Randy announced the that John James is now officially IN the race for the U.S. Senate, now held by Debbie Stabenow.  Retired Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young is also running for Stabenow’s seat. The ‘incandescent bulb guy’, Fred Upton, who’s a progressive from the 6th district may also run.

Lena Epstein is now going to run for Dave Trott’s open seat in the 11th Congressional District race.

Jack Bergman is running unopposed but is facing a challenge from the Dems in the person of an Iraqi war veteran. Meanwhile Jack is seeking advice and suggestions for next year’s campaign via a special meeting with the grassroots.

The straw poll of 700 participants at the Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinaw Island had the following results;
-Bill Schuette with 56%, Brian Calley (not announced yet) with 23%, Pat Colbeck with 18%, & Jim Hines at 2%.
-US Senate results showed Bob Young at 36%, John James at 27%, Fred Upton 24%, Kid Rock 11%, Sandy Pensler and former Democrat turned Republican Bob Carr at 1%.
-Attorney General polling showed Tom Leonard at 64% and Tonya Schuitmaker at 33%.
-Sec of State showed Stan Grot at 48%, Mary Treder Lang at 21%.
-Lieutenant Governor showed Schuitmaker at 23% and Laura Cox at 20%.

Randy spoke about the availability of Shanty Creek on June 22/23, 2018 for a fundraiser with a prominent guest speaker. Also, Democrats intend to primary every single Republican in 2018 from school boards on up.

Discussion followed of the very negative Democrat conventions and training sessions (resist and obstruct) vs the positive message from Republicans at their conventions. Jim Gurr reminded everybody that the work has just begun.

Long discussion on having Prof. William Wagner of Salt & Light Global Initiative as guest speaker for the October meeting which has been moved to Monday, October 23rd (motion by Mike Bertram, 2nd by Barb Bradford, all approved) to accommodate some members who have other commitments. Suggestions made to invite other County parties, judges, etc., to attend and move the venue to Kearney Township Hall which can seat up to 100 people.

Motion by Gerald Averill and 2nd by Mike Bertram followed by unanimous support to adjourn at 9:10pm

Respectfully submitted,

Cherie Hogan
Secretary

Randy introduced Monika Fiebing, Benzonia County Republican Party Chairwoman who invited us to their annual picnic in Benzonia this Saturday from 4-6. Ray Franz will be there and possibly Bruce Rendon as guests.

Treasurer Report was given by Gregg Valerio. The golf outing did make a profit and Randy is working on getting the tent deposit back.

2017 paid Memberships are 14 family and 17 individual. The mailing to all Republican elected officials inviting them to the golf outing and inviting them to join our party resulted in 3 responses. Comments were that most elected Republicans in Antrim County generally run unopposed and don’t feel the need to join. Monika Fiebing commented that it’s the same in Benzonia County. Discussion followed about the best way to increase membership in the ACRP with responses running from negative pressure to positive actions. If each of us recruited one new member we would double in size.

Secretary Report was given by reading the minutes from the June meeting; Motion was made by Barb Bradford and second by Kim McMaster, all approved to accept the minutes as read.

Chairman Report;  Randy reported that nothing had changed since June on who will be running for various offices and seats throughout Michigan in the 2018 election however the progressive left is using various ballot initiatives to drive Democrats to the polls including legalizing pot, Elliott Larsen LGBTQ Civil Rights, Enbridge Line 5. A short, but very impressive video of John James, who is exploring a run against Debbie Stabenow was shown.

Bi-annual Michigan Republican Party’s Leadership Conference is Sept 22-24 on Mackinaw Island. Cherie Hogan has been nominated by Randy Bishop for work done during the last election. Randy had his press credentials revoked by Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party Ron Weiser and Sarah Anderson for broadcasting the names of the 17 Republicans who are refusing to support the bill changing the insurance laws that would reduce auto rates for Michigan drivers. Randy has also done commercials for DTS naming these same Republicans who, apparently are listening more to the insurance lobby than their own constituents. Speaker of the House Tom Leonard favors the legislation and is planning on running for Attorney General in the future. 47 House Democrats oppose the legislation but Detroit Mayor Duggan is in favor as it is estimated that 50% of all Detroit drivers are uninsured. We must put more pressure on these Republicans to get this legislation passed. Randy asked the members in attendance if there was support for the legislature to pass insurance reforms that would lower our automobile rates by 50% and there was unanimous support.

Motion made by Barb Bradford, second by Dr. Richard Hoadley, all supported to pay Randy, Gregg, Cherie ticket to the Bi-annual Michigan Republican Party’s Leadership Conference. Randy will check to see which account to use from ACRP.

Much discussion about the golf outing and next year’s fundraiser. All agreed that June 22nd-23rd looked good and would not interfere with graduation, Father’s Day, or the Cherry festival. Randy will try to get someone like Allen West or Vice President Mike Pence. He will check on the cost of the Matterhorn Room at shanty Creek. Emmet County Republican Party made $5000 net profit after having Allen West as guest speaker this past Spring.

John Forest, Field Director for Northern Michigan 1st District was put on speaker phone and discussed future plans involving volunteer recruitment, data usage and resources, growing the Party, and his role in the position. He is currently helping with elections in Marquette but moving to Traverse City shortly. There will be several upcoming Data Center Basic Training webinars. Contact jforest@migop.org 517-282-7212 or RSVP Tony Zammit at azammit@migop.org

The 7th Annual Constitution Celebration hosted by Heather Cerone will be Saturday, September 16 from 4-9:30pm at the Great Wolf Lodge. It is $35 per person. Several great speakers are already lined up for this event including Jack Bergman, Professor William Wagner from the Great Lakes Justice Center/Salt & Light Global Initiative and Former Michigan State Supreme Court Chief Justice – Robert Young Jr. Contact Heather at 231-632-6624.

Tom Backers from Drain the Swamp stated that supporting DTS was a way to bypass the editors of newspapers who either edit or refuse to print letters from Conservatives. DTS uses radio advertising and is able to reach a sizeable audience from Port Huron north. DTS holds every elected official accountable for their actions regardless of party.

Meeting called to order at 7:42 pm by Randy Bishop at Elk Rapids location. Eleven in attendance. Fourteen in attendance at Forest Home Township Hall. (Kim MacMaster absent)

Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation by Christian Marcus.

Treasurer Report: Gregg Valerio, all approved

Secretary Report read by Randy Bishop, all approved

Chairman Report:

Jim Hines – Doctor from Saginaw running for Governor

State Senator – Patrick Colbeck petitions to sign to get him on the ballot as he is running for Governor.
AG – Bill Schuette and Lt. Gov. – Brian Calley have not announced yet.

Lena Epstein (Co-C hair of the Trump campaign in Michigan) and Robert Young (former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court) running for Senate against Debbie Stabenow.

There are a number of ballot proposals. 1st ballot proposal is to repeal the prevailing wage law (repeals public act 166 of 1965 which forces contractors to pay union scale to their workers). Repeal would allow competition bidding and save taxpayers dollars.

Other proposals; LGBT looking to extend Elliot-Larsen expanding their ‘special rights’ status, wolf hunting in U.P., equality question fair pay for women, $15.00 minimum wage, and a proposal (introduced by Brian Calley) for a part-time legislature which would require legislators to spend 90 days in Lansing, then the rest of their time in their home district, cut their pay in half and eliminate lame duck sessions and lobbyist access. Randy says some of these the Democrats are using to get out their base in the next election.

Golf Outing- get flyers out, try to recruit golfers and members, dinners are coming in slowly. Keynote speaker is Tom Leonard and his legislative agenda for 2017.

There have been two responses from our membership flyer effort. Very disappointing.

There were some questions about clarification on red/white/blue sponsors on the flyer.

Discussion on writing rebuttal letters to the editors of the local newspapers when Democrats attack Congressman Bergman or other elected Republicans. Randy read the snowflake letter from the Elk Rapids press. Both Tom Stillings and Tom Backers wrote rebuttals to the paper but the editor did not print so Maryanne Jorgenson is going to reach out to the editor to see if we can get our letters printed. The Bellaire Review does print our rebuttals. Randy is encouraging everyone to get involved and stay involved.

Due to the golf outing in July the next ACRP meeting will be on Monday, August 21st at the Forest Home Township Hall.

Note; this meeting was conducted at two different locations but internet connection was faulty and we had to use a cell phone.

Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 by Tom Stillings, second by Vicky Bishop. All approved.

Respectfully submitted by Cherie Hogan, Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance then Invocation by Jim Gurr.

Absent; Kim McMaster.

Treasurer Report: Gregg Valerio, all approved

-Both school millages (Elk Rapids and East Jordan) on the ballot in Antrim County passed.

-Randy to get information for county fair and parade dates and talk to Triston about using Triston’s wagon in the parades. Triston to supply pocket constitutions.

-Congressman Jack Bergman is working on prioritizing the Poe Locks (Sault Ste. Marie) and has moved it up to #25 on President Trump’s infrastructure spending list.

-Randy We need volunteers to get out and secure gifts for the outing. Randy is expecting Brian Calley and Dr. Hines, who is running for governor, to speak at the outing. We need everyone to work on this to make it a success.

– Antrim County Republican Women have dissolved and are donating the balance of their funds to the ACRP Corporate Account.  Thank You Kim MacMaster & Vicki Bishop!!!

– Randy mentioned the membership drive. Antrim County Clerk – Sheryl Guy getting Randy the list of Antrim County elected officials.

– State Senator – Patrick Colbeck will run for Governor.  Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice – Bob Young possibly running against Stabenow.

– Jim Gurr mentioned that the Democrats are mad and will be running lots of people against our candidates in 2018 but at least will keep them from crossing over and voting for our weaker candidates in the primaries.

-Randy showed short video called ‘Modern Educayshun’ which every conservative should view. Now is not the time to be complacent. We are fighting for our country!

-Randy says, nationally, that the Democrats may try to stall President Trump’s replacement for FBI Director at least six months and obstruct until 2018 elections.

-Long discussion on the Jack Bergman Town Hall, staying positive, attending town halls and writing letters to the newspaper whenever possible expressing our support of our elected officials.

Cherie Hogan, Secretary

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