Petitions bolster straight-party ballots
The Michigan Bureau of Elections has until May 20 to verify 253,321 petition signatures that would kill a new state Republican law which outlaws straight-party voting.

The signatures were submitted through the efforts of a variety of groups, including organized labor. The petitions would seek to overturn a century-old state tradition that allows a voter to punch one chad and vote for all candidates of a single party on a ballot.

Of the 253,321 signatures that were filed, only 151,356 are needed to be verified in order for the Bureau of Elections to place the matter on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot.

Touted as election "reform" by Michigan Republicans, the Michigan AFL-CIO said the bill "was a thinly disguised attempt to suppress the vote among Democratic
constituencies, particularly African-American and Latino voters in urban
areas."

The Michigan Association of County Clerks (an organization dominated by
elected Republican clerks) voted almost unanimously against the proposal, calling it "bad public policy." The clerks told a Senate Committee that the bill would increase voting time, create longer lines at polling places, discourage and reduce voter participation, make it more difficult for senior citizens to cast their ballots and result in a fall-off of voting on the non-partisan portion of the ballot.

The bill was passed on a straight-party vote in the House, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

Mass to honor fallen workers
A service to pray for Michigan workers who were killed on the job will be held Wednesday, May 1 at 12:10 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church near Eastern Market in Detroit. May 1 is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

The names of the 28 construction workers who were killed on the job in 2001 will be read. People of all denominations are welcome.

St. Joseph's Church is located at 1800 Jay St. at Orleans (one block east of Gratiot).

Target shoot to benefit camp
The sixth annual 3-D archery shoot to benefit Camp Fish Tales will be held Saturday June 1 from 9 a.m. to ?, and Sunday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be available.

Sponsored by the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, the shoot will take place at Camp Fish Tales, 2177 Erickson Rd. in Pinconning. The nonprofit camp provides barrier-free facilities for handicapped kids, and has been around since 1968.

The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for kids 6-14 years old, and kids five and under are admitted free.

Numerous targets are scattered on the grounds of the camp along a barrier-free trail. Individuals or local unions can also contribute as target sponsors, for $100. If you can help, make checks payable to Camp Fish Tales, c/o Chuck Westphal of Boilermakers Local 169, 1042 W. Hampton Rd., Essexville, MI 48732. Chuck can be reached at (517) 893-1087.

The camp is located four miles north of Linwood, then one-half mile east of M-13.