MEA Urges Members NOT to Sign or Circulate Synder Petition

Of the recent effort to present language for the recall of Snyder, only one (petition) has been approved for circulation.  Not unlike the petitions to recall Sens. Meekhof and Schmidt, this too is sponsored by members of the far right wing of the tea party.  In short, sponsors of the recall petitions believe Meekhof and Schmidt are not conservative enough.  Although we have not been contacted by sponsors of those petitions, the sponsor of the Snyder recall did contact us this morning.  We’ve no intention of returning his call and would urge that MEA members NOT sign nor circulate the Snyder recall petition.

Here’s why:

1.    In the unlikely event Snyder is actually recalled or resigns – the result would most likely be devastating for MEA.  First, Lt. Gov. Calley could become the new governor and he’s no better than Snyder is.  Second, Calley or any other GOP candidate, running for a full term as governor, would be compelled to prove his far right, tea party bona fides and the best way for him to do that would be to move as much anti-MEA, anti-school employee legislation as possible, as soon as possible.  We gain absolutely nothing by the recall of Snyder and quite possibly would be in worse shape very quickly.

2.    The sponsor of this petition is Ben Lazarus.  He’s a 24 year old, recently elected member of the Warren Consolidated Schools Board.  He was not endorsed by MEA.  Mr. Lazarus, a Republican, is a controversial figure and constant social media critic of Snyder even though he appeared in one of the last Snyder TV spots in the last election.  He was also the campaign manager of Republican Alan Arcand running in the first Congressional district, running to the right of Benishek and received the support of disgraced RNC member Dave Agema. 

Mr. Lazarus essentially ran for the Warren school board from Florida and won the election only after running race baiting robo-calls.  Unfortunately, he did not mention his arrests for drugs and resisting arrest while living in Florida just two years ago.

Whatever Mr. Lazarus’ agenda, plans or motivations are, it is simply ludicrous to believe any of it is to benefit members or the MEA, quite the opposite. 

Again, we urge that local leaders and members refrain from signing or circulating his petitions.

Steven B. Cook

MEA President