ESQUIRE

Editor, I’ve seen in the Saturday, March 18, paper the article known as “How They Voted.” I would like to convey the importance of the new FOIA ( Freedom of Information Act) legislation that was pushed by State Representative Beau LaFave by telling you about experience I had last year trying to obtain FOIA information from a State agency. I had received the same type of information from other municipalities with no problem, but the City of Escanaba told me to contact Lansing directly. The gentleman I talked to at the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) in Lansing kept saying to me “esquire . . . esquire.” In short esquire is a title giving to any one but the common person. The American and British uses do vary, but essentially the State of Michigan said I am a “nobody.” Representive LaFave got the new FOIA bills through and State House. Hopefully Senator Casperson will push it through the State Senate for Governor Schneider to sign it into Law. With this accomplished, the people of Michigan can declare “esquire”, holding our State and Local Governments accountable and transparent. More FOIA’d information on 108th District can be found at www.cvcofdickinsoncounty.com Thank You Brian K Smeester 380 Cass Ave Kingsford Mi 49802 906-774-9711