Health & Fitness
AnnMarie DeVito Election Survey
Introduction
In a previous blog post, I offered Troy City Council candidates the opportunity for free campaign space by responding to survey questions. This 2014 election, I’ll offer the same to all political candidates, posting their replies on the Patch and on the USA Melting Pot website.
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Survey Response from AnnMarie DeVito, Candidate for District Judge
Questions in italics, answers from candidate in bold:
1. The Troy Transit Center is a government project with federal funds allocated by the state, approved by a 4-3 majority on the Troy Council. All three levels of government were involved: federal state and local. It has not yet opened because of an ownership dispute over the land. What lessons can be learned from this? (See more background in this article.)
The Troy Transit Center is a subject that has been before the Troy City Council and in the court system for a number of years. From what I understand, there are still contractual issues to be litigated, along with ongoing negotiations with the FTA and other governmental agencies.
For those reasons, I will not make further comment on the project.
2. Have you read The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic, by former Reagan Justice Department attorney and conservative talk show host Mark Levin?
I have not read The Liberty Amendments.
3. What do you think of the eleven specific amendments? You can read a summary of them in this National Review article. Should each of them be adopted, modified or discarded? Please explain.
As Judge, I will uphold the letter of the law, including the Constitution and all of its Amendments. I have reviewed a summary of the eleven Amendments proposed by author Mark Levin. However, it was just a summary of the Amendments, and not a complete and full writing of the Amendments. Without reading the book in its entirety and the full content of the eleven Amendments, I do not feel informed enough to comment on whether they should be adopted, modified, or discarded.
4. What other statements would you like to make on behalf of your campaign?
Please visit my website at www.DeVitoForJudge.com to learn more about me and upcoming events that I will be attending. I look forward to meeting my voters in person and will be working very hard the next couple months to ensure that I meet as many people as possible and inform them about my campaign.
District Judge Race 52-4
In the August 5 primary, there is a three-way race for an open district judge seat (six year term). Since incumbent judges are rarely challenged and all three well-qualified candidates are young, Troy voters may be choosing their district judge for the next thirty years.
There will be a candidate forum at the Clawson City Hall Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m. Details of the State Senate (July 8) and Congressional candidate forums (July 16) can be found at the League of Women Voters website.
Candidates submitted detailed questionnaires to the Oakland Country Bar Association and Detroit Free Press, which can be found here:
http://bit.ly/2014JudicialForums
So I have added a fifth question to the survey (see blog article for more) and hope each candidate chooses to respond.
Here are the additional questions:
5. For Mike Bosnic: You have previously served as a Republican County Commissioner. The judge seat is non-partisan. Can you be objective in hearing cases?
5. For AnnMarie Devito: You are the least-known of the candidates, not having held public office before. How will the lack of a voting record affect your chances for being elected?
5. For Maureen McGinnis: You served on the Troy City Council and often voted with the liberal bloc. Can you be objective in hearing cases?
While it is true that both of my opponents have been through an election before, I think the fact that I am not a politician will benefit my campaign. From the opinions I have heard thus far, people are tired of politicians. As most are aware, a District Court Judge does not run on a political platform, as it is a non-partisan position. As District Court Judge, I will be fair, impartial, willing to hear all facts before making a decision, and most importantly I will apply the letter of the law. Therefore, I believe the lack of a voting record is irrelevant with regard to my ability to interpret the law as written to the facts of each individual case before me in the courtroom.
Here is a link to a previous survey response from Maureen McGinnis.
Liberty Amendments Summary
I’ve read Levin’s book and am interested to know what candidates for public office think of it. More description is in a previous blog post, including links to a National Review article summarizing the book. Below is a brief summary:
Term Limits for Congress, Supreme Court and More Control for State Governments
The first amendment limits members to a total of 12 years in Congress! Supreme Court justices would also be limited to 12 year terms. Other provisions would return more decisions to the states and promote economic growth through the “laboratories of democracy.” (the states)
The closer government is to the people it represents, the more responsive and less wasteful it will be.
Fiscal Tipping Point
President Franklin Roosevelt said, “Any Government, like any family, can for a year spend a little more than it earns. But you and I know that a continuation of that habit means the poorhouse.”
America has reached the tipping point, where its debts will soon be unmanageable if it doesn’t act soon. The growth of the Federal Government must be restrained. Levin’s Liberty Amendments may need some modification. But they are a good start, in my opinion.
Offer to All Political Candidates
I hope candidates choose to read this important book. Since my blog is the most widely read on the Troy Patch, I’ll offer all candidates the exposure to answer the above four questions and give them free publicity for their campaigns.
As with the Troy Council election, I’ll print their responses in the order received.
Easy way to help a great club
If you wish to support the USA Melting Pot club, a Michigan non-profit corporation, you can make your Amazon purchases through the link on our website. The club will get a percentage of the purchase to fund community service activities and our scholarship fund. Thanks for your support.
Conservative columnist Dale Murrish writes on history, travel, technology, religion and politics for the Troy Patch. You can read his articles on other topics by clicking on the links.