Oftentimes, citizens are forced to step into a voting booth and choose a candidate based on nothing more than a colorful postcard dropped in their mailbox, touting the exploits of the smiling face plastered prominently on the advertisement.
Although information on political ads can be helpful, it is not near enough to make an informed decision when selecting a representative. The Grand Blanc Chamber hosted a candidate forum last week that allowed many in the business community to meet and listen to several running for office in November.
While the couple of minutes each candidate had to express his or her views were certainly not an in-depth look at the character of each, it provided a good basis to make a decision. The forum also proved another point — candidates love to talk about themselves to voters.
Some may seem inaccessible or hard to reach, but if you ever pin one down, they are happy to discuss issues with residents, particularly in an election year. For anyone interested in learning more about those running, here are some starting points. Generally, the candidate or his or her staff always gives a prompt response to queries.
• State Sen. Deb Cherry (D-Burton): www.debcherry.com. The site allows visitors to send messages directly to the Cherry campaign.
• Challenger Brian Seiferlein (R-Waterford): www.briansforstatesenate.com. This site also allows e-mail messages to be sent directly to Seiferlein.
• State Rep. Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc Twp.): e-mail davidrobertson@house.mi.gov or phone in Lansing 517-373-1780.
• Fred Starzyk (D-Grand Blanc Twp.): www.fred2006.com. Contact information for Starzyk is available on the site.
• County Commissioner Miles Gadola (R-Grand Blanc Twp.): Phone messages can be left for Gadola by calling the County Commission office at 810-257-3020. The commission also meets at 9 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday each month for those who would like to meet Gadola in person.
• Challenger E.M. Tune (D-Grand Blanc Twp.): Tune is generally in attendance at every Grand Blanc Twp. Board meeting, videotaping the proceedings. She is always happy to discuss her platform with those interested.
Many others took the Chamber up on its invitation: Rep. John Gleason (D-Flint), who is running for State Senate in a neighboring district; U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Flint); Attorney General candidate Amos Williams (D-Detroit); Judge Robert Weiss, who is seeking re-election as probate judge; and Scotty Boman, a candidate for Lt. Gov. running on the Libertarian ticket.
A simple Google search can usually turn up websites or contact information for most candidates. Although websites are a good starting point, they usually contain the same information that comes on the Advo-style junk mail we receive. The best way to find out a candidate’s motives, experience and other pertinent information is to call them up and ask the directly.

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