Opportunities This Week!

[John Helge]

Manistee County Democrats:

The wheels are starting to come off the corrupt regime in Washington with new allegations that the current president of the USA is a participant in child sex trafficking and long-time supporters starting to look for ways to leave the sinking ship of chaos, corruption, and cruelty.  The government shutdown may be over, but the pain of increased costs will hit hard when we are confronted with our new healthcare insurance premiums and the totals at the grocery checkout line.  

Many of us in Manistee County found ways last week to be engaged and active by participating in our local League of Women Voters Community Conversation about freedom of speech and due process.  We distributed over 8000 lbs. of food from the Feeding America food truck.  New volunteers delivered Meals on Wheels and helped serve lunch at the Senior Center. 

Here are some new opportunities for you to get involved and get informed this coming week!

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH DICK ALBEE

Every Wednesday from 1-3pm drop in to the Manistee County Dems office at 319 River Street to join the political discussion on a number of topics.  Bring your ideas, your concerns, and your frustrations and share them with others as we work together to develop a plan of action for the future.  

RANKED CHOICE VOTING!

Wednesday November 19^th at 6pm in the West Shore Community College building on River Street in downtown Manistee there will be an information meeting on ranked choice voting.  Representatives from RankMIVote.Org will be present to demonstrate the ranked choice voting process and to answer your questions about this ballot initiative.  They believe that this will enable us all to vote our hopes rather than voting our fears!  Plan to come and become more informed about this unique opportunity to make our democracy more inclusive.  

PEOPLE'S TOWN HALL MEETING

Thursday November 20th at 6pm at the Bovee University Center on the Central Michigan University campus in Mt Pleasant there will be a People's Town Hall moderated by Michigan Democratic Party Chairperson Curtis Hertel.  Michigan State Representative Betsy Coffia will also be featured. Those attending will have the chance to express their concerns, anger, disappointment, and frustration with what is happening in Washington and the lack of leadership from our incumbent Congressman.  Candidates who have filed to  defeat the incumbent will also be there to listen and learn about your issues and concerns.   

RURAL HEALTHCARE FORUM

Saturday November 22^nd at 1pm in the West Shore Community College building on River Street in downtown Manistee there will be an informational forum on Rural Healthcare Issues featuring a panel of local subject matter experts who can help us all understand the impact of Medicaid cuts and loss of subsidies to the Affordable Care Act.  We have invited our US Congressperson and our local/regional elected officials to attend and listen to your concerns.  Several candidates for US Congress have also committed to attend to hear your issues and share their thoughts and policy positions.  

CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST CHANNEL!

Do you have a favorite video podcast that you watch as often as possible to learn more about things that interest you?  If you are interested in learning more about what is going on in Manistee County, we recommend you check out our Politics Is Local podcast using this link to our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbuhKD9keWvVS-AQC4N2WUgCBtcCru9sV

We welcome your feedback and recommendations on future subjects and how we can improve our efforts to get the word out to more residents of Manistee County.  

FEEDING AMERICA FOOD TRUCK NEEDS $$

The loss of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown will put a huge strain on local foodbanks.  Even after the shutdown the funding for SNAP has been cut severely to pay for the Big Billionaire Bailout Bill.  The Manistee Friendship Society will need to raise $20,000 to fund the monthly Feeding America Food Truck that delivers 10,000 lbs. of groceries to over 400 food insecure families in Manistee County.  They also maintain a food pantry for their clients who are challenged with mental and physical disabilities. Please consider making a donation to the Manistee County Friendship Society so they can continue this important service in Manistee County in 2026.  You can learn more about them on their website: https://manisteefriendshipsociety.org/ or phone them at 231-398-0434 or 231-655-3278.  

STOP BY AND SIGN THE PETITIONS!

Stop by the Manistee County Dems River Street office to sign the petitions to put Ranked Choice Voting (Bring Ranked Choice Voting to Michigan | Rank MI Vote), Money Out of Politics (Home - Mop Up Michigan), and Invest in MI Kids ( Putting Kids First. Building a Stronger Michigan for Everyone.) on the 2026 ballot. 

RIVER STREET OFFICE IS OPEN DURING THE WINTER!

We want to remain highly visible to voters, residents, and visitors in Manistee County.  Due to the success we have enjoyed this summer and fall we have made the commitment to remain open through the winter.  This will provide people in our community with a safe place to gather, discuss concerns, and find ways to help solve problems.  We are open from 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday.  Closed on Sunday and Monday. 

We will need to find additional funding to support this commitment and we hope those who receive this email will be able to step up and contribute.  We make it easy to donate using this link: Donations 

John M. Helge

johnm...@gmail.com

616-915-2403