A real Public Servant announces his bid for office in Ingham Co.

Like it or not, Ingham County is not immune to the nation-wide financial crisis caused by the 7 year mis-management of the Bush doctrine, but that doesn't mean we can't fix it.

I've always thought that government was supposed to be about making life better for others, but have regretted that it doesn't actually happen as much as it should. It's why men and women like you and I step up and decide to become public servants. It's not an easy life and for those who actually serve the people as opposed to powerful special interests, it can often be a thankless one.

So when a real public servant steps up, it's exciting news that deserves recognition. True, I've known and respected this particular public servant since I was in high school when we both came to Lansing to learn what it meant to serve the people, but he deserves it all the same.

Curtis Hertel Jr. is currently an Ingham County Commissioner serving East Lansing. He's a regular working guy, trying to make a good life for himself, his wife, and their two young kids and has seen how hard it can be for some.

That's why he's running for Register of Deeds of Ingham County.

“The role of Register of Deeds in Ingham County is absolutely critical to ensuring the accessibility and security of Ingham County property records,” Hertel said. “In the 21st Century, these two issues are even more important, and I believe that my long experience as a county commissioner makes me an ideal candidate to continue to deliver essential services to the residents of Ingham County.”

While the position may be a bit foreign to some, it makes sense to have someone you can trust to look out for the safety and security of your personal property records. But that's not all. Hertel is also looking to expand the technology in the office for better accessibility and to promote financial literacy to Ingham County residents like you and I, and who couldn't use a little extra knowledge on that subject?

If you're interested in helping out the campaign, check out his website, donate, volunteer, and I look forward to seeing you out there knocking a few doors!

My Mom Rocks

Seems like a silly title for a blog post, huh? Perhaps, but we're not talking about just any mom here, we're talking about my mom who's championing the world of financial literacy right here in Michigan.

She's featured in today's Oakland Business Review talking about the greater need for financial literacy education in our schools. If you recall from past posts, she's the president of the Michigan Jump$tart Coalition, and director of Personal Finance for the Michigan Council on Economic Education.

My mom works hard for a lot of folks in our state who don't necessarily have a very loud voice here in Lansing, and for that I'm proud of her. A lot of who I am is because of how she and my dad raised me, and for that very reason, I hope that this apple hasn't fallen far from the tree. :-)

Protecting Our Wallets: My Podcast w/ Sen. Buzz Thomas

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Buzz Thomas (Detroit) was kind enough to sit down with me at the beautiful Cornerstone Coffee in Lansing and discuss the most recent bill he's introduced.



Senate Bill 446, protecting citizens from predatory Refund Anticipation Loans that can suck your wallet dry. As Buzz explains, these loans aren't bad, but Michigan's citizens deserve better protection against some of the fraud that can accompany these loans.

To support this excellent legislation, contact your senator and ask them to vote for Senate Bill 446. Many thanks to Sen. Thomas and his tireless work on behalf of promoting Financial Literacy in Michigan.

Full Disclosure: I'm very proud that my own mother is Chair of the Michigan Jump$tart Coalition, a conglomerate of more than 30 organizations across the state dedicated to increasing Financial Literacy. She's the reason I was down in Detroit for Money Smart Week, sponsored by the Chicago Federal Reserve last month. Thanks, Mom!