F.A.Q.
Question 1) Mike, last year we saw you run as an Independent candidate. This year, you have decided to run as a Republican. Why?
Answer: Last year was a good experience, it allowed me to get my name out into the community and I am very appreciative of the almost 600 voters who supported my campaign! Unfortunately, I learned a valuable lesson that basically Democrats and Republicans win elections. Independence Township is predominantly Republican. As I mentioned last year, I embrace conservative values. I dislike political labels and feel that if elected as a Committeeman, I will be passionate in representing all the residents of Independence Township.
Democrat, Republican, Liberal, or Conservative, this candidate will be about serving the residents and protecting Independence Township. Period!
Question 2) Do you think our current Township Committee is supportive of our school district?
Answer: Simply, NO!
In addition, I have personally witnessed on numerous occasions our Committeemen making misleading and inaccurate statements about the Board of Education as well as ridiculing Jason Bing who is the Superintendent of Schools. Should we be surprised that Jason Bing just gave his resignation this year and is moving on?
Please read these alarming Committeeman quotes in “their own words” taken from the minutes of a town meeting last year on 5/13/08 when our school budgets first failed and Independence stood with Liberty in cutting education $150,000.
“Liberty put a figure of $159,000. They weren’t going to come down a dime. Okay? One of the board members, (I’m not going to mention names), came over and said that we could do it for $150,000. All right? Because at that point, our committee was willing to take anything at that point. We were going to go with even less than that! There’s no question about it! We just wanted to get rid of it! Because we don’t really want to handle this stuff! Okay?”- Robert Giordano Independence Mayor (served as the “swing” vote for Independence to cut education)
” Oh, I made recommendations. Mr. Bing (Superintendent of Schools) didn’t take my recommendations. He didn’t take my recommendations with the cut. I came back and said I wanted 20 out of capital reserve, and I went back and said we needed some aides out, because you know that basically any school district that has 20 kids and less does not have a teachers aid in that class. Mr. Bing made it sound like every class and every aid was associated with a special needs person in that class. That’s not the truth!”-John Cummins Independence Committeeman
Question 3) Why do I need to vote in the Republican primary June 2nd?
Answer: It is imperative to get your vote so that I can be on the ballot as a Republican in November.
Again, there will be 2 seats available! I am endorsing Richard Wall www.richard-wall.com to win the other available seat. If we are successful, we have every bit of confidence that we can change the status-quo and get Independence back on a positive track!