Campaign review

It’s been tough to keep up on the blog with all the door-knocking campaign volunteers and I have been doing, so I figured I’d just kind of do a big wrap-up of what we’ve done and where we’ve been thus far.

First off, let’s look at township, city and organizational meetings I’ve attended.

In Gladwin County, I’ve stopped at Bourret, Butman, Hay and Buckeye townships. I’ve also dropped in at a Gladwin County Democratic Party meeting.

In Arenac County, I’ve swung through meetings at the city of AuGres and the city of Omer, with stops planned at Deep River Township’s next meeting, and Standish City Council’s next meeting. I also was present at an Arenac County Democratic Party meeting. Plus, there was also the Arenac County MTA meeting.

Out in Clare County, I’ve stopped in at Redding Township and two Clare County Democratic Party meetings. Oh, I almost forgot, I met with the UAW Retired Council in Harrison, as well.

Last but not least, in Bay County, I’ve visited with the Pinconning City Council, the Gibson Township Board and the Garfield Township Board. I also attended a Pinconning Area Schools District Board of Education meeting in the spring. I plan on attending this month’s second Kawkawlin Township Board meeting, and the Bay County Democratic Party later this month.

Another meeting I’ve made it out to was a Tri-County Building Trades Labor Council meeting in June.

When it comes to hitting the doors, we’ve covered quite a bit. There’s Beaverton, Gladwin and Buckeye Township in Gladwin County. In Arenac County, we’ve been to AuGres and Standish Township, and will be hitting Standish and Deep River Township next week. We also plan to make it to some of the other rural areas in Arenac County. Bay County doors have been hit in Pinconning, Gibson and Fraser Township. In Clare County, we’ve visited Harrison and the city of Clare, but we’re not done in the West end of the district yet.

As for events, we’ve been very active. We’ve marched in parades in Clare for the Irish Festival, Standish for Loyalty Day, AuGres for Memorial Day, Pinconning for the CheeseTown Festival and Beaverton for Independence Day. I’ve also stopped in at the CheeseTown events and ran in the two-mile CheeseTown challenge. My mom and I have lent helping hands during Clare Pride Day. I’ve also made my way out to the Pinconning Mayor’s Scholarship Fund Ball and the Northern Bay Ambulance dinner. In Arenac County, we’ve also attended the Relay for Life soup supper (and plan to attend Relay for Life this weekend). In Harrison, I attended a BMX/Skate park taco dinner fundraiser. I’ve also dropped in at the Standish Summerfest at the Standish Historical Depot and Welcome Center. Oh, I almost forgot another one. I also attended the Bay County Democratic Party annual chicken dinner in March.

A few other things I’ve participated in include the MiVote.org candidate interview filming, a Farm Bureau Candidate Forum in Grant Township (Clare County) and a “We the People of Gladwin County” forum in Gladwin.

There are still upcoming events we’ll be at, including the Arenac and Northern Bay County fair and the Gladwin County Fair.

But don’t worry if you don’t catch us. There’s a pretty good possibility we’ll knock on your door. I appreciate the support and hope everyone remembers to vote August 3rd.

I’m fighting for a better Michigan future. Are you ready to fight? Are you ready to take it back?

Let’s keep it up!

I’m pretty sure that as soon as I post this, I’ll remember something else I attended. Isn’t that the way it always works?

CheeseTown and the home of the Flying Gs

It’s been a busy couple of weeks.

June 16-17 and June 19, I was getting very acquainted with the streets of Pinconning, visiting a lot of homes. Campaign volunteers and I went door knocking, introducing ourselves and talking about my wish to bring small town values to Lansing.

What exactly are small town values, you ask?

Well, in rural Ogemaw County, where I was raised, we look out for our friends and neighbors. We care about our communities, from the business on the corner to the schools, we want to see success and prosperity.

However, as the people in Pinconning told me, we’re seeing less of this in Lansing. We’ve seen our state succumb to pressure from the individuals with the deepest pockets, turning its back on the hardworking men and women who really make Michigan run.

And look what we’re left with.

But during my three days hitting the streets in Pinconning, I did find some time for fun. I mean, it was the CheeseTown Festival!

I took some time Thursday night to listen to some live music played at the festival, and Saturday I participated in the two-mile run/walk. It had been awhile since I ran two miles, but I still made it through all right, despite have to take a couple break from running to walk a bit. It was about 90 degrees, so I didn’t feel too bad about it.

Last week, on June 25 and 26, I hit the streets of Gladwin. I met several fine people out there, and can’t wait for a chance to be their voice in Lansing.

Several people talked to me about education. It seems that the more doors I knock on, the more people are extremely worried about what legislators are doing to our educational system. A lady on Bowery Avenue who worked for Houghton Lake Schools told me how she is worried her job may soon be gone. A retired teacher from the Gladwin school systems told me about how upset he is with the state forcing teachers out of retirement.

Education wasn't the only topic we talked about in Gladwin. On Grout Street a nice lady talked to me about how we need to do more for small businesses, and how we need to stop handing out tax breaks to large corporations who ship jobs across seas.

Job outsourcing was brought up at several other houses as well. When people tell you they lost their job so that a CEO could save a few bucks, it truly is hard on the heart. The people of the 97th District are sick of a state that operates on greed. They are ready to take it back.

And so am I.

Let's take it back.

Hitting the doors back-to-back

The campaign team and I were busy June 7 and June 8, hitting up doors in Beaverton and AuGres on back-to-back nights.

The message was simple, I am a small town, rural community guy, and I want to take those great values passed down to me to Lansing. Most of the people had the same response — “We need it.”

When going door-to-door, I was able to talk to people of several different ages and demographics. We discussed jobs and education on their front porches, and, as I expected, the folks were friendly and welcoming. The 97th District is full of hardworking and intelligent people, and most had a common message. That message is that we need to stop rewarding companies that outsource Michigan jobs with tax breaks. We need to stop cutting away from education and fix school funding so that we aren’t offering students fewer opportunities. We need to reform Michigan. We need to help small businesses.

I hear those messages everywhere I go, and they are not falling on deaf ears. I understand the issues at the state level. I drive on the crumbling roads. I see the shuttered businesses. I reported on the teacher layoffs and program cuts. And in Beaverton and AuGres, they have seen and felt the sting of these issues, as well. They are ready for a better Michigan.

In closing, I want to give a few people a special shout-out. First off, I want to say hello to the lady in Beaverton whose job was outsourced. We can do something about it! I also want to say hi to the retired autoworker who told me how he thought the Gulf oil leak (although leak is way to soft of a word to use) could be stopped. Call BP! Of course, I want to say thanks to the kind lady in AuGres who, after talking to me for a few minutes, allowed me to put up a campaign sign in her yard. Thanks again! I also ran into AuGres City Manager Pat Killingbeck while knocking on doors, and Beaverton Mayor Nila Frei. It was great to see both of them.

And everyone who told me “I’ll support you,” or “We’ll vote for you,” thanks a million. Your encouragement is appreciated and your positive attitude is contagious, and I will fight for you!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Thanks to the AuGres City Council for allowing me to say a few words June 8, too. At the meeting, I talked with city council about growing AuGres, and taking advantage of the resources near the city, especially the Saginaw Bay. The Bay is one of our greatest economic tools, but if we don’t make sure it stays clean and clear, that could change. It’s time we have someone in Lansing serious about ensuring we have clean waterways. Not only is important economically, but it’s the right thing to do. Unfortunately, the Saginaw Bay has been contaminated with E. Coli in several different areas. We need to do something about this. I reported on it, and I know that locally, elected officials are very concerned and working hard. They deserve someone at the state level who is engaged, and who wants to help them out.

Together we can make sure the Saginaw Bay and lakes, rivers and streams in the district are clean for future generations. Let’s leave them better than we found them.

Gibson Township and the city of Pinconning

The past two Mondays, May 10 and May 17, I stopped by a couple of great places in Northern Bay County — Gibson Township (Bentley) and the city of Pinconning.

In Gibson Township, the board is working hard to add land to its park, as well as make some renovations to it. I hope that the board and the township residents can find a way to make the park bigger and better. It’s important that kids have a place to play, a place where they can go to hang out that’s safe and close to home. I support the board and am willing to do whatever I can to help.

When I was asked to make my short address to the board, we discussed the two most important things to the state of Michigan — jobs and education.

If the state works to bring more jobs to the area, more people will be able to afford to move to Gibson Township, and even more opportunities, like a new park, can be offered to the young people in the township.

And of course, we need to make sure children from Gibson Township and all over the state of Michigan, are guaranteed a quality education.

Then, this past Monday, I stopped at the Pinconning City Hall during a city council meeting. It was good to see Paul Jacques again, as I saw him a couple of days prior at the Northern Bay Ambulance Dinner at Third Street Deli in Pinconning. NBA serves five townships in Northern Bay, and Grim Township in Gladwin County.

Back to Pinny, though.

At the city council meeting, a candidate for the 31st district Senate Seat had actually requested an opportunity to speak, but he didn’t show, so council gave the time to me. Thanks Mayor Hall!

Anyways, as has been the theme of my campaign, we went in depth about the economy. I told the members of council and others in attendance how I am committed to working with groups that really make our small communities tick — county Economic Development Corporations, Downtown Development Authorities. I feel that many representatives in Lansing are not in tune with what these groups are doing, and therefore exclude themselves from assisting when they can. That is not that way I would represent the 97th District. I am ready and willing to serve as a mediator and negotiator to bring jobs to the area.

We also talked about some of the education issues that have hit home in Pinconning. Last year, a Pinconning Area Schools Board of Education member actually resigned after being threatened. I can’t help but feel like the state is partially to blame for an incident like this. Lansing has left schools out to dry, and needs to do more for our schools. We need to give them solid funding, and make sure our educational system moves forward, not backwards. The only way we can do that is offer a more diverse education.

On that last point, Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D - West Branch) recently had a bill pass that he fought very hard for. It allows students looking to go into a vocational or trade career to have different math standards for graduation. I believe this bill is good for the district, and good for Michigan. It offers more opportunities, which will progress our public education system.

It was good to be in Pinconning again. I seem to like the city more and more each time I go there. And if elected, I have actually made it a goal to bring businesses to Pinny’s downtown business district. It has several empty storefronts, and is just waiting to be a center of commerce, culture and entertainment. I can’t wait to watch it boom in the next few years.

I also have to say hello to Tom from the Pinny Journal. He’s such a great guy, and I was glad to see him Monday!

"I have lived in rural areas and small towns my entire life. They have great people and great values. I look forward to taking those small town values to Lansing."

Walking and knocking in the cold of Harrison

I officially have knocked on doors.

Saturday, May 8, I took a drive out to Harrison to introduce myself to the people of the city. I probably walked about seven miles, and spent about three and a half to four hours walking up and down the roads of the city, stopping at as many houses as I could.

First off, let me say thank you to all the good people who took some time to talk with me. It was great to hear your issues and concerns. Many of you mentioned education, and it’s good to see we are on the same page. I was also pleasantly surprised that we agreed on many, MANY different topics dealing with education, and the economy alike.

Also, a special thanks goes out to anyone of you who invited me into your house. It was freezing last weekend!

All of the people who told me “good luck” and “you got my vote” truly fired me up, and I will continue to spread the word about providing jobs for the 97th district and the state of Michigan. If anyone campaigning ever tells you that they don’t get discouraged or overwhelmed at times, they are lying! But the people I met in Harrison last weekend gave me even more motivation than I already had, and as long as unemployment is high, and our public schools are in a funding crisis, I won’t stop!

I want to give a quick hello to some of the people I ran into who have been through campaigns themselves — City Councilman Stacy Stocking (who is running for Mayor, as well), Clare County Sheriff John Wilson, and Hatton Township Supervisor Bill Hileman. They were all friendly and supportive. I wish all of them luck, as well.

I also want to mention an issue in the Harrison area — the construction of a motocross park in Hayes Township named Michigan Moto Mania. It is currently being held up, due to a lawsuit from a neighbor. I support MMM, and wrote a letter expressing my support to the Hayes Township Planning Commission. I also dropped a copy of the letter off at two businesses that had signs out front expressing support. Let’s make this happen! A copy of the letter is posted below.

Harrison, your support and kindness is appreciated. Let’s continue to fight, and continue the mission to take it back!

To the members of the Planning Commission:

I am writing this letter in support of the Michigan Moto Mania off-road vehicle park in Hayes Township.

I understand there have been issues between Mr. Longenecker and some residents of the township, and that there have been issues between your board and township residents. However, I am positive that the overall impact of the 200-acre motorsports mecca will be economically beneficial to Clare County and Harrison.

Motocross races and events aren’t made up of just a few people hauling bikes in the beds of their trucks to the track for a race. The races include families traveling with expensive trailers, campers and equipment. They often drive hundreds of miles and stay for a weekend. The track could open up entrepreneurship opportunities for new businesses that would sell bikes, four-wheelers, gear and merchandise. Essentially, motorsports are big business.

We should also address the benefits the track would offer to local riders and residents. So often during my campaign, I have heard the complaints about young people graduating high school, and then going to college or getting a job out of town, and never returning. For the young man or young lady serious about motocross, this could keep them around. This park could be an entertainment destination for locals, as well. For people my age, or younger, this could be the type of attraction that makes them proud of their community. This may what they tell their friends or relatives from out-of-town about. When a person is proud of their community, they don’t mind spending their life there. They don’t mind giving back to their community. If Michigan Moto Mania makes a generation of Clare County kids proud of their county, I believe it’ll create a new generation of homegrown leaders.

In the March 30 issue of the Clare Sentinel, in the story “Neighbors try to stop park,” a parent quoted in the second-to-last paragraph said, “This sport is really about growing kids.” I couldn’t have said it better. While someone living close by may associate the park with noise, these kids may associate the park with their favorite rider hitting a jump and pulling off a back flip (which looks absolutely beautiful). When a township resident says it destroys their paradise, these young men and women probably say it creates their paradise.

Visiting campers in Clare County will be able to ride along the side of the road to get to the park, thanks to the county ORV ordinance. I believe that overall tourism in the county will see huge boost when the park is operating, and the ordinance will play a role in that. If elected, I look forward to working with Michigan Moto Mania, Clare County elected officials, and Hayes Township elected officials to make sure the park is not only profitable, but a good neighbor and friend in the county.

These disagreements show one area where I feel many state representatives are currently failing. There are many different issues that need to be addressed here —environmental issues, noise issues, economic issues. But I don’t see a lot of negotiating, and I don’t see a lot of compromise. I believe that if all parties were brought to the table, a deal could be made that could put an end to the lawsuits, and bring about opportunities for many people in Clare County. We can make this happen without causing strife and anger amongst friends and neighbors, if only we communicate and hear everybody’s concerns. If I can be of any assistance now, or in office, I am available to help.

I hope Michigan Moto Mania is soon open, and I strongly believe once it is, many other doors will open. Let’s make it happen. Thank you and good luck.

Tim Barnum

Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 97th District

Buckeye Township

On April 28 I visited another township meeting in Gladwin County. Buckeye Township is a swampy, wooded area that once was home to the Buckeye Oil Company, which actually provided the funds for the Buckeye Township Hall.

First off, let me say the township hall in Buckeye Township is definitely a one-of-a-kind. When I arrived, I thought maybe it was an old school house or church, but turns out it's always been a township hall. It was completed in 1939. Inside, there is an interesting stage area, as well.

After visiting with Liz Looker (who has Standish ties), Gladwin County Road Commissioner Larry Miller (the same guy who was joking around at Bourret Township, and is mentioned in that blog entry); and hearing about what’s going on the county level from county commissioner Josh Reid, I talked with the board about creating jobs.

We talked about investing in green energy and using what we have in the 97th district to its full potential. Helping out sectors that create jobs in the community was also discussed.

Next, the focus turned to education. Everywhere I go, people are concerned with this topic, as school funding is in a state of crisis and people are moving away, causing school districts through Gladwin County to lose even more funding. This, of course, leads to fewer opportunities for students.

Buckeye Township’s board also passed mosquito control at its meeting. I can honestly say I saw about three mosquitoes in the hall during the meeting, even now, in early spring. Being surrounded by swamps, the mosquitoes have to be a nightmare in the summer. I just want to say good luck to the township with its newest service, I hope all goes smoothly. Also, kudos to the fire department for installing equipment to capture diesel fumes, which will protect the firefighters who may have to stand near the truck for a long time during a fire.

Arenac County MTA meeting

“I, probably like many of you, have called Lansing several times, and left several voicemails. It’s time Arenac County not only have voicemails in Lansing, but a voice. … I would be happy to be that voice.”

The Arenac County Chapter of MTA (Michigan Township Association) met on April 15, and allowed me a few moments to address the township officials present. It was good to see a lot of familiar faces from Whitney, Lincoln, Standish, Arenac, Mason and Clayton townships. (Sorry if I missed any township, I can’t remember everyone there!)

I talked about the need for jobs, as I have throughout my campaign. We discussed alternative energy, manufacturing and tourism in the jobs conversation. I told the officials how I was committed to doing whatever it takes to offer jobs in the 97th District and Arenac County, which in turn would lead to more construction and home sales, thus more tax revenue, for townships.

I also talked with the officials about how representatives need to be there for county, township and city officials. I believe when there are negotiations, such as those that are ongoing with Saginaw Valley State University and Whitney Township in regards to Charity Island, a state representative should serve as a mediator in the situation. I reported on several conflicts at the paper, and I think that having a state-level elected official assist in a conflict could help both sides find some common ground. (Another situation I often reference is the deal between the Saginaw-Chippewa Indian Tribe and city of Standish that fell through dealing with the Saganing land receiving city utilities).

Next the discussion turned to education. I reiterated my belief that schools need to be funded fairly and adequately, and that this is an extremely high priority to me. If we want to cut down on “brain drain” and want to lead, the state must invest in education.

Of course, being in Arenac County, we needed to address the Saginaw Bay, Rifle and AuGres rivers. A clean environment in Arenac County can lead to a better economy in Arenac County. Keeping our waterways clean will keep many county businesses open, whether they are canoe liveries, marinas or motels, and also allow them to thrive. On a side note, congratulations to Arenac County and the Sunrise Coast for becoming a part of the Pure Michigan tourism campaign. This is a huge deal for Northeast Michigan, and if elected, I look forward to boosting tourism along the Sunrise Coast.