Obama Hot Dog Man

Bill Riney refused to take part in Sunday's state representative candidate debate held at the Ypsilanti Community Center, but that didn't stop him from campaigning in his own unusual way. The man known by many around Ypsilanti simply as "The Free Hot Dog Man" parked his van and trailer — with barbeque grill, soda cooler and stereo — outside and proceeded to grill up free hot dogs for the youths playing at the adjacent park. "I do this to prove I'm different than other politicians. This is the only way I can get the message across," said Riney, wearing a ball cap that reads, "I Am Riney." Riney earned a reputation two years ago as "The Obama Hot Dog Man" for taking his mobile hot dog operation into neighborhoods across Southeast Michigan during the Obama campaign.