TRAVERSE CITY -- Call them idealists.
Led by the nonprofit Center for Michigan, a growing number of citizens believe talking to candidates can end partisan gridlock and rally Lansing lawmakers around common issues that matter to voters.
Their success in northwest Michigan will be on display Monday during a candidate forum for local state House candidates Ray Franz, Dan Scripps, Roman Grucz and Wayne Schmidt.
The forum is designed to intensify candidates' focus on issues voters say matter most for the state's future, said John Bebow, executive director of Center for Michigan.
Bebow said candidates will be asked to detail strategies to balance the state budget, work in bipartisan fashion, and accomplish other goals.
"The audience will see what kind of quality candidates we have, based on the specificity of their answers," Bebow said.
The Center was created by former political leaders on the left and right who want to change the partisan political dialogue of Lansing, Bebow said. The effort seeks to counter negative campaign ads and public cynicism with an infusion of in-depth citizen perspectives and reform ideas that can be taken up by candidates of all political stripes.
Those issues were determined through 180 community conversations across the state. Half a dozen meetings were held in Traverse City.
The conversations established three priorities for Michigan's future: a globally competitive workforce; a diversified economy and great quality of life; and effective, efficient and accountable government.
"Any kind of proactive change in Michigan is going to be a challenge, and we have to have realistic expectations, but I think their message is dead on," said meeting participant Hans Voss, of the Michigan Land Use Institute.
Evidence shows that Center for Michigan's approach to focused citizen involvement shapes candidates' opinions, Bebow said. He cited candidates who now regularly talk about bipartisanship, something rarely mentioned two years ago.
"We need to stop bickering and fighting in Lansing and find common ground," said Schmidt, Republican candidate for the 104th House District.
"Partisanship is absolutely killing the state and stopping us from moving forward," said Grucz, Schmidt's Democratic opponent.
Scripps and Franz, candidates for the 101st House District, also will participate in the forum.
First forum set for Oct. 6
The first candidate forum of the general election hosted by the Center for Michigan will be held at the Interlochen Center for the Arts Dendrinos Chapel on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Republican and Democratic candidates for the 104th state House District representing Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties, and the 101st District representing Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties will attend. The forum is scheduled to last one hour. Candidates are encouraged to informally answer questions directly from the public after the forum.
Those planning to attend the free event are asked to send an e-mail to info@thecenterformichigan.net or phone Annette Guilfoyle at (616) 460-6455.
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