KEWADIN, MI – Fifty-three Michigan veterans, representing four branches of the United States military, today endorsed State Rep. Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) for State Senate.

MacMaster, himself a disabled veteran, was endorsed by the following veterans who represent organizations that promote and serve the needs of tens of thousands of veterans across Michigan:

Lon Bargy – Army
Jeff Brooks – Army
Sam Campillo – Army
Greg Croiftchick – Army
Stephen Debusscheere – Army
Owen G. Drake – Army
James E. Emery – Army
Linda Fletcher – Army
Fred Goddard – Army
John Haggard – Army
Arthur Harrington – Army
Tracy Heath – Army
Charles Horvath – Army
Charles Lonnie Jewell – Army
Jerry Langhann – Army
Ron Martin – Army
Duke Mayo – Army
David McVaugh – Army
Calvin Murphy – Army
John L. Palmer – Army
Louie Paolino – Army
Brian Sommerfield – Army
Jack Pickard – Army
Frank Pifher – Army
Ralph H. Pruder – Army
Ralph Rehmer – Army
Michael Richardson – Army
‘Cupcake’ Rizzo – Army
Robert Roelofs – Army
Stan Simons – Army

Gary Hlavka – Navy
Frank L. Lenzott, Jr. – Navy
Curtis Richardson – Navy
Ken Shaw – Navy
Wally Shattuck – Navy

Dave Agema – Air Force
Harold Bastow – Air Force
Gary Biggs – Air Force
John H. Daly III – Air Force
Bill Furguson – Air Force
Neal Horning – Air Force
Randy McClure – Air Force
David McKinnon – Air Force
Scott Miller – Air Force
Al Ockert – Air Force
Gary Walter – Air Force

Jim Alton – Marines
Chuck Cross – Marines
Vic Diaz – Marines
Mike Hoeft – Marines
Dennis Kelly – Marines
Albert C. Keyes – Marines
Larry Lelito – Marines

“Rep. Greg MacMaster has been a key element to my business startup and continued success. As a disabled veteran, I proudly endorse Rep. MacMaster for State Senate,” said Jeff Brooks, Owner of Bravo Zulu Brewing in Williamsburg.

Bravo Zulu, which in military terms means “well done,” strives to promote an authentic sense of honor and donates a portion of their profits to local and national organizations that assist first responders, law enforcement, fire fighters, military personnel, veterans and their families.

“Greg MacMaster is a veteran who’s for veterans’ welfare. As a citizen of Michigan, I support his candidacy for the State Senate,” said Neal Horning.

“I recently contacted Rep. Greg MacMaster regarding a bill in the Military and Veterans Affairs subcommittee, of which he is a member.  After our conversation, he made a point of personally keeping me informed of the progress of the bill, and was instrumental in its passage. Based on his record of addressing the well being of Michigan veterans, as well as my own personal experience, I wholeheartedly endorse Greg MacMaster for State Senate,” said Chuck Cross.

“We need individuals with character in Lansing. Rep. Greg MacMaster has that,” said Jim Alton.

With today’s announcement, the MacMaster campaign has now surpassed 300 local leader endorsements.

“I’m deeply humbled to have the support of these heroes,” MacMaster said. “I will continue to work hard every day to be worthy of their support.”

Your can view his campaign’s website at this link;  – www.GregMacMaster.com 

Antrim County Republican Party Meeting Minutes

Monday, April 21, 2014 Forest Home Twp.. Hall

7:37 Meeting called to order, prayer led by Chairman – Randy Bishop

Introduction of Executive Committee Members.

Motion to approve March 17th, ACRP Meeting Minutes: Mr. Meyers: 2nd Christian Markus:  Approved without objection.

Secretary’s Report: Priscilla Miller, on ACRW Meeting. Brian Koss, Member Relations Director for the State GOP, introduced Danielle Branz, new Regional District Director,  based in Traverse City.  Koss invited people to sign up as Precinct Leaders, at migop.org web site, to work at a grassroots level organizing workers to go door to door, make calls and put up signs. Expressed importance of new ‘Dashboard’ software, that allows workers access to walking, and call lists, enter names of clubs and organizations, to identify Republican voters. Digital Director training available on using Social Media, for targeting voters via Facebook & Twitter.

Congressman Dan Benishek, is being challenged in the primary by Air Force Veteran, Alan Arcand, from Iron Mountain.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Bogdan:

Corporate Account:  $x,xxx.xx

State Account:  $x,xxx.xx

Chairman – Randy Bishop’s Report:

Laura Bogdan is in charge of “goodie” bags, for State GOP Committee Meeting members, at Shanty Creek Conference Center, on May 2nd and 3rd.(ACRP Fun Day add. printed on side of bags). Brad Brown, has solicited donations to fill bags, with Antrim County informational brochures, dried cherries, fudge, pocket constitutions and trinkets. ACRP Members are encouraged to show up on Friday, by 5:00 p.m. to greet committee members, at the Pizza & Politics event, are asked to wear red ACRP tees, blue pants and white shoes.

Filing deadline for all candidates running in the Michigan Primary, is April  22nd at 4:00p.m. Go to michigan.gov/sos, click on ‘Elections in Michigan’ for all election information.

Asking members to recruit people in their precincts, to run for precinct delegate positions. Deadline for filing Precinct Delegate Affidavits of Identity, is Tuesday, May 6th. at 4 p.m.

Delegates will be our “boots on the ground” talking to neighbors (word of mouth is important) working to put out signs, pass out literature and helping to elect Terry Lynn Land  to U.S. Senate. Getting Land elected, is “paramount”, could be 51st vote, to take control from Harry Reid.  Other candidates running, will be elected on her “skirt tails”. Our goal is to fill all 88 delegate positions. Banks Twp.. gets 7, Central Lake 8, Chestonia 2, Custer 5, Echo 3, Elk Rapids 11, Forest Home 8, Helena 4, Jordan 3, Kearny 7, Mancelona Precinct One 5, Mancelona Precinct two 4, Milton 10, Star 3, Torch Lake 6, Warner 2.  Delegate training session will follow election.  Delegates will be expected to pass out literature and hand out signs in your precincts. Would like all delegates to join the party only $ 20.

Triston Cole: Make sure you try to get 18 year olds, to run as Precinct Delegates.

Jim Gurr: To go to State Convention, you must be a precinct delegate.

Randy Bishop: There’s a new rule change we are going to discuss at a future meeting, where we put together a slate of members who pay their dues, attend meetings and training, people who are most informed, most engaged, to be the ones representing us at the state convention. This election is far too important, we must get all delegate spaces filled, this is our army to get out the vote.

Sign up  friends and neighbors, to receive ACRP E-mail updates, go to acrpmi.org and enter their e-mail address.

ACRP Fun Day will take place at A-GA- Ming Golf Resort, on Saturday July 19th. 18 Hole Scramble at 1:00 p.m. No airplane or motorcycle rides this year due to candidate speakers. BBQ buffet, at 5:00 p.m.Ticket prices: BBQ $25. Golf, including buffet $75.  Proceeds go to our State Campaign account. To register for this event go to ACRP website acrpmi.org  Click on ‘Future Events’ .

Christian Marcus: Urges members to attend just one, Antrim County Commissioner’s Meeting to see what goes on. Early morning meetings prevent working people from attending or running for commission positions. Discussed benefits of having meetings held  evenings, would result in better participation and attendance.

9:03 p.m. Motion to Adjourn Christian Markus, 2nd. Dr. Hoadley

Mancelona, MI – The Cole campaign announced today the endorsement of current State Rep. Greg MacMaster in the upcoming Republican primary election for State Representative.

Triston Cole is running in the 105th State House district to succeed Rep. MacMaster who is vacating his seat to seek higher office.

Cole is also endorsed by former 105th district State Representatives Kevin Elsenheimer and Ken Bradstreet, as well as Michigan Farm Bureau
Agri-Pac.

“Triston Cole shares the concerns of Northern Michigan residents and he understands how the legislative process works, which makes him an effective leader who will hit the ground running on Day One,” said Representative MacMaster.

“Over the last three years, I have worked with Triston on numerous policy issues aimed at helping local small-business owners and job providers. With Triston’s guidance, we passed new laws to reduce government regulations and improve Northern Michigan’s economy. I normally don’t endorse candidates in elections but Triston has earned it because of his work ethic, character, and principles. Triston is a true statesman who will represent the district with honor and respect.” said Rep. Greg MacMaster.

“I am honored to have earned Representative MacMaster’s endorsement,” said Cole, a lifelong
resident of Northern Michigan. “My campaign is all about making government smaller and more
efficient so our economy and most importantly hardworking families can prosper. I will continue
working very hard to share my message with as many citizens as possible, and to earn every
single vote needed to win.”

Cole and his wife, Stacy, have three daughters and they live on their farm in Antrim County. A small-business owner, Cole followed his passion for the outdoors and started his own family farm from scratch in 2000. The Cole family farm has grown into a successful operation that provides fresh fruits, vegetables, and shiitake mushrooms for local direct market sales. When not working the land, Cole is a semi-driver and a former agricultural teacher.

Cole is also the former Chairman of Antrim County Republican Party, past President of Antrim County Farm Bureau, and he has nearly 20 years of executive experience as a member of many diverse boards and committees at the local, regional, and state level. A lifelong sportsman and hunting guide, he is very active in numerous hunting and firearm-rights groups.

The 105th district includes the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Otsego.

For more information visit: www.TristonCole.com.

The Cole campaign can be followed at www.facebook.com/tristoncoleformi and www.twitter.com/triston_cole

By Rep. Greg MacMaster

Members of the legislature don’t agree on much, but one thing we all agree on is that Michigan’s roads are in poor condition and must be fixed. The difference legislators have is in how to accomplish that.

There is a general consensus that an additional $1.2 billion is required each year to fix our roads.

There are some who believe all the efficiency’s have already been achieved in the funding, construction and maintenance of our roads and that we must now raise taxes.

There are others, such as myself, that believe we can fix our roads by being innovative, more efficient and without resorting to raising taxes on motorists who are already paying the 6th highest gas tax in the country.

Following are five reform proposals that include some of Speaker Jase Bolger’s recent transportation funding proposal. They also include other reforms that were introduced last year but have not been acted on.

These reforms identify over a billion dollars that can be allocated to roads WITHOUT increasing taxes;

(1) Dedicate a portion of the sales tax on gasoline for roads.

When motorists purchase gasoline, they pay state and federal taxes for each gallon. Motorists also pay a 6% sales tax on top of that, which most people assume goes to roads. It doesn’t. It’s diverted to other government spending.

Dedicating 1.5% of the 6% for roads doesn’t solve the problem of diverting money people believe already goes to roads, but it’s a start.

This is a modification of Speaker Jase Bolger’s transportation proposal and would raise $195 million.

(2) Repeal Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Laws.

These laws dictate the minimum amount that workers for certain types of public construction projects must be paid. These arbitrary amounts are upwards of 25% higher than amounts paid by the private sector.

A study by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy found that “repealing Michigan’s prevailing wage law would have an impact the equivalent of giving every taxpayer a rebate equal to five percent of his state income tax payments.”

According to an October 2013 report by the House Fiscal Agency, individual income tax revenue is expected to be approximately $8.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2013-14.

If the state realized the savings forecast by the Mackinac Center study it could result in a savings of $415 million that could be reallocated to roads.

(3) Permanently dedicate 1% of use tax revenue to roads.

This is part of Speaker Jase Bolger’s transportation proposal and would raise $239 million.

(4) Redirect Oil & Gas royalty revenue to roads.

In May 2001, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund cap was reached, resulting in $35 million a year in excess funds to be directed to the State Park Endowment Fund and the Game and Fish Protection Fund.

As oil and gas is often transported over Michigan’s roads, this unexpected windfall should be rerouted to maintaining Michigan’s roads.

(5) Competitively bid certain state agency services.

A recent analysis by the Legislature’s House Fiscal Agency identified $2.4 billion in state spending that includes budgetary line items where additional savings could be realized through competitive bidding. A mere 3% in total spending would result in a savings of $72 million.

Additionally, if the Corrections Department’s health and medical services were competitively bid, it could realize a $50 million savings.

Combined, that’s a $122 million savings that could be transferred to roads.

Total savings from just these five reforms: over a BILLION dollars and NO TAX INCREASE!

Does this package of reform proposals solve our road problem? No, but it’s a start. It’s perpetual funding that would help create a long term funding solution for our roads and bridges as well as preserve Act 51.

Speaker Jase Bolger has some good ideas that do not rely on higher taxes. I’ve also offered a few. And there are other legislators who are sharpening their pencils and offering innovative ideas as well.

Other legislators have proposed creative solutions to lower overall transportation costs, provide better value for taxpayers through road construction guarantees, and identify new sources of revenue that do not include higher taxes.

Some of the most creative measures may not have been realized yet. Not a day goes by without constituents suggesting ideas for other reforms in policy and operation of state government, and many of them are quite good. 

Raising taxes is seldom their first choice, why should it be ours?

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Greg MacMaster is State Representative for the 105th District and candidate for the 37th State Senate District, the primary election will be on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014.   Learn more about his campaign at; http://gregmacmaster.com/