Jack Strayer, Author at Leader Publications

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 ... Read more

by Jack Strayer, Wednesday, September 5, 2018 8:31 am

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. ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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. Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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, ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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, ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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. ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

by Jack Strayer, Thursday, August 25, 2016 8:52 am

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