Now I guess we know why Dennis Lennox has been trying so hard to get his name in the paper. He was planning a run for the Michigan State House. Now maybe there's someone who will follow Dennis around with a video camera and stalk him the way he's been stalking Gary Peters. Good luck with that, Dennis.
It will be intersting to see where Dennis' financial support comes from and whether the ailing Michigan Republican party will be backing Dennis' run. My guess is Saul will be right there at Dennis' side, like he was for his press conference with the giant milk carton.
CMU activist seeks seat in House Wednesday, March 26, 2008 ANDY HOAG THE SAGINAW NEWS MOUNT PLEASANT -- A Central Michigan University student known for battling with the college over a professor's campaign for Congress is running for state representative in his home district.
Dennis G. Lennox, 23, announced Tuesday he will run in the 105th House District, which spans Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Otsego counties. Lennox is from Topinabee in Cheboygan County.
He received a formal reprimand from CMU after campus authorities found him guilty of three student code violations they say he committed in October while passing out documents related to his criticism of CMU educator and political candidate Gary C. Peters, who Lennox said should ''pick either Congress or campus.''
Lennox made his decision to run after the incumbent, Kewadin Republican Kevin Elsenheimer, announced he is seeking the state Court of Appeals judgeship that Midland Republican Bill Schuette is vacating.
Probably most of the readers of this blog don't know who Dennis Lennox is. Dennis is a student at Central Michigan University who has literally been stalking Gary Peters as evidenced by the video below. This isn't the first video Dennis has taken of Gary, who is working as a professor at Central Michigan, as the Griffin Chair professor. Dennis obviously has been getting from the Michigan Republican Party, since Saul Anuzis has shown up at press conferences with Dennis with a giant Milk carton, which I have a feeling was paid for by the Michgian Republican Party, but I have no proof of that at this point.
Back in October, Dennis wanted to serve a FOIA request on Dean Pamela Peters. Dennis has made FOIA requests prior to this, so he knows that they don't have to be served personally. Dennis made quite a splash on the Internet with his 10 second video where Dean Gates pushes his camera away from her. Dennis has claimed on more than one occasion that Dean Gates "slapped him" even though there is no evidence of her ever having hit Dennis and the CMU investigation of the incident, after interview several witnesses to the incident, concluded that there was no actual physical contact. Dennis even testified, although it wasn't under oath, at a hearing in Alma regarding higher education funding, that Dean Gates slapped him. No witness has ever confirmed this slapping incident.
On top of the fact that no witness has ever confirmed this incident, Dennis himself when the university conducted its investigation of the incident, refused to be interviewed for the investigation.
After Dennis' 10 second video was put up on the Internet, Dean Gates received several e-mails, one of which said that had the Dean treated the sender in the same manner as Dennis was claiming the Dean treated Dennis, "I would have knocked your teath down your throat."
Dennis has pretty much gotten a free ride in the media on this issue, and the media has done no real investigation of Dennis' claims, but they have been taking his word that all of his claims are true.
Another claim that Dennis made in Alma was that his motivations are not political. He just wants Peters to choose between teaching and running for Congress. His logic here escapes me. According to Lennox, candidates for public office can't hold jobs and run for office at the same time. If that were the case, every member of Congress would have to resign from office when they start to campaign for re-election. All 3 of the presidential candidates are members of the Senate. Should they resign from the Senate to run for president?
In addition to Dennis' video, below is a copy of the investigative report of the incident between Dean Pamela Gates and Dennis Lennox, regarding the incident when Dennis claims Dean Gates "slapped" him. CLICK HERE to view the document.
On Friday, February 22, 2008, I drove 4 hours round trip and spent approximately 3 hours on campus at Alma College to have an opportunity to respond to Dennis Lennox's ridiculous assertion that the state delay funding CMU's education budget in response to the hiring of Gary Peters as the Griffin Endowment professor in the political science department.
On Friday, February 22, 2008, I drove over 2 hours to Alma, Michigan. Why? Because the Michigan State Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding was holding a hearing. In attendance was a student from Central Michigan University, Dennis Lennox. You probably haven't heard of Mr. Lennox or if you're a regular reader of the blogosphere, maybe you have. Dennis has been stalking Gary Peters on campus in the dark, on occasion. Dennis is a tool of the Michigan Republican Party.
On Friday, Dennis testified and asked the committee to delay funding to CMU based on his complaint that Gary Peters should not hold a privately funded professorship, which doesn't cost taxpayers one penny, according to the CMU budget.
I also testified in front of the committee and I will be posting video of that testimony later today. Dennis testified that his issue with Mr. Peters is not political, which is a blatant lie. Dennis has even held press conferences with the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Saul Anuzis.
After the hearing, a reporter from the CMU student newspaper wanted to talk to me about the hearing and Michael Westendorf, from Saginaw Valley State University and contributor to the SVSU student newspaper, followed me through the halls until I found an office where I answered questions for the reporter. Westendorf continued to film me through the window next to the door of the office we were in. I want to make it abundantly clear, even though Dennis calls me a "paid bozo" in an article in the CMU student newspaper, I am not on the payroll of any Democratic organization, nor Gary Peters' campaign.
Dennis seems to be cut from the same cloth as Trent Wisecup, former Chief of Staff of Joe Knollenberg.
Here is a small piece from the CMU student newspaper, CM Life
In contradiction, Bruce Fealk of Rochester Hills, who writes a blog criticizing State Rep. Joe Knollenberg called Vote No on Joe (Knollenberg), spoke to the senators after Lennox.
"I would ask you not take any action," he said.
Peters is running against Knollenberg in November for the 9th district U.S. House seat.
Fealk said he reviewed CMU's budget, and the Griffin Endowment Chair, the position Peters fills, is a privately endowed chair and does not come from taxpayers' dollars.
Lennox said CMU is a public university and taxpayers have the right to ask legitimate questions.
Fealk also said he called all the Board of Trustee members and each reported no complaints from any students about Peters.
"I don't think it's unusual or unethical for him to run for Congress," he said.
Fealk pointed out that three presidential candidates also are senators.
Lennox said Peters should have been at the meeting to defend himself.
"Gary Peters is an adult and a politician, and CMU should be answering these questions, not a paid bozo from Oakland County," he said.
On Friday afternoon, February 22, 2008, I attended the Michigan Senate Committee on Higher Education Appropriations. Dennis Lennox, of Students Against Gary Peters, was in attendance also. Dennis gave about a 12 minute presentation, after which I testified also. Dennis testified that his beef with Gary Peters "is not political." Well, I have to say, if this isn't politically motivated, I don't know what is. Lennox attended a press conference at Central Michigan University with Michigan Republican Chair, Saul Anuzis. There's even pictures of Lennox and Anuzis at CMU holding their press conference. Here's a little video I put together with just a bit of Mr. Lennox's testimony. I'm not the best video editor in the world, but you get the idea.
If this isn't political, why is Dennis Lennox holding a press conference with Saul Anuzis, Chair of the Michigan Republican party
This article appeared in the Oakland Press this morning. Talk about making much ado about nothing. Republicans also plagiarized the John Ashcraft 2006 campaign, when John created a milk carton asking where Joe Knollenberg was. Knollenberg is rarely in the district and never conducts public town halls or forums where all 9th District residents are invited to ask Joe Knollenberg about his votes in Congress.
I personally called all of the members of the CMU Board of Trustees and not one had been made aware of even one complaint from a student that takes Gary Peters' class.
Also, it should be known, Dennis Lennox is not even in Gary Peters' class.
Let's focus on the real issues here. This issue is just a trumped up attempt to bring negative publicity to a public servant that has served Michigan residents honorably and capably and he is more than able to replace Joe Knollenberg in the U.S. Congress.
January 2007January 19, 2007Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce - Legislative Update 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Rochester College (in the RAC Theatre)800 W. AvonRochester HillsNo charge
