15-B Insider -- Special Summer Edition

Tuesday, August 6th

It's an important day in your future!

Dear MEA Member:

"Many hands make light work!" I’m sure, you have heard that phrase. Although it is still work, it is "light" work. It’s a real stretch to believe that this letter is about politics. We have an opportunity to make "lighter" work for our futures by all pitching in and making sure that we, and hopefully every eligible voter in our household, get out and vote on this date. Remember, our funding in public education is determined by the Legislature and Governor. It will be an uphill battle to deal with a Governor and members of the Legislature who support vouchers.

As you are probably aware, you cannot vote in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. As you are also well aware, it is very difficult to get elected in our area of Michigan unless you are a Republican candidate. In light of this, whoever wins locally in the Republican primary is very likely to win in the general election in November. It is often in the primary election that voters make the selection of their next legislative representatives, local government representatives, governor, etc. Therefore, I am also asking you to give serious consideration to voting in the Republican primary on August 6. This is your chance to have a voice in the decision-making. I believe that together we can help determine who wins the 35th Senate District race as well as other contested races on the Republican primary ballot. MEA has essentially taken a position to encourage support for one candidate from each major party for governor, and has given candidate John Schwartz a preferred status in the Republican Primary.

Before you get out and vote on August ₆th would like to encourage you to educate yourself on the candidates. Speaker of the House, Rick Johnson, will be on the ballot in the Republican primary, as well as three Republican candidates in the 35^th Senate race. Following is a short synopsis on each one.

Michelle McManus is a former member of our State House of Representatives. She was resoundingly rejected in the 2000 general election by voters in Northern Michigan when she ran for the U.S. House. Billionaire Betsy DeVos, under the guise of the Great Lakes Education Project and Choices for Children, is helping to fund her campaign. Betsy DeVos is also a major contributor in other campaigns across our State as she and her group try to elect pro-voucher candidates. Ms. McManus chose not to participate in our Screening and Recommending process.

Morris Langworthy is a member of the Osceola County Commission, and is a former member of the Pine River Area School Board. He is a veteran and a small business owner. He has served on the Osceola Parks Commission. Mr. Langworthy participated in our Screening and Recommending process.

David Mead has been in the State Legislature for the past four years as a member of the House of Representatives from the 101st District. He has supported public education, and has not been afraid to stand up against Governor Engler and his push for more charter schools. He is against vouchers and against tax credit initiatives for people who send their children to private or parochial schools. After participating in our Screening and Recommending process, David Mead received a recommendation from our members who met with and interviewed him. Our Legislative Council, consisting of local MEA members, reviewed his answers to our candidate questionnaire and reviewed his voting record. Mr. Mead sees himself as a family man with a wife and two grown children; a farmer, a veteran; a small businessperson and a public servant. He and his wife, Sue, live on a farm in the Frankfort area.

Remember, primaries determine many races, so please vote in this very important primary election. We, as a group of voters, will have an opportunity to help elect a Legislature and Governor who support public education, and one who is not afraid to say "no" to the diversion of public funds to private and parochial interests. Perhaps you would be willing to put a David Mead sign in your yard; a bumper sticker on your car; or perhaps contribute to his campaign. We can arrange for that to happen if you give us a call at (231) 775-6553 or (800) 300-1162. It takes many small contributions from each of us to offset even a small contribution from a billionaire. Many hands make light work, and perhaps, in this instance, many votes can offset an expensive campaign of a candidate who will not be a friend of public education or those who are public school employees.