4/17/13 - An upcoming protest in Genoa Township is being viewed by union supporters and local Democrats as an opportunity to remind Governor Rick Snyder that not everyone in Michigan agrees with his policies, tax increases and what they call his "assault" on public education. Governor Snyder will be the keynote speaker during the Livingston County Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday while Senator Joe Hune will emcee the event. The Livingston County Democratic Party is teaming up with organizations including the Michigan Education Association and Citizens Against Government Overreach to organize a protest of Snyderâs appearance. Chairwoman Judy Daubenmier tells WHMI theyâre hoping for a good crowd and the protest is meant to show the Governor that there are people who oppose the actions of his administration even in conservative areas like Livingston County. The Howell Education Association represents teachers in that district and President Jay McDowell says the Governor needs to fully fund education and return it to the level it was when he first took office. He says he's sure many HEA members will be involved as they feel directly attacked by Joe Hune and the law he claims was written with former board president Debbie Drick and current board member Mike Moloney he says takes away the ability of the school board to represent the people of Howell. Drick and Moloney have denied helping to author the bill, although they were the only two individuals to testify in its favor during legislative hearings. The bill, which was signed into law by Governor Snyder, prevents school board members from voting on contracts in which an immediate family member is involved. In Howell, current board President Mike Witt and his wife, Secretary Kim Witt were unable to vote for a recent teacher contract proposal as Mrs. Witt's sister is a teacher in the district. The Lincoln Day dinner will be taking place at Crystal Gardens banquet center and protestors are encouraged to meet at the Howell MEA office at 4pm, where shuttles will be offered beginning at 4:45pm. Details can be found through the link below. Meanwhile, information about dinner can be found in the events section to the right of our webpage. (JM/JK)
↧