This Week

37th State House District

Contenders explain their differences
on school-voucher issue.

JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR
Special to the Jewish News

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roposal 1 is certain to bring
some of the electorate to the
polls on Nov. 7, especially
those who feel strongly
either for or against the issue of state-
funded school vouchers. And the 37th
district is no exception.
But knowing the legislators' opin-
ions on the subject is as important as
voting for or against vouchers, said
David Gad-Harf, executive director of
the Jewish Community Council of
Metropolitan Detroit. ``The people will
vote on the issue, but if it passes, it is the
Legislature that will create the guidelines
for implementing it," Gad-Harf said.
Incumbent Andrew Raczkowski, state
representative to the 37th district, dis-
agrees to an extent. "It is inappropriate

for elected officials to express their per-
sonal opinions on ballot initiatives," he
wrote in a questionnaire solicited by the
Jewish News. "With that said, I am con-
cerned that the current debate over
Prop-1 is doing little to inform voters.
The claims that Prop-1, if passed, would
`drain' funds from public schools are
incorrect . . . Yet, proponents of vouch-
ers have not identified where school dis-
tricts would make up lost revenue or
what options would be available to par-
ents and children for whom changing
schools isn't a realistic option."
Aldo Vagnozzi, Raczkowski's
Democratic opponent, is opposed on
the issue. In part, it's because he feels
vouchers would reduce the resources
available for public education but he's
also concerned about the potential
effect on certain students.
"I think it holds out a false hope to

Candidates share their corn m unit)f, civic involvement.

THE INCUMBENT: Andrew Raczkowski

received a bachelors
degree in political sci-
ence with a minor in
psychology from
Eastern Michigan
University, a master's
degree in human
resources from Central
Rep. Andrew Michigan University
and a law degree from
kzczkowski
the Detroit College of

Raczkowski was an infantry soldier
in the U.S. Army R_eserve. Before serv-
ing as the state representative of the
37th district and majority floor leader,
he was the president of Mainline
Communications Group Inc., a spe-
cialty-advertising and print production
business he started in 1993.
The Farmington Hills resident is
an active member in the Farmington
Area Jaycees, Farmington Optimist
Club, Reserve Officers Association,
Women's Law Caucus, Farmington
Area Chamber of Commerce and
Small Business Association of
Michigan.
"Over the past four years, state
taxes have been cut, investing in
education and job training has

.

increased, health care and nursing
home services have been expanded
and the crime rate has continued to
drop. In my third and final term, I
will use my experience and energy to
continue promoting policies that
allow citizens the freedom to sage,
build and invest in their future as
they see fit," Raczkowski said
"I will remain easily accessible, con-
tinue to take calls at home (248-324-
3131) and work as the problem sober
for +e citizens of the Farmington area
In all that I say and do, I will continue
to put public service over lip service."

THE CH_ALLENGER: Aldo Vagnozzi, a

40-year resident of the city of
Farmington Hills, is a widower who
was married for more than 50 years.
He has four grown children, Steven,
Paul, Nancy Pa.ntaleo and Barbara
Fleeter.
Vagnozzi received a
bachelor's degree in jour-
nalism from Wayne State
University. He is retired
from his position as edi-
tor of the Michigan AFL-
C10 News. Vagnozzi
served on the Farmington Aldo
school board from 1969
Vagnozzi

