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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Candidate responses for
Primary Election, Aug. 3

      STATE LEGISLATURE - 32ND DISTRICT

       GALEN JOHNSON (R)
       Did not respond.

       ANDREA LaFONTAINE (R)
       Occupation: Did not respond.
       Government, professional and political background: District representative for State Senator, 2008-2010.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: I have the knowledge, experience and common sense needed to bring Michigan back to a state of renewed prosperity. As a lifelong resident of District 32, I am in tune to the specific needs of my community. I am tired of waving goodbye to my generation, and when elected, I will make the tough decisions necessary to put Michigan back on track to recovery.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: Job creation; reducing, eliminating, reforming excessive taxes; and education. In order to create jobs, Michigan must become more economically competitive. Therefore, we must address the MBT and how it is suffocating businesses and detouring entrepreneurs away from Michigan. The MBT must be phased out and a new tax structure should be implemented, one that is fair for all businesses. I also believe that Michigan needs to become a Right to Work state. This would allow for the freedom of choice to be installed in the labor market. When it comes to the education system in our state, I will work hard and make the decision necessary to ensure that education dollars are being spent in the classroom and not tied up in bureaucratic and administrative costs. The largest budget in our state government is the K-12 budget. We owe it to the children of this state to make sure that money is being spent in a way that provides them with the best education.

       DAVID J. NOVAK (R)
       Occupation: Operations Officer
       Government, professional and political background: Masters of Science in Human Resources, Central Michigan University 2007; Bachelor's of Science in Organizational Administration, Magna Cum Laude, Central Michigan University, 2004; Associates of Applied Science, Magna Cum Laude, Macomb Community College, 2003; Retail Manager for 11 years in various capacities; Substitute teacher for four years while finishing education; U.S. Army for six years.
       No previous offices held.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: I have the education, business experience and work ethic to get the job done. I will be a diligent, patriotic public servant that will listen to the people and concentrate on creating jobs, lowering taxes and reforming education. I have served in the military, I serve in the defense industry and now I am ready to serve our community.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: 1. Reform educational opportunities. Support elimination of the cap on charter schools. Review privatization and/or consolidation of non-teaching school functions. Pursue options for parents in vouchers and charter schools.
       Taxes. 2. Remove MBT and replace it with a simple, flat corporate income tax. This tax cut will give employers the needed capital to expand operations, continue to invest in Michigan and hire unemployed workers (job creation). In doing this, Michigan's economy will grow as profits increase and the state will generate additional revenue. Government employee compensation & benefits should match the private sector and be fully funded. Review tax breaks and tax incentive programs to find out if they're worth the cost, any new tax incentives or educational mandates should have a defined funding. 3. Jobs. Promote policies that will make Michigan more competitive in the national and global job market. Fewer jobs equal a higher budget deficit. Review unemployment and welfare programs.

       MICHAEL SHMINA (R)
       Did not respond.

       JENNIFER HAASE (D)
       Occupation: State representative for the 32nd House District.
       Government, professional and political background: I was a teacher for 10 years in local schools before being elected. I decided to become a State Representative so I could fight to make life better for our residents and community.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: As a lifelong resident of Macomb County, I understand the challenges facing our community. I've seen firsthand that Lansing is broken, and I'm more committed than ever in fixing it. In order to make life better for our working families, we must streamline state government. I won't stop fighting to bring accountability to Lansing and force lawmakers to focus on the needs of our hard-working residents, not their own or the special interests.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: I am committed to creating a more efficient government that serves the people of Michigan. I will keep fighting to reform our state government by cutting wasteful spending, like taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for lawmakers, and making sure that every taxpayer dollar is used efficiently on what matters: creating jobs for our workers, supporting our small businesses and giving our children the high-quality education they need and deserve. I know that our workers are the backbone of our economy. In these tough times, we must do everything we can to support our hard-working families and create jobs. We must also support the small businesses that make our communities unique and put our neighbors back to work. I will continue fighting to attract job providers to Macomb and St. Clair counties and make our counties the best places in the world to start and grow a small business. As a former teacher, I know how vital a high-quality education is.

       STATE LEGISLATURE - 33RD DISTRICT

       GIUSEPPE A. BIONDO (R)
       Did not respond.

       GINA BUCCI (R)
       Did not respond.

       FRANK CUSUMANO (R)
       Did not respond.

       KEN GOIKE (R)
       Did not respond.

       JAMES A. SANTILLI JR. (R)
       Did not respond.

       PETE VITALE (R)
       Did not respond.

       ANDREW PRASILOSKI (D)
       Did not respond.

       STATE LEGISLATURE - 36TH DISTRICT

       PETE LUND (R)
       Occupation: State Representative, 36th House District; Small Business Owner; Adjunct Professor Walsh College.
       Government, professional and political background: Current State Representative; Prior Macomb County Commissioner; Small business owner; Professor of Finance at Walsh College.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: In my first two years as your State Representative, I have fought to balance the budget without raising taxes. My focus has been on job creation in Macomb County and the rest of Michigan.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: The most important issue facing our state is employment for Michigan residents. Putting people back to work is our number one, two and three priorities. If people are back to work, Michigan will be more prosperous, more taxes will be paid without increasing tax rates, more revenue will be generated and the budget problems will disappear. We will have more money for schools, more money for roads and fewer citizens in need of social programs. Small employers are the back bone of our economy, yet we seem to punish them by over regulating their industries, taxing them out of profitability and in essence forcing them to cut jobs. This is the opposite formula we should employ. We want to encourage job growth and job creation by eliminating the burdensome barriers to business success.

       SEBASTIAN PREVITI (R)
       Occupation: Financial controller (accountant).
       Government, professional and political background: Professionally, I have been a financial controller for a Tier I automotive supplier for over 10 years.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: We can't continue to let our career politicians raise taxes and protect their salaries and benefits. If we do not act now, we could be the first generation to leave our state in worse condition for our children. I will finance my campaign without special interest contributions. The people of Macomb County want someone to represent their families and their peers. They want someone to communicate their beliefs and values at the Capitol. We don't need more politics in Lansing right now, we need people who will work to improve the lives of everyday folks. I am that person.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: 1. Retain jobs and attract new business to reside and locate their company here in Michigan by removing taxes imposed on businesses which are then passed on to us, the consumers, in increased costs on goods. 2. I support the adoption of a part-time legislature. This will reduce the cost of government, but also keep state legislature accountable. 3. I support lowering the costs of yearly prison incarceration costs from $32,000 to $25,000 per prisoner. I also support requiring all prisoners to work while in prison to help offset some costs while incarcerated by taxpayers.

       BRIAN SENIA (R)
       Did not respond.

       ROBERT MURPHY (D)
       Occupation: Self-employed.
       Government, professional and political background: U.S. military veteran; Past county delegate; State Legislative Advisory Committee; Four-term member as Citizen Advisory Committee charged with the equitable distribution of H.U.D. funds; Two-time presidential appointee by G.W. Bush as board member and current Board of Appeals for the Selective Service Administration; Three-time recipient by the Office of the President (G.W. Bush) for Outstanding Volunteerism; State Court of Administration mediation specialist.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: All a person has to do is ask themselves, "Am I better off than two years ago, or even four or six years ago?" For most of us, the answer is no, or not really. And the reason being is what's important to you doesn't seem to be important to our elected officials. Isn't it time to consider a non-politician?
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: The top three issues that impact our lives most are lack of good, and good paying jobs, increasingly escalating healthcare cost and being sold out by special interest groups which is nothing more than "legal bribery." And unlike a politician, I am willing to work for just the salary, as well as giving some back to the community. There are the other issues, invasive species, the Michigan Business Tax, revenue sharing, school aid funding, and let's not forget the social programs that always take the first hit(s) when it's cost cutting time. As well as infrasructure and illegal immigration, and the seemingly endless conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan. We are better positioned right now, more than ever before, to "vote the bums out" at every state level.

       JAMES C. WINNE (D)
       Occupation: Retired insurance agent and financial consultant for 30 years.
       Government, professional and political background: Precinct delegate and involved in local Democrat organizations.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: My life's work has prepared me for this job in a unique manner. As many people may already know, an insurance agent learns and understands much about people, their families, their values, and generally whatever else is important to them. I have been in a unique position to talk to many people about large sums of money and deliver on promises made. I have seen what the combination of planning and the keeping of a promise can do for people's lives. I think tools of government can be used to help provide a safety net to hold people's lives together as well.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: 1. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Create jobs through an energy plan that guarantees cheap, non-carbon based energy to all industries, businesses, and homeowners. Michigan imports 100 percent of its coal and uranium and 97 precent of its oil. Wind and solar cost virtually nothing and leave no carbon footprint. We must create and keep jobs through education. Michigan can be an intel capital for the country. When we graduate students from our fine universities we must be able to recover our investment in them by having good jobs awaiting them. Create jobs through a greater sense of cooperation among our people and government at all levels. No unfunded mandates without local input. As a people, we must remember that we are all Americans and America is God's gift to us as a people. It is up to us to maintain it and be willing to share its blessings.

       COUNTY COMMISSIONER - 7TH DISTRICT

       DON BROWN (R)
       Occupation: Macomb County Commissioner; Community Outreach Director, Congresswoman Candice Miller.
       Government, professional and political background: Macomb County Commissioner; S.E. Michigan Liaison, Michigan Secretary of State; Associate Director, Governor John Engler's S.E. Michigan Office; Independent insurance agent; Washington Township Trustee; Harvard University, Certificate, John F. Kennedy School of Government; Oakland University, B.A. Political Science.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: I have a record of results and service which demonstrate my ability to represent the interests of Northern Macomb County. My education and professional experience helped me to secure and protect things important to it, such as the Macomb Orchard Trail, the new 26 Mile Road Bridge, reconstruction of the Mahaffey Drain, county bridge replacement program and the property for the Trailside Park.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: I'll be the conservative voice on the newly reformed Macomb County Board of Commissioners. I've never forgotten that I represent the taxpayers and voted No on the county tax increase last year. I lead the effort to put all of the county finances on line, open the appointment process to the public and finally have our Board meetings broadcast. I've been advocating pension and health benefit reform as a way of saving money and jobs. I have the proven ability to work with whoever the new County Executive will be. I've been active in our community serving in the Washington Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Agricultural Preservation Board and the North Macomb Sportsmen's Club. I have a perfect voting record in our elections.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: 1. Creating a climate needed to retain and attract new jobs in Macomb County. 2. Balance the county budget through spending cuts, rather than raising taxes. 3. Service the individual needs of my constituents.

       JOSEPH FORTUNA (R)
       Occupation: Finance and real estate consultant.
       Government, professional and political background: I am not a career politician. I am a husband, father, business owner, faithful member of the church and a concerned resident just like you. My best qualities are leadership and financial consulting, but this is not about me.
       Why should voters choose you to represent them in this office?: Right now, the people in this community have no voice in local government. We have less police presence than ever before, our roads are in really bad shape, our schools are bankrupt, many of our residents are shut off from the rest of the world without high speed Internet, businesses are leaving due to a high millage rate and union preferences, the failed county budget is already in the red by $24 million and is expected to reach in excess of $41 million by the end of the year. District 7 makes up almost 40 percent of the total property of Macomb County. We are contributing more taxes than any other district, yet we are receiving the least amount of county support (per square mile). The new charter gives limitless control to the County Executive, leaving us more vulnerable to neglect than ever before.
       Your top three priorities if chosen for this office: 1. Reducing the size and scope of county government; 2. Balancing the budget by cutting wasteful spending; 3. Revitalizing small business development.