Butman Township and Garfield Township

I stopped at two township meetings in five days, visiting Butman Township in Gladwin County on Thursday, April 8, and Garfield Township in Bay County on April 12.

Butman Township may be known to many of you as “Sugar Springs.” There is water all-around, kind of like where I grew up in Ogemaw County. (I lived within two or three miles of Hardwood Lake, Little Long Lake, Boughner Lake, etc.) In fact, the Township Hall is right smack dab in the middle of Lake Lancelot and Lancer Lake. The photo above is of the sunset behind the flags at the township boat launch.

Anyways, back to the business at hand. The board allowed me some time to speak, and I briefly discussed my plans to draft and support necessary policies to bring jobs to the 97th District. A lot of folks in Butman Township make a living off of plastics and steel manufacturing (plastics plants are common in Gladwin County). This type of work allows men and women to make a decent wage from an honest day’s work. In turn, they have more income to spend at local businesses, or, perhaps, on a pass to the township’s boat launch. The next legislature is going to have to come to the realization that until we start investing in green energy production, develop a comprehensive manufacturing plan to lay out to businesses, and reach out to expanding industries, it’s going to be extremely difficult to turn around our communities. In our 97th District communities, whether it be an agricultural township or small city, jobs are the number one priority. Butman Township, where the median household income is below the state average, like so many other areas in the district, is in need of work. Let’s give it to them!

By the way, if you’re interested in buying an old jukebox, talk to Don Joyce, the Butman Township Clerk.

Much of what was said about Butman Township rings true in Garfield Township. Again, you may know Garfield Township as Crump (as it was called when logging was king). Garfield Township has a really great park, and two ball diamonds on its premises.

Mike Duranczyk — Bay County Commissioner, Pinconning Area School District Board member, and business owner — was one of the many people in attendance at the meeting. People like Mike truly do inspire me, as he wears many hats, but finds time for them all. Case in point was his address to the Garfield Township board, his constituents.

Anyways, during public comment, I stood up and introduced myself to the board. I briefly touched on the economic issues I have stressed during my campaign, and then talked about education. Anyone who has spoken with me during the campaign knows that fixing our public education system, especially the shortfall in funding, is very important to me. I plan on fighting for public schools, and told that to Garfield Township residents on Tuesday, as I have to many others during the campaign.

Thursday, I’ll be attending a meeting that’s very important to me — the Arenac County Michigan Township Association meeting. Look for updates on how it goes. I plan on delivering a passionate and detailed speech at the MTA meeting in Mason Township.

Thanks for your support. If you read this before Saturday, April 17, come on out to the Deep River Township park and pavilion on the 17th for the Tim Barnum for State Rep. Campaign fundraiser softball tournament! Send an e-mail to tbarnum97@yahoo.com for more details, or visit the facebook page.