WCRC Newsletter

Chairman’s Notes

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a successful 2023 in reaching our goals and objectives that we set for Wayne County Republican Committee.    Looking forward to more successful projects in 2024.   Here are some of our accomplishments so far:

1. Campaign Academy – Six classes were held over a period of six weeks. A total of 30 people signed up to attend one or all of the classes.  Several of the participants are candidates running for office in 2024.  Evaluations provided by attendees after the classes gave high marks for the instructors and the program content.  Thank-you to all of the instructors Representative Jim DeSana, Kevin Decker, Jennifer Standerfer, Pastor Jeff Noble, Patrick Colbeck, Luke Malace, and Doug Reimel. 

• Poll Worker Vetting – Using the comprehensive program created by Kate Riley, Chairperson, Wayne County Board of Canvassers, over 30 people were trained and assisted in vetting election workers for the February presidential primary.  A big thank-you to all the volunteers who stepped up to participate.

• Precinct Delegate Recruitment – Coordinated efforts with Wayne 12 and Congressional 13 volunteers who were recruiting Precinct Delegates. A compiled list of delegate candidates recruited by these volunteers is on the WCRC website so individuals may verify their affidavit was accepted by the Wayne County Clerk. Other recruitment efforts include a Precinct Delegate training workshop which was held at Firing Line in Westland.   Apostle Smith, from Jubilee Church in Redford, hosted us on Sunday, May 5 to sign up Precinct Delegates (with an invitation to return to conduct training.)  Special thanks to notaries Margaret Erle, Toni Sellars, and Lesley Thomas. 

Notable Meeting Speakers

Cynthia Orton from the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission spoke at our April meeting. She shared information about the necessary redistricting changes due to recent court rulings and talked about upcoming redistricting meetings and how the community can provide input. Please see attachment from Cynthia for more details.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 1, 12:30 pm – Stop Human Trafficking/Slavery

This informative event, led by Lisha Kilgus, Liberty Leaders, is a partnership with Stand Up Michigan Wayne and Wayne County Republican Committee. The goal of the event is to ask parents, grandparents, and the community, “How are you protecting your children from predators?”  We need to educate people about this danger to our children.  Many are unaware that trafficking/slavery is happening in our own communities.

The event will be held at the River Church in Westland. Doors open at 12:30 pm. There is a suggested $10 donation, but it is not required to attend. Please go to our website for the total list of outstanding speakers who will be present, and to sign up.  Here is the shareable flyer.  

Saturday, June 1, 12:30 pm – Juneteenth

We were invited by Valarie Parker who owns a building on Fenkell Avenue near Telegraph Road in Detroit to conduct outreach in her neighborhood.   We are excited to have this opportunity to bring information about the Republican Party and how we are more similar than different.   

The current speakers who have agreed to attend include Bernadette Smith, Kristina Karamo, State Representative Jim Desana, Senator Jim Runestad, and Apostle Ellis Smith, Jubilee Church.

We need volunteers on Sunday, June 16 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm to pass out flyers in the Fenkell/Telegraph area to promote the event.   We also need volunteers on the day of the event to set up (tents, tables, and chairs) at 11:00 am, and for clean up after the event.

Monday, July 22, 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Annual Independence Day Picnic

The WCRC Annual Independence Day Picnic will be held at Heritage Park, North Pavilion #2, in Canton. This will be a fun and fellowship event! Cost is only $10 per person and children under 5 are free. Candidates who plan to attend are welcome to bring campaign brochures for our literature table or may bring their own table to set up. Sponsorships are available. Ann Clark has issued a challenge in regard to sponsorships and will match any donation to the picnic up to $500!

Be sure to check out the Trump Unity Bridge for Trump merchandise and apparel!

Please register here. The flyer is available here to print and share.

Thursday, September 19, 5:30 pm – Reagan Dinner

Join us at the Italian American Club in Livonia for the Wayne County Republican Committee’s annual fundraising event where we will present our second “Colbeck Award”.  This award was named after Patrick Colbeck because of his inspiring leadership to the people of the State of Michigan in pursuing justice for the citizens of our great state.  Patrick Colbeck will be presenting the “Colbeck Award” to our next award recipient.

We are looking for sponsors for this event and will be selling ad space in our Reagan Dinner program. If you know of an individual or business who may be interested in supporting us, please share our flyer with them. All funds raised will go toward supporting local candidates who are running in 2024.

For more details on all of our events go to www.waynecountyrepublicancommittee.com/events

Upcoming Meetings

Our meetings are generally held on the fourth Monday of each month at the Canfield Center in Dearborn Heights located at 1801 North Beech Daly Rd. Meetings start promptly at 6:30 pm.

Monday, May 20

Monday, June 24

Monday, July 22 – No meeting, please see Annual Independence Day Picnic information

Monday, August 26

Thursday, September 19 – No meeting, please see Reagan Dinner information

Closing Thoughts

This upcoming election is critical for Michigan.   It is important for Republicans to become election inspectors (poll workers) at the upcoming elections.  Due to Michigan’s new election laws which include between 9 and 12 days of early voting, we need additional representation.  A minimum of 1,400 election inspectors are necessary to cover polling sites across Michigan.  Contact your local clerk’s office to sign up.   Be aware you can sign up to be a poll worker at any municipality. Detroit desperately needs Republican workers, and they pay double that of other municipalities. However, most cities/townships need Republicans.

Please consider supporting the upcoming events for Wayne County Republican Committee. We are only successful through the dedication of the volunteers who participate.  Annual memberships are available. Funds raised through our memberships and events support candidates in Wayne County or whose districts cover a portion of Wayne County. Thank-you for your continued support. I am so grateful for those who have stepped up and for those who will become involved as we tackle the rest of 2024.