by Kyle Feldscher | The Bay City Times

Allison Hartley worked for General Motors for eight years in three different plants before she was permanently laid off from the Bay City GM Powertrain Plant earlier this year. Hartley, a 29-year-old Bay City resident, said the company sent her to different plants as they outsourced her position.

Now, with no permanent income to support her family, including a 10-year-old son, Hartley is contemplating how to put food on the table.

"I'm not sure what the future holds," Hartley told a crowd of about 60 people Tuesday evening at the "Keep It Made In America" Bus Tour Rally at the UAW Local 362 hall, 4427 E. Wilder Road. "I hear something new every day, it's hard to say what I'm going to do with the rest of my life."

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Good afternoon,

You are receiving this email because you signed up at WhiteHouse.gov. My staff and I plan to use these messages as a way to directly communicate about important issues and opportunities, and today I have some encouraging updates about health care reform.

The Vice President and I just met with leaders from the House of Representatives and received their commitment to pass a comprehensive health care reform bill by July 31.

We also have an unprecedented commitment from health care industry leaders, many of whom opposed health reform in the past. Monday, I met with some of these health care stakeholders, and they pledged to do their part to reduce the health care spending growth rate, saving more than two trillion dollars over the next ten years -- around $2,500 for each American family. Then on Tuesday, leaders from some of America's top companies came to the White House to showcase innovative ways to reduce health care costs by improving the health of their workers.

Now the House and Senate are beginning a critical debate that will determine the health of our nation's economy and its families. This process should be transparent and inclusive and its product must drive down costs, assure quality and affordable health care for everyone, and guarantee all of us a choice of doctors and plans.

Reforming health care should also involve you. Think of other people who may want to stay up to date on health care reform and other national issues and tell them to join us here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates

Health care reform can't come soon enough. We spend more on health care than any country, but families continue to struggle with skyrocketing premiums and nearly 46 million are without insurance entirely. It is a priority for the American people and a pillar of the new foundation we are seeking to build for our economy.

We'll continue to keep you posted about this and other important issues.

Thank you,
Barack Obama

P.S. If you'd like to get more in-depth information about health reform and how you can participate, be sure to visit http://www.HealthReform.gov.

Bay County Democratic Party member and former Bay City Mayor, Mike Buda, has been named the Regional Coordinator for Lt. Governor John Cherry's possible run for governor in 2010. "We need a governor who will listen to the people," Buda said in a news release. "John Cherry is that person."

Jocelyn Benson, a candidate for Secretary of State, has named County Commissioner Don Tilley as the Bay County Coordinator for her campaign. Jocelyn recently visited Bay City during our annual Spring Fling.

For more information on her campaign or to get involved, please visit her campaign website.

Date/Time
May 16, 2009 - 10:00AM start

Location
Bay City State Recreation Area, 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City, MI

Directions
North of Bay City, take I-75, beaver Rd. exit #168, east 5 miles to park.

Entry Fee
 $10w/out shirt, $25 w/shirt, $5 Kids run no shirt 1/4 mile, medals to all participants.

Entries
Please make checks payable to: Friends of BCSRA/Wellness

All proceeds will be donated for beach grooming!

For more information or to participate, please fill out the registration form below and send it in.

Registration Form
File Size:	21 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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To volunteer at this event, please fill out the following form. Thanks for your support!

Volunteer Form
File Size:	37 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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The BCYD's will sponsor a food drive during the next three BCDP meetings in May, June, and July. All members attending the meetings are encouraged to bring canned food or non-perishable items to donate. All items will be donated to the local food pantry to be used for the citizens of Bay County. Thanks for your support!

During last weeks regular monthly meeting, the BCYD's decided to launch their next big project. They will begin non-partisan voter registration drives throughout most of the public high schools in Bay County. Dates have already been set for two area high schools. The drive for Pinconning High School will take place on May 8th and Bay City Central's will take place on May 12th. All young dems who are interested in helping out during any of the registration dates should contact the YD Chair, Spencer Tobias, by email at youngdems@baycountydems.org.

UPDATE 5-5-09: A voter registration drive has been scheduled for Thursday, May 7th at Garber High School. Registration will take place from 9:30am - 12:30pm. Any YD volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the late notice!