Brown vows to fight for families
By Larry Ruehlen
ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER

Lisa Brown would fight for local school funding and work to bring jobs to Michigan if elected state representative for the 39th District.

"We have to reward companies that are trying to provide jobs," said Brown. "And we have to stop giving tax breaks to companies that are sending jobs overseas."

Brown, who lives in West Bloomfield, is a lifelong resident of Oakland County. She graduated from Andover High School, then went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. She is a Realtor at Max Broock Realtors in Bloomfield Hills and is concerned about the number of families losing homes to foreclosure.

"As a mother and as a homeowner, I've seen the impact our troubled economy is having on our families and on our neighborhoods," Brown said.

"Our property values are dropping, yet our taxes are going up. People are losing their homes or leaving the state because they can't find work."

Brown, a Democrat, nearly defeated state Rep. David Law in 2006. Law is not seeking re-election and is instead running for Oakland County prosecutor.

Running against Brown in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary is West Bloomfield attorney John Kuriakuz, 28, who was quoted extensively in previous stories.

"Michigan and West Bloomfield aren't like they used to be," said Kuriakuz. "We have too many empty houses and businesses are leaving the state. And too many people in Lansing are apathetic about it."

The deadline to file nominating petitions is May 13.

On the Republican side, former Walled Lake Consolidated school board Trustee Amy Peterman is the only declared candidate thus far. "Lansing is dysfunctional," said Peterman. "We need experienced leaders who can take action and make a difference."

Brown serves on the PTO at both Pine Lake Elementary School and West Hills Middle School. She formally announced her candidacy at Pine Lake this week.

She said she has been going door to door talking to residents and the issues of school finance and health insurance come up over and over. People want local schools to get the money they deserve, Brown said, and they also want affordable health coverage.

"There shouldn't be a reason that some schools are better than others. All schools should be excellent.

"And there are too many people without health insurance. People shouldn't have to spend thousands of dollars a month on prescriptions. They shouldn't have to choose between buying medicine and food.

" Brown said the state should find a way to buy drugs in bulk and sell them at a discount. She promised to represent families, not special interest groups if elected to serve in Lansing.

The 39th District covers West Bloomfield and Commerce townships and Wolverine Lake.