‘Tis the season for endorsements, fa la la la la, la la la la.
And to virtually nobody’s surprise, Brian Calley, the boyish good-looking Portland banker rich enough to campaign full time on a leave of absence, has been raking them in like poker chips in the 87th District. Calley has been racking up the blessings of a lot of special interest groups, such as the Michigan Townships Association, the real estate lobby, the Citizens for Traditional Values, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and previous Reps. Bob Bender, Terry Geiger and Gary Newell. Add to that mix the precious endorsement of Right to Life and you have the candidate who is the most beholden to lobbyists and fat cats in Lansing, the very people most of us think are what’s wrong with government.
In bygone days, these endorsements were reserved exclusively for the likes of Bender, Geiger and Newell, so Calley is carrying on the proud anointment tradition which often looks like a schoolyard game of tag which each politician carefully choosing his or her successor from a field of wannabees. Anointments have not been reserved only for the Barry County Register of Deeds, Clerk, Treasurer, Drain Commissioner and a host of other so-called “county elected officials,” they have been handed down at the state legislator’s level as well. One of my favorite examples occurred in 1994 when Bender was being retired by term limits. Every summer he had a habit of being emcee at a festival in Barry County, but that year he selected Geiger as his stand-in over protests of six other candidates in the GOP primary. Some of those six also objected to Geiger winning the Right to Life blessing, maintaining they were as much or more pro-life than he was. No matter. Geiger was the anointed one and with all the machinery backing him, he outdid everyone else in the field in the primary and breezed in the general election. Fast forward to the year 2006 and we see Calley anointed by all these same groups, most from outside Barry and Ionia counties, as the guy to do their bidding in Lansing. But will he do the bidding of the people of his district? Yeah, right.
In a seven-person race, it’s likely that scoring about 25 to 30 percent of those who show up at the polls will win this thing. And primaries are notorious for attracting only about 30 percent of the registered voters. That simply means a very tiny minority of powerful people tied to special interests are able to work the system to get “their boy” in office with a minimum of public relations work.
But perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the endorsement game involves the Gun Lake Band of Potawatomis, who are working hard to get a casino compact signed. The tribe was courted personally last February by Brian Reynolds, an unabashed supporter of the cause based on economic considerations for West Michigan and Allegan and Barry counties. Reynolds later met with James Nye, the tribe’s lobbyist, from Lansing and their cordial exchanges led Reynolds to believe he had a good chance of winning the support of the Friends of the Gun Lake Indians (FOGLI). After more than a few weeks of non-responses to queries, a spokesman for the tribe finally admitted Calley also had been interviewed by Nye and had taken a surprising stance that he would do nothing to stop the plans for a casino compact. This is interesting because Calley’s personal right-wing Christian philosophy, much like Jim Bailey’s, is vehemently opposed to gambling, but he won’t stop “Sodom and Gommorah” from being placed just outside the borders of the 87th District if it might help him win a few more votes. Bailey's ads indicate he has also adopted this "stop no evil" position when it comes to gambling.
Calley has been linked with Christian right politicians such as Fulton Sheen of Allegan County and it will be interesting to see if he actually holds the line under the pressure of the DeVos-Secchia-VanAndel power cartel from Grand Rapids, especially if his party leader, Dick DeVos, is elected governor. Actually, it won't be interesting, it would be astonishing! Calley's game is all about sucking up to the Big Money Power Brokers and if elected he will follow the bidding of his leaders and turn the screws on the Gun Lake tribe once the order goes out- lest he lose all the endorsement the next time he faces the voters.
It appears the Gun Lake tribe doesn’t want to piss off the perceived winner of the Aug. 8 primary in hopes he will treat them right when the compact signing’s reality draws near. Such is the ugly world of politics. Oh, I suppose we have to tip our hats to the Golden Boy, the anointed one, the darling of special interests. Calley certainly has made a lot of the right moves. But I repeat — I’m sick and tired of people telling me they’re sick and tired of slick politicians who don’t represent the ordinary people, but do what they’re told by Right to Life, the Christian Right, the Chamber of Commerce and the automobile, insurance and real estate lobbies. These same ignorant people either stay home and do nothing on Election Day or they get snookered into choosing the guy who tells them what they want to hear.
These endorsements add up to an out of touch politician who won't represent you when he's busy doing the bidding of the big guys once he gets to Lansing. So the question is: Are you going to vote for a guy who's "endorsed from reality?"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
27 comments:
Whle I generally agree with your observations, I will eat my shorts if 30% of the voters show up at the August 8 Primary Election. Despite all the sound and fury all the contests other than the GOP Senate (US) contest are local and TV just does not move them.
There is a lesson here for the only thoughtful and independent thinking candidate for State Rep in the 87th District. Brian Reynolds.
Among the annointed one's supporters of the powerful special interests not a single one has even the begenning of an answer, nor care, of addressing the real problems facing Michigan today.
The Chamber supports the repeal of the SBT, (for those of you in Rio Linda) Single Business Tax. This position blows a two billion dollar hole in the budget without proposing a specific solution. Nothing concrete in this area will even be discussed before election and when it is finally addressed it will consist of even more burden on consumers and ordinary working people who are already paying more than their fair share.
No matter what each of us feel about Right to Life all legislative candidates can do is pander to the well paid minions who have been operating this political cash cow at no sacrfice to themselves from Lansing for more than 30 years. The truth is that the question of abortion in this country will be decided far from Lansing.
The bankers and insurance companies who essentially pay no real taxes in Michigan have been quaking in fear ever since it was proposed that they too might be asked to step up and pay their fair share.
It is among these groups you find those who have struggled mightily to bring Michigan public education down to the level of Mississipi.
So, what does this have to do with electing Brian Reynolds, the only candidate in the field who is discussing the real problems and and opportunities in Michigan? Simply this. When obvious constituencies are spoken for in a race with multiple candidates the challenge is to develop one's own constituency.
There are an enormous number of people who are sick to death of the failure of the legislature and the special interests who own them.
There are thousands who understand that the recovery that Michigan needs is centered upon the best public education system in the country. Witness that the Kalamazoo Promise has had a dramatic effect in increasing both public school enrolment AND property values.
The needs of children and seniors are being ignored as if doing so were a sacrement. While we have the most expensive health care system in the world we cannot provide basic care to nearly 1/3 of the people in Michigan.
Thinking people in Michigan can and will come to a candidate who does something other than pander to wedge issues. Brian Reynolds is clearly that candidate.
Since the Republican nomination in the 87th District is where the next member of the House WILL be elected it should be thinking Republicans, Democrats and Independents who rally to the single candidate, Brian Reynolds, who promises to works to solve Michigan's problems and not slavish promises of more of the same.
FOGLI is gun shy (See Previous post on their power in the 88th Dist). They do not see Reynolds or Trombley as legitimate contenders. Combined with Calley's milk toast position on the GLT's status (I was surprised when I learned of his position two weeks ago). I doubt he'd keep this position amongst the lock-step nature of the region in the House. It will be interesting if the Mt. Pleasant 3 (LaBelle, Smith, Fabiano, aka MPM) contribute to any candidate.
Take notes Wade for 2012
As for the "cheerleader" comment...
I am being a realist. I hope I'm wrong, but the race doesn't look good for the Barry County Bunch. I'll post the link of a poll I saw recently--once I find the web address again.
Calley will only and always vote for the people who bought him. We will know who they are next week when the campaign finance reports are in. Of course a regular ploy is to loan yourself a great deal of money and pay it off with funds from these sources after filing date. Don't let it suprise you.
I think we should see some bundling from bankers in the pre-primary report. Some PAC contributions may be delayed, I agree Pat.
I looked at the previous finance reports (link can be accessed on the right hand side of main page at Secretary of State's web site) and its exactly right that Calley was basically self financing with loans- obviously betting "the bank" so to speak that the endorsement money would be how he pays it back. Vlietstra and Bailey seem to have done something similar except without getting the money back unless they're getting lots of small checks from friends to pay for those signs and Bailey's full color ads in the paper. We'll find out in 2 weeks.
I'll also repeat that Reynolds could have been in a much better position to contend had FOGLI gone with the guy who actually wants them to win instead of the guy promising to not help them lose. Seems like a simple decision to me...
While I'm still supporting Reynolds, he really makes it difficult. The Mich Twp Assoc should have been his as well as many others. With the banking industry in Calley's pocket, a lot of other groups will fall in lock-step. I admire Calley for how he is running campaign. I heard he even went to the Hastings First Baptist Church to bear witness. Shades of Gary Newell. He sang and played the piano and won the souls of the church. Praise Jesus! Now that we know the church can be used for his political platform, they should be required to pay property taxes.
Here's one more freebie for you 87th dist candidates whose name is NOT Brian Calley. Call Brandon at the Ionia Sentinel-Standard (piece of shit newspaper)616-527-2100 ext 102 and DEMAND coverage equal to that given Calley in their Weekender. I took them to task for violating campaign finance laws in doing that. They are worried. MAKE THEM give you coverage before the primary. They cannot give Calley any more coverage without reciprocating. You are welcome!
Yes, happened in Grand Rapids didn't it. A Dee Jay had to take an admin spot at his station while running and the station had to give free airtime to the candidate that complained.
Listen to yourselves. If it is agreed that about 25%-30% of the registered voters will find it important to vote in the primary, and half are not dedicated Republicans, and the winner only needs most of the votes, the people who will cast a winning vote are less than 5%. All this whining about big advertising dollars shows about as much logic as the fools who are wasting their ad dollars. Why advertise to the 95% who are not even going to vote? I certainly don't give a damn who Right to Life supports, or the AARP either for that matter. I vote more than once an hour with my remote. The folks who are stupid enough to be influenced by a huge sign or an ad with Kumbaya in the background are also too stupid to vote in the first place. Perhaps if somebody actually brought up an issue that is of real interest to anybody other than their pastor we could lure a few more couch potatoes out to vote. Even an alphabetical guess would be better than snoring through another election. The real issue is that "democracy" does not exist when 30% of the people show up. Nothing will encourage more voting better than continuing to ask for higher millages for dumb ideas or none at all.
While the discussion continues about the fine tuning of the classical symphony music in Carnegie Hall, the fact remains that the elections in Barry County will hinge on who supports the shooting of mourning doves and domesticated Canadian geese (from the hip, of course).
The Grill pad is right on!
The only way to get a larger turnout is to push for a defeat of all of the millages.
This is the most oportune moment to strike against Calley! An 11th hour call to the polls to defeat the status quo! Such a call from Bailey, would more than likely stir his base. A deal with the devil, in order to dismantle the "golden boys'" chances. Reynolds could try but his voice does not carry for the "angry crowd" as well as Bailys' tax cutting "chop it all, and let god sort em out" will.
Churchies tend to steer clear of the voting booth when their wallets are concerned. Easier not to vote and feel good, than to vote ones conscience and not get a tax cut!
Sorry for the rant, the world is falling apart, and I am angry!
Bailey's ad in July 4 Reminder, point 3 says " I do not talk around any issue...yadda, yadda, yadda". In last weeks Reminder ad, he did just that with the casino issue. Does he support the jobs-creating casino or is he against it because it leads to a life of addiction and crime? He would have been better off not even bringing up the issue let alone make a hypocritical statements part of his platform. Dolt!
Now you're getting down to the PEOPLE running government, instead of the other way around. I will not vote for any Parks millage. We can't afford it and they do not support all parks in the County. I've been to Charlton about twice, and paid a fee. So, charge the users! It's kinda like the Bernard Museum, been there once, don't need to go again! Special events that perk my interest would be the only exception and I would pay the fee if I wanted to go so bad. Do we subsidize the State Theater in Kazoo? No, we pay a hugh concert fee for the Stars we like! Private, County, Public, whatever, doesn't matter, we have to watch our money these days.
25% is high for the August election. It's going to be 18%-22% at most.
-------------------
Sentinel-- Did you file a complaint with the SoS? Since it was an apolitical piece, I doubt they'd get in trouble. Regardless, it was a bonehead editorial decision on the Ionia paper's part.
As for Bailey, he was double-talking from the start in that July 4th ad because he talked about no issues. Then he throws a bone to Vlietstra, Lower, and Trombley with that second ad. Bailey will get what he deserves.
-----------------------
El: There are about 12,000 likely voters who will show up. Candidates get lists to tell them who those 12,000 likely are. News ads and radio are like scatter shot, they hope to reach some more that haven't been besieged by mail. The most important contact is door-to-door and events (the in-person contact). Whoever works that the hardest will likely win.
[side note on Reynolds] Found out Brian used the GOP's problem-fraught list, "voter vault". At least 10% of his mailing went to precincts not in the 87th. There are also a lot of dead folks and recently moved on that list. This is just another example of Brian making miscues and not maximizing opportunities.
10% misdirected is not unusual and a totally acceptable number. And what would you EXPECT from the Party?
Looks like I won't have to eat my shorts.
Sorry. That's 10% on top of the 10-15% typical return rate.
Those WOOD-TV clips are a hoot. Bailey seemed to rely a bit too much on a prepared statement for the simple question of why are you running?. Lots of double talk. oy.
Calley talking out of both sides of his mouth on the MCRI.
Lower: I like the guy, but I just want to play John Denver in the background to his answers. He seemed a bit confused on the K-16 intiative question.
Noticed Reynolds didn't get dressed up for his interview, good on ya Brian. Mostly good answers...very short though, and extremely short on MCRI.
Trombley: I get the feeling that sometimes this guy believes the ideology more than pegging himself on any policies or issues. Wade sounded a lot like a politician on 90% of his answers.
Vlietstra: Perk up Susan. Does she smile?
Doster: Must of been a back-up at the sewer plant.
Jay. let's see now, 10% on top of the normal 10%- 15% seems to equal you and Timmy not even listening to Lassie. Your numbers look a lot like the Bush budget. Do you make this stuff up or get it from Rush,(or somebody in Rio Linda}?
OS: Reynolds on the MEA: I think I was responding to someone else's posting and said "If what Pat says is true about shunning the MEA, it only goes to reinforce my point." I did find out that he does have MEA support, though his announcement came out later than most others. I doubt they will give him much money.
VanVolkinburg: I think I said in the past that a candidate cannot rely on FOGLI's/tribe's support. FoGLI/tribe felt like they put themselves out there. Roger did get a good chunk (check the CFRs) of cash from the Mount Pleasant 3, and others linked with the tribe/casino. I have a mail piece from '02 and remember a FOGLI rally where they said to mebership to vote for Roger and Terry. And Terry was taking a Calley line at the time.
I agree the tibe should of been more active (especially on the ground), if they were, maybe Fulton wouldn't be there.
As for the Reynolds list... I had 12 of my contacts, all outside the 87th (one as far as a Hopkins zip and another in GR) get Brian's mailing. I'll double check with my contact on his list, but these type of errors on a mailing list aren't acceptable and Brian should get his money back.
Ditto on your comments on Wade.
This "unpolitician" schtick is patronizing because he says it then gives a list of positins that sound very similar to everyone else. Shoulda' started earlier Wade.
From yesterday's Gongwer News Service Checking out Lower's site...
CALLEY LEADS FIELD OF SIX IN 87TH DISTRICT GOP PRIMARY
Six Republicans, one former Republican and a Democrat have thrown their names into the hat to replace term-limited Rep. Gary Newell (R-Saranac) in the heavily Republican 87th District.
The 87th contains Barry County and three-fourths of Ionia County – the southern and eastern portions – and re-elected Mr. Newell with an almost 30 percent cushion in 2004.
Mr. Newell has thrown his weight behind commercial banker Brian Calley of Portland (www.briancalley.com), and so, it seems, has almost everyone else. Other legislators to endorse Mr. Calley include Rep. Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan), Rep. Kevin Green (R-Wyoming) and Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge).
But before Mr. Calley can assume the nomination, he must first get past spirited challenges from five other Republicans: Jim Bailey of Hastings, farmer and business owner Tom Lower of Ionia (www.electtomlower.com), small business owner and party activist Brian Reynolds of Hastings (www.reynolds4rep.org), Wade Trombley of Middleville (www.vote4wade.blogspot.com) and Susan Vlietstra (www.susan4rep.com), also of Middleville.
Mr. Calley has, by far, the largest list of endorsements, including at least 56 county and municipal officials.
The political action committees of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Right to Life of Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, Michigan Association of Police Organizations, Citizens for Traditional Values, Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Michigan, Michigan Doctors and Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of Michigan are among the organizations that have also en-dorsed Mr. Calley.
Mr. Reynolds listed endorsements by the Michigan Education Association and Unicameral Michigan. Mr. Bailey, meanwhile reported a trifecta of realtor endorsements – both the Michigan and Grand Rapids area groups, as well as the Alliance of Realtors.
Though not endorsed by many organizations, Mr. Lower has taken the unconventional strategy of posting his responses to endorsement questionnaires online. For example, though Right to Life endorsed Mr. Calley, Mr. Lower’s responses show 100 percent compatibility with RTL on each of the group’s questions.
This will be Mr. Doster’s seventh race and since 1990. He ran, unsuccessfully, 1990 as a Democrat against then-Rep. Bob Bender before switching to the Republican Party and having mixed success (2 for 4) in his campaigns for local office. He also lost the race to replace Mr. Bender in 1994 – in the GOP primary.
Mr. Doster originally filed as a Republican in early January, but amended his state campaign organization paperwork less than a month later, changing to independent. However, since he did not change his affidavit of identity by the May deadline, he will be on the ballot, said Department of State spokesperson Ken Silfven.
Mr. Doster declined to be interviewed for this piece and Mr. Trombley did not return calls seeking comment, though his website contains his stances on several issues.
Each candidate said they were pro-life, with Mr. Reynolds adding that he is opposed to abortion, but also to government intervention in what he calls a “decision between a woman, her doctor, her pastor and her hus-band.”
They each want to repeal the Single Business Tax, with Ms. Vlietstra and Mr. Calley wanting to replace some of the revenues, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Trombley all, while Mr. Bailey and Mr. Lower would not seek a replacement.
Mr. Reynolds said he would “make sure that government does not get in the way of new businesses,” while Mr. Bailey suggested getting rid of the personal property tax as well – buoying the state’s coffers by promot-ing and increasing tourism.
Ms. Vlietstra said the state should encourage entrepreneurs and small business, while Mr. Calley said he would lift the regulatory burdens on business, thereby doing more than tax relief could. Regulatory reform, he said, would help by eliminating costs to the state to enforce regulations, and to businesses that have to take time and staff to comply with them. Further, he said that his first bill in office would be to eliminate the SBT, if not done already.
Most candidates answered a question about their stance on gun issues by stating that they are members of the National Rifle Association, the rest said they support the 2nd Amendment.
Each candidate that responded opposed the K-16 initiative, but the candidates were split on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Bailey said they would vote in favor of it, Ms. Vlietstra said she was likely to oppose it, while Mr. Calley said he agrees with every word in the proposal, but will vote against it.
Mr. Calley said he was concerned that people were tricked into signing the petition, and that the petition drive was funded through out-of-state monies. “The ends do not justify the means, therefore I will not be voting for it,” he said.
In terms of legislative focus, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Trombley are unicameralists, while Mr. Bailey said he wouldn’t carry “a sack of projects and an agenda to Lansing”.
The winner will be heavily favored in the November general election against Democrat Doug Kalnbach of Nashville.
Damn it Jay!
Now I don't like any of them again!
lol
I need to clarify, since Calley has asked through channels that I do so (and even though if you've read this far you already know), that Brian Calley did NOT receive the endorsement of the state realtor association but Jim Bailey has. Calley is in fact proud that his answers on ag preservation cost him that endorsement. I give kudos for Mr. Calley for being honest in his answers to them knowing it would likely cost him their supportt.
I've also heard that despite the fact that other candidates' answers were more in line with the MEA philosophy than those answers submitted by Brian Reynolds, the interviewers felt that Mr. Reynolds was being more honest (especially in his answer on the K-12 ballot proposal) and so they gave him the nod instead. Also, contrary to Jay's supposition, the MEA check to the Reynolds campaign sounded like a lot of money to me though last I spoke to him he hadn't actually got the check in his hands and we know about counting chickens and all that... the same goes with this race- despite the endorsement list, it ain't over until Suzanne Geha says 100% precincts reporting.
Timmy: I was passing along the article from Gongwer News Service. I did not edit it, except for bolding the headline, which Gongwer does in their reports.
It will be surprising to me if MEA maxes out on Reynolds. We'll see when reports come out.
Wade, you didn't contribute enough to MI-Realtors ;). Bailey had Realtors back in May. Maybe they like Bailey's black ties.
Page 12 –
- where the Banner news begins.
I agree with Lucille Hecker of Hastings who writes of how much she enjoys Tyden Park, Fish Hatchery Park, the footpath, the footbridge and ponds for geese. She joins Lisa Wathne, the “captive exotic animal specialist” of PETA, who would like Hastings Mayor Bob May to “enact legislation” to ban inflicting pain on elephants in our fair City of Hastings. Hecker and Wathne would like us city dwellers to stop the suffering at Charlton Park by writing some blank checks.
Ken Neil, recognizes that the City has nothing to do with Charlton Park except for providing more than 1/8th of the tax dollars to support it. He supports the blank checks so “The Paul Henry Trail for bikers and hikers can be improved and completed…”. Ken probably has a secret plan for buying back the trail property that was sold to private owners. The Banner must be keeping this secret, as well.
I heard that last weeks Page 12 news about granting my Favorite County Commissioner candidate for the Next County Board Chairpersonship, Dr. M.C. Anonymous, initiated a roadway across the trail for development of a private property. How disappointing! It would seem to me that the Banner would be more interested in informing the uninformed about current decisions that will affect the future. Who really cares that Sandy will have a few more licks from the public trough on her way out of the hayloft? She already made her profit from the sale of her piece of the trail. Where was the front page squealing when she intimidated the City into that transaction for only $163.40, in 1992? If all this is not clear to you, then perhaps the Pol Watcher could clarify the silence and lack of reportage.
On Page 13, for comic relief, Nesbitt dozes off to the exciting news that Josh Goodman was born at an early age, both times, and it costs $200 to try to run over an illegal immigrant (Mexican, by definition).
Speaking of Mexicans, the Colombianos on South Jefferson must not be buying enough ink in the Banner. Their contribution to the success of the DDA Streetscape Project was ignored on Page 3. At last, Page one (1) where we continue the neighborhood rant against Tom Clark, who was merely exercising his right to keep and bear arms, and as a real patriot was responding unilaterally in defense of liberty and democracy. Which gradually returns us to the news by way of variations on the same boring refrains on most of Page 2, and Page 4. Page 20 sums up the second hottest scoop with another photo of junk.
Perhaps a photo contest is in order. The best photo of junk being stored on top of the “Thornapple Trail”, beginning with the farm equipment and trash east of town and the gate across the trail west of Viking.
A DDA member told me that these people have a legal right to block the trail. I told him that Bush had a legal right to invade Iraq. Both of these legal rights have an impact on tourism. Where is the Axis of Economic Development when you need them? Pandering to the American Idle?
Here’s a question for Fred on July 27. “Which one of you underachievers is going to get Hastings a large enough grant to buy back the railroad bed property that was sold by the City to Feldpausch & Lawrence Realty in 1995 during the reign of King James and under the watchful eye of the County Surveyor and the ever-vigilant Liberal News Media?”. It won’t be expensive if the cost doesn’t exceed the value being claimed for property tax purposes by Mr. Woods (related to Barry?)! Maybe the question should wait until all the political ads are paid for.
My understanding about the "right of way" that was buried on page 12, is that it was 66ft. wide. In 30 years of construction I never saw a driveway that wide, but made many requests for roads that were this same width.
My biggest beef on this issue is the way it was handled and the way it wasn't reported. You can't get away with the "precedent" stuff. The fact that bad choices have consistently been made with this property does not mean that we are committed to making more bad choices.(After taking a long deep breath to lower blood pressure) I happen to be one of the "interested parties" that was not advised, forewarned, or notified. It was absolutely NOT the "right thing to do". Allowing a driveway is not the same thing as allowing a road, so don't insult our intelligence.
You don't have to worry about the trail users being "good neighbors". If you want to discuss precedent, lets discuss the long history of trail users. Nothing could be an indication of poor stewardship more than the neglect and misuse of County-owned property behind Thornapple Manor and 911.
It is my hope that a number of properties that are in the name of Trusts will be donated to the trail. I certainly would not donate any property to any organization that would allow it to become an eyesore and an embarrassment to the memory of a loved one. If the lack of care exercised by the Irving Charlton County Parks and Recreation Department and Board is any indication of its ability to perform with a small task, imagine how much worse it will be with a larger treasure to care for.
I must add that the City of Hastings has managed to maintain its parks and recreational trails with help from grants, and the Village of Middleville maintains the Paul Henry Trail in beautiful condition from Middleville to Irving. The County Board should visit these properties to learn how well the rest of the taxpayers are caring for their land. What would cause the voters of Castleton Township to have a "positive public opinion" of the stewardship of the County Board?
You can hardly fault the people who have put up a gate and blocked off the Greggs Crossing County Road. The County-funded Charlton Park Board probably is not even aware of the existence of the fence.
Post a Comment