Page 12-Friday, August 4, 1978--The Michigan Daily Hopefuls seek Bursley's seat By MICHAEL ARKUSH This summer's race for the 18th district State Senate seat features seven candidates who sport completely- different campaign styles. Some of the hopefuls have waged flashy and expensive advertising schemes while others have kept a low profile, relying on wide name recognition to garner support at the polls. THE REPUBLICAN and Democratic primaries, scheduled for August 8, are expected to be close political battles, in which each of the candidates has a reasonable chance for success. a All of the candidates vying to replace retiring Sen. Gilbert Bursley have focused mainly on the tax reform amendments and proposals to curb unemployment. While the candidates recognize the important of the state's tax crisis, they disagree on which of the two tax reform proposals, Tisch or Headlee, will more effectively benefit citizens. Some of them even oppose both amendments and have developed their own programs to cure the state's tax ills. Pieree Dr. Ed Pierce, the Democratic loser of Congressional contests in 1974 and 1976, is running a very low-key cam- paign-a complete turnaround from his last two races. He believes, however, that his name and policies are so widely known in Washtenaw County that vic- tory next Tuesday is almost certain. "People know who Ed Pierce is and what he stands for," said the 48-year- old candidate. PIERCE SAID many state-run programs are very inefficient and must be cut immediately from the state budget. "There has got to be some mechanism to get rid of all the incom- petency (sic) in the state bureaucracy," he said. Pierce said he opposed both tax amendments, but believes the state should institute a graduate income tax. The late, late show is here, til 1 am tonight BILLIARDS, PINBALL, and BOWLING at the UNION Seven split on tax reform propositions The 40-year-old Republican said his experience in city government has prepared him well for the state legislature. "We have to deal every week with the state legislature and I think I have a fundamental knowledge about state government I believe I know more He claims it would be more equitable and would avoid a deep cut in state ser- vices which he said would be the probable consequence of the Tisch proposal. "BY CUTTING ineffective programs gradually, we can cut the amount of total spending in Lansing. But unlike California, this state does not have a $5 million surplus," he said. , Pierce said he fears people are rapidly losing faith in the state gover- nment. He said he believes it must be restored, or the democratic system may soon collapse. Goodman George Goodman, Democratic Mayor of Ypsilanti, agrees with Pierce that leadership is sorely lacking in Lan- sing and said he feels his experience in city government will allow him to restore public trust. GOODMAN, 37, also opposes both tax reform proposals and thinks the legislature should revise the property assessment program. "I believe a ceiling on property tax could encourage more economic ex- pansion and improve the tax struc- ture," he said. He did not specify the type of revisions he could support. Contrary to Pierce, the Ypsilanti mayor has had to operate a much more vigorous and wide open campaign. He has worked since early May to establish the name recognition which the Ann Arbor doctor has achieved. GOODMAN REGARDS the environ- ment as one of the state's serious crises. He said he believes the waters" need to be improved and cleansed. "I have worked before to improve the environment and I think too many people brush it off as just a minor problem," he said. Goodman opposes the legislature's seniority system whereby committee chairmanships are given to represen- tatives with the most years in office. "I WANT THE best quality people to get the leadership of the important committees. If Iam elected to Lansing, I will try to change the committee structure," said the Ypsilanti mayor. Moon Democrat Harold Moon, a 46-year-old bail bondsman, has announced that he wil not accept any campaign con- about it than any of the other can- tributions. Moon, who made an unsuc- didates," he said. cessful bid for the office in 1974, said he Trowbridge argues the Tisch amen- does not "want to owe anything to dment would only transfer citizens' anybody. burden of property taxes to the in- "I'm trying to show people how Ido creases in income taxes. things. I prove by my actions and not by "The Headlee amendment is a good my written words what my abilities measure because there is no reason are," said Moon. that government spending should ex- Moon said he believes that those ceed what people can pay," said seeking a divorce should pay a Trowbridge specified fee to fund court proceedings. He argues that lawyers are not serving citizens because they demand such high fees. Jerry Klein, president of the Ann It is about time that people started Arbor Board of Realtors, said he getting a fair deal with the law," he believes he knows the attitudes of the said, citizens better than any of the other MOON IS THE only candidate who candidates. strongly supports capital punishment. "I've been a salesman all my life and He says he has seen studies whichshow I think that's what you have to do in capital punishment acts as a deterrent politics. I've knocked on the doors of so to potential hard criminals. many of this county's voters and I know "If somebody murders somebody what they want," said Klein. else, then he should pay his obligation Klein, a 43-year-old Republican, said to society. He had received a warning he favors the Headlee plan but opposes (possible execution) and he did not the Tisch proposal. He strongly suppor- abide by it," said the bail bondsman. ts a tax break to encourage new Moon complains that government businesses to settle in the area. continues to grow rapidly, said he The real estate broker said he would propose legislation requiring believes government is too big. He said citizen approval before any tax in- he would attempt to reduce its role and creases could be levied. He said he does stimulate free enterprise. not support either tax proposal as they stand, but he could favor Tisch's if it was revised to freeze taxes at a later date. Stimpson o rMichael Stimpson, a 30-year-old Republican also said he thinks he knows the moods of the county's William Colburn, a 39-year-old residents. Republican, insists he is "different" Stimpson, who is a budget analyst for from the rest of the candidates. Washtenew County, said his experience Colburn, who is a University with the budget will make it easier for associate professor, said he wants to him to "tackle big financial problems in develop a program to improve citizen Lansing." involvement in the state government. Stimpson opposes the Tisch amen- "I would like to let anyone who wants dment but favors the Headlee plan. He to, come up to Lansing and sit on the said he would like to freeze the current Senate floor with me. I think too many level of taxes. people don't know what is going on in their government,"hensaid. Colburn, a former Ann Arbor City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, said he detests the state's unemployment com pensation laws which he said grant a efs n i m d, funds to anyone who is unemployed. Colburn insists the compensation should only be given to those forcibly removed from their jobs. "Twenty-two per cent of the unem- O NI ployment compensation goes to volun- tary quitters, money which could be h saved for other uses," he said. He opposes both tax reform amen- dments, maintaining there are serious b u s problems with each one. "We don't have enough of a surplus to But as a volunteer support Tisch's proposal and I think the you'll get to help America Headlee amendment would limit the stand a little taller. And you'll growth of the state's economy," said stand a little taller yourself. Colburn. America needs your help or we wouldn't be asking Your Trowbridge community needs your help. People 18 or 80: we don't care City Councilman Ronald Trowbridge as long as you do. 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