In this June newsletter:
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A Message from the Chairwoman
- 14th District Elected State Committee Members Represent You
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Notable Announcements
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Epstein Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate
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Chaldean Community needs our Help
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Democrat Rep. Brenda Lawrence “Votes for Us” in Washington
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Ladies CPL Event a Huge Success
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Freedom of Speech at the University of Michigan
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Trending News Links
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District Executive Committeeman Profile: Bill Belcher
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Reminder About Membership
A Message from the Chairwoman
Dear 14th District Executive Committee Members, and fellow Republicans;
NEXT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 14
At our May 18 meeting of the 14th District we decided to cancel the June meeting. Due to the recent intense period of political activity and the intense period of re-elections we face in 2018, we agreed that taking a well deserved summer break was in order. With this decision, our next scheduled 14th District meeting will be September 14. Please plan to meet with your committee a few times between now and September 14.
We sold thirty eight meals (at $12 each) at our May 18 meeting at Prime 10 (a Kosher restaurant). Forty eight Republicans attended the meeting. As we had committed to purchase forty meals, the 14th District paid the balance due (a total of $24) that was owed as part of our commitment. Thank you to those who attended and supported the meal purchase program. As you know, through our internal survey, the 14th District Committee chose to meet at a restaurant where meals would be available for those coming directly from work. To secure a free venue, you may also recall we had to commit to purchase forty meals per meeting. As the Prime 10 venue seems to be convenient we intend to secure it for future meetings. So help out by planning to purchase a meal at the next meeting! Thank you in advance for your understanding and support in this matter.
The May 2017 MRP State Committee meetings were held just a few weeks ago in Lansing. Those attending heard the message that there is much to do between now and the 2018 election cycle. We will work to re-elect Republicans for Governor, Lt.Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, numerous Michigan House and Senate seats, fourteen U.S. Congress seats, a U.S. Senate seat and numerous city elections. Our challenge is immense and yet is do-able.
As we hear about campaigns and candidates of interest to the 14th District we will publicize as many as we can in this newsletter. Please help us by passing along information to me about the many races that will be held in the 14th District.
At our May 18 District meeting we had two politicians speak who are in the middle of the election mix. First, Representative Klint Kesto (R - District 39) spoke about issues he is pursuing as Chair the House Judiciary Committee. Representative Kesto is term limited in 2018, so his State House seat will be open. Kesto has not announced his future intentions. We also had Speaker of the House, Tom Leonard (R - District 93), talk about a variety of topics from income tax reform, teacher retirement pension reform, American Laws for American courts and term limits. Speaker Leonard is also term limited in 2018 and, like Representative Kesto, he will likely be seeking another elected office - so we can look forward to hearing more from them.
We will hear many more announcements in the months ahead as candidates communicate their message and seek our support.
The 14th District has discussed how we, as leaders, need to spread the word about conservative principles of the Republican Party. There are many ways to effectively leverage your time to do this. Speaking at community events is one way and another is to write an op-ed piece for your local news service. Two of our 14th District friends did that latter one! We are so blessed to have such thoughtful and energetic Republicans in the 14th! See what Eugene Greenstein and Grant Strobl did by reading their work below.
One of the more visible and popular events in the 14th District is the annual Walk for Israel held at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. This year was no different. Those attending had to listen to Senator Gary Peters talk about the Democrat’s “strong support” of Israel, when for the last eight years the Democrats have ignored the State of Israel. A record number of Republican enthusiasts participated and proudly Walked for Israel.
Part of the GOP participants at Walk for Israel 2017
Father’s Day is June 18. This is a special day set aside to remember and honor dear old dad. Whether it is a BBQ, a card, a quiet conversation, or a prayer, most fathers played a huge role in making us who we are today.
Happy Father’s Day to our very special dads! We thank you for your support, love and role that you played in our lives.
Next 14th CD Meeting: September 14 at 6:00 p.m. for dinner/networking
Meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
Meeting location - Prime 10 (Kosher Restaurant) Banquet Room
15600 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI. 48075
JOIN US!
Enjoy Your Summer !!!
All Republicans are welcome to attend this open meeting in September! Please join us with your ideas, energy and help us grow!
Warm regards and honored to serve,
Janine Kateff
14th District Chairwoman
email - [email protected]
“Like Us” on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/mi14gop
Website - 14cd.com
twitter - https://twitter.com/
586 917 6118
14th District Elected State Committee Members Represent You
Member/Committee May 12 & 13 meeting Report to 14th
Tom Isaac - Policy Attended X
Matt Seely - EDO (Election Day Operations) Attended X
Robert Oestreich - Unity Committee Attended X
Christina Barr - Voter ID/ Precinct Delegates Attended -
Donzelle Green - Budget Absent - No Proxy -
Jennifer Oram - Fundraising Absent - No Proxy -
Notable Announcements
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June 1: Farmington Area Republican (FAR) meeting, 7 p.m.- FH City Hall featuring Senator Patrick Colbeck (R - District 7) http://www.senatorpatrickcolbeck.com/
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June 1: 14th District Wayne County Republicans meeting at Ewald Library 15175 E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park - doors open at 7:00 p.m.
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June 3: Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership (FACL) training in Troy Learn how to be a great activist - register here https://www.faclevents.org/component/vikevents/?task=viewevent&itid=453
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June 6: Racial Unity Summit at Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit at 7 p.m. co-sponsored by Republican activists offers an honest panel discussion about racial issues and politics that will affect our community
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June 12: Lakes Area Tea Party meeting featuring Craig Mauger of Michigan Campaign Finance Network at Big Tommy’s Parthenon at 40380 Grand River Ave, Novi, 6:30 p.m.; Topic - “Following the Money” in politics. Also MI Rep. Jim Runestad (R - District 44) will provide a legislative update.
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June 15: CANCELLED - 14th District Meeting; next meeting will be in September 14.
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June 17: Republican Garden Cocktail Party held poolside at a private residence features live entertainment and more; register here https://www.michiganconservativecoalition.com/garden-cocktail-party
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June 18: Father’s Day
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June 19: Oakland County Republican Party 128th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner featuring author David Horowitz - NY Times bestseller “Big Agenda”- register here https://causes.anedot.com/2017lincolndaydinner
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June 25: Eastside Republican Club Family Fun Picnic at Patterson Park 16006 Essex, Grosse Pointe Park - free, but must RSVP to Peggy at 313-505-3646 or here https://www.facebook.com/events/1912158479054604
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June 26: Detroit/Windsor International “Ford Fireworks”; learn more here https://michiganfireworks.com/events/detroit-fireworks/
Epstein Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate
Lena Epstein, who many of us met when she served as Co-chair for Donald J. Trump, has announced her intention to defeat long time Democrat Senator Debbie Stabenow and win a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Lena is a millennial, automotive-industry businesswoman, community leader and national recognized conservative. She is a third-generation co-owner of Southfield-based Vesco Oil Corporation, one of the largest distributors of automotive and industrial lubricants and supporting services in the country. Vesco is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) with more than 200 employees. She regularly appears on national and local media where she speaks in favor of Trump’s “America First” policies.
Lena released a website with a video at www.LenaForSenate.com. We are so proud that Lena has come forward to win this important national position. Go Lena!
Chairwoman Kateff with Lena Epstein, candidate for U.S. Senate
Chaldean Community Needs Our Help
Eugene Greenstein, a long time Republican activist and immediate past president of the Zionist Organization of America - Michigan Region, had the following op-ed published in the Jewish News. The op-ed piece points out similarities between Jewish persecution and the unconscionable Chaldean (Christian) genocide happening now in the middle east. Eugene’s views appeared in the May 11, 2017 Jewish News and the op-ed may be read in its entirety below:
Democrat Rep. Brenda Lawrence “Votes for Us” in Washington
Your Democratic 14th Congressional District U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence has been busy in Washington, D.C. Here is a recap of several of her recent and shocking votes. Her role in supporting the Democrat Party line and not Michigan values can be seen very clearly here. Her votes are often like this: think of a logical idea and then vote the opposite way. After reading of her positions, please call her office at 202-225-5802:
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HB 998 passed 240 to 185 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This created a commission to review federal rules to be repealed. The commission will first look at rules older than 15 years that also impose a high cost to comply. After the commission suggests a rule be repealed it could be done with a joint Congressional resolution. Any agency proposing a new rule would be mandated to offset that new rule by eliminating a rule recommended for such action by the commission.
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HB 1009 passed 241 to 184 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This placed in statute an Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) that will review proposed regulations with an annual estimated cost to the economy of over $100 million. Agencies must change their regulation to comply with OIRA’s suggestions. Agencies subject to OIRA scope include the Consumer FInance Protection Bureau.
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HB 985 passed 220 to 201 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This would prohibit lawyers from bringing class action lawsuits unless the individuals in the lawsuit have suffered the same type and scope of injury. This also mandates that lawyers get paid after VICTIMS collect damage awards. Guess in Brenda’s World lawyers come first. Who has a better lobby? VIctims or Lawyers. Just sayin’..........
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HB 720 passed 230 to 188. Lawrence? She was not available to vote on our behalf. This requires judges to impose sanctions on persons (a/k/a lawyers) who file lawsuits in federal courts that are not based on law or fact. (N.B. Should filing a suit always be based on law or facts?) Currently, federal judges may, but are not required to, impose sanctions. Yet again, who has better lobbyists? Lawyers would be the best guess.
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HB 1101 passed 236 to 175 with Lawrence……..not voting. This allows small businesses to form associations to form healthcare plans that operate across state lines and would be exempt from regulations governing health insurance companies.
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House Resolution 228 passed 230 to 194 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This legislation would repeal and replace provisions of Obamacare.
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HB 1259 passed 237 to 178 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This establishes a process to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to more easily remove employees based on misconduct and to suspend, admonish or reprimand such employees. Who could be for that? Does Lawrence dislike our vets?
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HB 1430 passed 228 to 194 with Lawrence voting AGAINST. This mandates that the EPA use the “best available science standards” prior to issuing standards. Really? Our Representative is against this idea? What standard should be used? Political?
Ladies CPL Event a Huge Success
The “Ladies Night Firearm Safety and Proficiency” class was SOLD OUT.
Special thanks to 14th District State Committeeman Robert Oestreich and his wife Debbie who spearheaded our first fundraiser for this two year cycle. This very successful event was Second Amendment focused and was held at Firing Line Indoor Gun Range. Attendees ranged from experienced CPL weapons owners to beginners who came out to learn the basics.
With a “packed house” the ladies learned basic skills from Michigan IDPA State Champ for 10 years Robin Boruta. After learning basic skills, and a question and answer period, there was time at the firing range to highlight what was learned. The evening ended with each lady taking home their target and wearing a big smile (for some after successfully firing a gun for the first time).
Special thanks to Instructor Robin, Firing Line Indoor Range (www.firinglineguns.com) and each woman who attended this fundraiser.
Quotes from various participants at this event:
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“Not what I expected – so much more!”
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“Wow, I’ve taken classes from other highly regarded teachers locally and I’ve learned so much more tonight.”
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“When is the next Ladies Night?”
Sold Out Ladies Night Crowd Learns About Gun Safety & Proficiency
Freedom of Speech at the University of Michigan
Grant Strobl, a two term elected member of our 14th District Committee, is Chairman of the National Young American’s for Freedom. As Chair of YAF he is frequently tossed into the middle of campus (lack of) free speech issues such as the recent Ann Coulter flap at U of California - Berkeley.
Grant wrote an op-ed piece about free speech issues at the University of Michigan which recently appeared in the Detroit News. Click here to read the entire op-ed.
Strobl, who is a senior at Michigan, says that there is much more to hear about free speech issue Michigan, but op-ed word length limitations capped his enthusiasm. So stay tuned!
14th District Meeting Dates Set for 2017
14th District Executive Committee meeting dates have been set for 2017. That said, at the May meeting of the Executive Committee one important change was made to the meeting calendar (as noted in the Chairwoman’s letter above). The June meeting has been cancelled.
Generally meetings will be on the third Thursday of each month, however, prior to each meeting we send out a “Call to Meeting” announcement with specific details. Dates set are as follows so please mark your calendar and plan to attend:
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NO MEETING FOR JUNE, JULY OR AUGUST (committee meetings will continue as scheduled by each committee chair)
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September 14 (Note: The MIGOP Mackinac Conference begins on the third Thursday so this meeting date is the second Thursday which is a change.)
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October 19
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November 16
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December 14 - Christmas/Hanukkah Party
Trending News Links
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Sistine Chapel (The Pope’s Choir) Choir to perform in Detroit for first time
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When can the President use our military without Congressional consent
Executive Committeeman Profile: Bill Belcher
Bill Belcher was raised in the Democratic City of Garden City in a Democratic household. His father thought FDR saved the world.
But the son soon saw things differently. Belcher’s tour of duty in the Air Force, when John Kennedy ran against Richard Nixon, convinced him that he was a Republican.
“When you are in the military you study world politics because it affects where you might be next week,” Belcher said. “I was exposed to people from all over the country, and heard different views from what I had grown up with.”
Returning from his tour, Belcher went into the real estate and mortgage business for the next 40 years and at one time owned and operated two real estate offices. But it took his nascent Republicanism a while before it manifested itself.
His community involvement during the 1970s included serving on a number of boards and commissions. He spent five years as chair the Garden City Tax Board of Review and later headed the campaign for a multi-million-dollar school bond issue. He was elected to three terms on the Garden City Council. It was on this path working with planning commissions, zoning boards and elected officials where Belcher learned the difference between conservative and liberal values and became a lifelong conservative Republican.
“Progressives tend to punish people in order to get them to do what they want them to do, while conservatives tend to reward people to get them to do what they want them to do,” Belcher observed.
Belcher is a past president of the Garden City Jaycees. He said the Jaycees became the focal point of his activities for many years, giving him the opportunity to work “with some great conservatives like Dick Headlee and on many local and state elections, such as working door-to-door for Patrick Duggan running for municipal judge.” Patrick Duggan is Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s father.
Now 76, Belcher said he was elected precinct delegate as he became more active 10 years ago.
“I was throwing too many shoes at the TV,” he said, explaining the motivation for his involvement.
Belcher served as campaign manager for State Representative Bill Keith, who represented Garden City, Inkster and a portion of Westland from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1993 and 1994. Belcher moved to Farmington Hills about 20 years ago and since then has served as manager of volunteers for Rocky Raczkowski’s 2010 Congressional campaign and campaign manager for Raczkowski’s 2014 State Senate bid.
He currently serves as president of FAR (Farmington Area Republicans) and is a long-time executive committee member of the Oakland County Republican Party. He served as co-chair of the old 9th Congressional District and as community caucus chair at Oakland County conventions.
Belcher said that in the 14th District, the party should “reach out to like-minded people to get them to vote their values rather than their parties. We need to show them we are not just a bunch of old white people, but that we think a lot like they think.”
Bill has three successful sons and six grandchildren.
Reminder About Membership
Are you a member of the Republican 14th Congressional District? Member of the Republican Committee? Snail Mail your $25 membership check to Treasurer Chris Konja, 6575 Stonebridge E., West Bloomfield, MI. 48324.(payable to the 14th District)
Or you can become a member or renew your membership online -https://mi14gop.nationbuilder.com/donation. Your dues and other fundraising activities support Republican candidates and organizations in the 14th Congressional District.
