On the issues - District 7 candidates for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners

Livingston Daily | Livingston Daily

Republican Carol Griffith and Libertarian James Weeks are candidates for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners District 7 seat, a two-year term. The Livingston Daily asked the candidates to respond to a questionnaire about themselves and the issues.

Q: What are your top three priorities if elected?

CAROL S. GRIFFITH, REPUBLICAN: The Livingston County Board of Commissioners has a history of fiscal responsibility. Policy has been instituted to reduce long term expenditures, operational/organizational restructuring and collaboration to live within our financial means and economic challenges. A balanced budget, public safety and essential services without endorsing tax increases remains top priority.

JAMES WEEKS, LIBERTARIAN: There is only one - to bring strip clubs to Livingston County.

Q: What more needs to be done to improve the county’s roads? Do you support increased local taxes to fund further improvements and if so, how much? Should the state invest more money in local roads, and if yes, where should the state budget be cut to free up the money?

GRIFFITH: County government is a complex, interrelated system of constitutionally, statutorily, contractually and service-oriented activities, programs and services. Some levels of activities may be the discretion of the Board of Commissioners, the obligation to provide services may not. State imposed mandates is one the County’s biggest challenges. The State may impose additional mandates without funding to support efforts. Therefore, local government needs to be mindful and plan for mandates imposed on our County. Roads need to be addressed at the State level with a realistic strategic plan without more tax increases.

WEEKS: They need to lead to strip clubs that are located in the county. I support no taxes as taxation is theft. The state should not invest money they have taken through taxation and should return all funds to those it extracted the funds from, as Friedrich Nietzsche said, “everything the state says is a lie, and everything it has is stolen.” This will free up more money for the citizens of Livingston County to be spent at the brand new strip clubs.

Q: Aside from roads, what are the top infrastructure needs for the county? Please offer specifics and how you think those improvements should be funded.

GRIFFITH: Infrastructure throughout the State including bridges, water lines are public safety issues need to be addressed with a comprehensive plan. The County has a responsibility to all of its tax payers and to listen to the requests of townships and local government entities regarding the need to protect citizen from failing infrastructure, poor water quality and court ordered projects. The County will continue to revisit policy. I will continue to advocate for the County to review is responsibility with consideration toward the “new economy” constraints and legal obligations.

WEEKS: Strip clubs need to be built. That improvement would be funded by individuals building and opening strip clubs in the county. Hopefully, worker owned strip clubs that are democratically managed without hierarchies.

Q: Do you support further growth in solar energy on existing farmland in the county?

GRIFFITH: Livingston County has a responsibility to all of its tax payers for safety and welfare and to continue to operate within the current economic constraints and legal parameters toward positive outcomes.

I would promote dialog with Farmers regarding this issue and that below. As common practice the County will listen to the requests of township and local governmental entities regarding such issues via residents.

WEEKS: No, I oppose using eminent domain to seize farmland for the profit of solar energy corporations.

Q: Do you support further development of wind energy on existing farmland in the county?

GRIFFITH: See above.

WEEKS: No, I oppose using eminent domain to seize farmland for the profit of wind energy corporations.

Q: Is the county spending enough money on parks and recreational areas? If not, what is needed and where should the money come from?

GRIFFITH: Livingston County is a “sought after” County due to its over 75 inland lakes and 20,000+ acres of park and recreational areas. As a Realtor, I have a pulse on the needs and desires of people and families moving into our area. Livingston County is one of the top County’s in the State offering acres of parks and recreational promoting healthy lifestyles to our residents. The residents have benefited from local leadership’s effective use of grants, planning and collaboration of the land and “gifted” property accepted by the County in an effort not to financially burden taxpayers. A comprehensive Livingston County Master Plan is in place.

WEEKS: Yes, if anything the government is spending far too much on everything. I would favor the abolition of damn near everything. I would call for drastic reductions in everything else. I would refuse to pay for what is left.

Q: Are you current on all alimony, child support and state and local tax obligations? If not, please explain.

GRIFFITH: None

WEEKS: Yes

About Carol S. Griffith

Age: 60

Hometown: Brighton, Michigan

Profession: Realtor; C0-Owner Griffith Realty

Education: Brighton High School & Albion College: Graduate

Prior elected experience: Livingston County Commissioner since 2009

Campaign website and Facebook page: Did not provide

About James Weeks

Age: 30

Hometown: Tyrone Township

Profession: Minister

Education: Dr. of Metaphysics

Prior elected experience: None

Campaign website and Facebook page: facebook.com/jamesweekslibertarian