CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Please return to contact@apiavotemi.org
no later than Friday, July 25, 2014
Name: Charles E. Clos
City/Town of Residence: Plymouth, Michigan
Office Sought: Wayne County Commissioner, 10 th District
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.S. Eastern Michigan University
Jurist Doctor Magna cum Laude, Detroit College of Law (MSU)
Community Involvement: Plymouth Hockey Association, 25 years.
Member Our Lady Good Counsel Church
Mental health Advisory Board, 29 th District Court
General Contact info for your Campaign Headquarters:
Charles E. Clos
734-326-2101 cclos@lawyersmichigan.com
Website:
Questions:
1.
Why should New Americans like Arab, Asian, and Muslim American voters in your district vote for you? What expertise will you bring to this position sought?
As a former Wayne County Deputy Sheriff for 17 years and as an employer and practicing attorney in Wayne County for 25 years, I have worked with, represented and hired virtually all ethic and minority groups that make up the population of Wayne County. As such, I am particularly sensitive to the cultural differences of each group and the particular issue that are uniquely important and sensitive to some of these groups. Given the aforementioned experience as an attorney, police officer and employer, I have interacted in numerous capacities with members of these groups and have found that regular communication is the key to understanding and cooperation.
2.
Do you believe schools are inclusive and meet the needs of immigrant and economically disadvantaged families? If not, why not and what solutions would you propose?
I do believe that the schools “try” to be as inclusive as possible in meeting these needs however reality suggests that sometimes they fall short of this goal. In ethic areas I do believe that these needs are being met however the problem is in the areas of the county where there are only small populations of minority or disadvantaged students. In these areas, each school should have mandatory diversity programs and promote in school clubs

that bring the students of different ethnic backgrounds together so they can learn from one another and understand one another.
3.
Is it important for Michigan to be a welcoming state for immigrants? Please comment.
How familiar are you with current "welcoming" initiatives and what else should be done?
Without hesitation Michigan must project a welcoming attitude toward immigrants as we are all immigrants by heritage. A line however needs to be drawn between legal and illegal immigrants as illegal immigration is counterproductive to our economy and is a slap in the face to those who have entered our country legally. At the present I am unfamiliar with Michigan’s welcoming initiatives.
4.
What are your views on ensuring equal access to the polls and voting materials for voters of all communities regardless of English speaking and reading ability?
As voting is the linchpin of democracy, not only should the ability to register to vote be easier and more convenient for all citizen, special attention and accommodations need to be implemented for those persons to whom English is not their first language. Again however, voting should be limited to those immigrants who are here legally. Also, strong consideration should be given to producing ballots and in native language of certain communities with heavy ethic populations.
5.
What are your views regarding access to in-language, culturally appropriate healthcare?
As health care is critical to all citizens of Michigan, culturally appropriate medical care is an excellent idea but may be somewhat unfeasible. This is predicated mainly on the fact that there is a shortage of physicians in this country and thus it would seem somewhat impossible to mandate that certain doctors serve specific ethnic communities. The answer would appear to be encouraging hospitals and clinics to hire an ethnically diverse support staff of nurses, medical assistants and clerks to serve their ethnic patients.
6.
What are your views on preventing discrimination in the workplace? How will you address workplace issues generally?
As an employer, for the past 23 years I have hired employees from probably every ethnic group residing in Wayne County. Those employees, like all employees in our firm, succeed or fail based upon their performance alone which is consistent with my philosophy.
As an employee, especially with the county, I have worked with all ethnic and minorities. I have learned that the ethnicity of a person or the color of their skin has no bearing on their ability to perform. Discrimination in the workplace, like discrimination in all aspects of my life will not be tolerated, accepted or excused.