Thank You from Andy Meisner

My Dear Friends,

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

For many reasons, you helped to make Tuesday night a very special election.

Our nation elected a new president who has already changed our standing in the world and given millions of people hope that the bounty of the 90's - the American Dream - can be restored and expanded for all. We re-elected arguably the best U.S. Senator there ever was in Carl Levin, sent Gary Peters to Congress, sent Lisa Brown and many others to the State House, and reclaimed the Oakland County Prosecutor spot - my congratulations to Jessica Cooper, who will be great.

... And, there is the matter of the race for Oakland County Treasurer.

I want to thank each of you for the incredible support, generosity, door-knocking, phone-calling, friend-to-friending, and many other things that thousands of people did to help make me the Oakland County Treasurer-Elect. I also want to thank incumbent Treasurer Pat Dohany for his service to the county and gracious call and offer of assistance with the transition. He has proven himself as a true gentleman.

Please know that I am absolutely committed to implementing my plan for protecting property values, preventing foreclosures, and helping Oakland County successfully navigate a national financial crisis. I will also make certain that the people of Oakland County are appropriately introduced to the Office of the Treasurer and the many ways it can aid county taxpayers.

Our campaign was based on innovative, research-based best practices and ideas, but it was also based on bringing citizens together to talk about and participate in our governance. The many "friendraisers" our campaign held throughout the county were a great chance for people of all political interests (and disinterest) to chat as citizens about how the obscure Treasurer's office operates and could operate.

The nucleus of our campaign was a Kitchen Cabinet that came together over 14 months ago and devoted countless hours to constructing the type of campaign necessary to defeat an incumbent in a historically Republican county: T. Scott Galloway (Chairman), Marian McClellan (cook, mom, and host of "Ole' Folks Mail House"), Keith McClellan (strategist, sign man, and step-dad), Phil O'Dwyer (Treasurer), Steve Baker (Web and Message Man), Nicole Artanowicz (research), Sam Talbot (schedule, field), Marilyn Stephan (local liaison), John Magee (West Oakland Director), Brian Mingus (Strategy, GOTV), Lauren Borson (Faith Outreach, Waterford Director), Brett Nicholson (East Oakland Director, Candidate), Jason Bauer (everything), Dr. Jim Kruer (message, strategy), Phil Reid (North Oakland), Jenny Suidan (Northwest Director, everything), Angie Powell (Pontiac Liaison), Alexa Stanard (setting the foundation), Eric Gregory (campaign plan development), Leslie Mangas (graphic design, including a great lawn sign and beautiful literature), and Mort Meisner (media strategy).

From the Kitchen Cabinet came a core campaign staff that is the tightest, most effective and efficient crew I have ever seen. I am forever in their debt for their enormous sacrifice and herculean efforts on my behalf.

• Under the incredible leadership of Campaign Manager Michael McGuinness, we did what seemed like the impossible to many, but seemed like a certainty to our team. If you have met Michael, you know how brilliant, articulate, thoughtful, and capable he is. Each of these attributes aided him as he led our fearless team through the rocky terrain of the campaign trail and on to an incredible victory by nearly 30,000 votes! And he remembers the birthday and sign of everyone he meets.

• Jenny Suidan served as our Deputy Campaign Manager and campaign finance compliance officer. She is smart, charming, worldly, and able to simply get it done.

• Sam Talbot and Lauren Borson volunteered big chunks of their life and vacation time, and brought such strength, determination, and talent to the team as they ably served double-duty.

• Jason Bauer and Brett Nicholson somehow did SO MUCH while maintaining other jobs, and are both so bright and so committed.

• Marlon Brown brought the wisdom of his experience as a candidate for State Representative to our team, making a seamless transition and a huge impact.

I want to offer a special thank you to Dan Lucas and my friends at 21st Century Democrats who were unwavering in their faith in my candidacy and willingness to lend expertise and resources, and to Mr. Joe Peters and our friends at UAW Region 1.

There are times when "people" will tell you that you can't do it, that the odds are too long, or the mountain to high to cross.

This victory stands for the proposition that when smart, committed people get together, make a plan, and execute it, anything can happen!

Thank you for this opportunity to serve and for your incredible support.

Your Friend,