CANDIDATE INFORMATION
KEITH BUTLER
KEITH BUTLER SPEAKS
On May 14,
2005, Keith Butler addressed the Iosco-Arenac-Alcona Lincoln Day Dinner.
He will be running for US Senator for Michigan in 2006. Mr. Butler, a
member of the Michigan Republican Party since 1982, is the founding pastor of
Word of Faith International Christian Center Church and the Senior Pastor of the
21,000 member congregation. He oversees the more than 200 ministry
employees, manages an annual operating budget of over $30 million, and
supervises the ministry's $40 million in buildings on the 110 acres headquarters
property.
Mr. Butler graduated from the University of Michigan -
Dearborn campus, earning a bachelor's degree. He has also completed his
theological studies at Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He has been married 29 years to his lovely wife, Deborah L.
Butler. Their three children now serve with them in the ministry.
The Butlers live in the metropolitan Detroit area.
BONITA COYLE
BONITA COYLE ANNOUNCES FOR
REELECTION
Bonita M. Coyle has announced
her candidacy for the office of Iosco County Register of Deeds on the Republican
Ticket. Bonita began her 32 year career with the County in 1975 working as a
clerk typist under the former Register, Leon Putnam. In 1984 she was successful
in her bid for the office upon Leon Putnam’s retirement.
Bonita is
a Tawas Area High School graduate. Her husband Michael of 31 years is a self
employed painter who owns Coyle’s Painting and Wallpapering. Bonita has two
married children, Scott who lives in Midland, Michigan and Janell who lives in
Sherwood, Oregon.
In her
career as Register she has seen many changes not only in the laws which govern
her office but also the forms of technology available to do the record keeping
of real estate records. Continually moving the office forward has been a
priority of her career. Bonita is a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Quota
International of Iosco County, Tawas Whittemore Hale United Fund, Iosco County
Republican Committee and Sunrise Side Republican Women.
DICK DeVOS
DeVOS IS DEFINITELY RUNNING
Chairman
Bill Reilly, who attended the Mackinaw Conference in September, said that Dick
DeVos makes a wonderful candidate for governor. At the present time,
members of the executive committee have nomination petitions available for
signature. If you wish to sign one, contact Maureen Rudel, 362-4747.
If you would like to learn more about Dick, call
1-517-679-0191 or check out his website,
www.DeVosforGovernor.com. We
are encouraging everyone who would like to elect a new governor in 2006 to send
a check for $5.00 to Dick DeVos for Governor, PO Box 22216, Lansing, MI 48909.
Please remember to include your employment information, (job, employer and
employer's address) for reporting purposes.
JOHN HAMILTON
DON HOOPER
JOHN MOEHRING
YOUR MICHIGAN TEAM
ROBERT
P. YOUNG, JR.
Justice Young was appointed to the Supreme Court in December,
1998, following his service on the Court of Appeals. He graduated in 1974
from Harvard College with honors, and from Harvard Law School in 1977. In
1978, he joined the law firm of Dickenson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen &
Freeman, becoming partner in 1982. From 1992, until his appointment to the
Court of Appeals in 1995, Justice Young was the vice president, corporate
secretary and general counsel of AAA Michigan. After his appointment to
the Court of Appeals, he was elected to a full term in 1996.
Justice Young has had significant involvement in numerous civic
and charitable activities during his career, such as being a member of the
Advisory Board of the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, a
trustee of the Grosse Pointe Academy, a trustee of the Detroit Institute of
Children, Vista Maria, the Governor's Task Force on Children's Justice
Concerning Child Abuse and Neglect and the Greater Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Detroit program.
STEPHEN
MARKMAN
Stephen Markman was recently appointed as the 103rd Justice of
the Michigan Supreme Court. Prior to that, he served as Judge on the
Michigan Court of Appeals, having been elected without opposition in 1996 and
1998 from his 60-county judicial district. Prior to being appointed to the
Court, Justice Markman practiced law with the firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock
& Stone in Detroit. He served as United States Attorney, Assistant
Attorney General of the United States, Chief Counsel of the United States Senate
Subcommittee on the Constitution and as Deputy Chief Counsel of the United State
Senate Judiciary Committee for seven years.
Upon his appointment to the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice
Markman was described by the Detroit Free Press as bringing to the bench "a
strong legal background and an excellent reputation for honesty and a
willingness to judge cases on their facts."
DAVID
RYAN
CANDIDATE ANNOUNCES FOR THE
103rd DISTRICT
David A. Ryan Sr. is a
lifetime resident of Alger in Ogemaw County. He is announcing his candidacy for
the 103rd District seat for the State House of Representatives.
He is a graduate of Whittemore-Prescott High School and is currently
employed with The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI.
Dave is a veteran of the United States Air Force, a member of the County
Line Wesleyan Church, the American Holiness Campground, and the N.R.A., he is a
steadfast defender of the 2nd Amendment. He is also a motorcycle
enthusiast, hunter,
fisherman, and hobby farmer.
He is married to Katina L. Ryan (Curry) formerly of Tawas. They have
four children - Courtney, Joshua, David Jr. and Sarah.
Dave is Pro life and believes that the Constitution and Bill of Rights is
sacred and must be vigilantly protected. You can reach Dave at
989-873-4579, davideo1226@yahoo.com
CLIFFORD
W. TAYLOR
Justice Taylor was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1997 after
having served on the Court of Appeals for 5 1/2 years. He graduated from
the University of Michigan in 1964 and received his law degree from George
Washington University in 1967. Following service in the U.S. Navy, he
returned to Michigan and served as an assistant prosecuting attorney. He
later became a partner in a Lansing litigation firm where he remained for 20
years prior to serving on the Court of Appeals.
In 1998, when Justice Taylor stood for election to the Court, he
was endorsed by 15 out of 16 of the state's endorsing newspapers, the most of
any Justice in recent memory. The Detroit News, in endorsing him,
described him as "thoughtful" and "highly regarded by his
colleagues."
MIKE WELSCH
MIKE WELSCH ANNOUNCES
Mike Welsch has announced his candidacy for a fifth term as the Iosco
County Clerk on the Republican side of the ballot.
No newcomer to public service, Welsch worked in both 81st
District Court and the Iosco County Sheriff Department prior to being elected
in 1988.
It was from 1973-1985 that Welsch worked in law enforcement. During that
tenure he served as an undercover narcotics officer for a time and spent the
last five years as the county undersheriff. Welsch left the Sheriff’s
Department in 1985 after being named 81st District Court
administrator and probation officer, an office he held until his election.
During his nearly 16 years as an elected official, Clerk Welsch established
a countywide voter punch card system which has dramatically reduced time and
improved accuracy in county and township elections.
In addition, he is now looking into the optical scan voting system for
Iosco County.
Welsch was also responsible for computerizing the clerk’s total office
function and creating a new simplified filing system.
During the past fourteen years, Welsch has acted in concert with the Iosco
County treasurer as co-administrator of the county. The work was previously
handled by a county administrator, a position abolished by the board of
commissioners in late 1990.
Welsch, a 37 year county resident, came to Iosco as a member of the U.S.
Air Force, serving at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base from 1967-1970. He
remained in the county following his honorable discharge.
The 58 year old Republican and his wife, the former Debra L. Roach, reside
in Tawas City. They have two sons, Andy, 21 a senior at MSA and the late
Peter.
Mike says that the newly created Circuit Court has changed many aspects of
the Clerk’s office. With the addition of two more counties to the 23rd
Circuit Court and the addition of anther Circuit Court Judge, his office is
spending more time in the court room.
Past president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks, Welsch was
selected by his peers as "County Clerk of Year 2001". Mike is a
member of the United County Officers Association and serves as 1st
Vice President. He is Secretary of the Board of Directors for Michigan
Municipal Risk Management Authority.
Welsch is a past Distinguished President of the Tawas Kiwanis. He was also
secretary of the Men’s Major Bowling League for 15 years. He serves the
Tawas Area Soccer League as referee and was awarded the Grade 2 Referee
Assessor by the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO). Welsch also served
as coach for soccer and in the Tawas Knot Hole League. He belongs to the Iosco
County Historical Society.
A member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Welsch served on the Board of Trustees
and has served six years as church treasurer.
A longtime member of the Iosco County Republican Party, Welsch is a past
vice chairman and currently serves on its executive committee.
ELIZABETH WEAVER
JUSTICE
WEAVER SPEAKS
On August 8, 2002, Michigan Supreme
Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver visited Iosco County. She started at the
Issues and Eggs program sponsored by the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce.
From there, she met a group of residents at Bay Towers in East Tawas. She
then toured the East Tawas City Hall, the Iosco County Building and from there
went to Oscoda to speak to the Sunrise Side Republican Women's Club.
Justice Weaver, like Justice Robert
Young, is running for re-election this year. She is a resident of Glen
Arbor, Michigan and has been a judge for 28 years. She started as a
Probate/Juvenile Judge in Leelanau County, followed as a Court of Appeals Judge
and has spent the last eight years as a Supreme Court Justice.
She is a part of what the Wall
Street Journal has described as the "best" of the state Supreme
Courts in the country.
Like the other conservatives on the
Court, she believes in interpreting the law, not writing it. She believes
in deciding only the question which is before the Court and not reaching out to
expand an opinion to a question which was not presented.
Her slogan is "Remember in
November, Weaver, We Need Her." She stresses the importance of voting
the non-partisan ballot first, so you don't forget.
On the non-partisan ballot will also be
listed Justice Robert Young, who, like Weaver, will be identified as
"incumbent."
Bill Schuette, who was the top
vote-getter in the Court of Appeals race will also be listed.
Last, we have two fine candidates for
the 23rd Circuit Court, Jim Bacarella and William Myles.
These judicial positions are very
important. Justice Weaver may just be right. Vote the non-partisan
ballot first.
Return to Index
LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR
DICK POSTHUMUS
Dick Posthumus, 49, is from Alto, a crossroads
village about 20 miles east of Grand Rapids. He married Pamela Bartz in
1972 and they have four children. A lifelong farmer, he received his BS
in agricultural economics and public affairs management from Michigan State
University in 1972.
He was the executive vice president of the
Michigan Beef Industry Commission from 1974-79, was on the Republican legislative
staff from 1979-82 and was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1982. After
serving as the Senate majority leader, he was elected in 1998 as lieutenant
governor serving with Governor John Engler.
He spoke to a joint Lincoln Day Dinner for
the Iosco, Arenac and Alcona County Republicans in the Harbor Room of the
Tawas Bay Holiday Inn on May 20, 1999. The dinner was a great success for
all who attended.
The following morning, May 21, 1999, the Lt.
Governor addressed attendees at Issues and Eggs, sponsored by the Tawas
Area Chamber of Commerce.
LINCOLN DAY DINNER 2001
The 2001 Lincoln Day Dinner was a great
success. We had a large turnout with good representation from Alcona and
Arenac as well as Iosco. Wiltse's outdid itself in preparing a wonderful
dinner, and the Dinner Committee would like to extend our thanks to all those
persons and businesses whose contributions helped make the dinner a success.
The Lt. Governor gave us a view of his
vision for the future of Michigan, identifying his priorities as education, the
economy and the environment. He answered questions from several of the
guests. The following morning he met with interested citizens at the
Chamber of Commerce Issues and Eggs Breakfast and answered more questions.
Those who attended the events were very
impressed with the Lt. Governor.
Dick Posthumus & Mary P.
Smith
Diane Manderochio & Dick Posthumus
Jilianne Benchley
Billie Wright & Dick Posthumus
Dick Posthumus & Bill Reilly
POSTHUMUS
CAME TO TOWN
After spending the night of June 9,
2002, in the Tawas area, Lieutenant Gov. Dick Posthumus started out early Monday
morning to meet and greet local residents. He went to several restaurants
and had an opportunity to speak to a number of patrons about their
concerns. He met the mayors of Tawas City and East Tawas, toured the Iosco
County Building and new East Tawas City Hall and Community Center.
He then traveled on to Oscoda, met
Oscoda Township residents while touring the Oscoda Township facility and then
stopped by several restaurants where he greeted patrons.
"I'm here to meet people and
listen to their concerns," said the Lt. Governor. "I've been in
this area many times and really enjoy it here."
The Lieutenant Governor is running for
Governor this year. The Republican candidate will be chosen in the August
primary.
Return to Index
JUDGE
MAURA CORRIGAN
MEETS IOSCO COUNTY
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Maura
Corrigan, made a whirlwind tour of Iosco County on July 9th and 10th, 1998
meeting residents at an Ice Cream Social at Bay Towers, the joint meeting
of the Republican Women's Club and the Iosco County Republicans at Wiltse's
in Oscoda, and at the Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues Breakfast at
the Holiday Inn in East Tawas.
She expressed her pleasure at meeting all of
you who were able to attend any of the functions and her delight with the
Sunrise Side in general.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE MAURA CORRIGAN SPEAKS
On Monday, August 21, 2006, Michigan Supreme Court Justice
Maura Corrigan visited Iosco County. She met with residents of the Bay
Park Towers in East Tawas and with the Sunrise Side Republican Women's Club at
their monthly meeting for lunch at Tait's Bill of Fare in Oscoda. Justice
Corrigan is running for a second term on the Michigan Supreme Court, which has
been called the best state Supreme Court in the nation by the Wall Street
Journal.
She spoke about a number of subjects in her appearance,
including: 1) adoption and foster care, areas where she has been particularly
active, and, 2) her trip to Argentina as part of a US State Department effort to have US
Judges meet with and talk about American Justice. She noted that in
Argentina, judges are often impeached if the electorate doesn't like a decision.
There are so many impeachments that the judges simply continue their business
while the impeachments are on-going. She noted that the main attributes
that set the United States apart from other countries in the world are the
protection of private property rights and the rule of law.
She also spoke about drug courts, a learning center for
children in the Hall of Justice center, outsourcing of jobs to other countries,
mental health patients and prisons.
She discussed the ballot proposal on eminent domain
(condemnation of property by governmental entities) and noted that while the
Michigan Supreme Court has protected the citizens of our state from condemnation
for other private purposes, that decision reversed a previous decision that
allowed such condemnations. Placing the protection in the State
Constitution protects the matter from a change in the Court.
A nice turnout occurred at both locations. Retired
Judges William McCready and J. Richard Ernst were joined at lunch by their wives
Rachel and Janet. Both of the Judges have had previous dealings with
Justice Corrigan. Judge Ernst was assigned to sit on the Court of Appeals
when Justice Corrigan was the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
TONY STAMAS
LINCOLN
DAY DINNER
Our Lincoln Day Dinner was held on
February 13, 2003, with Sen. Tony Stamas as our featured speaker.
We had a nice turnout with attendees
from Alcona, Arenac and Iosco County Republican Committees.
Tony spoke to us about his experience
on election night, in a little building behind the family restaurant where he
and all of his supporters gathered to wait out the results. It was about
2:00 a.m. when he finally knew he won. It was a close race, with Tony
winning by only about 2000 votes. He thanked all of us for our support and
votes and is now concentrating on his service.
Tony is the
Vice-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he chairs the
Subcommittee on the Department of Community Health, and vice chairs the
Transportation, State Police/Military Affairs, and Community Colleges
Subcommittees. He is a member of
the Standing Committees on Banking and Financial Institutions and Senior
Citizens and Veterans Affairs.
He can be reached by mail at PO Box
30036, Lansing MI 48909. His phone is (517) 373-7946, toll-free (866)
305-2136, fax (517) 373-2678 and e-mail OfcTStamas@senate.michigan.gov.
Thanks to John Moehring of Moehring's
Greenhouse for the table centerpieces and Tom and Sue Ferguson for the programs.
Thanks also to those who sponsored our
doorprizes: Ace Hardware, Oscoda, Americinn of Oscoda, Carter's Food Center of
AuGres, Classic Imports of East Tawas, Classic North of East Tawas, Dean Arbour
Ford Mercury of Tawas City, Dean Arbour Chevrolet Cadillac of East Tawas,
Dunleavy's Eatery & Pub of AuGres, H & H Bakery & Restaurant of
AuGres, Huron Car Care, Inc. of East Tawas, Iva's Chicken Dinners of Sterling,
Lakeside Service of East Tawas, Lakewood Shores Resort of Oscoda, The Old Place
Inn of Harrisville, Print 'n' Go of East Tawas, Rose Stawowy of Sterling, St.
Joseph Health System, Tawas City, Tait's Bill of Fare, Oscoda, Tawas Bay Holiday
Inn Resort, East Tawas, Village Chocolatier, East Tawas, Wheeler's Restaurant,
Standish, and Wiltse's Brew Pub & Family Restaurant of Oscoda. Please
remember to patronize these sponsors when you are shopping.
We also recognized our Century Club
members: James & Joan Abney, Allen
& Dorothy Alexander, James & Michelle Bacarella, Terry & Joyce
Bellville, Don & Linda Birgel, Lee Bracken, Howard & Mary Jane Burdett,
Pat & Carol Copland, Tom & Julie Dawson, Terry & Kathie Ekdahl, Tom
& Sue Ferguson, Richard & Elizabeth Hayman, Lawrence & Wendy LaVoie,
John Moehring, Dave & Dawn Nelsey, Sen.
Walter & Sally North, Gary Rapp, William & Mary Reilly, Maureen
Rudel, Patrick & Jane Ruster, Jeffrey & Susan Samotis, Berk Smith, Clyde
& Faith Soucie, Sen. Tony & Sara Stamas, Archie & Rosalee
Stevens, David & Stephanie Wentworth, and Dean & Debbie Wiltse. We
were also joined by Wayne and Carol Hartman, Century Club members from
Arenac. The new Century Club members, in italics, were given their pins.
We also had 5 students attend who were
sponsored by Pat & Jane Ruster, Berk Smith and Supreme Court Justice
Elizabeth Weaver.
A good time was had by all who
attended.
WILLIAM
C. WHITBECK
STEVE
YANTISS
STEVE YANTISS ANNOUNCES
Steve Yantiss (R-East Tawas), announced formally on May 1, 2008, that he
will run in the 2008 election for State Representative. “It’s time to
return to a truly representative state legislature,” said Yantiss. “Last
October, the party in power in Lansing, including the 103rd
District’s representative Joel Sheltrown, voted in the largest tax increase in
Michigan’s history at a time when businesses and individuals are struggling.
I don’t know of one single person in the District that supports the massive tax
increase the current legislature pushed through. The people of the 103rd
District and the rest of the State deserve far better than that.”
“My career has trained me to look for inefficiencies and waste, and I plan to
take the same approach to my responsibilities in Lansing,” said Yantiss, who is
an automotive engineering consultant. “Lansing
needs to be fixed, and the massive tax-and-spending spree supported by Joel
Sheltrown needs to end. People are being taxed out of Michigan. As
the economy slides and tax rates go up, people are leaving the state at an
alarming rate. We need to reverse those trends—that means electing
representatives who will fight for reform and wiser use of taxpayers’ dollars.
Yantiss’s connection to the 103rd district has been lifelong,
beginning with fishing trips on Lake Huron and the Au Sable river system since
he was a boy. He has owned property in Baldwin Township since 1999, a home
since 2004, and he currently resides there.
He has been in the automotive design and engineering business since 1979 in
leadership roles taking projects from design to completion on time and under
budget, which has involved interfacing with all levels of the manufacturing
community, from top management to the assembly floor.
Yantiss is a member of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, the National Rifle
Association, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Harley Owners Group and Michigan
Public Television. He is married with two children and is an avid hunter
and fisherman.
For more information on Steve Yantiss’s campaign please visit
www.believeinsteve.org.
BRIAN
ZAHRA
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