Tag Archive for Mailers

Michigan Politics

Michigan 56th District Race Mystery Mailers

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Anonymous mailers flood mailboxes in Michigan's 56th state house district.

Bain-card3Randy Bain was pleasantly surprised that someone supports him in his bid for the Michigan House of representatives..

When mailers arrived at his home not just once, but TWICE, he wondered who might it be that would be sending out the cards describing Democrats and Republicans as having no discernible differences.  Who was it saying “Al Bain isn’t a party robot!” in two separate mailings?

Bain-card1Did we mention R. Al Bain is a candidate for the 56th District house seat as a (Constitution party) US Taxpayer?

Bain says that he knows of other Republicans who have received the postcards, yet his neighbors who are Democrats, have not. This could feed the speculation that Democrats are subtly assisting 3rd party candidates who have a strong possibility of drawing votes from Republicans to give THEIR candidates a better shot. This is not out of the question, as we have seen THAT before.

Interestingly, there is no disclaimer, a part 47 campaign finance violation.  The return address could be any number of businesses in the tower address. There are a number of election contributions from that address over the years, but nothing that would indicate a pattern of contributions or big money.   Bain says:Bain-card2

“I googled the address it’s a 12 story office tower in Southfield I called a number and the girl said her company had the whole 12th floor they are a automotive marketing and research firm. There are several businesses in that tower.“

Candidate Bain is already planning his victory speech.

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All the Other Stuff, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan

Payola Or Pretense?

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Is The Traverse City School District Ignoring A Gift, Or Is That 'Gift' Completely Valueless?

What does the largest government body North of Clare do when it sees a case of vendor provided payoff to an employee?

It blesses the transaction.  <– yes, that is the punchline

As yet another example of misplaced priorities, and a misunderstanding of the roles they play, the Traverse City Area public School board trustees have approved a ‘settlement’ which involves a payment from the soon-to-retire superintendent Stephen Cousins, and a gift from one of the school’s vendors to make up the difference between the $25,000 owed to the school district by the superintendent and his $14,800 cash reimbursement component.

First a recap of the facts as we know them.

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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics

No Slap On The Wrist

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Michigan Capitol Confidential Said:

“.. if the Secretary of State stays true to its history of enforcement, it’s likely the district will receive a slap on the wrist.”

In 2011, Michigan Capitol Confidential looked at the Secretary of State’s enforcement of school districts it found to have violated the campaign finance law from 2006 to 2010. The state fined two districts that broke the law $100 each. In the case of TCAPS for their part 57 violation, it appears there is a new sheriff in town.

TCAPS was assessed a $26,656 fine to be paid back to the district.

“By whom?” is the question being asked so far by our local paper.

TCAPS officials must decide by May 30 whether to accept the ruling and prove reimbursement, which cannot come from TCAPS general fund or other taxpayer-supported funds. If TCAPS officials refuse to pay, the case could be referred to the state attorney general’s office for criminal prosecution.

The state did not specifically state who is responsible for repaying the $25,656.

I can tell you that however.

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