Updated: Derek Bailey to run for Michigan House District 101

Derek Bailey, chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, has decided not to run for U.S. Congress. Instead he plans to run for the Michigan House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy Derek Bailey)

TRAVERSE CITY -- Derek Bailey, chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, has decided to run for the 101st District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives instead of running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Democratic Primary against Gary McDowell for Michigan's 1st Congressional District.

Click here to read the article "Bailey Ends Bid For Congress, Looks Toward Lansing" on Interlochen Public Radio.

UPDATE:
LANSING -- Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on Tribal Chairman for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Derek Bailey’s decision to end his campaign in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District:

"Chairman Bailey ran a Congressional campaign that all Democrats can be proud of. We value his leadership in the Michigan Democratic Party and believe he has a bright future ahead of him. We thank him for his campaign and for bringing important Democratic issues to the voters of the 1st Congressional District.

"Chairman Bailey now plans to run for the State House of Representatives in the 101st District. The Michigan Democratic Party has a long-standing policy of neutrality in Democratic primaries. We wish all of the candidates well and leave the choice of the Democratic candidate to the Democratic voters in the 101st. We look forward to winning the 101st in the general election as we work to take back the House in November."

Letter: Give Earth a break

Editor's Note: This letter is a comment on our Dec. 16, 2011, article, "Dems turn out for Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell at fundraiser in Hancock."

IRON COUNTY, Mich. -- I’m sure Gary McDowell is a fine person but I feel he is a fence walker.

Asked about whether he agreed with the platform of the League of Conservation Voters, McDowell said he believes in a proper balance between economic opportunities and environmental protection.

"It's not either or," he said. "We have to protect the environment. We can do it. We've done it in the past and we have to continue to do that."

We have not protected our environment in the past. Yes, laws were passed, but the laws were written to let potential polluters legally pollute. The cumulative effects of the pollution are showing ever increasing signs of negative health effects. The dangers are more prevalent today with the mining and possible nuclear dump sites.

So, it is a matter of "either or." It’s time to give the Earth a break. Governments and politicians have catered to industry for at least a century. The dream of prosperity has denigrated our lives.

As stated in the article:

Toward the end of his talk, Gary McDowell answers a question on the Rio Tinto / Kennecott Eagle Mine, noting the importance of funding the Department of Environmental Quality to see that it's done right.

Well, can’t argue that but I would like to elaborate.

I called McDowell’s office with concerns others and I had with the Eagle Mine. He and nine other State Representatives were sent an e-mail detailing how the DEQ ignored enforcing the law, Part 632. As you may or may not know, the Eagle Project is proceeding full speed ahead. All the money in the world does not mean things will be done right if the law is not enforced.

If Mr. McDowell wins he can say all he wants about the DEQ. He will be in the Federal Government and will not have any control over the DEQ. McDowell had his chance as a State Representative.

I realize politicians need to say things in ambiguous appealing ways to get votes or stay in office. It’s the voters who should hold the politicians responsible.

I guess we need to ask ourselves if we are satisfied with "either or." Maybe we need to change the dream. Change the dream or at least have a common definition of the word prosperity in which the health of the Earth is foremost. With a healthy Earth all the rest will fall into place.

Rich Sloat
Iron County, Mich.

Dems turn out for Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell at fundraiser in Hancock

By Michele Bourdieu

Gary McDowell, Michigan First District Congressional candidate, speaks to a crowd gathered in Hancock's Orpheum Theater (Studio Pizza) on Dec. 11, 2011, during a fundraiser for his campaign, hosted by the Houghton County Democratic Party.
(Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- Michigan First District Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) says he's looking forward to a rematch against U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Iron River), who now holds this seat after defeating McDowell by a slim margin in 2010, just a few months after former Congressman Bart Stupak, who held the position for 18 years, had announced his retirement.

Brian Rendel, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair, introduces Michigan First District Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell (seated facing the audience in blue sweater) to a large crowd in the Orpheum Theater in Hancock at the Dec. 11 campaign fundraiser.

Speaking to a large crowd gathered in Hancock's Studio Pizza and Orpheum Theater for a Dec. 11 fundraiser in his honor, hosted by the Houghton County Democratic Party, McDowell pointed out how Benishek's campaign statements contradicted his votes -- especially on the issues of Social Security and Medicare. Benishek voted for a budget that would eventually eliminate Medicare and reduce Social Security, McDowell said:

During the Dec. 11 fundraiser for his campaign, Michigan First District Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell explains why he plans to run against U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek in the 2012 election. (Video clips by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

McDowell, who formerly served as a state representative in the Michigan House, noted also that Benishek voted for trade agreements that have taken away jobs from Michigan workers, favors tax cuts and subsidies for big oil companies, and has voted against the environment on issues such as EPA regulation of mercury.

"We cannot balance the budget on our senior citizens and working families," McDowell said.

Gary McDowell speaks about his campaign to beat U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek for the Michigan First District Congressional seat.

McDowell added he plans to run an "aggressive" and "hard-hitting" campaign against Benishek. He attributed his loss in 2010 to the fact that many Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents did not vote in that election. He said the atmosphere is different now.

"We have to start now," McDowell said. "I'm sure everybody's mailboxes are being flooded with all the fliers saying 'Benishek saves.' We need to get the truth out, get the other side out, write letters to the editor, point out what his budget will do, who's funding this," McDowell said. "We have to get our people to get out and vote."

He noted his campaign has a high priority nationally with the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee), as well as the support of unions and the League of Conservation Voters.

"This race is going to be one of the hottest races in the whole United States," McDowell said. "It's going to be the only competitive seat in Michigan in the general election."

McDowell encouraged the Democrats in the audience to work with their local party. He praised the leadership and hard work of the Houghton Democratic Party and noted high enthusiasm among Ontonagon Democrats he recently visited:

Fielding questions from Mike Shupe, owner of Studio Pizza, and Bill Fink, McDowell comments on the Supreme Court treatment of corporations as persons, the Koch brothers and the recent Republican agenda in the Michigan state legislature.

McDowell noted as a model the organization of the Obama campaign in 2008 and the numbers of volunteers that made it a success. At that time McDowell was running for re-election as a state representative and asked his daughters to help with his campaign. He joked about the fact that they said they didn't have time to help him.

"I said, 'Girls, can you help me?' They said, 'No, Dad, we've got to get Barack Obama elected President.'"

Asked about whether he agreed with the platform of the League of Conservation Voters, McDowell said he believes in a proper balance between economic opportunities and environmental protection.

"It's not either or," he said. "We have to protect the environment. We can do it. We've done it in the past and we have to continue to do that."

Pat Gottschalk noted the high cost of college tuition today was putting a great financial burden on students and their families.

"This whole anti-tax thing is just abominable," she said.

Gottschalk said pointing out to people the difference in the cost of education with and without taxes should create awareness among those who oppose taxes but need them to pay for their children's education.

McDowell mentioned more than once his concern for investing in education. He noted the young people participating in the Occupy movement are evidence that higher education must be made more affordable for the middle class.

Melinda Quivek of Houghton asked McDowell to talk about his position on the Rio Tinto Eagle Mine:

Toward the end of his talk, Gary McDowell answers a question on the Rio Tinto / Kennecott Eagle Mine, noting the importance of funding the Department of Environmental Quality to see that it's done right.

Since McDowell's visit followed the Houghton County Democratic Party's monthly meeting, the audience included a number of active Democrats as well as visitors. The general reaction to the candidate was positive.

Joe Hernandez, Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech, was optimistic about McDowell's campaign.

"He's got a great chance," Hernandez said. "People are finally motivated to get out and vote. There's a lot of 'buyer's remorse' about the last election."

Mike Lahti of Hancock, who says he sat next to McDowell when they were both state representatives, had praise for his friend and colleague.

"Gary is a real fighter on issues for seniors, the needy and the young -- and also for the U.P. and U.P. jobs," Lahti said. "He's a tireless worker. In my time in the (Michigan) House, he was well respected and very effective. He would be an effective Congressman for Northern Michigan."

After his presentation, Gary McDowell chatted with people in the audience, including Rolf Peterson, Michigan Tech wildlife ecologist and co-director of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study, and his wife, Carolyn Peterson.

Janet Gregorich of Painesdale, longtime member of the Houghton County Democratic Party, told McDowell it was "disheartening" to see so many people in Houghton County vote Republican in the last election.

"We've got to turn these people around," she said.

Reba Andrews of Hancock was impressed with McDowell.

"I thought he was excellent," Andrews said. "He readily answered our questions."

Pat Bacon of Hancock said, "I asked him about the possibility of closing military bases overseas. He agreed (about closing unnecessary bases)."

Elise Matz, Houghton County Democratic Party vice-chair for communications, says she considers McDowell to be the Democrats' incumbent.

"He's experienced," Matz said. "He's got the know-how, the help and the experience to put together a campaign that can beat Benishek; and, given the fact that this could be an extra Democratic seat in the House, I think it's important that Democrats line up behind him early."

For more information about Gary McDowell's congressional campaign, visit his Web site: http://mcdowellforcongress.com.

Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell to visit Hancock Dec. 11

HANCOCK -- The Houghton County Democratic Party will hold their regular monthly party meeting at a different time and place this month. Instead of the first Wednesday, they will have a short party meeting at 1:30 p.m. this coming Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, at Studio Pizza and Ice Cream on Quincy Street in Hancock.

The meeting will precede a special social event to welcome U.S. Congressional candidate Gary McDowell to Houghton County. McDowell is scheduled to appear at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Orpheum Theatre (at Studio Pizza).

Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell chats with teacher and artist Kris Raisanen Schourek in Houghton during a Sept. 24, 2011, rally organized by union members and We Are the People. The rally was held shortly after McDowell announced his decision to run again for Michigan's First Congressional seat -- formerly held by Bart Stupak and now by Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Iron River), who defeated McDowell in 2010. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

The public is welcome to attend the event and bring friends and family to meet Candidate McDowell and find out why he wants to be the next person to represent Michigan's 1st Congressional District.

Congressional Candidate Gary McDowell addresses the audience at a rally organized by union members and We Are the People in Houghton on Sept. 24, 2011. McDowell gives some reasons why he plans to run again in 2012 for Michigan's First District Congressional seat, now held by Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Iron River). (Video clip courtesy Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

There is no charge to attend. However, those interested in a McDowell win will be invited to donate if they wish.

For more info, please contact Justin Palm at Justin@McDowellForCongress.com or call (206) 854-0007.

To contribute to the campaign, click here.

Make checks payable to McDowell For Congress. Contributions or gifts to McDowell For Congress are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Grand Traverse Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey to run for First District Congressional seat

TRAVERSE CITY -- Calling for an end to the gridlock that has gripped Washington, Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, recently declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan’s First District.

Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, recently announced he will run as a Democrat for the First Congressional District of Michigan -- the seat now held by Republican Congressman Dan Benishek. (Photo courtesy Derek Bailey for Congress)

Bailey will run as a Democrat -- joining Democrat Gary McDowell, who announced his candidacy in mid-September -- in the Democratic primary. The winner of that primary would challenge Republican Congressman Dan Benishek, one-term incumbent, who defeated McDowell by a small margin in 2010.

"In Congress we need vibrant, creative and strong leadership in advancing the needs of the citizens in northern Michigan," said Bailey. "We need to look at reigning in spending and reducing the nation’s overwhelming pile of debt. We need to look at sensible tax policies that are balanced, fair and responsible, and that address needs of working people and not energy companies, which have seen record profits."

Bailey noted he would work with both parties to solve problems if elected.

"I am running to truly represent the citizenship in District One in word and in deed, to make sure our voice is heard," Bailey said. "Now is the time to promote respect and dignity for every citizen in our district. I'm dedicated to working collaboratively in Washington for the betterment of our citizenship and national economy."

Bailey said he would work to protect the Great Lakes environment. He has been an outspoken tribal and community leader on Asian carp and other invasive species.

"Protection of our greatest natural resource must be shown through a commitment driven by knowledge, understanding and spirit. I will bring that strong northern Michigan voice to the halls of Congress," he said.

Bailey said he would work to strengthen education, and he currently serves on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education -- an appointment made in November 2010 by President Obama. He said he would be a fierce advocate for early childhood education and meeting the needs of rural families.

"Our children, our future leaders, not only need but demand that we find educational opportunities and funding that will secure their success in the future," Bailey said.

He added, "We need to build bridges between our citizens. Working together respectfully -- rolling up our sleeves and getting the work of the people accomplished -- is the basic expectation for our representatives. I pledge, and stand by my past work efforts, that I will bring this perspective to Congress, and, simply, get work done.

"We are all in this together," Bailey said. "We need jobs and we need stability in our economy. Our elected leaders need to start rowing the boat and stop rocking it."

Michigan's First Congressional District has been redrawn for the 2012 election cycle. It now includes the entire Upper Peninsula and portions of the northwest Lower Peninsula, including several counties currently not in the First District.

"It’s time for true leadership in Washington to work together to address the challenges before us," Bailey said. "Let's build the bridges that cross our differences and create a stronger nation for all, just as the founding fathers envisioned. The time is now: our nation's future depends on us."

Bailey was elected to tribal council in 2004 and served until 2008, when he was elected tribal chairman.

For more information, visit Derek Bailey's Web site or email info@derekbaileyforcongress.com.

Gary McDowell announces candidacy for Congress

RUDYARD, Mich. -- Rudyard hay farmer and small business owner Gary McDowell officially announced on Wednesday, Sept. 14, his candidacy for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District to oppose incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek.

"No one in Washington is looking out for regular people in Northern Michigan and the UP. The Democrats don’t recognize we need to cut spending and the Republicans don’t care what happens to people like us who have to work for a living," said Gary McDowell. "Congressman Dan Benishek has quickly become part of the problem. He voted to end Medicare and voted against Northern Michigan’s economic interests while giving more tax breaks to big corporations."

Congressman Benishek has taken dozens of votes against the interests of taxpayers and families in the UP and Northern Michigan:

• Despite being home to the oldest population of any Congressional district outside of Florida, Congressman Benishek voted to privatize Social Security, end Medicare and force seniors to pay $6,400 more every year and buy insurance directly from the insurance companies.
• Congressman Benishek promised not to vote to increase America’s ballooning deficit; but, in a last minute deal this summer, Benishek actually supported the plan that added $8 trillion to the debt over ten years by giving even more taxpayer-funded subsidies to special interests and giving the average millionaire $200,000 a year in new tax breaks.
• Congressman Benishek voted against local jobs and our area’s critical tourism industry when he supported a plan to close seven regional airports in the 1st District in Ironwood, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie, Alpena and Manistee. These airports are not only a critical link for residents but also move mail, commerce and visitors -- supporting area job growth.

"Congressman Benishek went to Washington and just forgot about Northern Michigan and the UP," McDowell continued. "And that’s the problem -- nobody is doing what’s right for the country or looking out for people who have to work for a living here in Northern Michigan."

A native of Rudyard, Michigan, Gary McDowell is a hay farmer and has served for over 20 years as the Treasurer for McDowell Hay, Inc., a 1,000-acre hay farming and distribution company in Rudyard, which he owns with his brothers.

"As a middle class farmer, I want to take some Northern Michigan common sense to Washington in order to cut wasteful spending and reduce the debt, focus on creating jobs here in Michigan, and to protect Social Security and Medicare," McDowell said.

After former 1st District Congressman Bart Stupak announced his retirement in the spring of 2010, Benishek won the Republican primary by only 15 votes and defeated McDowell with 51 percent of the vote in November 2010.

McDowell is a retired State Representative from District 107. Read more about Gary McDowell on his Facebook page.

Editor's Note: Gary McDowell spoke at a rally of teachers and union members in Houghton last May. See a video clip of his speech in our May 15, 2011, article, "Local teachers, union members rally for schools."

Residents go door-to-door to inform voters of Huuki's cuts to education

By Michele Bourdieu, with additional information from We Are the People*

HOUGHTON -- Union representatives and concerned citizens went door-to-door in Hancock and Houghton on Wednesday, June 15, to tell residents about Rep. Matt Huuki’s (R-Atlantic Mine) votes to cut $500 million from local K-12 schools (about $900 million from the state school aid fund) and raise taxes on seniors’ pensions by over $330 million.

Canvassers in Houghton prepare to take information to local residents about State Rep. Matt Huuki's vote to cut education and tax seniors' pensions. Pictured here on June 15, 2011, are, from left, John Kleiber of Gladstone, business representative for the Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 9 of Michigan; Brian Kerrigan of Marquette, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 1510; Pete Prochnow of Appleton, Wis., representing Iron Workers Local 8 (Marquette); Allan Baker of Houghton, realtor; Gary McDowell of Rudyard, former Democratic First District Congressional candidate and former 107th District state representative; and Nathan Nakkula of Mohawk, marketing representative for Laborers Local 1329. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Gary McDowell, former Democratic candidate for the US Congress and former state representative, drove all the way from Sault Ste. Marie to Houghton to help organize a group of canvassers who volunteered to take information about Rep. Huuki's vote to targeted residences (of people identified as union members and Democrats) in Hancock and Houghton.

McDowell distributed a flyer with information about Matt Huuki's recent budget vote that cuts funds from education to give tax breaks to rich corporations.

Canvassers distributed this flyer about State Rep. Matt Huuki's vote to cut education funding in Michigan to residents in Hancock and Houghton today, June 15. Click on image for larger version. (Flyer courtesy We Are the People)

"He (Huuki) said he was not going to cut education," McDowell said. "Then he and (State Senator) Tom Casperson both voted to cut $900 million from the school aid fund to give tax breaks to corporations. Casperson's was the deciding vote!"

McDowell noted the State of Michigan's school aid fund had grown and these cuts actually prevented a potential increase in funding per student.

"Instead of a $250-$300 increase per student, the schools are facing a $300 - $400 decrease per student," he said. "When we're losing programs and teachers, schools are going to be forced to close."

Hancock and Ewen Trout Creek school districts, in fact, are on a critical list of schools that could be taken over by one of Gov. Rick Snyder's Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs).**

The local canvass was part of an action organized by We Are the People, a statewide coalition of teachers, students and seniors fighting to protect middle-class Michigan families, according to Zack Pohl, spokesman for We Are the People.

"Matt Huuki said he’d fight for U.P. jobs, but instead he voted to slash education and raise taxes on seniors to give rich CEOs a $1.8 billion tax break with no guarantee of future job growth," Pohl said. "It’s time for Lansing politicians like Matt Huuki to stop the power struggles and start working together to create jobs for working families."

McDowell said this local canvass was organized by the Carpenters and Operating Engineers trade unions.

Brian Kerrigan of Marquette, representing the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, specifically Local 1510, joined the group of canvassers in Houghton Wednesday. He said the canvass would be an ongoing effort to inform citizens in both residential and business areas.

"We're probably going to canvass each district and then come back again to re-canvass," Kerrigan said. "We're going to send everyone this message eventually."

The canvassers are trying to elicit a reaction from voters by informing them about how their representatives voted and the effects those votes will have on education and on pensions, Kerrigan explained.

"We just want to get the word out. People need to be informed about what's going on," Kerrigan said. "How they want to act on that is up to them."

McDowell added, "We're trying to inform the voters that the votes Mr. Huuki has been taking are detrimental to our children's education -- which every politician, including Mr. Huuki, said was their first priority."

Pohl noted Matt Huuki said he "believes that education is extremely important." Huuki also signed a pledge to "oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase
taxes."

"Like a typical politician, it’s clear Matt Huuki isn’t interested in keeping his word or listening to the will of the people in his district who overwhelmingly oppose these education cuts and higher taxes," said Pohl. "If Matt Huuki wants to keep his job next year, he needs to start working to create jobs for working and middle class families."

Over the past month, local workers and residents have gone door-to-door in six state House districts to discuss state politicians’ recent votes to cut education and slash
unemployment benefits, including the districts of: Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc), Pat Somerville (R-Huron Township), Andrea LaFontaine (R-Richmond) and Rick Olson (R-York Township). More community activities are planned in legislators’ districts throughout the summer.

Notes:

* We Are the People is a diverse coalition of students, seniors, workers, families and organizations fighting to protect Michigan's middle class. Click here to visit their Web site.

** Read about EFMs in our May 12, 2011, article, "EFMs, schools concern residents at April Town Hall with Casperson, Huuki," and our May 15, 2011, article, "Local teachers, union members rally for schools."

Local teachers, union members rally for schools

By Michele Bourdieu

Members of Laborers Union Local 1329 (in orange shirts and jackets) and other concerned residents chat with former U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak, fourth from left, and his wife, Laurie (in maroon jacket), before the speakers' presentations at the May 14, 2011, "Save Your School, Show Your Spirit" rally in Houghton. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- A crowd of teachers, union members and concerned citizens -- including parents with their children -- gathered in Veterans' Park at noon Saturday, May 14, for a "Save Your School, Show Your Spirit" rally.


Elise Matz of the Western Upper Peninsula Community Action Team (WUPCAT), one of the organizers of the "Save Your School, Show Your Spirit" rally, welcomes participants to the rally before introducing each speaker. Matz is wearing her own high school colors in memory of her positive educational experience. (Photo courtesy Allan Baker)

Pep talks by retired U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak, accompanied by his wife, Laurie, and by Gary McDowell, former Democratic congressional candidate who ran for Stupak's empty seat last November, energized the crowd. Ann Campbell, vocal music director for Houghton schools, and Terry LaJeunesse of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) also spoke at the rally, which was organized by members of the Western Upper Peninsula Community Action Team.

Teachers, union members and parents with their children carry signs to show their support for schools as they listen to the speakers at the May 14 rally. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

All the speakers expressed concern at the recently approved state budget bill that cuts funding for K-12 schools and higher education by nearly $800 million to pay for a $1.8 billion tax break for corporate special interests. In addition, the Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) legislation passed earlier this year is a serious concern for Upper Peninsula educators since Hancock and Ewen Trout Creek schools have been targeted for an EFM because of financial deficits.

Campbell spoke of the role of arts education and defended programs that are often the first to be cut because they have been labeled "hobby" classes. She mentioned a long list of famous people who once studied music in school -- from Brad Pitt to Alan Greenspan -- noting that her own students were aware that the best and most successful students and leaders have arts education in their background and are encouraged to continue to study it at the university level even as they pursue careers in technical fields. She mentioned the successful Fine Arts Department at Michigan Tech as an example.

"Colleges recognize that these students (who take fine arts classes) have already learned how to learn," Campbell said.

Ann Campbell, vocal music director for Houghton schools speaks about the importance of arts education at the "Save Your School, Show Your Spirit" rally on May 14 at Veterans' Park in Houghton. (Video clips courtesy Allan Baker)

The next speaker, Gary McDowell, former state representative for the 107th District, said he is now involved with the Community Action Teams around the state and a group called "We Are the People," who, according to their Web site, are people who believe "Gov. Rick Snyder’s agenda unfairly exploits Michigan’s economic crisis to attack seniors with new taxes on pensions, students by cutting almost $800 million from K-12 and higher education, and workers through efforts to end the right to collective bargaining."*

Gary McDowell, former state representative for the 107th District and former U.S. congressional candidate for Michigan's First District, addresses the crowd at the May 14 rally for schools in Houghton.

After the rally, McDowell told Keweenaw Now he believed moving nearly $800 million out of the state's school fund jeopardizes the quality of Michigan education and the Emergency Manager legislation threatens local control of schools.

"This is so important. This is the future of our state -- that our children receive the highest quality education possible," McDowell said. "Also, local control of education is what this country is built on. People in the Copper Country are going to lose that with an Emergency Financial Manager. He has unlimited power, and the people in these communities have no say at all."

Participants at the May 14, 2011, rally in Veterans' Park listen to speakers warning that Gov. Snyder's Emergency Financial Managers will mean loss of local control of schools, broken contracts and dismissal of school boards. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Bart Stupak, former U.S. Congressman for the First District, also expressed his concern about the potential loss of local control of schools. He said he came to the rally to support the teachers and public education. Stupak noted he had just come from Gogebic County, where some of the school districts were very concerned about the EFM issue and about a 15 percent funding cut projected for Gogebic Community College.

"I think what they're doing in Lansing is totally wrong," Stupak said. "The Emergency Financial Manager becomes a dictator."

At the May 14, 2011, rally for schools, Bart Stupak of Menominee -- former U.S. Congressman for Michigan's First District, who retired in 2010 after serving in that position for 18 years -- talks about cuts to educational funding at both national and local levels.

Stupak told Keweenaw Now retirement doesn't mean he's not involved in political issues.

"I still attend events," he said. "I still help out candidates. I still speak out on issues like this."

Terry LaJeunesse, a retired history teacher and MEA leader, reminded the crowd of both good and bad educational precedents in the nation's past -- from the early Puritans' requirement that communities provide a school for children (the beginning of "local control" of schools) to the 1920s when corporations ruled and children often had to choose between school and the survival of their families to the present threat of takeovers by Emergency Finance Managers.

LaJeunesse, led the crowd in a chant, "If we do not learn from history, we are destined to repeat it."

Terry LaJeunesse, MEA leader and retired history teacher, offers the rally crowd examples from U.S. history demonstrating the importance of local control of education.

LaJeunesse also described how an Emergency Finance Manager (EFM) will have the power to fire an elected school board, break contracts and deprive school districts and communities of local control that now permits them to decide what is good for their children. As a union leader at the bargaining table, he noted, he does not represent himself but the union members and their wishes.

"I represent the custodial staff at Hancock High School, I represent the teachers of Baraga, I represent all school employees represented by the Michigan Education Association. They are my bosses," LaJeunesse said. "They are the MEA."

He pointed out that such a takeover would destroy the unions that now protect teachers and school staff members. The unions, he said, are the people who belong to them.

"People make up unions. Unions don't make up people," LaJeunesse said.

LaJeunesse encouraged the crowd to write to Lansing legislators, to call State Rep. Huuki and State Sen. Casperson, to attend more of these events and to spread the word to others -- in order to demonstrate that they don't want to sacrifice children's education for the profit of corporations.

By their votes to cut education, Huuki and Casperson show that they "don't share our values and they don't care about the underclass," said Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair.

"I see Casperson as an economic 'Uncle Tom' to the corporate and rich Republican interests," Hoduski said. "The Earned Income Credit (cut 70 percent by this recent budget legislation) gave the underclass some opportunity. Education is the other way people get out of the underclass."

Scott Dianda, former Democratic candidate for state representative, who lost to Republican Matt Huuki, expressed his concern about the EFMs taking over schools in financial distress and depriving communities of local control. They would have power to do what elected school board officials do now.

"If we have two schools in the district, do they sell off one and put all the schools in the other one?" Dianda, a life-long Calumet resident, asked. "At what point do we start sending our children on a one- or two-hour bus ride to go to school?"

Lisa Sporbert, special education teacher for the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) and president of the Copper Country Intermediate Education Association (CCIEA), attended the rally with her mother, Donna Sporbert, a para-professional employee at CCISD.

At the May 14, 2011 rally, Lisa Sporbert, CCISD special education teacher and president of the Copper Country Intermediate Education Association, right, displays her "Save Our Kids!" sign, while her mother, Donna Sporbert, also a CCISD employee, carries a sign asking State Rep. Huuki, "Who is more important -- children or corporations?" (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

"I came to save our kids," Lisa Sporbert said. "The cuts that are being made at the educational level are only to support corporations -- to put the money into corporations and to take the money away from all educational workers -- from the bus drivers to the teachers. I'm here to support all the students and collective bargaining rights for all the unions in the country. That's what our nation was built on."

Sierra Bishop, a guidance counselor at Houghton Middle School, carried a sign with the "We Are the People" slogan to show her concern about educational cuts.*

Brian Rendel, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair, said he was happy to see people come out for the rally on a (chilly) "summer" day.

"It was great to see Bart and Laurie and Gary and Scott," Rendel said. "Mostly I'm very pleased to see so many teachers and school employees, as well as private-sector union members. It's great to see all the union representation!"

* Click here to go to the "We Are the People" Web site.