Tag: Howard Walker

Is there, or not?

As many here may know, Michigan is one of the bluest of blue states in the country.  Historically, Right-To-Work has been talked about and immediately dismissed as improbable, if not impossible for Michigan, as it has been dominated by the political left, and a history of powerful unions.

The most recent election changing the legislature, judiciary, and executive branch to Republican held institutions has given hope to some UAW union members who started a grass roots effort for right to work in Michigan.  Given the new political make-up of Michigan's elected offices, it would appear that the time is nigh for such a move.

The political nature of support and intimidation by unions in some cases, leads to a certain reticence amongst legislators who might otherwise be seen as an automatic yea vote on such issues.  To offer support for those who might not be as comfortable taking a stand, it was thought that perhaps support from the local populations through the local governments would be helpful.  A resolution was drawn up and brought before the county commission in Grand Traverse County first on July 6th and then for a final vote on July 27th.

Grand Traverse County Commission approves resolution urging Gov. Snyder, local lawmakers to pass Right to Work law

Commissioner Jason Gillman's proposal for "freedom and jobs" approved 5-to-2

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Grand Traverse County commissioners Wednesday added their voices to those calling on Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-controlled legislature to enact a state civil rights law guaranteeing individual employees' freedom to choose regarding union affiliation and prohibiting job discrimination against employees who choose not to join or give money to a union.

A resolution introduced by Commissioner Jason Gillman -- which urged Snyder, Sen. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, and Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, by name to support a Right to Work law -- was approved by a 5-2 vote in front of a capacity crowd in which the legislation's supporters outnumbered opponents two to one.

Snyder said while running for governor that he will sign such a law if it reaches his desk.
(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIikLENpg4s)

Gillman said the law will bring "freedom and jobs" to Michigan. "I'm glad that the county board has taken a position both appropriate and forward-thinking that addresses a solution to our economic troubles in Michigan," he said afterward.

Gillman was joined in supporting the resolution by fellow Republican commissioners Robert Hentschel, Herbert Lemcool, Christine Maxbauer, and Richard Thomas.

Republican Commissioner Addison "Sonny" Wheelock, Jr., and the commission's lone Democrat, Ross Richardson, voted against the resolution.

Tonight State Representative Wayne Schmidt, and State Senator Howard Walker held a town hall event in Traverse City Michigan.

I was able to witness firsthand, how a discussion can be hijacked by emotion and a few tools in the box of labor specialists.  The educators and real workers for the most part were willing to listen, and were civil, but given the opportunity, a slick haired (mob looking) gentleman and his concubine were able to personally use up at least 20 minutes of our local town hall time.  Out of 2 hours, that doesn't seem like much, but it set the tone for the rest of the discussion.

The two sat separately, and refused to let their part of discussion end. they hit the union talking points, and most of the workers in the room bought those points as fact.

Schmidt and Walker handled themselves quite well actually, had as good a set of facts, and spoke to solid and logical conservative principles, but the message control of the townhall went to those two, and a couple of (apparently from) Lansing visitors. The mobster and his moll left the event high fiving and butt groping knowing they won.

Lesson: Strict moderation of these affairs.  We had over 200 people there, 60 or so wished to talk, and less than 10 controlled the conversation.

But chicken counting is not allowed this year.

Locally, a seat being vacated by outgoing Judge John Foresman who is retiring, leaves the door open for the five candidates who by all measures and observations have been campaigning heavily in the three county district being served.  It only takes a small swing in a race like this to take someone who might seem to be the top contender and drop them to first-to-lose status or worse.  Talking with several of the candidates, (one of them Kevin Elsenheimer) I have found that each realizes even the smallest of their efforts can make the greatest difference.

The sound could be better, and as with some of the videos taken at the event, I could not compress without losing content, so they are  broken into two parts.  Also I figured out how to add as a playlist.  This is also the last of the series for now.