Windfarm in the Works for Pentwater

by: philgoblue

Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 08:28:22 AM EST

The $3 billion Aegir Offshore Wind Farm is being suggested for a 100-square-mile area from the Ludington Pumped Storage Facility south to Silver Lake State Park near Mears by a Norwegian wind development company Havgul Clean Energy AS.

MLive has a story.

I don't know how offshore these wind turbines are.  They are of a windfarm offshore at Chapel St Leonards, England.

The firm is talking about putting the turbines 2-4.5 miles offshore.  That seems a little too close to me. I'd like to hear why they couldn't move that back to 6-10 miles (is it the depth of the lake, construction costs, etc?).

They are building windfarms 6 miles into the Atlantic off Massachusetts. A quick bit of internet "research" seems to mesh with common sense -- at 10-15 miles, even the largest windmills are dots on the horizon that look like waves on a clean day.  In England, they are proposing a windfarm 16 miles into the North Sea at Race Bank.

I'd like to see image models on what the windfarm would look like from the shore and hear more about their reasonings for being so close.  But, if slightly modified, this is exactly the kind of project that Michigan and the planet needs and West Michigan can really be a leader here and benefit from some good paying jobs (you did read that $3 billion dollars in investments part, right?).

Dan Scripps Endorsed by the Ludington Daily News

by: AikoAdam

Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 15:12:47 PM EDT

"Dan Scripps is a strong candidate and has moved toward the center on a variety of issues. He has run a clean, comprehensive and positive campaign...There is such a thing as a legislative temperament that helps an effective lawmaker build coalitions to get legislation passed or issues resolved. Scripps seems to have more of that temperament than Franz. Scripps seems to have the stuff to be able to do the job."

It also should be noted that the recent Franz mailer did hurt his chances of endorsement from LDN staff:

He (Franz) says what is on his mind, but as a recent campaign mailing demonstrated, maybe he shouldn't always do that so bluntly. Franz is likely more conservative than the district is - but he's made no effort to move to the center, or it seems, to consider other views.

An insider's take on our recent State Convention.

by: LisainManistee

Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 18:04:49 PM EDT

Judy is on the executive committees of both the Mason County Democratic Party and the MI-02 District Committee... She's been involved in the Democratic Party for a long time and she's an all around fantastic lady.  

I know the convention was nearly a week ago, but I thought it a good write up on the convention so here goes...

State Convention September 6, 2008

Our fabulous foursome, Chris Fessenden, Dee Payment, LouBetty Rood and me, left the Shop & Save parking lot before 8 a.m.

We arrived before 11 a.m. and LouBetty and I hurried to the credentials table and on to our Congressional District meeting, while the others parked the car.

The meeting began shortly and we voted unanimously to have Dallas Dean be our 'Elector' for this general election. This is the first time I ever actually knew the identity of an 'Elector'.

This time when the Electoral College votes are shown on the TV, I will know that Dallas is included because he has pledged to cast his vote for Barack Obama.

We heard the husband of Judge Diane Hathaway speak for his wife to be our nominee on the November ballot, running against incumbent Supreme Count Judge Clifford Taylor.

Until 3 weeks before the convention I had assumed that Judge Deborah Thomas, who has spoken twice here in the last 2 years, was to be our nominee. At our Mason County Democratic Convention the vote was unanimous to vote for Judge Thomas to be our nominee.

At a brief lunch period before the large convention was brought to order, I spoke with Bill Ballenger, a regular on 'Off the Record'.  Bill told me that Judge Hathaway had been endorsed by Labor.

When the convention was brought to order we heard speeches from Mark Brewer, Jennifer Granholm, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, then on to the voting on the floor for our Supreme Court Nominee. Proportional voting was used, so Mason County had 9 votes, all of which were cast for Judge Thomas, as per our county convention decision.

There was lots of hollering and waving of signs, and even some parading around the room with placards raised.

The Proportional voting caused some confusion so there was some scrambling around to do the calculations. Most of the Districts evidently had done there proportional voting during their District meeting.

When all the votes were cast and the votes given to the temporary chair, the numbers were approximately Judge Thomas 1,400 votes and Judge Hathaway 1,600 votes.

Many of us were disgruntled and expressed several questions, i.e. why were we so recently even hearing of Judge Hathaway? Why was Hathaway endorsed by Labor and not Thomas? Why wasn't this situation more transparent to those of us who seek out this kind of information?

Having fulfilled what we set out to do, our group gathered up our tent and left for home.

I guess there are questions that will eventually be answered, but we all agreed that what we did was worthwhile and we all plan to attend future conventions, and recommend that others also go to see our Party in Action.

Judy McLain

So there you go, another insider's take on our State Party Convention.

If you're from Mason County, drop by the next Mason Dem's regular monthly meeting and tell Judy I said "hey".

She's working her butt off to help turn Mason County blue and she has my deepest gratitude.  

Who Will Dan Scripps Face in November?

by: AikoAdam

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 10:06:17 AM EDT

The recount of the 101st republican primary began yesterday in Mason County with a bit of high drama. The Ludington Daily News is reporting that two boxes containing ballots were open.

Sandy Prenger of the Michigan Secretary of State Bureau of Elections demonstrated how the lid of one of the boxes - which was sealed with a clasp - could still be lifted along the edge.

"If you can put your fingers in it, you could put a ballot in," she said.

Sue McRill of the Bureau of Elections, who is overseeing the recount in Mason, Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties, said at 9:30 a.m. that she is waiting for word from Lansing about whether or not the votes in the disputed ballot boxes will be counted. There were sealed bags in the sealed containers and the question is: Can the votes in the bags be counted.

If the votes in the disputed precincts cannot be counted, Prenger said the previous results for the precincts recorded by the Mason County Board of Canvassers would be used for the recount.

The results of the Mason County recount added one vote for McCraner, McManus and Franz, leaving the race still at a 9 vote lead for Ray Franz out of  24 of the 25 precincts that were "recountable".

Mason County Clerk Jim Riffle

Find more videos like this on Ludington Talks

The recount continues today in Manistee County at Stronach Township Hall, and Thursday in Benzie County at the Benzie County Court Annex and in Leelanau County at the Leelanau County Building.

UGH!

by: philgoblue

Mon Jul 28, 2008 at 10:32:29 AM EDT

Mason County Dems Open New Office

by: AikoAdam

Mon Jun 09, 2008 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

From their newsletter:

We know that having the office open this early will help us to spread the word about our candidates, for local, state and national office, and encourage people to actively support the entire slate. There will be campaign literature, bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs available, and we plan to reinstitute the political lending library that was so popular during the last campaign. This should be an exciting year to be a Democrat - we want to harness that energy to provide strong support for Democrats in Mason County. We would gladly accept donations of office supplies, or the loan of chairs, folding tables, a desk or two and perhaps a file cabinet. If you have any larger items to offer, call or e-mail Beth Hull at bethannehull@yahoo.com,(734)904-5293.

Dan Scripps ' Blueprint for Michigan's Future

by: AikoAdam

Fri May 16, 2008 at 20:08:17 PM EDT

I spent a few evenings this week with the Dan Scripps' campaign for the 101st State House seat. I am impressed by what I have seen. A fine tuned, skillful organization centered around a great candidate. A full district campaign aimed at winning this seat for a Democrat. Issue stances and a message that speaks to the people of this area.

Dan is continuing his message, his "Blueprint for Michigan's Future", Jobs, Schools and the Great Outdoors.  He ties all of these themes together as a well laid out plan to put Northwest Michigan, and the state, back on track to a bright future. Dan speaks very well to crowds and is very knowledgeable of the issues facing our state, it's people, and how we can change it. One on one, Dan listens to any concern and answers to the best of his ability. He doesn't tell people what he thinks they want to hear, like so many politicians do, but he tells them his plans and ideas to solve their problems, showing his wide range and problem solving abilities.  

Dan is a candidate people from all over Michigan can be excited about. He is a proven campaigner, garnering 48% of the vote in 2006 against an incumbent. This is an open seat that is being watched and is considered at the very least a "toss up". Dan's financial backing is wide ranging, consisting mostly of small contributions from neighbors, friends and the people of this district. It is important to know who a person is representing and if the time I have spent with Dan  shows anything, it is that Dan will represent us and not the special interests.

Go below the fold to see Dan's vision and his "Blueprint for Michigan's Future" and why you should believe in Dan Scripps...

Dan Scripps: 3 Days, 3 Counties, 3 Campaign Kickoffs!

by: AikoAdam

Mon May 12, 2008 at 14:00:00 PM EDT

This week Dan Scripps' 2008 Campaign for the 101st State House District will hold gatherings across Northwest Michigan for his official county kickoffs. The celebrations start Tuesday at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, MI. The following day, Wednesday, May 14th, Dan will be in Ludington, MI at the Jamesport Brewery Company. The kickoffs will wrap up in downtown Manistee, MI on Thursday at the Manistee Democratic Party's headquarters for the grand opening of their new office.

Go below the fold to see why you should go!

The Mason County Dems are revving up for an exciting election year!

by: LisainManistee

Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 13:00:53 PM EDT

I am pleased to report that the Mason County Dems are really working their butts off preparing for the upcoming elections.

For starters, The Mason County Dems hold their monthly meetings at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Mason-Lake ISD during the school year. If you're in the area, they'd love for you to come and get acquainted with their active members. They could use your ideas and participation. Their next meeting is May 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM.

If you'd like to get in touch with the Mason County Dems, try contacting one of their officers:

• Chair - Pat Payment 843-8750; marpay@hughes.net
• Vice Chair - Connie Anderson 843-2477; connie@1010internet.com
• Treasurer - Al Benson 845-5081; alamvetim@t-one.net
• Secretary - Dee Payment 8438750; marpay@hughes.net
• MCD Editor - Walt Ligon 869-4384; mligon8670@aol.com (If you would like to have the Mason Dem's newsletter emailed to you, send Walt an email and tell him you'd like to be added to their list.)

The Mason County Dems also have a couple of candidates that are running for local offices in 2008. Norma Muyskens is running as their Democratic candidate for County Commisioner in Mason County's 6th County Commisioner District and Jeff Fiers is running for Sheriff. I know Norma personally and she is an absolutely fantastic lady. She's been preparing for her campaign since last summer and with some help, I think she can win.

The Mason County Dems are trying to raise money to open a County Party Headquarters for the upcoming campaign season and they've come up with a rather original fundraising idea. It's kind of complicated, so I'll just let the Mason County Dems explain their fundraising plan to you in their own words....: