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\---) rather than from an additional tax on a
consumer's phone bill.
"There's usually more money [in the
fund] than people think," he said.
And he is opposed to creating an
independent authority to oversee men-
tal health services — another issue fac-
ing the board of commissioners.
Law, an attorney who is married to
West Bloomfield Township Clerk
Sharon A. Law and father of two grown
children, sees two ways to help fix and
maintain the roads: first, by changing
the state's gas tax funding formula so
Oakland County residents would
receive a larger share of tax dollars paid;
second, by using the tri-party road
agreement more wisely.
Under that agreement, when a par-
ticipating city or village contributes a
certain amount of money, both the
Road Commission and Oakland
County each match the amount, he
said. "I'd like to see an increase in the
amount of money placed into this
agreement," he said.
Enhanced 911 services are needed,
said Law. "We're applying for federal
funding, but if that doesn't happen, I
won't vote for a surcharge unless the
voters ask me to do so."
Law said mental health issues are
critical, and "the problem is getting ser-
vices that advocates say they need.
"I oppose a separate authority. It may
limit the taxpayers' exposure to liability,
but if we don't have control now, how
will we get control later?"
Richards, an Ameritech area manager
who is married with two daughters, said
the solution to the county's road prob-
lem won't be easy. The state, she said,
needs to allocate more money to coun-
ties for road repair and resurfacing.
"The four-cent-a-gallon Michigan
gas tax is only a fig-leaf approach.
Timid politicians in Lansing are run-
ning scared of the 'tax' word. Our gaso-
line is still the cheapest in the world.
We should also pay more up front for
longer-lasting roads," Richards said.
She also proposed that Michigan
reduce the truck weight limit to extend
the life of its roads.
Richards supports a 4-percent sur-
charge on phone bills for a better 911
system unless other sources of funding
can be found. She said everyone stands
to benefit from the enhanced 911 system
so everyone should pay their fair share.
Richards is neutral on the issue of
whether mental health services should
be set up in an independent authority.
"I think it's a tossup," she said. "The
issue is what is the quality of the treat-
ment, regardless of who's in charge."

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