Annual Potluck Picnic This Sunday!

HCDP News for August 26th

Houghton County Dems
August 26, 2025

ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC THIS SUNDAY

OUR ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC IS AUGUST 31ST

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at our annual potluck picnic on Sunday, August 31st. This year we’ll be at the Lake Linden Village Park, across Calumet Street (M-26) from the Range Bank. Parking is available on Calumet Street, or turn right down 2nd Street (just beyond the park if you're coming from Houghton) to find additional parking off of Front Street by the baseball diamond.

Lisa Nelson will stop by at 5 PM to briefly speak to the group about RankMIVote, and ask that you sign the petition to get ranked choice voting onto the Michigan ballot.

We also expect Rachel Howard, Senate primary candidate, to make a personal appearance and say a few words, in addition to many of our Democratic local and county officials.

Additionally, eligible voters can sign Callie Barr’s nominating petition to run against Jack Bergman.

The fun begins at 4 PM. As usual, we'll provide burgers, hot dogs and sodas. If you can, please bring a dish to pass.

[NOTE: After last week’s newsletter went out a couple of readers pointed out that the flyer as shown below claimed August 31st was a Saturday, and asked whether the picnic was on Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st. It's on Sunday, and I've corrected the flyer for this newsletter. My apologies for the error. I often jokingly tell folks that I suffer from “calendar dyslexia" (a name I think I made up) because I have trouble getting dates and days correct. But the struggle is real!! I appreciate those of you who pointed out the error. - Steve Blackburn, Comms Chair]

SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY

Join us for our monthly meeting at 7 PM, Wednesday September 3rd at the Super 8 in Houghton.

Potluck starts at 6 PM. Bring a dish to share if you can, or just stop in and enjoy some quality time with your fellow Dems before we settle down to business at 7.

Remote attendance is available by Zoom. Click here at 7 PM Wednesday to attend by Zoom.

Membership in the Houghton County Democratic Party is encouraged, but not required, to attend meetings. We welcome all Houghton County residents who support progressive Democratic government to attend our meetings and events and also to become involved.

ANOTHER YEAR AT THE COUNTY FAIR

The Houghton County Fair went off wonderfully for another year. Huge appreciation to the many volunteers we need to staff the booth over the four days of the Fair, and Barb Turuc for organizing it all brilliantly.

HCDP officers Barb Turuc and Lois Gemignani were among the volunteers to staff our table at this year's County Fair. (Photo credit: Lois Gemignani)

RALLY IN SUPPORT OF NPS HELD LAST SATURDAY

Around 25 people turned out this past Saturday for a rally in Calumet in support of the National Park Service. The rally went from 10 AM until Noon, and took place along US 41 and Red Jacket Rd. There was a tremendous response from the public - lots of honking horns.

(Photo credit for the below: Betsy Rossini, NPS retiree.)

NEW BALLOT INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BAR POLITICAL DONATIONS

A petition seeking to bar utility companies and government contractors from making political donations was approved by the Board of State Canvassers this past Friday. The organizers behind the initiative can now begin the process of collecting signatures.

The organizing force behind the initiative is Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, a coalition that includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Community Change Action, Detroit Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, Progress Michigan, and Voters Not Politicians.

The petition’s final summary, as approved by the Board, reads:

“Initiation of legislation to: Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them; expand campaign finance laws and restrictions that regulate spending on political communications, including laws that require disclosing donor information to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them; expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.”

Governmental & Community Meetings

WED AUG 27

The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 PM on Wednesday. Meeting Agendas are typically posted to the Council's Searchable Document Center prior to the meeting.

This newsletter is paid for with regulated funds by the Houghton County Democratic Party, and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.