District 78 Debate

Last night at Berrien RESA, Gerry participated in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.  It was his first debate, and a welcome introduction to the four other candidates vying for the seat.

A wide range of issues were covered, including health care, job creation and outsourcing, and medical marijuana.  They also discussed one of the topics upon which Gerry's campaign focuses: the importance of education.

As he emphasized at a Democratic forum at Harbor Country Progress earlier this week, Gerry firmly believes that education is the foundation of a healthy community with a robust economy.  He is fully committed to supporting and strengthening southwest Michigan's school systems.

Thursday's debate enjoyed quite a bit of press coverage.

Multiple media representatives commented on the genial mood and candidates' agreement on many issues, even across party lines.  I, for one, find it refreshing to see politicians more concerned with addressing the issues than with arguing over petty differences.

The Herald Palladium reported that Gerry's "primary goal is to make Michigan a place where people want to raise their children," and that he wants to "work with others to find solutions."  That is so very true, and one thing proven in this debate was Gerry's dedication to implement new ideas, no matter their source, to improve our state, which can't readily be achieved without good old fashioned cooperation in Lansing.

WSJM noted Gerry's focus on "a strong public education system," and included a sound bite of Gerry's thoughts on the role of education and infrastructure in rejuvenating our economy.

An article in The Niles Daily Star summed up Gerry's philosophy on his role as State Rep with its quote from Gerry himself:

I’m not interested in following, I’m interested in leading. I question everything and if it doesn’t work, I want to change it. I don’t want to do something just because we’ve been doing it for 30 years.

Gerry understands that this job requires leadership as well as partnerships if we're to reach our goals for District 78.   It also requires an ability to look past the status quo, to think creatively, and inject some common sense into our political landscape.

We can't wait to see him get an opportunity to make the positive changes he envisions for southwest Michigan.

Special thanks to the League of Women Voters and their co-sponsors (Leader Publications, Rotary Club of the Three Oaks Region, Dowagiac Rotary, Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce) for organizing this event!