West Michigan business leaders met with presidential candidate Mitt Romney yesterday evening and complained about unions and the requirement that workers be paid prevailing wages on public works. The problem, of course, is that unions get in the way of businesses dictating the terms of employer-employee contracts, and that prevailing wage law doesn’t allow construction companies to underpay their workers on state projects.

But Mr. Romney, who supports right to work laws, assured those in attendance that it was his mission to relieve businesses of this oppression, and let his dim view of unions be known. “Unions ask for too much and you end up killing the company,” he said.

What ought to be surprising, but isn’t, is that Mr. Romney was speaking to a group that, if you asked them, would presumably say they support free enterprise. But getting rid of the prevailing wage law, and making Michigan a right-to-work state, would be quite the opposite of that.

The prevailing wage law is essentially the state telling contractors that it does not want to enter into contracts with companies that will not be paying their workers at a certain level. Now free enterprise means freedom of contract, and freedom of contract means that parties can enter or not enter into contracts as they choose. But the prevailing wage law is no more than the people of the State of Michigan setting a condition for entering into contracts. Are opponents of the prevailing wage law saying that the state shouldn’t be allowed to set such a condition?

As for right-to-work legislation, that is, in spite of its name, actually a restriction on the freedom of contract. Under current Michigan law a business and a union can enter into a contract wherein the business agrees that a certain segment of its workforce will be members of the union. But a right-to-work law would prohibit such contract provisions. That isn’t free enterprise, that’s direct government interference in contract negotiations between two private entities.

So when someone, especially a politician, says that he supports free enterprise, he has made a claim that should not go unexamined.  Sometimes words have meaning, and sometimes they don’t.

–Jack Quirk

Local First launched an Online Holiday Auction today. The event runs Nov. 23, to encourage awareness of what local businesses have to offer to holiday shoppers.

Each week the auction will have featured items to highlight some of the unique gifts available from local retailers. The auction web site is located at http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=localfirst

LAKE MICHIGAN – A partial retaining bluff collapse Monday at the We Energies Oak Creek Power Plant in Wisconsin sent toxic coal ash spewing into Lake Michigan. This collapse comes just weeks after the U.S. House voted to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from protecting Americans from coal ash.

In response, Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign issued the following statement:

“The EPA has been trying to enact national protections to stop this kind of disastrous spill from happening again, ever since the TVA disaster in 2008, and our Congress has been blocking them every step of the way. As a result, communities across the nation remain at risk and unprotected. This spill in the Great Lakes is a tragic reminder of why the status quo is not good enough. As long as Congress interferes, spills like this are going to happen, and dozens of communities are at risk. Congress needs to back off and allow the EPA to finalize strong protections.

“In 2008 we witnessed first-hand how a lack of strong national protections leaves the job in the hands of state regulators that lack the will and ability to protect communities from coal ash incidents. Since the TVA disaster, industry groups have been lobbying hard to block the EPA from establishing strong federal protections, arguing, they say, that states are doing a fine job regulating coal ash. Just weeks ago, at the urging of We Energies and others in the coal industry, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to block the EPA from enacting strong national protections, thereby allowing states to continue the status quo that led to this disastrous collapse. This bill, called the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act (S.1751) is now before the Senate for consideration.

“This spill shows that states are not protecting our health and our environment from cancer-causing coal ash, and as long as the EPA fails to act there will be more coal ash spills. “This collapse is particularly troublesome because We Energies has known for years that its management of coal ash was a threat to human health. They have even been providing bottled water to neighbors who have contaminated wells.

“The Senate should immediately stop work on its bill to block the EPA from protecting Americans from toxic coal ash, and our Senators should urge the EPA to finalize its rulemaking process that began in 2009, received hundreds of thousands of comments in support, and has still not been finalized because of industry pressure.

“We want to thank the first responders, cleanup and safety workers for their courage in helping to clean up this mess. We are very grateful that no one appears to have been injured. Unfortunately, residents of Southeast Wisconsin have been victims of We Energies negligence for years. The burning of coal is a public health menace. This incident underscores that as long as we are still mining and burning coal someone somewhere is paying the price.”

Last week, the House Insurance Committee passed HB 4936, a bill that would eliminate Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system.

According to Rep. Jeff Irwin, “This change will mean that more families will be bankrupted by car accidents, more patients will receive substandard or insufficient care and the taxpayers will be picking up more of the expenses that insurance companies would rather avoid.”

The highlights of this proposal are:

1. No requirements for insurance companies to reduce rates to reflect their reduced liabilities.

2. Consumers will be prevented from buying “unlimited coverage,” as they do today. Instead, consumers can buy $500K, $1M or $5M in LIFETIME coverage. Once coverage is exhausted, victims and their families would be left to bankruptcy and eventually Medicare/Medicaid.

3. Finally, if this bill passes, auto-accident victims in Michigan will be forced to seek compensation in our courts. This will clog our courts with long and complicated auto-related cases – costing millions in litigation, when those dollars should be saved for medical care.

“Thousands of jobs will be lost almost immediately,” said Irwin. “Instead of aggressive rehabilitation, victims will be pushed toward taxpayer-funded nursing home care.”

Occupy Grand Rapids is holding a Rally this Saturday at Monument Park. According to a OccupyGR press release, the purpose of this rally is to reach out to the community in support of the Occupy Movement.

The Occupy GR Rally will also include workshops, music and discussions in an effort to interact with and educate the community. Workshops and Discussions including The Spirit of Consensus, Politics of the left, Direct Action, and Moving Forward with the Movement.

Speak-out sessions will take place at noon and at 3pm. There will also be a canned food drive, donations to support a local food pantry. This family friendly event will take place at the corner of Division and Fulton this Saturday, October 22 beginning at 11am.

Additional information can be found at http://facebook.com/OccupyGrandRapids

GRAND RAPIDS – A diverse grassroots group of area residents gathered at Calder Plaza at noon today to form the first Occupy Grand Rapids demonstration.

Starting with two people using social media and word of mouth, the event grew to a gathering of about 120 people.

Denis Kovacevic, Grand Rapids, helped to organize today’s event. “My friend Zach started it and I joined it right away, handing out flyers, inviting people on Facebook and by email,” said Kovacevic.

Calvin Garlick, Jenison, at Occupy Grand rapids demonstration.

Craig Browder, Grand Rapids, said “I’ve been an advocate for social change for a couple of years. Someone sent me the link to Occupy Grand Rapids yesterday, I “Liked” it, that’s how I found out about [this event].”

On a whiteboard, a volunteer in the group took notes for their “General Assembly”, where they brainstorm in a democratic fashion. Each member is given the opportunity to share their input and ideas. As decisions are made by consensus, a speaker shouts them out and the crowd repeats the words to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Under the Calder, the crowd shouts in unison their next agreed upon move, then they picked up their signs and began to march down Ottawa Ave. toward Rosa Parks Circle.

As Occupy Grand Rapids protestors marched around Rosa Parks Circle, one Grand Rapids Police officer who was directing Art Prize traffic at the corner of Monroe Ave. and Monroe Center St. shouted, “I hope they come down here, I hope they come down here.”

After a second time around Rosa Parks Circle, the demonstrators did come to that corner and the officer stopped traffic to permit them to cross as a group.

Standing on the sidewalk along Monroe Center St. near a bluegrass music group, demonstrator, Justin Hale, Grand Rapids, said, “I feel that Congress is bought and paid for. They are telling us that we have to buckle down so that we can continue to support the rich.”




The demonstrators walked down Pearl St, over the Grand River and made their way over to Ah-Na-Be-Wen Park, where they sat together on the lawn.

Kovacevic said, “There needs to be a shift in the economy. There needs to be a working class. We need to stand together to stop the doom that the elite is setting us up for.”

Garlick said, “When Lehman brothers collapsed, I got concerned. I had been going to Grand Valley State University for two and a half years and I realized that I wasn’t going to have a job in the end.”

“The whole system is failing,” said Browder, “It’s a game for profit and an never-ending hierarchy of who is better than the other. People need to get over their greed – it’s not going to make you happier.”

Using the whiteboard, under the heading “Agenda Items” the group shared input on the things they need to continue their demonstration. After a comment is made, a volunteer leading the discussion asks, “Ok, does anyone have an answer to that?”

By late evening, the demonstrators took a break and some began decide if they want to stay the night.

“This is the most patriotic thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Garlick, “What it comes down to is fairness.”

The crowds descended upon downtown Grand Rapids this past weekend for the third installment of ArtPrize. According to founder Rick DeVos, ArtPrize is all about “rebooting the conversation on art”. Based on the thousands of people who have already attended there is plenty to talk about.

There are over 1,500 artists exhibiting in a three square mile area of downtown. Works of art can be seen at store fronts, building lobbies, and outdoors. Many of the pieces are in one of the eight Exhibition Centers. These major venues are scattered around the downtown area, also including the Meijer Gardens on East Beltline. In addition to the Gardens the other Exhibitions Centers are Cathedral Square, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus, St. Cecelia’s Music Center, Women’s City Club and UICA.

As in past years the public gets to vote for the winners. People have to register in person at one of the Exhibition Centers. Once registered, attendees can vote on-line using computers or smart phones. There are also voting kiosks set up at various venues. During the first week and a half the public can vote for as many pieces as they want. As of Monday morning, over 193,000 votes have been cast. At the end of the first round the Top Ten vote getters are announced. During round two a person can only cast one vote for the work of art they would like to see awarded the top prize.

This year the top vote getters are separated by geographic area instead of being lumped into one group. There is the Top 25 in Center City, Heartside, Hillside, Westside, Monroe North and a Top Five at Meijer Gardens. First round voting continues until September 28^th. The Top Ten will be announced on September 29th. Voting for the Top Ten runs until October 5th with the winner being announced on October 6th. More information is available at ArtPrize.org.

The Spirit of Solidarity Labor Monument

According to Patty Kramer, the chairperson of the West Michigan Labor Fest committee, “I would say that we had about 6000 people show up to the event and we had signed up roughly 100 volunteers for the day. It was a great day… On to next years event.”

Kristian Aldrich, Grand Rapids, participated as a volunteer at the Union Label tent. Aldrich, a trustee with the West Michigan Label Coalition, said “It is important that we protect American jobs by making people aware to buy American and to buy union made.”

“It’s not that we’re trying to be against other countries, but we need to be pro-American worker,” said Aldrich. “It’s not just the politicians, it’s about what we as individuals purchase in our own economy.”

Grand Rapids Fire Department

Benjamin Franklin aka Michael Johnston

Arts & crafts and games including a penny toss contest into the fountain surrounding the The Spirit of Solidarity Labor Monument, were among the activities at the event. A stage near the Grand River featured the Jimmie Stagger Band, the Mustang Band, Krystal Kleer, and Mick Lane.

There was also a blood drive, and a classic American-made car/motorcycle show. And of course there was food, including vendors from The Beltline Bar, Fred’s Pizza, and Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill. Artisans participated as vendors, including Art Prize participant, Jennifer Chiodini of Grand Rapids.

Recall Snyder Petitioner, Ruth Quackenbush

“Gov. Rick Snyder, certain State Representatives and their allies signifies a systematic attack on the quality of life, liberty and institutional well being of all Michigan’s citizens.”

Specifically, opponents of Governor Snyder are opposed to his handling of Emergency Financial Managers by extending them over-reaching powers. Quackenbush also was encouraging people at the Labor day event to sign a petition to repeal Public Act 4, which extended those powers to Emergency Financial Managers. “The Emergency Financial Managers are allowed to eliminate the powers of elected officials, said Quakenbush. “It’s considered unconstitutional and really, it’s taking money from the middle class and giving it to rich corporations.”

Labor Motto inscribed in the The Spirit of Solidarity Labor Monument

“The government needs quit taking away from unemployment and medicare and giving that money away to oil companies,” said Michael David, President of the Kent-Ionia Labor Council. “You hear about how GE doesn’t pay any taxes, but somehow Congress doesn’t have enough to pay for healthcare.”

Office Manager with Davidson, Breen & Doud, P.C., Ruth Wood, Saginaw, wants workers to be informed of their rights. “We are sharing information about Disability Compensation, Personal Injury and Social Security. With everything they [Congress] are trying to do to Social Security, it is important for people to know their rights.”

“I feel the Republicans don’t have the answers for the economy, and it’s up to the Democrats to take the lead in turning things around,” said Bob Synk, Grand Rapids. “The economists tell us that spending drives the economy. Well, business is not doing this, so the government needs to make this happen. We have an infrastructure that needs to be kept up. And we have to convert to a renewable energy economy, which takes a lot of investment.” Synk is the former Kent County Commissioner in district 19, who was defeated by Shana Shroll. Synk said he is “likely to run again next year.”

Kent County, MI- Welcome to Week 2 of the Ok White Conference Season, and as teams are gaining momentum from the first week, some of the teams, take a step back towards winning the conference championship.

Kicking it off, the perennial favorite Lowell Red Arrows took care of business as usual beating Kenowa Hills easily on the road 49-7.  Northview also put the beat down on Grand Rapids Union 35-6 in a great victory for the Wildcats.  The yellow jackets of Greenville are starting off the season 2-0 with a 45 point win over the Sailors of Mona Shores.  Up and coming team in Grand Rapids Christian won a close but convincing win over Forest Hills Central 34-20.  The bottom feeder of the Ok White Conference is Grand Rapids Creston, who lost a tough game against Reeths-Puffer 40-24, putting the Creston Polar Bears record at a dismal 0-2.

With the upset of East Grand Rapids against Holland. The Ok White Conference Standings have changed drastically.  Lowell, Grand Rapids Christian, Greenville, and sup rising Northview are all 2-0 while, East Grand Rapids is 1-1 and rounding out the bottom of the conference is Grand Rapids Creston who is 0-2.  Week 3 showcases some great games in the Ok White with Lowell having their pink arrow game against Reeths-Puffs.  Grand Rapids Christian faces Kenowa Hills, surprising 2-0 Northview takes on Muskegon Mona Shores.  Grand Rapids Creston looks for their first win against Forest Hills Central, and East Grand Rapids looks to bounce back from a loss against Grand Rapids Union.  To cap off the week, the Greenville yellow jackets take on the upset minding Holland Highlanders.  The weeks are getting closer to the start of Ok White Conference, and thats when the season heats up.  

Now in its third year, ArtPrize is described by its organizers as a radically open art competition. Each year over 1,000 artists and hundreds of thousands spectators converge on downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan to take part in this event. ArtPrize opens on September 21 and runs until October 9.

This is a unique competition to the art world in that the public gets to vote for the winners. During the first week and a half people can vote for as many works of art as they like using their smart phones, computers or kiosks at certain venues. The only stipulation is that you must register in person at one of the registration stations in downtown. This is done so that only people who attend ArtPrize can vote. After the initial round of voting concludes the Top 10 are announced and the public then can vote for only one of these to win the grand prize of $250,000. In all, over $474,000 in prize money will be given away.

If the first two years are any indication then the 2011 version of ArtPrize will be a sight to behold. Past winners include Ran Ortner for Open Water, a massive painting of waves breaking on Lake Michigan, and Chris Laporte for Cavalry, American Officers, 1921, a 30 foot wide portrait of soldiers done in pencil. Other notable pieces include a replica of the Loch Ness monster floating in the Grand River, a giant table and chairs resting on top of a pedestrian bridge, a stunning glass mosaic of a woman reclining in water, and a large amoeba like creature made entirely of balloons. There is also a fair amount of performance art at some of the outdoor venues. This year will feature several musical acts as well.

ArtPrize venues are scattered throughout a three mile square area of downtown Grand Rapids. Some venues feature dozens of artists and some host only one or two. With 1,582 artists hailing from 36 countries and 43 states there is sure to be something for everyone.

For more information check out ArtPrize.org.