Delta County Unified Newsletter 9/27/26

"If your coalition is not uncomfortable, it's not big enough." —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

NOTES FROM LEAH B:

During our monthly meeting last week, Congresswoman Betsy Coffia gave a special presentation.  She is spearheading an initiative called Take Michigan Power Back.  The goal is to pass the BRITE Act within the first 100 days of the next term.  This legislation aims to undo the damage done by the Citizens United ruling.  Similar legislation has already been passed in Alaska and is in the works in Montana.

The BRITE Act (Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency, and Ethics Act) will curb the influence of special interests and dark money in state politics.  It will increase reporting and disclosure requirements for registered lobbyists, closing the loopholes in tracking political influence.  It will require state-level public officials to submit comprehensive annual financial records.  It will require political spending organizations to disclose their donors and expenditures. And it will update and tighten restrictions on gifts and travel provided to legislators.  

We are asking all of our members to sign a letter supporting this legislation.  A copy of this letter can be found here:  Betsy Coffia open letter  and you can add your name using this link:  Google form for signing letter

This information is also in our 3-Minute Call to Action, later in the newsletter.

Next, Delta County's moratorium on data centers does not apply to cities and townships that have their own boards.  We need volunteers to attend their local board meetings to encourage every city and township in Delta County to draft their own a moratorium. We'll put together a sign-up sheet at our monthly meetings to get people to commit to attending these meetings.  We are also working on a list of other local meetings that need attendees.  We need people willing to get involved locally, attend meetings, and report back to Delta County Unified on important community issues. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

Power to the People Fundraiser

Sunday, September 27

2-4 PM

Northern Sun Winery

983 10th Road

Bark River, MI

Hosted by Delta Dems. Get motivated for midterm season! Music by the Make-Believe Spurs

Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday

12-1:30 PM
SW corner of Lincoln & Ludington, in front of Walgreen's

Escanaba, MI

Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot. 

Support for Hope on the Horizon 906

Thursday, October 1st

6 PM

Escanaba City Hall

410 Ludington Street

Certain members of the Escanaba City Council are trying to block the opening of a homeless shelter/transitional housing by refusing to rezone a building that has been vacant for 9 years.  The building is already in an area zoned for mixed use. We are meeting in the back/parking lot area to rally support for the rezoning of the old Bertram building.  We want signs such as "Vote yes on Rezoning," "We support Hope on the Horizon," or other such signs.  

The City Council will meet at 7 pm to vote on the rezoning. If you can attend and speak during public comments that would be great too.  This is not just an Escanaba issue, so anyone can speak.  This is a Delta County Issue because Escanaba is the county seat.

Postcard Writing Party

Saturday, October 3

3-5 PM

Dewdrop Family Restaurant

916 Delta Ave

Gladstone

We'll be writing postcards to progressive-leaning voters in purple states who consistently vote in Presidential elections but not in the Midterms, encouraging them to vote in November. Postcards and names/addresses will be provided by Porter Kelly, postage will be the responsibility of participants. Please plan to order something from the restaurant so we're not just loitering. A generous donor will be providing 100 post card stamps for this endeavor.

If interested, RSVP to Porter Kelly at porter@porterkelly.com so we can make sure we have enough postcards, and also to give the Dewdrop a heads up if we're going to have a large group. 

Strike for Hunger

October 8, 9, and 10th

7 am - 9 pm

The USW Women of Steel are working to support local families in need.  They are seeking donations of food, hygiene items, paper productsd, or monetary gifts at Elmer's Country Market and Pat's Foods.  Donations will benifit the Salvation Army and St. Vincent De Paul.

"No Kings: Vote Early" March for Democracy

Saturday, October 17

1 PM

In front of the fairgrounds, across the road from Gordon Foods

Escanaba

The next Indivisible National Event is on October 17th and is geared towards reminding people to vote and vote early.  We determine what comes next by who we vote for.  We will March from the fairgrounds (on the sidewalk) for about a mile and then back.  Bring signs reminding people to vote.  Bring signs with the names of your favorite candidates.

NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (08-21-26):

Guest Ellen Chenoweth (they/them) said that early voting is key to deterring sabotage. They also made a great point that whatever the regime is trying to stop (in this case, mail in voting and early voting) is likely the most effective way to resist!

Link to podcast version of meeting:

What's the Plan podcast - new episodes every Friday

Link to next week's national "What's the Plan?" call:

Indivisible What's the Plan - Thursday Oct 1, 2026    

REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

From Hope on the Horizon 906:

Hello all! As many know I am involved in the Hope On The Horizon 906 (homeless shelter ) Project . We are having our first fundraiser on October 17th (see attached flyer) . 

We are looking for any larger halloween decorations you may want to part with ! (or large fall decor)  decorate the Gladstone ski chalet for event . If anyone would want to donate contact Lynn Curtis 906-384-6365 ( will pick up!!!) or bring to Dems meeting Oct 7. Thank you in advance ! You are all amazing  

Come join the fun too if you can ! Fun for all ages

From Delta Dems:

This chart was adapted from the Houghton County Dems newsletter. All thanks to them!

FALL ELECTION DATES

DATE

WHAT’S HAPPENING

September 24 - Absentee ballots and drop boxes become available

October 19 - Last day to register to vote online or by mail (registration in person at your local clerk’s office is still available up to and including Election Day.)

October 24 - Early in-person voting begins. The early voting site for all Delta County precincts is the Wells Township Hall at 6436 N. 8th St, Wells.

November 3 - Election Day

3-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:

Help get money out of Michigan politics! Our meeting guest, State Rep. Betsy Coffia, has asked us to sign onto an open letter to the next Governor, Senate Majority Leader and House Speaker urging them to prioritize the "Take Michigan Power Back" legislation and pass it into law within the First 100 Days next term.

Here's the letter copy: Betsy Coffia open letter

Here's the link to add your name to the letter: Google form for signing letter