CAVEAT: 

This article is one of a series of editorial articles that express personal 
opinions and views. They are written with no pretensions to be error free. I 
will gladly correct substantial errors of fact. My opinions can change, 
depending upon my awareness of changes in factual information. It is my intent 
to remain focused on specific public issues, regarding the personalities 
involved. For all I know, all the characters are saints, concerning their 
private lives and other public business... 

Changes may be requested by e-mailing the details to 

pmarkham@manistique.org


12/20/06

Quoted from Escanaba's Daily Press, 12/20/06:

http://www.dailypress.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=6681


"Whether or not, the Hatch Act is fairly applied in all cases is open to question,
McKinney said. "You can be a sexual offender and run for office but you can't be
a counselor and run for office. I don't get it."

Reaction to McKinney's departure came during the meeting's first public comment
period from Schoolcraft County Economic Development Corporation Chairman Rick
Stram. "Dan McKinney was a dedicated commissioner willing to put his neck on the
line for this community. It is unfortunate that a technicality in the law was
used to remove a qualified person from office."

"It is a travesty," Commissioner Peggi Arnold said, "to have Dan McKinney run off
his job by a so-called committee."

...

"Erickson named the committee member who "turned in" McKinney, however that
committee member was not available for comment."


N.B. That "committee member" was the reporter's own father-in-law; a man
     not known for his shyness, or reticence.
	 

It was interesting to me, to note the "ad libbed" concluding comments to his
swan song, as Commissioner McKinney read his resignation letter to the public 
and media that attended the Schoolcraft County Commissioner's meeting of 
12/19/06. I have little doubt that he did not want them entered as a permanent 
addition to the minutes of the meeting. That he said them, considering his 
position with Hiawatha Behavioral Health, indicates, to me, a complete lack of 
professional and public ethics, and a need for professional mental help.

McKinney's words, as quoted in the Pioneer Tribune, regarding his forced 
resignation due to a three year violation of the Hatch Act:

"I guess you can be a sexual offender and run for office but you can't be a 
counselor. That's what I take from this."

His stated reference to a "sexual offender" running for Schoolcraft County 
Commissioner, added to the context of Commissioner McKinney's resignation 
letter, and local political history, was the most vicious personal assault I have
witnessed in the Schoolcraft County political arena. That it came from a
"counselor", employed by the tax funded Hiawatha Behavioral Health facility,
added to my jaundiced view of most things, H.B.H., and social welfare
"professionals", in general. 

Because McKinney stuck his hose in a political wringer, voluntarily, and someone 
turned the handle, he used Erickson as a convenient scape-goat, to redirect
attention from the consequences of his choices. With verbal slights-of-hands, he,
and his supporters, redirected public attention from Commissioner McKinney, the
bitter exposed law breaker, to "Saint" McKinney, the sympathetic victim of an
unnamed "sexual offender" associated with a conspiracy of power hungry "committee"
members.

McKinney chose to evade his responsibilities, as others have done before him, in
a reprehensible and personal manner. His choice of misdirection was to repeat
unfounded public innuendo, first used by the past successful public efforts of
Commissioner Margaret "Peggi" Arnold and her sidekick "Meg" Wnuk, to
malign ex-commissioner Erickson, and make him unelectable. 


As I understand the scenario, McKinney added a variation to the baseless 
personal slander of the Arnold and Wnuk duet, creating an apparent trio of lying
political whores. I cannot start to imagine how small the personal gain was, for
all three to pitch whatever integrity they had. I do know that small frogs in
small ponds sell their souls for a meal, or less, as I have documented, elsewhere.


For those that have any interest in the political and social baggage that 
accompanies the label "sexual offender", tossed about at Schoolcraft County
Board meetings, and published in small town local newspapers, try a web based
Google search; and then consider the evident nature of those that tried to
silence Erickson, or evade their responsibilities, in the manner they chose.

For those that choose to believe the vicious "sexual offender" based lies and 
innuendo, from those that I have named, here is a Michigan State Police 
reference that, in spite of the deceit and malicious gossip of various civic 
leaders, supports my contention that they, and not Erickson, are the ones that 
have earned public condemnation, instead of accolades.

Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry (PSOR)
http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us/PSOR_Search.aspxid

After clicking on the disclaimer bar, I selected Schoolcraft County, and
clicked on search. In two pages of names and photographs of Schoolcraft County
sexual offenders, I found no name that I remember reading on any ballot, or
publicized as a write-in candidate, for Schoolcraft County Commissioner. I did
find, included in those pages, the name of a sexual offender who served as a
member of the Schoolcraft County Sheriff department, about whom I heard not
one harsh word of public condemnation, or a spoken public statement or innuendo
that he was a sexual offender. Instead he was awarded early retirement.
Substantiated facts reflect the flexible ethics of Schoolcraft County's elected
"leaders". I did find the name of a sexual offender appointed to the
zoning board of appeals, a man vetted "...in the best interests of the city..."
by ex-director of public safety, and current Mayor of Manistique, Dave Peterson.


For those that have not connected the dots behind McKinney's false and venomous
statement, I offer my perception of the implications of his statement, and the
inferences I drew, within the historical context that I am aware of:

A few years ago, an allegedly mentally challenged young woman client of 
Hiawatha Behavioral Health, well past the age of majority, with no visible sign,
tattoo or brand to indicate the type and degree of her disability, travelled in
the community, often, alone; without chaperon, guardian, friend, or any other
form of supervision or assistance. It was apparent, to those at H.B.H., and the
public at large, that she was capable of functioning autonomously, as she
travelled alone, often, to and from H.B.H. facilities, and wherever else her
business, or interests, might take her.

"Street talk" indicated the mentally impaired client of Hiawatha Behavioral 
Health was sexually active. It was stated, by "some", that she made sexual 
advances to men, regardless of whether they knew about her disability, or not. 
It was "known" by some, that H.B.H. knew the details, also. With little regard 
for the propriety of location and circumstances, and with little concern for the 
taboos of social and political correctness, she chose to make advances to, among 
others, drivers of Schoolcraft County Public Transit buses.

The first Schoolcraft County Public Transit bus driver, that I am aware of, who 
was solicited for a sexual encounter by the mentally challenged young woman, was 
Ron Risdon. A series of failed attempts, by Ron, to prompt corrective action by 
his supervisor, Director of Public Transit, Kevin Swanson, eventually led to 
Risdon being fired from his job, because of his efforts to refuse her sexual 
advances and influence his supervisor to take corrective action.

Some time later, Doug Erickson, as a Schoolcraft County bus driver, was 
solicited by the same female mentally dysfunctional sexual predator client of 
H.B.H. Doug's request to Public Transit Director Swanson was ignored, when
he complained that he was having a problem with H.B.H.'s client and wanted to
be taken off driving the route that she travelled, much of the time. Swanson
did nothing, and, eventually, Doug was fired because he tried to accept her
sexual advances.

I use the term "sexual predator" to describe what H.B.H. made their client, 
effectively, not what she was, due to mental defect. I have no reason to believe 
she was a predator, by choice, or nature. I have plenty of reasons to believe 
H.B.H. personnel made those that rose to her sexual bait, their victims; an 
interesting form of sexual predator by mental health proxy.

Both drivers were investigated by the Michigan State Police; Doug, far more 
rigorously. In both cases, there was no basis for prosecution, and the cases 
were closed. Both mens' lives and families were turned upside-down.


How do I know of which I speak?

I first spoke to Sam Harma, the Director of Hiawatha Behavioral Health, who 
told me, in explicit language, that Hiawatha Behavioral Health would do 
anything to protect its clients. As far as Sam was concerned, the details were 
no-one else's business and should I be interested in pursuing my interest 
further, he had lots of legal horsepower, paid with tax-payers' money, that 
would make my quest for facts very painful. In summary, in polite professional 
language, Sam told me, effectively, to "Fuck off, Petey!"

Regarding Ron Risdon, we spoke, at length, and he provided me copies of most 
documents related to his undefined, unsubstantiated, unjustified, and patently 
unethical "terminations" of employment with Schoolcraft County Public Transit. 
Both of his "terminations" were the consequence of unspecified, and unjustified 
allegations from anonymous Hiawatha Behavioral Health clients and employees.

Regarding Doug Erickson, I received, and read, a copy of the exhaustive, 
completed, and closed Michigan State Police investigation provided to me, by 
then Mayor of Manistique, Margaret "Peggi" Arnold; after I declined her offer of 
support to run against Erickson in an upcoming election for Schoolcraft County 
Commissioner. After reading the report, Doug and I spoke candidly about the 
published and censored details.

I considered seriously, at that time, to publish my copy of the Michigan State 
Police report, with most, if not all, of the censored details and names filled 
in, from my notes, documents and conversations. The only reason I didn't, at the 
time, was in deference to the wishes of  Mr. Risdon, and his wife, and Mr. 
Erickson, and his family, because they had all taken a terrible public whipping 
and had no desire to endure any more.

To the best of my knowledge, all the "professionals", and their political 
supporters, responsible for all the misery that led to Commissioner McKinney's 
personal slander, remain icons of the community.


One can debate, forever, whether it is appropriate, or not, under any set of 
circumstances, for a man, or a woman, to refuse, or accept, an overt offer for a 
sexual encounter. Some, in this community, have chosen to impose their personal 
view of human nature, sexual correctness, morality, ethics, and the law, in a 
fashion that speaks volumes concerning their intolerance and bankruptcy of 
intellect.


If Mr. Erickson is the "sexual offender" that ran for office, would it not, by a 
far more stringent concern for fact, truth, substantiation and justification, 
make Mr. McKinney the felon that held office, for three years? If Mr. Erickson 
was cleared of criminal wrong doing, during a hellish investigation, by what 
standard is he a "sexual offender", beyond whatever personal offense one might 
take to another's personal sexual preferences, and drives, regarding a facet of 
personal human nature that, to one extent or another, defines each and every 
person?

If Mr. McKinney did not know what the requirements were to be eligible for 
partisan office, whose fault is that? If the Schoolcraft County Clerk
claims ignorance of the Hatch Act, who's fault is that? If Mr. McKinney violated
federal law, whose fault is that? If someone was aware that, most likely,
Commissioner McKinney was violating federal election law, why slander Mr.
Erickson? If Mr. Erickson is no more of a sexual offender than I, or anyone else
that has sought subsequent sexual gratification from a sexual advance, whose
fault is that?


Rick Stram's comments, following McKinney's resignation, emphasized the corrupt 
nature of another influential member of Schoolcraft County's local power 
structure, that deals in the basic currency of deceit, evasion and misdirection.
As quoted from the Pioneer Tribune, regarding Ricks "...lost battle in the "War
for Schoolcraft County"..."It's unfortunate that a technicality was cited and
used to remove a qualified person."..."The negative efforts that were used to
uncover this technicality, I urge be redirected to focus on the positive."   

As I see it, it is far from a "technicality" that McKinney committed an unlawful 
act by holding office for three years, when he was legally unqualified to do so, 
and it is no technicality that Stram urges for those opposed to this "type" of 
government to "focus on the positive", implying that lawbreakers and unqualified 
candidates are what Schoolcraft County needs. I will point out to Mr. Stram that 
his view is not shared by the federal government, it was not shared by whomever 
brought the issue to the attention of the federal government, it is not shared 
by me, and I have little doubt that it is not shared by anyone who understands 
the spirit and purpose of laws, regulations, and policies which are the only 
protections, in Schoolcraft County, from the likes of those running Iraq, today.

Either we live in country of laws, governed by laws, with equality before the 
law, or not. If the law is for some, but not for others, as in Schoolcraft 
County, and if you promote anarchy, don't cry if you get caught; or worse.
For those that understand the need for enforced rational laws, regulations, etc.,
that promote civilized behavior, all the attempts to cop a plea show the offenders,
and their supporters, to be the cowardly unethical predatory opportunists they are.

For those McKinny apologists that might say Mr. Erickson's name was not 
mentioned, no-one that I spoke to, with an interest in local politics, missed 
the pointed innuendo; but I did! The irony of the slander was, as a witness to 
McKinney's resignation, and with no reason to connect his bitterness with 
Erickson, I missed the point of the "sexual offender" reference, and wondered, 
for the better part of a day, who McKinney was alluding to! It was not until the 
following day that a friend spoke of a phone call from his wife, commenting on 
the slander, that I realized what had happened!

It is far from a technicality that Erickson committed no unlawful act, has 
been publicly slandered and libeled by current members of the county board, and 
in this latest game of pin-the-name-on-the-donkey he is now associated with an 
apparently subversive group that intends to seize power in Schoolcraft County! 
Perhaps someone should rename that august body of local political giants the 
Schoolcraft County Board of Idiots and Co.


Beyond Puritan hangups, and the inability of Mr. Erickson's political rivals to 
better him regarding most political issues, why the slanderous personal 
innuendo? What is the purpose of the history of personal attacks by Commissioner 
Aldrich, Frenette, and McKinney, along with those of ex-mayor "Peggi" Arnold, 
and Meg Wnuk, against the victims of a de-facto female sexual predator client of 
Hiawatha Behavioral Health? Beyond the political I.O.U.s gained for their 
attempts to mask Hiawatha Behavioral Health's, and Schoolcraft County Public
Transit's failed public responsibilities regarding H.B.H. dysfunctional clients,
what is the payoff? A stay at Mackinac Island? A "free" meal?


If Hiawatha Behavioral Health considered their client vulnerable, and incapable 
of functioning "properly" in the sexually charged atmosphere of life, whose 
fault is it that she victimized others, in the community, with H.B.H.'s consent, 
help, and lack of public accountability?

What was the reason for Commissioner Aldrich's Herculean efforts, with 
Commissioner Frenette's rabid support, to see Ron Risdon fired from Public 
Transit, after Kevin Swanson, Director of Schoolcraft County Public Transit, 
failed to take action to protect both Ron Risdon and Doug Erickson from the 
sexual pressures of a favored H.B.H. client? Why was the AFL-CIO affiliated 
AFSCME union steward, Diane Kerridge, conspicuous by her absence or silence, 
regarding most of Ron's public lynching by the Schoolcraft County Board of 
Commissioners? By what moral imperative did the AFSCME conclude that Risdon
asked for, and thereby deserved, the beating that he took?


Schoolcraft County Public Transit Director Swanson, and Hiawatha Behavioral
Health Director Harma, both wanted their shit off their doorsteps, where it
belonged, and by misdirection, and with help, made their failures Erickson's
and Risdon's burdens. 


After all is said and done, and I consider the influential political strings 
that extend from Hiawatha Behavioral Health into the community, I can reach but 
one conclusion, that, in context, makes some form of sense to me. It is about 
tax money, tax based economics, and the corrupted power derived from positions 
that influence the acquisition and spending of tax revenues in a county that, 
without tax revenues, would be less than zero. Those that control the 
acquisition and distribution of tax revenues, and the jobs they buy, rule 
Schoolcraft County, and show little to no evidence of any humanity beyond that 
which advances their personal goals.

It was reported in the Pioneer Tribune that Commissioner Dan McKinney stated 
that he didn't understand all the intricacies of the Hatch Act. 

Hello Dan! Here's a starter, and you need go no further... It was specifically 
designed, by those with an appreciation of predatory human nature, expressed in 
political decisions, to provide some degree of separation between partisan 
political office and the self serving redistribution of "public wealth". I 
suspect that knowledge has been mandatory for any high school graduate, since 
the act's inception, in 1939. Copping a plea that implies your tax based 
paycheck coming from tax revenues would not influence your political decisions 
concerning Schoolcraft County tax financed budget line items, runs contrary to 
self-serving human nature. Take a look at "Boss Sam"'s empire! The connection 
between County Commissioners and H.B.H. is legendary, and so is their financial 
support! 
 

As far as my perception of Hiawatha Behavioral Health is concerned, the 
director of Hiawatha Behavioral Health is never wrong. His employees are never 
wrong. He will do whatever is necessary to impose his will upon the community, 
and shield himself, and his employees from scrutiny, or the consequences of 
official stupidity, with the default sanction of the board of directors. Sam 
Harma knows how to leverage his control of local tax revenue to maximize his
return and reward the loyal, and he is no stranger to invoking privacy
protection legislation, enforced by some of the best legal thugs that can be 
hired with public funds. 

If I cared nothing for H.B.H's client and her family, or for Risdon's and 
Erickson's families, I would publish, on the web, every document and note I have 
concerning the entire unfortunate affair. Those families have been victimized by 
an army of self serving public officials, sniping from the cover of false claims 
of "privileged" information, guarded by tax paid lawyers, hired to represent the 
interests of the snipers.

Commissioner McKinney learned well from his barbarian mentors. History indicates 
you can torment and hold civilized folk hostage to their own civility, or 
apparent impotence, - to a point. Pass that point, and it becomes a blood soaked 
leading news story, with all the crying, speculation, and wailing of "Why?" and
"Poor me!".


Commissioner "Peggi" Arnold spoke after McKinney read his letter, as quoted in 
the Pioneer Tribune: "I think it was a travesty to have Dan run off his job by a 
so-called committee that wants to put power in the wrong hands." While I 
listened to the attempt-by-some-to-seize-power comments of Commissioner 
Arnold, the adjective "vacuous" sprang to mind.

Vacuous: Devoid of intelligence.

What could be gained, over what already exists? The votes are bought already; 
the fix is in. If you didn't sign up as political predator, early on, you are 
political prey, now, by default. If you are not a predator, their is little more 
to be had than a meaningless addition to a political resume.

With no reasons to assume otherwise, I expect no significant increase in long
term tax revenues, or a significant increase in long term state and federal
revenue sharing. I do foresee continued tightening of federal and state budgets,
and a continued compounding of Schoolcraft County's public debt incurred by past
and current "leaders" buying votes. Looking down the 'pike there is
way more debt to be paid, than income to pay out and keep the public trough full.
Therefore, there is less than a snowball's chance in Hell that I want to hold
office, or vote for new taxes for others to buy votes. The future looks bleak
for this crippled part of the world. 

Last of all, who are the "committee" and into whose "wrong hands" do they wish 
to put power? Every person that I know, that thinks in a manner similar to 
Erickson, or I, is unelectable. Perhaps there is a committee of unknown 
psychopaths, that, through armed insurrection, will steal the throne of
Schoolcraft County and put it in the hands of a puppet? Jeez Louise, gimme a
break!

There is a loose association of like minded individuals, of which I am one, that
waste their lives trying to encourage a little more advocacy for ethical government,
in Schoolcraft County. They would, most certainly, be classified by those in power,
as the "...wrong hands."

Caveat: A true county wide economic boom, based upon the recently rumored oil
deposits below the "High Rollaways" dome, would render worthless any of my 
speculation of a near term decline in Schoolcraft County fortunes.   
 

From my perspective, the electors of Schoolcraft County have shown their 
preference, generally, for blatant deceivers, grifters, and incompetents, to 
attend to public business. No conspiracy that I know of, or care to be part of, 
would, or could, change their preference.

So it goes in Schoolcraft County; and much of the world. Governments of 
imposition by predators, chosen by their prey.


12/29/06

I attended the Manistique City Council meeting, last night, and missed the 
latest Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners meeting. I was told, later, 
that, at the board meeting, resigned Commissioner McKinney was replaced by a 
Schoolcraft County Board appointed ex-Commissioner, "Sparky" Lauzon. Sparky was 
recalled, January 1998, for what I considered to be his district's electorate
dissatisfaction with his bent ways.

It was common courthouse gossip, that he found more ways to claim unjustified 
county compensation, with lack of appropriate substantiation, than any other 
board member, at the time; but, I remembered him, firsthand, in different 
circumstances.

First, was his address, as Schoolcraft County Commissioner Lauzon, to the
Michigan D.N.R. hearings, held at the local Ramada Inn, regarding the request
by Manistique Papers Inc., to lower the Manistique River level, behind their
dam. He described the consequences to riverside property past the High
Rollaways, in effect, claiming that water flowed up hill. Any kid with five
minutes in a mud puddle knew better.

The fond memory of that entertaining evening of foolishness reminds me of my
first attendance at a political meeting, other than a Manistique City Council
related meeting, and it was my first introduction to the power of political
faith; absent fact and reason. At least once a year, regarding some
conversation surrounding the upstream Manistique River level, some adherent to
the Lauzon Laws of Hydrodynamics explains to me, with similar Lauzon fervor,
the same line of fantasy that Sparky tried to feed the D.N.R. 

My other personal memory of the "Lauzon Effect" was a conversation that I had 
with Leanne Trebilcock, the former owner-editor of Manistique's Pioneer Tribune 
newspaper, around the time of Sparky's political ousting. Leanne told me of the 
loss of the newspaper advertising from Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, a 
significant loss to a small town newspaper, trying to maintain a degree of 
journalistic integrity. Leanne told me how Sparky's daughter, working at the 
hospital, had delivered the last order for the Hospital advertisement, and told 
Leanne, at that time, in unambiguous language, that the lost advertising account 
was retribution for publishing the substantiated news that helped to oust Sparky 
as a professional county parasite.

Since my conversation with Leanne, I have stayed as far away from Schoolcraft 
Memorial Hospital, as I could, so has my wife, because of the very real fear of 
political retribution through Schoolcraft County's primary health care facility. 
Fair or not, I consider my choice prudent, and, over time, I have learned that 
others chose to take their business elsewhere, for similar reasons.


Nothing like appointing someone to an elected office from which they were ousted by
their constituents!

The King was dead. Long live the King!


As I said, government by imposition, not by representation. The bent board
members did not have the civility to request letters of intent! Unanimously,
board members made the decision, as a matter of personal preference, to appoint a
recalled commissioner, with no consideration of history, ethics, morality, merit,
or any standard of civilized political behaviour. Political power, personal
interests, and whim are all that is relevant, too often, regarding Schoolcraft
County political choices.

01/20/07

Today I was made aware that Susan Phillips resigned her position as Schoolcraft
County Commissioner of District three. It was reported by the Escanaba Daily Press
that she received a communication from a U.S. Office of Special Councel
indicating that if she took office that action would compound her current violation
of the Hatch Act.

I have a somewhat different perspective than the article's slant, as portrayed by this
Press statement: "Democrat Phillips, running in her first election and defeating
veteran Republican Doug Erickson, is a health care professional at Schoolcraft
Memorial Hospital."

Veteran Doug Erickson was politically castrated by the ex-mayor of Manistique cum
Schoolcraft County Commissioner "Peggi" Arnold, and her partner in personal
retribution, Meg Wnuk, as I have written, previously. He ran, knowing that I, and a
distinct minority of others, wanted a qualified candidate owned by no-one. He wasn't
defeated, he was slandered to his political death, several years ago, yet he had
the courage to run so that I, and others like me, could cast a worthless vote for a
proven, qualified, and worthwhile candidate.

It was a significant part of the electorate of District 4, of Schoolcraft County, that
were disenfranchised by the consequences of malicious propaganda, and unbridaled political
ambition. Regarding wannabe Commissioner Susan Phillips, and appointed Commissioner, Jean
Barber, I shed no tears regarding their fears of the Hatch Act; as political opportunists
that tried to reap the consequences of vicious gossip.

As Mr. Erickson knows, so well; life ain't fair, especially when others go out
of their way to make it so.

Sometimes, there is consequential justice.

02/17/07

Releasing his ill gotten position as a recently elected county commissioner,
to appointee Sparky Lauzon, ex-county commissioner McKinney threw his hat in
the ring for an appointment to the position of Schoolcraft County Clerk, to
replace the retiring clerk, Sigrid Doyle.

With reasons unpublished in the local newspaper, McKinney was sworn in to the
Schoolcraft County Clerk position, on 01/25/07, by 11th Judicial Circuit Court
Judge Charles Stark. The Thompson Township Clerk and program director for the
Schoolcraft County Economic Development Corporation, along with the Deputy
Schoolcraft County Clerk, remained as disappointed experienced wannabes, at
least until the next general election in late 2008.   
    

As a consequence of the appointment of the previously recalled Sparky Lauzon,
to the position of Schoolcraft County Commissioner from which he was recalled,
previously, an incensed Schoolcraft County District 2 resident, Al Burns,
threw his hat in the ring for the upcoming election for Sparky's seat.

As a consequence of past Schoolcraft County Clerk policy, a vague instruction
packet, and McKinney's and Burn's lack of experience in such matters, Mr.
Burns submitted a wrong petition form, with the right signatures, and was
declared an invalid candidate by McKinney!

After a flurry of conversations, threats, and phone calls, finally settled
by the Michigan Bureau of Elections, it came to pass that Al Burns will be
able to run in the general election in August, and no primary election will
be necessary this May, because no partisan office had more than one nominee.

NB. There is nothing in Michigam election law that states that the purpose
of a primary is to elect a nominee to office!


"MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954


168.531 Primary elections; nomination of candidates by direct vote.


Sec. 531.

Whenever any primary election shall be held in this state or in any city,
county or district in this state, the nomination of candidates shall be made by
direct vote of the qualified and registered electors of each political party 
participating therein as hereinafter prescribed.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 
Popular Name: Election Code

©2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan"



The major fallout from Mr. Burn's heated response to being declared an invalid
candidate was the revelation that at least one person, who was never elected or
appointed to the office of Schoolcraft County Commissioner, was sworn into that
office and served for two years in that capacity! It appears, from the record,
that Schoolcraft County Clerk, Sigrid Doyle, sitting Schoolcraft County
Commissioners, and party organizations, among others, conveniently missed the
fact that a primary election puts no one in office; all it does, for each office
of interest, is thin out partisan nominees to determine the partisan candidate
that will run for a partisan office, in a general election.

One might infer, from the events considered, that all of the people can be
fooled, some of the time; at minimum.

That no primary election is required, because there is not more than one
partisan nominee running as a candidate for each office, does not mean that
unapposed primary nominees are automatically declared general election
candidate winners, and sworn into office with no futher concern for the
election process, as has been done in the recent past, in Schoolcraft County.
Those primary election nominees are merely "...declared by such board of
election commissioners, nominees for the respective offices..." for which they
intend to run in a general election.


"MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954


168.539 City and county primary elections; not held when no opposition;
certification of candidates; notice to city and township clerks, public notice.


Sec. 539.

If, upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions in any primary for city 
or county, it appears that there is no opposition to any candidate for any office
upon any ticket, then the city or county clerk, as the case may be, shall certify
to the board of election commissioners the names of all persons whose petitions
have been properly filed and the office for which such petitions were filed, and
such persons shall be declared by such board of election commissioners nominees
for the respective offices, and such county clerk shall forthwith notify the
several clerks of the townships and cities interested, if any, and give notice
that the primary will not be held as contemplated, giving the reasons therefor,
and a public notice shall be given of such determination by a brief notice
published by such clerk in a newspaper circulated in such county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 
Popular Name: Election Code

©2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan"


So, it appears to me, at the moment, that McKinney, unqualified by the Hatch Act
to run for partisan office, ran in the primary to be his party's district
nominee for the office of Schoolcraft County commissioner, in the general
election, and, after winning the primary, was sworn into office without a
general election for that office, and, subsequently, served for several years in
that position, until the Hatch Act issues!

Rephrased, McKinney was sworn into the position of Schoolcraft county
Commissioner, as an unqualified candidate, without an election or appointment,
and, subsequent to what I consider to be constructive fraud, was appointed
Schoolcraft County Clerk. His consolation prize was as good as the retirement
he help to grant the real sexual offender that was on the Schoolcraft County
Sheriff Department public payroll.

There is absolutely no connection between slander about an un-named sexual
offender running for office, or a committee to place power in the wrong hands,
or any of the other devious slight of hand politically motivated fantasy. It
is all about public officials, paid or elected to do a job, failing miserably,
and trying to direct attention from their documented official failures, to the
imagined personal sins of others. 

I wish it were in Schoolcraft County, only.


Is it possible that no one in Schoolcraft County knew better? Did everyone see the
Emperor's Clothes, that cared enough to look? Just think of the implications, from
Schoolcraft County professionals, to party hacks, to high school civics students...
I have marvelled at the gross ignorance, and stupidity, of many public service
candidates and officials, over the years, but this sequence of events, over the last
few months, has taken me by surprise. The community acceptance of the consequences
of illiterates inventing public policy, and law, instead of qualified officials
researching, learning, and applying that which is tried and true, has plagued this
community for as long as I have paid attention to local politics, and this latest
example of the consequences of official anarchy is a classic. 


I hope that McKinney will gain a better understanding of his job, than his 
predecessor, in a relatively short time. I remember his predecessor as one of the
best paid ignorant, and borderline illiterate, local public officials that I ever
met, that I swear revelled in her ignorance! I have reasons to believe that McKinney
has what it takes to be a great County Clerk, as long as he works for the general
public, and not for the Schoolcraft County Board, Hiawatha Behavioral Health, or
any other entity with a vested interest in influencing county business through the
offices of the Schoolcraft County Clerk.

I can hope, eh? History gives no reason, but hope springs eternal, regardless. I, and
other public prey, will pay his way, for better, or worse. We have no civilized choice.