(Editor’s note:Earlier this month, The Citizen newspaper e-mailed questions to candidates in the 51st State House District, which serves Atlas and Groveland townships along with the Village of Goodrich.

Candidates were limited to 30 word responses. Key: (I) Incumbent, (R) Republican and (D) Democrat.

Name:John Lauve (R)

Age: 75

Years in the 51st District:20 Years

Education: University of Michigan B.S. Aero Space Engineering General Motors Management Training World Travel

Occupation: Self- employed landlord and historic building restoration;Retired from General Motors – 30 years quality control engineer solving problems

Government-related experience:

Candidate for governor and U.S. Army officer and aviator Vietnam 1967.

Why are you running for office?

The incumbent hiked license plate fees 20 percent to replace money wasted “fixing” roads. It passed by one vote – his – with no reforms.

What is your plan to help improve the district’s economic condition?

Beer lobby froze their tax for 50 years at 1.9 cents per bottle – a fixed amount. No inflation factor like other taxes. This needs to be changed to 10 cents per bottle – that would yield $400M a year and cut people’s taxes.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?

Schools need help – update management to the modern world. Student performance in Michigan is at the bottom. 800 school districts are too many in this era. Diverting money from the school aid fund for a Detroit hockey rink is wrong.

What is your vision for the district in two years?

Jobs – stop the job losses to Mexico and China. This is why Detroit, Flint and Pontiac are gone. Roads—cut the truck weight to the federal standards.Stop taxing poor people to pay for this damage.

**************

Name:Ryan Bladzik (D)

Age: 38

Years in the 51st District: 9 (4 since redistricting)

Education: BA Political Science Michigan State University, BA International Studies Michigan State University, MA Communication Michigan State University.

Occupation: Self-employed/consultant

Government-related experience: Village of Holly President, 2013-present;Village of Holly President Pro-Tem 2012-2013

Why are you running for office?I’m running because the people of our district and the State of Michigan deserve visionary, active leadership in Lansing who will get their hands dirty fixing our problems and improving our state.

What is your plan to help improve the district’s economic condition?It is critical to work closely with local officials on economic development. By restoring revenue-sharing, communities can improve infrastructure, safety and quality of life, reducing the burden on local taxpayers.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office?My top priority will be to ensure our public schools have the funding and policies they need to bring Michigan back to being one of the top states for education.

What is your vision for the district in two years?I see our communities being known as among the most prosperous and attractive places to live and work in the state.

Name:Joseph Graves (R) (I)

Age:62

Years in the 51st District: 50+

Education:Bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University, MBA from Baker College.

Occupation: Retired engineer from GM after 32 years

Government-related experience:Genesee County Commissioner, Argentine Twp. Clerk, Argentine Twp. Trustee, State Representative 51st District

Why are you running for office?Serving my local community is a high honor and something that I take very seriously.We have worked to lower crime across Michigan by supporting public safety. Together with our local communities we have prioritized road funding to fix our crumbling roads.

What is your plan to help improve the district’s economic condition?Working with local small businesses we have found ways to streamline government regulations, reduce taxes, and eliminate burdensome red tape leading to the lowest unemployment rate in Michigan since 2001.

If elected, what will be your top priority in office? Eliminating the pension tax on seniors and continuing to fight for lower taxes across the board.

What is your vision for the district in two years?In two years the district will have substantially better roads and bridges with the recent implementation of the road-funding package, which will be an extremely beneficial and much needed infrastructure boost.

(See page 11 for the 46th District State Representative candidates.)