Free Republic

Two charged with election fraud for fake Tea Party filings by CHARLES CRUMM and DAVE PHILLIPS March 16,2011 Two former Oakland County Democratic Party workers face felony charges from a six-month grand jury investigation into allegations of election fraud. Jason Bauer, the former political director for the county party, and Mike McGuinness, the former county party chairman, were arraigned Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court before Judge James Alexander. They were each charged with three counts of uttering and publishing and perjury, while Bauer also faces three counts of a violation of the Michigan Notary Act. The charges range from...

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson on Tuesday joined a heated -- but seemingly settled -- debate over whether holstered firearms should be allowed at the Arts, Beats and Eats festival scheduled for Labor Day weekend in Royal Oak. The City Commission on Monday night voted to remove a ban on firearms from the contract between Royal Oak and festival organizers in the wake of pressure from open-carry advocates. "These guys want to make a point and don't give a damn about the charities the festival supports," the Republican leader and festival founder told The Oakland Press. "I have a...

ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson had added his voice to the debate over the open carrying of weapons at the Arts, Beats and Eats festival in Royal Oak. Talking to Local 4 on Wednesday, Patterson said he's concerned about the effects the presence of guns would have on the annual Labor Day weekend event. "We don't deny that they have the right. What we're saying is, 'Is this the right place to exercise that constitutional right?' he said. "We've received literally scores, well over 100, probably a couple hundred, of calls from families who are...