9/10/14 - Local media got a chance to meet several Democratic Party candidates for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and to hear their platforms at a Tuesday press conference, held at local Democratic Party headquarters. County Chair Judy Daubenmier summed up the presentation by saying the county is currently getting only one perspective and one viewpoint. On the matter of priorities, she tells WHMI the number one priority in the county is addressing the condition of its roads. Daubenmier also says that having safe communities, protecting the public from the effects of fracking, more road patrols, access to higher education, greater support for senior programs, supporting working families with a living wage on county projects are all goals the candidates will be working toward if elected in November. In regard to roads, Daubenmier says the county board has misplaced priorities, with $16 million having been spent on a new jail addition when the money could have better been utilized on improving the roads. She also says the local match for the I-96 Latson Road interchange could have better been used on county roads. On the hot-button issue of fracking, Daubenmier says Democrats would work actively to prevent fracking by helping townships pass a 6-month moratorium on hydraulic fracking and push the state legislature to ensure that only ânon-toxicâ fracking fluids are used by oil companies. She says Democrat county commissioners would also strive to get a reduced tuition rate for county residents who want to take community college courses in the county and start planning for a community college in Livingston County, which currently has none. Finally, Daubenmier says with the local LETS dial-a-ride service is stretched beyond its capacity and a county transportation authority should be established to ensure the needs of all residents are served. Candidates for the county board of commissioners who attended the press conference included Mike Tipton of Howell Township, who is a candidate in District 5; Donald Pushies of Conway Township, who is a candidate for District 4; Jeannette DiFlorio of Oceola Township, who is running for the District 2 seat; Jim Delcamp of Genoa Township, running for District 7 commissioner and Jim Katakowski of Hamburg Township, a candidate for District 8 commissioner. Those wanting more information about all nine Democratic candidates can go to the party website at livcodemocrats.org. (TT)
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