Two Sides
To Every Story

John Engler and Howard Wolpe present their views to the Jewish community.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

he Democratic and Republi-
can candidates for governor
have been campaigning
against each other long enough
to know what each is going to say
and then respond to those re-
marks without actually hearing
them.
Those present at a forum
this week featuring Gov. John
Engler and his Democratic chal-
lenger Howard Wolpe can vouch
for it.
During a lunch sponsored by

point and defended his own posi- ing a discussion on the economy.
tion.
Gov. Engler talked about a $660
This was most evident in their million budget surplus and said
discussion on charter schools.
the state is looking at the best un-
"I support charter schools and employment figures in 21 years.
schools of choice within the pub- Mr. Wolpe talked of an upcoming
lic school system," Mr. Wolpe $1.2 billion shortfall in the state's
said. "The charter school law was education budget and said more
passed with a different agenda; people may be working but they
to divert public tax dollars to pri- are in low-wage and low-skill
vate schools. This is a major point jobs.
of difference between myself and
It was these kinds of indirect
my opponent."
exchanges that caught Oak Park
Gov. Engler tells it differently. resident Carol Kaczander's at-
tention.
"It was interesting to
hear both politicians
give their 'take' on a
particular situation,"
Ms. Kaczander said. "It
was difficult to discern
who was presenting the
whole story."
Ms. Kaczander, who
attended the forum be-
cause she wanted to lis-
ten to the candidates in
person, appreciated the

Left,
Howard Wolpe.

Below, John Engler.

PHOTOS BY GLENN T

UJ

the Jewish Federation of Metro-
"A charter school is an inde-
politan Detroit and Jewish Com- pendent public school designed
munity Council on Monday, each to give students and their parents
candidate
more choices and create compe-
had an opportunity to sepa- tition. There has been some con-
rately discuss topics like the econ- fusion on this issue. A charter
omy, crime and education. Those school is not a religious school. It
present also had the opportunity can't be.
to ask questions.
"I'm strongly opposed to fund-
During the event, both Gov. ing religion in schools. It's against
Engler and Mr. Wolpe played of- the Michigan Constitution and
fense and defencw. it -0, spoke in I'm not going to stand for it."
opposition to thQ t3-thPr'm view-
The same thing happened dur-

opportunity to hear each talk
about the issues. She also liked
the fact that neither Gov. Engler
nor Mr. Wolpe complained about
their opponent.
During the forum, the candi-
dates also presented their view-
points on crime.
"Every election, people hear
candidates discuss dealing with
crime and violence," Mr. Wolpe
said. "They either talk of pun-
ishment or prevention. I believe
both need to be stressed."

Mr. Wolpe advocates giving
convicted non-violent drug users
the option of going to jail or going
through treatment. "It's better
than housing them," he said.
When asked about his inten-
tions to fund some of his ideas
while adhering to his promise
of not raising taxes, the Democ-
ratic candidate said he would
not increase taxes
without a vote of the
people.
The serious crime
rate is down, accord-
ing to Gov. Engler, but
fear of crime is up.
While proud of the more
than 100 anti-crime
bills passed by the
Legislature, the gover-
nor wants to see a
tougher stand taken
on domestic violence CD
and abolish parole ,T
for convicted murder- -
ers
and
rapists. c..
7
"There is no doubt
there are clear differ- at'
ences between myself c)
and my opponent,"
Gov. Engler said, in c)
agreement with Mr.
Wolpe.

❑

27

