The story is pure Horatio Alger.
Hometown boy leaves rural America to join the navy. While serving his country, he sees the world and receives a college education.
The boy, now a man, returns home several years later to become a successful business and family man.
Craving the chance to make a difference in his corner of the world, the man seeks public office. The rest of the story is up to voters.
But Roger Deaton is no character from one of Alger’s works of 19th century American fiction. He’s a 1986 Oxford High School graduate seeking the Republican nomination to represent the 46th District in the Michigan State House.
The 46th District encompasses Oxford, Addison, Orion, Brandon, Groveland, Holly and Rose townships. It’s currently represented by state Rep. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), who’s serving her last year in office due to term limits.
Deaton, a 36-year-old who lives in Groveland Township with his wife of almost six years, Lori, said he’s ready to fight for smaller government, no new taxes, a balanced budget achieved by cutting spending, and more efficient use of the tax dollars earmarked for education.
‘I’m looking out for the residents of these townships,? he said.
Deaton’s familiarity with the residents of the 46th District goes all the way back to the third grade when the former Addison Township resident was a student at Leonard Elementary.
It was because of his familiarity with the area that Deaton decided not to seek the District #1 seat on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, which is currently occupied by Bill Patterson (R-Oxford).
‘This is a guy I grew up with,? he said. ‘Our pharmacist was Bill Patterson.?
Deaton asked Patterson if he was going to seek re-election this year. When Patterson said yes, Deaton told him, ‘I respect that. I’m going to support you.?
Some local residents may remember Deaton from his days at Oxford High School when he lettered in cross country, track, basketball and football. He’s also one of the founding members of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), which is now Students Against Destructive Decisions.
In July 1986, three weeks after graduating OHS, Deaton left the Oxford/Addison area to join the U.S. Navy. He served his country for eight years, spending the first four years on an aircraft carrier with an F-18 squadron.
‘We hit just about every country on the planet,? Deaton said. ‘I’ve been everywhere from the Artic Circle to the Carribean to African, the Middle East and Europe.
The second half of his military career was spent pursuing a Criminal Justice Degree from (COLLEGE) and ‘travelling the globe hunting down deserters? as a ‘bounty hunter? for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Deaton ended his navy career in 1994 and went to work in the steel industry.
He’s currently part owner of the Pontiac-based Cherokee Industries, a packaging and material handling distributor that sells shelving, floor mats, desks, conveyors and mezzanines to the ‘auto industry and the like.?
Deaton also serves as the vice president for the Warren-based ? Export, a packaging manufacturer which makes boxes.
After the navy, Deaton also got involved in the Oakland County Republican Party.
‘I’ve been very active in Oakland County politics from the day I stepped off the boat,? he said.
Deaton began doing ‘all the grunt work? for candidates such as knocking on doors and preparing mailers. He even ran for precinct delegate.
Later as the demands of his business career increased, Deaton’s support of Republican candidates became more financial in nature.
After a decade serving the Republican Party, Deaton felt it was time for run for office. He’s hoping voters will agree and send him to the state House.
Deaton explained his philosophy of government and stands on some key issues.
‘When it comes to taxes, I’m a border-line libertarian,? he said. ‘I don’t want to pay taxes. I think it’s a bad thing. No new taxes.?
Deaton supports keeping Proposal A, which capped property tax assessments, as is.
‘Proposal A was a good thing for us,? he said. ‘That’s not going to be touched under my watch. . .I wouldn’t be able to afford to live where I’m at right now (without Proposal A). We have three acres in Groveland Township.?
Achieving a balanced budget through spending cuts, not tax increases, is a key issue with Deaton.
‘All these programs can’t be supported,? he said. ‘People are going to realize that we can’t support all these social programs that we’ve been supporting.?
‘It’s going to hurt,? but state legislators ‘are going to have to say no? to spending, Deaton said.
‘I’ve always been for small government,? explained Deaton, noting his opposition to over-legislation.
‘There are too many laws,? he said. ‘Just because you’re in the Legislature, doesn’t mean you have to prove yourself by making up a law.?
Deaton said he favors the idea of a part-time state Legislature.
‘I’m all for that,? he said. ‘I think it’s ghastly what we pay (state legislators) and how many hours they actually work, how many days they’re on-record as working.?
Deaton said state legislators should go to Lansing to ‘get the people’s work done,? then return to their actual professions.
In the area of public education, Deaton said he considers himself a ‘watchdog.? He wants to find out ‘where’s all the money going? that’s currently paid to the schools and how it can be spent more efficiently.
‘I have young children (Sofia, 3, and Grant, 1) who are going into our system shortly,? he said.
Deaton recently met with Ruth Johnson’s staff to stay abreast of the investigation into the Oakland Intermediate School District. He said if elected, he plans to continue Johnson’s work to reform the state’s ISDs.
‘I have a lot of neighbors just on my street who are just livid about (the Oakland Schools situation),? he said.
If elected, Deaton would also like to see what can be done about Oakland County’s status as a ‘donor county,? which means the county pays out more in taxes than it receives in services.
‘We are a donor county and we have donor townships,? he said. ‘All your northern tier (of the county) are definitely donor townships.?
‘We need to get some of that money back. We need justification for our tax dollars. We have roads that need maintaining too. That’s a big thing, the roads. I live on a dirt road and it’s hard to get people to come out there and grate that darn thing,? Deaton explained.
Deaton will kick off his campaign with a gathering of family and friends at American Legion Post 63 (of which he is a member) in Independence Township on Thursday, April 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The candidate is anxious to get a lot of young people involved in his campaign, which will hopefully lead them to getting involved in future campaigns and Republican politics in general.
‘We’re not grooming young people (for the Republican Party),? he said. ‘I see a need for younger people at the grassroots level. They’re the future of the party.?
Knocking on doors, stuffing envelopes and making phones are all great ways for young people to ‘learn the system,? Deaton said.
To learn more about Deaton call (248) 789-8808 or log on to www.rogerdeaton.com.
Or write to the Friends of Roger Deaton, 3175 Oakhill Drive, Clarkston, MI 48348.