Up North Progressive

Jim Page of Sault Ste. Marie is the Democratic candidate for the 107th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. His future district is comprised of Chippewa, Emmet and Mackinac counties; Koehler, Tuscarora, Beaugrand, Hebron, Mackinaw, Munro townships; the city of Cheboygan in Cheboygan County. Jim has been very busy meeting the residents of his district and discussing the issues with them.

Born in Mt. Clemens to parents who were both Sault Ste. Marie natives, Jim Page grew up in the Upper Peninsula. He joined the Marines in 1977 and served in a number of bases. He earned a teaching degree from Central Michigan University in 1982 and taught Math and Computer classes for different Michigan schools in both Jr. High and High School levels. He retired from teaching in 2010. Jim is an environmentalist and conservationist. He is a member of the Sierra Club, Ducks Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Club and Trout Unlimited.

Jim Page’s platform includes improving funding for public education and the economy. Increasing one has a direct impact on the other. This is why funding education at sustainable levels is so important. Currently, Lansing has made drastic cuts to education in Michigan which has made it difficult for schools to stay open. This is especially true for Northern Michigan districts, most of which are located in rural areas. Raising minimum wage to a living wage will put more money in people’s pockets and also enable them to work fewer jobs, or not need to work to supplement retirement income. Jim Page also wants to overturn right to work once he’s in Lansing representing the 107th district. The tax system in the state was shifted so it put an extra burden on those who have less, while giving cuts to those who have more. That needs to be balanced so it is more fair, especially for our seniors who now have a large tax raise on their retirement income. The environment is vitally important to Northern Michigan. Tourist dollars come from people coming north to enjoy the natural beauty of the state. It must be protected from energy companies who would destroy the land for profit.

November 4 is coming quickly, and Jim Page looks forward to everyone helping him get the word out that there is a choice for the people of the 107th district. Jim Page is the candidate who will go to Lansing and fight for seniors, the poor, and the middle class, all struggling to survive in Michigan’s flat economy. If you would like to help Jim with his campaign, you can visit his website to volunteer, learn more about him and donate. You can also meet Jim in person on Tuesday at 7:00 pm, September 23, when he will be at the Emmet County Democratic Party headquarters at 915 Emmet Street in Petosky. They will be holding a fund raiser for him.