What if the loudest voices in politics aren't actually the ones that matter? On this episode of The BOBcast, Bob Riney sits down with Richard Czuba, founder of The Glengariff Group and one of Michigan's most respected nonpartisan pollsters, for a candid conversation recorded live at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Richard pulls back the curtain on how genuine, unbiased research has shaped some of Michigan's most consequential policy decisions -- from gun safety laws passed after the Michigan State shooting to the data driving today's affordability crisis -- while exposing the gap between what social media amplifies and what voters actually think. It's a sobering, clarifying look at how Michigan can find common ground in an era defined by division, told by the man whose data has quietly guided the conversation for over four decades.

Time Stamps

Richard Czuba's Role in Michigan Politics
:20- Bob Riney introduces Richard Czuba, highlighting his influence on Michigan's political landscape and his nonpartisan approach.
:58- Bob discusses Richard’s role in shaping significant ballot proposals, including the Michigan stem cell ballot proposal in 2008 and the personal property tax reform proposal in 2014.
1:55- Richard emphasizes the importance of listening to all voices and delivering accurate research, not partisan opinions.

Independence in Polling
2:17- Richard Czuba explains how he ensures his independence in polling by delivering both good and bad news to clients.
2:58- He discusses the importance of understanding the full spectrum of voter opinions, not just whether they support or oppose an issue.
3:40- Bob and Richard discuss the role of social media in shaping public opinion, particularly on issues like data centers.
4:18- Richard highlights the need to address the specific concerns of voters, such as higher electricity bills and water use, to open a conversation.

Impact of Independent Research
5:05- Richard Czuba shares an example of how independent research helped drive gun safety legislation in Michigan after the Michigan State University shooting.
5:21- He explains how his survey on gun safety issues influenced the state legislature to pass three gun protection laws.
6:11- Bob and Richard discuss the importance of objective polling in a divisive political climate.
7:03- Richard emphasizes the need for voters to make decisions based on their concerns, not polling results, and the importance of transparency in polling data.

Challenges in Policy and Polling
8:01- Richard reflects on his experience as an advisor to Michigan's governor, highlighting the challenges and successes of policy-making.
8:28- He discusses the importance of understanding how policy is shaped and the role of successful leaders like John Engler and Gretchen Whitmer.
8:42- Bob and Richard discuss the impact of social media on political campaigns and the need for critical thinking skills.
8:57- Richard emphasizes the importance of seeing both sides of the conversation in media and the challenges of siloed information.

Affordability Crisis in Michigan
11:03- Richard identifies affordability as a major concern for Michigan voters, affecting food prices, gas prices, and home operating costs.
11:29- He explains the connection between the affordability crisis and declining per capita income in Michigan.
12:09- Richard advises political leaders to focus on solutions rather than blaming parties for the current state of affairs.

Voter Turnout and Political Engagement
13:33- Richard discusses the factors influencing voter turnout, particularly anger and dissatisfaction with the current administration.
14:04- He highlights the unusual turnout patterns seen in recent elections, such as the special election in Senate District 35.

What does it take to become the first woman ever to lead one of North America's most historic border crossings, and why would someone walk away from retirement to do it? On this episode of The BOBcast, host Bob Riney sits down with Regine Beauboeuf, CEO of American Roads and the first woman to run the 95-year-old Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, to trace her journey from a childhood in Haiti to the front lines of major infrastructure projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Regine opens up about the mentors who shaped her: her father's discipline, her mother's compassion, and how a "creative laziness" in chemistry class nudged her toward a four-decade engineering career instead. She reflects candidly on what it means to be "the first," why she's determined to make sure she isn't the last, and how nearly 1,600 healthcare workers cross the tunnel daily, binding Detroit and Windsor into one true regional community. It's a conversation about borders, resilience, and the surprising ways infrastructure connects not just cities, but people's lives.

Time Stamps

Career Path
2:06- Regine described growing up in Haiti, learning leadership from her father and compassion from her mother, and beginning engineering-related work as her father’s administrative assistant at age 10.
3:41- Her fluency in English, French, and Creole supported international work, including an expatriate assignment in Montreal on Quebec’s first public-private partnership project.

Regional Connections
4:47- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel supports a shared regional community, with about 1,600 healthcare workers using it daily and an exchange of people, innovation, services, and skills.
6:15- Regine worked on the Gordie Howe International Bridge beginning in 2000, including feasibility studies and preliminary engineering. She later supported efforts related to financing and project delivery.

Tunnel Leadership
7:30- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel opened in 1930 and marked its 95th anniversary. Regine emphasized its engineering significance, reliability, safety, maintenance, and preservation.
10:13- As the first woman CEO of American Roads, she is focused on modernizing the tunnel, improving technology use, and helping employees embrace a new vision.

Leadership Advice
11:00- Regine mentors others and wants to help create future second, third, fourth, and fifth women leaders in transportation.
11:36- Her advice to early-career professionals is to avoid competing with others, focus on personal growth, and aim to be better today than yesterday.

Personal Life
12:00- Regine enjoys travel, including visits to Bali, France, and Paris, and also makes scented candles when time permits.

What if the real measure of a city's growth isn't cranes in the skyline, but how many families it lifts out of poverty? That's the challenge Detroit's first female mayor, Mary Sheffield, poses on this episode of The BOBcast with host Bob Riney. Six months into historic office, Sheffield reflects on property tax reform, a citywide survey of 6,000 residents, and a new Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety built to address gun violence. She opens up about the personal toll of leadership, the activist legacy of her father and grandfather, and why she believes purpose, not politics, should drive public service. It's a candid conversation about power, poverty, and what it really takes to rebuild a city from the inside out.

Time Stamps
First six months
:20- Bob Riney introduced Mayor Mary Sheffield as Detroit’s first female mayor, former youngest Detroit City Council member at age 26, and later the youngest council president.
2:22- Mary Sheffield said election night was when the reality of becoming mayor fully set in.
2:58- She described the first six months as effective and inclusive, shaped by a transition process, first 100-day priorities, and input from more than 6,000 Detroiters.
3:17- Early policy actions included an executive order on fairer property assessments and another creating the Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety.

Leadership Philosophy
4:14- Mary Sheffield said confidence comes from execution and described her framework as purpose, preparation, and practice.
5:20- She argued that people with integrity should lean into public service despite political division and attacks on leadership.

Growth and Development
6:11- Mary Sheffield said Detroit must treat poverty reduction, workforce development, and upward economic mobility as core growth strategies.
7:25- She and Bob discuss the Henry Ford Health campus expansion as a healthcare anchor, job creator, and major economic opportunity.
8:13- She also stressed the need to connect schools and community colleges to workforce pipelines.

Governance and Safety
8:43- Mary Sheffield said her existing relationships with City Council have supported productive collaboration.
9:48- On public safety, she said even with record low crime trends, one life lost is too many, and she emphasized prevention, enforcement, and family support after gun violence.

Long-Term Vision
10:52- Her top long-term priorities are property tax reform and raising Detroit residents’ median income.
11:44- She described Detroit’s appeal to young talent through affordability, culture, riverfront access, entertainment, and jobs, while noting transportation as an area that still needs improvement.
12:40- She closed with reflections on her father and grandfather’s influence, her grounding in public service, and the role of family, sports, fitness, and comedy in her personal life.