Thursday, October 24, 1968
THE°MICHIGAN DAILY
Page Five
Thursday, October 2~, 1968 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Five
'COUNTY
SUPERVISORS:
Ann
Arbor
candidates
County boards of supervisors have long been an
anchronism - assigned with major governmental re-
sponsibilities, but saddled with a selection process
straight out of the nineteenth century.
In one historic move, the United States Supreme
Court may have succeeded in bringing this vital govern-
mental subdivision up to date.
With the 1967 decision of the Supreme Court ex-
tending its one-man one-vote dictum to '-the county
level, supervisors must now face the electQrate and be
held accountable for their public decisions.
In the past, supervisors were appointed at the dis-
cretion of city and township officials. Most often poli-
tical patronage has been a more important considera-
tion in the selection process than actual qualifications.
The nation's boards of supervisors have too often ap-
proached their responsibilities from the bottom of the
pork barrel. Efficiency and effectiveness of services
have been secondary considerations.
They easily continued, this brand of nineteenth
century political activity well past its due, safely in-
sulated from the electorate.
Washtenaw County has been no exception.
To the surprise 'of most voters, who for the first
time will examine the qualifications and views of the
candidates for supervisor, the county is delegated by
the state constitution with important responsibilities.
In the fields of law enforcement, welfare, roads and
zoning, the county plays major roles.
Moreover, the county is the administrative funnel
for most federal and state monies. It is at this point in
the web of governmental bureaucracy that the principle
of "maximum feasible participation of the poor" be-
comes applicable to social welfare programs.
The unrealized potential of the county form of
government is great. Long-range metropolitan planning
which anticipates population growth and redistribu-
tion is possible at this jurisdictional level. ''axation
problems which currently plague the nation's big cities
as industry moves into less densely populated areas,
would be circumvented if county government chose to
move boldly into new areas.{
With the passage of county home rule statutes by
the state legislature, rational, metropolitan govern-
ment may become a reality.
Thus, the supervisors' election takes on new im-
portance for those( concerned °about so many of the
problems facing the nation. If the federal government
fails to meet its responsibilities, an aggressive, respon-
sive county government can take up some of the slack.
-MARK LEVIN
Editor
Washtenaw County is subdivided into 13 new supervisor
districts, five of which are in Ann Arbor.
These ten interviews with candidates' for supervisors. in
the Ann Arbor districts represent subjective analysis by Daily
staff members Jim Heck and Chris- Steele of the candidates
views and qualifications.
IST. 7(Arin Arbor ward 2). This dis-
trict contains itheglargst number ,and
highest concentration of :students in any
M district.' However, some of the most wealthy
parts of the city are also incorporated in the
district's easterly 'sections 4precincts 3,
and4
Marjorie Brazer is a bright, progressive
woman whose proposals for improving coun-
ty government are both enlightening and
encouraging. She has original ideas for ex-
panding the scope and content of county
services and knows how to put these ideas
into action.
Mrs. Brazer, a professional economist and
wife of University economics department
chairman Harvey Brazer, claims the county
is presently in an inefficient, almost chaotic
state.
And, she says, she can help put some
order into the government.
Mrs. Brazer, a past economic consultant
to the county, calls present county admin-.
istration "archaic.''
What is needed, she says, is a "true
executive officer who could coordinate the
purse strings of all the departments." The
present departments "are too autonomous,"
she says.
Such coordination, she explains, would
allow a continuing audit? of the departments.
* ,Problems would be anticipated and demon-
'strations like the recent welfare disturb-
ances would not occur since the problem'
would be dealt with before it became criti-
cal.
Mrs. Brazer is critical of the present
welfare structure. She claims the System,
s inefficient because it is based on "cate-
gorical assistance for certain reasons only"
and because "the allocation of the welfare
funds is done in such a way people are told
how to spend their money."
Speaking as an economist, she says such
operations are "not good allocation of our
resources." She advocates welfare payments
in the form of cash-not vouchers-that can
be spent in any way the recipient desires.
Such operation "is a benefit and a ration-
ing device for market production. Besides,
people have different life styles," she ex-
plains.
k She claims \the county .has been "very;
negligent" in not providing medical aid for
the welfare recipients.
Only a guaranteed annual income could,
solve many problems inherent. in the wel-
fare system says Mrs. Brazer. But, such
Brazer (D) Nielsen, (R)
action is beyond the realm of county gov-
ernment, she admits!
# She says the county can "lobby for such
legislation."
Until the federal and state government'
"come to the realization of the need for an
annual income," she explains, "the county
can work through its direct relief program
in supplying many of the unmet needs."
In reference to Sheriff Douglas J. Harvey's
reaction to welfare demonstrations, Mrs.
Brazer says,, "I think dogs should be used
for pets, not against mothers and children."
She charges both sides in the dispute with
"overreaction."
contends. For this, "The county needs more
money," but not by an income tax or high-
er property 'tax.
Mrs. Brazer says the proposed .Heller plan
for block-grants of money to the county
from the state is the solution.
This additional money should be used
to help the county "emerge as a pivotal
force in public affairs." She advocates, for
instance, county coordination over the en-
vironmental activities of /the city.
She claims individual city zoning and in-
spection tends to increase disenfranchise-
ment, setting up ghettos in areas with poorer
and yet adjacent zoning codes..,
"If the county could coordinate this activ-
ity," she asserts, "there would be less of a
problem."
Students, she says, should be able to vote.
"All people should be entitled to vote where
they're living."
Mrs. Brazer claims, "The affect the coun-
ty has on the University and the student
is as hport.t as the affect the University
has on the county."
-J. H.
Bent 1. Nielsen is an enigma in county
government. 'With a record of more than
ten years of county service, Nielsen h a s
made marks on both sides of the ledger.'
For example, his views on the welfare
situation are somewhat less than moderate,
but his attitudes towards the sheriff's de-
partment is most encouraging.
Nielsen signed, with incumbent supervis-
ors Richard Walterhouse and Mildred Har-
ris, a statement highly critical of the wel-
"fare demonstrations. They cited the demon-
strations as "uncalled for disruption of gov-
ernmental functions which cannot be tol-
erated."
Later, they put themselves on record at a
board meeting, "as being determined not to
allow regular county business to be disrupt-
ed by pressure groups."
Nielsen admits, "I can't say I approve of
hippies, but you can't quarrel with them un-
til they break the law. Then, you have to
treat them just as you would any other law-
breaker."
Nielsen says the welfare requests by the
mothers were "Justifiable." But Nielsen de-
ploresthe demonstrations.-.
He says welfare mothers want to f i n d
work and that-the county "should look into
child care centers."
Nielsen is one of Sheriff Douglas Harvey's
most vehement critics. Nielsen is not satis-
fied'with the board's investigation, claiming
blantantly "a falsification of records" was
made by Harvey.
He is highly critical of the recent solici-
tation -for the "safety guide" by the sher-
iff's department. Nielsen claims the state
association - .which usually publishes the
guide - "didn't get a penny of it." Nielsen
asks, "What happened to-the money? We
don't know and he won't tell us."
Nielsen says he is "most encouraged"
by the new structure for the county board.
He says the new organization will better be
able to meet the county's growing urban
problems.
Nielsen says he hopes the future "will
bring greater contributions of ideas a n d
personnel" from the "young people in the
area, especially the academic community."
-C. S.
DST. 4 (Ann Arbor ward 5) Though some
middle class persons live in some of the
area's new housing developments, the dis'-
trict contains mostly the very poor or the
very rich. A low concentration of students
can be found in the districts' southern areas
social change. In most situations, he says
working peacefully within the establishment
can alleviate social ills. But if efforts to al-
leviate the causes, of social problems are
stalled, then violence cannot be ruled out.
He doesn't fear the white establishment,
even though he views it as racist. "The
establishment is so structured," he claims,
"there is a' way, racists can be made not to
affect me."!
Rowry, who works as a technician in the
public health, school, is testing his faith in
the establishment by running for election.
He views his challenge of incumbent Negro
supervisor Herbert Ellis as a battle to give
the poor representation..
"Ellis is role playing for the estabjishment.
He's negative with respect to all issues of
concern to p Ror people," he claims.
Rowry is critical of the supervisors for
their action in the recent welfare disputes,
claiming they "acted irresponsibly, negli-
gently and unresponsively."
He attacks the board for not solving a
problem "which was at their disposal." He
claims the supervisors, instead, chose to
"delve into personalities."
As a supervisor, Rowry would have allowed
the mothers to remain inside the County,
Bldg., staging their protest, as was later
allowed in similar incidents in Oakland
County.
Rowry says he firmly believes in the prin-
ciple of "maximum feasible participation of
He says there is no need to change the
format of county government. Nor does he
find any faults with the services the county
currently provides.
He claims the recent welfare disturbances
"were handled as well as they could have
been under the circumstances."
"The board's responsibility by law ends in
providing adequate and suitable space and
money to the Social Services Board," Ellis
explains.
Students cannot be trusted, Ellis asserts.
He says the students who participated in the
demonstrations had "ulterior motives beyond
the situation."
Ellis blames students for much of the mil-
lion dollar sheriff's budget. "We need in-
creased protection now, because of their
movements," he says.
He doesn't want students to get the vote
"too quickly. I don't think on a short-term
basis that anyone knows enough of local af-
fairs to make a decision they might be able
to make two y ars later," explains Ellis. "If
I went somewhere else, I don't think I'd be
able to decide until I became active for a
couple years."
Ellis recognizes the problems of the poor,
but is short on solutions. He says the poor
could be better helped without additional
funds if the present county agencies sim-
ply "coordinated their offices in a better
Way."~
He opposes demonstrations because he
says they're unnecessary.
"The mothers would have gotten their
money even if there hadn't been a demon-
stration," he claims.
-- J.H.
DIST. 6 (Ann Arbor ward 4). The district
is one of the county's most hetergeneous
districts, containing some of the city's poor-
est blacks and most affluent whites, as well
as large sections of middle class. There is an
area (precinct 3) of new industrial develop-
ment.-
Mrs. Eugenia Carpenter is keeping up the
family tradition.
Her husband, Art Carpenter, is currently
defending welfare demostrators and han-
dling the student voter rgistration suit be-
fore the State Court of Appeals.
And Mrs. Carpenter, in seeking a super-
visor position, asks for radical innovation
in county government in order to alleviate
many of the problems her husband has been
fighting in the courts.
She has served as a program analysis
officer in the U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare and as a consultant
to the President's Committee on Consumer
Interests. She was also a consultant to the
Citizens Advisory Council on the Status of
Women. Since she came to Ann Arbor in
1966 she has been active in Citizens for Im-
proving Welfare Services.
"Only through reformation of the county
as a whole," contends Mrs. Carpenter, "can
a more responsive county government be
achieved."
Mrs. Carpenter, who has an extensive
background in the social services field, says
"the whole structure of welfare is inade-
qpate."
The placement of a welfare recipient on
the Social Services Board is one of er prior-
ities. This is necessary, she says, "because
no one on the present Social Services Board
is truly representative of the people receiving
welfare in the county."
She calls -the accounts of the welfare
demonstrations "frightening."
As a supervisor she would have kept the
building opened past closing time-as was
done in Oakland County.
Labeling the sheriff's department an
"anachronistic" concept of county govern-
ment, Mrs. Carpenter says elected sheriffs
sh'uld have "gone out with Boot Hill." She
criticizes the ability of an elected sheriff
to build a "political fiefdom."
Many of the present elective offices-
such as the sheriff-should be replaced by
appointed officials whose qualifications
could be scrutinized by the county board,
she says:
She attacks what she call the "cronyisn"
of the present board of supervisors and criti-
cizes the recent decision by the board to ap-
point "lame-duck" supervisors to new terms
on county boards and commissions.
The former supervisors, she believes, will
"reflect tlie generally conservative and rural
orientations of the present board."
Although many of the programs Mrs. Car-
penter advocates would require additional
funding she is not in favor of increasing
county taxes. There are other ways, she
says, for increasing the revenue besides
increasing taxes.
With the passage of county home-rule
statutes by the State Legislature, additional
county revenue could be found in a sharing
of the income tax brought in by the state,
she says.'
-C. S.
Richard Walterhouse is a force stifling
change in the present Board of Supervisors.
He is satisfied with the way county govern-
ment now operates and says there is little
that can be done to improve it.
Carpenter=D Walterho
Walterhouse claims the social se
partment is "properly funded now,'
ter having a third of its budget slas
Walterhouse says that since Sher
las Harvey has answered the quest
mitted him, he is "satisfied."
DIST. 8 (Ann Arbor ward 3) Th
highly middle to upper midi
composed of many University p
Many new housing developments h
started in the area.
claim shows the "willingness" of the super-
visors to "discuss matters 'with' other
groups."
Perhaps, Williams says, something should
be done "at .the state level to give mothers
an incentive to get jobs."
He argues that many of the ADC mothers
feel they cannot make as much money on a
job as they do from welfare.
DIST. 5 (Ann Arbor ward 1). The dis-
trict has an area of high concentration.
of blacks and lower middle class. The district
incorporates University's north campus area
with a high concentration of married stu-
dents. New housing developments in the
easterly portion of the district (precincts
4 and 5) contain some upper middle class.
David Byrd is professionally familiar with
the major problems in the county. As a black
professional architect and city planner, he is
intimately aware of the racial and economic
problems which will face the new Board of
Supervisors.
Byrd has served as a member of both
the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
County Planning Commissions. He is a for-
mer engineering, planning and zoning ad-
visor to the Washington, D.C. municipal gov-
ernment, and a former fair employment
practices consultant.
rilCDR
Byrd says demonstrations are one of the
rvices de- most legitimate ways for the minority to be
'even af- heard. "Demonstrations should be held in
shed. this county," he says, "to dramatize the poor
iff Doug- quality of, county's administration."
ions sub- He say students "should not be penalized"
for their efforts in the welfare demonstra-
-C. S. tions.. He contends the students helped
"dramatize" a critical situation.
he area is As a supervisor, Byrd says he would have
idle class voted to keep the County Bldg. open allow-
rofessors. ing the welfare sit-in to continue.
have been Byrd sees a destructive "parental" ap-
proach to the problem of welfare. He claims,
"the whole system is in need of study
is needed and revision. On all levels, from local to fed-
sgruntled eral."
the fields ' There are" no incentives for the poor un-
ation and der the present welfare system, Byrd claims.
"The poor are penalised for working. Every
to prob- dollar they make means less welfare."
ation and Byrd expresses dissatisfaction with the
answers Sheriff Douglas Harvey recently
ld try to submitted to a special board committee in-
need" ofvestigating his office.
needs" of Byrd says he does not wish to be highly
ations c'itical of Harvey, but does say that "public
. "
Lloyd Williams Jr. says change
in the county. He claims he is di
with the operation of the county in
of welfare and social services, taxi
law enforcement.
However, the approach he takes
lems is usually tempered by modern
often equivocating.
Williams says the county shou
determine what he calls the "real:
those on welfare. He claims sucl
would avert "crisis to crisis" situE
Williams says they welfare syst
"move away from the straight doll
something more along,the lines of f
teed income."
But he is not sure a guaranteed
desirable, and he fails to purr
means to alleviate the causes of
and the need for welfare
Williams' moderation is again
strated in the stand he takes or
demonstrations. He agrees with th
of thedemonstrators and congratt
students for bringing the situatio
attention of the supervisors.
But, he asserts, "They should
gone into open violation of the 1f
He fails, however, to suggest a
means appropriate to the situatio:
The matter of student voting rig
another equivocated response.
Students who are here "simply
dents," Williams contends, should z
lowed to register. The question, he
to explain, is one of "intent" an
it is one which would be "difficul
termine.
William Lands has spent his last
at the University working as a bi
However, Lands has decided to lea,
mia-at least part time-and seek
visor post.
The personable Lands is a con
Not extremely well-versed in count
he spends most of . his time in va
eralities.
Lands rules'out radical change is
or housing programs He praises tl
tenaw County Community College
role it has played in the field of
training and claims there is little
county can do.
The problem of housing, well
human rights, Lands implies, is a
best solved outside the political ar
"At the present time, I don't se
for additional 'funds for more,
lates the Byrd (R) Teachout (D)
n to' the
officials should be held strictly accountable
not have for their funds. In the field of law enforce-
Lw' ment there should not even be a suggestion
ny other funds have been misused," he says.
n. Byrd says he finds "most disturbing" the
hts yields solicitation by the sheriff's department for
advertisement in' this years "safety guide."
He says no county officials should be in a
as stu- position to solicit "anything."
not be al- The county should pay enough in salaries,
attempts he says, so that the sheriff's department
d admits "will need to solicit nothing but law 'and
t" to de- order. There is a thin line between graft
and solicitation."
-.. S. Byrd desires immediate changes in the
county's tax base. He believes the present
13 years millage receipts "penalize the property
ochemist. owner who improves neighborhoods while.
ve acade- subsidizing purposive deterioration." Byrd
a super- considers an income tax to be at least
a "partial solution" to the problem.
servative. Most, importantly, he contends, "The poor
.y affairs, and the disenfranchised are making it known
gue gen- that they must be considered; their cdm-
unities must be established; they must
n welfare have a part of the action."
Sw - --C. S.
Rowry (D)-Ellis (R)
the poor" in the decisions affecting their
lives.
"I would appoint 'a low-income represent-
ative to the Social Services Board," Rowry
says.
A strong supporter of the late Sen. Rob-
ert Kennedy, Rowry sees welfare as an ex-
pedient system. "I would institute a program
to train and then employ welfare recipients,"
he says.
Rowry is highly suspicious of his long-
time Democratic party adversary Sheriff
Douglas Harvey. "The sheriff's department
overacted with gestapo-like police tactics,"
he says.
He wants line item budget requests from
the department and "full use of the board's
apparatus to insure" that nothing extra-
legal occurs.
But Rowry's attacks on county government
are not limited to the glaring problems of
welfare and law enforcement. Rowry is also
concerned about roads and water and air
pollution.
He claims the county pays "exhorbitant
prices" to construction companies for "poor
quality" roads.
"There are air and water pollution laws,"
he notes, "but unlike the ADC mothers in
violating trespass laws, they are not en-
forced, because the affluent people are re-
sponsible for the pollution."
"If I'm not elected," he says, "that's it. I'll
never run again." He's not being premature-
ly bitter. He simply claims to feel his elec-
tion will be a conclusive test of the estab-
lishment.
"If I win," Rowry says, "I'll run for the
Senate and really give the people a-choice.
-J. H.
John Teachout has consistently worked
for board improvement during his five years
as a supervisor.
But Teachout, like many of the present
supervisors, is plagued with the concept that
the ;county can do no more than it is pres-
ently doing. It can only increase its efficien-
cy in programs already initiated. -
In his campaigning, Teachout stresses the.
need for county home rule status. He op-
poses the present county home rule proposal
before the State Legislature, because it al-
lows for the election of county officials
he would rather have appointed.
Teachout claims that "greater efficiency"
could be obtained'if positions such as the
sheriff and drain commissioner were ap-
pointed posts.
He is reluctant to support increases in
county welfare programs claiming, "Welfare'
is fundamentally a state program."
He says he supports the ADC mothers
protest, but warns, "I would not support
such action again. Now, we have begun work
on the problems brought to our attention.
If they should protest again, there woulk be
no point to it."
He condemns what he terms "organized
outside agitation in the welfare demonstra-
tions.
"In terms of students demonstrations,"
Teachout claims, "I think the sheriff han-
dled it very well."
However, Teachout is not satisfied "with
Williams (D) Lands (R)
Lands claims. The housing situation he ad-
mits is "inadequate" but says, "I would like:
to look at the situation more carefully
before I'd consider it beyond the city's re-
sponsibility,"
Of present residency requirements for stu-
dents seeking the vote, Lands says, "Resi-
dency requirements are there, and I don't
see a true division between students and
other young persons seeking the %vote."
Lands compares the recent welfare dem-=
onstrations with demonstrations in the
South several years ago "when it was ex-