A collection of gossip, scuttlebutt, and odds and ends from our reporters’ notebooks.

An article by Leslie Shepard    No Comments

KOMEN KERFUFFLE: Now that the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood have apparently — at least on the surface — locked arm-in-arm after a very public and vitriolic dust-up involving some funding, it’s not surprising that at least one Republican representing the lakes area in Lansing has some harsh language for the agency that’s oft-targeted by the (Religious) Right for providing abortion services at some of its clinics. Take state Rep. Bill Rogers (R-Milford), for example. He said he found it “interesting” that the Komen Foundation that “deals with breast cancer and survivorship” is “giving money to a group that 90 percent is predicated on death.” Ouch. Want a double-ouch? Rogers, in not-so demure fashion, also called the left’s dismay over the funding flub “blackmail.” He added, also in not-so demure fashion: “I can’t believe that Planned Parenthood has that much power.”

NO SECRET: State Rep. Chuck Moss, a Republican whose current House district includes the recherché ‘burbs of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Orchard Lake, is term-limited after his current two-year stint in the lower legislative chamber is cashed at the end of 2012, so he will have some free time on his hands. What will he do? The House Appropriations Committee chair, who perhaps loves quick wit as much as he does his trio of dachshunds, says he isn’t so sure — at least about what he’s doing between 2013 and 2014. But make no bones about it: Moss isn’t done with Lansing. At least, if he has it his way. State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy) is term-limited in 2014 after his current term lapses, and Moss said it’s “no secret” that he will take a shot succeeding Pappageorge. He also said it’s not likely that on his sabbatical from law-making he can be convinced to reclaim a slot on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, on which he served prior to being elected to the House in ’06.

BEARISH ON BULLARD: Get ready — this is going to be fun! Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard, Jr. has been in the game a long time, and he has some street cred as a pretty formidable pol who formerly represented Highland Township in any number of capacities. But don’t expect a cakewalk for the former state lawmaker and county Board of Commissioners chairman come the 2012 general election in November. The rumor mill is a-flowin’ about which Democrat(s) may be looking to take on Bill, but we can’t tell you just yet — you know, off-the-record rumblings. We know, we know — a political gossip equivalent of a cliff-hanger (or just about every episode of LOST). But we will tell you this, while still keeping our sources confidential, Judith Miller-style: We’ve heard of four relatively prominent Democrats who have at least been approached about the race, or are actively considering it. The suspense must be killing you!

THE WB’S DYNAMIC DOU: The West Bloomfield township board recently voted to postpone a paving project at the Civic Center until 2013. And guess what — the vote was 4-2 in favor of postponement. You guessed it — once again it was Township Supervisor Michelle Economou Ureste and Trustee Steve Kaplan who were the odd ones out. The board majority contends any construction work would cause disruptions in the upcoming elections, when residents have to drop off absentee ballots at the Township Hall. Kaplan says he fears it will cost 10 percent more to conduct the project next year. He added that people shouldn’t have a problem adjusting because folks are able to navigate through work zones on area freeways and surface streets. For her part, Ms. Michele is hoping the board will change its mind about postponing the work. We’ll see on March 5, when the board next convenes.