Last night Emmet Responsible Government hosted a Fall Free-for-All which featured free pizza, free speech, free parking, and free entertainment, e.g. in the form of a fake IRS agent who crashed the meeting.
It was a great turnout and evening, in part, due to a news article in the Petoskey News-Review, placed on the front page, above-the-fold, announcing the two-hour event.
Pictured are the four county commissioner candidates that accepted ERG's invite (ALL commissioner candidates were invited) to talk about relevant issues: Chuck Laughbaum, Brian Gutowski, Rich Ginop, and Don Mapes. Transit, affordable housing, and the proper role of government were among the topics discussed.
Rep. John Damoose and Neil Friske, who are running for state senate and state rep., respectively, also offered campaign updates. Both candidates drew names from the Ultra Maga bucket hat for door prizes from Bill's Farm Market, Kilwins, and Plaths Meats.
There were also updates offered about the Petoskey District library, Proposition 3, the upcoming Right-to-Life life chain, and information from Tom Varner, who is running for the Harbor Springs school board.
ERG thanks the candidates, public officials, activists, and engaged citizens who joined us ... freely.