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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Citizens for Accountable Government | Facebook
www.facebook.com/Citizens-for-Accountable-Government...
Citizens for Accountable Government. 511 likes · 4 talking about this. To facilitate education and public...
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Aug 04, 2016 8:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:55 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/plymouth-township/2016/01/27/heise-fires-back-group-attacks-bill/79395174/
Heise fires back after group attacks him over bill
Matt Jachman, mjachman@hometownlife.com 3:01 p.m. EST January 27, 2016
PLY price mug-2
(
Rep. Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth Township, is speaking out against a group with a website and a Facebook page that attack him over prison-reform legislation he sponsored in the Michigan House of Representatives.
The Facebook page and the site blast Heise for his “presumptive parole” bill, HB 4138, which would allow the state to release well-behaved convicts who have served their minimum sentences, except when the parole board has evidence indicating a prisoner should not be released.
The page and the site are sponsored by Citizens for Accountable Government, with an address at a United Parcel Service mailbox in Canton Township.
Heise said his bill would allow judges and prosecutors to come up with sentences that better fit the nature of each crime, rather than following rigid guidelines, plus save on the Department of Corrections budget (which totals more than $2 billion a year) and provide an incentive for prisoners to behave well and seek rehabilitation.
“I think every rational person agrees Michigan has too many people in prison and we’re spending more than our surrounding states,” Heise said.
The measure would not apply to people currently incarcerated, Heise noted. It would replace the state’s mandatory sentencing guidelines, which were struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court last summer as unconstitutional.
The bill passed the House by a 67-39 vote Oct. 1 and was sent to the Senate.
Detractors say the bill would endanger the public by letting violent offenders out of prison early. It is opposed by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who said he will lobby for amending it in the Senate.
“This is putting people in harm’s way in order to cut the corrections budget,” Plymouth Township Supervisor Shannon Price said.
Race for supervisor
Heise, who is in his third and final term in the House, is running for supervisor in this summer’s township primary. He appeared before the Board of Trustees earlier this month to ask Price, who will likely also run but has not announced his plans, to sever ties with people Heise says are behind Citizens for Accountable Government.
“For people to demagogue this issue is really disingenuous,” Heise said Friday. “This has got a lot of support in both chambers.”
Heise called the committee’s material misleading and a racist smear campaign. One image, on the Facebook page, shows Heise’s face alongside a photo of a black man behind bars.
The bill has “plenty of safeguards,” Heise said, and would not apply to the most violent offenders, who would automatically be “scored” so that “presumptive parole” would be out of their reach. It would be administered, he said, by the Department of Corrections and “their first interest is to make sure bad guys stay in jail.”
Heise said he expects such attacks to be part of Price’s campaign for supervisor.
“This is what his campaign is going to be based on,” he said. “It’s going to be based on attacking his opponent.”
Heise's campaign has its own Facebook page, on which Price is criticized.
Citizens for Accountable Government is registered as a nonprofit corporation, with Deborah Whyman, a lawyer and former state representative from Canton Township, listed as its agent. Its purpose, as stated on organizational papers, is “To facilitate awareness and public education about issues that impact Michigan residents.”
Whyman said Tuesday that she stands behind the material.
“We don’t believe that violent prisoners should be let out of prison early,” she said. “The burden shifts from the prisoner to the prosecutor and the prosecutor doesn’t need that extra burden.”
Statewide issue
Whyman said Heise’s legislation is a statewide issue and that she is not involved in the contest for Plymouth Township supervisor.
Price said the attacks on Heise are not off-base and pointed to law enforcement officials and prosecutors who oppose the bill.
“We pride ourselves in Plymouth Township on being one of the safest, best communities to live in,” he said. Anything that threatens that status, he added, “I’m going to oppose vehemently.”
Price said he can’t control what others do on the Web.
“I have a lot of friends in politics and if people ... want to oppose Kurt Heise’s pro-criminal, soft-on-crime legislation, then they have a First Amendment right to do that,” Price said.
Kathleen Gray of the Detroit Free Press contributed to this story.
mjachman@hometownlife.com
734-678-8432
Twitter: @mattjachman |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:03 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Robocall critical of Flint City Council over trash dispute with Mayor Weaver
Updated: Wed 7:03 PM, Aug 03, 2016
By: Damon Maloney - Email
Home / ABC12 - News / Local News / Headlines List / Article
Flint
(08/03/16) - Flint's trash dispute has entered a new phase.
Some people are getting robocalls- criticizing city council's decision to the stay with current trash hauler Republic Services. The mayor supports Rizzo Environmental Services.
Citizens for Accountable Government paid for the robocall. They're a nonprofit registered with the state.
A Flint resident captured the robocall on her answering machine and gave it to ABC12.
"While Flint residents need every bit of help we can get to fix our water crisis- city council has turned around and started a garbage crisis," the recorded message said. "Mayor Karen Weaver asked for bids for trash hauler. By doing so she obtained pricing $4 million less than what we are currently being charged. But council members Scott Kincaid and Kate Fields decided to fight Mayor Weaver and block the huge saving."
Council President Kerry Nelson said people in his ward are calling him upset.
"It (robocall) was a low blow, and it's time to quite playing the games and giving out false information," Nelson said. "You know we went from two million dollars savings- now to a four million dollars savings. Where is it? Prove it."
Deborah Whyman is with Citizens for Accountable Government. She emailed a statement to ABC12's Damon Maloney.
It read in part, "We are shocked by the scandalous actions of eight members of the Flint City Council to prevent the taxpayers of Flint from realizing a $2 million savings in this bid process, which also amounts to a $4 million savings from what the current contractor is now charging the city."
Mayor Weaver supports Rizzo which offered a five-year/$17.5 million contract. It was $2 million less than Republic's offer for the same time period.
Council voted to give Republic a three-year/$11.5 million deal which the mayor vetoed. Council fought with with a successful override vote.
A court room show down led to a temporary trash agreement with Republic.
"RTAB's going to have their meeting on the 10th, and we'll see what happens after that," Mayor Weaver said. "But you know the one thing I want people to know is with putting a bid process in place it saved the taxpayers $2 million dollars."
This isn't the first time Citizens for Accountable Government has been involved with a trash dispute.
They reportedly sent robocalls when a contract was being discussed in Rochester Hills a few years ago. Republic and Rizzo were involved in that situation as well. |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:13 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:15 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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About Inside Genesee
Page Info
Page Info
Short Description
This is a community Watchdog group we may have lost the battle, but the war for our community is still raging.we the people for the people.
Long Description
This page is run by a group of like-minded individuals who are private citizens. We do not coordinate with any candidates or campaigns. The use of any images is covered under 17 USC 107, which allows for the use of intellectual property for non-commercial public education. |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:21 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Inside Genesee is on Facebook and serves as a valuable resource for what is happening in our community.
Inside Genesee
Your thoughts?
Michigan teachers say "Show Me the Money".
Thousands of teachers and other school employees protested at 10 sites across the state in a high stakes battle over retiree health care.It's a battle for more than a half billion dollars. They chanted, Where's my three percent? Where's my three…
nbc25news.com|By Joel Feick
Election results cannot change the how proud we are of the citizens who publicly took a stand and exposed the corruption in the Genesee County Sheriff's Department. To those who spent hours educating the citizens knowing that you would likely face retaliation from a vindictive administration, you have gained our eternal respect. To their innocent family members who likewise were subjected to persecution merely due to association, we are sorry. To those who took the time to vote, we thank you wholeheartedly. We assure you, our work advocating for change did not end at the close of polls on August 2nd, 2016.
Tim Burchett
Tim Burchett Education of the truth is the key!! " In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one. " Abraham Lincoln
Gavin Smith Good always trumps evil. A little advice maybe next time base your campaign on what good you can do for this wonderful community instead of bashing others in a exempt to make yourself look honorable. You will never gain anyone's trust or respect by tra...See More
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About
This is a community Watchdog group we may have lost the battle, but the war for our community is still raging.we the people for the people.
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Message Now
'Election results cannot change the how proud we are of the citizens who publicly took a stand and exposed the corruption in the Genesee County Sheriff's Department. To those who spent hours educating the citizens knowing that you would likely face retaliation from a vindictive administration, you have gained our eternal respect. To their innocent family members who likewise were subjected to persecution merely due to association, we are sorry. To those who took the time to vote, we thank you wholeheartedly. We assure you, our work advocating for change did not end at the close of polls on August 2nd, 2016.'
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:23 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Michigan Campaign Finance Network Coverage: Dark...
www.mcfn.org/press.php?prId=263
Apr 20, 2016 ... At the bottom of the website, a disclaimer says the site was paid for by Citizens
News from MCFN: 04/20/2016
Craig Mauger
craig@mcfn.org
517-482-7198
Dark Money Hits Township Level As Nonprofit Goes On Attack In Plymouth
Group Concerned About 'Competitive Bidding' Slamming Lawmaker Running For Township Supervisor Over Criminal Justice Reform
By CRAIG MAUGER
Michigan Campaign Finance Network
LANSING — State Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth Twp.), who’s running for Plymouth Twp. supervisor this year, still remembers the moment he discovered the dark-money-funded website bearing his name: www.HigherCrimeHeise.com.
It was Dec. 15 when he received a text message from one of his House colleagues. The site, which Heise was alerted to, slams him over his support for criminal justice reform, saying, among other things, that your family’s safety is worth $78 million in budget savings to Heise.
This is an image that Citizens for Accountable Government posted on its Facebook page. With a corresponding Facebook page, the site also accuses Heise of backing a proposal that “would release violent criminals from prison in order to balance the state budget.”
“I was shocked,” Heise said of seeing the website for the first time. “I was shocked by the unfairness of it, the ferocity, the over-the-top nature, the use of racist images, code words and fear mongering.”
He continued, “As soon as I saw who paid for it, I connected the dots pretty quickly.”
At the bottom of the website, a disclaimer says the site was paid for by Citizens for Accountable Government, a nonprofit that incorporated in Michigan in 2013. Heise alleges that the group, which doesn’t have to disclose its donors, is being funded by individuals who have financial interests in seeing the current Plymouth Twp. supervisor, Shannon Price, re-elected in the township of about 27,000 people.
Since forming in July 2013, Citizens for Accountable Government has been busy. In October 2013, according to the Detroit Free Press, it encouraged the City of Rochester Hills to put its trash-hauler contract out for bid, even paying for robo-calls about the contract.
Just last year, Plymouth Twp. agreed to a new trash contract with Rizzo Environmental Services, which also had encouraged Rochester Hills to consider changing its trash hauler in 2013.
Back, in Plymouth Twp., in the spring of 2014, a representative of Citizens for Accountable Government encouraged the Plymouth Township board to approve an LA Fitness location in the township, according to The Eagle newspaper,
Then, in the summer of 2014, the nonprofit paid for TV ads touting Westland Mayor Bill Wild in the Wayne County executive race, according to federal broadcast TV disclosures.
Throughout its existence, the nonprofit has been led by former State Rep. Deborah Whyman, an attorney by trade. Its board of directors features former State Rep. Leon Drolet, of Macomb, John Casey, of Grosse Pointe Woods, and Sue Waltman, of St. Clair Shores. The organization’s address is a Canton post office box.
The Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN) sought comment from Whyman and all three board members over the last weeks. None of the board members responded to requests for comment. Whyman has responded but has not answered questions about the nonprofit she's leading.
According to the nonprofit’s filings with the state, the group’s missions include “encouraging open and competitive bidding” and “encouraging compliance with both the Michigan Open Meetings Act and the Michigan Freedom of Information Act to help build confidence in government.”
While fighting criminal justice reform wasn’t listed as one of the group’s missions, the group has used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in its recent push involving Heise.
According to a document obtained by MCFN, Whyman filed a FOIA request with Plymouth Twp. on Sept. 10, 2015, asking for all police reports pertaining to Heise. Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 21, 2015, West Michigan-based blogger Brandon Hall filed his own FOIA request for a specific police report tied to Heise. “I believe this may have recently been FOIA’d and should be somewhat easy to get,” Hall wrote in his email request.
Two days later, Hall posted a piece on his West Michigan Politics blog about a 2010 incident that had occurred at Heise’s home.
Heise said the township spent thousands of dollars on legal counsel trying to determine how to handle the FOIA requests. Township Trustee Robert J. Doroshewitz said he didn't know the exact cost but he said the township did enlist special legal counsel to determine what to do. The township also had two closed-door meetings during which the FOIA requests were discussed, the trustee said.
“The real question is why was that issue before the board to begin with,” Doroshewitz said.
On Facebook, Citizens for Accountable Government has labeled Heise irresponsible and demanded that he calculate and specify how much money the state will save from his proposed criminal justice reforms.
Heise has fired back alleging that Whyman “is a tool for” Rizzo Environmental Services and its director of governmental affairs, Joe Munem. Rizzo, Heise says, “was awarded a massive waste hauling contract by Shannon Price.”
However, because Citizens for Accountable Government is a nonprofit that isn’t telling voters directly and explicitly to support or oppose a candidate, its donor list will likely never become public under Michigan’s current set of laws.
Price didn’t respond to a request for comment. Munem, on the other hand, did.
Asked to respond to Heise’s allegations, Munem focused on one specific claim in an email to MCFN, saying that Heise has falsely been alleging that Munem has given financially to Price’s campaigns. Munem also alleged that Heise “confuses issues to avoid his record as an elected official.”
“Heise’s lack of credibility with that false accusation alone makes my engaging with him and his other silly allegations tiresome,” Munem said.
As for Heise, he said what’s been happening with Citizens for Accountable Government in Plymouth Twp. could be an example of what’s to come. The nonprofit will likely be used to go after other people as well, Heise said.
“I think this has a chilling effect on candidates across the state,” Heise said. “If people are willing to go to these lengths at the local level, then where does it end?”
Doroshewitz has watched the situation play out from his post on the township board. He said he doubts the attack campaign will work in Plymouth Twp. He said the attack against Heise is “clearly racist.”
“That will not resonate here,” he said of the attack strategy. “I can guarantee you that.”
A video of Rep. Kurt Heise addressing the situation in Plymouth Twp. is available here.
The Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts research and public education on money in Michigan politics. |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:31 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Inside Genesee supported the efforts of A New Sheriff in Town, a PAC devoted to eliminating corruption in the Genesee County Sheriff Depatment.
I am aware of another movement that will consist of some prominent Democrats and unions that will oppose Pickell in November' race against his Republican opponenet. Expect more of the poor research and some outright lies Pickell's team used against Allen. Despite that effort, Allen fared better than he did in his previous bid. However I am told this new group definitely expects to win in the general election.
Allen may have fared better had he distanced himself more from the PAC. The PAC had enough material showing the lawsuits and the pure vindictive nature of Pickell represented clearly in them. Citizens need to look at how much (estimated as much as $13 million) Pickell and his minions have cost us.
Will Pickell retaliate against me a third time (or more)? Only time will tell.
I was asked if Williamson would continue to support Pickell I guess the answer was in the Patsy Lou semi trailer at the Don's corporate owned building (927 S Saginaw) used as Pickell's campaign headquarters. Did the "Don" lend the Pickell golf cart from Sugarbush?
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:51 am |
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untanglingwebs
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:59 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 6:03 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 6:50 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 7:41 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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A Genesee County woman to watch: Although she lost the general election in 2014, she has been instrumental in working to bring transparency and ethics to government at all levels and to ensure women get elected to local government positions. Don't underestimate her and her cohorts! They serve as a watchdog group under the title Ethics Watch.
Ballotopedia
Bobbie Walton was a 2014 Democratic candidate for District 14 of the Michigan State Senate.[1]
Issues
Campaign themes
2014
Walton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[2]
Good government - Transparency - Ethics
Excerpt: "Bobbie believes that good government starts with leadership that’s open and transparent about the decisions that impact us. Bobbie will use her extensive experience as a government specialist and a community activist to bring ethics back to Lansing."
Quality, student-centered public education
Excerpt: "Public schools have been under constant attack at the hands of the current administration. Our Legislature has cut more than $2 billion from our public schools in favor of big business tax handouts. Bobbie knows that a healthy economy relies on investing in education and will work tirelessly to help our community’s schools."
Respect and Dignity for Michigan’s Women
Excerpt: "Bobbie has spent her life working to protect women’s health care rights and promote the policies that will help women succeed in school and on the job. Bobbie will stand up to those currently in Lansing that have tried to silence the voices of Michigan women and will bring dignity back to the Michigan Senate."
Elections
2014
See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the office of Michigan State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Bobbie Walton defeated Tim Terpening in the Democratic primary. Incumbent David Robertson was unopposed in the Republican primary. Robertson defeated Walton in the general election |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:49 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Bobbie Clayton Walton
Yesterday at 12:35pm ·
The Democratic voters in Genesee County, MI chose FOUR women to face the voters in November for election to our county Board of Commisisoners. I could not be happier. All are clearly qualified, having served in other positions in governing. All are dedicated to bringing, open, honest and ethical government to our residents.
Way to go!! |
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Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:33 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Voters shake up Genesee County Board of Commissioners
Print Email Jiquanda Johnson | jjohns16@mlive.com By Jiquanda Johnson | jjohns16@mlive.com
Follow on Twitter
on August 03, 2016 at 2:24 AM, updated August 03, 2016 at 2:36 PM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI – The Genesee County Board of Commissioners is getting a makeover from voters.
Three incumbents lost their seats Tuesday night while a fourth dropped out of the primary citing health reasons.
Among those who won't return to the nine-seat board is chairman Jamie Curtis, who lost his seat for the first time in 10 years.
Joining Curtis on the sideline are Mike Lynch and Tony Brown, who also lost primary bids. Incumbent John Northrup recently resigned but still appeared on the ballot.
Curtis lost his bid to county newcomer Ellen Ellenburg, who will face off against Republic candidate James Miraglia in November.
Brown lost his primary to Republican Drew Shapiro, while Mike Lynch lost to Martin Cousineau.
Cousineau does not have an opponent in the general election.
Kim Courts beat out James Franklin in the race to take Northrup's seat. There is no challenger in the general.
Incumbents Brenda Clack, Peggy Adams, Mark Young, Ted Henry all won this year's primary elections and their names will appear on the Nov. 8 Election Day ballot.
Incumbent Bryant Nolden who serves as District 1 Genesee County Commissioner ran unopposed.
Shapiro will compete for District's 6 seat against Democratic candidate Pete Ponzetti and Incumbent Ted Henry will face David Martin in the Nov. 8 election for the District 9 Genesee County Commission seat.
Clack serves district 2, Young 5 and Henry district 8 and Adams serves district 9. |
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Fri Aug 05, 2016 5:58 am |
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