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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted May 21, 2003 Text and Photos © 2003 Keweenaw Now. Text and photos by Mark Pavolich.

Unemployment, tax cuts, Party support top Houghton County Democrats' concerns

By Mark Pavolich

HOUGHTON -- At their recent fund-raising awards dinner, Houghton County Democrats heard a reminder from their Congressman that Michigan has lost 178,000 jobs since George W. Bush took office -- 70,700 in the past month alone.

A letter from United States Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), read by Amy Wisti, Houghton County Democratic Party secretary, noted these numbers as well as the present Michigan unemployment rate of 6.7 percent. The threat to families and the middle class has never been greater, Stupak added, citing as examples the passing of the "Pension Security Act" and the vote preventing the Democratic bill for extensions of unemployment benefits.

Stupak noted also that Bush's tax-cut bill HR2, passed in the House on May 9, 2003, contains $550 billion in tax cuts. He cited a recent article in the Washington Post that concludes each job expected to be created by the President's tax-cut plan would cost the federal Treasury $550,000 per job.

In less than 30 months, Stupak said, the GOP has turned a $236 billion dollar surplus into a $304 billion dollar deficit. This is before adding the cost of the Iraq war and the rebuilding.

The letter adds, "Just last week, on Saturday (May 10), when no one was paying attention, the administration committed $110 million for universal health care for the Iraqi people."

Although Stupak was unable to attend the dinner, nearly 100 Democrats gathered on Friday, May 16, at the Bluffs Senior Living and Banquet Facility in Houghton and heard messages from their representatives in Lansing and Washington, D.C., and from local leaders, some of whom received awards for service to the party.

In a peppery lead-off, Janet Metsa, Houghton County Democratic Party chair, advised the gathering of a current event of national interest: "Today George W. Bush filed for re-election. Michigan needs to reject Mr. Bush a third time! Three strikes -- he's out! Let's make sure Houghton County does its part!"

Metsa pointed out the importance of reaching out on the county level to friends and neighbors in recruiting votes for the Democratic Party.

"If each one of us had brought one more to vote, Jennifer Granholm would have won Houghton County!" she noted.

Amy Wisti, aide to Rep. Stupak, received the first Andrew Wisti Leadership Award, which, starting this year, is to be given annually to a local party leader.

Janet Metsa, right, Houghton County Democratic Party chair, presents Ami Wisti, Party secretary, with the first Andrew Wisti Leadership Award during the Democrats' fund-raiser and awards dinner Friday, May 16, at the Bluffs Senior Living and Banquet Facility in Houghton.

"The leadership award was established this year in memory of my father-in-law who passed away in December (2002)," Amy Wisti explained. "Andrew became party chair in the early 1960s, and under his leadership grassroots participation in the local party greatly increased. It was during that time that Democrats won many seats at the county level which had traditionally been held by Republicans."

Many of these are still held by Democrats, Amy Wisti added, noting also that Andrew served one term in the Michigan House of Representatives.

"He remained active in the party until his death and was considered a mentor to current party leaders," she said.

Former State Senator Paul Tesanovich paid tribute to the deceased members of the Democratic Party, emphasizing that the party was made up of those who, like Andrew Wisti, have always helped the less fortunate.

Acknowledging former members of his staff in the audience, Tesanovich noted his successor, State Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming), was unable to attend the dinner because of a scheduling conflict.

Other awards were presented to local Democratic Party members.

Ron Ranta and Beverly Berg of Atlantic Mine received Recognition Awards for volunteering service to the Party.

Ron Ranta of Atlantic Mine displays his Recognition Award for volunteer service to the Houghton County Democratic Party. He received the award during the Democrats' May 16 fund-raising and awards dinner at the Bluffs Senior Living and Banquet Facility in Houghton.

"Ron and Bev are active members who volunteer for many activities: lit drops, parades, staffing Headquarters and booths and more," Amy Wisti noted.

Beverly Berg of Atlantic Mine poses with her Recognition Award for volunteer service to the Houghton County Democratic Party. The award was presented to her during the Democrats' fund-raising dinner on May 16 at the Bluffs.

Mike Lahti presented Brian Cadwell an award for one and a half year's service to the Houghton County Board of Commissioners. Cadwell's service was cut short due to a conflict with his employment.

Lahti and Cadwell accepted, on behalf of Carol Kirkish, widow of the late Jim Kirkish, a plaque from the Houghton Democratic Party and a U.S. flag that had flown over the Capitol in Washington D. C. at Rep. Bart Stupak's request.

Diana Charles, aide to U.S. Senator Carl Levin, brought to the group Levin's message that President Bush's tax-cut bill is evidence that "never more than now is there need for election help."

The bill takes important funding from such needs as education, unemployment, jobs and health care, Charles noted. 

Levin, through a defense bill, has awarded local manufacturing companies, Calumet's National Guard and Michigan Tech University with nearly $10 million for development production of military-related projects, she added.

Sheri Davie, representing U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, noted Stabenow is working on several projects of interest to Houghton County residents, including rural development, acquisition of fire equipment and water and sewer infrastructure. Stabenow works quite closely with Levin, Davie said.

State Rep. Rich Brown (D-Ironwood) sent a videotape with his apologies for being unable to attend the dinner because of a family commitment. In the video he announced he was looking forward to visiting the area during Bridge Fest in June, as he regularly does each year.

Editor's Note: Guest author Mark Pavolich is a resident of Keweenaw County, where he serves on the Keweenaw County Zoning/Planning Commission.

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