Column
STRAYER: Minding your manners at political debates
“Speaking from Experience” is the official tagline of my monthly column because I frequently draw from my career as a campaign manager, legislative staffer, registered ...
Jack Strayer, Author at Leader Publications
Column
STRAYER: Trump cannot dim a thousand points of light
On July 6, 2018, at a political rally in Montana, the President of the United States created another controversy by criticizing former President George H. ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, July 30, 2018 8:32 am
Column
STRAYER: How not to attract the truly educated independent voter
It has become very apparent that the midterm elections in November will be won or lost depending on how "Independent voters" view the Democratic Party ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, June 25, 2018 8:26 am
Columns
STRAYER: Vivid Memories from 50 Years Ago: 1968
Many of us remember where we were and what we were doing on specific landmark dates like 9/11, Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, John ...
by Jack Strayer, Wednesday, May 30, 2018 7:00 am
Columns
COLUMN: Politics is the art of compromise
There are two words that every voter needs to fully understand before selecting the candidate they will support at the polls during the August primary ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, April 30, 2018 9:07 am
Column
STRAYER: Optimism prevails in downtown Niles
Much was lost when the Great Flood of 2018 hit downtown Niles. While the losses will be felt for some time, this post-flood period ...
by Jack Strayer, Tuesday, March 27, 2018 7:24 am
Column
STRAYER: Coming soon to your front door: Political candidates!
The next 10 months are going to give political junkies, campaign veterans, disgruntled Republicans, angry Democrats and the voters of southwestern Michigan the wildest election ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, February 26, 2018 8:30 am
Column
STRAYER: Dig into Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels
In 1972, a small group of Niles community leaders founded the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels program.
by Jack Strayer, Monday, January 29, 2018 8:18 am
Columns
STRAYER: Remember the woodshed when cutting taxes
I learned all I know about tax reform and tax simplification, supply side economics, trickle down economics and free market reform from a handful of people ...
by Jack Strayer, Thursday, December 28, 2017 8:00 am
Columns
STRAYER: Hoosier hysterics over cold beer, too much daylight
One of the benefits of living on the border of Indiana is the front row seat we have to watch the Hoosiers rage over important ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, December 4, 2017 9:14 am
Columns
A Yankee remembers Alexandria, Virginia
When I moved back home to Niles in 2009, I left Alexandria, Virginia behind, after living there for 25 years. I had a house in ...
by Jack Strayer, Sunday, October 29, 2017 2:57 pm
Columns
‘Mother!’ Nature’s wrath strikes Hollywood
The editorial in the Sept. 14 edition of the Niles Daily Star, “Stop Politicizing the Suffering of Others,” was timely, insightful and right on the ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, September 25, 2017 10:46 am
Columns
Gerrymandering foes need a big history lesson
The Michigan Election Bureau, a division of the office of the Secretary of State, has approved language for a 2018 ballot proposal that proponents claim ...
by Jack Strayer, Thursday, August 24, 2017 9:40 am
Columns
Education Foundation honors alumni legends
The Niles Education Foundation was created in 2010 by a group of community leaders and in just a few years, the NEF began raising impressive ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, July 24, 2017 8:30 am
Columns
Part-time legislature for term limited legislators?
In 1992, the voters of Michigan approved a ballot initiative limiting the number of terms that state representatives and senators could serve. For state representatives, ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, June 26, 2017 9:57 am
Columns
Too much real news for one to handle
As my deadline neared for this monthly column, I became more and more anxious about finding something worthwhile to write about. This angst wasn’t caused ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, May 22, 2017 11:12 am
Columns
White House transparency makes the lobbyist’s job easier
The two editorials that appeared in last Thursday’s edition of the Niles Daily Star regarding White House visitors and transparency were intriguing to me because, ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, April 24, 2017 12:51 pm
Columns
Fred Mathews: mentor to all
Like thousands of other citizens of southwestern Michigan, I like to think that I knew the late Dr. Fred Mathews well. He was that kind ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, March 27, 2017 11:50 am
Columns
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a dam
In the past few weeks, I have been asked more than five times about my thoughts on the future of the city-owned Pucker Street Dam. ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, February 27, 2017 8:35 am
Columns
The Greatest Show on Earth?
Did you see where the three-ring circus is endangered to the point of closing down? Am I speaking about the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey ...
by Jack Strayer, Monday, January 30, 2017 8:30 am
Columns
Memory lane 2016
For the past few years, my monthly column for December included reflections on the columns I submitted to the Niles Daily Star over the previous ...
by Jack Strayer, Thursday, December 29, 2016 9:11 am
Columns
Kellyanne Conway for Woman of the Year
Every now and then, I get the sensation of a soothing warm bath washing over me when I think how glad I am that I ...
by Jack Strayer, Friday, December 2, 2016 9:48 am
Columns
Support the Niles Community Schools fund renewal
When you go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8, please remember to turn the ballot over and vote “Yes” for the local school district proposal ...
by Jack Strayer, Thursday, October 20, 2016 8:48 am
Columns
Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels: An alternative to assisted living
The residents of Niles and Buchanan are all fortunate to have a non-profit, non-government funded and locally run food service delivery program available to those ...
by Jack Strayer, Thursday, September 22, 2016 8:49 am
Columns
Liar! Liar! Pantsuit on fire!
Political experts will tell you that the presidential campaign doesn’t really begin until after Labor Day and for the most part they are correct. What ...
