There are encouraging signs that the need for more openness and transparency in government will get attention during this year's gubernatorial campaign.
During last week's annual Sunshine Week, sponsored by the American Society of News Editors to raise importance of the bright light of public scrutiny, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who seeks the GOP nomination, said of a word that gets lip service these days in Lansing and Washington:
"Transparency must be more than just a buzz word. It should be a bridge that connects the people to their government. Building that bridge demands a commitment to openness and accountability by those in charge. Unfortunately, not every elected official shares that commitment. Secrecy only serves those in power.
"The best way to ensure a healthy democracy is to encourage citizen involvement, and we can do that by knocking down barriers that impede their access to government."
Other gubernatorial candidates have addressed the issue, most notably Republican Attorney General Mike Cox, who has walked the talk in assorted ways of making information available.
But I was struck by Bouchard's comment about secrecy only serving those in power, and the fact that he recognized Sunshine Week.
World Water Day
This is another special designation deserving note because of the focus the March 22 celebration in Michigan places on protection of the state's underground water supply.
U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, marked the occasion by calling for passage in the Michigan Legislature of a bill by Rep. Dan Scripps, D-Leland, to reinforce that the Great Lakes and the groundwater that feeds them are held in public trust.
Stupak said Scripps' legislation at the state level "does exactly what I have fought for in protecting the Great Lakes: to ensure that neither the Great Lakes nor the groundwater that replenishes them is for sale."
Opponents of the legislation contend that it encroaches on private rights. Traverse City attorney Jim Olson, chairman of the Flow for Water Michigan Public Trust Coalition, insists the bill is about preventing export of water and "has nothing to do with private uses of groundwater by adjacent landowners for farming, manufacturing, golf course, irrigation, municipal water supplies."
Meatout Day muddle
Having cited two special proclamations that I favor, I now note the enormous backlash that came last week to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's goofy proclamation for a Michigan Meatout Day telling us not to eat meat on Saturday.
The negative reaction, lead by the Michigan Farm Bureau and others who rightly cite importance of meat products to the state economy and exports, prompted a quick scramble by Granholm.
"More chew out gov for Meatout Day," headlined The Detroit News on a story that noted that the reaction prompted her to also proclaim Saturday as Michigan Agriculture Day which Michiganians might celebrate "with a cheeseburger made with Michigan beef and dairy or a soup made with Michigan beans."
Granholm's dueling proclamations might well be a first for conflicting daily advice from a Michigan governor: Don't eat meat. Have a burger. A "food fight," headlined the Detroit Free Press.
Attorney General Cox marked the special day with a barbeque at his gubernatorial campaign headquarters. Another Republican candidate for governor, Congressman Pete Hoekstra, of Holland, was among co-sponsors of a resolution by U.S. Rep. Dave Camp designating Saturday National Meat and Poultry Appreciation Day.
Over the decades, our governors have issued hundreds of silly -- and serious -- proclamations, some requested by groups like the vegetarians who got Granholm to tout Meatout Day, and some stemming from gubernatorial conviction.
The National Association of Professional Organizers got Granholm to proclaim January "Get Organized Month."
I'm not sure what prompted then-Gov. John Engler to proclaim April 10, 1995, as "Sibling's Day" to "pay tribute to our siblings throughout our state and nation."
In the Library of Congress there is a 1921 Thanksgiving Proclamation by Michigan Gov. Alex J. Groesbeck saying, "our people, as a rule have been sober and steadfast, honest and industrious." It had no admonition about eating meat.
Illinois mimics Michigan
Michigan's highly effective Pure Michigan TV advertising program won more acclaim last week when Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lewis Lazare said viewers of Illinois' 60-second TV ad "will instantly recognize the similarity between our state's new tourism campaign ... and the brilliant 'Pure Michigan' effort that has touched our emotions and no doubt lured countless tourists to that nearby state.
The Illinois tourism campaign features the slogan "Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile."
Lazare recalled his "previous columns about the glories of the Michigan work, immeasurably enhanced by the exquisite writing and the beautifully intoned voiceovers of actor Tim Allen."
This year's budget has yet to be determined for the Michigan ad campaign, which at one point had an annual budget of $30 million. The House approved a $20 million budget, with $13 million to come from a new tax on rental cars at airports. A $9.5 million budget has been approved in the Senate, where Republicans oppose the rental tax.
Stupak: "A living hell"
What has been the personal toll on Congressman Stupak for his resolve in leading efforts to get guarantees in health-care legislation that federal funds will not be used for abortions?
He was asked the question in an hour-long interview with The Hill newspaper. His response:
"How's it been? Like a living hell."
The telephone lines in his Washington and district offices have been "jammed" and he's gotten more than 1,500 faxes and countless e-mails -- most of which he says don't come from his constituents.
The Hill said the fight has taken a toll on his wife, Laurie, who has disconnected the phone in their Menominee home to avoid harassment.
"All the phones are unplugged at our house -- tired of the obscene calls and threats. She won't watch TV," Stupak said. "People saying they're going to spit on you and all this. That's just not fun."
George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.
