Richard Renner for Missaukee County Commissioner (Michigan)

Background:

I have been a progressive, pro-labor, Democratic activist for over 20 years, serving in virtually every position from Campaign Manager to regular volunteer, plus numerous party leadership positions. I have managed six campaigns for public office, winning five, defeating incumbents each time. I served two years as an aide to Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, helping our Veterans deal with the V.A., and representing the Congressman at meetings and events.

Goals:

I believe in fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and I want to restore integrity to the office of County Commissioner for my district. I want to find alternative funding sources for certain programs that were cut last fall, especially our County Recycling Center. In addition, I am interested in establishing a Citizens Rights Commission, the first of its kind in rural northern Michigan.

Issues:

Fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and restoring integrity to the office of County Commissioner for my district.

Grassroots Support:

I have commitments from over eight friends and neighbors to help with preparing mailings and making GOTV phone calls. However, campaigns cost money, and I am just a financially challenged college student. I need to raise at least $3,000 to pay for things like printing, postage, gas for going door-to-door, yard signs, and more. To make a secure, online contribution using PayPal, please click on the following link...

Contribute to change in Northern Michigan

For more information, contact me at 231/229-2505, or at rrenner@core.com.

DFA Values:

I am Chairperson of the Social Concerns Committee at my church, which works on human rights issues. We have worked on campaigns to Save Darfur, Free Tibet, Free the Panchen Lama, and encourage Steven Spielberg to resign his position as Artisitic Director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I am also a Member at Large of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, which works on reforming our juvenile justice system. I am involved in Democracy for America, the Genocide Intervention Network, Human Rights First, Human Rights in China, and more.

I believe in fiscal responsibility. We need to find alternative funding sources for services that have been cut, including grants from the state and federal governments, as well as private organizations. The taxpayers of Missaukee County have made it clear that they will not support an increase in property taxes, especially in our current economic situation of rising energy prices, rising unemployment, falling property values, stagnant or falling wages, and the deepening credit crisis.