Antonnage Still Unsure About Representing Wilkonshire In House

MAVOCKE--She's represented the state of POG for years, which Dlg. Marie Antonnage--CON, says complicates matters worse.

"You know, when you've represented a state as long as I have, it's never easy to decide what to do next when political secession happens," Antonnage told GNN NEWS' James Madine on Tuesday night's edition of "The Capitol Report."

Antonnage was referring to the upcoming statehood vote being held in the Wilkonshire region of POG. Wilkonshire is the name referring to the northeastern region of POG, and voters there will decide if they want to form their own state and leave POG.

The idea of independence for Wilkonshire has been on the table for several decades, but has only come to a vote once, in 1986. It was defeated then overwhelmingly. But supporters say they have enough momentum now to pass a similar vote in October 2007, nearly 21 years after the initial vote.

Proponents of independence say Wilkonshire is being ignored in government, particularly at the state level, because it is less populated than other areas of the state, such as southeastern and northwestern POG, which are more heavily populated areas.

"More attention is being focused on those areas. Everyone is quick to send funding for new roads and schools to Lillac City or Lake City because they're big cities and have a lot of people and politicians have to follow through with that, otherwise they face political repercussions," says Chris Wilcox, Vice President of the Wilkonshire Independence Coalition.

"Politicians can afford to ignore Wilkonshire because there aren't very many people here, and they can get away with it," Wilcox continued.

But opponents of the measure insist the Wilkonshire region, which includes metro areas Oak Valley, Christon, and Provincetown, is in fact being represented fairly in government, and is not being ignored or under-funded.

"The fact is that Lillac City and Lake City have a great deal more people than Provincetown or Christon or Oak Valley. There are more people, so we have to provide more funding," Don Klein told GNN NEWS Lillac City affiliate WLIC-TV. "But Wilkonshire is certainly not underfunded. It receives its due share, which is significantly less than other regions because of the population difference," Klein also adds that independence for Wilkonshire could come at a high cost--an estimated $80 Billion over the next ten years--he says. And Klein says Wilkonshire's independence would not bring the region any more funding."

"Becoming independent from POG is the worst thing that could happen to Wilkonshire. Right now, POG provides a lot of services for that region, and if they form their own state, they're not going to have any more money. In fact, they'll have less money on the state level because they'll have to fund more state employees and they won't have any help from adjacent tax-payers," Klein said.

POG's delegates and representatives have been eerily silent on the issue. Most have said they have no opinion.

But Dlg. Antonnage, who is a native of Wilkonshire, could face a potentially difficult dilemma. If Wilkonshire voters do approve independence, she will have to decide whether to continue representing the state of POG, or run for election to represent the newly-formed state of Wilkonshire.

Antonnage says she hasn't decided yet what to do.

"I don't know what I'm going to do if that's the case. If the voters do approve independence, I may stay in POG, I may decide to run for office in Wilkonshire. I really don't know. It depends on what my family thinks, what my POG colleagues think, and what the party has to say about it too," Antonnage said.

When asked if she supported the independence measure, Antonnage didn't specifically give an answer. "I'm not going to take a position on that one way or the other. Regardless of if it passes or fails, I'm going to respect the decision of the voters. I will say that this is a hard decision for me personally, because I am a native Wilkonshirean, and I love Wilkonshire and I understand some of these concerns. On the other hand, I am also a POG citizen and have always been a POG citizen, and I have traveled across this state for years. I've met some wonderful people all over POG, and the thought of separating from POG is just, in some ways, unimaginable. So this is a huge decision to me. I'm torn."

Dlgs. Shannon Barbieri (CON), Newton Jeffs (CON), Sheila Crouwsky (DR) and Brenton Menuhaeo (NAT) all announced last week they will continue to represent POG if the Wilkonshire independence measure passes.

Dimaggio To Drop Out Of MON House Race

TREETON, MON--Conservative candidate Sharon Dimaggio announced on Wednesday she is dropping out of the race for the House of Delegates.

In a mid-afternoon press conference, Dimaggio told reporters she made the decision with her family in mind.

"Politics is so demanding, and it takes so much time away from you. And I just realized the other day that, you know, I'm 56-years-old, and I have six grand kids, and they need to be able to spend time with Grandma, and I need to be able to spend time with them."

Dimaggio said she contacted the head of the Conservative Party, former delegate Bob Viacrosa, and notified him of her decision to withdraw. She also said she contacted President Byelle and told him personally over the phone.

"I'm very disappointed to hear that Mrs. Dimaggio will not continue in the race for the Monomi House seat," Viacrosa said in a statement to the media. "However, I understand her reasons for doing so and I believe she made the decision with her best interest in mind, and I thoroughly trust her judgment."

Dimaggio faced opposition from members of her own party when she announced three months ago she would run for the Conservative Party nomination for the House. Some Conservatives felt she wasn't popular enough to be elected and, as one source within the party put it, "she ran out of steam." She also came under fire last year from Christian conservatives, who questioned her proclaimed Christian faith.

Dimaggio is no political fledgling. Before entering the national political scene, she previously served as a state representative, senator, and as Secretary of State under then-governor Liz Martinez. She also served as chairwoman of the Monomi Conservative Party for six years. In 2006, Dimaggio ran for the House of Delegates, capturing the CON nomination. She lost in the general election, however; coming in third place after NAT candidate Darren Hafer, and Delegate-elect Willy Locke (DR).

Since her 2006 defeat, Dimaggio has worked as a lobbyist and has toured the country, speaking to conservative groups and organizations. She also founded a new non-profit organization called "Move Monomi Forward" (MMF). MMF's goal, Dimaggio says, is to let the people of Monomi have more say in government.

There are several questions that loom now that Sharon Dimaggio has withdrawn from the race. Chief among them, who her replacement will be for the Conservative nomination. She, as of yet, has faced no opponents in the primary election. That means CON party members are giong to have to recruit someone new. Sources from within the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, say finding a replacement candidate will be easy.

"Sharon Dimaggio was only a mediocre candidate. There are a lot of people out there who could do a much better job, and convincing them is going to be no problem," one source told GNN NEWS.

The list of possible candidates is long. It includes Reps. Jonah Britain, Brooke Burnstein, Cathy De Beers, Carl DeJeck Jr., Lucinda Jones, Tammie Oakes, Mary Olssi, Jacob Skillings, Beau Stevens, and Shannon Tribe.

Another uncertainty now is whether Dimaggio may run for office in the future. There are rumors she may run for governor in 2010, or that she may take over as Chairwoman of the Conservative Party when current chair Bob Viacrosa, who is expected to resign within the next few months, steps down. Dimaggio's office had no comment on her future plans, except that she will continue working with her non-profit foundation, Move Monomi Forward.

Jaimeson's Future Uncertain, Sources Says

MAVOCKE, CEA--Deputy House Majority Leader Dlg. Ty Jaimeson (C-CEA) has served in his current position for just over a year and a half. But sources within the Conservative Party now say Jaimeson may step down from his position as the second most powerful delegate in the House, possibly as soon as October.

Jaimeson was elected to Assistant Majority Leader after his election in 2007. At age 27, he became the youngest Conservative to hold that position. But recently, rumors have surfaced that Dlg. Jaimeson may step down from his leadership position in the House. Suspicions were first raised when House Majority Leader Dlg. Joan Fhonda (C-DES) announced she was retiring. The logical replacement for Fhonda was Jaimeson, but shortly after Fhonda's retirement announcement, Jaimeson announced he would not seek the Majority Leader position.

Jaimeson cited his differences with the Party's leadership as his primary reason for not seeking Majority Leader. "I have found that often times, my position is different than the party's. And I can't effectively lead others and tell them how to vote while I hold a different opinion. You can't lead when you don't believe in what you're promoting," he said.

For some time, insiders within the Conservative Party have believed that Jaimeson may step down from Ast. Maj. Leader. But now, sources from within the party, who have asked GNN NEWS not to release their identity discussing party politics, are saying that Jaimeson may not even run for re-election in 2012.

"We'll just have to wait and see. He may run, he may not. But right now, it's looking like he won't," one CON aide told GNN.

Sources say Jaimeson is too fed up with partisan politics, and the personal attacks from political opponents.

He has faced tough opposition at times for his ideas and opinions. Most recently, Jaimeson came under scrutiny after a web-video was posted on the internet, showing him having sex with two women and a man in a Madagen hotel room. Jaimeson immediately came under fire from Nationalists, while Conservatives withheld initial criticism. He denied he appeared in the video, even though his face was clearly visible in the film.

As soon as the video broke and gained international news coverage, Jaimeson and his lawyers went on the defensive, insisting he had never appeared in a video and had never engaged in sexual relations with the people in the video. His legal team argued that someone who disliked Jaimeson had filmed the video with another man, and then digitally copied and inserted Jaimeson's face into the video to make it appear as if the delegate himself was appearing in the video.

The next day, computer experts hired by the Madagen Police Department and separate experts hired by GNN NEWS confirmed the video had been altered, and that Jaimeson's face was digitally manipulated to make it appear as if he participated in the video. When the delegate was cleared of any wrong-doing, some of his opponents apologized for jumping to criticism. The delegate's attorneys said apologies were not enough.

"Because of a few people who decided to make a disgusting and demented video, and several politicians who jumped the gun and surmised Mr. Jaimeson as guilty, one of the most impeccable members of our government has been wrongly defamed and degraded everywhere within the public sphere," Leon Lawson, Jaimeson's attorney told the media.

No arrests have been made in the fake video of Dlg. Jaimeson. Police say that because the video was posted on the internet, it is hard to track down exactly who is responsible. But when the suspects are caught, they will prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, says Madagen Police Sgt. Dave Ramsey.

"Right now, we don't know who made this awful video, but we have their faces on camera. So it should only be a matter of time before we find them," Ramsey said. "What happened to Dlg. Jaimeson was clearly wrong and immoral. They showed him doing something that did not happen, something that he would never engage in, and that's defamation at the highest."

Since the video scadal was put to rest in late July, Jaimeson has been extra guarded, close friends to the delegate say. But polls show the scandal that falsely accused him of sexual indiscretions has not impacted his popularity in Ceona, where voters still hold a 61% approval rating of him.

Still, sources say Jaimeson may be ready to return to his private life and possibly resume his modeling career, which he was actively involved in before his run for office. GNN attempted to contact the delegate's office, but was declined comment.

Son of Disgraced Delegate To Run For House

REMMINGTON CITY, REM--Michael Helgin, the son of former Delegate Dave Helgin (NAT), who resigned last year in the midst of a sex scandal, says he will run for Remmington's House Seat Pos. 7.

"I am here to declare my candidacy for the House of Delegates," Helgin said.

The 29-year-old Helgin made the announcement yesterday in Remmington City. At the press conference, he denied that his father's scandal and subsequent criminal trial, which is still in progress, will affect his candidacy negatively.

Helgin went on to say Remmington needs some "strong leadership" and "good, clean, Nationalist values in Congress."

After his announcement, reporters immediately questioned him about his father's scandal.

"Will it impact me negatively? No, I don't think so. I'm a different person, and people know that," Helgin commented.

Helgin's father, former Dlg. Dave Helgin, resigned from his seat in September 2006, after a then-17-year-old girl came forward and told police she and the delegate had had sex on several occasions over the course of two years, while he was in office and while she was a minor.

The girl, who was not identified at the time because she was 16, has now been identified as 18-year-old Jennifer McMahon, of Redmand, Remmington. McMahon first met Helgin while on a school trip to the Capitol in Mavocke. After the trip, she decided to do an internship at the delegate's Redmand office. Because of her internship position at his office, she was able to meet the delegate several more times. McMahon says a relationship began, and the delegate and her had sexual encounters several times at his Redmand office. She also told police that on two occasions, the delegate drove her to Mavocke, where they had sex in a hotel there as well. In addition, McMahon says Helgin drove her to Damoign three times, where they also had sex at hotels and in public parks.

Helgin initially denied the allegations when they surfaced in August 2006, and refused to resign. However, McMahon's story became more damaging, and pressure mounted on Helgin from fellow NATs and Conservatives. In September, he finally submitted his resignation. Remmington Gov. Michael Killings (CON) nominated state Representative Jared Lanman (CON), the son of Sec. of Foreign Affairs Richard Lanman, to fill Helgin's seat until his election in 2010. Lanman was confirmed by the Remmington State House of Delegates.

In March of this year, Dave Helgin was indicted on several charges, including nine counts of sex with a minor, eight counts of lewd conduct, and five counts of driving a minor across state lines to commit a crime. His trial is currently underway in Lincoln County, Damoign. He could face up to 8 years in prison.

Helgin admits to having sex with McMahon, but he insists she consented on every occasion. McMahon agrees that she consented, but says she was too young to make a sound decision. Prosecutors say even if McMahon did consent, Mr. Helgin took advantage of a minor and should not have broken the law anyway. McMahon told the jury in the case that she was consenting and wasn't angry at Helgin. Her parents, Stephen and Stephanie McMahon, are the ones that pressed charges at the time.

Despite all of the scandal surrounding his father, Michael Helgin says he still stands by his dad and supports him.

"I still love my dad and I believe he made some mistakes but he is a changed person, and I support him. I'm going to support him no matter what," the younger Helgin said.

Helgin's announced candidacy has already made him a pinata for late-night television comedians, newspaper columnists and pundits.

Mark Moreno, host of 'Lights Out With Mark Moreno' on GNN, who is a fellow Remmingtonian himself, poked fun at Helgin's candidacy.

"Is this guy serious? He's basically saying, yes, my father is a pedophile and rapist, but I'm still going to run. And in Remmington of all places? The most conservative state in the country? Come on! I mean, rape is only allowed there if it is incest," Moreno said jokingly.

Helgin himself laughed off the jokes, saying, "I can understand if people are uncomfortable with this. But they shouldn't judge me because of my dad. We're two separate people."

If he wins the NAT nomination, Helgin will likely face Conservative Congressman Richard "Skipp" Magnet.

Byelle: My Successor Should Not Be Afraid To Confront Terrorists 'Head-On'

MATTINOW, DMG--Speaking to students and faculty at Damoign Technological University in Mattinow on Monday, President Byelle gave an idea of what qualities he thinks his successor in Collester should have.

The President was at DTU to talk about alternative higher education, but instead, he took some of his speech time to talk about terrorism and how techonology can help prevent it.

"As technology students, you have the power to stop some of the most vicious attacks in human history," Byelle said. "Technology is a great tool to combat terrorism. It doesn't solve the problem, but it really enables us to fight vigorously against those who devalue life."

Byelle explained that various technologies have already enabled Grassadellan military and intelligence officials to stop and prevent terrorist attacks.

But midway through his speech, the president veered a bit from his topic and told DTU students that the next president should boldly stand against terrorism.

"That's why my successor to Collester, regardless of party or political affiliations, should not be afraid to confront global terrorists head-on," Byelle said. "And technology is apart of that plan. We can't confront these terrorists without folks like you, working on the computers and tracking their every move," he told the audience.

After his speech, reporters and students questioned the President on terrorism. Some media members went further, asking the President to speculate on who might win the Conservative Presidential nomination, but the President refused and walked away without answering.

Collester spokesman Rob Davies told GNN NEWS that the President wasn't trying to speculate who might be president after him, and he wasn't trying to make any subtle hints about his feelings regarding the presidential race.

"President Byelle is just making a statement: he believes the next president, Conservative or Nationalist or DR or whatever affiliation, should not back down from the war on terror. He's trying to convey that we need someone who is unafraid, who isn't going to cower in fear back here on the homefront," Davies said.

Nationalist strategist Robert Mildes said the President's comments are irrelevant, and Nationalists should not be offended by his comments.

"We shouldn't be offended or upset, because the fact is Nationalists are strong on terrorism and national security. They just choose not to compromise civil rights and citizen privacy in the process."

Governor Declares State of Emergency

RED CANYON, MON—Surrounded by a group of fire and emergency crew leaders, Monomi Governor Scott King declared a state of emergency and asked President Byelle and members of Congress for financial aid to help remedy the state’s worst wildfire season in a decade.

King was in the small town of Red Canyon, about 80 miles northeast of Treeton, when he made the announcement. Just seven miles west of the town of Red Canyon is the state and country’s largest and most severe wildfire, dubbed the “Red Canyon Creek Fire." The fire has already charred over 57,000 acres and is only 30% contained.

The state of Monomi has about 1,200 firefighters on site, while another 1,300 firefighters from other states and Tundra have joined the fight. Gov. King told the media that Monomi's fire resources are stretched "as thin as can be."

"We have a serious problem right now here in Monomi--too many fires and not enough men. There's just not enough man-power to fight these wildfires," King said. "That's why I'm asking President Byelle to make federal funds and resources available to help aid the fight. And I'm asking members of Congress to help with funding and governors from other states to please send any resources you can."

Already, all states have sent firefighters and resources. But other provinces are facing wildfire wars of their own. Deschire, Wellington, Ceona, and Damoign are all fighting major wildfires within their borders as well. Another fire is burning in East Woodward near the Lial and Carova borders as well.

Altogether, there are a total of 40 wildfires of various size burning in Monomi. Wellington has the second most with 21 wildfires, followed by Ceona with nine, Deschire with seven, and Damoign with five major wildfires burning. That's a total of 82 major wildfires burning nation-wide.

President Byelle has already made available an extra $21 Million to help fight wildfires across the country, but Monomi is the first state to declare a state of emergency due to fires.

Other large fires burning across the nation include the Snyder Lake fire, burning southwest of Mt. Welling National Park in northwestern Wellington at 48,000 acres, and the Corona Creek Fire in central Ceona, at more than 41,000 acres. The Snyder Lake fire is 60% contained, but the Corona Creek Fire is only 20% contained.

Gov. King said that he would be touring other fire zones throughout the state later on in the day. He also noted that Lt. Gov. Erica Kinsley was touring fire zones in eastern Monomi. King also told reporters that President Byelle phoned him upon hearing the news, and agreed to grant federal funds. The President said he will fly into Treeton tomorrow and tour the fire zones to see the damage personally. He'll be joined by Monomi's Congressional Delegation.