I was proud to serve as a Republican member of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners from 1993-2002, representing much of the same portion of the county as Mark Ouimet does now. This November, I will be enthusiastically voting for Democrat Christine Green for state representative and not for Mark, her Republican opponent. I will do this, because I am certain that Christine will be an excellent representative for our community in Lansing. Christine and I presently serve together on the Scio Township Board of Trustees, where I have been able to observe her keen grasp of issues - from economic development to the environment, education and government reform - as well as her deep commitment to the community, her intensely hard work and her absolute integrity.

I will also be doing so because of my profound disappointment in Mark. Like many others, I’ve seen Mark show up at events and meetings all over the community, even if it wasn’t exactly clear why he was there, except to be seen. This has happened at some of our trustee meetings. That’s okay, I guess; it’s what politicians do. Unfortunately, I was appalled to learn in recent days that, frequently, when Mark showed up at these events, he was billing the taxpayers of Washtenaw County $25, plus mileage, for doing so, in violation of county rules. As both a commissioner and a trustee, I have viewed elected office as an opportunity to serve my community, not as a chance to further a political career or to line my pockets. Christine fully shares that view, and acts upon it. I don’t think Mark does. An old expression says “there’s a difference between a show horse and a workhorse.” It has become clear that Mark is a show horse, and the act is getting old. Please join me in supporting Christine Green - she’ll be a true workhorse for all of us. Richard A. DeLong Scio Township