Weekly Update

[John Helge]

MANISTEE COUNTY DEMOCRATS:

Well, I thought the first full week of 2026 would be routine and uneventful, but boy, was I WRONG! 

The neo-fascist regime in Washington led by a madman, this week proved that nothing will be routine and uneventful!  Over 130 people who care about others gathered for a candlelight vigil around the city Christmas tree on Saturday night to remember and grieve together for Renee Nichole Good who has shot and killed by one of the masked thugs terrorizing the streets of Minneapolis and other US cities.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras that enable us to see what really happened rather than rely on the Orwellian propaganda from the blatant liars destroying the last vestiges of trust we may have in our federal government.  

Fortunately, the American people are showing that we are better and stronger by standing up to this corrupt authoritarianism to preserve our representative democracy.  We have good candidates who are working hard listening to voters and earning your trust and support to change what is not happening in Washington or Lansing.  This week there will be a couple of opportunities for you to meet some of them and start to educate yourself on who will best represent you and your family in our national and state governments. 

On Monday, January 12 at 6:30pm in the West Shore Community College building on River Street in downtown Manistee, you can join the newly organized Manistee Indivisible group.  These determined activists will be learning best practices for community organizing and mutual aid from experienced experts from the nationwide Indivisible USA organization at this meeting.

On Thursday, January 15 from 3-5pm you will have the opportunity to meet and greet two hard working candidates at the Manistee County Democratic Party office at 319 River Street (across from the Blue Fish Restaurant).  Jamie Hill is running to be our US Representative in Washington.  Rebecca Amidon is running a strong campaign for Michigan state senate.  They are both looking forward to hearing from Manistee County voters how they can help them meet or exceed their expectations as your elected representatives.  

Also, on Thursday, January 15 at 7pm these two candidates will be joined live and in person by Rachel Howard, who is running to be our next US Senator and Agogho Edevbie who is a candidate for Michigan Secretary of State.  This meeting will be in the West Shore Community College building on River Street in downtown Manistee.  If you are not able to join in person you can join via this ZOOM link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82788228351?pwd=Tzd3SjhHMWQvZW54UnhIMlBpQmh0UT09

If you are wondering where and when there will be other opportunities to get involved or get engaged, we invite you to check out our website using this link: https://www.manisteecountydemocrats.us/

John M. Helge

johnm...@gmail.com

616-915-2403