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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted Sept. 29, 2006   Text © 2006 Michele Anderson. Photos  © 2006 Gustavo Bourdieu.*

Democrats open new headquarters in Hancock 

By Michele Anderson

HANCOCK -- Houghton County Democrats are opening a new headquarters on the first floor of Hancock's old Hotel Scott, known also as the Scott Hotel. The building, which is being renovated by owner Mike Lahti, Houghton County Board chair and candidate for Michigan 110th District state representative, also houses Millers' Jewelry and Gizmos, Gadgets and Toys Galore.

The Democrats will host an Open House in their new headquarters from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Sept. 30. The event is free and open to the public. Some local Democratic candidates, including Anton Pintar, elected Democratic Precinct delegate from Adams Township and a member of the Houghton County Democratic Executive Committee, are expected to be present at the event and available to talk to the public.

Anton Pintar chats with other volunteers during the work session for setting up the Houghton County Democrats' new headquarters in the Scott Hotel in Hancock on Saturday, Sept. 23. Pintar, elected Democratic Precinct delegate from Adams Township and a member of the Houghton County Democratic Executive Committee, is a candidate for Houghton County Commissioner. He will be running against Republican John Condon, former Hancock City Council member. (Photo © 2006 Gustavo Bourdieu for Keweenaw Now.)

On Saturday, Sept. 23, several volunteers offered their time to set up the new headquarters, displaying signs, bumper stickers, etc., which will be available for the public during the new headquarters hours preceding the Nov. 7 election: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, volunteers work on displays of signs and campaign information at the Houghton County Democrats' new headquarters in the Scott Hotel in Hancock. Pictured are Mary Hunt, foreground, Clarence McDonald on ladder and Barbara Turc-Mills. (Photo © 2006 Gustavo Bourdieu for Keweenaw Now.)

Pintar mentioned that the Houghton County Democratic Party recommends a NO vote on Michigan Proposal 06-2 ("Civil Rights Initiative") and a YES vote on Houghton County Proposal A (0.1 mill for Veteran's Services).

Ann Pace, left, of Hancock, a candidate for Hancock City Council, works on campaign signs with Amy Wisti, Aide for U.S. Representative Bart Stupak, during the Sept. 23 volunteer work session to set up the new headquarters for the Houghton County Democrats in the Scott Hotel. (Photo © 2006 Gustavo Bourdieu for Keweenaw Now.)

The text of these two proposals is as follows: 

(MICHIGAN BALLOT) PROPOSAL 06-2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO BAN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS THAT GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS BASED ON THEIR RACE, GENDER, COLOR, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORIGIN FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR CONTRACTING PURPOSES 
The proposed constitutional amendment would: 
• Ban public institutions from using affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes. Public institutions affected by the proposal include state government, local governments, public colleges and universities, community colleges and school districts.
• Prohibit public institutions from discriminating against groups or individuals due to their gender, ethnicity, race, color or national origin. (A separate provision of the state Constitution already prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.)
Should this proposal be adopted? 

PROPOSAL A (A 2006 HOUGHTON COUNTY BALLOT PROPOSAL)
HOUGHTON COUNTY VETERANS MILLAGE
Shall the 15 mill tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within Houghton County, State of Michigan, be increased as provided by Article IX, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan by .1 mill (10.0 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) for each of the years 2007 through 2017 (10 years inclusive) for the purpose of authorizing Houghton County to levy such millage commencing in 2007 to equip, operate, maintain and defray debt service and provide support and assistance services to veterans through a county department of Veteran’s Affairs, which increase shall raise in the first year of the levy an estimated $59,488.07?

Additional 2006 Michigan Ballot Proposals

The text of other Michigan Ballot Proposals to appear on the November 7, 2006, election ballot is as follows:

PROPOSAL 06-1 
A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE THAT MONEY HELD IN CONSERVATION AND RECREATION FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES 
The proposed constitutional amendment would: 

• Create a Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund within the Constitution and establish existing conservation and recreation accounts as components of the fund.
 • Use current funding sources such as state park entrance and camping fees snowmobile, ORV and boating registration
 • Establish the current Game and Fish Protection Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund within the Constitution.
 • Provide that money held in Funds can only be used for specific purposes related to conservation and recreation and cannot be used for any purpose other than those intended. 

Should this proposal be adopted? 
PROPOSAL 06-3 
A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 160 OF 2004 – AN ACT TO ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUNTING SEASON FOR MOURNING DOVES 
Public Act 160 of 2004 would: 
• Authorize the Natural Resources Commission to establish a hunting season for 
mourning doves. 
• Require a mourning dove hunter to have a small game license and a $2.00 mourning dove stamp. 
• Stipulate that revenue from the stamp must be split evenly between the Game and Fish Protection Fund and the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund. 
• Require the Department of Natural Resources to address responsible mourning dove hunting; management practices for the propagation of mourning doves; and participation in mourning dove hunting by youth, the elderly and the disabled in the Department’s annual hunting guide. 

Should this law be approved?

PROPOSAL 06-4 
A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT FROM TAKING PRIVATE PROPERTY BY 
EMINENT DOMAIN FOR CERTAIN PRIVATE PURPOSES 
The proposed constitutional amendment would: 
• Prohibit government from taking private property for transfer to another private individual or business for purposes of economic development or increasing tax revenue. 
• Provide that if an individual’s principal residence is taken by government for public use, the individual must be paid at least 125% of property’s fair market value. 
• Require government that takes a private property to demonstrate that the taking is for a public use; if taken to eliminate blight, require a higher standard of proof to demonstrate that the taking of that property is for a public use. 
• Preserve existing rights of property owners. 

Should this proposal be adopted? 

PROPOSAL 06-5 
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH MANDATORY SCHOOL FUNDING LEVELS 
The proposed law would: 
• Increase current funding by approximately $565 million and require State to 
provide annual funding increases equal to the rate of inflation for public schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges, and higher education (includes state universities and financial aid/grant programs). 
• Require State to fund any deficiencies from General Fund. 
• Base funding for school districts with a declining enrollment on three-year 
student enrollment average. 
• Reduce and cap retirement fund contribution paid by public schools, community 
colleges and state universities; shift remaining portion to state. 
• Reduce funding gap between school districts receiving basic per-pupil foundation 
allowance and those receiving maximum foundation allowance. 

Should this proposed law be approved?

Additional 2006 Houghton County Ballot Proposal

SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL
(RESTORATION OF HEADLEE REDUCTION)
This proposal requests additional millage to permit the levy by the intermediate school district of the maximum mills for special education previously approved by the electors.

Democratic Party Candidates

The complete list of Democratic Party candidates to appear on the Nov. 7, 2006 Michigan Ballot for Houghton County is as follows: 

Governor -- Jennifer Granholm
Lt. Governor -- John Cherry, Jr.
Secretary of State -- Carmella Sabaugh
Attorney General -- Amos Williams
U. S. Senator -- Debbie Stabenow
U. S. Representative -- Bart Stupak
State Senator -- Mike Prusi
State Representative -- Mike Lahti

State Board of Education -- Reggie Turner
                                           Cassandra Ulbrich

Univ. of Michigan Regents-- Katherine White
                                            Julia Darlow

MSU Trustees --  Faylene Owen
                            George Perles

Wayne State U. Governors -- Eugene Driker
                                              Debbie Dingell

Houghton County Commissioner
District 3: Anton J. Pintar
District 4: Scott Ala
District 5: Paul Luoma

Judicial Ballot
Michigan Supreme Court -- Jane M. Beckering
                                           Michael F. Cavanaugh

 

Editor's notes: * Gustavo "Gus" Bourdieu is a photographer for Keweenaw Now.