Election discussed at Eastside Business Association

The Eastside Business Association July 28 discussed the Aug. 3 elections.

Chairman Mike Tobias introduced four speakers who talked about the upcoming elections.

Damika Pace-Byrd, an attorney practicing in Flint and former public defender for the 68th District Court, spoke to the group about her campaign for district court judge.

Pace-Byrd, asked why she was running for the position, said, "This isn't just a paycheck for me. Flint is home. It's where I was raised and where I raise my children. It's a vital opportunity to give back to a community that's given so much to me. I believe Flint needs a bench that cares for the community."

Pace-Byrd said she believes her commitment to Flint is "unwavering and unmatched." As judge, she vowed to be tough on crime and protect citizens, businesses and children. She is running against opponent Cathy Dowd.

Kyle Cawood is running for 49^th District state representative, a seat currently held by Lee Gonzales, who is term-limited. Cawood is a veteran of the Iraq War.

"I'm not a career politician," Cawood said.

He decided to run for office when he returned from Iraq and was dismayed to find the condition of Michigan's economy.

"We're paying our politicians too much money," Cawood said.

He specifically cited lifetime health care benefits given to state representatives. Cawood proposed a part-time legislature. His primary concern, he said, is creating jobs and increasing tax revenue. He hopes to expand tax cuts to small businesses.

He is also advocating education reform and a restructuring of the curriculum. Cawood said he wants to put funding back into programs such as music, dance and drama that give students something to put their creative efforts behind and look forward to in the school day. Cawood referred to his daughter who left Carman Ainsworth schools because she felt teachers were not interested in her and her interests were not being engaged.

He also hopes to bring a program like the Kalamazoo Promise to the area. The Kalamazoo program, which offers a full ride college scholarship to any student graduating from Kalamazoo Public Schools, would serve as a model and "give the economically challenged a chance to go to college," Cawood said.

"Everything we need to make Flint a thriving college town is here but we have to revitalize," Cawood said.

Larry Hutchinson is also running for the 49^th District seat.

As an unemployed Flint man, Hutchinson said, "I hope I can connect with the many unemployed in Michigan. No one will fight harder to create jobs."

Hutchinson is a familiar figure in Flint. In 2007 he ran as a write-in candidate for mayor and has previously run for state representative. His campaigns have commonly featured handmade signs with images of himself, nailed to utility posts. A resident spoke up in criticism of the signs and thanked Hutchinson for not continuing them.

"Yard signs don't win elections," Hutchinson replied.

Hutchinson praised the group, saying, "This is how politics is done — in small rooms with a few concerned people."

Hutchinson said as well as creating jobs, education is important to him. "Public schools are a failed institution," he said. He supports faith-based initiatives and believes schools should "draw out what God puts inside a child."

He referred to Michael Jackson and the early discovery of his singing talents by Motown.

Ed Benning, assistant general manager of the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), spoke about the renewal millage.

Benning said MTA is one of the largest transit services in the state and serves many seniors, students and disabled people, as well as those who choose to use the bus as their means of conveyance to work. The MTA averages 6 million trips a year, Benning said. Ridership has increased steadily over the past six years as the cost of gas and loss of employment have influenced more people away from driving.

"We are an essential service, like education, police and fire. Many may not use it, but it's difficult to go anywhere without seeing MTA and those who rely on it."

Plans for a greener MTA are underway. Lithium batteries and diesel will soon power MTA buses. A hydrogen generator on Dort Highway and Maple Avenue is planned to begin operation next year.

The millage, if approved, will still mean a 1.2 million reduction in property tax revenue for the MTA.

"We know we must be more efficient and more effective," Benning said.

The Eastside Business Association meets at noon each Wednesday at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1922 Iowa St.