Days until the August 7, 2012 Primary
June 9, 2011
This website has been renewed to cover the 2012 elections next year. Please check back as we intend to update the site. We have decided to keep all of the old 2009 Ironwood Township Supervisor recall data on the site, as first time voters can decide if any of it remains relevant.
We are a little over one year until the next primary where the citizens of Ironwood Township will decide on the next Ironwood Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. Will there any changes? You have the power to decide.
Over the last year, there continues to be turbulence and division. Many issues have come before the Ironwood Township Board without any type of resolve. If you talk to residents along Sunset Road, you may find they are not “happy campers.” The water and road project in the township is the closest thing to eternal life.
After the recall election, there was some hope of a new beginning. Hope for progress, hope for common ground, and hope for the future. This is not happening! There was a recent decision made that we believe shows the poor decision-making skills being employed. We believe once this becomes public, the citizens will have another reason to change the course next year.
We remain disappointed in the both the Ironwood Township Supervisor, Kim Mattson, and the Clerk, Gayla Salmi. It is our hope the citizens take a good look at their records when making a decision in the ballot box.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
June 13, 2010
We have been asked by more citizens, “Why haven’t you updated the website?” The answer is simple. The recall election is over and we have kept true to our word! We asked for a vote, got it, and are expected to live with the results for the next two years.
While we have asked citizens to remain vigilant, we are not asking our fellow citizens to come to us with their problems with the Township. Each citizen has the ability to voice his/her opinion in person, through the media, or at a public meeting. If you don’t like the results, then please use the ballot box in the August 2012 Primary to make your voices heard.
It was our original intention to let this website domain expire. However, many have asked us to keep the web domain alive for a historical perspective. Your voices have been heard!
Again, if you have any concerns with the Lake Road water project, please don’t think that we can do anything about it. We feel sorry for those affected by the overwhelming dust and grading problems. We did our best to address our concerns last year.
We wish everyone the best! If we deem there to be anything of importance in the future, we will update the website.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
November 10, 2009
Please read our Thank You appearing in today’s Daily Globe. It is time to relax and assess what we were able to accomplish collectively.
Finding our signs is like an Easter Egg hunt! They are appearing in places not listed on our sign placement log. We estimate a loss of around 120 campaign signs during the period leading to the election. If the signs mysteriously “reappear” in different locations as Mr. Chet Romans remarked, it is not of our doing.
We intend to finish updating this site before the end of the week.
Regards,
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
November 9, 2009
We were close! We don’t think a margin of 64 votes is going to allow Kim Mattson to crow from the highest rooftop. We believe we sent a very strong message and citizens can band together when they feel something is wrong. Our thanks to you and your support has been humbling to us!
We intend to honor our commitment. We asked for a vote from the citizens and accept the final verdict. However, this is not a time to close our eyes and allow the system to go unchecked. We ask the citizens to remain respectfully vigilant. With this in mind, there are no future recall efforts planned.
At the request of township citizens, this website will remain functional for the near future for reference only. If there is something of value, we will post it here.
As the dust settles, we will update the website with the results, commentary on ads, and a summary on our view for the future.
Regards,
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
October 27, 2009
Things are moving along in our efforts and we remain optimistic. Our signs are getting stolen more and more. It is strange that none of Mattson’s are disappearing. Maybe it is a sign they are scared of something. We have received Kim Mattson’s Vote No pamphlet. Frankly, we are getting tired of seeing the term “misinformation.” There has been no “misinformation” and Kim Mattson is not a victim.
Citizens have been asking us more and more about the residency issue. We will state for the record that Kim Mattson legally met the requirements to run for office by registering her residency at her sister’s home. It is entirely up to you to decide if it was the ethical thing to do or not.
We want to thank those of you who have sent letters to the editor in the hopes of shining a different light. While we respect the letters sent in by Marilyn Partyka and Nancy Sertic (both sisters), we will discount the letter written by Lori Prenderville (Kim Mattson’s sister). Ms. Prenderville’s letters usually take a tone of nastiness. We received an email from Prenderville in June deciding to take a cheap shot at a member of our group who had a family member touched by a tragedy. Inserted in her email was the line, “perhaps you could start a committee to prevent underage drinking and/or drinking and driving and/or the drug problems in our communities.” This is not a winning strategy on their side and had nothing to do with the recall. However, we felt you should see a small sample.
Remember, all of this ends on Election Day, November 3, 2009. If Mattson is recalled, we believe Ironwood Township can put its best foot forward. This is nothing more than making those who are elected answerable for their actions.
Regards,
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
October 22, 2009
Many of you have been asking for a long time, “Was Kim Mattson really a resident of Ironwood Township when she ran for Supervisor.
We have listed a residency timeline along with documents by public officials through the Freedom of Information Act. You can decide on your own if Kim Mattson established a sham address or not.
Regards,
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
October 14, 2009
Hope everyone is enjoying the fall! A big thank you to those of you have called and asked for yard signs in a show of solidarity of our efforts. We have replaced some stolen signs and filed reports with the proper authorities. We have stepped up our efforts to monitor the signs and intend to press charges if any individual or individuals are caught. Removing signs are against the law! And to those of you who could not place a sign in your yard for personal reasons but intend to vote to recall Mattson, a special thank you! Please remember every vote counts, especially the young voters in college.
Keep checking out our website for further updates. More items of interest will be posted soon and things are starting to move quickly!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
October 5, 2009
We have been receiving calls from voters asking if we are going to be placing recall campaign signs and if they can have one or two for their yard. The answer to both questions is yes! The only thing we ask of you is the follow the law and make sure wherever the signs are placed, permission has been granted to do so. While discussing the Recall with fellow voters, please continue to be courteous.
It is important to note our campaign officially ends Election Day 2009 on November 3, 2009 and we believe we have a strong chance of making the Recall go through. As we stated before, this is not an eternal campaign. We would have never pressed the Recall Petition issue if the support was in the direction of Mattson. Regardless, it all comes down to voter turnout.
We also have some handouts for those who do not have access to our website.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
September 24, 2009
We have posted a copy of the November 3, 2009 Election Ballot along with a page of commentary. Review our response (yellow highlighted) to each of the points Kim Mattson countered on the ballot. Under Michigan Election Law, Mattson is given the final rebuttal on the ballot, even if she chooses to lie. Pay close attention to Point #4.
We are not able to predict what is going to happen on Election Day. At the same time, Kim Mattson cannot guarantee that she will be able to retain the office of supervisor. She has made the conscious decision to “roll the dice” and lie in her rebuttal. Will her strategy work? Once again, the voters will have the final say in the ballot box.
As we stated in our last posting, Mattson should have learned a long time ago, if you don’t have any experience, the truth is a good place to start!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
September 22, 2009
We currently have the November 3, 2009 Election Ballot for Ironwood Township. It appears Kim Mattson has learned NOTHING through the recall process. In the next day or two, we will post the PDF file of the ballot on the website along with our commentary.
Kim Mattson has not had a good track record for telling the truth. Now it is time for the voters of the township to decide if they can afford to have a supervisor who they cannot trust.
Mattson should have learned a long time ago, if you don’t have any experience, the truth is a good place to start!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
September 2, 2009
Hope all of you have had a great summer and look forward to a nice Labor Day weekend! We have nothing new to report on the recall of Kim Mattson but anticipate some activity will occur shortly after the holiday weekend.
We are looking forward to firing up the engines this fall and will be releasing information concerning Kim Mattson that we regard as relevant to her character. As the old adage goes, “We report, you decide!”
Have a nice weekend!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
August 14, 2009
After a brief conversation with Mr. Gerry Pelissero, Gogebic County Clerk, we have been informed Kim Mattson has chosen not to contest the Recall Petition signatures. There will be a recall election on November 3, 2009.
Mattson has submitted her 200 word rebuttal to the County Clerk’s Office and is currently being reviewed by Mr. Pelissero. Under the current election law, she will have the final word on the ballot. We are ready, prepared, and willing to respond to Mattson’s rebuttal if necessary.
We are looking forward to the upcoming campaign and have relevant information to release to the public concerning Kim Mattson closer to the election. It is our belief this information is important and will help the Ironwood Township voters determine the character of Kim Mattson on election day.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 28, 2009
Today, we received confirmation from Mr. Gerry Pelissero, Gogebic County Clerk, that all of our petitions have been reviewed by Ms. Gayla Salmi, Ironwood Township Clerk, and himself. It was noted that all petitions were filed in proper form. The review found 332 out of the 338 signatures are registered voters of Ironwood Township. Our group accepts the findings of both Mr. Pelissero and Ms. Salmi to be true and correct.
Kim Mattson, Ironwood Township Supervisor, has until August 15, 2009 to submit written challenges. For her to be successful in preventing a recall election this November, she would have to find strong reasons to have more than 60 signatures disqualified. Please see the correspondence from Mr. Pelissero’s office dated July 27, 2009.
Again, we thank the voters of Ironwood Township.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 24, 2009
Please see our announcement in today’s edition of the Daily Globe. It mainly thanks our supporters along with our view of how the campaign will unfold in the near future. The same announcement will also run in the Range Shopper this Saturday for those who do not receive the Globe.
There is nothing to report concerning the certification of signatures from the petitions. We intend to question and challenge, within reason, any signatures that Kim Mattson attempts to have thrown out.
Continue to check out our site. More interesting information will be posted.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 16, 2009
This morning, we filed our recall petitions with the Gogebic County Clerk. We received the following petition filing receipt from Mr. Gerry Pelissero. Please see our July 16, 2009 Press Release for additional information.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 15, 2009
We are pleased to report that we have obtained more than enough signatures to file with the Gogebic County Clerk on Thursday Morning, July 16, 2009. It is important to note this is normally a 90 day process. By our calculations, we had enough signatures within three weeks.
The only real obstacle we encountered during the petition drive is that many people don’t stick around the house in the summer. They are gone on vacation, out to the lake, visiting, reunions, etc. We tried to visit as many homes as possible and decided against multiple visits to the same residences to maximize our time. In hindsight, we should have left a note in the door stating “Sorry we missed you” and left some contact information. Based on our own statistical data, we believe our numbers would have been substantially higher had the drive began in the Fall of 2009 after the summer vacation season.
We offer to each of you who signed our petition our heartfelt thanks. And to those who were unable to sign for personal reasons and said they would support us at the polls, our thanks to you also! A big thanks to those of you who “worked the phones” talking to your neighbors about the recall garnering support. Finally, to those who didn’t agree with us, we respect your right to have your own opinion.
Our group is proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far. We stand behind everything we have talked about and published. Any information we will submit to the public now and the immediate future has been gathered through legal means. Remember, we have to live and work in this community once this whole ordeal is over with.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 9, 2009
As the weekend quickly approaches, thank you very much for all of the phone calls, wishes, and tips along the way. We understand your curiosity on how the campaign is going and we hope to bring you an update as soon as possible. Our group is taking each home visit and phone call one at a time. Anything worth doing is worth doing well!
On a another note, one of Kim Mattson’s supporters, who happens to take pictures for a local online publication, made a complete fool out of himself during the Bessemer 4th of July Parade. He spotted one of our committee members driving a float and quickly raced out in front of the vehicle to take a picture. At the same time, he “flipped the finger” at waist level to the driver. We consider this to be in extremely poor taste to do this in front of a crowd and in the line of sight of a young girl riding in the truck. For lack of better words, shame on him!
Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 6, 2009
We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Now it is time to get back to business and continue to stay on message. It seems Kim Mattson has a tactic of bringing up the cost of the recall election. As we mentioned before, it would cost the township approximately $1,500. If you use their figures of 2,300 residents in the township, it would cost approximately 65 cents per person. We believe this is a small price to pay for the opportunity to give the citizens a change to voice their will in the sanctity of the ballot box. Our citizens have a real chance to close this chapter once and for all.
We find it puzzling why cost is a question now, especially when cost wasn’t an issue in the “proposed budget.” It seems like yesterday when one of the full-time officials stated during the budget debate that they were trying to get what they could. When these words were spoken, Mattson was silent. The message was one of a collective effort.
Leading the township is a serious matter, not where a full-time township official states during a meeting, “We won the popularity contest.”
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
July 2, 2009
Prior to the July 4th holiday, we wanted to give you an update on things happening. Visits to the citizens continue to go well and we have been able to answer the many questions you have pertaining to the recall.
Let’s clear up a couple of points concerning Mr. Dan Olson’s letter to the editor. Mr. Olson states, “Kim Mattson was elected, James J. Simmons Jr. was not elected.” The fact of the matter is James J. Simmons Jr. did not run for the supervisor position. He did not run for supervisor in the primary election nor the general election. He has also stated he would not seek the office if Kim Mattson is recalled. There is no vendetta. Never has been. We never thought standing up for what is right would be considered a vendetta.
Mr. Olson also states, “The salaries (on the website) are completely inaccurate from what the township officials and employees actually make.” We are happy to clear this matter up for Mr. Olson. The salaries listed on the website are the “proposed salaries” from the “proposed budget.” These are the salaries they tried to sneak through but were met with stiff opposition from the public once word leaked out in the community. Our petition clearly states, “These wages could have taken effect if not for public outrage.” This comes down to a character issue. You can tell a lot about a person’s character on what they do when no one is looking. If no one was looking, these wages could have become actual.
The final point of Mr. Olson’s letter is difficult to follow. He states, “Also, take note of what petition is being signed, as all information will be made public.” We guess you can take this two ways. First of all, there is only one petition. This is the petition approved for clarity by the Gogebic County Election Commission on June 16, 2009. By law, we are not allowed to change anything. Any petitions deviating from the original are invalid. The second way to interpret Mr. Olson’s point is that any person who signs the petition will be exposed. A reasonable person could view this as a “veiled threat.”
We never expected Kim Mattson or her supporters to remain silent. It has been our platform to keep the campaign focused on the facts. If the recall issue makes it to the November ballot, the citizens will have an opportunity to determine if she possesses character and leadership qualities. We believe there is enough reasonable doubt to give the voter a second look.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
June 26, 2009
As our recall campaign progresses, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have been signing our petitions. We are pleased to report that things are going very well on the hot summer trail and will be bringing you updates as they occur. A special thanks to those of you who have been offering us cold bottles and glasses of water. Your kindness has been deeply appreciated.
We know many of you are making holiday plans so we will “play it by ear” as far as face-to-face contact over the next week. Enjoy the 4th!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
June 23, 2009
Please note that we now have a mailing address to receive correspondence effective today:
Township Citizens for Change
P.O. Box 777
Ironwood, MI 49938
If you would like to contact us by phone, please call (906) 932-0181 and leave a message if no one is at home. Many people have commented that they have no way to contact us personally. We are willing to visit you at your home or whatever way is the most convenient. Providing the citizen with the information to make an informed decision is our goal.
Also, please take a look at the most recent article in today’s Daily Globe. It is just another example of the incompetence leading the township on a daily basis. This article appeared in the Daily Globe.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
June 19, 2009
Please check out our newly added section to our website! It is called “Frequently Asked Questions.” As the process continues, we will add the questions and concerns you ask of us to the list.
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
June 18, 2009
We would like to thank the residents of Ironwood Township who have been signing our petitions and a special thanks to those who wish us well in our efforts.
For those of you who haven’t heard from us, please be patient! You are just as important as those who have already signed. The township covers a vast area and we want to maximize our time and resources. We want to work smarter, not harder!
Enjoy the summer because the season is short enough. The 4th of July is just around the corner!
Regards,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski
June 16, 2009
Welcome to our website!! Township Citizens for Change
On Tuesday, June 16, 2009, the Gogebic County Election Commission ruled in our favor approving the language listed on our Recall Petition of Kim M. Mattson, Ironwood Township Supervisor, by a 3-0 vote.
We are now able to circulate our petition which contains five distinct points. We feel confident in our ability to make all of the points clear to the voters of Ironwood Township while we gather the signatures necessary to pursue positive change in our township. For those who do not have access to a computer, we will make the information available through other avenues. We will invest the necessary time and resources to make certain every voter is able to make an informed decision at the polls.
Removing an individual from office is not an easy or pleasant endeavor. By design, it was never meant to be easy. However, our system is designed for the citizen to seek remedy under election law if the citizen feels something is seriously wrong with their government.
After all is said and done, our group will respect the election results where the voter is the final arbiter.
Thank you,
Township Citizens for Change
Michael Rooni
James J. Simmons, Jr.
Chris Winchowski