Letters to the Editor – Praedel for State Representative

I am writing to strongly encourage everyone in Kalamazoo’s 60th District to elect Chris Praedel as our next State Representative. Chris was born and raised in Kalamazoo and knows exactly what we need to succeed and thrive as a city. As a professional here at WMU, I have served as Chris’s Advisor and Supervisor, and have had the pleasure of watching him develop into a strong leader and positive role model. During his time here, Chris took on multiple leadership roles, including President of both WSA and RHA. He consistently looked for ways to make life better for the students here at Western, and has always led and represented with great integrity.

One thing that sets Chris apart from other candidates is the fact that he is not a career politician. He is an educator with a passion for political representation. Chris knows that his number one priority will be to the people of Kalamazoo, and not to political elders. We are long overdue for this kind of leadership and representation. With his recent experiences as a WMU student, and as a public school teacher with Teach For America, Chris knows first-hand what poor funding can do to education at all levels. He will make it his mission to make sure that public education is funded properly, and will help at the state level to ease the burdens to students and teachers.

Chris has amazing leadership experience and much pride for Kalamazoo. He will represent us with enthusiasm, integrity, honesty and responsibility. Again, it is with great pleasure and honor that I recommend Chris Praedel for State Representative and strongly encourage everyone to come out and vote on August 3.

—Steve Booher, WMU Orientation Coordinator / Asst. Director of Admissions

In 2007, Chris Praedel led a massive student rally in Lansing demanding restoration of $150 million in education funding. In order to do this he created a student advocacy group that brought together the fifteen public universities in Michigan. To me, this shows a leader that stands up for education and can bring people together to get results. Chris leads by example and inspires everywhere he goes. He is proud of his hometown and will fight for the people. Not only is Chris passionate about education, but he will work to bring in new jobs and secure equality for all. I know that Chris is the kind of leader we need to represent a city with 40,000 college students, the Kalamazoo Promise, and the great city of Kalamazoo. I encourage you to join me in voting for Chris Praedel for State Representative on Tuesday, August 3rd.

—Danielle Harik, 2007 WMU Student Body President

I think there is something to be said about voting for a person that has experienced each part of their life in a place he or she wishes to represent. To me, that is the true experience that matters. Chris Praedel is one of the few candidates on the ballot that was born, raised, educated kindergarten through college, worked, and has led within the district he seeks to represent. He won’t be accountable to special interests or the political and social elite, he will be accountable to his neighbors and those who helped to raise him within his district. I like voting for someone with the values of his community. I think Chirs encompasses those values that will serve us well in Lansing.

—Katie Rollert, WMU Alumni

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=18375

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jul 25 2010. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com