This & That: The Guv, Gotion, Elections & Shoes

By Ken De Laat 

What's the first thing someone with presidential aspirations does to test the waters before diving in?
Why, write a book of course. An autobiographical account of your journey in becoming who you are intermingled with brilliant ideas and concepts for a brighter America.
Since back in 1824 when Andrew Jackson commissioned a biographical account that described him in close to saint-like terms,candidates for the high office have turned to the quill, the fountain pen, the typewriter and finally the keyboard to put their thoughts (and more importantly their name) out there for public consumption. Truth be told few of these stirring offerings are written by the subjects themselves and fewer are read by buyers. But somehow it’s a necessary step in the process.
Well, I guess regardless of how our upcoming rematch, sometimes referred to as a geriatric joust, goes this November, one of the first shots have been fired for 2028.
Simon and Schuster announced this past week that True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between will be published in July.
Part of the release read “In this candid and inspiring book, Whitmer reveals the principles and instincts that have shaped her extraordinary career, from her early days as a lawyer and legislator and her 2018 election as governor of Michigan, to her bold and innovative actions leading her state through a series of unprecedented disasters. Her motto in politics, she writes, is to ‘get shit done.’ “
Whether you are a fan of the Guv or not, make no doubt about whether her political aspirations lie beyond 2027 when she reaches her term limit as Michigan’s Top Dog.
The upcoming book might be a compelling read or it might be a snoozer but one thing is for certain.
It is most definitely a sign of things to come.

Perhaps in response to some pushback on their upcoming Mecosta County facility, it looks like the Gotion folks have begun bringing their case to the public with a series of Chats With Chuck, a virtual town hall meeting where citizens can bring their questions and concerns. Gotion VP Chuck Thelen fielded these during the first session on April 8. 
Then he showed up at the April 9th Green Township meeting and attempted to put to rest some rumors and inaccurate information during public comment
Stay tuned. There is a lot of outside interest in this one.
And kudos to reporter Cathie Crew and the BR Pioneer for the ongoing coverage.

May 7th is the recall election for the 2 current members of the board and a pair of challengers for their seats. N3 will be sending out a series of questions for the candidates and hope to post the results soon.

In a couple weeks or so the deadline for filing to run for office will arrive and we will know who all the candidates for the August Primary might be. Thus far we see there are 2 for Sheriff, a trio for Drain Commish, and a pair for State Rep.

Oh and speaking of state rep stuff, last October our guy in Lansing Joseph Fox was part of the Freedom Caucus folks who filed a suit against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Jonathan Brater, the State’s elections director.  The 11 legislators sought to challenge the constitutionality of Michigan’s voter-initiated amendments to the state constitution as the process applies to election laws impacting federal elections.  Specifically, they attempted to challenge Proposal 3 of 2018 and Proposal 2 of 2022.
​Today, Federal Judge Jane Beckering of the Western District of Michigan granted Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s motion to dismiss citing the clear case law that demonstrates legislators do not have standing to bring a lawsuit as individual legislators.
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And for those who find such things important there has been a plethora of shoe sightings including one just east of Bingham on 72, a lone sole on the bridge over Penoyer Creek, and 2 sightings on the way to Grand Rapids that I pointed out to a less than enthusiastic LSC Lil just the other day.
Begs the question…
What does it mean?