Candidate endorsements

The Aug. 5 primary election will present west Oakland voters with a number of local issues, a countywide issue on the Detroit Zoo and a number of races involving candidates seeking their party nominations to ...

[Rick Winkler]

As a resident with an eye on the upcoming state rep. primary in the 39th district, I was surprised to see that the latest press surrounding the contest, and specifically regarding candidate Amy Peterman, has not referenced Peterman's previous newsworthy exploits.
Those of us who follow the local press may remember a deeply disturbing child abuse case from September of 2002, where a 15 year old (male) baby-sitter was charged with first and second degree criminal sexual conduct with boys between the ages of 5 and 9 who were under his care.
As documented in the Sep. 18, 2002 edition of the Detroit Free Press, during the proceedings the baby-sitter's attorney, none-other than Ms. Peterman, asked Judge Rae Lee Chabot to lower her client's bond, arguing that "the allegations didn't involve violent crimes."
The Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor on the case, Robert Zivian responded that "I can't think of anything much more violent you can do to a 5-year-old kid."
Thankfully, Judge Chabot rejected Peterman's request and did not lower the bond.
Every time I see one of Peterman's signs or read one of her letters touting her candidacy, I can't help but be reminded of this case and her role in it. While Peterman may have just been "doing her job" in trying to protect her client's interests, I believe that her role in the case speaks volumes about her character and her suitability (or lack thereof) to be the 39th district's next state representative. Peterman - a mother herself - had no problem arguing that serious criminal allegations allegedly perpetrated on young children were not "violent crimes." I wonder if Mrs. Peterman would feel the same if it were her children who were abused.
What is evident from Ms. Peterman's actions is that she will say and do anything to further an agenda - be it lowering a client's bond or furthering her political career. Should Peterman succeed on her journey to Lansing, she will find herself in the company of many like-minded politicians, who have made careers out of saying whatever needs to be said in order to further their political aspirations, but then doing quite another once they are elected.
Our state doesn't need another politician who will just say what needs to be said in order to get elected. We need principled candidates who talk straight and are committed to resurrecting our broken state, not perpetuating the status quo. I'm not yet sure who that candidate is, but I am certain that it is NOT Amy Peterman. Anyone who could argue that the sexual abuse of a young child is not a "violent crime" does not posses the qualities necessary to be an elected official in our state.
link to news story:
http://web.archive.org/web/20021003072027/www...

[Carson Henry]

For someone who "follows the local press" you must have been sleeping when this young man was acquitted after a jury trial. I would think that you would have done your homework before making these statements. You must have also been alseep that day in government when they explained ones constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The jury in this case found him not guilty. Or perhaps you knew this and deliberately omitted it to further your own agenda, which now is very obvious to me. Now look who is saying or doing anything to get elected?! By the way, it took me all of 2 minutes to verify this information, what's your excuse?
I think any mother, including Ms. Peterman would want someone to defend her young minor child if he was wrongfully charged. Thank the Lord that we have people in our country, like Amy Peterman, who will defend the rights of those wrongfully charged of a crime. If that were my boy, I would have done anything in the world to make sure that justice was served and that he had the outstanding representation that he obviously got from Ms. Peterson. One thing I can agree with you on, we do need principled candidates. Anyone who comes to the defense of an innocent child when they did nothing wrong is the one I'd take in a second.

[Ricky347]

Carson Henry is a liar. Show proof the rapist was acquitted. I call BS.