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SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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6
September 27, 2012
Election counts in Plymouth and
Van Buren townships were chal-
lenged thismonth by candidateswho
felt that there could have been a pos-
siblemistake in the vote totals.
In one case, the margin of victory
was only seven votes, while in anoth-
er, the total margin of victory was
reported at 400 or so ballots.
While we fully understand the
expense, the inconvenience and the
psychological impact of requests for
such a recounting of the ballots, we
do agree that when candidates have
a question or the margin is within 50
or so votes, it is wise to double check
and make sure the will of the people
is accurately tallied.
In every instance of a recount last
month, the winners of the election
remained the winners, there was no
change in the ultimate outcome of
the totals. What was also interesting
was that in all but one case in Van
Buren, the actual totals for every
candidate changed slightly. Some got
even more votes than originally
reported and others got fewer.
We think that is significant and
meaningful. We don't think it is a sign
of any misdeeds or carelessness nor
dowe think it was some type of fraud
of misdoing. We believe it proves
only that these mistakes can be
made in counting ballots when they
come from several polling places,
absentee ballots delivered by mail
and drop boxes outside township
halls and simple errors by those
entrusted to do the job.
These recounts proved that ask-
ing to have the ballots re-tallied is in
the best interest of everyone, the
winners, the losers and the voters on
both sides of any campaign. We think
having the opportunity to request
such a recount is a good thing, and
puts to rest many doubts and con-
spiracy theories that can often haunt
candidates long after the election is
over. When there is any doubt in any-
one'smind, when the totals are close,
a recount provides the assurance to
everyone involved that the results
are accurate and true.
We think the measures currently
inplace allowing for this request and
action help ensure that there is no
chicanery or disrespect for the legiti-
macy of our elections.
The recounts are now complete.
The totals have changed, slightly, but
the winners remain the winners, just
theway the voters intended.
Nowwemove on toNovember.
I owe Dan Gilbert and Manoj
Bhargava a big hug.
So do you, really.
Nope, Dan didn't get me a mort-
gage and I've never tried Manoj's
Five-Hour Energy drink. What
they, and 90 other billionaires,
have done, however, deserves
some recognition and thanks from
everybody in this country. If you
don't want to give them a hug, and
that could get complicated, now
that I think about it, what with all
the bodyguards and security, at
least some measure of thanks is
seriously in order here.
See, here I was, like everybody
else, upset about the news last
week. OK, so I was more upset
that some others, but let's face it,
howmuchbadnews canwe take?
When the Middle East erupted
into violence and overt hatred for
our country spilled into riots in the
streets and the death of the U.S.
Ambassador and staff members in
Libya, my reaction was dispropor-
tionate to the situation.
I was just crabby, disappointed,
out of sorts and angry at theworld.
There had just been too much
bad news for too long and hearing
about how wrong the U.S. was
from so many people, some who
want to take over and run it, was
really depressing.
Then I read a tiny little news
article in one of the daily papers, I
mean it was no more that a few
paragraphs long, only included, I'm
sure, to fill space when the editor
couldn't find anything else the
right size. It was slipped in at the
top of page 2C in the business sec-
tion, where only a newspaper
savant like me would be sure to
find it.
The article said that two of the
Michigan super-rich joined Bill
Gates
and
Warren Buffett
in a pledge to
use
their
wealth to help the less fortunate in
the world. Manoj Bhargava of
Farmington Hills and Quicken
Loans founder Dan Gilbert and his
wife, Jennifer, said that they, too,
would give their fortunes away.
Yeah, you read that right. These
people, all of whom are BILLION-
AIRES, have joined 90 others in
the same financial bracket and
pledged to give away at least half
their fortunes to a foundation dedi-
cated to helping the poor and
underprivileged around theworld.
This is the kind of news I think
should be on the front page with a
90 point headline. There are good
people in the world trying to do
good things and make this a better
place for everybody. Sure, there
aren't as many of themas there are
Charles “Trav” Griffin has been named to the Wayne-
Westland Community Schools Board of Education to fill a term
that expires inNovember of 2014.
We think the board members made a wise choice in select-
ing Griffin, who served on the board previously, has served on
numerous city boards and commissions, was a city councilman
and themayor ofWestland.
Griffin is also a former teacher and a union representative
who has been on both sides of the table in contract negotiations
andpersonnel issues.
All those qualifications make him well qualified for just
about any public office, but what is more impressive is Griffin's
sincere and real desire to serve. He is certainly not doing this
for the money, he isn't interested in self-aggrandizement, does-
n't need the experience for a resume and he isn't going to use
the office as any kind of stepping stone to further some political
aspirations.
Griffin, in our experience, is a man who truly and sincerely
wants to serve the community. He campaigned for a seat on the
board of education during the last election and came in third.
His interest in filling this unexpired termwasn't made as some
kind of short cut to office like some others we have seen. He
was interested enough in the office to seek election and cam-
paign for it, missing by a narrowmargin.
Those who know Griffin, who have dealt with him in any of
his elected or official capacities, understand that one of his
greatest strengths is his quiet, unassuming and easy-to-over-
look manner. Many have learned the hard way that under that
good-ole-boy exterior is a fine mind and a sincere and dedicat-
edpublic servant with a passion to do the right thing.
We understand the split vote on the board on Griffin's
appointment, too. We suspect that some would have preferred
someone younger, slicker and more articulate, not understand-
ing that the experience, education and first-hand knowledge,
along with the passion for true public service Griffin offers out-
weighs any drawbacks theymightmistakenly perceive.
We admit that we have dealt withGriffin formany years and
have a long history with him. We haven't always agreed with
him on issues, but we have never doubted his character, his
integrity or his intelligence.
All the other candidates seeking this appointment have
their own level of experience and individual talents and any of
them, we think, would have been a good choice. Griffin, howev-
er, offered a little more experience, a little more dedication
and a little more pragmatic insight into the relationship of the
board, the administration and the unions.
The Wayne-Westland school board members made a wise
choice in appointing Griffin to this seat and we are more than
confident that even those who may not have advocated his
return to the board table will soon be impressed with the abili-
ties and experience he can offer.
We congratulate Griffin on his appointment and the board
members formaking an excellent choice.
Recounts
validate
results
Letters
This is the kind of news
I think should be on the front page
with a 90 point headline.
”
He was interested enough in the office
to seek election and campaign for it,
missing by a narrow margin.
”
These 92 billionaires deserve thanks from all
Appointment to board deserves top marks
United Way campaign begins
Plymouth Community United
Way has kicked off its 2012 cam-
paign to raise money for partner
agencies and grant recipients who
provide basic needs and resources
for residents of Plymouth, Canton
Township and the western Wayne
County area. The agency is reach-
ing out to individuals, businesses,
industry, and professionals to make
a donation or run a campaign at the
office. Everyone benefits when fam-
ilies are financially stable and
healthy.
Last year, in addition to funding
partner agencies, Plymouth
Community United Way organized
Make a Difference days to clean
yards of senior citizens and people
with disabilities, and collected new
hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves,
and food for those inneed.
Donations can be made to
Plymouth Community United Way,
960 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Suite 2,
Plymouth, MI 48170. For informa-
tion, call (734) 453-6879.
Visit www.plymouthunitedway.
org to learn about the partner agen-
cies such as Angela Hospice, First
Step, The Salvation Army Plymouth
Corps, Community Opportunity
Center,
Human
Service
Collaborative, Growth Works, and
many others. The nonprofits offer a
variety of services from food
See
Letters,
page 7
See
Thanks,
page 7