Celebration draws voters to park

BY PETER KOBS

pkobs@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The rain clouds parted and the sun reappeared just in time for the “Celebration of Democracy,” a free bipartisan event that drew hundreds of local residents to F&M Park in Traverse City Saturday.

Under development since February, the festive outdoor gathering was organized by Traverse Indivisible and its sister organization, Leelanau Indivisible.

“We’re really here about two things today,” said co-organizer John DeSpelder, 74. “We want to encourage people to get out the vote, of course, but we’re also providing ways for people to get directly involved in the community through in-person conversations with all the groups represented here today.”

Speakers included state Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, and her Republican counterpart, Rep. John Roth, R-Interlochen, as well as Christina Schlitt of the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters.

“I want to echo the importance of working together across party lines,” Coffia said before the crowd marked her birthday with a song. “It’s not about red and blue, it’s about what we can do together to advance legislation that benefits northern Michigan.

“Celebrating democracy is also about civility and supporting our election workers,” she added. “This is our election. We all do better when we settle our differences peacefully by voting at the ballot box.”

Sponsoring organizations and presenters spanned a broad range of social and political causes, from Equality Michigan and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to Veterans for Peace and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. To add a bit of fun to the event, Don Kuehlhorn came dressed as Uncle Sam, complete with a top hat and patriotic attire. He met with Long Lake Township activist Kay Gallagher, who was eager to talk about developments in the Twin Lakes lawsuit against Grand Traverse County.

LOCAL RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT

“’One big reason why we’re here today is that we really care about the integrity of elections,” said Steve Saaf of Leelanau County, who attended with his wife, Nancy. “I’m also interested in practical gun control measures. And we want to hear from the candidates – it’s good to have a bipartisan approach.”

Olga Stine, a Ukrainian citizen, attended the event because she “wants to learn how to be part of the community and these people share our values.” She is in the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship and said she “can’t wait” to vote in a U.S. election.

Several area candidates were on hand to meet with voters and answer questions, including Fern Spence, Trenton Lee and Jan Wyant, all of whom are running for seats on the Grand Traverse County Commission as Democrats.

Incumbent board members Lauren Flynn and T.J. Andrews were also there to mix with the crowd.

While many Republican and independent voters attended the gathering, few Republican candidates were present. Asked what’s coming next, party officials said both the local GOP and Democrats are planning “watch parties” for the upcoming presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on Tuesday evening.

The League of Women Voters is also planning another candidate forum in the coming weeks, with details yet to be announced.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The overall theme of Saturday’s event was the need for fair and open elections, as well as the value of civic engagement.

For example, Hank Mayers and Susan Beckett were staffing a booth for “America’s Promise,” a group that advocates for greater transparency in election finances and against the use of so-called dark money in campaigns – political donations that can’t be easily traced to specific people or organizations.

Just down the way, Suzy and Bob Cline were promoting Michigan State Police’s “Angel Program.” The nonpartisan effort helps people recover from alcoholism and substance abuse by matching them with mentors and linking them to available resources in the community.

Other nonpartisan presenters include the National Writers Series, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and democracy advocates from the local Unitarian-Universalist Church.

To top it off, a live jazz band performed for the crowd as people signed petitions and signed up to become volunteers.

Anne Walker and Roxan Hessenaur sign up for information about “American Promise,” with help from volunteers Susan Beckett and Hank Mayer, during the “Celebration of Democracy” event at F&M Park on Saturday.

Record-Eagle/Peter Kobs