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Alma Wheeler Smith
From the Ann Arbor News:

State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, the long-time Ypsilanti-area Democrat, has announced that she is running for governor, according to a news release sent to The Ann Arbor News.

"Michigan is at a critical crossroads and it is going to take legislative knowledge, political savvy and a lot of hard work to make sure we emerge from this recession a stronger, economically diverse and dynamic State," Wheeler Smith wrote on her campaign Web site, almaformichigan.com.
 
 

To the editor:              
Nolan Finley's column about the 2010 gubernatorial election ignores critical facts concerning that election. Elections are about choices between candidates and Finley failed to analyze the deeply flawed GOP field. In alphabetical order, here are some examples of those flaws:  

  • Michael Bouchard: a landslide loser statewide in 2006, he is dogged by allegations of a pay to play system of contracts for political contributions in the OaklandCounty sheriff's department.
  • David Brandon: the CEO of Domino's, the company featured in an infamous YouTube video in which employees do disgusting things to the food. This is good management?
  • Mike Cox: chose a strange way to admit infidelity and he may have covered up the infamous ManoogianMansion party.
  • Pete Hoekstra: a staunch supporter of George Bush's policies which have devastated Michigan.
  • Terri Land: has so badly managed the Department of State that a recent Auditor General's report found that cash could be stolen at branch offices and that tens of thousands of drivers have been charged the wrong vehicle registration fees.
  •  Rick Snyder: Gateway, the company Snyder cites to demonstrate his business experience, outsourced thousands of American jobs to Communist China while he was a director of the company.
  Democrats have just started our research on these candidates, but it is clear already that any of the Democratic candidates for governor in 2010 is a far better choice than these Republicans. We are looking forward to the 2010 governor's race.  

Mark Brewer
Chair Michigan Democratic Party

 
 

As Reported in the Bay City Times

Governmental meetings in Bay County for the week of June 8:

MONDAY
- Bay City Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees, 1:30 p.m., Room 306, City Hall, 301 Washington Ave. Highlights: special meeting with closed session to discuss disability pension.

- Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health Facilities Committee, 5 p.m., Behavioral Health Center, 201 Mulholland.

- Beaver Township Board of Trustees, 6 p.m., township hall, 1850 Garfield.

- Fraser Township Board, 7 p.m., township hall, 1474 N. Mackinaw.

- Hampton Township Board, 4 p.m., township hall, 801 W. Center.

- Kawkawlin Township Board, 7 p.m., township hall, 1836 E. Parish.

- Monitor Township Board, 7 p.m., township hall, 2483 E. Midland.

TUESDAY
- Bay County Board of Commissioners, 4 p.m., County Building, 515 Center.
Highlights: Bay Cast seeking tax breaks on $530,000 investment.

- Bangor Township Board, 7 p.m., township administration building, 180 State Park.

- Merritt Township Board, 7:30 p.m., township hall, 48 E. Munger.

- Mount Forest Township Board, 7 p.m., township hall, 1705 W. Cody Estey.

- Pinconning Township Board, 4 p.m., township hall, 1751 E. Cody Estey.

- Williams Township Board, 7 p.m., township hall, 1080 W. Midland.

- Essexville City Council, 7 p.m., city hall, 1107 Woodside.

WEDNESDAY
- Hampton Township Downtown Development Authority, 1 p.m., township hall, 810 W. Center.

- Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health Finance Committee, 2:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Center, 201 Mulholland.

THURSDAY
- Portsmouth Township Planning and Zoning, 7 p.m., township hall, 1711 W. Cass.

- Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health Program Committee, 5 p.m., Behavioral Health Center, 201 Mulholland.

- Bay City Finance and Policy Committee, 6:30 p.m., Room 306, City Hall, 301 Washington. Highlights: discussion of general fund budget; meeting date changed from June 8.

 
 

Today the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee made Judge Sonia Sotomayor's questionnaire available online. You can view it by clicking here. Please note, you must have Adobe Reader to view this document, because it is a PDF file.

For more information about Judge Sotomayor and the confirmation process, click here.

 
 

In case you missed the first part of Inside the Obama White House on NBC last night, I posted it below. You can also find an interactive White House map on the MSNBC website.

You can view more videos from this series by following this link.