News

Candidates for 78th District address voters' concerns

By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:46 AM EDT

NILES - Republicans running for representative of the 78th District addressed everything from statewide speed limits to taxes and legalizing marijuana in a public forum held at the Bertrand Crossings Campus of Lake Michigan College Tuesday night.

Addressing a sizeable audience including area residents and public figures such as Sheriff Paul Bailey, Commissioner John LaMore and the district's current Representative Neil Nitz, hopefuls Sharon Tyler, Bruce Hipshear, Gary Campbell and Bill Baber did their best to appeal to voters while trying to give insight to their positions.

Jim Ellis, an instructor at Lake Michigan College, moderated the forum.

In their opening statements, each candidate tried to set themselves apart from each other. Tyler credited her accomplishments in bringing businesses into the community and said Niles had gone "ignored" as a "border community."

Hipshear countered those ideas in his opening statement, claiming that billions of dollars had been wasted throughout the state, while economic programs seemed to have failed in the wake of increasing unemployment.

Campbell's opening statement rested on his abilities as a lawyer and experience with the Republican party, seemingly touting his conservatism after Hipshear claimed he was the "only" conservative among the four.

And Baber said Michigan needed to "step up and meet our competition," likening the arena of state government to business.

A big concern among area residents: jobs. Asked how they plan to reform the state's unemployment status, each candidate agreed to the need of repealing a 22 percent surcharge on businesses.

"We have to target our problems," said Campbell. He added that in finding solutions, they needed to be appropriate to the problem rather than a "one size fits all" approach. Baber faulted an abundance of regulations and inspectors that come with a "price tag." Tyler admitted that one concern is keeping the businesses that the community already has, while admitting the business tax needed to be tweaked. Hipshear displayed another approach when he said, "how about we just give an across the board tax cut?"

Gas prices were also a concern presented to the candidates Tuesday night. And the question was raised to whether or not a statewide speed limit of 55 mph on major highways should be adopted. "We don't have a shortage (of gasoline)," said Baber. "The market is working as frustrating as it is," though he did go on to say Michigan, as well as the nation needed to look into alternative fuels.

"People need to be more conservative," said Tyler, adding that drilling for oil in the United States needs to be done. Hipshear agreed the problem goes beyond just the state of Michigan, saying the rising fuel prices are based on "world wide consumption." And Campbell also said he would not support lowering the statewide speed limit, calling rising prices a "world wide energy problem" and going on to say "Michigan can help by taking the lead in possible alternative fuels."

In terms of the economy, when asked what state services besides taxes would each candidate favor possibly cutting to help save the state money, Tyler called it "unfortunate" but said Medicaid and state worker programs might need to be reduced. She also mentioned that overlapping departments within the state were wasting state funds. Hipshear, Campbell and Baber all agreed that such overlapping needed to be redesigned.

"Sometimes you just have to evaluate the value of the services that are being paid for," said Campbell. "If you're a department head in the state of Michigan," Baber said. "Your goal should be to become more efficient and less costly."

The candidates also addressed the issue of smoking in restaurants. Each said they were non smokers, but added that they believed consumers as well as business owners had a right to decide for themselves whether or not to dine in a restaurant that offers smoking.

"Once you take one right away," said Hipshear. "What's next?" Along those lines, candidates also responded to a question of whether or not marijuana should be legalized for medical use. Each candidate was opposed. "That is an euphemism for a slippery slope to legalize marijuana," said Campbell.

Whoever comes out ahead in the Aug. 5 primary for representative of the 78th district will face Democrat Judy Truesdell in the elections in November.

Print this story   |   Email this story