NORC January Monthly Meeting

January 27, 2005

The North Oakland Republican Club began a new year in their new meeting location, the Pontiac Country Club. Vice-President Dennis Pittman opened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. and led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and silent prayer.

Chairman Bill Bullard, Jr. of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners was the special speaker for the evening. He graciously stepped in for Congressman Thaddeus McCotter who had to travel to Europe for the 60th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz. Chairman Bullard explained what county government is and that Act 139 of the Michigan state statutes makes the county executive very strong. The board of commissioners, however, does have to approve the executive’s budget.

The present makeup of Oakland County’s Board of Commissioners is 15 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Mr. Bullard’s objective as chairman is to win back the four seats that the Democrats gained in the November 2004 election. The commission has 6 women (3 Democrat, 3 Republican) and 19 men. Each commissioner has approximately 50,000 constituents in their district.

Chairman Bullard showed his support for county government by saying, “County government is the most fiscally prudent I’ve seen.” He said that 60% of the county’s budget comes from property taxes. Law enforcement accounts for $127 million dollars or one-third of the budget. The court system accounts for $63 million or 17% of the county’s budget.

Chairman Bullard said one of the most important issues facing the commission this year is the consideration of expanding the jail. State law requires the release of prisoners if there is overcrowding in a jail.

After Mr. Bullard’s speech, Kim Peterson gave a brief talk on her upcoming involvement in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (60 miles). Jim Thienel shared a portion of the letter that he received this week from the State of Michigan regarding the election complaint that he and Jim Runestad filed against Waterford Township Clerk Betty Fortino.

NORC was visited by Stefani Zimmerman from Congressman Mike Rogers’ office to offer her assistance to the club on behalf of the congressman. She also announced that Congressman Rogers was recently appointed to the House Intelligence Committee.

The date for the Lincoln Day Dinner was announced. The event will take place at the Centerpoint Marriott on February 25.





Photos of this event         Back to Archive & Pictures