First District State Representative

League of Women Voters^®
of Grosse Pointe

First District State Representative

NON-PARTISAN VOTER GUIDE FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Questions Posed to the Candidates. Timothy Bledsoe. Mary Treder Lang.

The League of Women Voters of Grosse Pointe (LWVGP) is a nonpartisan national organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The LWVGP does not endorse or oppose candidates or parties; but it does work to obtain and distribute information on candidates and their views to the public.
Prior to the August 5 primary, we asked the candidates running for 1st District State Representative to complete the following questions. Their responses have not been changed except to insert an ellipsis (...) if their response is over the word limit.
First District State Representative is a 2 year term. Candidate responses are in alphabetical order.

Questions Posed to the Candidates

1. The seat for 1st District State Representative is open because of terms limits. What is your position on term limits?
2. What steps will you take to support the protection of our environment and especially our Great Lakes? What legislative proposal will you support (or initiate) to ensure that?
3. What specific legislative proposal will you support (or initiate) to ensure that jobs that pay a living wage are available in Michigan?
4. What sectors do you perceive as being "high growth" areas for job creation for young adults to keep them in Michigan?
5. How will you tackle the challenge of providing access to affordable health care?
6. How can you keep Medicare affordable in Michigan?
7. What measures do you support to address our dependence on foreign oil?

Timothy Bledsoe

Democrat
Address: 936 Lincoln Road, Grosse Pointe MI 48230
Biographical profile:
I have been a professor at Wayne State University for 20 years and a resident of Grosse Pointe City with my wife and daughter for 17 years.
I was the Democratic nominee in this race in 2006, receiving a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat has ever received in this district. Mine was the ONLY competitive campaign in Michigan that year that accepted no contributions from lobbyists. I again run without money from Lansing lobbyists.
1. The desire for term limits stems from frustration with state politics, a frustration that I share. The problem is that the strict limits currently in place (six years for the House) increase the power of unelected lobbyists and staff members, while diminishing the power of elected representatives. I favor voter-enforced term limits via electoral defeat.
2. We must be vigilant to protect Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes from biological and chemical threats to water quality, the introduction of foreign species, and accretion of sediment along the shoreline. I am particularly interested in better regulation of the toxic chemicals used in lawn applications.
3. We need to do the things that will make our state attractive for businesses: provide quality education for our young men and women and provide real value for the tax dollars we send to Lansing. High tech jobs today are going to places with strong universities and outstanding quality of life. We need to do all the little things to insure that Michigan is competitive in this arena.
4. If we take advantage of our natural and human resources, we will create jobs in alternative fuels, medicine and the life sciences, and cutting-edge automotive manufacturing and design. Tourism and hospitality industries also offer additional potential for development.
5. Wise health care policy decisions are the key. BC/BS is currently sitting on a reserve of of between two and three BILLION dollars, yet they continue to raise insurance premiums. We need more effective regulation of the insurance industry in Michigan.
6. Of course, Medicare is primarily the responsibility of the FEDERAL government, and Congress recently voted to over-ride President's Bush's veto of cuts in pay to physicians, thus assuring continued physician participation in the program. We here in Michigan need to continue to train physicians at our fine medical schools and exercise caution in the proliferation of expensive new medical facilities.
7. 1. Provide incentives for the development of realistic alternative energy manufacturing.

2. Better regulate urban development to reduce commuting times and distances.

3. Invest in better mass transit system for southeast Michigan.

4. Encourage businesses and governments to adopt four day work weeks.

Mary Treder Lang

Republican
277 Touraine Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Website: http://www.mary4house.com
Email Address: mary4house@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: 313-701-7699
Biographical profile:

BS degree from the University of Dayton, double major in Accounting and Marketing
CPA + Certified Public Accountant
Currently a Business Development Manager at Accretive Solutions
Lifelong resident of District #1 - 48 years
Married to Paul for 24 years and have 3 children- JP, Killeen and Shannon
Over 26 years of financial and business experience
The values and work ethic I have demonstrated in the business community during the past 26 years are exactly what we need to get the state moving forward toward economic prosperity.

1. I oppose term limits. The length of time should be extended and coincide with the State Senate which is two (2) four (4) years terms. The election for each legislative office should be conducted in off years for the house and senate.
2. The Great Lakes are one of our greatest and valuable resources here in the great state of Michigan. It is imperative to protect and secure the fresh water contained in our lakes. I am very supportive of the Great Lakes Compact. I will support all legislative proposals to protect our environment and especially our Great Lakes.
3. The legislation's number one priority must be to bring jobs to Michigan, but also take care of our existing businesses which have stood by us through these very difficult economic times. If we instill this objective, citizens are employed, businesses stay and thrive, and additional revenues are secured to encourage development, education, improvements to infrastructure and protecting our beautiful natural resources. A vibrant economy will result in a great quality of life.
4. High growth areas for job creation in the state of Michigan will be alternative energy, health care, medical and life sciences, high technology and the financial industry. We need to develop an economic policy to attract businesses who will want our young educated dynamic work force here in the state. Ultimately manufacturing would be added to the list of high growth areas when companies are attracted to Michigan.
5. Providing affordable health insurance is a major undertaking and challenge. I am in favor of free market strategies such as health savings accounts. This can produce significant savings in the cost of health care.
6. Medicare is regulated and funded by our Federal Government. Assistance with health care has been a growing issue in the United States for years. Many individuals, especially seniors, find that they are unable to afford medical bills or insurance for coverage. This leaves them with some tough decisions. Too often, one must choose between good health and finances. There's no middle ground. The Medicare program was developed by the government to help those who are eligible with their overwhelming health care bills.
Michigan offers Medicare recipients the choice to have another health insurance provider. By offering competition, we can assist in keeping Medicare affordable in Michigan.
7. We need to become proactive in the oil crisis rather than reactive in the dependent upon foreign oil supplies. We need to drill in rich oil areas in the United States, including areas in Michigan. Imagine if oil becomes a `high growth' area in the State of Michigan.

We have also posted the candidate responses gathered by LWV of Western Wayne County for the 3rd Circuit Court-Non-Incumbent Judicial seat at 3rd Circuit Court Judge Voter Guide
We have also posted the candidate responses for the GPPS School Board positions at GPPS School Board Voter Guide
Find candidate forum rebroadcast information here: tv schedule

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: November 5, 2008 08:09 PST.