THE COMMUNITY CRIER: October 23,1996 Page 7 P-C Community plays important role in 13th U.S. Congressional race outcome on Nov. 5 BY ROB KIRKBRIDE For voters in the incredibly diverse 13th Congressional District, which includes the Plymouths, Canton and part of Northville, the vote seems to be divided along party lines. Westland, Inkster and Garden City. Ann Arbor, the home of both Rivers and Fitzsimmons will be a key battleground. Ypsilanti, Inkster and Romulus are key Democratic strongholds. Wayne, Westland and Garden City are traditionally Democrat, but have swayed to the Republicans for certain candidates such as Ronald Reagan.
The smaller, less populated townships vary greatly from the liberal voters in Van Buren to the conservatives in Salem and Superior. When this election is stripped down to its most basic elements, the vote comes down to a decision between two ideological choices. Although the candidates make attempts to slightly distance themselves from their parties, it’s clear where they stand on the issues. If you like the way President Bill Clinton is running the White House, choose incumbent Democrat Lynn Rivers. If you like the direction the Republicans are taking the United States while running the Congress, vote for Rivers’ challenger, Joe Fitzsimmons.
That leaves The Plymouth-Canton- Northville Community as one of the most hotly-contested areas the candidates are sure to focus on in the next several weeks. E D I T O R ’S N O T E : C o v e r a g e f o r th is Fitzsimmons, who recently retired as the chairman of University Microfilms International (UMI), has never held or ran for a public office before. But that hasn’t stopped him from becoming an accomplished campaigner and politician, a characterization he denies. k e y r a c e f o r th e 1 3 t h C o n g r e s s io n a l D i s t r i c t w i l l c o n t in u e in n e x t w e e k REP, LYNN RIVERS And party line is what this race is all about.
This is one of the most hotly- contested Congressional battles in the country . The amount of money spent on this race shows its importance. Both campaigns are expected to spend more than $1 million. JOE FITZSIMMONS former Dole for President press aide and former press secretary to the Shelling for Governor campaign in Vermont. e d i t i o n o f T h e C o m m u n it y C r i e r . T h e is s u e w i l l in c lu d e a n in d e p th s to r y o n th e c a n d id a t e s p o s it io n s o n th e is s u e s a n a T h e C r i e r ’s e n d o rs e m e n t in th e ra c e .
After looking at the 13th Congressional District, it’s easy to see why the Democrats are trying so hard to keep the seat and Republicans are working overtime to oust Rivers. “I’m an outsider to the process,” he said. “I’m not a lawyer, not a politician. I’m a much more bipartisan individual...I’m here to serve, not to be served.” Rivers is sticking with the same basic staff that took her through the 1994 election against Republican John Schall.
Fitzsimmons has put together a strong group of veteran campaigners, including GOP strategist Jeff Timmer as campaign manager and Janna Nuzum, who is a Rivers has been tagged as a liberal by her opposition — a charge she would have a tough time disputing when the actual voting records are examined. She has consistently voted the party line, In addition to the Plymouths, Canton and parts of Northville and Livonia, the 13th also includes all of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Township, Salem, Superior, Ypsilanti, Augusta, Sumpter, Van Buren, Belleville, Huron, Romulus, Wayne, B a sk e tb a ll:
P ly m o u th S a le m V’s Farm ington Thur1CV24 a t7 :0 0 PLYMOUTH-CANTON'S RADIO STATION Plymouth District Library Board faces enormous task of overseeing construction THIS PAPER IS PROUDLY PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER WITH SOY INKS BY BRIAN CORBETT It is unlikely that there has ever been a time when the responsibilities of the Plymouth District Library Board of Trustees has been more important. Same goes for Gilmore, who is waging a write-in campaign. “Clearly, the biggest issue of the board is implementing die new library,” said Gilmore.
Please continue the recycling loop And that’s the reason Steve Harper, Hugh Harsha and Joe Gilmore are candidates for the three open seats on the Plymouth District Library Board of Trustees. There were other reasons that drew him to the race, though. “I’m just retired,” said Gilmore, formerly a program manager at Ford who lives in the Township. “I’m interested in the library. I use it a lot. I’d like to contribute to the community.” The Dunning-Hough Memorial Library is set for a complete demolition and rebuilding project. Services have been moved down Main Street to an old grocery store for the next two years until the building is complete.
In order to do that, Gilmore needs three write-in votes. “Which is kind of tough I guess, because I think-it takes a lot of effort to write-in on this ballot,” he said. “You’re going to have to get instructions.” New address? WELCOME WAGON* can help you feel at home “I want to finish the library,” said Harper, a Ford employee who has served the library board since its inception, “That’s the big thing.” If elected, Gilmore said he is prepared. He has attended board meetings for the last three months and worked with the Friends of the Library. ©reefing new neighbors is a tradition wtlh WELCOME WAGON - 'America's Neighborhood Tradition.' I'd like, to visit you.
To soy 'Hi' and present gifts and greetings from community-minded businesses, i'll aiso present invitations you can redeem for more gifts, tod it's oti free. A WELCOME WAGON visit is o special treat to help you get settled and feeiing more "at home." A friendly get-together is easy ta arrange. Just call me. Harper, the current board treasurer and a Township resident, said he will work to maintain a quality library catalog along with watching the costs of construction. He said his decade of service to the library has been enjoyable. “I’ve really enjoyed it.
It’s been interesting especially to get in at the ground floor level of a governmental unit,” said Harper, who served on the Plymouth- Canton School Board before joining the library board. In Plymouth In N.Canton In Plymouth Call JeanineWiro: Colt Chaudet: Call Mary Moses: 313/459-4613 313/453-1918 313/459-5582 The third candidate, Harsha, a City resident and current board member, could not be reached for comment.