The Bunker

During Peterson's previous terms, the 6th district was drawn such that it was made up of Ypsilanti Twp rather than Ypsilanti City as it is drawn today. Voters missed an opportunity in August by not voting Peterson out as he has not done anything for the city in his ten years of service.

An interesting note to this campaign is that local business owners who publicly supported his opponent were threatened with boycotts. It was disappointing to see the race card played with such zeal.

Ronnie Peterson's black?

Stanowski's "87.5% conviction rate" is actually closer to 0%. He gets those numbers by promising up front to dismiss the cases after a short period of softball probation if they plead guilty. This approach does nothing to promote public safety in general or the safety of those in abusive relationships. Offenders convicted by Mackie's office, on the other hand, stay convicted and face real sanctions that reduce recidivism. His domestic violence conviction rates a quite good when you compare them nationwide, and not against phony numbers like Stanowski's.

Speaking of numbers, it should trouble you that Stanowski continues to say that Mackie's DV conviction rate is 30%, when he knows that is untrue. That's not the only thing Stanowksi is dishonst about. He describes himself, including in his print ads, as a former "Senior Trial Attorney" for Wahstenaw County. There has never been a "Senior Trial Attorney" position or title in the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office. Stanowski made up that title to make himself sound more qualified. He also bills himself at the "Chief Trial Attorney" for the City of Jackson--also untrue. If you don't believe me, call the Jackson City Attorney and ask him.

Mackie's support for an expanded jail should not cause you to vote to remove him. The current jail is only about 60% of the minimum size is should be for a county this size. It is always overcrowded. Too high a percentage of those beds are taken up by violent felons awaiting trial. This a problem in part because the judges have no bed spaces to use for sanctioning people who violate probation conditions such as drug treatment. Sentenced misdemeanants can currently earn early release by completing substance rehab and other positive programs, but they are refusing to take part because they know they will get out sooner on an overcrowding release. If you want effective prevention programs, all of which depend upon short jail stays as a sanction for violating the program, then we need a larger jail. Otherwise, the programs won't work. Mackie understands this and is willing to tell you the truth about it. Stanowski either doesn't understand it or chooses to pander on this issue.

Mackie is also a leader on prevention programs. He created a highly successful diversion program for non-violent juvenile offenders, and he has a bad check restitution program that allows first offenders to avoid prosecution while requiring them to pay all of the money they owe the victim, and to complete an 8 hour preventiion class (at no cost to the taxpayers because the offender pays.) His office also participates in Ann Arbor's Sobriety Court, and is involved in the planning of a drug court being developed in the juvenile court. His office has also had a leadership role in developing comprehenasive county wide strategies for diverting mentally ill offenders away from jail and into treatment. He does this becuase he believes it is important. His leadership in these areas was recognized by Governor Granholm when she appointed Mackie as state co-chair of "Fight Crime-Invest In Kids."

Mackie is also recognized as a leader among other prosecutors around the state. He is a past president and current board member of the Prosecuting Attorney Association of Michigan. As for Stanowski---you should read the articles in the Jackson Citizen Patriot (MLive.com) that followed his firing from the Jackson City Attorney's office. This City Attorney talked about Stanowski's absenteeism and tardiness to work, and his seeing private clients on city time.

I know both of these men personally, and in every respect Mackie is the far superior candidate--it's not even close.

I hope you will reconsider your decision to vote for Stanowski--he doesn't deserve.

Mackie is also recognized as a leader among other prosecutors around the state.

All the more reason not to vote for him. Unlike most Washtenaw Democrats, I'm a liberal (and not a democrat).

As far as I'm concerned, the Barger case is enough to oust Mackie.

He's got to go.

And replace him with a liar? Don't forget, Stanowski was recently fired from his position as a city attorney with the city of Jackson.

http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-10/109646906463690.xml

If his lame attempt at trying to have is cake and then eating it too is any indication of how he is going to perform in office as the top dog in Washtenaw County, count me out. I think I'll cast my vote for someone whom has already served with dignity and respect.

And just because he didn't charge the officers in a wrongful search and seizure doesn't mean he is a bad prosecutor. Mackie is simply a prosecutor that examines the facts and bases his decisions on those facts and exercises leniency in all cases that cross his desk. Those officers will receive punishment enough within the confines of the department and the city will have more than enough to cover once the civil suit is over. Not everybody needs to be charged criminally. And this is something Mackie's office practices daily with fair conscience.

Know what I think is lame? Using residency to fire someone when you knew that he was living at his "second home".

Mackie pressed charges against an 8-year-old for threatening to shoot other kids with a toy gun, but not against police officers that conduct illegal searches habitually. (remember Adult Bookstore?)

The department isn't punishing the officers involved. As fatr as we know. they're on the job with not so much as a reprimand. They haven't apologized (or even returned the items they conficated illegally).

I want a prosecutor that will protect us from all the criminals in Washtenaw County. The first step to getting one on the ballot in 4 years is ousting Mackie.