Thursday, June 20, 1974, THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Nine Thursday, June 20, 1974 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Nine Commissioner Foik runs again Esch up for re-election Kathleen Fojtik, Democratic Washtenaw County commis- sioner in the -14th District since 1972, is seeking re-elec- tion. This is her statement of candidacy: One of the major reasons I seek re-election to the board of commissioners is my desire to follow 'through on the new pro- grams which have been initiated within the last two years by the first Democratically controlled board is the history= of Washte- naw County. The programs initiated in- clude: 1) expanded services through the Health Department with the opening of the first Veneral Disease Clinic, and screening clinics for children on public assistance; 2) the rehabi- litation programs in the jail and especially the Medical Care Pro- gram which has been heralded as one of the nation's few; 3) the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor Bus System which needs expansion; 4) a county-wide bike path net- work which is currently in the fi- nancing stages; 5) a solid waste energy retrieval system which is being planned with the Univer- sity; 6) new rehabilitative cor- rectional facilities which are vot- er approved, 7) an elected.coun- ty officer position in county gov- ernment organization, and 8) expansion and continuation of the policy of open govern- ment" where all meetings are open with established agendas, and where public hearings are held on all major issues. THESE ARE examples of pro- grams started since 1972 which require hard working, honest, independent, and progressive commissioners who will not ,tol- erate "politics as usual", but wil work with the community to bring to fruition these programs and others. I would like to con- tinue to be one of those hard working commissioners. In the last two years, as an ad- vocate for quality health care for all, both physical -and men- tal, I organized the first county Health Planning Committee com- prised of a majoriy of citizen consumers, and was elected chairperson of that committee. I was appointed to the National Association of Counties Health and Education Steering Commit- Public defender seeks judgeship tee becoming the first woman and the first Washtenaw County Commissioners to serve nation- ally. As a member of a five-person National Health Insurance Task Force, I have worked vigorously in support of a National Health Insurance Program with com- prehensive coverage for all as a matter of right, not income. I was instrumental in the planning of the Eastern County Human Services Center and the county's first Affirmative Ac- tion Plan to achieve equal op- portunity in employment for all. I also chaired hearings on the state of public health in the county, insisted that there be citizen input into the hiring of new directors for the Health Department and the Department of Social Services, and opposed the relocation of the so-called "community hospital" away from the center of population. AS WELL as seeing to com- pletion many of the programs listed above, there is a need to implement many additional pro- grams in the next few years. My future goals in the area of health care not only require the implementation of a National Health Insurance Plan, but also require the establishment of a county wide Health Mainten- ance Organization and neighbor- hood Health Care Centers which will provide "walk-in, call-in" information, education, a n d counseling. The emergency telephone number 911 needs to be intro- duced, as does ambulance serv- ice without cost to the patient. County social service programs need to be more adequately fund- ed, and I propose the creation of a youth commission, a youth planner, and a human services planner to add focus, coordina- tion, and direction to existing programs for youth and others in need. In short, an era of progressive reforms have been started by the current board, and these re- forms need to be continued and seen to completion. I have pre- pared detailed issue papers on these proposals and others for those interested f ~gasg Incumbent Congressman Marvin Esch (R-Mich.) has announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2nd Congressional District. Since 1967 I have represented the citizens of Michigan's Se- cond Congressional District. These have been both challeng- ing and frustrating years. Yet it is in the belief that they have been years of accomplishment legislatively and in terms of making government responsive to individual and community needs that I am seeking re-elec- tion. Too often today the individual citizen feels helpless in the face of increasing government in- volvement in decisions that af- fect one's daily life. They feel that their government is distant from them. One of my prime goals since taking office has been to bridge that gap - to bring government closer to our people. Through our town meetings, through office hours, through meetings with groups and con- cerned individuals, I have tried to make a difference - to listen to my constituents and to re- spond actively. A major em- phasis of my office has been to service individual citizens in their relationships with the gov- ernment, to cut red tape, and to resolve misunderstandings. CITIZENS throughout the country want a Congress that will act rather than talk or criticize. The crisis of credi- bility in government goes far beyond "Watergate" - it per- meates Congres itself. Needed progress anid respnsible change in our country hais been imped- ed in nman areas because we have a Coingress made up of outnmded leadership, outmoded procedures a n d Democratic chairmanship of key commit- tees. It is essential that the next Congress be made up of thought- ful, analytical members who will render an independent judg- ment on the issues and not be anyone's "rubber stamp". We must develop a Congress un- shackled by narrow partisan- ship, willing to move ahead with practical solutions to our country's problems, be they in- flation, environment, education or energy. These are goals which are not well served by candidates or public officials promising more than they can deliver. Indeed, in the 94th Congress we will need more than promises. FOR MY part this will not be a campaign of rhetoric or an attack on personalities. It is my intention as it has been since holding public office to be open and accessible to all citizens and groups, and during the cam- paign to debate and discuss the issues fully and freely. Washtenaw County P u b i c Defender George Alexander is seeking election to the new 15th District Judgeship re- cently authorized by the state legislature. This is his state- ment: - The Michigan legislature has taken a decisive step to reduce the overcrowded conditions in Ann Arbor's district courts. This new position was badly needed, however, the addition of a third judge in itself does not guar- antee that the problems caused by the large caseload will be solved or alleviated. The efficient and fair opera- tion of our courts depends upon the individuals involved. AMONG THE many problems created by our crowded courts is an increased cost to all tax- payers. The hours spent waiting for a case to be heard is a frus- trating inconvenience to the in- dividual who finds himself in a courtroom situation, whether it be as a -juror, witness, litigant, defendant, police officer, attorn- ey or complainant., These prob- lems, among others, result in a loss of respect for our judicial system. The recommended budget for the 15th District Court for the year 1974-75 was $389,000. This. does not include the cost of a new court. The administration of that budget will determine in a large measure the efficiency of the court, yet this must be coupled with the ability to pro- vide an impartial and just re- solution of all matters brought before the court for citizens from all walks of life. All of our citizens have a right to be accorded fair, prompt, and courteous treatment no mat- ter what the reason or purpose for their contact with the judi- cial system. Respect for t h e court and our judicial system perhaps is more important today than ever before but this respect will deteriorate or be lacking unless the courts earn that respect with honest, im- partial and efficient operation. I HAVE served as Washtenaw county Public Defender since the inception of this office in 1971. I have practiced in our courts both as a private at- torney and as a Public Defend- er. I believe that the person elect- ed to the new judgeship must be able to provide the fundamental framework and the essential basis for all of our citizens to have an honest respect for our courts. If elected I pledge to do everything within my ability to provide this basis. 37 MPG INTRODUCING - Peugeot--Diesel 4-door sunroof INTRODUCING: the only Die- ,u sel station wason in America. INTRODUCING:- The sedan that costs about $2,500 less than the other Diesel TOYOTA ANN ARBOR, Inc, 907 N. MAIN ot DEPOT ST. 769-7935 1 Ai d t 1 Cinema ouble feature "The Lecher " plus Art 2 Cinema double feature Tina Russell in "All in the Sex Family" plus "'Touch Me" "Hypnotized" ALL SHOWS rated X- persons under 18 not admitted 31 N. Washington--Ypsilanti 482-3300 500 E. Liberty 761-6212