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    Tag: Grand traverse County

    Pensions & Fiscal Child Abuse


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri Dec 27, 2013 at 10:14:13 AM EST
    Tags: Damocles Sword, Debt, Pensions, POB, Obligation Bonds, Chris Radu, Mike Gillman, Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Deficits, Shortfalls, Fiscal Child Abuse, Government, Arbitrage, ROI, SB1129 (all tags)

    "Live now, pay later," might have easily supplanted the national motto of "E Pluribus Unum," instead of its supposed replacement, "In God we trust."

    Aside from the obvious reference to unearned hedonism and individual irresponsibility, it should be noted that governments derived from such careless individuals as the "live now" crowd can bring all of us even closer to being debt slaves.  Yet even without the notion of pleasure as an advance reward to leadership, the function of government runs unabated. One might find it differently in private enterprise however, according to Jack Spencer at Cap Con:

    "In the private sector, businesses can't ignore economic reality by giving in to unrealistic union demands. They open their books and say, "look, we've had a lousy couple of years. We have to cut back or go under. We can't give you what you want." That reality check doesn't apply to government, which is always bargaining with other people's money. Those "other people" are us, the taxpayers. Over the decades, when faced with unpopular choices of cutting services or raising taxes, government officials have given unions most of what they asked for and left the tab to be picked up by future generations."

    In a nutshell, that is it.

    I've been there.  In fact, I have been in both places simultaneously.  At the business owned by my wife and I, folks haven't received raises in three years, yet as a county commissioner in 2012 I was present while union employees received automatic 1.5% increases. It made no sense to me that it should be so easy for a nearly unanimous Republican board to approve of such a thing, but over the years we have discovered that fiscal insanity is a scourge that has set upon both Capulet AND House Montague.

    And it is generational too.  So much so, that entire infrastructures are collapsing from the weight that has long had its supports removed.  Pensions as a part of governmental financial negligence as referenced in the Cap Con piece above are responsible for cities literally falling apart, and legitimate public safety services being eliminated.

    So what have we done to solve this?

    Go below the fold to find out how we can actually make bad stuff, worse.

    (3 comments, 2223 words in story) Full Story

    Michigan Faith & Freedom Coalition Kent County Town Hall


    By Kevin Rex Heine, Section News
    Posted on Tue Jul 12, 2011 at 12:38:39 PM EST
    Tags: Michigan Faith & Freedom Coalition, Republican presidential nominee selection process, town hall forums, Kent County, Oakland County, Grand Traverse County, potentially five additional public policy forum events, MIGOP State Policy Committee, Mike Cox, Independence Caucus of Kent County (all tags)

    The Michigan Republican Party's State Committee is scheduled to choose a method of selecting the Republican Presidential Nominee for Michigan on Saturday, August 13th, 2011.  Additionally, the Michigan GOP's Policy Committee is slated to make a decision on Tuesday, July 12th.  Their vote will recommend to the full State Committee which process should be followed in Michigan regarding selecting the GOP's nominee by Michigan Republicans and possibly the general public.  However, many feel that we have not yet had an open and transparent process to solicit the opinions of grassroots activists and concerned Republicans across the state.

    Therefore, concerned citizens, MIGOP State Committee members, and grassroots activists are being invited to voice their opinion in a series of town-hall style forums.  (Details on the Kent County event follow the break.)


    (10 comments, 645 words in story) Full Story

    A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

    Liberty


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Sat Jul 02, 2011 at 09:47:33 AM EST
    Tags: Liberty, USA, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Commission, resolution, Unions, Freedom to Work, Right To Work, Declaration of Independence (all tags)

    We have a fight on our hands.

    I think for once, the threat of a packed and organized Grand Traverse County commission chamber is a reality.  This time its not about a failed septage system, bicycle paths, or a grant to the money pit of the day.

    It is about a simple resolution.

    Its about a statement, a reiteration, and a declaration, that there are some people who still have a sense of why so many fought for their independence(and ours as well). That reminder that we have not lost the will to abide by the rule of law. Law established to protect us from the overreaches often brought about "for our own good" and the desires for power over our fellow man.

    It is a resolution I am presenting in support of Freedom To Work for the state of Michigan.  

    It is a transparent and open leverage of opinion that has no binding end, yet sufficiently threatens those who would hold the leash to our state's work force. The resolution is opinion only, yet its call to put away the whip speaks loudly enough to have them organize an opposition "Rally." This memo sent out to the local Democrat party faithful:

    "This is totally unacceptable and we have to make our voices heard.  Please help us pack the room with strong union supporters. We need to send them the message that we will not tolerate this type of activity in Grand Traverse County."
    A declaration of freedom was once upon a time considered "unacceptable" as well.

    How appropriate it is, that this would be an issue on a weekend where so many of us celebrate the independence declared by our nation's founders, as a resolution. One that is opposed by those forces who prefer to have no accountability, no real representation to the people they claim to serve. Those who would prefer to not allow a declaration of choice.  Those who want no limit to their role in attempts to control what we do for a living, what we make, who we work for, and would insist that the wage we make, (their persistent argument) could not be sufficient solely created by our own efforts.

    More below.

    (3 comments, 1275 words in story) Full Story

    How Grand


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 02:41:13 PM EST
    Tags: Grand Traverse County, Grand Vision, Socialism, Agenda 21, Michigan, Grand Traverse, Sustainable Growth, Smart Growth, Visioning, Private Property (all tags)

    I have tried to write this a thousand times.  I am hoping it is understandable and sufficiently succinct.

    The nature of the way that government is influenced is becoming incredibly complicated.

    For the average person, it is often nearly too complicated to correctly know what certain groups represent, or WHY they wish to advance government in a particular direction, other than what might be stated as a flowery and appealing descriptive.  Positive reflections of outcomes wished for detailed in descriptive titles.

    Grand Visions. Sustainable Growth.  Smart Growth.  Regional Collaboration. Visioning.

    How could anything be wrong with that?  No one wants "bleak Visions," "corrosive growth," or stupid growth," or even "regional disagreement," right?  The descriptive labels can be misleading.  The method for deciding what growth is "smart," or who's vision we shall follow, is unfortunately-too-often a bit of a travel through the socialist myopic lens. One that means that we must all collaborate on what our neighbors should be allowed to do. Control of our community resources so that all (including our generational beneficiaries) may equally benefit, no matter their contribution.  Excluding those of course, who cannot survive the onslaught of new limits to their own plans.

    Its sometimes hard to explain all the ways in which this happens, so that people understand the insidious nature in which their best participatory intentions are twisted into a socialist Utopian tool.

    It requires a step back and an arms length review of the elements in play.

    ~ More below. ~

    (2 comments, 1377 words in story) Full Story

    Baseball


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Mon May 23, 2011 at 07:47:43 PM EST
    Tags: Serenity prayer, Baseball, Grand Traverse County, American Legion, For the Kids (all tags)

    The somber reality of what goes on in all other parts of our country (the last article as an example)  makes the little problems like government overreach pale in comparison.  I must on occasion fall back to the understanding that none of us can affect all things as we might foolishly wish to do.

    Folks its not trite to consider the serenity prayer appropriate before I continue.

    God grant me the serenity
    to accept the things I cannot change;
    courage to change the things I can;
    and wisdom to know the difference.

    Living one day at a time;
    Enjoying one moment at a time;
    Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
    Taking, as He did, this sinful world
    as it is, not as I would have it;
    Trusting that He will make all things right
    if I surrender to His Will;
    That I may be reasonably happy in this life
    and supremely happy with Him
    Forever in the next.
    Amen.

    --Reinhold Niebuhr

    In 1915, Niebuhr an ordained pastor, served at Bethel Evangelical Church in Detroit, Michigan. The congregation numbered sixty-five on his arrival and grew to nearly 700 in 1928.

    So what does this have to do with the title?  go below to find out.

    (2 comments, 595 words in story) Full Story

    Ah.. Notoriety..


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 09:17:38 AM EST
    Tags: Notoriety, Baseball, Politics, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, American Legion (all tags)

    Having received my first 'Jeer' today from a local newspaper's editorial, I find a certain satisfaction.  Public service is going to be a blast!  Running opposite the editorial views of the media?  Going rogue after being endorsed?  Somehow, that smile isn't going away, even with this pounding headache.

    Strangely, I would have been as equally satisfied with a cheer instead.

    Targeted along with two other commissioners, the editorial slap came as the result of a committee of the whole vote taken by the Grand Traverse Commissioners to eliminate the operation of a baseball program from county control.  The vote to do so was 5-3. My motion to do so, was motivated by a number of reasons, not the least of which was the illegitimate removal of the program by the county from the American Legion in 2010.  The removal in 2010, precipitated by community clamoring to "DO SOMETHING!" when there was a delay in the planning for the upcoming baseball season.

    The American Legion ran the program for 62 years, and shares the tradition with other Legion Baseball programs around the country.  Its a big part of their year to year community involvement.

    More below..

    (1 comment, 340 words in story) Full Story

    Gillman Resigns


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Jan 11, 2011 at 07:37:22 AM EST
    Tags: Gillman, Precinct Delegate, Jeri Leroi, Grand Traverse County, Republicans (all tags)

    Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

    Yesterday at the Grand Traverse County GOP convention, I resigned as precinct delegate, and apparently made history.  It seems no one has previously resigned their seat as precinct delegate.  My position as an august winner for the county commission as Republican however, already placed me on the executive committee, so I figured it was redundant.

    Anyhow, I didn't have two votes.. darn it.

    In my place, I was able to nominate and secure a precinct delegate position through a vote for Jeri Irene Leroi.  She is a solid conservative.  A tireless advocate of vote integrity,  She has been pushing legislators to strengthen laws that protect us from illegals who make an attempt at voting in our state.  Her efforts have reached the desks of our local legislators, and she has made radio interviews on the subject.

    Though the position of precinct delegate has little direct benefit to her primary issue, it has effect alongside the number of others who have begun participating in a more active manner over the last couple of years.  I was, and am quite comfortable supporting her.

    Good luck Jeri!

    BTW.. the title was for all of you RSS lurkers. HA!

    (5 comments) Comments >>

    Into the Fray...


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:52:18 AM EST
    Tags: County Commission, Grand traverse County, Michigan, Jason Gillman (all tags)

    I don't expect to debate a lot of issues here related to our local county commission, but I wanted to announce that I have decided at the last minute to throw my hat into the ring for a county commission seat in Grand Traverse County.  From the Traverse City Record Eagle:

    Republican Bruce Hooper, 53, will have to win twice to earn a third term representing Peninsula Township and small parts of Traverse City and East Bay Township. Hooper, a farmer, will face Internet retailer and business owner Jason Gillman, 44, a local Tea Party organizer and son of Traverse City Commissioner Mike Gillman.

    "I've been lobbying for responsible government for a couple of years, and I just decided it's time to get directly involved in the process," Gillman said. He favors private property rights and less intrusive but more efficient government.

    Pretty much nails it.  

    Wish me luck, and feel free to offer advice.

    (2 comments) Comments >>

    Next 8 >>
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