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Gretchen Driskell

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Driskell Votes in Favor of Emergency Dredging Bill

"Improving Michigan's parks and waterways will spur tourism across the state," the state representative from Saline says; the measure now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

State Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) voted Wednesday in favor of Senate Bill 233, a bill that would fund more than 70 different projects around the state. The bill also funds 49 emergency dredging projects. The bill passed 107-3. "This money will go toward parks and other natural sites across Michigan, improving many of our communities," Driskell said. "I fully support making cities and towns more livable and increasing our citizens' quality of life." The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a constitutionally protected fund that is dedicated to recreation acquisition and development projects. SB 233 would appropriate $23.3 million for 76 projects; 22 acquisition and 54 development. The bill would also appropriate $21 million for 49…

Friday, March 1, 2013

Rep. Gretchen Driskell Takes a 'Plunge' For Special Olympics Michigan

The state representative raised $500 during the the second annual Legislative Polar Plunge on Feb. 28.

State Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, participated in the second annual Legislative Polar Plunge on Feb. 28 in Lansing to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics in Michigan. [Photos: Saline Teams Take the Polar Plunge] Driskell managed to raise $500 from 13 supporters before jumping into an inflatable pool on the Capitol lawn. "Thank you to everyone who helped me to reach my goal of raising $500 for the Legislative Polar Plunge," Driskell wrote on her Facebook page. "I am so happy to have your help in raising money for this wonderful cause." Driskell said donations will continue to be accepted through March 31. To donate, visit https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/GretchenDriskell/legislative-polar-plunge-2013.

Rhonda Elliott

9:55 am on Friday, March 1, 2013

Fun huh I did it last Saturday at the Big House what an awesome day and awesome cause Go Gretchen!!!   more ›

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Rep. Driskell Gets a Nod from Detroit Regional Chamber

The former Saline mayor and newly-elected Representative of the 52nd District named to annual 'watch' list.

Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-52nd District) has been named one of six regional "Legislators to Watch" by Detroiter Magazine, operated by the Detroit Regional Chamber organization. According to the article, it's Driskell's history as a successful CPA and mayor of Saline from 1999 through last year which allows her the honor.  The article states: "...Driskell prides herself in being a collaborative problem solver with an understanding of factors that build high quality communities in Michigan.." Driskell also represents Chelsea, Dexter, Milan and Scio Township.  Other legislators on the list include:

John Locke

5:18 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Driskell will work to restore the education funds stolen by the Republican cabal in the state house and senate. She is dedicated to enhancing our communities and the general good unlike the Republican caucus in legislature which is simply interested in catering to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Koch brothers.   more ›

Friday, January 11, 2013

Driskell Takes Oath of Office, Vows to Fight for Education Reform in Michigan

The former Saline mayor represents the 52nd House District in Washtenaw County.

State Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, was officially sworn in for her first term as representative for the 52nd District in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony in the House Chamber on Wednesday. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to represent the citizens of my district," Driskell said. "The voters told me that education is their top priority, and I will focus on improving our state's education funding and ensuring that our children have the tools they need to succeed."  Driskell represents northern and western Washtenaw County, including Saline, Manchester, Dexter, Chelsea, Scio Township and Whitmore Lake.  House Assistant Clerk Rich Brown swore in the 110 members of the Michigan House in their oath of office in …

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Rep. Mark Ouimet Says Serving Constiuents was "Immense Honor"

The state representative will transition out of the 52nd House District in January.

With my state House tenure concluding at the end of the year, I'd like to take this time to thank everyone for giving me the immense honor of representing them at the Michigan capitol. Voting on key issues on the state House floor is certainly a big part of the job, but more importantly to me was the ongoing role of helping local residents with their issues and concerns. I will forever cherish my interactions with the people of the 52nd House District, and how gratifying it was to be able to help them in some small way to improve their lives. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many great people here in Washtenaw County during the last two years. I may have stopped by your door, or talked with you a local senior center or event, but I …

John Locke

9:49 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The legacy of Mark Quimet is simple dicitated by the Repbulcian Caucus and the Koch brothers. Anti public education- raid the education fund and give it to big business Anti resident- eliminate the PPT for business and froce local governments to cut services or raise taxes Anti worker- vote to give the worker's boss the right to pay less Anti women- vote against women's rights to control their …   more ›

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Gretchen Driskell Wins Race for 52nd House District

Gretchen Driskell plans to keep campaign promise and restore education funding.

Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell is now the newly elected state representative for Michigan's 52nd District.  With 124 of the 169 precincts counted, Driskell had 17,460 votes and Mark Ouimet had 17,207, according to unofficial results from Washtenaw County. Driskell ran against incumbent Republican Ouimet of Scio Township. Driskell, who has been Saline mayor since 1999, was critical of the Republicans' cuts to revenue sharing payments to municipalities since announcing her campaign in March.  "I don't want to cut any more revenues," she said. She said she plans to have a more detailed plan by January but she said her focus will be restoring education funding, a major platform of her campaign. "What really resonated when I went door to door …

Saturday, November 3, 2012

2012 Dexter Local Election Endorsement Round-Up

Here is a compilation of letters to the editor endorsing local candidates.

Election Day is Tuesday, and local candidates are ramping up their campaigns. Here is a look at some of the endorsements Patch received during the 2012 election season. Pat Kelly (Dexter Township Supervisor) Jim Drolett (Dexter Township Supervisor Candidate) Chris Gordon (Dexter Community Schools Trustee) Barbara Read (Dexter Community Schools Trustee Candidate) Shawn Keough (Dexter Village President) Jim Carson (Dexter Village President Candidate) Gretchen Driskell (Democratic Candidate for Michigan's 52nd House District)

David Read

12:11 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012

I strongly support Barbara Read for the School Board. I have known Barbara longer than anyone in Dexter. While admittedly biased, I can vouch that Barbara will be an excellent member of the School Board. She is smart, she listens, she works hard, she cares about the schools and the students, and she is independent. She will be an asset to the Board and the community. The issues that she has …   more ›

Friday, November 2, 2012

Driskell, Ouimet at Odds Over State Education Funding

Both candidates agree, however, that higher education needs to be affordable to Michigan residents.

A disagreement over education funding is the latest topic pitting Democrat Gretchen Driskell verses Republican Mark Ouimet in the hotly contested race for the 52nd District Michigan House of Representatives. Driskell, the current mayor of Saline, held a press conference Tuesday to highlight the issue.   “I want every child in Washtenaw County to get a great education, but that will only happen if we invest in our schools,” Driskell said. State Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Saline schools employee Kimberly Van Hoek attended the conference to support Driskell. Irwin, Hoek and Driskell agree that companies that create high-paying jobs want to locate in places that they can find well-educated workers. Driskell demanded the restoration of …

david holden

8:26 am on Friday, November 2, 2012

Saline Area Schools are better off than we were two years ago. Two years ago Saline Schools was facing a structural defecit draining down cash reserves. The reform legislation enacted turned the finances of the district around to where today we have a balanced budget and a growing reserve fund. The combination of reform and balanced collective bargaining agreements has helped Saline Schools turn …   more ›

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Dexter Election Guide 2012: Learn About the Candidates, Issues

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Dexter and Washtenaw County.

As we look ahead to Tuesday's general election, Dexter Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here are some local races voters are already talking about. Check out the letters to the editor section to see who your neighbors are endorsing locally. Voters will pick a candidate to serve a four-year term. These six are running for a six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Four candidates are running for a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives Two candidates are running for one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Two candidates are running for one seat on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Dexter Township Supervisor Dexter Township Clerk Dexter Township Treasurer Dexter …

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Barbara Read

10:20 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012

If you check the date, I wrote this back in June--well before I chose which term to run for. It's not misleading, it's just an old post.   more ›

Letter to the Editor: Send Gretchen Driskell to Lansing in November

Gretchen Driskell will help restore funding for education and keep our public schools working.

Dear Editor: Voters in the 52nd District have the rare opportunity to send to the state House of Representatives a candidate with superior qualifications. Gretchen Driskell has been mayor of Saline for 14 years, and re-elected seven times. My family and I have lived in the Saline School District all of that time. Our three girls went through the schools. At 70, I've seen many different systems. This one is outstanding. Saline property taxes have remained among the lowest of the county. We experienced Saline's civic pride (the parades, the recreation center, the Celtic Festival, the downtown decorations.)  There's no question why Saline was named one of the best small towns in America. It is not surprising to find out about the regularly …

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