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| Joe Laura: On the Record; A PROFILE BY ANNA KROME | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 7 2009, 01:56 PM (459 Views) | |
| Ms. AK | Sep 7 2009, 01:56 PM Post #1 |
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JOE LAURA: On the Record BY ANNA KROME Sitting Livonia city councilman and 2009 city council candidate Joe Laura arrives a few minutes late to the interview at Panera. A bit rumpled from the long day--he rushes in, sincerely apologizes, offers an iced tea and says he was with the "Sisters" (Felician), passing out fliers for his candidacy. The interview, which was scheduled for one hour, stretched to three hours of intense conversation. In a refreshing move, Laura never once looked at a clock or his cell phone. Laura, 59, is a longtime civil servant and a former military man. A West Point graduate and retired U.S. Army Reserves colonel, he was a battalion commander in Operation Desert Storm. In addition to his military service, he has four collegiate degrees in engineering, systems management, finance and strategic studies. He retired after 30 years with Ford and is currently a business development manager at Rockwell-Collins, a defense contractor. "I work with the Army, Marines and law enforcement agencies, developing electronic products for them, such as vehicle-computing systems," Laura says. "It is a fun job that utilizes everything that I have ever learned. And what makes it very neat is that, for the most part, the soldier is my final customer." To start the interview, a quote from his website (www.joelaura.org) comes up. The quote: "My independence will allow me to make decisions without the taint of political expediency." When asked to elaborate, Laura says, "I don't owe anything to anybody--so when I go to vote, I don't have to check with the mayor. I can make my own independent decisions. I'm the most independent on council. However, I can get things done, and I do agree with Jack [mayor] many times." The 31-year Livonia resident continues, "I'm not in it for the power; I'm not in it for the money. I have a good [day] job. I work really hard. This council is very friendly to the mayor and I'm not in his 'inside circle.' But if we disagree--I respect others' efforts. It does no good to dwell on disagreements. I make my statements about the issues and let the citizens decide. I'm there for the people and I'm there to serve the city." A self-described "not very good politician, because I don't say what people want to hear," Laura explains, "I gave up 5% of my [city council] salary, and I've never taken the health benefits or pension. Some are there for their next position and use this as a stepping stone. We have a former councilman, who is now our part-time attorney, making $83,000. We can't afford to do this anymore. I'm there purely for service." In regard to his at-times public disagreements with the mayor at city council meetings, "The mayor should be there to answer questions, but I don't think he should get involved in the discussion. I respect the mayor, but there's a line and he shouldn't cross it." Laura, who is married to Dianne, has many years as a public servant and volunteer, serving on city council (1996-2003, 2005-present) and the Livonia Board of Education (1986-1996), and as director of the Livonia YMCA (1990-present). For 30 years, he was also Ford's Holiday Needy Family Food Coordinator. But, Laura says, "This is the last time I'm running. Win or lose." The candidate is conducting a grassroots campaign and walking door-to-door. He says, "When you shake someone's hand and make a social connection--you touch them. You learn the city and hear what people have to say. So far, the reception has been very good." When speaking of his background and political leanings, he says, "I'm a centrist and a registered Independent. I'm more fiscally conservative than the Republicans." In the past, Laura has garnered the NRA and pro-life endorsements. He is currently endorsed by both Republicans and Democrats, including Representative Thaddeus McCotter, Senator Glenn Anderson, Representative John Walsh, and city council members Terri Godfroid-Marecki, Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson and Laura Toy. On Livonia's economic development and specifically about his sole "no" vote on the second Walmart slated for 7/Middlebelt: "I voted against Walmart, because it's a bad choice for the community. They drive everybody else out of business. There are better choices out there. Walmart will pay a premium to a developer and will literally fund the entire development. We don't necessarily have to approve every plan that comes to us. There's a tendency on council to think the 'world's going to end' and a desperation about the malaise of the economy. Yes, it's tough right now, but there have to be long-term considerations. I believe in responsible redevelopment of vacant and commercial property with no adverse residential effect. I want to discuss and have a diversity in opinions--ask harder questions." On some Livonia hot topics, such as library funding: "We will get a lot of grief, but the plan is that the library is not receiving general fund monies and the two smaller libraries will remain open but be closed every other day." He also said the main library parking lot is slated for repair. On the new courthouse, "I voted for it, but I would've preferred a different location. I don't like it butting up against the condos, but we were told it would be too expensive in the other location." On the annexation, "I voted for it, because I felt that it was the right thing to do, considering the residents [on the hospital property] wanted it." On improving the current level of government transparency, he says, "They make people go through hoops and to FOIA. We must put out as much as we should so that nothing is hidden." Laura has promised no new taxes, because he says, "people are really hurting," yet he promises to maintain city services. In an environment of reduced tax revenue, he says it is possible. The way to do it? "Going through the budget--line by line. I don't want to lay people off, but we've got to operate more efficiently. We need to develop a manpower study to reallocate resources within the city charter. For example, I don't think we need this many attorneys, and I passed a resolution to stop the use of city gas for personal use. We must use city resources more efficiently. Another idea is common dispatches with other communities. We can do this together, but we have to work hard." A note about the author: AK is a Livonia-based freelance writer with 25 years of experience. This article was written for the sake of "citizen journalism" for the purpose of providing the public with longer, more personal candidate interviews for the upcoming primary and general election than currently available in the local press. |
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Krome on Cars | |
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| Mrs.M | Sep 7 2009, 02:40 PM Post #2 |
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Three hour interview! Thanks for spending the time and trying to get thorough answers. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Monkfish | Sep 8 2009, 09:50 AM Post #3 |
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"On the annexation, "I voted for it, because I felt that it was the right thing to do, considering the residents [on the hospital property] wanted it." The "residents" on the property? He voted for it because what-20 people wanted it? Forget about the negative impact it would have on the 100K citizens of Livonia if those 20 odd people got their wish. What a bunch of BS |
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| Otis B. | Sep 8 2009, 10:26 AM Post #4 |
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What an absolutely ridiculous statement. Yeah, it's what the Schostak employees (who were instructed on how to "vote" by their employers) wanted. The annexation is the main reason I can't vote for this toolbox, or any other incumbent. It was an opportunity for a brave councilperson to separate themselves from the pack, but in the end they all followed Jack. |
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| Xena | Sep 8 2009, 01:29 PM Post #5 |
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I have supported Joe in the past and intend to do the same for this election. Do I agree with every decision he makes? Of course not, the annexation issue is one example. But I believe Joe cares about this city very deeply and stands up for the neighborhoods. As I have said more than once he helped ours several times when we needed it. I also like the fact that he is a thorn in Kirkseys side. He answers emails and phone calls right away and gets back to you with information when he says he will. Ill take him over a developer and school board drama queen any day. |
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| uh-oh | Sep 9 2009, 10:36 AM Post #6 |
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Well said Xena, and my sentiments exactly! |
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| Ms. AK | Sep 12 2009, 07:20 PM Post #7 |
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Any other comments or interest in another article? |
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Krome on Cars | |
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