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Drolet: Sell the mansion

By dennislennox, Section News
Posted on Thu May 28, 2009 at 09:19:04 PM EST
Tags: mackinac policy conference, detroit regional chamber of commerce, leon drolet (all tags)

MACKINAC ISLAND -- Instead of laying off dozens of state troopers, Lansing should sell the governor's taxpayer-owned mansion on the bluffs of the island, according to Michigan Taxpayers Alliance chairman Leon Drolet.

Drolet, a former member of the House, was on Mackinac Island as an "uninvited guest" today to draw attention to a private party hosted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm at the $3.2 million mansion.

Holding a press conference outside the mansion, Drolet emphasized "this second mansion, a vacation retreat, symbolizes the Governor's priorities; lifestyles of the government elite are protected, while the incomes and services to citizens are expendable."

A news release distributed to media at the Mackinac Policy Conference indicated the Mackinac Island mansion has 11 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms.

"Michigan is the only state to provide their governor with two taxpayer-paid mansions," said Drolet. "Laying off state police and raising taxes is unacceptable when the Governor continues to enjoy perks more generous than any other U.S. governor enjoys."

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Drolet: Sell the mansion | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden)

Publicity stunt? (none / 0) (#1)
by stevenstmason on Fri May 29, 2009 at 12:38:55 AM EST

Several news articles reported that state and federal restrictions would block the sale and use of the mansion for private purposes. Is Leon just ignorant or is he deliberately misleading everyone?

Which news articles? by Nick, 05/29/2009 02:31:49 AM EST (none / 0)

Who said its upkeep comes from the general fund? by stevenstmason, 05/30/2009 01:12:18 AM EST (none / 0)

renovations have been financed through donations, by leondrolet, 05/30/2009 09:27:19 AM EST (none / 0)

It's not the Governor's mansion by stevenstmason, 05/31/2009 06:31:37 PM EST (none / 0)

stevenmason, if you're still listening... by leondrolet, 06/01/2009 08:32:41 AM EST (none / 0)

deed restrictions (none / 0) (#4)
by leondrolet on Fri May 29, 2009 at 12:47:17 PM EST

Regarding the question of whether the state could sell the Mackinac Island governor's mansion: maybe.

Dennis Cawthorn, who served on the Mackinac Island Commission is quoted as saying in a 2003 Freep article that he "believes" there "may be" a deed restriction, but acknowleges that the mansion could probably be leased.

Governor Granholm's spokesperson is quoted as saying that there IS a deed restriction, and has also been quoted as saying that there "is likely" a deed restriction.

I'll try to find out the facts on a restriction, since no one seems to really know.

However, if there is a restriction, the mansion could be leased for a period of years (a 99-year lease is the same as a sale in practical terms).

Or, the state could simply let the mansion revert back to the federal government. The mansion won't be moved to D.C. - it will still sit where it is. The feds aren't going tear it down to build a Taco Bell or anything. At least the care and maintenance costs would be borne by the federal government and not Michigan taxpayers.

It would be better by maidintheus, 05/29/2009 03:13:34 PM EST (none / 0)

Learn to use Google (none / 0) (#6)
by stevenstmason on Sat May 30, 2009 at 01:10:57 AM EST

In 5 seconds, you would have had your answer.

http://blog.mlive.com/cns/2009/02/mackinac_residence_not_for_sal.html

http://www.freep.com/article/20090529/NEWS06/905290350

http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=10439366

Read your own "proof" by leondrolet, 05/30/2009 09:33:52 AM EST (none / 0)
You're right by stevenstmason, 05/31/2009 06:33:07 PM EST (none / 0)

Sell the mansion? (none / 0) (#8)
by RushLake on Sat May 30, 2009 at 05:54:13 AM EST

Maybe that nice chassis repairman Ron Gettlefinger would like to use some of his millions to buy it. He could hold forth from the porch preaching the word to his expendable masses. He already has Local 6000 to make up the dues difference anyway. Oh wait, no, he already has that nice resort near Onaway to do that.

Or, we could demand that they immediately cut the staff and the no show position of the "first" gentleman. We could also tell those defacto part time prima donnas in both houses that they don't get a larger staff just because they are the party in power there. I bet we could come up with enough money to keep those troopers.

The percentage you're paying is too high priced when you're living beyond all your means......

Could We Privatize It? (none / 0) (#17)
by kenmatesevac on Mon Jun 01, 2009 at 10:00:02 AM EST

Here's a thought: Perhaps we could privatize the mansion and turn it into an upscale B&B. The state (specifically, the governor's office) could run it just like a private business, to give the governor and her minions insights into what it's like to be a small business owner in Michigan these days.

And if she can turn a profit despite the tax burdens, the economy, etc....we let her use it one week a year as her reward.

Why stop there? (none / 0) (#18)
by Rougman on Mon Jun 01, 2009 at 04:48:09 PM EST

While they are at it, why don't they unload a couple hundred thousand acres of land too?

Drolet: Sell the mansion | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden)

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Drolet: Sell the mansion

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