Experience, vision keys to election

As reported by the Observer & Eccentric:

You've heard their claims and counterclaims. You've heard their promises delivered by mail and by the South Oakland Eccentric and its website, www.hometownlife.com, and you may even have watched cablecasts of forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Now there is one final thing for you to do — vote. But with a long list of candidates and three ballot issues, you'll want to be prepared before heading to the polls on Tuesday. To help, this newspaper carries on the front page of this issue a handy check list of candidates and issues that you can take to the polls.

Remember: Because it is a primary election, voters may not split their tickets, meaning they must vote either Republican or Democratic all the way down the ballot. What follows below is a brief explanation of our recommended choices for readers to make at the polls.

U.S. HOUSE

The winner of the Republican primary will face incumbent Congressman Gary Peters, a Democrat. Experience was the tipping point in our endorsement of Paul Welday to face Peters in the November general election. Welday has notable experience working for a decade in the office of former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg. Key points are his efforts in building relationships and seeking consensus, both of which are sorely needed in Washington.

STATE SENATE

In the 13th District, incumbent Sen. John Pappageorge faces a challenge as he bids for a second term on the Republican side of the ballot. Pappageorge ought to be the voter's top choice, since he will be one of the few returning legislators who know who runs state government, and how. Having served as a state representative earlier in his political career, Pappageorge has a good grasp of not only what happened in the past, but why.

Importantly, Pappageorge knows how to follow the money, and he offers concrete proposals for cutting the state's budget deficit.

In the 14th District, Democrat Vincent Gregory is banking on his experience as a current state representative to win him this Senate seat. It is a point well taken, for reasons similar to those just expressed for Pappageorge.

But Gregory has another important skill: He has shown that he can reach across party lines to get something done. For Gregory, building consensus is his mode of operation. Combine that with a thorough understanding of state issues, and he offers what the district needs.

STATE HOUSE

If there is one theme to this year's overall ballot, it is change. As legislators are term-limited and unable to run for the same office, the field has broadened to a host of comers.

That is true in the 35th District, which Gregory is relinquishing to run for state Senate. Among those hoping to win that post are Democrats Eric Coleman, now serving as a county commissioner, and Rudy Hobbs who, like Coleman, is a former member of the Southfield school board.

It has been a contest between supposed youth and experience, but the real issue is getting the job done. Coleman gets the nod in that department, having spent long years in preparation on the board of commissioners. Moreover, he has a good grasp of state issues and an understanding of how they impact residents and businesses in his district.

In the 26th state House District, Jim Townsend is an easy choice. He is unafraid to say what he thinks, and that thinking can be expected to represent the business and residential sectors equally. Also impressive is his vision for the state that ranges from education to the environment.