LPM Online

Contents

1. Upcoming Events
   
   

   March 5, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   Monthly Meeting - LP of Wayne County
   Optional dinner starts at 6:30pm
   Meeting with program starts at 7:45pm
   All are welcome to attend.
   Business: Election of New Officers

   Location: City Tavern
   14316 Michigan Ave
   Dearborn - between Greenfield and Schaffer

   Contact: Heather Pauli Phone: (313) 538-8208 E-mail: heatherpauli@hotmail.com

   
   

   March 5, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Hillsdale / Branch Libertarians Monthly Meeting

   Location: Fillmore's for Steaks, US-12 in Jonesville, 2 blks west of M-99--in the restaurant, not the bar.

   Contact: James Parker Phone: (517) 439-2460 E-mail: jamesp@hillsdale.epcorp.com

   
   

   March 9, 2002 - 9:30 AM

   Libertarian Party of Michigan Winter Leadership Conference 2002

   9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

   Steve Dasbach, Libertarian Party Executive Director, will be speaking about Building Party Membership. Other topics covered will include: Candidate Paperwork; Running for Office; and Getting/Using Voter Information.

   All party activists should attend, especially those interested in running for office or helping with a campaign.

   Optional buffet lunch available for $10.

   Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids

   5700 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

   Phone: 616-957-1770

   Crown Plaza is located 8 miles east of Downtown Grand Rapids on Interstate I-96 at Exit No. 43. Travel East on 28th Street 1/2 mile to Crowne Plaza.

   Contact: Ben Steele III Phone: (989) 288-5616 E-mail: bsteele1@tir.com

   
   

   March 9, 2002 - 5:00 PM

   The Libertarian Party of West Michigan is hosting its annual Liberty Banquet from 5pm to 9pm. Our guest speaker is Thomas Bowles, founder and chairman of the Michigan School Board Leaders Association. Admission is $25 if you RSVP by the end of February, $30 at the door. Price includes dinner and a good time.

   Location: Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids (5700 28th St SE, Grand Rapids).

   Contact: Jeff Steinport Phone: (616) 447-0721 E-mail: jeffs@pathwaynet.com

   
   

   March 11, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Clare-Gladwin Libertarian Party meeting. Candidates, fundraising, membership drive and campaign finance. Organize a meet the candidate event for April.

   Location: Grant Township Hall, one mile west of Jay's Sporting Goods on Surrey Road.

   Contact: Ghazey Aleck Phone: (989) 386-2699 E-mail: aleckfamily@voyager.net

   
   

   March 12, 2002 - 7:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County Executive Committee Meeting. All dues-paying members are welcome. Business begins at 7:30pm.

   Location: LPM Headquarters, 619 East Nine Mile in Hazel Park, just east of I-75.

   Contact: Greg Dirasian Phone: (248) 417-2217 E-mail: greg@lpocmi.org

   
   

   March 13, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting. Drinks and dinner at 6:30 PM, business begins at 7:00 PM.

   Location: Miles World Resturant, 17689 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026, 810-415-4500.

   Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (810) 774-1625 E-mail: dbarnes98@aol.com

   
   

   March 24, 2002 - 1:00 PM

   The LPM Organizational Plan Work Session, will be held at LPM Headquarters on Sunday, March 24, starting at 1:00 pm. Those interested in participating, please download the plan (www.michiganlp.org/orgplan/), read it, and bring a copy with you to the meeting. Emily and Stacy will facilitate and lead the discussion. We'll start by explaining the plan and its finer points, and then we will facilitate the work (any motions) that result. This is intended to be exactly what it's called--A Work Session. So anyone prepared to roll up their sleeves and get to work is welcome!

   Location: LPM HQ
   619 E Nine Mile Rd
   Hazel Park MI 48030

   Contact: Emily Salvette Phone: (248) 591-3733 E-mail: salvette@ameritech.net

   
   

   March 27, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County General Membership Meeting. Public welcome. Meet for dinner at 6:30pm, business begins at 7:30pm

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley. Sila's is 2 blocks west of Greenfield on Twelve Mile Road.

   Contact: Greg Dirasian Phone: (248) 417-2217 E-mail: greg@lpocmi.org

   
   

   April 2, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Hillsdale / Branch Libertarians Monthly Meeting

   Location: Fillmore's for Steaks, US-12 in Jonesville, 2 blks west of M-99--in the restaurant, not the bar.

   Contact: James Parker Phone: (517) 439-2460 E-mail: jamesp@hillsdale.epcorp.com

   
   

   More

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

   http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php

   
   

2. Candidate Assistance on the Web by Stephen M. Townsend

   What are people saying about the Liberty Leadership Council Candidate Assistance page?

   "It's one way to move toward the 'repeal of statist laws.' My hat's off to this dedicated group. 'All politics is local!'"
   Keith Edwards

   "I can’t wait for the day when every state has a Liberty Leadership Council."
   Marc Brandl Campaign Service Representative for the National Libertarian Party

   If you want to see what all of the buzz is about check us out on the Web at www.makingfreedomring.com

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3. Announcement for Chair by Ghazey Aleck

   I want to let everyone know that I will be running for Chair of the LPM at our next convention. Having evaluated the present circumstances, I feel that I can serve the best interests of our party well.

   Some of you are aware that the State Party went through some growing pains this past year but that seems to be behind us now. Change is always hard, but as long as we put our party first, we will always come through it successfully. I am now looking forward to an exciting election year.

   At the cornerstone of what I hope to see accomplished in the coming year is a transformation within the party where we become 1) inclusive as a party by showing tolerance to dissent and opening the process up for participation by anyone who is sincere 2) engage in full and fair disclosure on all party matters by all officers and committees and 3) encourage everyone to always put their party first (we will all win some and lose some along the way but put your party first by sticking with it).

   As to political activities, I will be advancing plans to substantially increase our membership (in fact this is already underway), and I will be offering ways to mass market (or massively publisize the LPM and the ideals of libertarianism).

   It is my opinion that we should work hard to get people elected to partisan offices starting at the local level first where we can already compete and move our way up incrementally. Lastly, I think there is a place for everyone in this party, the philosophers and the politicians, and that neither should set up a circumstance that works to exclude the other.

   I would appreciate your support in May, thank-you,

   Ghazey

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4. News Release--Rewarding Run Down Schools by Ghazey Aleck

   NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   From the Libertarian Party of Michigan

   Contact: Ghazey Aleck, Chair

   1-800-608-7375

   MICHIGAN SENATE PLAN FOR

   REWARDING RUN DOWN SCHOOL DISTRICTS

   PUNISHES EVERYONE

   Do you happen to live in one of Michigan’s better school districts that maintain their buildings and property? How dare you! Didn't you know that the Republicans in the Michigan State Senate want to punish you for it?

   Senate Republicans have proposed a new state bond that would reward school districts that have allowed their infrastructure to fall into disrepair by poorly maintaining their facilities. The new proposed $2 Billion bond will go to finance those badly managed school districts.

   Finally, the best part of this reward is that the whole state will pay for it with their taxes. In other words, you get to pay for their mismanagement. How do you like them now?

   The Libertarian Party of Michigan says people are getting fed up with government officials rewarding poorly managed schools and making the rest of us pay for it. Now is the time for our state leadership to cut funding to failing schools and to increase school choice. Parents will naturally select safe, well-managed school for their children when they are given back the resources to have the ability to choose what is best for their children themselves.

   According to Diane Barnes, candidate for the Libertarian nomination for State Board of Education, "No school district should be rewarded for failing to maintain the most basic of facilities such as buildings. Part of every school's budget is supposed to be used for the upkeep and maintenance of buildings. By providing this bond to assist schools that have failed to maintain their buildings is the same as rewarding them for their neglect."

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5. News Release--Property Rights in Michigan? by Ghazey Aleck

   NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   Contact: Ghazey Aleck, Chair

   1-800-608-7375

   PROPERTY RIGHTS IN MICHIGAN?

   WHAT PROPERTY RIGHTS?

   Amos Weaver of rural Gladwin County is only one of a growing list of Michigan citizens who have discovered that you don't own the land you pay for.

   Forget for a moment about the fact that the government will take your property away from you for non-payment of the rent they charge you (called taxes), and forget about the way they tell you how to use their rented land through unreasonable enforcement of zoning laws too. The government has more ways to get you than you can ever imagine.

   On January 31 of this year Mr. Weaver, joined by a number of his fellow Amish neighbors, found out it is illegal to occupy a dwelling without specific water and sewer systems. The case is still pending in the 80th District Court.

   It doesn't matter that his community has been living this way for hundreds of years. It doesn't matter that the land is bought and paid for. It doesn't matter that he has diligently paid his property taxes. It doesn't even matter that he is happy and no one is getting hurt.

   The government tells what you can, and what you cannot do with your own property right down to the type of toilet you can use. In other words you simply rent the land from the government because they ultimately decide every aspect of how you can use the land.

   According to Libertarian Party of Michigan Ghazey Aleck, "This is wrong in so many ways. Mr. Weaver is guaranteed protection under the United States Constitution for freedom of religion. More importantly, it is the government's job is to protect the rights of property owners not destroy them. Ownership means doing what you want when you want as long as you do not hurt anyone else in the process, and the government should have no authority to circumvent the rights of property owners. What has this country come to?"

   The battle is not over for Mr. Weaver. If convicted he could face a fine and 90 days in jail -- just for living happily on his own property.

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6. Reminders!!!! The Don't Forget List. by Ghazey Aleck

   Remember that the Leadership Conference is to take place this Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. No admission charge, except for lunch which must be reserved. Let Michigan Vice-Chair Diane Barnes know you will be going by writing her at dbarnes98@aol.com. The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 5700 28th St. SE Grand Rapids. The agenda includes a campaign workshop by Stephen Townsend, making sense of voter data session by Barb Goushaw, candidate paperwork/campaign finance by Ghazey Aleck and a building party membership session by Steve Dashbach, National Libertarian Party Director. Don't miss it.

   Don't forget to keep recruiting those candidates! The nomination process is only a few months away.

   Remind everyone you know to renew their membership. Our number of members have fallen off due to a number of factors but let's not let forgetfulness be one of them.

   And, don't forget to have some fun, this is what it is all about!

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