In case you missed this news report from Thursday:

Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, Republican candidate for the State House in the 105th District, called on opponent Tim Boyko to apologize for accusing the new Department of Natural Resources and Environment of being communist.

In a posting on his campaign blog late Wednesday, Boyko claimed the state’s newest department — an amalgamation of the Natural Resources and Environmental Quality departments — is using the traditional communist symbol of a hammer and sickle as its official logo.

“This is yet another example of what’s wrong with the dialogue and rhetoric found too often in today’s political climate,” said Lennox. “It is irresponsible to issue a blanket statement accusing a state department of being communist. While I have had my differences with both former departments, I respect the work they do in conserving the Creator’s gift to mankind."

Lennox noted it's ironic that Boyko, who has supported left-wing Green Party candidates over Republican Party nominees, accuses the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of being communist when his blog features the color scheme traditionally associated with communist parties.

"Having worked with opposition leaders in countries governed by communist regimes, I know first-hand the seriousness of my opponent's accusation," said Lennox. "No serious candidate would compare state government with the regimes of Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam and the former Soviet Union. These reckless statements have no place in the discussion on solutions to Michigan's challenges."

The 105th District seat, held by term-limited House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire), consists of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties.