The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
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State office election

      JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT

       DIANE MARIE HATHAWAY Did not respond.

       ROBERT W. RODDIS Did not respond.

       CLIFF TAYLOR Did not respond.

       JUDGE OF PROBATE COURT
       KATHRYN A. GEORGE
       Occupation: Macomb Probate Judge.
       Government, Professional and Political background: St. Clement and Warren Woods high schools, Macomb Community College, Harper Hospital School of Nursing, Oakland University and the University of Idaho. I worked as a critical care nurse, a nurse educator and an attorney. 1989, appointed by the governor to the Worker's Compensation Appeal Board. 1999, elected to the Sterling Heights City Council; 2001, re-elected, becoming mayor pro tem as the highest vote getter. 2002, elected to the Probate Court.
       Why I should be elected: Judicial experience and because I have upheld the integrity of the judiciary by not running a negative, false campaign. Further, my many endorsements from community leaders and organizations reflect my commitment to my job and to our community.
       Three top priorities if elected: As judge, I have assisted the sheriff in implementing a jail-diversion program for nonviolent mentally ill individuals to decrease jail overcrowding. I have been working on other methods of improving our Mental Health Laws, which include a Mental Health Court. As chief judge, I worked to ensure that the court fully implemented our new computer system so that we may begin e-filing, planned for 2008, to make the court more efficient. Elected by my peers to the Executive Board of the Michigan Probate Judges Association, I will continue working toward a much-needed revision of Trust Law. These changes will give individuals more protection to ensure that their estate-planning choices will be followed.

       DEBRA LUX-ROLAND
       Occupation: Chief attorney/chief administrator at Macomb County Probate Court-Mental Division.
       Government, Professional and Political background: Attorney 25 years; 10 years Adjunct Professor at MCCC-Paralegal program.
       Why you should be elected: Working at the Probate Court, I have been in a unique position to see where changes are most needed. I'm honest, dedicated, hardworking, trustworthy and will bring about positive changes to the court.
       Three top priorities if elected: I would seek to eliminate unnecessary delays for the citizens and attorneys in their court matters since that's a terrible cost and inconvenience to all. Excessive adjournments would be ended and I would implement better docket management. I would promote more usage of Kevin's Law petitioning processes to assist families with mentally ill loved ones. Kevin's Law statutes, over 3 years old, seek earlier intervention and authorize mandated assisted outpatient treatment, under certain circumstances, for the mentally ill. I worked hundreds of hours with Macomb County CMH to draft policies/procedures for Kevin's Law petitions. This option has been under utilized in Macomb County. There also needs to be more coordination between community mental health agencies, hospitals & the court to promote services for the mentally ill person. The possibility of a mental health court, with a goal of helping the mentally ill individual instead of incarceration in the prison system, would also be explored. We need better guardian review/oversight of the disabled individuals and the guardians/conservators appointed to protect these vulnerable individuals. Implement a review system to insure the safety of these individuals.


       U.S. SENATOR

       JACK HOOGENDYK JR. (R) Did not respond.

       CARL LEVIN (D)
       Occupation: United States Senator (1979-present).
       Government, Professional and Political background: I have served in the Senate since 1979, and as a member of the Detroit City Council from 1970-77, the last four years as council president. Before being elected to the Senate, I served as Michigan assistant attorney general and general counsel for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 1964-67. I was special assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan and chief appellate defender 1968-69.
       Why you should be elected: The 2008 election is critical for Michigan's future. From jobs and our economy, to extending health care coverage and improving education, to getting our troops out of Iraq, our state and our nation need strong, principled leadership. I'm taking on these challenges in the Senate to get Michigan moving forward.
       Three top priorities if elected: Michigan and the nation face enormous challenges and the 2008 election will be important in setting our course to meet those challenges. Creating jobs and fighting for manufacturing, fighting the speculation and gouging which have helped drive up gas prices, ending the war in Iraq and restoring America's image in the world are major issues that I will continue to address.

       harley g. mikkelson (GRN) Did not respond.

       MICHAEL N. NIKITIN (UST)
       Occupation: Engineer.
       Government, Professional and Political background: BS, MBA, a problem solver/consultant, a member of the United States Taxpayer Party of Michigan/Constitution Party.
       Why you should be elected: It is my commitment to return this nation to the foundation that made us the greatest nation on Earth<our Constitution. I am only one of two people running for the United States Senate that has that on their agenda. If we do not do this, we will go the way of the other representative republics before us that failed; having fallen into a mob rule democracy, followed closely thereafter by a dictatorship. I will protect and defend the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. I will fight to repeal the Roe v Wade<as it is unconstitutional law. Life begins at conception and abortion is murder. I will go over the heads of one of the enemies of our nation<liberal press and media<and tell the voters directly what Congress is doing and what I am doing to protect their constitutional rights. I will vote to stop unconstitutional federal spending on education as it usurps state rights.
       Three top priorities if elected: 1) Cut taxes in order to return the constitutionally protected property back to the citizens. 2) Cut taxes in order to shrink our ever expanding and unconstitutional government growth. 3) Cut taxes in order to remove government involvement with our capitalist system that made this the greatest nation ever created on the planet.

       SCOTTY BOMAN (LIB) Did not respond.

       DOUG DERN (NLP) Did not respond.

       REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - 10TH DIST.

       CANDICE S. MILLER (R)
       Occupation: Member of Congress.
       Government, Professional and Political background: Member of Congress 2003 - present; Michigan Secretary of State 1995-2002; Macomb County Treasurer 1993-1994; Harrison Township Supervisor 1980-1992; Harrison Township Trustee 1979; Former small business owner.
       Why you should be elected: I have a record, a proven record, of bringing change to government. I have a deep understanding of the challenges we face and will continue to be a forceful advocate for this community in Washington. My constituents can trust that I will stand up strong for our shared concerns and our values.
       Three top priorities if elected: Economy/Jobs<Nothing is more important for the United States Congress than getting our economy moving again and helping to create an environment where new jobs can be created. That will be my primary focus. That means keeping taxes low and reducing wasteful government spending. Also, even though I voted against the recent Wall Street bailout, I will work to ensure that proper oversight is done to protect the taxpayer's money and make certain that it never happens again.
       Protecting the Great Lakes<I have brought extensive federal attention to the Great Lakes by helping to pass the Water Resources Development Act and Great Lakes Compact. I will continue to put a strong focus on protecting our lakes.
       Reducing energy prices<I will continue to work in Washington to advance the cause of alternatives to oil and open up more domestic energy supplies to reduce costs and make America energy independent.

       ROBERT DENISON (D)
       Government, Professional and Political background: I've spent my professional career in the private sector, therefore I understand how business operates. I've negotiated major, national agreements with Chrysler Corporation and General Dynamics. I have successfully lobbied in Lansing for issues that directly affect senior citizens.
       Why you should be elected: I've spent my 44 year career representing working people of all ages and backgrounds. In this capacity, I was successful in negotiating the maximum possible wage and benefit packages along with fair and equitable working conditions. As a result, people came to rely on me to listen to their concerns and work tirelessly on their behalf. I will bring this same energy and dedication for the people of the 10th Congrressional District.
       Three top priorities if elected: 1. Loss of manufacturing jobs. Develop incentive programs to attract and help build small and medium size businesses which will result in increased job creation. Eliminate tax incentives for those businesses who take work and jobs to other countries. 2. War in Iraq. Develop an enforceable strategy to safely withdraw our combat troops from Iraq. Then we can turn our efforts against the real war on terrorism. 3. Health care. Develop a single-payer health care system.

       CANDACE R. CAVENY (GRN)
       Occupation: Licensed Michigan physician and surgeon since 1976 (not actively practicing).
       Government, Professional and Political background: Community activist since age 12, put out doorhangers for the Ike Eisenhower campaign, have voted for a variety of candidates from several parties during my 33 years in Michigan. Board member Great Lakes Bioregional Land Conservancy, active in Planned Parenthood, currently Co-Chair of Flint Area Greens, `06 Green Party candidate for US Congress, Congressional Dist 10 (Thumb)
       Why you should be elected: I am neither a Democrat or Republican so I can examine issues independently, drawing from a wide circle of persons with specialized expertise in agriculture, law, health, ecology, finance from around the nation
       Three top priorities if elected: 1) Stop the militarization of our US foreign policy by ending the incursions in Iraq and Afghanistan which have drained our budget & tripled our national debt without changing our energy dependence on other nations' resources, while we sell our own Alaskan oil to Asian buyers (though Alaskan citizens do share in these revenues and I would encourage a similar "royalty-sharing" program with Social Security) if any expansion of off-shore drilling occurs. 2) Allow persons over 50 to "buy-in" to Medicare. 3) Increase alternative energy in the Thumb<more incentives for residential wind turbines to augment the more than 32 large-scale turbines currently operating in Huron County with the Wolverine Power Co-op . . .

       NEIL KIERNAN STEPHENSON (LIB) Did not respond.

       STATE LEGISLATURE - 32ND DIST.

       JOHN ACCAVITTI (R)
       Occupation: I am an Intelligence Analyst for Michigan's Intelligence Operations Center and an officer in the Michigan National Guard.
       Government, Professional and Political background: Growing up, I worked at a store in New Baltimore. Later, I became the general manager of a Sam's Club warehouse and I owned a Sprint telecommunications company. I also consulted small business owners on how to expand and grow new stores, creating jobs in Michigan.
       Why you should be elected: I want to create a vigorous, growing Michigan economy through lower taxes, less regulation, and responsible spending. Michigan's government needs to work for its citizens by changing our unfriendly business environment to one that is attractive to job providers. I have experience in helping failing businesses thrive and creating jobs. Now I want to do the same for Michigan's economy and change our unemployment ranking from worst to best.
       Three top priorities if elected: 1) Jobs and the Economy. It is hard to see businesses and families leave Michigan because of the poor economy. I know what it takes to bring jobs back. 2) Property Taxes and Mortgage Foreclosures. We need to protect families from losing their homes during this economic struggle. Reducing property taxes to the real value of property will provide breathing room for all families.
       3) Environment and Homeland Security. We must protect our environment from pollution, water diversion, and possible threats that could enter our state through trash importation, waterways, and illegal immigration.

       JENNIFER HAASE (D)
       Occupation: Elementary school teacher.
       Government, Professional and Political background: I am in my 11th year of teaching at Warren Woods Public Schools and have served as our district's curriculum leader.
       Why you should be elected: We need a member of our own community<not another career politician<who can be an independent voice and create real change. As someone with no ties to Lansing and no relatives in office, I can be that independent voice.
       Three top priorities if elected: As a lifelong Macomb County resident, I know what matters most to our community. My family is just like many working families all across Macomb and St. Clair counties. Like so many of you, I was raised to appreciate the value of public service and hard work. Those are values I live by today and will bring to Lansing as I work to fix our broken Legislature and put our families' interests, not the special interests, first.

       JOSEPH L. ZEMENS (LIB)
       Occupation: Materials engineer with GM Powertrain in Pontiac. Employed with General Motors for 31 years, mostly at GM Technical Center in Warren.
       Government, Professional and Political background: I have always had a deep appreciation for our American heritage of freedom and private enterprise, and have determined that libertarianism is the best political philosophy for retaining such. I have been active for years with the Libertarians of Macomb County and have served the Executive Committee. Life member of the National Rifle Association.
       Why you should be elected: I am running for this office to offer the voters the choice of a candidate with a sound libertarian political philosophy . . . My problem-solving skills, combined with my knowledge of government, law, and history (acquired largely through self-study), provide me with a unique set of skills to deal with our challenges.
       Three top priorities if elected: (1) To help citizens to understand that all too often government and government policy is the cause of many problems, not the solution, and that the size and cost of government, and its inefficient programs, may build effective voting constituencies, but destroy our business base and employment opportunities. (2) To further help our citizens understand that in addition to the sole problem of high business taxation, excessive individual taxation creates additional costly and hidden overhead that is added to the cost of all goods and services produced in Michigan . . .(3) Lastly, to further improve our business climate, I believe we need to seriously consider making Michigan a right-to-work state, like many more competitive states . . .

       STATE LEGISLATURE - 33RD DIST.

       KIM MELTZER (R)
       Occupation: State Representative, business owner.
       Government, Professional and Political background: Trustee for the Clinton Township Board of Trustees, 2000-2004. BS in political science from Wayne State University.
       Why you should be elected: I am a small business owner. Creating jobs is critical to Michigan's economic recovery. My voting record prioritizes my constituents: Decisions that negatively affect my constituents are tax increases. I have never voted for a tax increase.
       I am a mother of three. As a parent, I know the hardships families face. I have supported legislation that will cap the cost of higher education so that our children can afford to go to college.
       Three top priorities if elected: No new taxes: As a small business owner, I know the impact increases in taxation have on the economy. Tax increases will do nothing to stimulate our economy and will only hurt our image of being a business friendly state. Tax increases will further hurt families that are struggling to make ends meet.
       2. Government accountability through transparency: Require schools and government to post all contracts and expenditures on line. The people have a right to know how their money is being spent. They shouldn't have to FOIA this information. Other states have implemented this responsibility.
       3. Property tax relief: Personal property taxes are increasing while property values have declined. I will prohibit this from happening in a declining economy like the one we now face. This will not hurt the local governments as funding to local governments will come from the state's General Fund.

       ANDREW PRASILOSKI (D) Did not respond.