LPM OnlineMay 1, 2001 |
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WEST OLIVE-- Libertarians in Ottawa County met for
their county convention last Tuesday and elected a new slate
of officers: The new Ottawa County LP also celebrated its first birthday. In the last year the group has nearly doubled membership, seen a Libertarian appointed to office, repealed statist ordinances, and engaged the local politicians at several levels. In the year to come the OCLP will be focusing on returning the county surplus, increasing local membership and fundraising, and supporting its candidates.
HAZEL PARK. The Libertarian Party of Michigan will hold its 2001 convention the weekend of May 4-6 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. Aside from electing an executive committee for the coming year, the most important event at the convention will be the kick-off of the party's petition drive to restore its ballot status. "Despite having 115 candidates who received an aggregate of more than 1.5 million votes, we lost our status as a ballot-qualified party last fall," lamented state chair Stacy Van Oast. Overall, the Libertarian Party actually did far better than all of the other so-called "third parties" put together -- including the Reform and Green parties, both of which retained their place on Michigan's ballot. "The problem was the combination of our relatively poor showing in the historically close presidential race and Michigan's unique ballot access law that puts the fate of an entire party on the success or failure of its 'Top-of-Ticket' candidate." The convention will also give LP members an opportunity to amend their bylaws and platform. Among the social events will be a Friday night welcome party, a Saturday luncheon with Mackinac Center for Public Policy president Lawrence Reed, and a Saturday evening banquet featuring Liberty magazine editor (and Michigan ex-patriot) R.W. Bradford. The party's petition drive will formally commence on Saturday, May 5, from which date LP members will have 180 days to collect 30,272 signatures of registered voters, according to Ballot Access Restoration Committee chair Nancy O'Brien. Press credentials for the convention may be obtained by contacting convention chair Jim Fitzpatrick.
The Liberty Leadership Council will have a table at the Michigan LP Convention. Free affiliate packets for all affiliates will be distributed. The packets will include a supply of tabloid flyers, a booklet entitled "Winning Local Elections Made Simple", misc. other items, and a CD with 7 radio ads. The professional radio ads include a 60 second ad promoting the petition drive, four 30 second ads and two 15 second ads promoting the LP. These ads are for use by the affiliates as they deem necessary and is the start of a radio ad library that can be part of your political arsenal. Make sure someone from your affiliate stops by and picks up a free packet. The LLC has a new website that was designed by a Libertarian for Libertarians. Trevor Peck of Pecktec, a long time libertarian and computer expert designed this website. It is yet another important portal to the LP. You can view it at the LLC table at the convention or got to www.makingfreedomring.com. Among its many features is a free online newsletter and a secure server to make online donations. The LLC will be holding a one event, one day raffle at the convention. First prize is a 30-06 Woodmaster, Model 742 rifle with a 3X9X32mm scope (value approx. $350). Second prize is a free CCW course required in order to get a CCW under the new CCW law (value $100). Tickets will be sold only one day, Saturday, at the convention so the odds of winning will be very good. Look for the "Making Freedom Ring" banner and stop by to check the LLC out firsthand. Many other things will be going on. Please join us!
The following members have been appointed to the LPMI 2000 Platform Committee by their respective affiliates: Allegan -- Charlie Clegg. Macomb -- Keith Edwards Oakland -- Chris Pellerito Shiawassee -- Ben Steele Washtenw -- Larry Purdy Wayne -- Tim O'Brien West MI -- Jeff Steinport Every recognized county affiliate is entitled to appoint one member (and one alternate) to the Platform Committee. Any other appointments should be sent to Interim Chair, Tim O'Brien, immediately. Platform Committee deliberations are open to all party members.
A show on whether or not marijuana should be legalized will be taped on Wednesday, May 9 at 4pm at the WKBD studios in Southfield. The guests will be Prof. Mike Whitty of the Personal Responsibility Amendment Committee and Wayne County Sheriff Bob Ficano, chair of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. Reservations to be in the audience are free -- on a first come, first served basis. The audience is always encouraged to participate with their questions and opinions. In order to insure seats, please call and make reservations. For further information or for reservations, call 248/355-7089.
Michael Davis and his wife are looking for a ride to and from the convention in Frankenmuth. They live in Lawrence (exit 52 off of I-94) in Van Buren County. If you can help with a ride, please contact Michael at: lhouse2@btc-bci.com. |
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