Antrim County Republican Party Meeting Minutes for 10/19/15 at Forest Home Twp. Hall
Meeting convened at 7:32 p.m. Chairman Randy Bishop: Pledge: Invocation: Jimmy Argo
Treasurers Report: Laura Bogdan absent: per Randy: State Account $x,xxx.xx Corp. $x,xxx.xx
Secretary’s Report: Motion to approve 9/21/15 meeting minutes: Mike Bertram: 2nd Cheryl Guy: Approved
Chairman’s Report: Citizen’s initiative petition drive to repeal prevailing wage law. 252,000. signatures needed, 391,000. signatures collected. Once Bureau of Elections and SOS validate them, petitions will be turned over to the state legislators. They have 40 days to adopt the motion and it immediately becomes law. No signature of the governor required. If legislature does not act, referendum will automatically be on the November 2016 ballot.
Snyder not in favor: Leadership doesn’t want to push issue: May make a deal with Dems: Not to bring it to a vote: Dems. will cross over to vote on raising fuel tax increase. If placed on ballot: Dems./ unions will be out in force to defeat it. Will cost millions of dollars to convince public to vote in favor. (Money that could go to help elect candidates.) Call State Rep. Cole and State Senator Schmidt: Tell them to take off the table: allow up or down vote.
Bill Bailey: question on Headley Amendment: Randy: Any tax increases shall be put on the ballot and approved by voters. Jim Gurr: They have gotten away with passing tax increases without putting on ballot, for so long it’s never been challenged. Amendment was passed in 1978 some legislators don’t even know about it.
Next Presidential GOP Debate: Wed. Oct. 28th.
Gov. Snyder sent out Press Release: 10 cities across state chosen: Newberry, Central Lake, Grayling , Evart, Harrison, Sandusky, Charlotte, Paw Paw, Hillsdale: pilot program: MEDC will work with local leaders to create economic prosperity and better jobs. : Randy explained statistics used to determine why Central Lake, was chosen over Mancelona.
Christian Markus: Did any of these towns have opportunity to ask questions? Was anyone contacted before final decision? Jim Gurr: “No”
Randy: Anyone running for office: please contact Randy. (Setting up meetings with incumbents next week) Jim Gurr: Suggested Party host a candidate open house.
Discussed board vacancies available within the county. Applications can be found on Antrimcounty.org web site: Oct. 28th deadline for filing.
Randy: Donation from Corporate acct. to Moms and Tots fundraiser. Sponsored one family for $225. ACRP will be listed as a donor. Discussion ensued. Explanation of difference between State Acct. (membership dues and donations) Corporate Acct. (Golf Outing fundraiser)
Christian Markus: Motion to solicit for one Antrim County based charity each month, on our web site. 2nd. Barbara Bradford: Discussion: Passed unanimously.
Discussion on Christmas Party: Date? Location? Randy will send a questionnaire to members for a response.
Membership drive: Mike Bertram has a spreadsheet of elected Republicans: township clerks, supervisors, trustees from Cheryl Guy. He will be contacting them.
Barb Bradford: Motion to send members a reminder when dues for the year have not been paid. 2nd: Jimmy Argo: Discussion followed: Passed unanimously.
Reminder to share ACRP e-mails with friends.
Priscilla Miller: Status of State Rep. Cole’s letter to Att. General Schutte? Randy: No, waiting for Rep.Scott Dianda (Democrat) to sign it, so it will be bi partisan also, waiting for Speaker Cotter to sign off on it.
Next Meeting Nov. 16th. Motion to adjourn: Bill Bailey/2nd. Kim McMaster