Candidate needs to quit pretending
Recently, Paul Scott, who is running as a Republican for the state legislature, held an economic forum to discuss with the community ways to get Michigan out of our current “one-state” recession.

Sitting on a panel of national, state and local experts, Mr. Scott proposed establishing an on-going dialog between businesses and government, electing citizens to the state legislature with backgrounds in public policy and law so they can effectively make decisions without relying on lobbyists, while leveraging our current strengths — higher education, health care systems and tourism — to increase job growth.

Though I was extremely impressed with the event and Mr. Scott, I thought it would only be reasonable to meet with all the candidates before deciding who to support.
When the View ran an article (“Candidate holds events to meet, share ideas with public,” March 20, page 3) on another candidate, James Swenor, for holding “events to meet, share ideas with the public” I took notice.

At the very end, the piece talked about two opportunities to meet Mr. Swenor. The first was a meeting with four state representatives — from no where around here — who are part of the problem in Lansing. Why a new candidate would introduce himself to the community surrounded by anyone affiliated with the current mess in Lansing is beyond me. Those guys are a bunch of pretenders. The second was an outdoor event held a few days later.

I was getting ready to pick one to attend, until I realized I had to pay $50 and $55 to meet Mr. Swenor and share my “ideas” with him. I am surprised the View would cover what was nothing more than a political fundraiser and trumpet it as a selfless “meet the candidate” event.

In these economic times, I don’t want to hear from folks in Lansing. I just want them out of office. Furthermore, voters should certainly not have to pay their hard earned money just to meet a candidate.

Mr. Swenor needs to quit pretending. These events are not about listening to my ideas; they are fundraisers — no more, no less than that. If he wants to talk to me about my ideas, I should not have to open my wallet in the process.

I’ll be voting for Paul Scott and doing whatever I can to get him elected — he is a serious leader with the experience that counts to get the job done. More importantly, he genuinely goes out of his way to meet people and provide information that helps. — Alexandria Dawson, Grand Blanc Twp.

Experience, maturity important for candidates
I attended the reception for James Swenor for State Representative at the Captain’s Club at Woodfield in Grand Blanc on March 26.

After hearing him speak, I am absolutely convinced he is the right person to represent the 51st District. He is a retired Air Force officer and a man of integrity, and I believe he has the maturity, life experience, and leadership skills that are needed to tackle the serious problems that this state is up against.

I’m voting for Swenor in the August primary. — Duane T. Lee

Friends of the library book sale, membership
The Friends of the Goodrich Library will be holding a spring book sale on April 12 in the Community Room of the library. Donations of gently used books are need for the sale. They can be dropped off anytime the library is open.

The hours for the sale are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The money raised at the sale will be used for repair work to the library building — and monetary donations are always welcome.

We also would like to invite new members who would like to join our Friends group. The phone number for the library is 810-636-2489. Thank you. — Nancy O. Dugas, vice president, Goodrich Friends of the Library

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