Thank You

I’ve had better evenings. If I need to face bad news, it sure helps to be in company of friends and family. Your support made this campaign possible. To all of you who walked in our parades, who went door-to-door, licked the envelopes and made the phone calls, and all those endless tasks: I will always be grateful for your gifts of time and energy. Thank you.

But it was not just you who sustained me. Campaigning is such a wearing, time-draining activity. How do we dare do anything this big, this long without faith in our God who makes all things possible in Christ Jesus? Without that faith, all else would just be empty noise.

Now is also a time to congratulate Justin Amash. As hard as we worked, he worked just as hard, and finally a little bit better. He competed everywhere. Like us, he believed that every part of the district needs representation. He will bring a boldness to Lansing that will shake things up. I look forward to supporting him, John McCain and the Republican ticket this fall.

Finally, there’s Caledonia. What a humbling, awesome experience it was to stand before you, in this place I grew up. The encouragement of colleagues on the school board, of “go-get-ems” from neighbors at the store — they helped me again to see how blessed I was to come from such a great community. Thank you.

With a heart of gratitude,

Setting the Record Straight

By now you probably have seen the letter in Friday’s Press.

The situation with Wes VanDenburg was a difficult one for our district, but I will stand by how we handled it.

Wes Vandenburg did not just make a mistake. As the facts came out, it was clear this was a deliberate act. He committed a crime. He admitted his guilt, was tried, convicted and paid his dues to society.

During this time, I cooperated fully with the investigation and heeded the advice of the school’s counsel. In a crisis, you can’t hide from your problem. On the school board we worked to handle the problem in a frank and open manner, balancing the needs to hold Mr. VanDenburg accountable while protecting the school from potential liability by not jumping to conclusions until the investigation was complete.

At a personal level, we recognized we were looking at a potentially career-ending crime. In such circumstances, you need to deal fairly. I will not walk away from my duty to be a man of integrity, that’s a duty I owe to God. And treating other people with integrity and fairness — that’s another of those West Michigan Values I hope to bring to Lansing.

So I will be unapologetic for being a leader in a time of crisis. We needed to treat Mr VanDenburg fairly. We needed to test the accusations before we acted. Some will always want to fly off the handle. That balanced, respectful approach to our problems is exactly the style of leadership we need in Lansing. Next year the Legislature will be pulled by a number of crises. There will be no place for brashness there — it is a time that calls for tested leadership.

The Six Billion Dollar Question

Michigan faces plenty of challenges. A report released last week tells us what one of the biggest ones will be: our roads.

The report from the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Funding estimates that Michigan will need to double the money it spends on our roads and bridges. The total estimated price tag? More than 6 billion dollars annually.

This is a huge hit. It’s double what we are currently spending. And one thing is certain, we can’t take it out of our fuel taxes.

Rich Studley from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce stated it right:

“One of the things we’re learning is that a transportation funding system based on motor fuel taxes is increasingly obsolete. … I don’t think anyone on the task force is under the illusion the problelm is a small one or wil be easily resolved.”

No matter who gets elected in November, they’re going to face this challenge.

Ignore the problem? I don’t think so.

Of course, some might try to ignore the problem or postpone a solution, waiting for better times. Unfortunately, that is not an option. Our business and industry depend on our roads. We need this infrastructure in place if we are to reshape a new Michigan.

Can’t we just shift money?

The needs in our state are double what we’re spending now. Pitting one region against another will not solve the problem. So the question is, what kind of leader can help us meet this challenge together?

With a price tag like this, there will be plenty of disagreement. I have proposed a solution, including looking at truck weights. And let’s face it, others will bring their solutions as well — this is going to take some tough negotiation. And new ideas.

A problem this tough takes a different kind of leadership.

The answer to the 6 billion dollar question depends on the leadership we send to Lansing. So then, do we elect people who will keep on with the same approach we’ve been following with all its partisan deadlock? Do we turn to some ivory-tower brash new idea? Frankly, these are the answers we get when we talk to ourselves.

It sounds so obvious, but the great virtue of business is that you learn how to build practical solutions with people who may be very different. That’s the same lesson I’ve applied these last 7 years on the Caledonia school board. We’ve made it work by working together. I believe this type of practical leadership is the sort that Lansing desperately needs.

Leaders line up for a change in Lansing

One of the privileges of this campaign has been to have so many civic leaders support our candidacy.  Many have stood for election themselves. They know how important it is to have some one in Lansing who understands the issues, and knows how to provide the practical leadership that can lift up our State and get it moving.

They’re part of more than 250 business leaders, elected officials and everyday citizens who believe that we need a new way of doing business in Lansing.  The old way has simply broken down.  With their support and yours we can begin to lift up our state with practical, proven leadership.

The complete list is below the fold.

Trying to Make it Better

Last week during the Kentwood parade, I met a woman who was amazed that I was on the school board. I could understand, the folks in Kentwood don’t pay attention to what happens in Caledonia. But it wasn’t that. She was amazed that I was serving on a school board at all.

Amazed about the Caledonia school board? Honestly, I thought I was just stepping up to a task.

Eight years ago when I first began thinking about the school board, I began with a simple notion: how can I make this community better? After all, I grew up here. This is my home. I had the opportunity to help, so I took it.

That was what also had motivated me to serve on committees with the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. I wanted to share the gifts I’ve received. And this idea that we are to be a blessing to others also lies at the heart of my campaign for the State House.

And that’s one of the big differences in this campaign. Over the years, I’ve lead real organizations, shared my time and talent with others, shouldered the responsibility, and sought to improve our life together. That’s a record of public service very different from some who run for office with little record of leading or taking responsibility in their community.

It’s a hands-on public service. In Lansing, I’ll bring that same commitment to my tasks in the Legislature to make things better for our community and for our State.

Schools: another reason we love the 72nd

One of those things that makes the Michigan 72nd state house district so interesting is our commitment to education. We have some great non-public schools like South Christian – my alma mater. And we have four outstanding public school systems.

Everyone knows three of them: Forest Hills Public, Kentwood Public, and of course, Caledonia Public Schools.

But the fourth, Kellogsville, is doing something even more important: it is succeeding in educating the disadvantaged. This year US News and World Report placed it among the top 10 percent of all schools in our nation for its educational leadership.

Think about it: we can see the future every day in the hallways at Forest Hills Central, or Kentwood, but there is another story of excellence underway, just off Division. I’m convinced that the pursuit of excellence and should not stop because you are the wrong color or are poor. The promise is for everyone.

That’s why I won’t stand idly by when Governor Granholm, or any other politician, tries to cut our children’s education while they play political games. I want to make a first class education the standard and not the exception. We’ve done it in here in the 72nd, and I want every Michigan child to have the same opportunity.