MICHIGAN LIBERTARIAN
March 2023
In This Issue:
Contributions welcome
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Back to ContentsBrian Richard Wright (Founding Libertarian) Dead at 73
Michigan – On February 1st, the liberty movement lost a devoted writer, activist, philosopher and leader. Brian R. Wright succumbed to Kidney disease; a disease had previously claimed his mother. Also his brother and father had passed away in their early 50’s. He is survived by his former wife, and long-time friend Rose Wright. He is also survived by his close friends Randy and Diane Szabla along with many others.
Brian was a creative writer who authored dozens of books on philosophy and alternative political thought. He spent several years as a Webmaster and Newsletter Editor with the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Long-time member Jerry Bloom commented, "He was a good guy and will be missed" He has been a liberty activist most of his life and was a founding member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. He is the author of several books. While his deteriorating health took a toll on his intrepid commentary, his blog and website are still up for now:
https://www.brianrwright.com/Coffee_Coaster/
Brian Wright’s Early Life
Born in Kalamazoo Michigan in 1949, he grew up near Kansas City, and later his family moved to Oklahoma City. He discovered seminal libertarian writings, in a bookmobile, which inspired him to join Barry Goldwater’s 1964 Presidential campaign. Around 1968 he moved to Detroit and earned his BSME from Wayne State University around 1971, at which point he became a passionate voice for Ayn Rand’s artistic vision of heroic individualism.
Brian Helping to Build a New Party
Brian was a founding member of the Libertarian Party of Michigan. As part of the “The Libertarian Party of Michigan Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Project,” He wrote about his involvement in the 1971, when the Libertarian Party was formed. There were a couple different gatherings that year. The most frequently referenced event was a party, that Summer, in Taylor Michigan at the home of Katheryn Augustin and Pete McAlpine. Brian was there, and he was also at Oak Park the home of Sam Harris. Randy Szabla recalls seeing him there along with Johnny and Diane Garner. He recalls that, “there were very few people at the Oak Park meeting where people were excited about starting the party.” Katheryn Augustin described him as a
… lifelong advocate for freedom--political, economic and personal. Supporter of like-minded persons ( both in and outside the party). Searching for answers to liberate everyone from the elite, and power control freaks. A tireless writer and communicator.His friend and former wife Rose Wright noted,
I mourn and will miss him forever. (besides my father) Brian was the most honest man I’ve ever known, passionately dedicated to the cause of liberty above all else.
Early and Recent Newsletter Editor
He was Editor of the Michigan Libertarian from 1979 through 1981. Then he became state Chair from 1982 to 1984. Then he stepped up to Edit the Newsletter, again, in 2009 where he and out-going editor Greg Stempfle over-saw and facilitated the transition from a hard-copy to virtual Newsletter format. This work also ended the need for the separate publication of LPMOnline, which was created by the late Greg Dirasian. Brian continued producing, and often writing for, the virtual version of the Michigan Libertarian through 2013, when he stepped down from that roll.
Long-time Webmaster
Since 2004, Brian looked at other options for achieving liberty in our time, including participation in the Free State Project. In 2008 he returned to Michigan and stepped up to the task of further developing a new website.
Brian served as Webmaster before and during his service as Newsletter Editor. After the departure of Greg Dirasian, who had designed the earlier lpmich.org website, the Party needed to develop an all new website in 2007. Brian served as Webmaster for the Sharepoint based website, then in 2013 he and Scotty Boman transferred all of the legacy content into a Wordpress site. This was the last time such a large migration of content was initiated; the site created in 2013 now serves as the platform of the Libertarian Party of Michigan Historical Archives.
Political Campaigns
Brian ran for office at least 8 times under the Libertarian banner. I n 1982 and 1986 he ran for Secretary of State. In 1980 and 1982 he was a United States House of Representatives candidate. He ran to serve in the Michigan House in 1984.
In 1994 and 2014 he was a candidate for the Board of governors at his Alma Mater, Wayne State University. Then he ran, again, to represent District 38 in the State House in 2018.
Planning for Life After Life
Brian made plans for the end of his life. At one time he was a member of the Cryonics Institute, however he later decided to live on through others. He wanted for himself the same arrangement he made a decade earlier for his mom at Farmington Hills Generations, where following cremation he instead opted to hold a later private memorial service for her.
Rose Wright said,
In terms of an ‘afterlife’ he always admired his dad for donating his body to the Michigan State University Medical School. So he too offered whatever organs might benefit future users, in his case The Gift of Life asked only for his eyes. He'd have loved the symbolism. More sentimentally, he got surprising comfort from my oft repeated metaphor "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."Those who wish to honor Brian can donate to Gift of Life here: https://giftoflifemichigan.org/become-a-donor
Officers & Staff
General Contact: Libertarian Party of Michigan: PO Box 27065, Lansing, MI 48909; Phone: 888.FREE.NOW.Chair: Andrew Chadderdon. chair@michiganlp.org
First Vice Chair: Vacant. vcaffiliates@michiganlp.org
Second Vice Chair: Vacant. vcpoliticaldirector@michiganlp.org
Secretary: Daniel Ziemba. secretary@michiganlp.org
Treasurer: Greg Black. treasurer@michiganlp.org
District 1 Rep: Ryan Roberts. dist1rep@michiganlp.org
District 2 Rep: Vacant. dist2rep@michiganlp.org
District 3 Rep: Vacant. dist3rep@michiganlp.org
District 4 Rep: Rich Theelon. dist4rep@michiganlp.org
District 5 Rep: Vacant. dist5rep@michiganlp.org
District 6 Rep: Larry Henneman. dist6rep@michiganlp.org
District 7 Rep: Vacant. dist7rep@michiganlp.org
District 8 Rep: Trevor Step. dist8rep@michiganlp.org
District 9 Rep: Vacant. dist9rep@michiganlp.org
District 10 Rep: Vacant. dist10rep@michiganlp.org
District 11 Rep: Bruce Jacquays. dist11rep@michiganlp.org
District 12 Rep: Daniel Muehl-Miller. dist12rep@michiganlp.org
District 13 Rep: Dave Franklin. dist13rep@michiganlp.org
District 14 Rep: Jeff Pittel. dist14rep@michiganlp.org
Judicial Committee Members
Connor Nepomuceno. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.orgRobert Roddis. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Joshua Smith. judicialcommittee@michiganlp.org
Volunteers
Webmaster: Mark King. Webmaster@MichiganLP.orgCommunications Director: Connor Nepomuceno cjnepo1@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor: Scotty Boman. newsletter@michiganlp.org
Social Media Director: Connor Nepomuceno cjnepo1@gmail.com
Historical Committee Chair: Emily Salvette esalvette@gmail.com
Affiliate Contacts
Capital Area: Luke Sciberras, Chair. 248-302-1064, capitalarealp@gmail.comhttp://CapitalAreaLP.com
Genesee County: Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079790292139
Huron-Raisin: Larry Johnson, 734-320-7237, MichLibertarian@gmail.com
https://lpwc.wordpress.com
Jackson-Hillsdale: Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net
Isabella County (Affiliate Applicant): Stephanie Dunn, 989-572-4450, stephaniedunn111969@gmail.com
Lapeer County: Kyle McCauley, (248) 974-5085.
Livingston County: Chair Trevor Step, trevorstep@protonmail.com
http://livingstonlp.org
Macomb County: Mike Saliba, MacombLP@mail.com
https://macomblp.org
Northern Michigan: Chair Stephanie Dean (231) 620-5280
Political director Corey Dean phone (231) 590-8290 or email cory0269@yahoo.com
Oakland County: Connor Nepomuceno, cjnepo1@gmail.com or call (508) 579-7878
http://lpocmi.org
Southwest Michigan: Jason Brandenburg. swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
https://swmlp.com
Straits Area: Chair Andy Evans, (231) 625-8403, . amevans_1968@yahoo.com
straitslp.com or facebook.com/StraitsAreaLP
Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party: Chair Ryan Roberts, (906) 420-2995, UPLP.org. ryan_r03@hotmail.com
Wayne County: Chair Andrew Chadderdon, andrew.chadderdon@gmail.com
https://michiganlpwayne.wixsite.com/index
West Michigan: Chair Mary Buzuma, mary.buzuma@att.net or call (757) 748-5606.
http://lpwm.org Back to Contents
Upcoming Events
Please contact local affiliate officers (see above listing) to learn how to get involved in their meetings.The Michigan Libertarian recommends contacting an affiliate officer or check the Website (or Facebook page) associated with the meeting host (if they have one) before arriving at a meeting. Some meetings can get canceled, or locations can change with short notice.
March 2, 2023 - Livingston County Monthly Meeting (Convention), 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Brewery Becker. 500 W Main St, Brighton, MI 48116.
The March agenda will include finalizing our delegate list for the convention on April 1.
We will be discussing When Will We Learn? by Harry Browne from September 12, 2001.
The war in Ukraine started 1 year ago. As U.S. involvement in the conflict continues to expand it may be wise to heed the warnings of past generations. You can read it here: When Will We Learn
For more information, contact Trevor Step, trevorstep@protonmail.com
March 4, 2023 - West Michigan Affiliate Convention, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Abacus Title and Escrow, 985 Parchment Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
the LP of West Michigan is calling a convention of the members of the LPWM to select delegates to the state special convention.
For more information contact Mary Buzuma at (757) 748-5606, or email her at mary.buzuma@att.net.
http://lpwm.org
March 5, 2023 - Lapeer County Bi-monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
E.G Nicks Grill & Tavern. 825 S Main St, Lapeer, MI 48446.
For more information, contact Kyle McCauley at 248.974.5085.
March 7, 2023 - Southwest Michigan Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Traveler's Cafe' and Pub. 5225 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002
For more information, contact Jason Brandenburg email at swmi4liberty@be-innovative.net
March 8, 2023 - Libertarian Party of Wayne County Monthly Meeting (Convention), 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Habib's Cuisine, 14316 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA.
Please visit the Libertarian Party of Wayne County's new Website for updates.
For more information, contact Andrew Chadderdon, andrew.chadderdon@gmail.com
March 8, 2023 - Libertarian Party of Macomb County Monthly Meeting, Dinner 7:00 PM Business 8:00 PM
b.d.'s Mongolian grill. 1350 Hall Rd. Sterling Heights, MI. 48313.
Please visit the Libertarian Party of Macomb County's website:
https://macomblp.org for updates.
Annual Convention in the "Warrior Room" at the same location 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
For more information, contact Mike Saliba at MacombLP@mail.com
March 9, 2023 - Huron-Raisin Affiliate Meeting/Convention, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wurst Bar, 705 West Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Come on down to watch, analyze, and discuss the election results.
Included will be a special convention to select any additional alternates to the convention on April 1st.
For more information, contact Larry Johnson at 734-475-9792 or email michlibertarian@gmail.com or call (734) 320-7237
March 9, 2021 - Northern Michigan Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 6:00 PM
Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams. For login information contact Stephanie Dean at (231) 620-5280
For more information, contact Corey Dean at (231) 590-8290 or email him atcory0269@yahoo.com.
March 10, 2023 - FLINT’S SECOND FRIDAY ARTWALK: Libertarian Party of Genesee County All Affiliate Event, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Meetup at Churchill's Food & Spirits. 340 S Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48502. Organized by the Greater Flint Arts Council Public Relations Committee, this program is a collaboration between over 20 businesses and cultural organizations in downtown Flint. We coordinate open house receptions, free to the public to promote the diversity of gallery offerings in our downtown. Locations vary seasonally. ARTWALK takes place on the second Friday of every month, 6:00PM to 9:00PM. Maps are available at Greater Flint Arts Council. Parking is available throughout the downtown area.
To confirm the meeting email Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
Facebook page: LPGM Facebook Profile
March 15, 2023 - Jackson-Hillsdale Affiliate Meeting 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Steve's Ranch Restaurant. 311 W Louis Glick Hwy, Jackson, MI
Contact Norman Peterson, (269) 330-2980 norman.peterson@comcast.net Guest Speaker: Mr. Mark B. Blocher, President/CEO, Christian Healthcare Centers.
Topic – Missional Medicine: A New Model of Healthcare Delivery.
March 15, 2023 - Libertarian Party of Oakland County Affiliate Meeting, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM.
B1 Tavern. 1967 Cass Lake Rd. Keego Harbor, MI 48320.
Business starts at 7:00 PM. To confirm the meeting email Connor Nepomuceno at: cjnepo1@gmail.com or call at (508) 579-7878
https://lpocmi.org/
March 19, 2023 - Capital Area Affiliate Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
EagleMonk Pub and Brewery 4906 W Mount Hope Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917-9588
Contact Luke Sciberras at 248-302-1064 or email capitalarealp@gmail.com for event details and instructions to join.
March 19, 2023 - Lapeer County Bi-monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
E.G Nicks Grill & Tavern. 825 S Main St, Lapeer, MI 48446.
For more information, contact Kyle McCauley at 248.974.5085.
March 21, 2023 - Upper Peninsula Libertarian Party Affiliate Meeting, 8:00 PM.
The UPLP will be holding this meeting by Zoom Teleconference. Please link to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81149694895
The Meeting ID is 811 4969 4895 and one can call (312) 626-6799, and enter the Meeting ID, to join.
Everyone interested in learning about the UPLP and the Libertarian Party is welcome to join.
If you would like to get involved please contact Ryan Roberts ryan_r03@hotmail.com, (906) 420-2995] or Joshua Jongema.cannyds@gmail.com. Affiliate email address: president@uplp.org
UPLP.org
March 26, 2023 - Genesee County Affiliate Business Meeting & Convention, 5:00 PM.
Vic's Pit Stop. 5311 Corunna Rd., Flint, MI 48532 (on the back side of Ruggeros Restaurant).
In addition to our regular business, the February meeting will also include electing delegates to represent the affiliate at the April Convention. Plan on a one hour meeting with a full agenda.
To confirm the meeting email Chair David Canny, cannyds@gmail.com.
Facebook page: LPGM Facebook Profile
April 1, 2023 - Special Convention, 9:00 AM.
VFW Wixom Post 2269. 2652 Loon Lake Road. Wixom, MI 48393
Location phone (248) 624-9742.
Back to Contents
If you are new to the Michigan Libertarian, you can link to 2016 issues here, http://michiganlp.org/category/newsletters . Other issues are preserved in our historical archives here: http://old.michiganlp.org/resources-2/newsletter.
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