posted Feb 27, 2012, 4:45 AM by chair 2010
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updated Feb 27, 2012, 4:47 AM
]
Put Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 7:00 p.m. on your
calendar to attend a public hearing at the Clinton County Courthouse, 100 E.
State Street, St. Johns where Commissioners and staff will discuss absorbing
the Register of Deeds (ROD) with the County Clerk's Office.
Residents during this
election year, will be hearing more political rhetoric creating the illusion of
efficient government. With little or no
expected cost savings, it is unclear how consolidation will benefit Clinton
County. I expect to hear this merger
will have no negative effects on our land records system. Mega departments normally lack management,
accountability, and responsiveness of direct government. If they eliminate an elected office, our
Commissioners have zero accountability to voters through dealing only with
budgets, not department performance.
One consequence is less oversight of MERS (Mortgage
Electronic Registration System), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other big business
who attempt to exploit the land records system for their advantage. Weakening the ROD office leaves you and your
land records increasingly vulnerable to abuse.
Please attend this one-time chance to stop this
unjustified maneuver to weaken our local government. If you are unable to attend, contact your
county commissioner asking for accountability in removing an independent
elected office that is accountable directly to
Clinton County citizens.
Clinton County Board of Commissioners
Contact List
David Pohl – 989-593-2688, dwpohl@yahoo.com
Larry Martin – 989-834-2644, mlmartin35@frontier.com
Bruce DeLong – 989-224-3431, migsigns@frontier.com
Jack Enderle – 517-669-9355, jackend@frontier.com
Robert Showers – 517-669-3732, rshowers1@hotmail.com
Jamie Clover Adams – 517-323-2604, jca4cocom@comcast.net
Adam Stacey – 517-339-6919, adamstacey@cablespeed.com
This opinion is written by Marie E. Howe who is solely
responsible and absolves the Clinton County Democratic Party from any
responsibility to the contents. Thank
you.
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posted May 2, 2011, 7:16 PM by Candace Winslow
There are some elections that are important locally. These small elections can have ripple effects, so we encourage voters to get informed before heading to the polls Tuesday.
Speaking of elections, don't forget to review the Clinton County Dems By-Laws before you attend the Thursday, May 12 meeting. Registered Democrats may vote during the meeting. See the attachment below to review the proposed By-Laws change. |
posted Apr 23, 2011, 1:34 PM by CCD Editor
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updated Apr 23, 2011, 1:48 PM
]
Here's a quick explanation of today's current debate on the national budget deficit. Though the State of Michigan is not paying for wars, Governor Snyder and our local representatives Paul Opsommer and Ben Glardon also think we need to increase the burden of housing, food, and schooling for the very poorest and reduce taxes to the richest companies and individuals in Michigan. Legislators in the Democratic Party recommend a different course -- especially since the economic hardships in Michigan were not caused by the working poor, but instead by complicated global investments and poor banking practices. |
posted Apr 18, 2011, 12:55 PM by CCD Editor
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updated May 2, 2011, 7:15 PM by Candace Winslow
]
Now you can check out exactly what your taxes pay for. Go to WhiteHouse.gov, enter in your payment for social security or other taxes and see the amount paid towards government organized services.
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society" -Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. We'd agree with that...SOMETIMES and in some amounts, right?
For example, how much are we willing to pay to make sure our country roads and city streets don't look like slums in countries that do not have good government services.
Do you think your taxes are worth what you are getting?
Is it worth it to subsidize garbage pick-up. It costs money to regulate, monitor, and enforce garbage and dumping laws.
How about monitoring air pollutants, researching clean-technology?
Do we get a good return on our taxes paid to prevent and investigate child abuse or elder abuse investigation, prosecution, foster care, or adoption services?
Lower taxes mean government services must be scaled back:
-
fewer employees, older equipment, longer lines, less convenient locations, longer application approval processes, and more mistakes).
For most of us, we don't appreciate what our taxes buy until we no longer have that service.
Etc. Etc.
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posted Mar 27, 2011, 4:01 PM by Candace Winslow
[
updated Apr 16, 2011, 5:40 PM
]
Somewhere in Clinton County right now, there is a child who does not get enough to eat.
There are over 8,000 people in Clinton County who struggle to get enough to eat. Good people with plenty are often unaware of how impossible it is to buy food with low income, rising costs, and reduced public assistance. Jobs like those at Walmart and Meijers do not pay enough to support families at or just above the poverty line.
Somewhere in Clinton County right now, there is an elderly man who cannot buy food because he has to use his $900 Social Security check on rent, utilities and prescriptions.
Somewhere in Clinton County right now, a parent is sick with stress and worry about how they will feed their children for the next week until they get paid again; and how their children will be healthy without getting fresh fruits and vegetables.
The following video represents just one community. Michigan has many people including children suffering similar situations. We can only hope our legislators and the large corporations that are influencing them will not turn a blind eye.
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posted Mar 27, 2011, 4:00 PM by Candace Winslow
So you think you could design a better fiscal policy, huh?
Willing to put it to the test? Here's a challenge -- go to the NY Times widget at www.goo.gl/budget to conduct your own federal budget.
You don't have to feel too pressured, because it's just for fun.
Tell us what you cut, what you saved, and why.
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