Chris:

You point out something that is a big problem—something even bigger than what Moving Saginaw Forward is working on—but something that our group can probably do something about.

The way a ballot is designed and printed and the information put on a ballot is regulated by state law. In Michigan, the chief administrator of elections is the Secretary of State (in addition to issuing drivers licenses and license plates). The Michigan Secretary of State's website usually has some links about ballot proposals when it gets close to an election. Also, the League of Women Voters usually has information about ballot proposals and tries to present both sides of the issues.

Not only ballot issues, but also just the number of different offices that are elected makes the ballot long. For example, in Michigan we elect all of the following:

Federal:
* President of the United States (in actuality the electors for the electoral college to elect the President and Vice President)
* United States Senators
* United States Representatives in Congress

State:
* Governor and Lt. Governor
* Secretary of State
* Attorney General
* State Senator
* State Representative

Judges:
* 7 Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court
* 6 Judges of the Michigan Court of Appeals
* 6 Judges of the Saginaw County Circuit Court
* 6 Judges of the Saginaw County District Court
* 2 Judges of the Saginaw County Probate Court

Educational:
* 8 Members of the Michigan Board of Education
* 8 Members of the University of Michigan Board of Regents
* 8 Members of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees
* 8 Members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors
* 9 Members of the Delta College Board of Trustees
* 7 Members of the local school district School Board

County:
* County Sheriff
* County Clerk
* County Prosecutor
* County Register of Deeds
* County Treasurer
* County Public Works Commissioner/Drain Commissioner
* 3 County Auditors
* 15 County Commissioners

Local:
* 9 City Council members

In townships:
* Township Supervisor
* Township Clerk
* Township Treasurer
* 4 Township Trustees

The answer is that the whole state needs to change the laws to make the ballots simpler. Until that happens, I'm totally with you. We need to address it.
 

I would have to say  size=5>Optimism should be at the top or close to it.  If your aren't optimistic about our future then you don't think we can make this place better for our kids and our futures? ?  Eh?  I saw that comment on TV I'm just re-posting it as commercial no pun intended.
 

I don't understand. Your values are safety, cleanliness, improve government, cooperative diversity....yet your goals only deal with one of these issues directly, i.e. government....

If you are genuine in your concern to improve the other three values, why not at least put them in your goals?
 

Matt,

Bear in mind that these topics (Mission Statement, Values, and General Goals) are discussions in progress by our group.

They were posted here to elicit comments and further ideas from people. When we come to a final and concrete version of our Mission Statement, Values and General Goals they will be posted as well.

At our first meeting we had an open and freeform discussion where each person present offered ideas concerning the Saginaw community and the general goals and direction of Moving Saginaw Forward. Towards the end of that first meeting, we condensed the comments and largely due to time contraints (our first meeting lasted over two hours) we left the deliberations open to continue in subsequent meetings.

At our second meeting a specific mission statement was proposed, a specific list of values was proposed, and a specific list of general goals was proposed. Our members were asked to think about them and be prepared to discuss any changes desired at the third meeting. We posted them in our MySpace blog and sent out a few bulletins to our MySpace friends to try to get them to respond to the topic of discussion as well.

At our third meeting, we had a great number of topics to cover on our agenda. We only got as far as discussing the Mission Statement. We never conclusively decided on a final version of the mission statement, but we are getting there.

As a new organization, these things take a little time, but the discussions have been productive.
 

to all you blog responders out there-mainly jay and gift-thank you.


no matter the response matter or opinions, the mere jesture of taking the time to think about ways to improve life is an improvement in itself.


pride is the element of improvement.


never forget to spread your pride to the crust of life.


it is the hardness of the crust which prevents the softness of the heart.


stop being so hard. even cowboys prefer a soft bosom to lye their head on.


and what does the ever soft bosom protect? well, the heart of course:)

keep your house clean-hold your neighbor accountable to keep his clean-in every way.


mario-optimism is a word of desperation-yes, deperate times are upon us.


but desperation is when people perform their best. don't let the loggers down.

b
myself, i am gone from my beloved nasty...
still miss her trueness. her real is forever beating my heart. her ghetto lights brighten my way. her people made me realize life is what you make it. her river floats rafts every year-and people smile-and life is good.


you may say i am a product of white flight. however, i was taught to be wise-vote deguise.


better life starts now. pick up that crumb on the table. pick up the neighbors trash that blew into your yard after the trash man dumped his can. put that empty bottle of coke you found in the park in your pocket ant take it home to recycle it. look at people when you pass them. smile for the love of god. what is so wrong with a smile? it is the most infectious gesture in the world-in the universe if had to bet.


smiles are warm and delightfull. smiles use less muscles than frowns. smiles can be difficult to muster, but in the end always make you feel better-try it-right now-serious-smile as you squint to read my ramblings-it works doesn't it? if i could copywrite the smile i would. i would be the next george forman...

sorry-i'm serious

we all learned the golden rule-treat your neighbor as you would be treated yourself.
whats so flippin hard about that?

i love SAGINAW.


i am SAGINAW.


you are SAGINAW.


let's all do her PRIDE

people

representing

idealistic values

daily

even if our enviornment is oppresive

well, i guess thats a stretch, but you get the point.


organization only works if we belive and live the values we preach.


ramble...ramble...ramble...