Ortonville- Newly elected State Representative Jim Marleau(R-Lake Orion) spoke with Citizen staff on March 18 discussing some of his plans for the up coming year.
Marleau, 58, a Lake Orion resident was elected last fall to the 46th district, replacing Ruth Johnson who stepped down due to term limits. The district includes Addison, Brandon, Groveland, Holly, Orion, Oxford and Rose townships.
The former Orion Township treasurer discussed several topics including the economy; water quality and sewers; traffic congestion on M-15; and his opposition to the closing of the Michigan State Police post in Groveland Township recently proposed by Democratic Gov. Jennifier Granholm.
‘This has to be an oversight of somebody on the budget committee,? he said. ‘They said they’d save $334,000. The governor said nobody is going to lose their job. If that’s the case, there are no savings. The only savings are the secretary, janitor, the lease on the copy machine and the lease on the computers and that comes to $50,900. It’s all relevant. I think basically, what price is a life worth? I’m not willing to settle for $50,900.?
Marleau also commented on the need for state assistance with regard to a local sewer system in Brandon Township.
‘I think it’s a very needed thing, but right now we have so much red ink we have to be very careful on what we’re doing. We’re trying to cut taxes right now and keep businesses here. We have to get the state back in healthy shape.?
Marleau can be reached by phone at (517) 373-1798 or email at jimmarleau@house.mi.gov.