LPM OnlineFebruary 6, 2001 |
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On February 10, 2001, Ray Kirkus, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Berrien County, will begin collecting signatures to get himself on the ballot for New Buffalo City Council election. He needs only 25 to 50 signatures of registered voters of New Buffalo. It appears that he has at least 20 who have already voiced their intent to sign the petition. Some have stated that they want copies of the petition because they know others who would sign as well. Ray could have as many as 100 signatures. The actual election is around March 12, 2001. If elected, he hopes to work diligently to get useless ordnances off the books. He also wants to make the city council more accountable to the people it serves. Financial support is welcome for his election campaign. Though this is a non-paid public office, he wants to win. Send send donations to Ray Kirkus at Libertarian Party of Berrien County, 9133-1 Sunset Dr., Berrien Springs MI 49103
2/1/00 DEARBORN. "The fact of the matter is that our state is in a pretty sorry state," said Libertarian Party of Michigan Chair Stacy Van Oast. "And with the kind of leadership we're getting from Republicans it's easy to see why." Ms. Van Oast was responding to Governor Engler's State of the State address last night to the people of Michigan. "What kind of duplicity does it take," she asked incredulously, "for the same governor who has led efforts to tax e-commerce transactions to now turn around and say that we need to give tax breaks to corporations engaged in e-commerce? "I guess this is just one more example," she answered her own question, "of the Republican view of taxes -- increase them on consumers, while reducing them on big business." And the LPM chair's ire wasn't confined to the governor's economic plans. "Then he proposes to max out our constitutional limit of 20 cabinet-level agencies by creating a brand, new Department of History, Arts and Culture," she added. "Since when are these social institutions something to be determined by government?" she asked. "I certainly hope," she continued, "that people will finally stop being fooled by the Republicans' posturing as advocates of individual freedom and limited government and recognize just how socialist they really are. Tax increases on consumers, but tax breaks for multi-national corporations. Even a Ministry of Culture! What more evidence could anyone possibly need?" she wondered. "It's not surprising that Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is talking about chasing out the last of the libertarians from the Republican Party. Well," she concluded, "they will be welcomed with open arms into the Libertarian Party. It ought to be obvious from the governor's State of the State address that they should have been here all along."
Using the search engine at the Observer-Eccentric's web site, we learned that they used the word "libertarian" 123 times in 2000. The total number of times they used the word "libertarian" for all years is 241. Specifically, in the years 1996 through 1999 they used the word Libertarian 118 times. The Observer-Eccentric newspapers primarily cover Oakland County. Many thanks to the LPOC officers, candidates, and members that made this accomplishment possible.
At the Conference in Plainwell on Sunday, there was a lot of interest in this list of "basics" that every successful party organization must do and do well. Certainly Bill Winter doesn't mind us re-printing it and using it! A Libertarian state or local party that does not do the following things will fail. It might stay alive -- in a state of pleasant stagnation -- but it will not thrive and grow. Coded: I for infrastructure, P for projects. All items require"Professionalism" - especially the 10th 1. maintain an accurate, up-to-date database of members & prospects; utilize web-based list(I) 2. send out a prompt, professional information package to interested prospects, and send out timely membership renewal notices to current members (I) 3. Engage in ongoing, constant prospecting to increase the size of theorganization (P) 4. Publish a regular, decent-quality newsletter to keep members and prospects informed. Use newsletter to publicize activities and success. (I) 5. Have a bank account, and ongoing, implemented plan to raise money (I/P) 6. Run candidates for political office. Monitor elections (or registration numbers) which effect ballot status. (P) 7. Be active in the political system - whether through elections, referendums, lobbying or whatever. (P) 8. Have regular, publicized, productive, and interesting public meetings. Have regular meetings of party leadership to plan strategy and projects (I/P) 9. Have an organized media outreach plan - which can include press releases, press conferences, and personal contacts- to promote the party and earn publicity. (I/P) 10. Have leadership dedicated to growth, success, & professionalism-and determined to avoid factionalism, arguments, and obstructionism. Party leadership has a solid, realistic vision for success. (Professionalism) Bill Winter's Six Rules for Party Chairs 1. Get an answering machine, be on-line people need to be able to contact you 3. Don't be a star delegate and let others shine 4. Shut up Rule resolve not to talk about YOUR favorite issue 5. Learn 6. Be ruthless only once every 5 years |
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