, and was the first political director. Ran in 2018 for Manistee County Commissioner and got
26% vote in a two person race against a Democrat incumbent. 2019 led protest in city for property rights with fire pits. Running again for Manistee County
Commissioner against same Democrat incumbent.
Jason Crum: videos with Libertarian beliefs and background in radio. He tends to lean Republican, but didn’t get a response
back. Feels there might not be a “normal person” running and wants to run an education type campaign.
Frank Pelky: Ran previously as a Democrat. Activist fighting for propertyrights and went against city for noise ordinance and police harassment. Feels other party keeps encroaching on you. So, running Libertarian for Homestead Township Clerk.
Cory Dean: Ran Republican in 2012 and lost by 3 votes. They pay $115/mo for 2 meetings. Feels taxation and wasteful spending is theft. Ran Republican in 2016 and lost by 3%. So, running Libertarian now because it’s something that he always wanted to do.
Donna Gundle-Kreig: One of the co-founders of our affiliate and was the first chair. Running for Township Supervisor against a Republican and a
Democrat sex offender. Feels local races are winnable and other candidates shouldn’t consider themselves to be shoo-ins/

Outreach Director, Ben Boren, remind BBQ event for Sept. 13th will be meet & greet. More details to come.

New Business –
Election of delegates to State Convention in July: Donna Gundle-Kreig, Phil Lindsay, Peter Biskupski, Ben Boren, David Holmer, Frank Pelky.
Alternates: Ben Schultz, Kristen Kuhn, Dana Carver, Andy Evans, Jason Evans. Motion -Phil; 2nd – Donna. PASS 11-0.
Vacancy of Secretary Position. Approval of David Holmer becoming next Secretary and acceptance of and in lieu of Kristen Kuhn’s resignation. Motion
Donna; 2nd Ben Boren. PASS 5-0.
Postponement – Chairperson Biskupski postpones remaining convention until July 18th (State Convention Affiliate Caucus) @ 7:29pm.

July 19th: Call Caucus to Order – Chairperson called caucus to order @ 3:10pm.
Caucus adds nomination of Thomas Bosch for Long Lake Township Trustee.
Caucus accepts withdrawal of Tom Gray from nominations.
Caucus nominates Ben Boren for US House Rep, Congress. Dist. #1.
Candidate Meet & Greet will be at 11am Sept 13th in Traverse City, exact place TBA.

Adjournment – Chairperson adjourns caucus and convention @ 4:30pm.

Change of Venue: NW MI Libertarians to Hold 2020 Nominating Convention in Buckley

Northwest Michigan Libertarians Posted on by

The Northwest Michigan Libertarian’s nominating convention will be held on Wednesday, June 17th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. This will be held at JK Whisper Cafe, 105 Industrial Drive in Buckley. We hope that each attendee will order food and/or drink, to support this business and thank them for accommodating us. 

All are welcome, and current and new members of the NW Michigan Libertarian Party are able to vote at this convention, where we will nominate local partisan village, county and state candidates for the 2020 election.  Click here if you are interested in running as a candidate. 

At this meeting, we will also choose delegates to the state convention, to be held on July 18th in Gaylord.

To become an official member of the Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party, you need to reside in Charlevoix, Antrim, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee or surrounding counties. You also need to sign the following statement: “I hereby affirm that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals.”

For questions, please email nwmichiganlibertarians@gmail.com.

NW MI Residents Help Select 2020 Libertarian Party Presidential Candidates

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The Libertarian Party selected their 2020 presidential and vice-presidential candidates over Memorial weekend, as 1035 delegates from across the country gathered online to hear speeches and vote. After four ballots on Saturday, Dr. Jo Jorgensen was selected as the 2020 Libertarian presidential candidate, while Spike Cohen won the nomination for vice-president.

Two members of the Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NWMLP) served as voting delegates for the convention, including NWMLP political director Donna Gundle-Krieg from Mancelona, and chairperson Peter Biskupski from Traverse City. Both were attending their first Libertarian National Convention.

“I had the privilege of being elevated to a delegate from an alternate,” explained Biskupski. “This afforded me the opportunity to take part in selecting the party’s presidential and vice-president Candidates.”

“There were many great nominees, and I wholeheartedly look forward to supporting Dr. Jo Jorgensen and Spike Cohen as the only viable option to the two major parties!”

Originally, the nominating convention was to be held in Austin, Texas. However, this convention was canceled due to concerns and limitations regarding the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, the Libertarians became the first party ever to nominate a presidential candidate via virtual convention.

Presidential hopeful Jorgensen, a lifetime member of the party, who has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, as well as an MBA. She teaches psychology at Clemson University in South Carolina. Prior to teaching, Jorgensen owned her own software businesses. In 1996, she was the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate on a ticket with Harry Browne.

“Jo Jorgensen brought a remarkably diverse group of Libertarians together.” stated Joseph Bishop-Henchman, of the Libertarian National Committee. “She has proven that she is a fighter.”

Jorgensen won on the 4th ballot with slightly over 51 percent of the vote. Jacob Hornberger came in second, with nearly 28 percent of the vote. Other top candidates included Vermin Supreme, John Monds, Judge James Gray and Adam Kokesh.

VP candidate Spike Cohen retired at a young page from web design and refocused his life on what he truly loved: “spreading the message of liberty, self-ownership and nonaggression.” In 2018, Spike became the co-owner of Muddied Waters Media, the co-host of The Muddied Waters of Freedom.

Cohen won on the 3rd ballot. Monds gave him a run for the money, with Kokesh and Ken Armstrong as the other front-runners.

Local candidates for the 2020 election will be nominated by the Northwest Michigan Libertarians at their summer convention on June 17th in Grawn, and all Michigan candidates will be ratified at the state convention to be held in Gaylord on July 17th. 

Click here for more information about running for office as a Libertarian. Northwest Michigan residents interested in running for any of these offices can call 231-350-8507, or email dokrieg@gmail.com.

Click here for more information on Jo Jorgensen. Click here for more information about Spike Cohen.