In today's edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle, columnist George Weeks writes about Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House, supporting a constitutional convention to address Michigan's challenges and reform government to meet today's realities.

Snippets of Week's column are below:

Con-Con Coming?

Led by businessman George Romney, who later became governor, voters supported a constitutional convention that led to a 1961-62 rewrite, which produced the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963.

A proposal to call a constitutional convention automatically goes before voters every 16 years. They rejected it in 1978 and 1994.

I suspect they will reject it again when Proposal 1 is on the Nov. 2 ballot. Too much opportunity for mischief on social and other issues that divide us.

But the ever-thoughtful Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo, a candidate for governor, made a good pitch in a phone chat last week that "the benefits outweigh the risks." He also said much of the deliberations could have a "Web-based format ... in the Age of the Internet." In a Senate speech, he said a con-con "offers the best single opportunity to re-craft Michigan and put it on a new path."

Also last week, Granholm told The Detroit News: "The state of Michigan is dramatically different than it was in 1961, and we need a foundation document that reflects the 21st century."

Conservative Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner and Republican state House candidate Dennis Lennox agrees, saying that the state's challenges "require a new constitution that overhauls and restructures government to reflect the realities of the 21st century.

"Quite simply, radical reform is needed because Lansing's tired, old partisan ideas are not working -- and have not worked for some years."

I have yet to figure this out. But it is time for all of us to tune in to the debate and weigh the arguments.

Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House, issued the following statement on January 30:

As you may know by now, the ugly face of partisan politics is starting to show up right here in Cheboygan County.

Some of the local Democrats and their allies in Lansing are doing whatever they can to win.

They want to continue the status-quo -- something I wholeheartedly disagree with.

I’ve made a stand time and time again for reform.

I’m not a member of the good ‘ole boys club and I never will be.

I believe that government is supposed to serve the people and not the other way around.

Most importantly, I believe government is the problem and not the solution.

Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with these Democratic partisans, who want total control -- at whatever cost -- of government from Cheboygan County right down to Lansing.

And despite their best efforts, I will continue being an independent voice, who won’t bow down to their interests.

I want to thank you for your past support and I hope to continue having your support.

Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House, had a letter to the editor in today's edition of the Detroit Free Press on reforming government.

Here's a copy of the letter:

Too many layers
The Jan. 4 article “New year brings challenges for schools, state” illustrated that too many Lansing politicos fail to understand that raising taxes on the cash-strapped people of Michigan isn’t an answer to the unprecedented economic woes facing our great state.

It’s time our elected leaders pass significant reforms of government at all levels. Whether it’s the 600 school districts, 83 counties, 1,242 townships, 533 cities and villages or 300-plus special districts and authorities, Michigan has too many layers of competing and overlapping government. Here in Cheboygan County, there is one elected politician for every 166 constituents.

That must change, and Michigan’s system of government must reflect the realities of the 21st Century. Real reforms that consolidate, streamline and restructure government from Lansing down to the local levels will cut the cost of government, improve service and reduce the bureaucratic red tape that’s forcing innovators and job-creators away from our great state.

Dennis Lennox
Cheboygan County drain commissioner
Topinabee

In case you missed this news report:

On the 173rd anniversary of Michigan joining the Union, Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House, formally announced his support for a constitutional convention.

“Just as Governor Romney and other civic leaders came together to fix a broken system of government, we need to come together, as Republicans, Democrats and independents, to get Lansing working again,” said Lennox, who is seeking the 105th District seat held by term-limited House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer. “It’s time for a new constitution that overhauls, restructures and reinvents government at all levels to reflect the realities of the twenty-first century.”

Michigan’s last constitutional convention, held in 1961/62, was spearheaded by future Governor George Romney and his Citizens for Michigan organization. Six conventions have been held since statehood, though only four constitutions — 1835, 1850, 1908 and 1963 — have been adopted by the people.

“Michigan is one of the most over-governed states in the country,” said Lennox, who noted there is one elected politician for every 166 people in Cheboygan County. “We must rationalize government to rid ourselves of the cumbersome structure of government that we have today.”

Among proposals Lennox says should be considered at a constitutional convention:

• Requiring the Legislature to pass a budget by July 1.
• Election of Supreme Court justices by district.
• Amalgamating the boards of control of the 15 universities and the state Board of Education.
• Granting the governor full power over the cabinet, including hire/fire controls over all department directors.
• Amalgamating the Department of Civil Rights into the Department of Attorney General.
• Consolidating state boards, commissions and advisory councils.
• Amalgamating administrative functions of school districts by counties.
• Removing statutory language from constitutional provisions.
• Devolving secretary of state services to county clerks.
• Expanding home-rule powers to counties with the creation of elected executives in all counties above a minimum population threshold.
• Establishing minimum population thresholds for cities, villages and townships.
• Reducing the number of counties by increasing regional collaboration and service pooling by local government.

FAST FACTS ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS

• If a constitutional convention is called in November, delegates would be elected, on a partisan basis, in each of the 148 Senate and House constituencies.
• The people of Michigan have adopted four conventions (1835, 1850, 1908 and 1963) and rejected two (1867 and 1873).
• Each constitutional convention sat in session for an average of just under four-and-a-half months.
• A constitutional convention has been called, on average, every 33 years.
• Ballot questions to call a constitutional convention had majority support in 1892, 1898 and 1904, but failed because the 1850 constitution required a majority of those voting in the election and not a majority voting on the question.
• The last constitutional convention was convened after a question passed in the April 1961 election by a margin of 23,421 votes (596,433 to 573,012).
• The present constitution was approved in April 1963 by a close vote of 810,610-803,436.
• Since its adoption in 1963, amendments to the constitution have appeared on the ballot in every general election except 1990.

In case you missed this news report:

Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House in the 105th District, has been endorsed by Republicans for Environmental Protection president Rob Sisson.

"Dennis Lennox understands the environmental, economic and structural challenges facing Michigan," said Sisson, the former mayor of Sturgis. "I'm proud to support him because we need a new generation of leaders willing to do what's best for our state."

Sisson joins former Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis and former House Speaker Craig DeRoche in endorsing Lennox.

"I'm honored to have the support of these leaders of our party," said Lennox. "I look forward to continuing my campaign to ensure a brighter future for Michigan."

The 105th District seat, currently held by term-limited House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, spans Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties.

At tonight's meeting of the City of Cheboygan Council, an amendment to zoning laws resulting from the passage of Michigan Medical Marijuana Initiative at the 2008 general election will be considered.

I submitted the following comments for the record:

To the honorable Mayor and Members of the Council:

Because I am unable to attend tonight’s session, it is my humble request that these comments are submitted for the record and considered during the Council’s deliberations.

It is my understanding a change to section 154.002 of the city’s zoning laws is pending as a result of the passage of Proposal 1, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Initiative, at the 2008 general election.

While the people voted on this matter, it must be emphasized that marijuana remains illegal under federal law, which trumps any action by the State of Michigan.

Because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, I believe the Council should table this matter. Any codifying of so-called medical marijuana will result in increased illegal drug use in the community. This august body should follow the words of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and “just say no.”

Should the Council decide to go ahead with changing the zoning law, I would humbly request any changes be as strict as possible to stop marijuana shops from appearing on street corners across the City of Cheboygan. Specifically, I would recommend an amendment that (1) prohibits marijuana shops from doing business within a reasonable distance of schools and churches and (2) requires a quarterly inspection of the premises by the Police Department to ensure compliance with applicable state statute and city ordinances.

Respectfully yours,

Dennis Lennox
DRAIN COMMISSIONER

Considering that one family has left Michigan every 12 minutes in recent years, you would think politicians in Lansing would wake up and realize that partisan gamesmanship will not turnaround our great state.

Michigan cannot afford — literally and figuratively — to continue waving goodbye to her future.

With 280,000 jobs lost in 2009 and 22,000 students expected to leave elementary and secondary schools for a brighter future in another state this year, the challenges may be daunting, but they aren't insurmountable.

We have the workers and entrepreneurs, the innovation-ready universities and abundant natural resources to overcome the Lost Decade and remake this state for the twenty-first century.

All that is missing is the political leadership to move Michigan forward.

That is why I am running for the State House.

Our great state deserves a new generation of leaders.

Leaders that realize there are more important things than winning the next election.

Leaders willing to put Michigan first and work across the aisle in the tradition of former Governors Romney and Milliken.

We may be Republicans, Democrats and independents, but we are Michiganders first and foremost.

In case you missed this news report:

Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House, said he was "shocked and appalled" to learn a majority of the prisoners granted parole by Gov. Jennifer Granholm from March to October 2009 were violent felons incarnated for crimes such as rape, murder and assault.

That news came Monday from Gongwer News Service, which conducted a comprehensive review of the figures.

"These felons should be behind bars and not on the streets of Michigan in communities struggling to fund police patrols," said Lennox, of Topinabee, who is campaigning to replace term-limited House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer. "Streamlining the administration of prisons, fully privatizing prison health and dental care and implementing other commonsense reforms would save money and keep felons behind bars."

On top of last year’s releases, Gongwer reports Granholm plans to parole an additional 3,500 criminals at a time when there are little job opportunities for ex-convicts.

"It's ironic the governor of Michigan is emptying prisons of Michigan felons only to take Pennsylvania's criminals," said Lennox. "That's just wrong."

The 105th District seat covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties.

Monday’s article "New year brings challenges for schools, state" in the Detroit Free Press illustrated that too many Lansing politicos fail to understand that raising taxes on the cash-strapped people of Michigan isn't an answer to the unprecedented economic woes facing our great state.

It's time our elected leaders pass significant reforms of government at all levels.

Whether it's the 600 school districts, 83 counties, 1,242 townships, 533 cities and villages or 300-plus special districts and authorities, Michigan has too many layers of competing and overlapping government.

Here in Cheboygan County, there is one elected politician for every 166 constituents.

That must change, and Michigan’s system of government must reflect the realities of the twenty-first century.

Real reforms that consolidate, streamline and restructure government from Lansing down to the local levels will cut the cost of government, improve service and reduce the bureaucratic red-tape that’s forcing innovators and job-creators away from our great state.