Recent Public Work
Working on accountability in government and investigative projects. Ongoing.
Assisted Marty Knollenberg in re-election to a 57-43% victory in November 2008 as contract campaign consultant, holding strong local numbers despite anti-Republican sentiment.
May 7, 2007. Michigan Education Association (MEA) affiliate, Howell Education Association, files a "reverse FOIA" (Freedom of Information Act) lawsuit against Howell Public Schools as a result of March 28, 2007 FOIA by Zarko Research. ZR intervenes in litigation. October 2008, Judge Stanley Latreille rules completely in Howell Public Schools and Zarko Research's favor, orders release of documents. MEA appeals to Michigan Court of Appeals. Ongoing.
Early 2007. Completed website for Oakland County law firm.
Press Release Samples
& Archive (in PDF):
July 11, 2005 University of Michigan Settles Diversity-Data FOIA lawsuits by MAS. (MAS)
June 9, 2005 Secretary of State Dismisses Frivolous Campaign Finance Complaint filed by "By Any Means Necessary". (MCRI)
January 19, 2005 MCRI Challenges Governor Granholm, Politicians for Real Solutions.
January 6, 2006 MCRI Submits Over Half Million Signatures.
January 5, 2005 Media Advisory: Ward Connerly to Make Announcement in Capitol Blg.
January 3, 2005 Michigan Supreme Court Affirms Constitutionality of MCRI.
January 1, 2005 MCRI Asks Volunteers to Make Final Turn-in.
December 21, 2004 MCRI Will End College Admissions' Discrimination Against Women.
November 11, 2004 Study: Law Schools Hurt Minority Students Through Preferences.
October 12, 2004 Survey Shows 82% of Students Against Race Preferences and Consensus Among All Races.
October 6, 2004 MCRI Puts End to Minority Group Fighting for Preferences.
September 26, 2004 Detroit's Radical City-Funded "Africa-Town" Business District Stopped MCRI.
September 8, 2004 Some Women's Groups Show Inconsistency on Race/Gender Issue, MCRI.
June 17, 2004 House Appropriations Measure Demonstrates Broad Support for MCRI.
June 15, 2004 Unanimous Court Victory Propels Petition Drive.
June 15, 2004 Petition Drive Will Conclude at end of 2004 to Qualify for 2006 Ballot.
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Aug - Nov. 7, 2006. Lead consultant and campaign manager for Marty Knollenberg general election victory campaign. Campaign won 58% - 42% - a margin greater than Knollenberg's successor won by in 2004 despite a huge anti-Republican tidal wave. Knollenberg was one of the few Republicans in Michigan to gain votes relative to him predecessor or himself in the previous election cycle.
Nov. 7, 2006. Celebrated the landslide 58% - 42% victory of Proposal 2, while concluding work over previous months in an outreach capacity. Participated on three academic or professional panels and debates from Aug. to Nov. in helping get the message out. Available to the media or groups needing speakers as a panelist or expert on the issue of affirmative action (for travel and modest expenses), and generally as political analyst. Contact for details. From 2004, have participated in over a dozen such settings, with co-participants including a former U.S. Commissioner on Civil Rights, Philosophy, Law, Psychology, and other professors, the President of the National Bar Association, Dean of a Law School, an elected officials.
May - Aug. 8, 2006. Campaign Manager helping win 4th "most-interesting" (MIRS) contested Republican Primary in 2006, working for Marty Knollenberg as Campaign Manager in the Michigan 41st State Representative district.
Launched Dan Carlson's campaign website for Carlson for Chair of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans. Nov. 2005 to Feb. 2006. Carlson won Chairmanship in 2006-07.
Developed business simple website for White River Antiques in White Cloud, MI. 11/7/2005.
Steering Committee Member, Treasurer, and Director of Outreach and Media Relations, Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. (Jan. 2004 - Jan. 2006). Media appearances too numerous to list, press release samples at left. Outreach, research, and management of all phases of campaign. Helped set new record for Michigan Constitutional amendment signature collection, at 508,202, on Jan. 6, 2005. Trusted with campaign finance management and accounting for campaign nearing $1 million.
Partnering with the Michigan Association of Scholars, completed 2-year battle with University of Michigan in FOIA litigation with univeristy completely producing requested records and settling lawsuit with recovered fees.
Michigan Civil Rights Initiative Committee Website. Developed transitional site, from July 2003 to Jan. 2004. Transitional site is no longer active, but co-developed written content for petition-drive version of the website, beginning in Jan. 2004. Completely managed site from 2004 - 2006.
The Wall Street Journal, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, May 16, 2003.
Michigan Bar Journal, An Economic Alternative to Affirmative Action, May, 2003.
"I must admit that Chetly Zarko's response, in a letter to the New York Review of Books, which he copied to me, is rather persuasive."
Dr. Stanley Rothman, Smith College |
Summer 2005 - By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) Campaign Finance complaint against MCRI dismissed as "meritless". Zarko Research compiled MCRI counter-complaint against BAMN exposing significant non-compliance - Secretary of State investigation resulted in BAMN admitting to considerable amounts ($80,000) of under-reporting under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA).
July 19, 2005. Captured Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, Mark Brewer, on videotape, attacking Zarko Research cameras. See video page.
December 20, 2005. Captured BAMN protestors on videotape flipping over tables in a violent effort to derail a Board of Canvassers meetings. See video page.
Willamena Rock-n-Roll band website.and Far from the Current album cover design and layout. Artwork by Dan Dipple. Ongoing.
See also biography, recent features, services, and other sections for a more complete information. Contact chetly@chetlyzarko.com or through the feedback form.
Letter of Recommendation of Ward Connerly. 2006.
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