Home Page     More News
 
Candidates Address Sandbox Party Concerns

BERGLAND - Monday members of the Sandbox Party hosted a meet and greet for candidates in this fall’s election. Those candidates at the event were: Jim Jessup, Janis Burgess candidates for Ontonagon Probate Judge. Also at the forum was Matt Huuki and Scott Dianda candidates for state representative in the 110th District as were Mike Lahti and Tom Casperson candidates for state senate’s 38th District.

Casperson was late for the meeting due to some confusion of the time zones. Also, Mr. Casperson had compelling reasons to remain in Escanaba until the last possible moment. He did arrive later in the meeting and did make a brief address to the attendees.
Each candidate was able to present their biographical information to the conference attendees and discuss the reasons that they are seeking office. The candidates were given three minutes to speak although most went beyond the time limit. (see video coverage below)
The Meeting opened with a brief talk by Matt Gillard representative of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. The ECIC is the organization the funds our local Collaborative. Gillard is a former state representative from the Alpena area. When in the legislature, Gillard focused on childhood issues.

Gillard believes that early childhood interests will be the driving force in future economic recovery. Gillard believes that the next Governor and Legislature will be charting the course for decades to come.
The Sandbox party held a convention in Lansing earlier this year that was attended by six thousand parents and other citizens concerned with early childhood issues. At that convention both gubernatorial candidates addresses the convention attendees.
The event was so successful that Gillard and the ECIC are having forums around the state as they did in Bergland Monday.

 
Following the forum there was a luncheon and attendees were able to speak to candidates about their concerns.
After lunch the regularly scheduled Great Start Collaborative meeting took place.
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
above - sandbox cake was made by Lillian Tiziani age 11, Eleanor Tiziani age 9, and Sylvia Tiziani age 6.