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News Release: Law Change Lets Libertarians Work At Polls

Title:
Law Change Lets Libertarians Work At Polls
Author:
Emily Salvette
Date:
5/28/1996
Year:
1996
Article:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/28/1996
CONTACT: Emily Salvette
(313) 747-8129

(Ann Arbor, MI) – Libertarian Party members will be able to serve as election inspectors with last week’s signing of Michigan House Bill 4443. The bill cleaned up several provisions of Public Act 261 passed in January including one which required election workers to declare their affiliation with only the Republican or Democratic party. Election workers can now declare a minor party affiliation. The new law takes immediate effect, just in time for Libertarians to work in June school elections. The Libertarian Party of Michigan filed a lawsuit in March challenging the constitutionality of the original law.

Emily Hopp Salvette, Libertarian Party of Michigan State Chair, credits the party’s actions with drawing lawmakers’ attention to the needed change. “Everyone supported our lawsuit, from local election officials to the general public,” said Salvette. “Michiganders want fair, open elections run for their benefit, not the benefit of the two major political parties.” But she noted, “While I’m glad the Legislature helped Libertarian Party members, we’re still a long way from open, non-partisan elections. ” She explained, “People who want to work at the polls still must declare their political party affiliation and are subject to challenge by the Republican and Democratic county party chairs. Also, a person can only declare affiliation with minor parties that have state-wide ballot status–independents or members of parties currently petitioning are out of luck.” Because such restrictions remain, the Libertarian Party of Michigan will continue its legal challenge on purity of elections and civil rights grounds. The suit currently awaits hearing in federal court.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States. Over 1000 Libertarian candidates will be running for office in the November 5 general election, including 78 in Michigan.

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News Release: MSU Libertarians Elect Officers

Title:
MSU Libertarians Elect Officers
Author:
Mike Brinkman
Date:
9/12/1996
Year:
1996
Article:
9/12/1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Brinkman (brinkman1@aol.com), 517-336-0992
-or-
Ben Crawford, 517-332-6813

MSU Libertarians held elections for officers at it’s September 9 meeting. The officers are as follows:

President: Ben Crawford – Junior, Music Education.
Vice President: Jeff Hyslop – Freshman, James Madison
Secretary: Greg Stempfle – Junior, Physics
Treasurer: George Chapp – Freshmen, James Madison.

“We need to get the word out to MSU students that there exists a worthwhile alternative to the two [standard] parties. That alternative is Harry Browne and the Libertarians,” said Ben Crawford, newly elected MSU Libertarians President. “The time is right for enormous change in our government, we’re the only party dedicated to making these necessary changes.”

MSU Libertarians, founded in April of 1996, boasts over 40 student members, and expects tremendous growth during the course of the ’96 election year. “Generation X is strongly libertarian,” said Mike Brinkman, candidate for State Representative, 70th Dist. “This has been acknowleged in several major newspapers, including the Wall St. Journal and USA Today. In a front page article on Wednesday July 26, 1995, USA Today declared Generation X the Libertarian Generation.” Brinkman hopes to gain significant support from MSU students.

MSU Libertarians plan several activites for the upcoming election season, including registering voters and hosting LP Vice Presidential Candidate Jo Jorgensen at a Noon rally on October 11, 1996.

MSU Libertarians meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the MSU Union Iowa Room, @ 7:30 p.m.

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News Release: Libertarian Party of Michigan Posts First November Wins

Title:
Libertarian Party of Michigan Posts First November Wins
Author:
Emily Salvette
Date:
11/6/1996
Year:
1996
Article:
For Immediate Release
11/6/1996
Contact: Emily Hopp Salvette, State Chair
313-747-8129, 313-747-7542
Salvette@aol.com

Two candidates running on the Libertarian Party ticket have won their races. Brett Cashman has been elected Superior Township Parks Commissioner in Washtenaw County. Brian Wisneski has won his race for Clinton Township Trustee in Lenawee County. This is the first run for public office for both men. They are the first Libertarians elected in a November general election in Michigan. Brett Cashman, 38, is a Technical Support Engineer for Rofin-Sinar Inc. (Plymouth, MI.) the worlds largest manufacturer of industrial lasers. Brett and his wife Kimberly, have one daughter, Madison. Says Cashman, “I’m eager to bring a Libertarian perspective to my township government.” Mr. Cashman is the first elected Libertarian in Washtenaw County. He can be contacted at 313-481-1354.

Brian Wisneski, 37, is employed as a Facilities Management Supervisor by Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research in Ann Arbor. He and his Ronda have two children. “Today the voters of Clinton Township chose principle over party politics,” said Wisneski on learning of his victory. “I am honored by their vote of confidence.” Mr. Wisneski can be contacted at 517-456-7772.

“These wins represent a great victory for the Libertarian Party of Michigan,” said state campaign chairman, James Hudler. “Unlike Ross Perot’s one-man-show, our party is a real political movement serving its constituency at the grass roots. We look forward to more Libertarian victories at the local level in future elections.”

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News Release: Republican Township Official Switches to Libertarian Party

Title:
Republican Township Official Switches to Libertarian Party
Author:
John Willis
Date:
2/8/1997
Year:
1997
Article:
2/8/1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Willis (616) 775-1552
Emily Salvette, State Chair (313) 747-8129

After the 1994 elections, many Democrat politicians changed parties to become Republicans (and on occasion we’ve seen some Republican politicians decide to become Democrats), but how about this one: a Republican candidate deciding to become a Libertarian!… only a few months before the election!… And still winning?

It happened in Michigan’s Wexford County where John Willis decided that principle was more important to him than riding on the coattails of either of the two major parties. In the spring of 1996, he joined the Libertarian Party but was disappointed to find that he had missed the state caucus and was unable to run for Boon Township Treasurer as a Libertarian. Instead, he ran for that office on the Republican ticket.

“In order to honestly represent myself, two weeks prior to the election I sent a letter to every household with a registered voter in Boon Township,” Willis explained.

“In the letter I told them that I was not a Republican but was in fact a member of the Libertarian Party. The letter also included information about the Libertarian Party and Harry Browne, our Presidential candidate. I’m proud to say that not only was I elected but that the Browne/Jorgensen ticket received 4.5% of the vote in Boon Township.”

Today, before fifty Libertarian Party leaders gathered from around the state for a conference in Owosso, Michigan, Willis declared his party switch and reaffirmed his membership: “I believe the time has come to let the rest of the world know that I am proud to be a member of the party of principle, the party that is working to restore government to its original Constitutional size, the only party that does not grant government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruits of their labors without consent.”

With this official party switch, Michigan has 3 elected Libertarians in township offices, and 5 Libertarians serving on public commissions through appointment.

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News Release: Elected Libertarian Gives Power Back To The People

Title:
Elected Libertarian Gives Power Back To The People
Author:
Brian Wisneski
Date:
3/31/1997
Year:
1997
Article:
3/31/1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Wisneski, 517-456-7772
Emily Salvette, State Chair, 313-747-8129

(Clinton, MI)– Brian Wisneski, one of the first elected Libertarians in Michigan, has restored an annual opportunity for his constituents to hold their elected township officials accountable. Wisneski, 37, was elected to a Trustee seat in Clinton Township (Lenawee Co.) last November. At the March 19 Clinton Township meeting, Wisneski moved to reinstate the “Annual Meeting of Inhabitants” which allows residents a say on public spending and elected officials’ compensation. The motion passed 3 to 2 and the Annual Meeting is now scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 7 pm in Clinton Township Hall. Several years ago, the State of Michigan allowed townships to abolish their “Annual Meeting of the Inhabitants.” The original intent of these meetings was to allow township residents a chance to express opinions about their township board’s performance, review the next year’s budget, and set the compensation of their elected officials. While the rules governing these meetings are still on the books, many township boards have opted out of them. This does not surprise Wisneski.

“When you consider that this is a time when elected officials have to answer directly for their actions and must allow the public to have their say on spending, it’s no wonder they’ve avoided such meetings,” he said. Wisneski is one of three elected Libertarians serving in township office in Michigan. He concluded: “Those of us who are anxious to slash spending are also anxious to meet with our neighbors to get their input. Those who benefit from the status quo (particularly our two ‘no’ votes) are having a major ‘Excedrin moment.'”

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News Release: State Libertarian Party Convention also a Birthday Party

Title:
State Libertarian Party Convention also a Birthday Party
Author:
Emily Salvette
Date:
4/16/1997
Year:
1997
Article:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/16/1997
Contact: Emily Hopp Salvette, State Chair
313-747-8129, Salvette@aol.com

Traverse City, MI – The Libertarian Party of Michigan will hold its 1997 State Convention Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4 at the Downtown Holiday Inn in Traverse City. In addition to regular party business such as platform consideration and election of state officers, the Libertarians will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Libertarian Party of Michigan at a banquet on Saturday evening.

Among featured speakers at the convention will be Joseph Bast, President and CEO of the Heartland Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan center for public policy research based in Chicago. He is the co-author of five books, including “Eco-Sanity, a Common Sense Guide to Environmentalism.” He will address the convention at the Saturday evening banquet on the topic “Environmentalism in the 21st Century.” Mr. Bast will be introduced by James L. Hudler, a cofounder of the Libertarian Party of Michigan from Chelsea, Michigan who still serves on the party’s state executive committee. All convention meetings and events are open to the public including a Liberty Expo from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday featuring displays by libertarian organizations and merchants. For details and registration information, call Brian Kluesner, convention registration chair, at (616) 723-8599.

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News Release: New Libertarian Party Chair Ready to Spread the Word

Title:
New Libertarian Party Chair Ready to Spread the Word
Author:
Date:
7/24/1997
Year:
1997
Article:

07/24/1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Shotey
(313) 278-3673

LIVONIA. Tim O’Brien, newly elected Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Michigan is ready, willing, and able to spread his party’s message of freedom and responsibility.

With fifteen years of involvement in the LPM and more than two decades as a writer and media professional, O’Brien is a polished and entertaining public speaker.

For more than three years O’Brien provided bi-weekly political commentaries on Detroit NPR affiliate WDET, presenting the Libertarian view on subjects ranging from the environment and affirmative action to gun control and free trade. His radio experience also lead to several stints as a fill-in talk show host on Pontiac’s WPON.

Mr. O’Brien has made numerous TV appearances representing the Libertarian viewpoint. In addition to “Editorial Reply” segments on virtually every TV station in metro Detroit the veteran political analyst has been a guest on shows like Transition (where he debated protectionism with a union lawyer) and Straight Talk (where he argued against drug prohibition on one occasion and tobacco restrictions on another — the latter when even the tobacco industry itself refused to send a spokesperson to represent the individual rights point of view.)

The new Libertarian Party Chair edited the party newsletter in ’87 and ’88, is the primary author of both the LPM by-laws and platform, and twice served on the national Libertarian Party platform committee. He is also a political essayist who has been published in magazines such as Liberty and Reason, as well as major daily newspapers such as the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. He has been a frequent lecturer on university campuses around the state and has often been called upon to perform Master of Ceremonies duties at Libertarian functions.

“Having a media professional instead of a management type as our Chair is a new approach for us,” observed the party’s current newsletter editor and former three-term chairman, Keith Edwards. “To those who are unfamiliar with it, the Libertarian view on virtually any issue is usually controversial and always intriguing. Audiences are often surprised to find themselves nodding in agreement with an idea that had never even occurred to them before.”

“And Tim is a fantastic communicator,” adds Edwards. “I know of no one who can present our positions with greater clarity or wit.”

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News Release: New Op-Ed Column Becomes Available

Title:
New Op-Ed Column Becomes Available
Author:
Date:
7/24/1997
Year:
1997
Article:
07/24/1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Shotey
(313) 278-3673

LIVONIA, MI – Tim O’Brien, newly elected Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Michigan and noted libertarian author and lecturer, is going to begin offering a regular opinion column free to Michigan newspapers. The monthly column will present the libertarian position on issues of the day — both state and national.

“The liberal and conservative views are certainly well represented,” O’Brien observed. “But in Michigan, in America, indeed, throughout the world,” he added, “it is the libertarian philosophy that is clearly ascendant. And in our popular press,” he concluded, “this is a view without a voice.”

The new Libertarian Party Chair edited the party newsletter in ’87 and ’88, is the primary author of both the LPM by-laws and platform, and twice served on the national Libertarian Party platform committee. He has been published in magazines such as Liberty and Reason, as well as major daily newspapers such as the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. For more than three years Mr. O’Brien provided bi-weekly political commentaries on Detroit NPR affiliate WDET presenting the libertarian view on subjects ranging from the environment and affirmative action to gun control and free trade.

Each column will run approximately 500 words and will be sent free of charge to any publication. Exclusivity could be arranged in major markets. The first column, entitled “A Cure for the Common Politician?”, dealing with campaign finance reform is attached to this release.

A photo of the author will be provided upon request.

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News Release: Libertarian Party Nominating Convention Announced

Title:
Libertarian Party Nominating Convention Announced
Author:
Mike Brinkman
Date:
3/27/1998
Year:
1998
Article:
3/27/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Brinkman
(517) 241-9613

LIVONIA. The annual Libertarian Party of Michigan convention will be held at the East Lansing Marriot the weekend of April 3, 4 and 5 it was announced today.

“1998 being an election year,” observed party Chairman, Tim O’Brien, “we will, of course, be nominating all of our candidates for the fall ballot.”

With more than 80 party members already having announced their intention to seek party nomination LPM officials are hoping to have a full slate of candidates throughout the state. Or nearly a full slate.

“Unfortunately,” O’Brien observed, “the delegates probably won’t want to nominate anyone for Governor because of the risk of losing our ballot status [for the 2,000 presidential election].” Under Michigan election law party representation is determined exclusively by the votes garnered by its ‘top-of-ticket’ candidate. “Many voters will actually vote straight-ticket Libertarian,” O’Brien continued, “except for the top race — like Governor — never realizing that is the one race upon which our very existence as a ballot-qualified political party depends. Despite widespread complaints about having to choose between ‘the lesser of two evils,’ we’re still fighting the ‘wasted vote’ argument and trying to convince people that there is nothing in our constitution or laws declaring our republic a ‘two party system.'”

Because of the danger of losing a place on the ballot for its presidential nominee in 2,000 the party’s top candidates in this year’s election are expected to be for State Board of Education. “It is important for us to present as large a slate of candidates to the voters as possible,” continued LPM board member, Doug MacDonald, who has taken primary responsibility for what the party has billed it’s ‘Full Slate in ’98’ effort. “We want voters to see that we are a genuine political party with a coherent philosophy and real-world policy proposals,” he concluded, “and not merely a personality cult built around a disgruntled billionaire.”

1984 Libertarian presidential candidate, David Bergland, currently seeking the national LP Chairmanship, and national LP Communications Director, Bill Winter, among other major Libertarian figures will attend and address the Michigan LP convention — testimony to the growing national influence of the Michigan party which has tripled its membership and risen to third largest state party affiliate in just the last four years.

The convention will also be electing new party officers for the coming year, as well as nominating up to 61 delegates and 50 alternates to the biennial national LP convention in Washington DC this summer.

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News Release: Libertarian Party Nominates 93 Candidates for Fall Ballot

Title:
Libertarian Party Nominates 93 Candidates for Fall Ballot
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
4/6/1998
Year:
1998
Article:

4/6/1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778

EAST LANSING. The Libertarian Party of Michigan held its annual convention at the Marriot hotel in East Lansing the weekend of April 4 and 5. Michigan’s largest “minor” party nominated a total of 93 candidates for the November 3 election.

The slate is headed by State Board of Education candidates Diane Barnes and Jon Coon. The two represent the party’s “Top-of-Ticket” under Michigan election law. It is success in this race upon which maintaining Libertarian Party ballot status depends.

Diane Barnes, well known in education circles for her support of home schooling and her opposition to fads such as ‘Outcomes-Based Education’ and ‘Goals 2000,’ was one of the LPM’s candidates for this same office in the ’96 election. She received more than 150,000 votes in that election which, had she rather than Harry Browne (the party’s presidential candidate that year) been the top-of-ticket, was not only enough to keep the party on the ballot, but nearly enough to elevate it to so-called “major party” status.

Jon Coon was the party’s 1994 candidate for United States Senate. Undoubtedly the highest profile Libertarian Party candidate in Michigan history, Mr. Coon, a former home-schooler also very concerned about education issues but most well known as a strong proponent of gun rights, organized a campaign rally on the east lawn of the Capitol building for his ’94 Senate bid that drew 10,000 supporters. His vote total in that race was also a mere fraction of one percent short of the 5% needed to raise the LP to major party status in Michigan.

“We are offering voters some terrific candidates for public office,” said party chairman, Tim O’Brien, who was re-elected to that office at the same convention. “Not only Diane and Jon, but our entire slate. These are a dedicated and patriotic group of men and women who understand the principles upon which legitimate government is founded,” he concluded. “If the public really has had enough of having to choose between ‘the lesser of two evils’ as so many tell pollsters, perhaps they are finally ready to consider a genuine alternative and take a much closer look at the Libertarian Party candidates.”

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