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QUESTIONABLE STATEMENTS:
"I believe my experience managing a small business and budgets and creating jobs is a prospective badly needed in Lansing."
Clemente was involved in running the family business, Clemente's, a restaurant, bar and bowling alley in Lincoln Park. But the business, which had been in operation for 80 years, closed recently. Clemente's father, Joe, said in a telephone interview that he decided to shutter the business because he is 85 years old and business had fallen off. He also said his son decided to leave the restaurant to run for the state House.
Paul Clemente's campaign flier includes several photos of the family business, giving the impression that it's still in operation.
". . . my small business and accounting background may be just what is needed in Lansing during these challenging times."
Running a small business has little in common with overseeing state government, which employs about 52,000 and has an overall budget of $44 billion. A small business background is no guarantee of legislative success. There are currently a number of small business owners in legislative positions and the state continues to have budget issues.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
The flier misleads by citing how important Clemente's experience in the family business was in shaping his work ethic and qualification for public office, but fails to mention that the business is defunct. There is one photo in the flier that shows he and his parents standing underneath the sign at the restaurant's front entrance, giving the impression that Clemente's is still in operation.
But he does say "the last few years have been tough for everyone" and he apparently is including himself in that statement.
Beyond that, Clemente offers no specifics on how he would change the " 'business as usual' culture" in Lansing or address issues in the Downriver Detroit district that includes the communities of Ecorse, Melvindale, River Rouge and part of Allen Park.
The 14th district House seat is held by Clemente's cousin Ed, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Clemente says that he and Ed worked at the restaurant, but doesn't mention that Ed holds the House seat he is seeking.
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD CALL:Warning.
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Warning. Photos in the flier misleadingly suggest Clemente's family business, which he said was so important to his professional background, is still operating.
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