Media
‘Senate candidates pull no punches’
Posted on October 18, 2010
Each advocates maintaining public saftey, schools, promoting business
By: Monica Scott
The Grand Rapids Press: Saturday, October 16th, 2010
GRAND RAPIDS – David LaGrand, Democratic nominee for the 29th District Senate seat, came out swinging Friday against his opponent, Republican state Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, saying public safety and schools were cut on Hildenbrand’s watch.
With 17 days before the election, the Advocates for Senior Issues forum is likely the last time the candidates will face off in the tight race to replace the term-limited Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood.
“In the last six years while Representative Hildenbrand has been in office, we’ve seen funding cuts to police, fire, roads and schools,” said LaGrand, an attorney, businessman and former Grand Rapids City Commissioner. “I am running to keep this area healthy.”
Hilden, of Lowell, drew applause from some of the 170 present at Meijer Gardens, when he said the tone taken was “unfortunate” but he would stick to the issues. He said LaGrand was “taking things out of context” and manipulating his record.
“I have always argued and advocated for the priorities important to me, such as police and fire and education,” said Hildenbrand, who is term-limited in his House seat. “Public education (per-pupil finding) had only been cut once in the last six years, and public safety could have been cut worse were it not for me and my colleagues.”
LaGrand told the crowd he has done good government as a city commissioner, and, right now, “Lansing is a mess.” He said Hildenbrand has had the chance the past six years to make the changes he advocates.
“He hasn’t done it,” said LaGrand, who co-owns the Wealthy Street Bakery and The Winchester restaurant. “I have a track record of creating jobs.”
Hildenbrand pointed out the state has faced unprecedented economic challenges and his party has been in the minority.
“The best thing we can do for this state, for people young and old, is to create opportunities in the private sector,” Hildenbrand said.
“I want to strengthen the economy, control spending and reform government, so we are doing things smarter and wiser.”
LaGrand said what would be smart is to do as Gov. Jennifer Granholm has advocated and invest $25 million of a $100 million in tax surplus to restore the Pure Michigan advertising campaign.
“Dave Hildenbrand said we should stick the money in a mattress,” LaGrand said.
Calling that comment another mischaracterization, Hildenbrand said his point about “save it, don’t spend it,” was that the first reaction to having excess funds should not be to dole them out.
“I have nothing against the Pure Michigan campaign because we out to want to promote the state,” he said. “But there hasn’t been any discussion about other state needs yet.”
Hildenbrand launched his first commercial this week. The PAC, the Coalition for Progress, began running ads in support of LaGrand last month.
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