Five & five: Unedited answers from the Republican candidates running to represent the 99th District

Roger Hauck of Union Township and Robin Stressman of Mount Pleasant square off in the Aug. 2 primary election. The winner will face Mount Pleasant Democrat Bryan Mielke for the State House seat in the Nov. 8 General Election.

Cotter, who is finishing his final term as the Speaker of the House was first elected in November 2010. The district encompasses all of Isabella County and 10 townships in Midland County — Ingersoll, Mt. Haley, Mills, Hope, Jasper, Greendale, Porter, Geneva, Warren and Edenville.

A Union Township Trustee for the past three years, Hauck, has lived his entire life in the 99th District. Coming from a family of eight, Hauck said he grew up on a beef and dairy farm in Beal City and graduated from Beal City High School in 1980. Hauck attended Ferris State University for a semester and briefly attended Central Michigan University before deciding not to pursue a post-secondary degree. In addition to running his own small business building duplexes, Hauck has worked 24 years at the Delfield Company in Mount Pleasant.

Endorsed by the NRA, Hauck announced his candidacy on Feb. 4.

"I think we've lost the ability to listen to people," Hauck said. "Some people are so caught up on how they are going to respond to what is being said to them, they don't really listen to what is being said. I love my community. I was born and raised in the area. I just want to do what's best for the community."

A political newcomer, Stressman doesn't deny her lack of political experience. She said she is prepared to listen and take action as a representative of the 99th District.

Stressman has more than 34 years experience in the real estate business in mid-Michigan. An assistant broker at Coldwell Banker Mount Pleasant Realty & Associates, Stressman has twice served as the Michigan Association of Realtors District 4 Representative. In 2000, she was named Michigan Realtor of the Year and earned Central Michigan Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year three times. Stressman is also a member of the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle, which is awarded to the top 2 percent of Coldwell Banker realtors in the world. Stressman has never held public office.

Born into a military family in Morocco, North Africa before moving back to the United States, Stressman earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Mid-Michigan Community College and a bachelor’s of science in health education and administration from Central Michigan University. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Mount Pleasant.

CM LIFE asked both candidates questions on topics ranging from higher education, pollution and their own qualifications. Below are each candidates' unedited responses.

1.) Is the State of Michigan sufficiently helping universities keep tuition costs manageable for students? What makes a trade school more appealing than a traditional four-year route? If you are in favor of promoting trade schools, what are some of the downfalls with not educating a community in the humanities?

HAUCK: In these times, higher education is necessary to obtain gainful employment. I think there should be various options for higher education, besides traditional college, to prepare people for work.

With the increase in student debt every year, it appears (the State of Michigan is) not (sufficiently helping universities keep tuition costs manageable.) This is something that requires review. I do not believe that trade schools would be “more appealing” than the four year route. I am simply in support of trade schools to offer people additional educational opportunities if they are not interested in traditional college. This option would also serve to fill the rapidly growing vacancies in the skilled trades.

I understand the concern of the impact this could have on society. Worries are that the student will lack the roundedness that comes from an education in the humanities. In my opinion, humanities-type classes are not always legitimately classified (i.e. a class about Si-Fy movies). There are many people that have never taken a humanities class and are very compassionate, extremely intelligent, culturally aware, well-rounded individuals. We are all free to explore the humanities whenever we have the desire or curiosity. A recipient of a trade school education could get educated in the humanities if they wanted to. Does the community become uneducated? Different people require different education. Different careers require different education. One size does not fit all. The individual seeking a skilled trade career are not going to suffer from not learning about impressionist paintings or Italian opera. Also, colleges give students many choices of different classes (as mentioned in my example) to meet their humanities requirement. It seems subjective as to whether or not the class chosen by the student is truly humanities based. Is the student that takes the class about Sy-Fi movies educated and the student studying the about electrical currents, charges, and electromagnetic induction uneducated? No. It is a different education for a different type of career.

STRESSMAN: My take is college isn’t for everyone. But, for those who desire getting a degree, I think it should be achievable for anyone willing to put forth the effort and the hard work. Higher Education should be because the individual wants it—not because, for example someone else wants it for them.

The state should help with school funding as much as possible and the schools should manage allocated money as effectively as possible. Students should use their student loans and grant money wisely. Use your money wisely—for school—not for spending money for things you don’t have to have. Can you spend less? Decide what they want to do before taking numerous classes. Study. Go to class. Make it so you don’t have to repeat it two- three times. Perhaps work in a field to see if you one likes a given area or discipline. Take college level classes in high school for college credit to save some money. Ensure your classes or degree transfer before transferring to a four year university. INVESTIGATE, ASK QUESTIONS, GET ANSWERS.

Trade schools focus on the discipline and don’t spend a whole lot of time on the Humanities. If you want to learn a skilled trade — this is the environment which you can learn just that. Right now, graduates are landing good paying jobs with benefits right out of school. If it is your calling, learn a “SKILL”. It is something you will have for life.

2.) Due to poorly maintained and regulated septic tanks within the community, recent studies have found a larger count of human-derived E. Coli strands within the Chippewa River — damaging wildlife and residents' and tourists' ability to use the river for recreation. How do you plan to address this issue?

HAUCK: It is a high priority. We must keep our environment and natural resources safe. First, this issue requires more research on my part. I need to find out what the current regulations are, if any corrective action has begun, and who are the entities involved in the correction. Secondly, I acknowledge the poor maintenance and regulation where these disposal systems are concerned. My plan for correction would include collaborating with any current group taking on this issue to assist in correction, or assisting in the development of a corrective action team if one has not already been assembled. That group should research the most cost effective, environmentally friendly options for cleaning up the problem and look into federal grants that would assist with the expense of such clean up and rebuilding of the waste systems.

STRESSMAN: Our natural resources are extremely important to the residents of the Central Michigan Area. With limited natural resources, maintaining them for future generations is a must. If there is in fact a human-derived E. Coli problem, determining the source for the human-derived E. Coli strands and coming up with a viable solution should be a top priority. We have the ability to come up with solutions to problems. Lets first fully identify what the problem is, then find a viable solution to FIX the problem. Simply throwing taxpayer money at a poor solution, is wasteful spending.

3.) It's been a rough stretch of time for Michigan republicans, with Gov. Rick Snyder coming under fire for his handling of the Flint water crisis. Do you feel the Republican brand is in trouble in Michigan? How do you plan to bring a positive image to the party?

HAUCK: No. I feel that the Republican Party is strong as ever. The entire Michigan republican party is not responsible for the Flint water crisis. I do not think that the average citizen (like me) feels that way either. The responsibility lies with the individuals, not an entire political party.

I don’t feel that the image of the party is negative. But, I am prepared to work very hard representing the citizens of my district. I will approach every issue with their opinions, feelings, and best interest at heart.

STRESSMAN: You are absolutely correct. Gov. Snyder has been severely blamed for Flint’s water crisis, and I personally think it was uncalled for. Gov. Snyder has taken responsibility and has worked toward helping the City of Flint to fund and rebuild its water distribution system. If you want to point fingers and assign blame there are many different parts to this complex problem. I do not feel this incident will have lasting effects on the Republican Brand. The Republican Party must be responsive to the “Wants and Needs” of the citizens of this Great State of Michigan. As long as they can do that the Republican Party will flourish. Ultimately, it’s up to the constituents to decide. Hopefully, voters will do their due diligence and look at the backgrounds and records of all the candidates and see that Robin Stressman has the most to offer the 99th district.

4.) What are your tax goals? Who, if any, will receive tax breaks — residents or businesses? What kinds of jobs would you like to see created within the district?

HAUCK: One of the most important goals I have regarding taxes is investigating how our taxes are currently distributed and ultimately spent in an effort to identify areas of misuse, overspending, etc. I feel that before deciding to throw more money at the problems, lets take a look at what we are working with first. I do not agree that raising taxes is an answer to any problem. Both (residents and businesses will receive tax breaks.). As stated above, I want to prevent tax increases for residents. As for businesses, providing tax breaks could possibly convince established businesses to stay in the area and be the incentive a new business is looking for to come to our community. 

The types of jobs I will target to bring to the area are those that offer good pay, good benefits, a sense of community to their employees, will be numerous enough that the citizens have plenty to apply for and choose from, and job opportunities that are compatible with the qualifications of those living in this district. The citizens of this district crave and deserve a choice of different places to work that are close to their homes, allow them to sufficiently provide for their families, and gives them a sense of pride to be working for that employer.

STRESSMAN: My goal is 1) LOWER TAXES, 2) LESS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, 3) ACCOUNTABILTY OF TAXPAYER MONEY. By planning our budget and acting accordingly, these goals can work.

I am all for reducing the Corporate Tax Rate. If an area wants to entice new business what do they do? Reduce Corp Tax Rates to stimulate growth. Stimulating business growth brings in jobs and drives up the economy. Taking away, penalizing, or loss of business, ultimately takes away from residents—because someone has lost a their job. What kinds of jobs are you looking to create within the district? People and business create jobs that are needed based on opportunity, demand, and return on investment. Heavily subsidized jobs will fall away once the subsidy is gone.

5.) What in your background has prepared you to serve in the State House? What inspired you to seek election to represent the district in Lansing?

HAUCK: I am in tune with the people of my district because I have lived here my entire life, I served as a union steward for five years and a chief steward for a year and a half, and for the last three years, I have served as a Union Township Trustee. As a trustee I served on the bargaining committee for the employee contracts. I am passionate about my community, my state and the struggles we face. I feel compelled to make a difference and serving in the State House is a way that I think I can contribute.

STRESSMAN: First Off… I am not a POLITICIAN, so please don’t hold that against me! What I am and what I have done are as follows. Graduate MID-MI COMM COLLEGE Associate Degree RN 1982, CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY 1988. U.S. Citizen Born Abroad, Michigan Resident, Worked in Health Care Industry from 1975 to 1988. Licensed REALTOR since 1982. Married 38 years to Steven Stressman (CMU 1990) children; Jennifer (GVSU 2005), Steven II( CMU est.2017) William(CMU est.2017) Jessica(GVSU 2015). I am at the top of my trade. Ranked in the Top 2 percent of Coldwell Banker Agents Internationally. MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS “REALTOR OF THE YEAR” 1992. I SELL REAL ESTATE. I am the daughter, spouse, and mother of Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Being self- employed I know what it’s like to write that monthly Healthcare check, Quarterly IRS Pmt., Tuition Pmt., just to name a few. And in reality it seems the bigger the payment, the less in return…need I go on? As a REALTOR, I have worked with many great people as they have fought to survive the decline in the Michigan Housing Market. Results of that decline are still being felt today. While not good, things are home sales are improving. But, I want to see them become GREAT!

My pledge to the 99th District, is to work as hard being your Representative, as I have, Listing and Selling Real Estate to the residents of Isabella County these last 34 years, no matter what party you hail from.