Martin Church is the Republican Party candidate running to serve in the Michigan Legislature on behalf of the 18th Senate District, of which Saline is a part. His Democrat opponent is Jeff Irwin. [1]
Earlier this month, Saline Journal invited each individual to share their thoughts with our readers on a specific series of questions. Responses from Republican Church appear below. Responses from Democrat Irwin will run in Saline Journal tomorrow. [2]
Saline Journal: “What would you list as your top five priorities in Lansing for 2019?” [3]
Martin Church:
- Tax sharing with community (increase payment to required levels)
- Balanced the state budget
- Return education to the family
- Reduce Taxes
- Develop incentives to encourage business to support infrastructure improvements
Saline Journal: “US-12 is recognized and revered for its place among ‘the oldest road corridors east of the Mississippi River,’ and it literally cuts the City of Saline into two parts. How would you recommend improving our position with regard to Michigan Avenue?” [4,5]
Martin Church: “Improving your position with Michigan Avenue is a project that should be tackled by the local community with minimal involvement from the state.”
Saline Journal: “How, specifically, would you describe Saline to other Senators in Lansing — as a place, and in terms of needs and opportunities?”
Martin Church: “As a place of change and adoption. From a sleepy little town, to a community with major sources of employment and golden opportunity. With the former Ford plant (I was part of the plant’s IT Staff for several years) in the city, and increase development with a new Walmart, improvements to Briarwood Ford, life is currently fantastic for Saline.” [6]
Saline Journal: “From 1998 to 2008, Saline had a museum where a sizable collection of marionettes, properties, and materials used by the famed puppeteer Meredith Bixby were publicly displayed. Do you think that something similar can and should be supported by the state?” [7]
Martin Church: “If the local community wants to support a project like this I don’t have an issue with it. As for the state providing funds to support it, then, no.
The state should provide for the needs of the whole state not local Projects. Now, if the city wants to use the revenue sharing funds which the state should provide, then that would be fine. Just remember: Funds used for this project would prevent expenditures on other projects. But it’s your decision.
Saline Journal: “Over the last two years, a number of municipalities have passed their own non-discrimination ordinances, arguing that Michigan statutes provide insufficient protections. Do you agree or disagree with these actions? What should Lansing be doing as next steps in response?” [8]
Martin Church: “Most of these non-discrimination ordinances were passed to satisfy a small community of vocal activists to force another segment of the community to support and approve of alternative lifestyles. They were not passed to stop actual cases of discrimination. In fact they have been used to harasses another segment of the community.
This has led to a patch work of ordinances which reinforce discrimination against each other, as seen in the Supreme Court Ruling against the Colorado Baker. [9]
It is time to stop these attacks against both sides and start learning how to work together toward understanding. So, no, I do not support changing the Michigan law on discrimination as Colorado has done. All citizens should be treated with respect and allowed to live within the accepted religious guidelines.
Saline Journal: “Describe a memorable meal you’ve had in downtown Saline. [10]
Martin Church: “I am sorry to say, when I am in Saline, like other communities, I eat at several restaurants, from Wendy’s, Taco Bell/KFC, the DQ. A couple of times I went with my co-workers from the Ford/ACH (now Faurecia) plant to the Chinese buffett. When having my car worked on at Briarwood Ford, I will eat at Subway. And when entertaining my kids, we would have foil dinners at the park.”
Additionally, each candidate was offered the opportunity to put forth a question of their own and then answer it for publication here.
Martin Church: “As a brief background, you should know I was born and raised in Taylor, Michigan, where I participated in the creation of the City of Taylor. I have lived in Ypsilanti for the last 30 years.
I hold an associates degree from Wayne County Community College, my Bachelor’s Degree is from Spring Arbor University in Family Education and recently completed my Master’s degree from Regis University in Information Assurance. I have been in Scouting since 1966 attaining the rank of Eagle at the age of fourteen.
My wife and I have home-schooled our children from first grade to tenth, then they were then enrolled in Washtenaw Technical Middle College. From there my son attended UofM, graduating with dual Bachelors in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. My daughter is working on her Bachelors in Information Assurance at EMU.
My view of state government role is to provide guidance and let the local community to supply the needs of the community.
To get out of the way of the local community and the faith-based community to meet the social needs of the community. Not to take over and dictate what those needs are. To protect the natural resources of the state, with the needs of the local community being considered. To create the opportunity for its citizens to grow and gain opportunities to improve themselves, not to hold them in bondage for crumbs.
References
- Michigan Senate (home page).
- “Major Political Party Candidates Have Answered Questions In Races Of Local Interest To Saline Michigan” Dell Deaton (October 12, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Candidates were requested to limit their responses to ten words or less per item.
- US 12 Heritage Trail (home page).
- “Highway History: US 12 Michigan to Washington” US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
- Faurecia Interiors (home page).
- “A Brief Look Back On The Meredith Bixby Marionette Story, Part II: Saline Once Hosted Museum, Held Puppet Festivals” Dell Deaton (September 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “New Non-Discrimination Ordinance Can Further Enhance the Value of Saline” Dell Deaton (April 3, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd et al, v Colorado Civil Rights Commission et al (October Term 2017) Supreme Court of the United States.
- Saline Main Street (home page).
