MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN
August 2019
In This Issue:
- Conventions 2020: LPM Seeks Volunteers to Plan Pair of State Conventions
- NWMLP BBQ, Meet & Greet in Cadillac Sept. 8
- Libertarian Schools Police Oversight Group on the Law
- Officers & Staff
- Upcoming Events
Thank you for all of the articles. Keep them coming with careful attention to our guidelines. We are now on a monthly publication schedule. Articles for the next issue of the Michigan Libertarian must be submitted to chair@michiganlp.org, newsletter@michiganlp.org and vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org no later than the 20th of each month. This allows for publication on the first of each month.
The Libertarian Party of Michigan depends on contributions to carry out it's mission Please Visit us at MichiganLP.org and scroll down to the bottom of our homepage to gain access to our contribution form.
Conventions 2020: LPM Seeks Volunteers to Plan Pair of State Conventions
By Greg Stempfle, Chair
Do you have experience planning public events? Are you interested in helping the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) make a significant impact on the 2020 elections? If so, the LPM is looking volunteers to help plan our state conventions next year.
National Delegate Selection Convention
Our first state convention will be the National Delegate Selection Convention, which must take place before April 9. That's six weeks before the first day of the Libertarian Party National Convention, which begins Thursday, May 21, 2020 in Austin, Texas. The purpose of our National Delegate Selection Convention will be to select a slate of delegates and alternates to represent Michigan. Please note that this convention is too early, per our bylaws, for us to nominate candidates for public office.
Because delegate selection will be the primary business of this state convention we hope to have additional events throughout the day, such as; candidate training seminars, our annual Defender of Liberty Awards banquet, and speeches by candidates seeking our Presidential nomination. For those seeking a national delegate nomination please keep in mind that all delegates will need to attend the Party National Convention in Austin and should be familiar with the responsibilities of their position. While location is uncertain at this time, sites in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, such as Traverse City or Gaylord, have been discussed by the LPM.
Candidate Nominating Convention
The second state convention will be the Candidate Nominating Convention. At this convention the LPM will nominate our candidates for State and Federal offices. This convention must be held between the filing deadline for the 2020 primary, April 21, 2020, and the Michigan primary election, August 4, 2020. Because we will be selecting our presidential candidate at the end of May, the Libertarian Executive Committee (LEC) believes we should hold our state nominating convention in June or July. This year is unique because for the first time since 1992 the LPM will be able to nominate our Michigan candidates after our Presidential candidate! It is my hope that if we select a strong presidential candidate and the national convention is well covered by the media. It will help us to recruit more members and candidates in Michigan and across the nation.
This state convention will consider changes to the LPM platform (but not bylaws) and could coincide with a visit by our presidential candidate. This convention will be our most important and well publicized event of the season and should be held in a suitably large population center to maximize attendance and recruitment. The LEC has not discussed a location for this convention but for maximum impact should be in the greater Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Detroit area.
2020 Conventions Committee
The LEC prefers to have these conventions planned early. Conventions should run as smoothly as possible and pre-planning is a large part of that. Additionally, given that the conventions could be a short as three months apart, they will have an overlapping planning phase. Given this, the LEC is interested in selecting a single committee to organize both conventions. The date and location of the second convention should already be determined by the time we hold our first. This serves the efficiency of the convention process and allows for its announcement by the Chair on C-SPAN when it's time to declare how we voted for President.
If you are interested in being on or chairing the 2020 Conventions Committee, please email LPM Chair Greg Stempfle at chair@michiganlp.org no later than Friday, August 9. Please include a brief statement about why you wish to help and what skill sets or background you have that would make your contribution valuable to the committee. The LEC would prefer a Committee Chair with previous experience, one who could share their knowledge and help train a newer group of party activists for future events.
All are welcome to join the Northwest Michigan Libertarians (NWMLP) for an end of summer barbecue and Meet and Greet.
Bring the kids to swim and play while you meet local, state, and national candidates hoping to run as Libertarians in 2020, including Presidential candidate Kim Ruff. You will also have the opportunity to meet local party leaders.
When and Where to Find the NWMLP
When? Sunday, September 8th around noon. We will have more details about times, but this is basically an informal meet and greet.Where? Kenwood Heritage Park, 2506 North Blvd, Cadillac, MI 49601
We hope for the biggest pavilion which is across the street from the beach. It is near the restrooms, playground, and grills.
Camping and Food
NOTE: There is also a campground at the park, and nearby motel prices become reasonable after Labor Day.
We will provide hot dogs, chips and lemonade. We welcome extra grills, charcoal, dishes to pass and/or cash donations.
For questions email nwmichiganlibertarians@gmail.com.
On Thursday July 18th Boman was illegally denied admittance to the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners meeting; they insisted that he show a photo ID to enter. According to Boman, "The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners has been violating the open meetings act at every meeting it has held in the DPD Headquarters." According to the Michigan Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976. Section 15.263. Sec. 3. (4):
A person shall not be required as a condition of attendance at a meeting of a public body to register or otherwise provide his or her name or other information or otherwise to fulfill a condition precedent to attendance.At their June 27th meeting ACLU Attorney Ralph Simpson informed the Commissioners of this portion of the law during public comments. He said he assumed they were unaware of the law, but from that point forward they should consider themselves notified.
According to DPD security officer Randy Moore (Who was the person tasked with checking identification at the entrance), "A thousand people can read the same book and have five different opinions; it's just like reading the Bible. I can read the same law and have two different instances of the law... If you don't have ID you can't get in the building. If you don't have ID you're not going to the meeting. If you don't have ID you can't go past the steps...."
Boman recorded the full interaction and posted it online.
Boman filed a complaint with the Chief investigator, and plans to join other community members in a complaint to the attorney general. Litigation is also a possibility. In spite of this, the Board of Police Commissioner has continued to violate the law by having security demand identification from attendees at their July 25th meeting, many of whom complied under protest.
On August 11th some DRACO members showed up wearing veils and masks to protest the unrestricted use of facial recognition technology by the Detroit Police Department. When one Commissioner, Willie Burton, attempted to speak out on the matter Chairperson Lisa Carter called for his removal, resulting in the arrest and injury of the Commissioner. "This is part of a pattern of disrespect for the community they claim to represent," said Boman.
They think the laws don't apply to them, and the leadership has no problem using force to silence commissioners who dare side with the community by calling on the Board to respect legal limitations on their power. Now they are trying to squelch public comments by limiting comments to those who make reservations when the meeting starts.The Board of Police Commissioners meets each Thursday at 1301 Third Avenue, Detroit, MI at 3:00 PM with the exception of the second Thursday. On the second Thursday of each month they meet at a location in the community around 6:30 PM.
Officers & Staff
General Contact: Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW.Chair: Greg Stempfle. chair@michiganlp.org
First Vice Chair: Ben Boren. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
Second Vice Chair: Jamie Lewisvcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org
Secretary: Wendi Parker. secretary@michiganlp.org
Treasurer: Norman Peterson. treasurer@michiganlp.org
District 1 Rep: Dana Carver. dist1rep@michiganlp.org
District 2 Rep: Patty Malowney. dist2rep@michiganlp.org
District 3 Rep: Nathan Hewer. dist3rep@michiganlp.org
District 4 Rep: Brian Ludwig. dist4rep@michiganlp.org
District 5 Rep: Benjamin Dryke. dist5rep@michiganlp.org
District 6 Rep: Antonio Smith. dist6rep@michiganlp.org
District 7 Rep: Jason Rees. dist7rep@michiganlp.org
District 8 Rep: Jeff Wood. dist8rep@michiganlp.org
District 9 Rep: Mike Saliba. dist9rep@michiganlp.org
District 10 Rep: Catherine Filus. dist10rep@michiganlp.org
District 11 Rep: Jerry Bloom. dist11rep@michiganlp.org
District 12 Rep: Lawrence W. Johnson. dist12rep@michiganlp.org
District 13 Rep: Jeremy Morgan. dist13rep@michiganlp.org
District 14 Rep: Tim Yow. dist14rep@michiganlp.org
Judicial Committee Members
Kerry Morgan. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.orgKen Proctor. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Katie Nepton. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Volunteers
Webmaster: In Transition. Webmaster@MichiganLP.orgNewsletter Editor: Scotty Boman. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Deputy Editors: Norman Peterson & Mary Buzuma. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Ciculation Director: Catherine Filus.Catherine Filus catherine@catherinefilus.com
Affiliate Contacts
Capital Area: Luke Sciberras, Chair. 248-302-1064, capitalarealp@gmail.comhttps://capitalarealp.wordpress.com
Genesee County: Chair Alex Cooper, alexcooperliberty@gmail.com.
https://www.facebook.com/LPGCMI
Huron-Raisin: James Hudler, (734) 475-9792, james.hudler@gmail.com
https://lpwc.wordpress.com
Jackson-Hillsdale: Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
https://www.jhlp.org
Livingston County: James Weeks II, (810) 422-8769, j.weeks@riseup.net
http://livingstonlibertarians.org
Macomb County: Mike Saliba, chair@macomblp.org
https://macomblp.org
Mid-Michigan: Tim Yow. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1356267337769739
Northeast-Lower: Zach Boyle, 989-255-4521, livovivo@gmail.com
Northern Lower: Dana Carver, danacarver103@yahoo.com
Northwest Michigan: Donna Gundle-Krieg. nwmichiganlibertarians@gmail.com
www.nwmichiganlibertarians.org
Oakland County: Greg Stempfle, (313) 929-1789, gregstempfle@gmail.com
http://lpocmi.org
Southwest Michigan: Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
https://swmlp.com
Straits Area: Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP/
Wayne County: Scotty Boman, (313) 247-2052, scottyboman@hotmail.com
https://michiganlpwayne.wordpress.com
West Michigan: Jake Andrews. (269) 967-4071, Email Jamie Lewis at jkl620@yahoo.com
http://lpwm.org Back to Contents
Upcoming Events
Some events are also posted by their hosts at the Meetup.com site. The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice. Contact information connected to most events can be found by expanding the item on the "Agenda view" of the Events page of our website.
August 1, 2019 - Livingston County Michigan Libertarians Business meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The meetings have two parts:
- Meet and greet: Catch up with each other at 7 while we order food and introduce any visitors.
- Guest Speaker / Miscellaneous: If we have something going on that requires discussion before the business meeting, we talk about it. Occasionally, we will have a guest speaker.
The other meeting we have every month is the business meeting. At this meeting, usually held at our Secretary's home in Howell, the officers and volunteers discuss affiliate business. The membership is welcome to attend these meetings, which are announced at the prior week's social meeting.Cleary's Pub, 117 E Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843
For more information, contact James Weeks II at 810.422.8769 or email j.weeks@riseup.net
August 4, 2019 - Straits Area Business Meeting, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM The Cabin Bar, 20648 State St, Onaway, MI, 49765
For more information, contact Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP/
August 6, 2019 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party (SWMLP) Monthly Membership meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The SWMLP will meet at The Crew Family Restaurant, 3810 East Cork Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
August 7, 2019 - Huron-Raisin Social Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill; 2122 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
For more information, contact James Hudler at 734-475-9792 or email james.hudler@gmail.com
August 13, 2019 - Northwest Michigan affiliate monthly business meeting, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
The house off Outreach Director Ben Schulz, 120 E Wexford Avenue in Buckley, Michigan.
Contact Donna, the affiliate chair, or Ben Boren, affiliate vice chair for details.
The officers will conduct a business meeting every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Please see the Events Page for more information.
Business meetings will focus on the group's goals of electing political candidates and conducting outreach and educational activities. Anyone is welcome!
The monthly meeting will be also be held electronically as well. For more information, please contact Donna Gundle-Krieg at dokrieg@gmail.com.
August 13, 2019 - Libertarian Party of West Michigan (LPWM) Monthly Membership meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The LPWM will meet at Buffalo Wild Wings, 2720 44th Street S.W., Wyoming, MI 49519. Our guest speaker will speak on Cryptocurrency: What is it? How does it work?. More details are posted on the Libertarian Party of West Michigan Facebook Page: https:/www.facebook.com/WestMichiganLibertarian For more information, please contact Jamie Lewis at jkl620@yahoo.com.
August 14, 2019 - Libertarians of Macomb County Monthly meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ike's Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at macomblp@gmail.com
August 14, 2019 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County business meeting, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The new venue and day for business meetings will be on the second Wednesday of each month at Leon's Family Dining. 23830 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48124. Phone: (313) 563-3713
There may be additional changes in the future, so please call ahead for future meetings.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
August 21, 2019 - Jackson-Hillsdale Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Steve's Ranch Restaurant, 311 W. Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201
We encourage Teachers, Politicians and Public Officials to attend this meeting. IT'S YOUR TAX MONEY! For more information contact Norman Peterson (269) 330-2980. JHLP Website: https://www.jhlp.org/
August 21, 2019 - The Libertarian Party of Oakland County monthly meeting, Dinner at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM.
Rusty Bucket. 30450 Telegraph Rd, Bingham Farms, MI 48025. For more information contact Greg Stempfle, (313) 929-1789, gregstempfle@gmail.com
August 18, 2019 - Capital Area monthly business meeting is cancelled for August. CALP members voted to skip their meeting in August, but will resume third Sunday at 6pm at Harper's in September. .
August 28, 2019 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County general meeting, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Regular business meetings have been moved to the second Wednesday of the month. However we will now have a general meeting on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Livonia Elks at 31117 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150. Directions: south side of Plymouth, just a short distance east of Merriman. Park in the back; enter through rear entrance. - Walk straight ahead through the vestibule, lobby area, and then turn down the hallway to the right. Walk down about 50' or so, and turn left into the short hallway; pass the couple of restrooms - and there we are!
There may be additional changes in the future, so please call ahead for future meetings.
For more information, contact Scotty Boman at (313) 247-2052 or email ScottyBoman@hotmail.com
September 8, 2019 - Straits Area. TentativeThey are starting to plan a Gas Tax Protest in Mackinaw City - during the Bridge Walk on September 2nd (Labor Day) The timeframe would be 6:00 am until Noon. Not confirmed.
Back to Contents
If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Other issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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