June 24, 2006
From SERA-MARQ (State Employee Retirees Association, Marquette Chapter #9)
Dear Richard
On behalf of members of SERA-MARQ Thank You for taking time from your schedule to spend it educating us about the race, about the need, and about your desire to serve us as a group as well as the citizens at large in the 109th district.
As you continue toward the August and, we hope, the November elections we wish you the best.
Thank you particularly for sharing your concern about Sulfide mining in the U.P. We noted the courts have also seen a need to slow things down. It is too bad when courts have to direct state agencies that are set up to protect us. Your stand for fairness and ethical practices would certainly be a breath of fresh air in our state capitol.
Sincerely
Anthony T. Grudnoski, Ph.D. President SERA-MARQ.
REFERENCES
May 9, 2006
Instead of the usual list of endorsements, I offer here the following letters which testify to my character. These testimonials come from people I respect.
I am humbled by the words in these testimonials. The writers have now generously consented to allow me to use their letters in my campaign. Once again I am grateful to these friends and associates for their help and belief in me. Thank you!
For privacy, the addresses have been omitted except one whom I could not contact at present.
Nov 6, 2001
Steven and Rachel Anderson
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
We have known Richard Hendricksen for around 8 or 9 years. We first met Richard in the capacity of a real estate agent. We quickly found that Richard was not only extremely knowledgeable and capable but also a person of honesty and integrity that would tell the full truth about any transaction even to his detriment. He fully explained the pros and cons of every piece of land we looked at, especially when it came to easements and access.
We eventually entered into a Buyer/Broker agreement with Richard. During this time, we found a parcel that we were considering buying from Mead. Richard hiked the piece with us and offered us his advice and opinions even thought there was no commission in it for him. This selfless concern with fairness is a trademark of his character. We were very pleased with the parcel of land that he eventually found for us. This transaction proved what we already knew of Richard’s sense of fairness, honesty and generosity; he offered to split up the cost of our land from the cost of the equipment that had been lumped into the selling price thereby reducing the amount of commission that we owed to him. He also gave us a year to pay the commission. When we came up to give him a check, he made sure we felt it was fair commission and that he had earned it. After several years of hiking innumerable properties with us, he definitely earned it! Richard throws not only his superior knowledge but also his heart and soul into whatever project he is working one.
In the years that followed, we continued our friendship and contact with Richard and he shared with us his dream of building the Island Lake Lodge. He kept us informed of the progress and he poured his time, energy, heart and soul into the project. At one point he showed us the beginnings of the structure being pieced together. When we would visit him, we often found him hard at work on the lodge. We wondered how he kept up with his real estate business as busy as this lodge project kept him!
Based on our knowledge of Richard Hendricksen’s character, he can be trusted to live up to his word in any endeavor. He has never demonstrated anything but honesty and forthrightness in any and every capacity.
Sincerely,
Steven B. Anderson & Rachel C. Anderson
Dr. Dennis Hulbert DDS
Crystal Falls, Mi 49920
Nov. 5, 2001
To Whom It May Concern:
I have personally known Richard Hendricksen these past 6 years and have found him to be a reputable, honest and trustworthy person. I have dealt with Richard on both a personal and business basis and have been impressed with his frank and direct personality.
When Richard told me that he would like a letter of personal reference I agreed immediately to write one for him, because it is my honest belief that he is and unusual individual with his strong sense of morality.
I am willing to accept any questions regarding my dealing with him
Dennis N. Hulbert, DDS
Gwinn, Mi. 49841
To Whom it may Concern:
I am writing this as a way of attesting to the character of Richard Hendricksen.
I have in the past retained Richard as a real estate buyer’s broker as I know that he was knowledgeable about the more remote and pristine lands in the northern U.P.
In the course of our relationship I came to know him quite well and at all times found him to be sincere and highly principled.
His nature is to be open and trusting in his relationships and assumes the same consideration from others. Unfortunately this assumption can easily leave him vulnerable in both business and personal dealings if the other party feels inclined to take advantage of this same trusting and open nature.
Sadly, these same admirable character traits may have led Richard to the situation in which he now finds himself.
Sincerely
James H. Kidder.
November 16, 2001
Dear Richard
SUBJECT; CHARACTER REFERENCE
Having been a casual friend of yours for the last ten years, I feel confident in writing this reference for your use. I have found you to be a trusting, sincere individual, with a definite “caring” attitude that is scarcely found in people today. Through your deeds and thoughts, you have demonstrated to me ”time-and –again” that you place a high priority on working through problems and issues with an unbiased objective attitude. Additionally, you have impressed me in that your ultimate goal in dealing with issues has been to “do what is right” based on exhaustive unselfish reasoning. I wish you luck in any future endeavor, and best wishes to you and your wife Jean
Sincerely, Scott G. Hoiem, CWCS, SSA
Safety Health and Loss Control Coordinator
Tilden Mining Company L.C.
Nov. 9, 2001 To Whom it may concern,
I have know Richard Hendricksen since 1988. Originally we had a business relationship, and have since become personal friends. I can say, without hesitation, that his business and personal dealing are conducted with the highest ethical standards. If I were to pick one person as an example of high ethical behavior, it would be Richard Hendricksen. On one occasion, we had a serious problem with a business dealing that was caused by indecision on my part. Richard arranged a compromise that was more than fair to me. You can be quite certain that the problem before you was not caused by an unwillingness to compromise by Richard Hendricksen. If I can provide any more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Posey
Marquette, Mi. 49855.
My name is Thomas W. Kustowski
Marysville, Michigan 48940.
I met Richard Hendricksen in July of 1994 after talking to several realtors with no luck at all. The first thing different about Richard was he wanted to get to know me before he would show me any land. I guess the sale was not important as making sure I received the right place for me. After talking and showing me several pieces of property I found what I thought I wanted. I said I would take it and brought the money up to him and then backed out of it. Once again he said he wanted me to be happy and we would keep looking. Richard always had my best interest in mind.
Since then I have bought two places and sold one thru Richard. One thing Richard and I got along on was our word. When you give it – its like a piece of paper. Trust is a funny thing nowadays. When George Bush ran for office he said we had too many lawyers in this country. Well you don’t need one why your honest.
He never had to become my friend because he sold me land, but he did and I am a better person because of him. “Treat people like you want to be treated and there will be no problem” he said on several occasions. Honesty dedication and loyalty is three things I think of when you say his name.
I hope this letter explains the kind of person he is and when you are lucky enough to know him you will understand the rest.
Sincerely Thomas W. Kustowski
11/12/01
To Whom It May Concern:
On 9/30/92 I purchased a parcel of land in Baraga Co., Thru White Water Realty, brokered by Richard Hendricksen. We have since, become personal friends. Of the 8 to 12 real estate brokers and sales people I talked to, in the Western U.P., in the prior year, he is the one that possessed the qualities desired.
1. knowledge of remote land
2. honest representation
3. personal integrity
I have been licensed I Michigan for 30 years, as a residential builder and real estate broker Perm. I.D. # 2101003201 Perm I.D. # 6501075793
Robert J Horton
Crystal Falls, Mi 49920
November 13, 01
Dear Richard Hendricksen
In response to our discussion the other day in which you asked that I try to describe what my perception is concerning the project you have undertaken.
I have to start out by saying that when you first started your project, I did not think that you would be able to develop it at all or at the very least you and your partner would have to subsidize it for many years before it could possibly become a paying proposition. You have done an admirable job in getting it to this state and I know that you personally have spent countless hours of your time in it’s development thus far. I don’t know what your partner has done to contribute to this project as I can only recall seeing him working out at the property one time.
In observing the project’s development over the past few years, I believe that you have exhibited a great deal of patience and skill in assembling the various components that have gone into the variety of areas that it now encompasses. The most difficult problem most individuals face is dealing with people and you have been able to work with all different kinds in this endeavor – successfully most of the time. I have had the opportunity to speak with several of your tenants during the past and they seemed to have been encouraged by your help in assisting them with many of the problems that they faced in the development of their personal projects and appear to be very satisfied with the way you have been managing the property.
I also have to thank you for allowing me to store items. I realize that it has posed somewhat of an inconvenience for you as I know that your partner has continually put pressure on you to make us remove it which would certainly be a time consuming and costly operation for us to undertake.
Lastly Richard, I would be remiss if I did not speak to a part of your character that I believe is being called into question by all of these legal problems that have developed between yourself and your partner. I am referring to your integrity and honesty. I truly believe that you are one of the most honest individuals that I have met in my lifetime. In fact, you are probably too honest to a fault by going beyond what is necessary in many instances, such as in attempting to sell property, in making sure that everything is disclosed when something less would have been sufficient.
Jim Schneider