Here is a great article on voting and why it is so important this year. Whether you vote at every election or not, you should read this. Oh and support your newspapers and buy one.
Here is the link to the story:Detroit Free Press
Not sure what is wrong with my clickable link, it isn't showing up right. It will take you to the story even though it looks goofy. :)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Shiawassee County 912 Commission
Today, I received a candidate questionnaire from our local Tea Party/912 Commission. I was forewarned that I would be getting one of these in the mail.
The Shiawassee County 912 Commission is more aligned with the Tea Party. I do not have an issue with either of these groups. In fact, I respect the movement in general. I suspect that in the near future, this group will become a recognized political party within the United States.
I have researched both the 912 Project and Tea Party. The 9/12 Project stands for 9 principals and 12 values. Here is a link to their mission statement: the912project
The Tea Party movement is about having a smaller government and less spending. Here is a link to the Tea Party Patriots:Tea Party Patriots
Personally, I have an issue with the candidate questionnaire. First, my opponent Tom Landino is the secretary of this local group. Second, he helped put together these questions.
The conspiracy theorist mind is turning. What if I was to fill this out and the group tabulates my "score" and I get everything wrong. Only they know the right "answers". It would also be fair for me to think that my opponent knows all the "correct" ways to answer these questions that he helped formulate.
Here is one of the questions on the sheet: When does life begin? My opinion is when conception takes place. Others do not feel the same way. This is a Federal issue. I cannot over turn Roe v Wade.
The answers to chose from are : 1. At conception 2. Upon reaching the 3rd trimester 3. At birth. 4. Upon becoming a human being ( age 2)
In all honesty, I can't respond to this request. The questions range from Unions and their affects on society, things that should be enumerated into the Bill of Rights, and types of companies that should receive tax breaks.
From what I understand, this group will send out mailers to registered voters on where each candidate stands on issues and possibly to the local papers. What is their formula for tabulating the answers to these questions? Who will tabulate them?
So if you see that I did not participate, it is not because I am lazy or don't care. I feel as if no matter how I answer, I might not get it right since my opponent helped put these together.
The Shiawassee County 912 Commission is more aligned with the Tea Party. I do not have an issue with either of these groups. In fact, I respect the movement in general. I suspect that in the near future, this group will become a recognized political party within the United States.
I have researched both the 912 Project and Tea Party. The 9/12 Project stands for 9 principals and 12 values. Here is a link to their mission statement: the912project
The Tea Party movement is about having a smaller government and less spending. Here is a link to the Tea Party Patriots:Tea Party Patriots
Personally, I have an issue with the candidate questionnaire. First, my opponent Tom Landino is the secretary of this local group. Second, he helped put together these questions.
The conspiracy theorist mind is turning. What if I was to fill this out and the group tabulates my "score" and I get everything wrong. Only they know the right "answers". It would also be fair for me to think that my opponent knows all the "correct" ways to answer these questions that he helped formulate.
Here is one of the questions on the sheet: When does life begin? My opinion is when conception takes place. Others do not feel the same way. This is a Federal issue. I cannot over turn Roe v Wade.
The answers to chose from are : 1. At conception 2. Upon reaching the 3rd trimester 3. At birth. 4. Upon becoming a human being ( age 2)
In all honesty, I can't respond to this request. The questions range from Unions and their affects on society, things that should be enumerated into the Bill of Rights, and types of companies that should receive tax breaks.
From what I understand, this group will send out mailers to registered voters on where each candidate stands on issues and possibly to the local papers. What is their formula for tabulating the answers to these questions? Who will tabulate them?
So if you see that I did not participate, it is not because I am lazy or don't care. I feel as if no matter how I answer, I might not get it right since my opponent helped put these together.
Monday, May 17, 2010
County website.
Shiawassee County has a very antiquated website.
Our county likes to compare its pay with counties that are similar in size, but does not offer the same type of interactive websites.
In today's day and age, it is important for a county our size to have a more up to date website.
Clinton and Tuscola Counties offer their citizens an easily navigated one.
Each department is listed for the user to click and voila, takes them to the information they need.
Shiawassee County's website is not user friendly. If someone from out of town is looking for something specific, they must click on a picture of building. People not familiar with what departments are located in what building, might find themselves wasting time clicking on multiple pictures.
Even then, it only lists a phone number and another click able link to email that department. The names of department heads aren't even listed.
Check out Tuscola County's website:Tuscola County
The user can easily navigate through this site. Within seconds, I was able to see who their Commissioners were, ordinances, financial reports, and much more.
I visited the Shiawassee county website to find a County directory. It is in a PDF format. The PDF doesn't load properly. It will load about 40% and stop. This is not fully functional. Who is overseeing this?
Here is a link to their site: Shiawassee County
Our county needs a new website. More information needs to be at our finger tips. Our elected officials names need to be easily available for all people. Meeting minutes need to be easily found instead of clicking away for minutes.
This is something that I would like to accomplish if elected. I feel this is a very important tool.
Our county likes to compare its pay with counties that are similar in size, but does not offer the same type of interactive websites.
In today's day and age, it is important for a county our size to have a more up to date website.
Clinton and Tuscola Counties offer their citizens an easily navigated one.
Each department is listed for the user to click and voila, takes them to the information they need.
Shiawassee County's website is not user friendly. If someone from out of town is looking for something specific, they must click on a picture of building. People not familiar with what departments are located in what building, might find themselves wasting time clicking on multiple pictures.
Even then, it only lists a phone number and another click able link to email that department. The names of department heads aren't even listed.
Check out Tuscola County's website:Tuscola County
The user can easily navigate through this site. Within seconds, I was able to see who their Commissioners were, ordinances, financial reports, and much more.
I visited the Shiawassee county website to find a County directory. It is in a PDF format. The PDF doesn't load properly. It will load about 40% and stop. This is not fully functional. Who is overseeing this?
Here is a link to their site: Shiawassee County
Our county needs a new website. More information needs to be at our finger tips. Our elected officials names need to be easily available for all people. Meeting minutes need to be easily found instead of clicking away for minutes.
This is something that I would like to accomplish if elected. I feel this is a very important tool.
Friday, May 14, 2010
A verse that fits my campaign
1 Corinthians 1:27
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
Patrick Gray- District 6 Candidate
I had the privilege of meeting Patrick Gray this week. He is a Democrat running for District 6 Commissioner. To say I am impressed is an understatement.
Patrick has a lot of experience negotiating contracts with unions and dealing with labor issues. He has even negotiated contracts with County labor attorney Bonnie Toskey before. He is very familiar with how that works and it would probably cut down expenses paid to Tokey's law office.
He is the past President of AFSCME Local 1059, past president of O.E.S.P.A./MEA.
He is running as a Democrat.
The board needs a diversified group of people. Even if that means from different parties.
If you live in District 6, get to know this candidate. He is more than happy to actually answer questions and you will know where he stands on big issues.
Patrick has a lot of experience negotiating contracts with unions and dealing with labor issues. He has even negotiated contracts with County labor attorney Bonnie Toskey before. He is very familiar with how that works and it would probably cut down expenses paid to Tokey's law office.
He is the past President of AFSCME Local 1059, past president of O.E.S.P.A./MEA.
He is running as a Democrat.
The board needs a diversified group of people. Even if that means from different parties.
If you live in District 6, get to know this candidate. He is more than happy to actually answer questions and you will know where he stands on big issues.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Politicians are sneaky
Yesterday was the last day to file as a candidate for Commissioner. Unless it was published in the paper, a lot of us had no idea who would be running until after 4 p.m. on May 11th 2010.
Here is the list:Candidate List
Much to my surprise, the incumbent for District 1, Dan Stewart (D), is a switch hitter. He is now running as a Republican.
There are 3 of us on the Republican ticket. No one on the Democratic ticket.
There are a few reasons I can assume this was done:
I heard that he was originally a Republican. When he ran for the first time 4 years ago, the incumbent, Jim Capitan, was a Republican. He must have chose to switch hit because he thought he had a better chance of beating Mr. Capitan as a Democrat. Well, he did just that.
Since there are 3 people running on the Republican ticket, whomever wins the primary, wins the seat. Unless of course, there is a write-in come November. That scenario is highly unlikely.
It is a Republican year. It is possible he thinks that he can retain his Democratic votes while also snagging Republican votes to win. Since this is a Governor's election year, I don't think that could happen. In August, you have to vote straight ticket. I don't see many people switching their vote to Republican and wasting their Governor hopeful primary vote. I could be wrong though.
It could also be that he is lazy. He doesn't really want to work that hard towards the primaries. After all, he just wants to retain the seat.
The Republican party doesn't care who wins either. They just want the seat since a Democrat has held it for 4 years.
So he was able to snag money from the Democratic party, and now he will do the same thing with the Republican party. There is no loyalty when it comes to politics.
I will just have to work 3 times as hard to win the primaries.
The county wants change, not confusion.
Here is the list:Candidate List
Much to my surprise, the incumbent for District 1, Dan Stewart (D), is a switch hitter. He is now running as a Republican.
There are 3 of us on the Republican ticket. No one on the Democratic ticket.
There are a few reasons I can assume this was done:
I heard that he was originally a Republican. When he ran for the first time 4 years ago, the incumbent, Jim Capitan, was a Republican. He must have chose to switch hit because he thought he had a better chance of beating Mr. Capitan as a Democrat. Well, he did just that.
Since there are 3 people running on the Republican ticket, whomever wins the primary, wins the seat. Unless of course, there is a write-in come November. That scenario is highly unlikely.
It is a Republican year. It is possible he thinks that he can retain his Democratic votes while also snagging Republican votes to win. Since this is a Governor's election year, I don't think that could happen. In August, you have to vote straight ticket. I don't see many people switching their vote to Republican and wasting their Governor hopeful primary vote. I could be wrong though.
It could also be that he is lazy. He doesn't really want to work that hard towards the primaries. After all, he just wants to retain the seat.
The Republican party doesn't care who wins either. They just want the seat since a Democrat has held it for 4 years.
So he was able to snag money from the Democratic party, and now he will do the same thing with the Republican party. There is no loyalty when it comes to politics.
I will just have to work 3 times as hard to win the primaries.
The county wants change, not confusion.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Am I qualified?
Let me be very clear, I do not hold a Bachelor or Master's degree. Newly elected Commissioners, with or without a degree, will walk into the unknown when sworn in. The County sends their newly elected Commissioners to a class that educates them on how to be one.
I have been to college, I hold approximately 68 credits towards my nursing degree. I chose to place that on hold. My original plan was to go back after having my daughter. My decision to run for County Commissioner has pushed my start date back, and I am ok with that.
Communication is what I can bring to the table, if elected. It is very important that the Board of Commissioners communicate with each and every department, voter and employee of Shiawassee County. If there would have been more communication, I feel as if a lot of the issues surrounding the PA 214 funds ( Veteran's Fund) wouldn't have cost 2 dedicated men their appointments, and thousands of dollars in legal fees for the county. How hard would it have been to have the Board of Commissioners and the Veteran's Board sit down and hash out all of their issues?
It is also important to have weekly office hours so that the public can schedule an appointment to meet with their Commissioner. These office hours should not be paid either. They should be bundled into the monthly salary that Commissioner's already get.
To be a good public servant, one must be altruistic in nature. For the good of the people. An excerpt from the Michigan Constitution says it best : All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal benefit, security and protection.
Have a fabulous day! More blogging to come. If you have a particular question that you would like me to address on this blog, please email me at : nicholebruff@gmail.com
I have been to college, I hold approximately 68 credits towards my nursing degree. I chose to place that on hold. My original plan was to go back after having my daughter. My decision to run for County Commissioner has pushed my start date back, and I am ok with that.
Communication is what I can bring to the table, if elected. It is very important that the Board of Commissioners communicate with each and every department, voter and employee of Shiawassee County. If there would have been more communication, I feel as if a lot of the issues surrounding the PA 214 funds ( Veteran's Fund) wouldn't have cost 2 dedicated men their appointments, and thousands of dollars in legal fees for the county. How hard would it have been to have the Board of Commissioners and the Veteran's Board sit down and hash out all of their issues?
It is also important to have weekly office hours so that the public can schedule an appointment to meet with their Commissioner. These office hours should not be paid either. They should be bundled into the monthly salary that Commissioner's already get.
To be a good public servant, one must be altruistic in nature. For the good of the people. An excerpt from the Michigan Constitution says it best : All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal benefit, security and protection.
Have a fabulous day! More blogging to come. If you have a particular question that you would like me to address on this blog, please email me at : nicholebruff@gmail.com
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