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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Candidate Lon Johnson to Houghton County Dems: Shut down Line 5, protect fresh water, more ...

By Michele Bourdieu

Lon Johnson, right, Democratic Candidate for Michigan's First Congressional District, speaks to Houghton County Democrats about key issues in his campaign during the April 20 Open House at the Houghton County Democratic Party's Headquarters, 323 Quincy St. in Hancock. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- Lon Johnson, Democratic Candidate for Michigan's First Congressional District, told Houghton County Democrats his campaign is centered on three important issues for Northern Michigan and the U.P. -- passenger rail service, high-speed Internet and mobile phone access for all communities, and protection of our fresh water -- beginning with the fight to shut down the 63-year-old Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.

Speaking at the April 20 Open House at the Houghton County Democratic Party (HCDP) Headquarters in Hancock, Johnson reminded party supporters that "21 percent of the world's fresh water is right here." He said in 20 years nations will be going to war for fresh water since it will become more valuable than any other natural resource and we will have to fight to protect it.

"We've got to keep Northern Michigan and the U.P. both beautiful and profitable," Johnson said. "We can continue mining and our logging operation in a sustainable way, but at the same time we also have to protect our assets here so our children and grandchildren can use them. That's why I'm proud to be one of the leading drivers in trying to shut down this Line 5 oil pipeline."

During the April 20 Open House at the Houghton County Democratic Party Headquarters, Lon Johnson speaks about the importance of protecting fresh water, beginning with a shutdown of the aging Line 5 oil pipeline under the Mackinac Straits. Pictured with Johnson here is Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair, who compared Johnson to former First District Congressman Bart Stupak, who has endorsed Johnson.

Johnson pointed out that this pipeline starts in Canada, goes through parts of Wisconsin and the U.P., and under the Straits of Mackinac -- then back to Canada with only about 10 percent of the oil remaining in Michigan.

"The same people that are telling us that this thing is safe are the same people who said that Flint water was safe to drink," Johnson noted.

The people running this pipeline are the same people (Enbridge) who ran the Kalamazoo pipeline that became, in 2010, the largest inland oil disaster in the history of the United States, he added. Johnson also made reference to proponents of the pipeline, including State Sen. Casperson, who claim that shutting down Line 5 will raise the cost of propane in the Upper Peninsula.

"That's just wrong," Johnson said. "If you shut this pipeline down in the Straits of Mackinac, you can still allow the pipeline to haul propane to the Rapid River site, just about 125 miles west of the Straits, just north of Escanaba. That's where the propane is taken out and distributed to the U.P."*

Johnson welcomes bi-partisan support on Line 5 issue

During the Open House, Johnson told Keweenaw Now he was glad to see bipartisan support of the effort to shut down Line 5, including that of Republicans like U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10).

On Wednesday, Apr. 27, Miller introduced the Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Act of 2016, which would require the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to terminate the operation of Enbridge’s Line 5 if, based on an 18-month comprehensive study mandated by the bill, the Administrator finds that the pipeline poses a significant risk.

Just after introducing the bill, Miller stated, "Any rupture of Enbridge’s 63-year-old Line 5, which transports 23 million gallons of contaminants a day, would have a catastrophic impact on the Great Lakes, especially if it occurred along the portion that runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge. Just last month, the University of Michigan Water Center released a study where researchers estimated the impact of a leak in Line 5 under 840 different weather scenarios. According to the study, over 700 miles of Great Lakes shoreline could be impacted; and Mackinac Island, Bois Blanc Island, and the coastline around Mackinac City would certainly be impacted in almost every scenario. That, however, is just a snapshot of the damage a rupture would cause."**

Today, Apr. 28, Johnson reacted to Miller's introduction of this bill with this statement: "I am glad to see that our efforts on the ground across the U.P. and Northern Michigan have resulted in bipartisan action on both the state and now the federal level. I have said for months that this 63-year-old Enbridge oil pipeline should be shut down at the Straits of Mackinac so it can be independently inspected to be safe. The impact on the health of our Great Lakes and on our economy in the event of an oil spill would be devastating.

"While I’ve been calling for lawmakers to address the issue of Line 5 for months, it’s disappointing that Lansing politicians like Tom Casperson would rather defend a Canadian oil company than protect the health and jobs of the people of the U.P. and Northern Michigan. Maybe it’s the $28,000 in campaign donations Casperson has taken from oil and gas industry PACs that’s influencing his decision?"***

Addressing the issue of jobs in the U.P., Johnson said he hopes to create a Fresh Water Institute that would not only protect the water but also change the economy by creating a new industry for our children and grandchildren. It would show the world how to better use and protect the water. He cited as a model the growth of the computer industry in Silicon Valley.

Candidate Lon Johnson is pictured here, during the Open House, with three generations of the Wisti family: from left, next to Johnson, Nick Wisti, who is working for Johnson's campaign; Nick's parents, Judge Mark Wisti and Amy Wisti, former aide for Bart Stupak; and, foreground, Ruth Wisti, Mark's mother.

"We need a member of Congress who's thinking five, ten, fifteen years ahead," Johnson said.

He said he would also work for national issues such as campaign finance reform, overturning Citizens United and changing unfair tax policies benefiting wealthy corporations that move their money offshore to avoid paying their fair share.

On the issue of passenger rail service in the U.P., Johnson said it would attract tourists to the U.P. and could change the economy. Johnson told Keweenaw Now it would need a feasibility study and might happen in 10 or 15 years.

"We need to investigate how we can use existing rights of way and existing lines for passenger rail service," he said.

Spring Fling is Saturday, May 7

The Houghton County Democratic Party will host their annual Spring Fling on Saturday, May 7, 7th Floor of Magnuson Inn, 820 Shelden Ave. in Houghton. First District Congressional Candidate Lon Johnson, 110th District State Rep. Scott Dianda and local candidates will participate as well as the keynote speaker, 1st Congressional District Organizer G.T. Long.

Local candidates for Houghton County offices also spoke at the Open House about the importance of electing Democrats to the county offices. Here Commissioner Scott Ala, center, speaks about how every vote counts in these local elections. Other candidates pictured here are Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Lorenz, standing far right, and George Rajala, second from right, candidate for County Commissioner from Chassell. Not pictured here, but also present, was Rick Kasprzak, candidate for County Commissioner from Calumet.

The program for the Spring Fling is as follows:

5:30 p.m. -- Cocktail hour and Silent Auction Viewing
6:30 p.m. -- Dinner
7 p.m. -- Awards Program, Candidate Remarks, Keynote Address, Auction Winners

The Silent Auction includes many lovely creations by local artists as well as gift certificates and offers from local businesses.

Last Chance to Buy Spring Fling 2016 Tickets:

Tickets are $35 per person. Please buy tickets by April 30 so organizers can tell the venue the number of attendees for planning purposes. To purchase tickets online, click here.

Tickets may also be paid for by personal check in person at the Wednesday, May 4, 2016, HCDP monthly meeting at the Super 8 in Houghton. Cash payments are forbidden by law. If you plan to pay at the meeting please email HoughtonDems@gmail.com by April 30 to reserve your seat.

Funds raised at the Spring Fling will be used to support Democratic candidates.

Editor's Notes:

* Click here, on Lon Johnson's Facebook page, for a video of the April 16, 2016, town hall on Line 5 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. See also Lon's new short video ad here.

** Read the rest of Rep. Miller's statement here.

*** Lon Johnson has been taking on Enbridge officials at numerous town halls in the U.P. and Northern Michigan, as well as helping local communities pass resolutions urging their elected leaders address the pipeline. More than 30 townships, local boards, and communities have passed resolutions. Lon is collecting signatures on his Web site.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Sanders: I’m In It to Win It

Bernie Sanders continues his campaign. (Photo courtesy berniesanders.com)

[Editor's Note: The following is a press release from berniesanders.com, posted April 27, 2016.]

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Declaring that he is "in this campaign to win and become the Democratic nominee," U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders today, Wednesday, told a rally at Purdue University that he is the Democrats’ best hope to defeat Donald Trump in November.

"If you want the candidate who will be the strongest nominee, you’re looking at that candidate right now," Sanders told 2,267 cheering supporters at the rally in a student center. "The reason I am the strongest candidate is that our campaign is appealing not just to Democrats but to independents all over this country and even some Republicans."

In poll after poll, Sanders fares much better than Hillary Clinton in matchups with Trump and other Republican White House hopefuls.

Sanders’ appeal to independents was evident on Tuesday when he won by 12 points in Rhode Island, a state with an open primary where independents could vote. That outcome should send a message to delegates going to the Democratic National Convention this summer, he said.

"What I hope delegates understand is that the national election is an open process. Guess what? Independents vote in that process," Sanders said. "And it turns out that we are overwhelmingly winning the independent vote."

Sanders acknowledged that Clinton currently leads in the number of delegates headed to Philadelphia, but he said sees a narrow path to victory as voters in Indiana go to the polls next Tuesday and nine more states have elections on the calendar before the primary process comes to a close in June.

"We are behind today. But you know what? Unusual things happen in politics," he said. "With your help, superdelegates may reach the conclusion that Bernie Sanders will be the strongest candidate against Donald Trump or any other candidate."*

Sanders was headed later Wednesday to another rally in Bloomington, Indiana, before flying to Oregon, another state where voters have yet to weigh in on who should be the Democratic Party nominee for president.

* See also Sanders Statement on Primary Elections.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Lake Superior Celebration to offer family activities, displays, more Apr. 26 at GLRC

Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) will be the scene of a FREE family-friendly Lake Superior Celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 26. (Keweenaw Now file photo)*

HOUGHTON -- The community is invited to the Lake Superior Celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 26, at Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). The event is FREE, family-friendly, and open to all.

The Lake Superior Celebration will include informative displays by local agencies and organizations. The event will feature hands-on activities for youth as well as displays/presentations by Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) school teams from Dollar Bay HS and Elementary Schools, Jeffers HS, CLK Elementary School, Baraga HS, Chassell HS, Houghton Middle School, EB Holman School, and Washington Middle School.

LSSI student showcase and presentations will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in 202 GLRC. The Copper Country Recycling Initiative will provide an update on recycling in the Keweenaw at 7:15 p.m. in 202 GLRC.

Light refreshments -- including snacks, cake, lemonade and coffee -- will be served. Live music will be provided by Lena Maude.

The hands-on activities will include Ride the HEET bike and lift the bridge, Paper-Making, Garbage Pizza, No-Waste Lunch, SMOG City (designing water pumps, operate a 3-D printer) and Create Your Own North Woods Kids' Art.

More than a dozen community organizations and entities will have displays. They include World Water Day art display; Copper Country Recycling Initiative display and  presentation (7:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. in 202 GLRC); Invasive Plants of the Keweenaw; Houghton County Energy Efficiency Team (HEET); Keweenaw Green Burial Association; Keweenaw Land Trust; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) native plants/ethnobotany; Isle Royale National Park; Copper Country Trout Unlimited fly-tying display; North Woods Kids' (K-12) art exhibit from the Western U.P.; Plastic Recycling Enterprise; Alternative Energy Enterprise; Engineers Without Borders; UP Food Exchange.

The event is sponsored by the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan STEM Partnership, Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, and the Copper Country Recycling Initiative.

For more information contact Shawn Oppliger at 482-0331 or shawn@copperisd.org at the Copper Country ISD or Joan Chadde at 906-487-3341 or jchadde@mtu.edu.

Visit the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative on the web or on Facebook.

* Directions to GLRC: From Hancock or Houghton: as you approach Michigan Tech on US 41 from downtown Houghton, turn left onto Cliff Drive (just before the Administration Building and just after apartment building). Quickly turn left again on to Phoenix Drive to go down the hill to the water level. Drive straight ahead to the Great Lakes Research Center, last building on your left, on the water.

From Chassell: As you approach Michigan Tech on US 41, turn right onto Cliff Drive (just past the Administration Building). Take an immediate left on to Phoenix Drive to go down the hill to the water level. Drive straight ahead to the Great Lakes Research Center, last building on your left, on the water.