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Sometimes someone may feel left out of activities in the LPM. I say that is unnecessary. There is room for everyone. Whether you are someone who thinks we need to run people for office as the way to advance libertarianism or someone who thinks we need to focus on education to advance libertarianism, there is room to do both without conflict. It seems to me that we have to first recognize that we are a political party and despite anything else, everyone who joins the LPM, knows that they have joined a political party. Thus, despite your leaning, be it politician or pure philosopher, you must have joined to advance libertarianism though the political process. The divergence appears to be about the process. Should we concentrate on winning elections or educating voters? Both points of view have good arguments. In fact, both may be right following the line of logic each employs. So, is there a plan to pull both together? I think there is. We have to start thinking with the 2 year election cycle. Every two years there is a partisan election. Thus, there is an off election year and an on election year, every other year. The off year should be reserved for educational activities (the philosophers area) and the on year should be reserved for election year activities (the politicians area). Everyone, despite their line of thinking, gets one half of the time to do what they are primarily interested in without any interference from the other under this plan. During the year that is not with your line of thinking, you could then take a supportive role. The philosophers get the politician's support in the off years, and the politicians get the philosopher's support in the election years. Certainly, this is just a proposal, something to chew on as it may not be this simple. But this way we could all work together to throw the one-two punch in a way that makes us all happy, think about it! Remember also the three guiding principles for growth and comradeship: 1)promote inclusiveness, 2) promote full and fair disclosure and 3) put your party first.
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen Townsend (989) 631-4853 Townsend to Run For County Commissioner Stephen M. Townsend has announced that he will be a candidate for Midland County Commissioner. Townsend is a lifelong resident of Midland County having graduated from Bullock Creek High School, and he studied Economics and Business Management at Northwood University in Midland. He resides in Ingersoll Township. Townsend has been employed at Dow Corning for the past 10 years. During the past 10 years, Townsend has been actively involved in teaching youth in Boy Scouts of America serving as a Scoutmaster for Troop 772. He is a member of the Poseyville United Methodist Church and serves as a member of the Church Leadership Team. Townsend has been active in the Tittabawassee Chapter of the North Country Trail Association for the last 4 years having once served as its vice-chair. For the last 2 1/2 years, Townsend has been regularly attending Midland County Commission meetings and meetings in Midland, Mt. Haley and Ingersoll Townships. Stephen Townsend feels he has the knowledge and background to be elected to the office of County Commissioner. “I decided to run for Midland County Commissioner because I feel that I have the experience and background to represent the needs of Midland County residents. Local government is about protecting the way of life the people expect to have. We protect that way of life when we promote prosperity. County government is about making it easier for people to work and live -- not harder,” says Stephen Townsend. Townsend has been active in Midland County politics since his youth. He will be seeking the Libertarian Party nomination at the Libertarian Party State Convention on May 17th, 2002 in Troy, Michigan.
The Libertarian Party of Wayne County held their annual election of officers last week in Dearborn. Greg Stempfle was voted in as the party’s new Chair. Stempfle had served as Secretary of the affiliate for the previous three years. Re-elected to Vice-Chair was Bill Shotey and Ben Bachrach was re-elected to Treasurer. Rick Secula, who had been writing the County newsletter was voted in as Secretary. The three at-large members on the Executive Board are former BARC Chair Nancy O’Brian, Ed Karpinski, and Michael Donahue. "I believe our focus this year should be on outreach and promoting LP candidates. Wayne has more Congressional, State Senate, State House seats than any other county. Because of the state’s gubernatorial race is up for grabs, this will be an especially exciting election year. In 2000, the general public focused all their attention on the Presidential race. I’m hoping voters will be more concerned about local issues this time around." said Stempfle. |
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