On Nov. 2, Clarkston area residents will select both a county commissioner and a state representative.
Two candidates are running for the Fourth District seat on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, and three are running for the 44th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
The Clarkston News asked each candidate to answer an identical questionnaire. Their reponses follow:

Charles Inman (Democrat), 57, Clarkston, union representative, eight-year resident of the Fourth District, married with two children and one grandchild.
Current/previous government service: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1966-1972.
What are the two top issues facing county government? 1) Reduce spending/balance budget, 2) Infrastructure — roads, water, sewer are in dire need of repair and replacement.
Should Oakland County participate in funding an expanded Cobo Center in Detroit? If proven to benefit county residents with decent paying jobs and increase county revenue, then I would favor involvement.
Why do you want to serve on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners? I want to represent the community with continued growth in the county and to make sure they are getting the best value for their tax dollars.
What else would you like voters to know about you that we haven’t asked in this questionnaire? With 18 years experience as a labor leader, I feel well qualified in regards to negotiations, budget, cost cutting, planning, dealing with politicians and the general public.

Tom Middleton (Republican), 59, Clarkston, incumbent county commissioner and owner-operator of Key Belle Farms, nine-year resident of the 4th District, married to Kathy for 37 years with three adult children.
Current/previous government service: Currently, I am an Oakland County Commissioner, serving on the Personnel and Public Service Committees, six lake boards, Oakland International Airport Committee; formerly a state representative and on Oxford Schools Board of Education.
What are the two top issues currently facing county government: Jail overcrowding is the most pressing problem facing Oakland County today. The county must comply with state jail overcrowding laws. Over the last two years, the sheriff has come within hours of releasing prisoners early.
I would recommend reducing overcrowding through expansion of community corrections, video arraignments and drug courts. The county commissioners have appointed a task force to study what options we have to address the problem, with the final report due before the end of the year.
The task-force report should give basic information to start formulating the direction we need to take in tackling this major problem.
The second issue would be getting our fair share of state revenue sharing. The governor’s plan is for counties to collect their county tax levy six months early and put it in a fund, with that revenue substituting for the state’s obligation until the county fund is depleted. For Oakland County that is 11 years, for Wayne County it would be five and one-half years. The state would resume paying revenue sharing when the county funds are depleted. The governor’s plan makes us more of a ‘donor? county.
Should Oakland County participate in funding an expanded Cobo Center in Detroit? The expansion of Cobo Hall should not be considered unless the freeway under it is closed. With a highway under Cobo, securing the building from a terrorist act is nearly impossible. Before Oakland County would consider being any part of a new larger convention center, it needs to know how much the private sector is willing to commit to the new larger facility (e.g. Detroit auto dealers). If Oakland County contributes their taxpayers? dollars, control has to be by a regional board.
Why do you want to serve on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners?
I would like to continue being a county commissioner because over the last three years I have been effective in representing the citizens of the 4th District. I have a reputation of listening to voters and implementing their concerns in government decisions that affect their lives.
As a lifelong resident of north Oakland County, I have farmed and had my businesses here and have been involved with local communities. In the 90s, while in the state legislature, I was a member of the Appropriations Committee, where I had hands-on experience of cutting the budgets and reducing taxes
I understand the workings of state government and still have a network of contacts, which is helpful in getting as many of our tax dollars back to Oakland County as possible.
What else would you like voters to know that we haven’t asked in this questionnaire?
My community involvement: I am a member of Clarkston Coalition for Youth Forum, and serve as a mentor for Oakland County Youth Institute; served as a state representative from 1991-98 and was on the Oxford Board of Education from 1982-90. Over the years have been a 4-H leader and have been involved with the Clarkston Drug Awareness Program. Presently on the board of Directors of Oakland Livingston Humane Services Agency, the Oakland County Conservation Board, and President of Michigan Association of Conservation Districts.

John P. Stakoe (Republican), 52, Highland, state representative, 16-year resident of the 44th District, married for 25 years to Carol, two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine.
Current/previous government experience: Elected in 1996 as supervisor of the Charter Township of Highland and reelected in 2000 as supervisor. Elected in 2002 as the current state representative for the 44th District.
What are the two top issues facing state government? First would be to continue to stimulate the business climate in the state. There has been legislation passed to provide incentives to start up businesses and provide credits for existing businesses. Also, making state agencies efficient in permitting and oversight. We need to continue and expand these programs to enhance the state economy. Revenues to the state have not increased in the past several years. The most serious task continues to be prioritizing spending and constraining spending to stay within allowances.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate funding for K-12 education? Spending for K-12 and higher education is now more than $14 billion out of a $39 billion budget. I believe the legislature has taken the appropriate approach by making education a priority and minimizing the impact of revenue downturns as much as possible. Budgets are difficult to maintain with a static revenue stream, but by prioritizing and providing realistic increases when possible, I believe we will be better off than seeking additional taxes in a fragile economy.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate revenue sharing for municipalities? During the recent issue over county revenue sharing, the entire focus was on the $183 million distributions to counties. The budget for 2005 is $39.7 billion; seeking equitable cutbacks across the board are a viable alternative to cutting all of one-line item. The shift has now placed the responsibility of replacing that revenue on the counties.
Why do you want to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives? Throughout my career I have made problem solving and personal contact the most important part of my work. As Highland Township Supervisor, I committed not only to administrative concerns of the township, but also made the office an advocacy for residents. I have continued to make problem-solving my first priority as your state representative. Solving problems also requires an effective legislator. During my first term, I have passed laws that will help enhance our inland lakes, public safety, election process and business. I wish to continue this level of service for the 44th District.

William Scrase (Democrat), 58, Clarkston, union representative for the UAW, six-year resident of the 44th District, married with three adult sons, one stepdaughter and one stepson.
Current/previous government experience: Elected precinct delegate.
What are the two top issues facing state government? Jobs and health care.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate funding for K-12 education? Ensure fiscal solvency of the state, so local school districts are not forced to slash the budgets.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate revenue sharing for municipalities? What revenue? Engler left this state broke and a fresh team must be elected to turn us around.
Why do you want to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives? To further my civic duty and help promote change.

Ronald C. Monroe (U.S. Taxpayers Party), 70, Clarkston, retired registered nurse, 17-year resident of the 44th District, married to Vicki with two sons and two grandchildren.
Current/previous government experience: September 1953 to August 1956, I was honorably discharged with a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
What are the two top issues facing state government? 1) Change the business atmosphere to one that will create good-paying jobs, not just minimum-paying jobs, and a return to our state to manufacturing products and not basically a service-oriented economy. We need to reconstruct tax structure to encourage growth and investment. Ideas such as Michigan Economic Development to produce and preserve jobs that can generate a partnership with the private sector that will improve job growth.
2) Our health care needs to improve. The reduction in high cost is necessary to retain and attract business to our state. The health care system needs relief from trial lawyers? overcompensation. Our court system needs relief from so many unnecessary court cases.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate funding for K-12 education? Our children deserve accountable schools to teach the skills needed for college and to give them the opportunity to secure jobs that can give them a good living. We should look at the efficiency of our budget. We spend one-third of our budget on education and are ranked sixth from last of our 50 states, when the funds actually benefit the students is considered. We also need to revisit the tenure problem by providing raises based on both a teacher’s capability and their length of tenure.
What aspects should be in a state plan to help ensure adequate revenue sharing for municipalities? We need to protect the county’s revenue sharing plan with the state. Recently, the state government forced Senate Bills HB 1111 and HB 1112 through the state House even after the taxpayers demonstrated their dissatisfaction with them. These bills will shift the burden on to the taxpayers by altering the collection of the county property tax. Many feel Oakland County will lose millions in operating funds in the next three years.
Why do you want to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives? I feel I would bring into office a citizen with little baggage and no obligation to any special interest group or to any political party. I feel it is every citizen’s obligation to offer his time and effort to his country. This attitude might prevent the politicians who are so well connected that they owe favors to many special groups and big business. I have been endorsed by two political action committees, Citizens for Parental Rights and Pro-Life Michigan. No funding to my campaign was involved.