The Bunker

John W. Stanowski (R) - Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney


Just last summer, I said I'd never vote for a Republican prosecutor, but I feel Stanowski is clearly the better choice.


Mackie wants to expand the county jail. Stanowski wants to start programs for domestic violence offenders and drug users to prevent recidivism.


By Mackie's own addmission, Washtenaw County received a $10 million dollar federal grant to reduce domestic violence and his domestic violence conviction rate is only 68 percent for felonies, 56 percent for misdemeanors. Stanowski has an 87.5 percent conviction rate for domestic violence in Jackson and thinks Washtenaw County can do better preventing domestic violence.


Daniel Minzey (D) - Washtenaw County Sheriff


Unopposed.


Lawrence Kestenbaum (D)- Washtenaw County Clerk


I met Larry once and I think he's perfect for this job. When Washtenaw County makes decisions about election equipment or methods, I want Larry at the table.


Catherine McClary (D) - Washtenaw County Treasurer


Unopposed


Janis Bobrin (D) - Washtenaw County Drain Commisioner


Unopposed


Ronnie D. Peterson (D) - Washtenaw County Commisioner District 6


Peterson reluctantly supported a jail expansion mileage proposal, but said he would rather see a modest renovation and expansion within the counties current budget. Also, in an Ann Arbor News article, Peterson said he would like to create programs for repeat offenders of nonviolent crimes.

I was hoping that some candidates were missing from my Publius ballot, but eWashtenaw also shows 4 Ypsilanti Township candidates running unopposed. Remember William T. Lawson? Not only is he unopposed, there are 2 positions open.


Other than Ruth Ann Jamnick, all of the Ypsilanti Township candidates are part of Team Stumbo, responsible for internet filters on Ypsilanti Library computers and accused of chilling free speech with a lawsuit against a community newspaper.


Even in races where it looks like there is some choice, there really isn't. Of the 4 candidates running for 2 Township Trustee positions, 3 are of the Stumbo clan.


10 people, 9 of which are Democrats, are running for 9 positions on the Township Parks Commision. Instead of voting for 9, I'm only going to vote for the Republican in hopes that she'll bring a different veiw from the others to the commision.


Given my options, here are my current voting plans:


Ruth Ann Jamnick (D) - Ypsilanti Township Supervisor
WRITE-IN - Ypsilanti Township Clerk

WRITE-IN - Ypsilanti Township Treasurer
David Ostrowski (D) and WRITE-IN - Ypsilanti Township Trustee

WRITE-IN and WRITE-IN - Ypsilanti Township Constable
Christine Adams (R)- Ypsilanti Township Park Commisions


Very sad.



Anyone who would like to be a write-in candidate, please leave a comment.

Steve and I were in west Michigan today for car repairs at Dad's garage in Freeport.


There are not many political signs in the country. I expected Barry County to be squarely on the side of Bush/Cheney, but the majority of Bush/Cheney signs were on big farms. I dare say there were just as many Kerry/Edwards households. Stunning in Gary Newell's district.


My dad tried out his new joke about the Presidential race on us.

You know, Bush is an oilman, and the price of oil has really gone up. If Kerry gets elected, no one will be able to afford a lobster.

In other news, my brother mentioned an article he read about "farmsourcing". To be more competitive with companies in India and China, one software company is locating in rural Arkansas where the cost of living is low. Steve and I are hoping that "farmsourcing" doesn't catch on.

Mark will be at Frenchie's watching the debate Wednesday and has invited friends and bloggers to join him.





Please help spread the word by posting the graphic on your blog or by telling friends!

TSM posted some scans of a Detroit Free Press at DetroitYES that read just like YHF newsletters. An insert, "Detroit: Rebuilding a Great City", describes some of the urban renewal projects that were happening in 1977:

(T)he stunning Washington Boulevard Plaza, is a leading example of rebirth, with its fountains, sidewalk cafes, replanted trees, contemporary street furniture, and a built-in stage for community events. This $5 million public works project is just getting underway and will be finished in the spring of 1979.

The Young and Milliken administrations have worked with the State Legislature to enact tax incentives for Michigan industries. The legislation has spurred $256 million in industrial investments in Detroit. The Industrial Development Revenue Bond Act can provide financing for new and existing industries and the Michigan Job Development Authority can assist projects which will increase employment. This year, and again last year, the State of Michigan put $30 million in equity funds into Detroit institutions, an invaluable - and unprecedented - change in State fiscal policy.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. -- Albert Einstein


Today, Detroit is replacing the $5 million streetscape improvements on Washington with an $8.9 million copy of the original design.


Over the next 15 years, Compuware will benefit from tax abatements estimated at $70 million for their headquarters in Detroit. In addition to the tax abatements, the City paid an estimated $15 million to implode the Hudson and sold the land to Compuware for $2.


In 15 years, will Compuware still be downtown? Just last week, K-Mart, a Michigan based company for over 100 years, announced that it may be moving to Atlanta. Rumors are circulating that the decision has already been made.


Businessman with ties to the community don't require tax incentives to stay. Isn't it time we invested in people rather than bricks and corporations?

KERRY: Now, I‘d like to come back for a quick moment, if I can, to that issue about China and the talks. Because that‘s one of the most critical issues here: North Korea.


Just because the president says it can‘t be done, that you‘d lose China, doesn‘t mean it can‘t be done. I mean, this is the president who said “There were weapons of mass destruction,” said “Mission accomplished,” said we could fight the war on the cheap—none of which were true.


We could have bilateral talks with Kim Jong Il. And we can get those weapons at the same time as we get China. Because China has an interest in the outcome, too.


LEHRER: Thirty seconds, Mr. President.


BUSH: You know my opinion on North Korea. I can‘t say it any more plainly.


LEHRER: Well, but when he used the word “truth” again...


BUSH: Pardon me?


LEHRER: ... talking about the truth of the matter. He used the word “truth” again. Did that raise any hackles with you?


BUSH: Oh, I‘m a pretty calm guy. I don‘t take it personally.


LEHRER: OK. All right.


BUSH: You know, we looked at the same intelligence and came to the same conclusion: that Saddam Hussein was a grave threat.


And I don‘t hold it against him that he said grave threat. I‘m not going to go around the country saying he didn‘t tell the truth, when he looked at the same intelligence I did.